JPS59176740A - Reader for radiant ray image with high definition - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To read an optical image corresponding to a radiant ray image with high precision by detecting information on the optical image photodetected from the incident side of an optical fiber bundle all in series. CONSTITUTION:This reader is equipped with a radiant ray fluorescent material film 10 or exposed film which converts a radiant ray image into an optical image, an optical fiber bundle photodetection member 12 which photodetects an optical image formed on the film 10 or the output surface of the film, and a linear array type photodetector groups 13 of photodetectors connected in series at the light projection terminal of the optical fiber bundle 11. This photodetector group 13 consists of plural linear sensors 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D and is equipped with a scanning mechanism which sweeps the optical fiber bundle photodetection part 12. An image processing unit 14 is equipped with an A/D converter, arithmetic processor, and D/A converter, an output device 15 is equipped with a memory, display device, and printing-out device for storing and displaying a read image, and various elements 10, 11, 12, and 13 are installed in a dark box.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to a radiation image reading device, and more particularly to a radiation image reading device equipped with a mechanism suitable for converting a radiation image such as an X-ray into an optical image and scanning and reading this optical image. This invention relates to a fine radiation image reading device.

1. Conventional techniques for converting a radiation image into an optical image and scanning this optical image to read the radiation image generally involve (1) imaging technology using a television camera, and (2) sweep detection using a linear sensor. It is roughly divided into two types.

In the method using the television camera, it is not only difficult to read an optical image with high precision with a spatial resolution of 100 μm or less using both the image pickup tube and the solid-state detector, but also due to various aberrations of the front lens. image distortion is unavoidable.

Furthermore, in the linear sensor method, the highest grade currently available has a spatial resolution of 10 μm, which is suitable for reading high-definition optical images. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the reading width of the linear sensor 2A is 40.5 mm because the maximum number of channels of the linear sensor 2A is 4096.
96+nn (10pmX4096=40.96nn)
In order to sweep and read the optical image formed on the output surface of the radiation fluorescent substance film 1 with a width of 250nwn to 350mm without any distortion, the linear sensor 2A must be swept many times, or a plurality of lenses, The only way to read it is to focus the output light using an elliptical mirror or the like. The former not only takes time, but also creates seams that prevent high-definition reading. Furthermore, the latter is also difficult to read with high precision, and there are many technical problems to be solved, such as image distortion caused by various aberrations being unavoidable. Therefore, considering the structure of the linear sensor, it is conceivable to arrange a plurality of linear sensors in a row as shown in FIG.

However, this plan uses linear sensor 2Δ and near sensor 2
There is a drawback that image loss occurs between B.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, a linear sensor 2A.

Although it is possible to correct image loss by arranging 2B and 2C in a staggered manner, this plan would complicate image processing after reading and would be impractical.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and to improve the width of 25 mm.
An object of the present invention is to provide a high-definition radiation image reading device that can sweep and detect a radiation image converted into an optical image of 0 mm to 350 mm with a predetermined high resolution and without image distortion.

Composition of the invention The configuration of the present invention will be explained based on one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 10 is a radiation fluorescent material film that converts radiation images such as X-rays into optical images, and 11 is an optical fiber bundle, the end of which is supported and fixed on the optical fiber bundle support member 12 on the light incident side. A photodetector group 13 consisting of a plurality of linear sensors 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D is connected to the light-emitting side end. Further, the entire surface of the optical fiber bundle 11 may be coated with a light-shielding material.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical fiber east support member 12 forms layers arranged in rows at the light incident end of each optical fiber, and supports and fixes one to several layers. , if necessary, parts other than the light entrance 128 are covered with a light-shielding material. This number of laminated layers is determined by the optical fiber light incidence [
1 depends on diameter and reading resolution. Further, the optical fiber east support member 12 is swept in the direction of the arrow by a conventionally known scanning mechanism (not shown).

The photodetector group 13 detects one light beam corresponding to the end of each optical fiber on the light output side arranged in the same order as the optical fiber arrangement on the light input side of the optical fiber bundle 11. The detection elements are connected and divided into several groups in the linear sensor 13A.

13B, 13G, and 13D are formed. Note that a plurality of photodetecting elements may be connected to one optical fiber. Reference numeral 14 denotes an image processing unit, which includes an amplifier for amplifying the output signal of the photodetector group 13, an analog-to-digital converter, an arithmetic processing unit, a digital-to-analog converter, and the like. Reference numeral 15 denotes an output device for storing and displaying read images, and includes a memory, a display 2, a print output device, and the like. Note that the radiation fluorescent substance film 16. Optical fiber bundle 11. Optical fiber east support member 12. Photodetector group 13. The scanning mechanism is housed in a dark box or room.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The operation will be explained using an example in which the high-definition radiation image reading device of this embodiment is applied to an X-ray diagnostic device.

When a subject is irradiated with X-rays generated from an X-ray tube, the X-rays that have passed through the subject enter the radiofluorescent material film 10, and the radioactive fluorescent material film 10 outputs an optical image corresponding to the amount of transmitted X-rays. formed on a surface. The optical fiber bundle support member 1 is placed on the output surface of the radiation fluorescent material film 10 on which this optical image is formed.
With the two light entrance ports 12A facing each other, the entire output surface of the radiation fluorescent substance film 10 is swept in a short time in the direction of the arrow by a scanning mechanism (not shown). As a result, the light entrance 12Δ
The incident light passes through the optical fiber bundle 11 and reaches each linear sensor 13A, 13B of the photodetector group 13.

13C, 13D, each linear sensor 13A, 1
The signals 3B, 13C, and 13D are converted into electrical signals and serially input to the amplifier of the image processing unit 14.

After predetermined processing is performed in this image processing unit 14, the image is output to an output device 15 such as a display.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can of course be modified in various ways without changing the gist thereof. For example, the present invention can also be applied to reading an imaged film if the imaged film is placed in place of the radiation phosphor film.

Effects of the Invention When actually comparing experimentally the reading method according to the present invention with the conventional television camera method and linear sensor method, it was found that the method of the present invention has a higher M image than the television camera method. The degree of improvement was more than 10 times. Additionally, the reading range has been expanded several times compared to a single linear sensor method.

As explained above, according to the present invention, all the optical image information received from the incident side of the optical fiber bundle can be detected serially, so that the optical image corresponding to the radiation image can be efficiently and precisely detected. can be read and converted into electrical signals.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 are schematic configuration diagrams for explaining the problems of the conventional linear sensor method, and FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Radiation fluorescent material film, 11... Optical fiber bundle, 12... Optical fiber east support member, 13... Priority H
S m W, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D-='J
Near sensor, 14... Image processing unit, 15...
Output device. Agent Patent Attorney Shuki Akita

Claims (1)

[Claims] a radiation fluorescent material film or imaged film that converts a radiation image into an optical image; an optical fiber bundle light receiving member that receives the optical image formed on the output surface -42 of the radiation fluorescent material film or imaged film; A plurality of linear array type photodetectors A are connected in series to the light output port of the optical fiber bundle, and a scanning mechanism for sweeping the optical fiber bundle light receiving member is provided, and each of the devices is stored in a dark box or a dark room. A high-definition radiation IQI reading device characterized by: