Radiation image generating system

A radiation image generating system, comprising: a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, each including at least a scintillator layer having a scintillator to emit light according to an entered radiation, a photoelectric conversion layer to detect the light emitted by the scintillator to convert the detected light into electric energy, and a switching element layer having switching elements to accumulate and output the electric energy obtained by the photoelectric conversion layer, the radiation image detecting apparatuses obtaining radiation image information of a subject; and a radiation image generating operation control apparatus including a selection section to select a desired radiation image detecting apparatus among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, wherein the radiation image generating operation control apparatus includes a display section to display scintillator information of the scintillator used in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a radiation image generating system, particularly, to a radiation image generating system for generating a radiation image represented by an X-ray image.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, in a medical diagnosis, a subject is irradiated with a radiation such as an X-ray, and a radiation image obtained by detecting an intensity distribution of the radiation which has penetrated the subject is widely used. In recent years, at the time of performing radiation image generation, a radiation image generating system using a flat panel detector (FPD) for detecting a radiation and converting the detected radiation to electric energy to detect the radiation as radiation image information has been proposed. A scintillator for detecting radiation intensity is mounted on the FPD.

In the radiation image generating system, there is one configured to use an FPD arranged in a radiation image generation room in connection with a predetermined radiation image generating operation control apparatus (controller) such as a personal computer (PC), for controlling radiation image generating operations through predetermined communication lines with an aim of improving the degree of freedom of the system configuration thereof (for example, refer to JP-Tokukai-2003-199736A).

A cassette type FPD containing an FPD in a cassette to improve the carrying property and the handling property of the FPD has been also developed (for example, refer to JP-Tokukaihei-6-342099A). Furthermore, a radiation image generating system in which a cassette type FPD and a radiation image generating operation control apparatus are configured as a system capable of communicating various kinds of information such as radiation image information by a radio system has been also proposed (for example, refer to JP-Tokukai-2003-210444A).

Generally, it is necessary to confirm whether image generation has been performed suitably or not after the image generation, and in the radiation image generating system described above, a radiation image is displayed on a computer. For example, in the above-described radiation image generating system disclosed in JP-Tokukai-2003-199736A, which is configured to connect the FPD and the radiation image generating operation control apparatus with each other through a communication line dedicated for the system, an image generation state can be confirmed by transmitting radiation image information from the FPD to the radiation image generating operation control apparatus, and by displaying reduced images such as thumbnail images produced on the basis of radiation images received by the radiation image generating operation control apparatus on a computer.

However, when the configuration in which the FDP and the radiation image generating operation control apparatus are connected with each other through the communication line dedicated for the system is adopted, the degree of freedom of the system configuration becomes low. Accordingly, it is considerable to build a system by connecting the FDP and the radiation image generating operation control apparatus with each other through an existing network such as Ethernet (registered trademark). However, in this case, communication of radiation image information takes much time, and it is difficult to perform confirmation of an image generation state immediately after the image generation.

Then, in the FPD, a radiation image generating system having a system configuration in which, after producing reduced image information having an information amount less than radiation image information, the produced reduced image information is transmitted to a radiation image generating operation control apparatus, and the reduced image is displayed on a computer has been proposed.

By the way, it has been considered to change the kind and the sensitivity of a scintillator according to the image generation conditions such as the physique of a patient and an image generation region in order to obtain a desired image quality even if the image generation conditions change. In such a case, a plurality of FPDs having scintillators of different kinds and different sensitivities from one another is used. Even though these FPDs are connected through the network described above, the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators in the FPDs cannot be recognized on the network when the situation is left as it is. Consequently, there is a possibility that the generation of a radiation image takes much time and the image generation becomes inefficient as a result. In particular, in the cassette type FPD, because the FPD can move if it is on a network, it is supposed that it takes much time to specify the kind and the sensitivity of a scintillator when the situation is left as it is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve the efficiency in image generation by making it possible to recognize the kind and the sensitivity of a scintillator in an FPD.

In order to achieve the object, according to a first aspect of the invention, the radiation image generating system, comprises: a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, each including at least a scintillator layer having a scintillator to emit light according to an entered radiation, a photoelectric conversion layer to detect the light emitted by the scintillator to convert the detected light into electric energy, and a switching element layer having switching elements to accumulate and output the electric energy obtained by the photoelectric conversion layer, the radiation image detecting apparatuses obtaining radiation image information of a subject; and a radiation image generating operation control apparatus including a selection section to select a desired radiation image detecting apparatus among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, wherein the radiation image generating operation control apparatus includes a display section to display scintillator information of the scintillator used in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses.

According to a radiation image generating system of the first aspect of the invention, because the scintillator information of the scintillator used in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses is displayed on the display section, a manager can recognize the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators of the radiation image detecting apparatuses connected to a network by viewing the scintillator information. Then, when the manager selects one radiation image detecting apparatus which is optimum for the image generation conditions (such as the physique of a patient and an image generation region) among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, even though the image generation conditions change, the manager can easily select the optimum radiation image detecting apparatus according to the changed conditions, and as a result the manager can effectively perform image generation in a desired quality.

In the radiation image generating system according to the first aspect of the invention, preferably, each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses has an identification information provided individually, and the display section of the radiation image generating operation control apparatus displays the scintillator information and the identification information.

According to such a radiation image generating system, it is possible to select a suitable radiation image detecting apparatus easily because of displaying both the scintillator information and the identification information at a time.

In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the radiation image generating system, comprises: a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, each including at least a scintillator layer having a scintillator to emit light according to an entered radiation, a photoelectric conversion layer to detect the light emitted by the scintillator to convert the detected light into electric energy, and a switching element layer having switching elements to accumulate and output the electric energy obtained by the photoelectric conversion layer, the radiation image detecting apparatuses obtaining radiation image information of a subject; a management apparatus to manage scintillator information of the scintillator in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses; and a radiation image generating operation control apparatus to display the scintillator information managed by the management apparatus and to control a radiation image generating operation of one of the radiation image detecting apparatuses, corresponding to a selection result of a selection section to select one of the radiation image detecting apparatuses.

According to a radiation image generating system of a second aspect of the invention, because the scintillator information managed by the management apparatus is displayed on the radiation image generating operation control apparatus, a manager can recognize the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators of the radiation image detecting apparatuses connected to a network by viewing the scintillator information. Then, when one radiation image detecting apparatus which is optimum for the image generation conditions (such as the physique of a patient and a image generation region) is selected among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses by a selection section, the radiation image generating operation control apparatus controls the radiation image generating operation of the selected radiation image detecting apparatus. Consequently, even though the image generation conditions change, the manager can easily select the optimum radiation image detecting apparatus according to the changed conditions, and as a result the manager can effectively perform image generation in a desired quality.

In the radiation image generating system according to the second aspect of the invention, preferably, each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses has an identification information provided individually, and the radiation image generating operation control apparatus displays the scintillator information and the identification information.

According to such a radiation image generating system, it is possible to select a suitable radiation image detecting apparatus easily because of displaying both the scintillator information and the identification information at a time.

In accordance with the third aspect of the invention, the radiation image generating system, comprises: a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, each including at least a scintillator layer having a scintillator to emit light according to an entered radiation, a photoelectric conversion layer to detect the light emitted by the scintillator to convert the detected light into electric energy, and a switching element layer having switching elements to accumulate and output the electric energy obtained by the photoelectric conversion layer, the radiation image detecting apparatuses obtaining radiation image information of a subject; and a management apparatus to manage scintillator information of the scintillator in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, wherein each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses has an identification information provided individually, and the management apparatus has a linking section to link the scintillator information of the scintillator in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatus with the identification information.

According to a radiation image generating system of a third aspect of the invention, the scintillator information and the identification information of the scintillator in each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses are linked with each other by the linking section. By reading the identification information through the management apparatus, the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus linked with the identification information can also be read. Thereby, it is enabled to recognize the kinds and the sensitivities of the radiation image detecting apparatuses connected to a network.

In the radiation image generating system of the third aspect, it is preferable to include a radiation image generating operation control apparatus which displays the scintillator information and the identification information linked with each other by the linking section and controls the radiation image generating operation of the radiation image detecting apparatus corresponding to a selection result of the selection section for selecting a radiation image.

Because the scintillator information managed by the management apparatus is displayed by the radiation image generating operation control apparatus, a manager can recognizing the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators of the radiation image detecting apparatuses connected to the network by viewing the scintillator information.

Moreover, when one radiation image detecting apparatus which is optimum for image generation conditions is selected by the selection section among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses, the radiation image generating operation control apparatus controls the radiation image generating operation of the selected radiation image detecting apparatus. Consequently, even though the image generation conditions change, the radiation image detecting apparatus which is optimum according to the conditions can be easily selected, and as a result it becomes possible to perform image generation in a desired image quality.

In the radiation image generating system of the first to third aspect of the invention, preferably, the scintillator information includes at least one of kind and sensitivity of the scintillator.

As described above, it is suitable to change the kind and the sensitivity of a scintillator according to image generation conditions for obtaining a desired image quality even when image generation conditions (such as the physique of a patient and a image generation region) change. Consequently, as described above, if at least one of the kind and the sensitivity of a scintillator is included in the scintillator information, a radiation image detecting apparatus equipped with the optimum scintillator for the image generation conditions can be easily selected.

Preferably, the scintillator information includes at least one of kind and size of the radiation image detecting apparatus having the scintillator.

As described above, because at least one of the kind and the size of the radiation image detecting apparatus corresponding to a scintillator is included in the scintillator information, the radiation image detecting apparatus which is optimum for the image generation conditions can be selected also in consideration of the kind and the size of the radiation image detecting apparatus.

Preferably, in the radiation image generating system, the radiation image generating operation control apparatus displays the scintillator information in the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses at subject registration.

When the scintillator information in the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses is displayed at subject registration, the radiation image detecting apparatus equipped with the optimum scintillator to each patient can be selected.

Preferably, in the radiation image generating system, the radiation image generating operation control apparatus selects a candidate of the scintillator information which is adaptable to a image generation condition inputted at a subject reservation, and displays the scintillator information and other scintillator information in a way of distinguishing them visually to each other.

Because a candidate of the scintillator information suitable for the image generation conditions is selected and the selected candidate is displayed in a way of being visually distinguished from other scintillator information by the radiation image generating operation control apparatus, a radiographer can refer to the selection result judged from the objective viewpoint. Thereby, the individual difference of every radiographer at the time of judgment can be eliminated as much as possible.

Moreover, because the final judgment is left to the radiographer, an intention of the radiographer can be reflected. For example, it is also possible to ignore the scintillator information cited as the candidate, and to select other scintillator information when special image generation is performed.

Preferably, the radiation image generating system further comprises an image processing apparatus connected to a communication line, to perform image processing to the radiation image information obtained by the radiation image detecting apparatus, the image processing apparatus changing an image processing condition, corresponding to the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus having obtained the radiation image information.

Because the image processing apparatus alters the image processing conditions in a way of associating the image processing conditions with the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus from which the radiation image information has been obtained, it becomes possible to perform the optimum image processing corresponding to the scintillator of each radiation image detecting apparatus.

In the radiation image generating system, preferably, the radiation image generating operation control apparatus groups the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses in advance, and displays the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatuses by every group.

Because the scintillator information in the radiation image detecting apparatuses is displayed by each group, troublesomeness can be suppressed when it is not necessary to refer to the scintillator information in all of the radiation image detecting apparatuses on a communication line.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.FIG. 1is a view showing a schematic configuration of a radiation image generating system exemplified as an embodiment to which the invention is applied.

As shown inFIG. 1, a radiation image generating system100includes three image generation rooms, that is, a first image generation room R1, a second image generation room R2and a third image generation room R3. In each of the first, the second and the third image generation rooms R1, R2and R3, there are installed a radiation image generation apparatus1which radiates a radiation such as an X-ray to a subject at the time of image generation the subject; a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2, each obtaining a radiation image of the subject; and a console3which performs control of the radiation image generating operations of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2which are installed in each of the image generation rooms R1, R2and R3, display of a radiation image, image processing of a radiation image, and the like. Then, each apparatus in each of the image generation rooms R1, R2and R3is connected with one another through a network N. A management apparatus which manages all the radiation image detecting apparatuses2on the network N is connected to the network N.

Although the network N may be a communication line dedicated for the system here, it is preferable to be an existing line such as Ethernet (registered trademark) because the degree of freedom of the system configuration becomes low.

The radiation image generation apparatus1is described in detail with reference toFIG. 2. Here,FIG. 2is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the principal part of the radiation image generation apparatus1. The radiation image generation apparatus1is used to be installed in, for example, a image generation room in a hospital. The radiation image generation apparatus1includes a radiation source (radiation irradiating section)11, and generates a radiation by applying a tube voltage to the radiation source11. An iris device12which adjusts a radiation irradiating field is formed to enable freely opening and closing in a radiation irradiating hole of the radiation source11. In a radiation irradiating range below the radiation source11, a bed13on which a patient S is laid is provided, and a detecting apparatus attaching port (not shown) where a radiation image detecting apparatus2for reading the intensity of a radiation to detect a radiation image is attached, is formed below the bed13. A photo-timer14is provided below the detecting apparatus attaching port, and the photo-timer14detects the dosage of the radiation which penetrates the patient S. When the dosage of the radiation which penetrates the patient S reaches a predetermined dosage, the photo-timer14is configured to transmit a signal to the console3so as to stop radiating the radiation from the radiation source11.

In the following, each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2is described in detail with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the configuration of the principal part of each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2.

For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the radiation image detecting apparatus2is a cassette type FPD housed in a cassette in the state in which a control unit21, a RAM22, a ROM23, a detection unit24, an image memory25, a communication unit26, a power source unit27, a scintillator information memory28and the like are connected to one another with a bus A.

The random access memory (RAM)22is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory, and constitutes a work area (not shown) and the like of various programs executed by the control unit21.

The read only memory (ROM)23is a memory only for being read, in which, for example, various programs, identification information for identifying the radiation image detecting apparatus2, and the like are stored.

The various programs include an obtainment control program for obtaining the radiation image information of a subject from the detection unit24, an image storage control program for making the image memory25store the obtained radiation image information, a displaying information generation program for generating displaying image information outputted to the console3on the basis of the radiation image information, an association program for associating the displaying image information generated by the displaying information generation program with the radiation image information, a radiation image correction program for correcting the radiation image information, a displaying image correction program for correcting the displaying image information, a correction information obtaining program for obtaining correction information pertaining to the correction of the radiation image, a judgment program for judging whether the radiation image information may be transmitted to the console3or not, and the like.

The identification information is information which is given to each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2for identifying each of them and is not overlapping with each other. The identification information includes a manufacturer's serial number, an ID number and the like.

The detection unit24includes at least a scintillator layer equipped with a scintillator for emitting light according to the intensity of a radiation which has entered into the scintillator from the radiation source11after having penetrated a subject, a photoelectric conversion layer for detecting emitted light from the scintillator to convert the detected light into electric energy, and a switching element layer equipped with switching elements such as thin film transistors (TFT's) which accumulates the electric energy obtained by the photoelectric conversion layer to output the accumulated electric energy.

The image memory25is configured to store the radiation image information which is obtained with the electric energy which is outputted from the switching elements of the detection unit24and is read under the control of the control unit21. Concretely, the image memory25is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage capacity of the image memory25is a size in which at least two radiation images can be stored. Incidentally, the upper limit of the storage capacity is suitably set according to the configuration and the like of the radiation image generating system100. For example, the upper limit is a size in which about ten radiation images can be stored.

The communication unit26performs communication of various kinds of information with a console3and a server (management apparatus)4by a wireless communication system such as a wireless local area network (LAN). The communication unit26is configured to transmit (oroutput) reduced image information which was generated by the control unit21and which was provided with predetermined image correction, to the console3. Further, the communication unit26is configured to transmit key information which establishes correspondences between the reduced image information which was generated by the control unit21and is transmitted to the console3, and the radiation image information stored in the image memory25to the console3. Then, the communication unit26is configured to output the radiation image information, which is stored in the image memory25and has received an image correction (which will be described later), to the console3. The communication unit26is configured to receive a radiation image generating operation signal for controlling a radiation image generating operation from the console3.

The power source unit27includes a rechargeable battery271for supplying power source to each unit constituting the radiation image detecting apparatus2, and is configured to be possible to be charged through a charging terminal (not shown) which is provided at a predetermined position of the radiation image detecting apparatus2.

The scintillator information memory28stores the scintillator information peculiar to the scintillator which is installed in the radiation image detecting apparatus2, and is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. Here, in the scintillator information, at least one of the kind and the sensitivity (relative luminous intensity) of the scintillator is included. The kind of the scintillator includes the kinds of phosphors such as Gd2O2S:Tb and CsI:Tl, which form a radiation light-converting layer. Preferably, at least one of the kind and the size of the radiation image detecting apparatus2corresponding to the scintillator is included in the scintillator information.

As the kind of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, there are an FPD dedicated for a standing position and an FPD dedicated for a decubitus position in addition to the cassette type FPD exemplified in the embodiment.

As the size of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, there are a 17×14 inch size, a 14×14 inch size, 11×14 inch size and the like.

The control unit21is composed of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, and read a predetermined program stored in the ROM23to unwind the program in the work area of the RAM22. Then, the control unit21executes various kinds of processing in accordance with the program. For example, the control unit21controls each switching element of the detection unit24on the basis of a radiation image generating operation signal transmitted from the console3while following an obtainment control program, and thereby the control unit21switches reading of the electric energy accumulated in the switching element to read the electric energy accumulated in the detection unit24. Herewith, the control unit21obtains the radiation image information of a subject from the detection unit24.

The control unit21makes the image memory25store the radiation image information obtained before new image generation of the subject according to an image storage control program.

With each obtaining radiation image information, the control unit21generates displaying image information outputted to the console3on the basis of the obtained radiation image information in accordance with the displaying information generation program. To put it concretely, as the displaying image information, the control unit21is configured to generate reduced image information having the information amount less than that of radiation image information. The reduction ratio of the reduced image is preferably one at which the length of each side becomes about ½ to 1/100 times of that of the original image (at which the number of pixels becomes about ¼ to 1/10000 times of that of the original image), and is more preferably one at which the length becomes about ¼ to 1/2500 times of that of the original image, for example.

Hereupon, the generation of a displaying image by the control unit21may be performed before storing of the radiation image information to the image memory25, or may be performed after storing of the radiation image information.

Furthermore, the control unit21generates the key information for associating the displaying image information generated by the control unit21with the radiation image information stored in the image memory25in accordance with an association program.

The control unit21controls the communication unit26to transmit the identification information and the scintillator information to the server4.

The control unit21corrects the obtained radiation image information in accordance with a radiation image correction program, or corrects the generated displaying image information in accordance with a displaying image correction program. To put it concretely, in the embodiment, a fixed pattern noise (FPN) correction for correcting the dark current accumulated in semiconductors such as amorphous silicon (a-Si) constituting the scintillator as time elapses, a white correction (gain correction) for correcting the dispersion of the gain of each pixel of the detection unit24are executed. In these image corrections, the control unit21follows the correction information obtaining program to obtain correction information pertaining to the correction of a radiation image. To put it concretely, for example, in the FPN correction, a dark current signal (FPN signal) is obtained, and in the white correction, white image data is obtained.

In the following, the FPN correction and the white correction are described more in detail.

The FPN correction is concretely an image correction for obtaining a true image signal by removing FPN signals included in an image signal obtained by image generation from the image signal as noises. Hereupon, an FPN signal is generally a function of temperature and accumulation time. Moreover, because the image generation time differs to every image generation region and every subject, an accumulation time of the detection unit24is measured at every image generation at the time of performing the FPN correction, and a dark current is accumulated in the state where no X-rays are radiated to the detection unit24for a time almost equal to the measured accumulation time after image generation. After that, by reading a signal from the detection unit24, an FPN signal which is almost equal to the FPN signal included in the generated image is obtained. By subtracting the FPN image signal from an image signal obtained by radiographing (image-generating) the subject, the true image signal can be obtained.

Further, in the white correction, white image data (log value) is first subtracted from the image signal which has received log (logarithm) conversion after, for example, the FPN correction. Hereupon, the white image data is image data obtained by radiating a uniform radiation to the whole of the detection unit24without making any subject intervene. The obtained white image data is stored in a predetermined storage section. Incidentally, the obtainment of the white image data is periodically performed at, for example, every morning or once in a week.

The control unit21judges whether the radiation image information stored in the image memory25may be transmitted to the console3or not, on the basis of an image generation suitability signal which has been transmitted from a communication unit36of the console3and has been received by the control unit21through the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2in accordance with the judgment program. To put it more concretely, the control unit21is configured to judge whether the radiation image information linked with the key information among a plurality of pieces of radiation image information stored in the image memory25may be transmitted to the console3or not, on the basis of the image generation suitability signal and the key information pertaining to the image generation suitability signal.

Next, the console3will be described with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a block diagram showing the configuration of the principal part of the console3.

The console3is a device of displaying a radiation image radiographed in the radiation image detecting apparatus2, of performing predetermined image processing of the radiation image, and of controlling the radiation image generating operation of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, in order that a radiographer may confirm whether image generation has been performed suitably or not. That is, the console3is used both as the radiation image generating operation control apparatus and the image processing apparatus in the invention. As shown inFIG. 4, the console3is composed of a control unit31, a RAM32, a ROM33, a display unit34, an operation input unit35, a communication unit36, a power source unit37, an image storage unit38and the like. Each unit is connected with one another through a bus B.

The RAM32is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory and constitutes a work area (not shown) and the like of various programs executed by the control unit31. The RAM32is configured to store the reduced image information as a plurality of pieces of displaying image information outputted from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2.

The ROM33is a memory only for being read, in which various programs to be executed by the control unit31are stored. The various programs include, for example, an image processing program for performing image processing of a radiation image, a control program for controlling the radiation image generating operation of the radiation image detecting apparatus2and the like.

Here, because the most suitable image processing conditions change according to the kinds of scintillators, a plurality of image processing programs or image processing parameters according to the kinds of the scintillators are stored in the ROM33.

The control unit31is composed of, for example, a CPU or the like, and read a predetermined program stored in the ROM33to unwind the program in the work area of the RAM32. Then, the control unit31executes various kinds of processing in accordance with the program. To put it concretely, the control unit31performs predetermined image processing such as the gradation processing, the frequency emphasis processing and the like, of an radiation image related to the radiation image information, on the basis of the radiation image information which has been transmitted from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2and has been received through the communication unit36in accordance with the image processing program.

The control unit31follows the control program while producing a radiation image generating operation signal on the basis of the operation signal from the operation input unit35to output the produced radiation image generating operation signal to the radiation image detecting apparatus2through the network N. The control unit31is configured to thereby control the radiation image generating operation of the radiation image detecting apparatus2.

The display unit34is composed of, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, to display various screens in accordance with an instruction of a display signal which has been outputted from the control unit31and has been inputted therein. To put it concretely, the display unit34is configured to be able to perform thumbnail display of a plurality of reduced images on the basis of a plurality of pieces of reduced image information which has been transmitted from the radiation image detecting apparatus2and has been received through the communication unit36.

The display unit34is configured to display a radiation image generating operation instruction signal unit for instructing an input of a radiation image generating operation instruction signal at the time of a radiation image generating operation control of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, an image generating suitability instruction unit for instructing, for example, an input of the image generation suitability signal in association with each reduced image at the time of a display of the reduce images, and the like. Here, the scintillator information of a radiation image detecting apparatus2is displayed in the radiation image generating operation instruction signal unit.

Then, the radiation image generating operation instruction unit and the image generating suitability instruction unit are displayed in the way of enabling the selection on the basis of, for example, a predetermined operation of the operation input unit35.

The operation input unit35is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse and the like, and outputs a depression signal of a key operated to be depressed with the keyboard or an operation signal of the mouse to the control unit31as an input signal. To put it concretely, the operation input unit35is constructed to output (input) an image display instruction signal related to a display instruction of a radiation image, a image generation suitability signal related to whether the image generating state of a radiation image is suitable or not, a radiation image generating operation instruction signal to the radiation image detecting apparatus2, and the like.

The operation input unit35may be configured by using the so-called touch-sensitive panel for outputting positional information as an input signal, which is inputted by touching a transparent sheet panel covering the display screen of the display unit34with a finger or a dedicated stylus pen.

The communication unit36performs communication of various kinds of information with the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2by a wireless LAN or the like, for example. To put it concretely, the communication unit36receives the reduced image information and the key information transmitted from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2. The communication unit36transmits the radiation image generating operation instruction signal and the image generation suitability signal, both inputted by the operation input unit35, and the key information linked to the reduced image information pertaining to the image generation suitability signal, to the radiation image detecting apparatus2.

The power source unit37supplies power source to each unit constituting the console3. The power source unit37may be configured to be equipped with, for example, a rechargeable battery capable of being charged through a predetermined charging terminal (not shown), or may be configured to be equipped with a power source connection unit to be connected with an AC commercial power source.

The image storage unit38is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive and the like, and constitutes an image database storing the radiation image information pertaining to a radiation image to which predetermined image processing is performed under the control of the control unit31.

Next, the server4will be described with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a block diagram showing the configuration of the principal part of a management apparatus.

The server4manages all the radiation image detecting apparatuses2on the network N. As shown inFIG. 5, the server4is composed of a control unit41, a RAM42, a ROM43, a display unit44, a operation input unit45, a communication unit46, a power source unit47and the like, and each unit is connected to one another with a bus C.

The RAM42is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory, and constitutes a work area (not shown) of the various programs executed by the control unit41, a storage area (not shown) storing the identification information and the scintillator information of a radiation image detecting apparatus2.

The ROM43is a read-only memory, and stores various programs executed by the control unit41such as a control program for managing each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2.

The control unit41is composed of, for example, a CPU or the like, and reads a predetermined program stored in the ROM43to unwind the read program in the work area of the RAM42. Then, the control unit41executes various pieces of processing in accordance with the program. To put it concretely, the control unit41is configured to manage each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2on the basis of the identification information and the scintillator information of each of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2in accordance with the control program.

The communication unit46performs communication of various kinds of information with the radiation image detecting apparatus2by a wireless communication system such as the wireless LAN. To put it concretely, the communication unit46receives the identification information and the scintillator information, which have been outputted from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2. Incidentally, the communication unit46transmits the identification information and the scintillator information when the server4manages the scintillator information and in the similar case.

The display unit44and the operation input unit45are configured to be almost the same as the display unit34and the operation input unit35included in the console3.

The power source unit47supplies power source to each unit constituting the server4.

Next, the image generating processing of a radiation image in the radiation image generating system100will be described with reference toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the image generating processing by the radiation image generating system100.

First, when a new radiation image detecting apparatus2is connected to the network N in each of image generation rooms R1, R2and R3, from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, identification information and scintillator information are transmitted to the server4(Step S1). The control unit41of the server4manages the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2connected to network N in accordance with a control program on the basis of the identification information and the scintillator information which have been obtained (Step S2). Hereupon, the server4manages all the radiation image detecting apparatuses2connected to the network N in the state of being grouped into each of the image generation rooms R1, R2and R3. Incidentally, as the standard of grouping, not only the radiation image detecting apparatuses2are grouped into each of the image generation rooms R1, R2and R3, but also the radiation image detecting apparatuses2may be grouped in a range including neighboring image generation rooms R1, R2and R3.

After that, the control unit31of the console3obtains the group of the pieces of scintillator information corresponding to the image generation room R1, R2or R3of which the control unit31takes charge, from the server4, and makes the display unit34display the scintillator information of all the radiation image detecting apparatuses2existing in the image generation rooms R1, R2or R3concerned (Step S3). Incidentally, when a radiation image detecting apparatus2which was once connected with the network N and its identification information and its scintillator information are registered is not connected to the network N, it is preferable to display also the fact which the radiation image detecting apparatus2is not connected to the network N now in the case where the scintillator information is displayed.

A radiographer performs the reservation of each patient on the basis of the scintillator information displayed on the display unit34, and registers the subject (Step S4). At the time of the subject registration, the radiographer inputs image generation conditions such as the physique of the patient (such as a height, a weight and the like) and a image generating region into the console3by operating the operation input unit35. On the basis of the inputted image generation conditions, the control unit31of the console3selects a candidate of the scintillator information adaptable to the image generation condition, and the control unit31makes the display unit34display the pieces of scintillator information in order that the scintillator information set as the candidate and the other scintillator information may be distinguished from one another visually. The radiographer refers to the scintillator information set as the candidate and the other scintillator information while selecting the radiation image detecting apparatus2equipped with the detection unit24which is the most suitable for the image generation conditions by operating the operation input unit35, to input the selected radiation image detecting apparatus2into the console3. That is, the operation input unit35is the selection section in the invention.

Incidentally, when there is no radiation image detecting apparatus2which is the most suitable for the image generation conditions in the group, the control unit31of the console3obtains the scintillator information in another group, and makes the display unit34display the obtained scintillator information thereon. Consequently, the optimum radiation image detecting apparatus2for the image generation conditions can be selected from the inside of the other group.

Thereafter, when an image generating start instruction is inputted to the console3(Step S5), the radiation image detecting apparatus2selected at Step S3is set in the radiation image generation apparatus1, and a radiation is radiated from the radiation image generation apparatus1to the subject. Then, the image generating of the subject is performed by using the radiation image detecting apparatus2(Step S6). That is, the scintillator layer of the detection unit24of the radiation image detecting apparatus2detects the radiation which has entered therein, and the photoelectric conversion layer converts the detected radiation into electric energy. Then, the switching element layer accumulates and reads the electric energy to obtain the radiation image information of the subject (Step S7).

To put it concretely, the control unit21reads the obtainment control program from the ROM23, and rewinds the read obtainment control program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21controls each switching element of the detection unit24in accordance with the obtainment control program to switch the reading of the electric energy accumulated in each switching element. Thus, the control unit21reads all the electric energy accumulated in the detection unit24.

Successively, the control unit21reads the radiation image correction program from the ROM23, and unwinds the read radiation image correction program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21performs correction processing of an original image for processing a predetermined image correction to the obtained radiation image information in accordance with the radiation image correction program (Step S8).

After that, the control unit21reads the image storage control program from the ROM23, and unwinds the read storage control program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21makes the image memory25store the radiation image information after the correction in accordance with the image storage control program (Step S9).

Next, the control unit21reads the displaying information generation program from the ROM23, and unwinds the read displaying information generation program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21generates reduced image information having an information amount less than that of the radiation image information as a displaying image outputted to the console3on the basis of the obtained radiation image information in accordance with the displaying information generation program (Step S10).

Successively, the control unit21reads the displaying image correction program from the ROM23, and unwinds the read displaying image correction program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21performs predetermined image correction to reduced image information in accordance with the displaying image correction program (Step S11).

The control unit is configured to perform generation and correction of the reduced image information at every obtainment of the radiation image information by the radiation image detecting apparatus2.

Next, the control unit21reads the association program from the ROM23, and unwinds the read association program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21generates the key information for associating the reduced image information transmitted to the console3and the radiation image information stored in the image memory25with each other in accordance with the association program (Step S12).

After that, the control unit21controls the communication unit26to make the communication unit transmit the generated reduced image information and the key information corresponding to the reduced image information, to the console3(Step S13).

When the console3receives the reduced image information and the key information, which are transmitted from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, through the communication unit36, the control unit31of the console3stores the received reduced image information and the received key information in a predetermined region of the RAM32(Step S14).

After that, when an image display instruction signal pertaining to a display instruction of the reduced image information stored in the RAM32is inputted on the basis of the operation of the operation input unit35, the control unit31obtains a plurality of pieces of reduced image information corresponding to the image display instruction signal from the RAM32, and the control unit31makes the display unit34perform the thumbnail display of the plurality of reduced images on the basis of the reduced image information (Step S15). To put it concretely, the control unit31is configured to display the plurality of reduced images and image generating suitability instruction units linked with each of the reduced images, at predetermined positions of the display unit34.

Then, when selection of a image generating suitability instruction unit displayed on the display unit34is instructed on the basis of a predetermined operation of the operation input unit35by the radiographer, an image generation suitability signal pertaining to whether the image generating state of the radiation image related to the selected image generating suitability instruction unit is inputted into the control unit31(Step S16).

The control unit31makes the inputted image generation suitability signal be once stored in the information storage area of the RAM32whenever the image generation suitability signal is inputted.

The key information received through the communication unit36is stored in, for example, the predetermined storage area in the RAM32.

After that, when transmission of the image generation suitability signal to the radiation image detecting apparatus2is instructed in accordance with an operation of the operation input unit35by, for example, a radiographer, the control unit31reads the image generation suitability signal, transmission of which has been instructed, and the key information corresponding to the image generation suitability signals, from the RAM32, and then the control unit31controls the communication unit36to transmit the read image generation suitability signal and the key information to the radiation image detecting apparatus2(Step S17).

When the radiation image detecting apparatus2receives the image generation suitability signal and the key information, which have been transmitted from the communication unit36of the console3, through the communication unit26, the control unit21reads the judgment program from the ROM23and unwinds the read judgment program in the RAM22. Then, the control unit21judges whether or not the control unit21can transmit to the console3the radiation image information linked with the key information among the plurality of pieces of radiation image information stored in the image memory25on the basis of each of the image generation suitability signal and the key information in conformity with the judgment program (Step S18). To put it concretely, when a signal including an information indicating that the image generating state of the radiation image is suitable is inputted as the image generation suitability signal, the control unit21judges that the radiation image information can be transmitted. On the other hand, when a signal including the information indicating that the image generating state of the radiation image is unsuitable is inputted as the image generation suitability signal, the control unit21judges that it is unnecessary to transmit the radiation image information.

Hereupon, when it is judged that the radiation image information may be transmitted to the console3(Step S18; YES), the control unit21obtains radiation image information from the image memory25, and makes the communication unit26transmit the obtained radiation image information to the console3(Step S19).

When the console3receives the radiation image information transmitted from the communication unit26of the radiation image detecting apparatus2through the communication unit36, the control unit31of the console3reads the image processing program from the ROM33, and unwinds the read image processing program in the RAM32. Then the control unit31performs predetermined image processing such as a gradation processing and a frequency emphasis processing of the radiation image pertaining to the radiation image information on the basis of the received radiation image information in accordance with the image processing program (Step S21). At this time, the control unit31alters image processing conditions correspondingly to the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2from which the radiation image information has been obtained. To put it concretely, the control unit31selects the optimum image processing program for the scintillator information among a plurality of image processing programs stored in the ROM33, and performs image processing on the basis of the selected image processing program and the radiation image information.

After that, the control unit31stores the radiation image information after the image processing in a predetermined region of the image storage unit38(Step S22).

When it is judged that the radiation image information is not necessity to be transmitted to the console3at Step S18(Step S18; NO), the control unit21controls each unit of the radiation image detecting apparatus2to shift to the reception state of the re-image generating of a radiation image (Step S20).

Here, the control unit21may be configured to delete data of the radiation image information unnecessary to be transmitted to the console3.

As described above, according to the radiation image generating system100according to the embodiment of the invention, because the scintillator information managed by the server4is displayed in the console3, a manager becomes possible to recognize the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2connected to the network by viewing the scintillator information. Then, when one radiation image detecting apparatus2which is most suitable for the image generation conditions is selected among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2, the console3controls the radiation image generating operation of the radiation image detecting apparatus2. Consequently, even though the image generation conditions differ from one another, the optimum radiation image detecting apparatus2for the conditions can be easily selected, and it becomes possible to perform image generating in the desired image quality efficiently as a result.

Because at least one of the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators is included in the scintillator information, it is possible to easily select a radiation image detecting apparatus equipped with the optimum detection unit24for the image generation conditions. Furthermore, because at least one of the kind and the size of the radiation image detecting apparatus2corresponding to the detection unit24is include in the scintillator information, also in consideration of the kind and the size of the radiation image detecting apparatus2, the optimum radiation image detecting apparatus2for the image generation conditions can be selected.

Moreover, because the scintillator information in a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2is displayed at the time of subject registration (patient reservation), the radiation image detecting apparatus2equipped with the optimum scintillator to each patient can be selected.

Furthermore, because the candidate of suitable scintillator information is selected to image generation conditions and it is visually distinguished from other scintillator information to be displayed by the console3, a radiographer can refer to the selection result judged in the objective viewpoint. Thereby, the individual difference by every radiographer at the time of judgment can be eliminated as much as possible. Moreover, because the final judgment is left to the radiographer, an intention of a radiographer can be reflected. For example, it is also possible for the radiographer to ignore the scintillator information cited as the candidate and to select other scintillator information when special image generating is performed.

Then, because the console3alters the image processing conditions correspondingly to the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2from which radiation image information has been obtained, it becomes possible to perform the optimum image processing for the scintillator of each radiation image detecting apparatus2.

Furthermore, because the scintillator information in the radiation image detecting apparatuses2is displayed for every group, troublesomeness can be suppressed when it is unnecessary to refer to the scintillator information in all the radiation image detecting apparatuses2on a communication line.

Incidentally, it is needless to say that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and can be modified suitably.

For example, although the scintillator information of each radiation image detecting apparatus2is collectively managed by the server4in the radiation image generating system100of the present embodiment, for example, the configuration in which the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2which the console3takes charge of is stored in each of the console3of each of the image generation rooms R1, R2and R3, and in which the scintillator information is obtained and managed by the server4as occasion demands can be adopted. That is, as long as the scintillator information itself can be always managed by the server4, the scintillator information may be stored in the state of being collected at a position or may be stored in the state of being dispersed.

Moreover, although the configuration in which the server4is alone connected on network N has been described in the present embodiment, for example, one of the plurality of consoles3connected with the network N may operate as the management apparatus according to the invention. In such a case, because one console3functions as both of the radiation image generating operation control apparatus and the management apparatus of the invention, the system configuration can be simplified in comparison with the case where the management apparatus is installed alone.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, although the case where the radiation image detecting apparatus2performs the corrections of the original image or the reduced image is exemplified to be described, the corrections of these images may be performed with the console3. In such a case, the control unit41of the server4extracts the management information corresponding to the radiation image detecting apparatus2among a plurality of pieces of management information stored in the RAM42on the basis of the identification information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2used for image generating, and transmits the extracted management information to the console3. The control unit31of the console3obtains the image correction data among the received management information, and performs the correction of an original image or a reduced image on the basis of the image correction data.

The embodiment is configured as follows. That is, the console3displays the scintillator information managed by the server4, and a radiographer operates the operation input unit35on the basis of the displayed scintillator information to select the desired radiation image detecting apparatus2among the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2. However, the console3may directly display the scintillator information of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2on the display unit34without making the server4intervene. Even in such a case, because the scintillator information of the scintillator used for each of the plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2is displayed on the display unit34, a manager can recognize the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2connected to the network by viewing the scintillator information. Then, if one radiation image detecting apparatus2which is most suitable for image generation conditions is selected from a plurality of radiation image detecting apparatuses2, though image generation conditions differ, in accordance with the conditions, the optimum radiation image detecting apparatus can be selected easily, and it becomes possible to perform image generating in a desired image quality efficiently as a result.

Although the wireless communication system is applied in the present embodiment, a cable communication system may be adopted.

In the embodiment, although the case where the scintillator information is previously stored in the radiation image detecting apparatuses2has been described, the scintillator information may not be stored in the radiation image detecting apparatuses2. In this case, for example, all of the pieces of scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2used on a network are beforehand registered in the server4. Then, when a new image generating apparatus2is connected to the network, a manager selects the scintillator information agreeing with the scintillator used in the connected image generating apparatus2out of the operation input unit45of the server4, and thereby the control unit41of the server4links the scintillator information with the image generating apparatus2. That is, the control unit41of the server4is the linking section of the invention. Consequently, even if the scintillator information is not stored in the radiation image detecting apparatus2, it is possible to read the scintillator information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2linked with the identification information also to display the read scintillator information on the display unit34when the identification information is read from the console3through the server4. Herewith, it becomes possible to recognize the kinds and the sensitivities of the scintillators of the radiation image detecting apparatuses2connected to the network.

If the identification information and the scintillator information are registered in the server4from the beginning, even if thereafter the radiation image detecting apparatuses2is once disconnected from the network N and then connected to a different console3on the network, the cintillator information linked with the identification information of the radiation image detecting apparatus2can be read from the server4, by the console3.

The identification information or the scintillator information may be transmitted from the console3to the server4after it was transmitted to the console3.

The entire disclosure of a Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-213,011, filed on Jul. 21, 2004, including specifications, claims, drawings and summaries are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.