Radiation imaging system and radiation image detector

• US 9,320,482 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Tajima, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Makiya, David J
• Assistant Examiner(s): CORBETT, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US13/800,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20130259196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/42 Arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4283 characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 7/00 Details of radiation-measuring instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/02 using X-rays

Abstract

An X-ray imaging system has two types of electronic cassettes and one type of IP cassette. Upon entering a body portion to be imaged, an input and output controller retrieves from an imaging condition table of the IP cassette an imaging condition corresponding to the body portion as a reference imaging condition. An imaging condition calculator multiplies reference exposure time of the reference imaging condition by a sensitivity coefficient of each electronic cassette, to calculate an imaging condition to be applied in using each electronic cassette. An input and output controller displays the imaging conditions of the electronic cassettes and the IP cassette and choice buttons for choosing one of the electronic cassettes and the IP cassette in a list form on a monitor.

Claims

1. A radiation imaging system comprising:

an X-ray radiation source for emitting X-ray radiation to an object;

a plurality of types of X-ray radiation image detectors to be selectively used, each of said X-ray radiation image detectors detecting an X-ray radiation image based. on said X-ray radiation passed through said object;

a monitor for displaying a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to said types of X-ray radiation image detectors in a comparable manner, each of said imaging conditions including at least tube current and exposure time of said X-ray radiation source;

an information obtain unit for obtaining sensitivity information of each of said types of X-ray radiation image detectors, said sensitivity information including a sensitivity coefficient standardized with respect to sensitivity of a reference X-ray radiation image detector being one of said plurality of X-ray radiation image detectors; and

an imaging condition calculator for calculating said imaging condition to be applied in selectively using each of said X-ray radiation image detectors based on said sensitivity coefficient and a reference imaging condition being said imaging condition of said reference X-ray radiation image detector.

2. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1,

wherein said X-ray radiation image detector is an X-ray radiation cassette detachably loaded in an imaging stand, and said X-ray radiation cassette has a detection panel for detecting said X-ray radiation image and a portable cassette body containing said detection panel.

3. The radiation imaging system according to claim 2, wherein said monitor displays a GUI together with said plurality of imaging conditions in order to choose a desired one of said plurality of types of X-ray radiation cassettes.

4. The radiation imaging system according to claim 3, said monitor displays said imaging condition of said X-ray radiation cassette chosen in said GUI distinguishably from said imaging conditions of the other X-ray radiation cassettes.

5. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1,

wherein said imaging condition calculator calculates said exposure time by multiplying reference exposure time being said exposure rime said reference imaging condition by said sensitivity coefficient.

6. The radiation imaging system according to claim 5. wherein when a tube current-time product being a product of a calculation result of said exposure time and said tube current is out of a settable range of said X-ray radiation source, said imaging condition calculator sets said exposure time such that said tube current-time product falls within said settable range.

7. The radiation imaging system according to claim 6, wherein her said calculation result of said exposure time is a minimum value settable in said X-ray radiation source or less, said imaging condition calculator sets said exposure time at said minimum value and decreases said tube current.

8. The radiation imaging system according to 1, wherein said monitor displays said reference imaging condition together with said plurality of imaging conditions.

9. The radiation imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage device for storing said reference imaging condition and said imaging conditions calculated in said imaging condition calculator.

10. The radiation imaging system according to claim1, wherein said reference X-ray radiation image detector has lowest sensitivity among said plurality of types of X-ray radiation image detectors.

11. A radiation imaging system comprising;

an X-ray radiation source for emitting radiation to an object;

plurality of types of X-ray radiation image detectors to be selectively used, each of said X-ray radiation image detectors detecting an X-ray radiation image based an said X-ray radiation passed through said object;

a monitor for dispiavins4 a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to said type of X-ray radiation image detectors in a comparable manner, each of said imaging conditions including at least tube current a re time of said X-ray radiation source;

an information obtaining unit for obtaining sensitivity information of each of said types of X-ray radiation image detectors; and

an imagine condition calculator for calculating based on said sensitivity information said imaging condition to be applied in selectively using each of said X-ray radiation image detectors, wherein

when said selectively used X-ray radiation image detector has an automatic exposure control function, said monitor displays a set imaging condition to be applied in activating said automatic exposure control function, a calculated imaging condition to be applied in inactivating said automatic exposure control function, and an actual imaging condition in a comparable manner, wherein said set imaging condition has a maximum value of said exposure time settable in said X-ray radiation source;

said calculated imaging condition is said imaging condition calculated in said imaging;

condition calculator; and

said actual imaging condition has actual measurement values of said tube current and said exposure time.

12. A radiation image detector to be used out of a plurality of types et X-ray radiation image detectors, comprising:

a detection panel for detecting an X-ray radiation image; and

a first screen for displaying a plurality of imaging conditions of the plural type of X-ray radiation image detectors in a comparable manner, each of said imaging conditions including at feast tube current and exposure tune to be applied in using each of said plurality of types of X-ray radiation image detectors;

a first screen for displaying a plurality of imaging conditions of the plural type of X-ray radiation image detectors in a comparable manner, each of said imaging conditions including at least tube current and exposure time to be applied in using each of said plurality of types of X-ray radiation image detectors;

an information obtaining unit for obtaining sensitivity information of each of said types of X-ray radiation image detectors, said sensitivity of a reference including a sensitivity coefficient standardized with respect to sensitivity of a reference X-ray radiation image detector being one of said plurality of X-ray radiation image detectors; and

an imaging condition calculator for calculating said imaging condition to be applied in selectively using each of said X-ray radiation image detectors based on said sensitivity coefficient and a reference imaging condition being said imaging condition of said reference X-ray radiation image detector.

13. The radiation image detector according to claim 12, being an electronic cassette that includes said detection panel having an arrangement of pixels for accumulating electric charge in accordance with a radiation dose and a portable cassette body containing said detection panel.

14. The radiation image detector according to claim 13, further comprising a second screen for displaying that said X-ray radiation image detector is chosen.