Radiation diagnostic device and method for operating the radiation diagnostic device

Abstract

This radiation diagnosis device comprises: one radiation source for emitting radial rays; an auto-positioning device including a moving mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source in a radiation photographing room and an auto-positioning controlling unit that executes an auto-positioning function for automatically moving the radiation source to a set position corresponding to a photographing table placed in the radiation photographing room by controlling the movement of the moving mechanism; an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light and is moved by the moving mechanism together with the radiation source; and an ultraviolet light source controlling unit that causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate the photographing table with ultraviolet light when the auto-positioning function is executed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a radiological diagnostic apparatus and a method for operating the radiological diagnostic apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Radiation diagnostic devices that irradiate a patient with radiation to obtain a radiation image are known. Radiation diagnostic devices include stationary types that are installed in a radiation imaging room and mobile types that can be moved within a medical facility using wheels. A stationary type radiation diagnostic device includes, for example, a radiation source that emits radiation and a movement mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source within the radiation imaging room. The radiation source can be moved by the movement mechanism between a position corresponding to an upright imaging table and a position corresponding to a supine imaging table, for example.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-110234 describes an autopositioning (AP) device that automatically moves a radiation source to either a set position corresponding to an upright imaging table or a set position corresponding to a supine imaging table by controlling the operation of a movement mechanism in a stationary radiological diagnostic device. The AP device eliminates the need to manually move the radiation source. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, imaging tables such as upright imaging tables and supine imaging tables may become contaminated by bacteria and / or viruses when they come into contact with a patient. For this reason, it is preferable to sterilize the imaging tables. However, if sterilization is not performed efficiently, problems such as a decrease in the availability of the radiological diagnostic equipment and long waiting times for patients may occur. For this reason, there has been a demand for a technology for efficiently sterilizing imaging tables.

[0005] One embodiment of the technique of the present disclosure provides a radiological diagnostic apparatus and an operating method of the radiological diagnostic apparatus that can efficiently sterilize an imaging table. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The radiological diagnostic apparatus of the present disclosure includes an auto-positioning device including a radiation source that emits radiation, a moving mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source within a radiography room, and an auto-positioning control unit that controls the operation of the moving mechanism to perform an auto-positioning function of automatically moving the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiography room, an ultraviolet source that emits ultraviolet light and is moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism, and an ultraviolet source control unit that causes the ultraviolet source to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the imaging table when the auto-positioning function is performed.

[0007] It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the radiation source to move to a set position by an auto-positioning function and causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate before the radiation source emits radiation.

[0008] It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate at least one of the following cases: before radiation is emitted from the radiation source and the radiation source is moved to a set position by the auto-positioning function; and while the radiation source is moving to a set position by the auto-positioning function.

[0009] It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit does not irradiate with the ultraviolet light source before the current radiation imaging if the patient in the previous radiation imaging is the same as the patient in the current radiation imaging and the imaging table used in the previous radiation imaging is the same as the patient in the current radiation imaging.

[0010] The ultraviolet light source control unit preferably changes the sterilization capability of the ultraviolet light according to the distance between the radiation source and the imaging table. In this case, the ultraviolet light source control unit preferably changes the sterilization capability by changing at least one of the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light.

[0011] It is preferable that a camera or a motion detection sensor is provided, and the ultraviolet light source control unit does not irradiate the ultraviolet light source when a person is captured in an image captured by the camera or when the motion detection sensor detects a moving object.

[0012] The auto-positioning device includes a camera or motion detection sensor provided to prevent the auto-positioning function from being executed in an environment where people are present, and it is preferable that the camera or motion detection sensor included in the auto-positioning device be reused.

[0013] The ultraviolet light source control unit preferably causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function in response to an instruction from an operator.

[0014] It is preferable that the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function at a preset time.

[0015] The radiation source is preferably provided with an irradiation field limiter that defines the irradiation field of the radiation, and the ultraviolet light source is preferably provided in the irradiation field limiter.

[0016] The method for operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus disclosed herein is a method for operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus equipped with a single radiation source that emits radiation and an auto-positioning device including a moving mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source within a radiological imaging room, and includes: executing an auto-positioning function that automatically moves the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiological imaging room by controlling the operation of the moving mechanism; and, when executing the auto-positioning function, causing the ultraviolet light source, which is moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism, to irradiate the imaging table with ultraviolet light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a radiological diagnostic apparatus and an operating method for a radiological diagnostic apparatus that are capable of efficiently sterilizing an imaging table. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a radiological diagnostic apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a control device of the radiation diagnostic apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a radiation irradiation field is defined by an irradiation field limiter. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which visible light representing an irradiation field is emitted from an irradiation field lamp. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the processing units of the CPU of the control device and the console. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing setting position information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which the AP function moves the radiation emitting unit to a set position and causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate ultraviolet light before the radiation source emits radiation. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing a manner in which the AP function is stopped when a person appears in an image captured by a camera while the AP function is being executed. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which the ultraviolet light source stops emitting ultraviolet light when a person is captured in an image captured by a camera while the ultraviolet light source is emitting ultraviolet light. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control device. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which an ultraviolet light source is provided inside an irradiation field limiter. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a mode in which a motion detection sensor detects whether or not there is a person in a radiography room. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which the AP function is stopped when a moving object detection sensor detects a moving object while the AP function is being executed. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which, when a moving object detection sensor detects a moving object while the ultraviolet light source is emitting ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light source stops emitting ultraviolet light. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing a mode in which radiation is emitted from a radiation source and an ultraviolet light source is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light before the radiation irradiating unit is moved to a set position by the AP function. FIG. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a mode in which the ultraviolet light source is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light while the radiation emitting unit is moving to a set position by the AP function. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 are combined. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second embodiment in which, when the patient in the previous and current radiation imaging is the same and the imaging table used in the previous and current radiation imaging is the same, the ultraviolet light source is not irradiated with ultraviolet light before the current radiation imaging. [Figure 20] 10 is a table showing the intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet light according to the distance between the radiation source and the imaging table. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an AP control unit and an ultraviolet light source control unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a diagram showing a manner in which an AP control unit causes an ultraviolet light source to irradiate ultraviolet light when the AP control unit executes an AP function at a preset time. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, a radiological diagnostic apparatus 2 is an apparatus that irradiates a patient P with radiation R such as X-rays or gamma rays to capture a radiological image RI (see FIG. 2) of the patient P, and is operated by an operator such as a radiologist. The radiological diagnostic apparatus 2 is equipped with a radiation irradiation unit 10. The radiation irradiation unit 10 includes a radiation source 11 and an irradiation field limiter 12. The radiation source 11 has a radiation tube 13 that emits radiation R. The irradiation field limiter 12 limits the irradiation field of the radiation R emitted from the radiation tube 13.

[0020] The radiation irradiation unit 10 is suspended from the ceiling 16 of the radiography room by a support 15. The support 15 is attached to rails 17 surrounding the ceiling 16 via a dolly 18. The dolly 18 has a support motor 19 and a dolly motor 20 built in. The support motor 19 enables the support 15 to extend and retract in the height direction, thereby allowing the radiation irradiation unit 10 to move in the height direction. The dolly 18, and therefore the radiation irradiation unit 10, can be moved horizontally within the radiography room along the rails 17 by the dolly motor 20. The support 15 can also be moved vertically manually. Similarly, the dolly 18 can also be moved horizontally manually.

[0021] Furthermore, radiation irradiation unit 10 is attached to support column 15 via rotating unit 21. Rotating unit 21 has built-in rotating unit motor 22. Rotating unit 21, and therefore radiation irradiation unit 10, can be rotated relative to support column 15 by rotating unit motor 22 around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Rotating unit 21 can also be rotated manually.

[0022] An upright imaging table 25S and a supine imaging table 25L are installed in the radiography room. The radiation irradiation unit 10 is used for both the upright imaging table 25S and the supine imaging table 25L. The upright imaging table 25S and the supine imaging table 25L are examples of the "imaging table" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Note that, hereinafter, the upright imaging table 25S and the supine imaging table 25L may be collectively referred to as the imaging table 25.

[0023] The upright radiography platform 25S and the supine radiography platform 25L house an electronic cassette 26. The electronic cassette 26 is a portable radiation detector in which a detection panel is housed in a housing that is a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped with a rectangular planar shape. The detection panel is configured with an array of pixels that generate signal charges in response to radiation R or visible light converted from radiation R by a scintillator. In addition to the detection panel, the housing also houses a control circuit that controls the operation of the detection panel, a signal processing circuit that converts the pixel signal charges into pixel values ​​and generates a radiographic image RI, and other components. The housing also houses a communication unit that performs wired or wireless communication with the control device 51 (see FIG. 2), a battery that supplies power to each component, and other components.

[0024] When irradiation of radiation R begins, the control circuit that controls the operation of the detection panel causes the detection panel to perform an accumulation operation to accumulate signal charges in the pixels. When irradiation of radiation R ends, the control circuit causes the detection panel to perform a readout operation to read the accumulated signal charges from the pixels. This causes the detection panel to output a radiographic image RI.

[0025] The electronic cassette 26 is set on the upright position radiography table 25S and the supine position radiography table 25L with the front surface of the detection panel facing the radiation irradiation unit 10. Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a state in which a radiographic image RI of the chest of a patient P positioned in front of the upright position radiography table 25S is being radiographed. In addition to being housed in the upright position radiography table 25S and the supine position radiography table 25L, the electronic cassette 26 can also be removed from the upright position radiography table 25S or the supine position radiography table 25L and held by the patient P in a radiography room, or placed under the patient P lying supine on a bed in a hospital room.

[0026] The upright radiography table 25S has a stand 28, a connection part 29, a holder 30, etc. The stand 28 is composed of a base 31 placed on the floor of the radiography room and a support 32 extending in the height direction from the base 31. The connection part 29 connects the holder 30 to the stand 28. The connection part 29, and therefore the holder 30, is movable in the height direction relative to the support 32, allowing the height to be adjusted according to the height of the patient P or the region to be radiographed.

[0027] Holder 30 is box-shaped and accommodates electronic cassette 26. Most of holder 30 is made of a conductive material with electromagnetic wave shielding properties, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The front surface of holder 30, which faces radiation irradiation unit 10, is made of a material that transmits radiation R, such as carbon.

[0028] The supine position imaging table 25L includes a base 33, a connection part 34, a top plate 35, and a holder 36, which are installed on the floor of the radiography room. The connection part 34 connects the top plate 35 to the base 33. The base 33 is elevating type, which allows the height of the top plate 35 and the holder 36 to be adjusted. The top plate 35 is a rectangular plate having a length and width that allows the patient P to lie supine, and is made of a material that transmits radiation R, such as carbon.

[0029] The holder 36 is disposed in the space between the base 33 formed by the connecting portion 34 and the top plate 35. The holder 36 is box-shaped with the top covered by the top plate 35, and houses the electronic cassette 26 inside. The holder 36 is made of a conductive material with electromagnetic wave shielding properties, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The holder 36 can be slid in the direction along the long side of the top plate 35 by a sliding mechanism (not shown).

[0030] An ultraviolet light source 38 is attached to the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12. The ultraviolet light source 38 irradiates the holder 30 of the upright position imaging table 25S and the top plate 35 of the supine position imaging table 25L with ultraviolet light UV for sterilization. As the ultraviolet light source 38, in addition to a general ultraviolet lamp using a quartz tube such as an excimer lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode) can be used. The central wavelength of the ultraviolet light UV is 200 nm or more and 280 nm or less, for example, 254 nm or 222 nm. The intensity of the ultraviolet light UV is constant.

[0031] A camera 40 is attached to the ceiling 16. The camera 40 captures almost the entire view of the radiography room. The camera 40 is provided to detect whether or not a patient P, an operator, or other person is present in the radiography room.

[0032] As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the radiation diagnostic apparatus 2 includes a voltage generator 50, a control device 51, a console 52, and the like.

[0033] The voltage generator 50 generates a voltage to be applied to the radiation tube 13. The voltage generator 50 and the radiation tube 13 are connected by a voltage cable. The voltage generated in the voltage generator 50 is supplied to the radiation tube 13 via this voltage cable.

[0034] The radiation tube 13 is provided with, for example, a filament, a target, a grid electrode, and the like (all not shown). A voltage is applied from a voltage generator 50 between the filament, which is a cathode, and the target, which is an anode. The voltage applied between the filament and the target is called the tube voltage. The filament emits thermoelectrons toward the target in accordance with the applied tube voltage. The target emits radiation R due to collisions of the thermoelectrons from the filament. A grid electrode is disposed between the filament and the target. The grid electrode changes the flow rate of the thermoelectrons from the filament toward the target in accordance with the voltage applied from the voltage generator 50. The flow rate of the thermoelectrons from the filament toward the target is called the tube current.

[0035] The control device 51 controls the operation of the radiation source 11 through the voltage generator 50. The control device 51 acquires irradiation conditions for the radiation R to the patient P from the console 52. The irradiation conditions include the tube voltage applied to the radiation tube 13, the tube current, and the irradiation time of the radiation R. Note that instead of the tube current and the irradiation time, the product of the tube current and irradiation time, a so-called mAs value, may be used as the irradiation condition.

[0036] An operator inputs an instruction to start irradiating the patient P with radiation R to the control device 51 via the irradiation switch 53. When the instruction to start irradiation is input, the control device 51 operates the voltage generator 50 under the irradiation conditions acquired from the console 52, and causes the radiation tube 13 to emit radiation R.

[0037] The control device 51 also controls the operation of the electronic cassette 26. The control device 51 causes the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 to perform a storage operation in synchronization with the start of irradiation of radiation R by the radiation source 11, and causes the detection panel to perform a readout operation in synchronization with the end of irradiation of radiation R by the radiation source 11. The control device 51 also receives the radiation image RI transmitted from the electronic cassette 26. The control device 51 transfers the radiation image RI to the console 52.

[0038] The console 52 is, for example, a personal computer. An operator inputs an imaging menu into the console 52. The console 52 transmits irradiation conditions according to the input imaging menu to the control device 51. The console 52 also receives a radiographic image RI transferred from the control device 51, performs image processing on the received radiographic image RI, and displays the processed radiographic image RI on the display 93 (see FIG. 5).

[0039] The console 52 is communicably connected to a Radiology Information System (RIS) via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The console 52 receives an imaging order from the RIS. The imaging order contains specific details of the radiography to be performed on the patient P. The console 52 is also communicably connected to an image database server via the network. The image database server is, for example, a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) server, and receives the radiographic images RI from the console 52 and stores and manages the received radiographic images RI.

[0040] A movement mechanism 55 that moves the position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 within the radiography room is connected to the control device 51. The movement mechanism 55 is composed of the aforementioned support 15 and support motor 19, cart 18 and cart motor 20, rotator 21 and rotator motor 22, and a position detection unit 56. The position detection unit 56 is, for example, a potentiometer provided on each of the support 15, cart 18, and rotator 21, and detects the position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 within the radiography room. The position of the radiation irradiation unit 10 within the radiography room specifically refers to the height position changed by the support 15 and support motor 19, the horizontal position changed by the cart 18 and cart motor 20, and the rotational position changed by the rotator 21 and rotator motor 22.

[0041] The control device 51 executes the AP function by controlling the operation of the movement mechanism 55 (the support motor 19, the dolly motor 20, and the rotating motor 22) in response to an instruction to execute the AP function from the operator via the remote controller 57. The AP function is a function that automatically moves the radiation irradiation unit 10 (radiation source 11) to a set position (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the upright position radiography table 25S and the supine position radiography table 25L. The AP function moves the ultraviolet light source 38 together with the radiation source 11.

[0042] The control device 51 also controls the operation of the ultraviolet light source 38. When the AP function is executed, the control device 51 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate the upright position imaging platform 25S or the supine position imaging platform 25L with ultraviolet light UV.

[0043] The camera 40 is also connected to the control device 51. The control device 51 controls the operation of the movement mechanism 55 in accordance with the image captured by the camera 40.

[0044] 3 and 4, the irradiation field limiter 12 is formed with an entrance opening 60 through which the radiation R from the radiation tube 13 enters, and an exit opening 61 through which the radiation R exits. Four shielding plates 62 (only three are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided near the exit opening 61. The shielding plates 62 are made of a material that blocks the radiation R, such as lead. The shielding plates 62 are arranged on each side of a rectangle, in other words, arranged in a checkered pattern, to form a rectangular irradiation opening that transmits the radiation R. The irradiation field limiter 12 changes the size of the irradiation opening by changing the position of each shielding plate 62, thereby changing the irradiation field of the radiation R on the imaging table 25.

[0045] An irradiation field lamp 63 and a mirror 64 are provided within the irradiation field limiter 12. The irradiation field lamp 63 emits, for example, orange visible light L toward the mirror 64. The irradiation field lamp 63 turns on and off in response to instructions from the operator. The irradiation field lamp 63 also turns on automatically for several seconds by an AP function, which will be described later, immediately after the radiation irradiation unit 10 reaches the currently set position.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 4, the mirror 64 reflects visible light L. The mirror 64 is made, for example, of an acrylic plate with an aluminum film deposited thereon. The visible light L reflected by the mirror 64 is irradiated as light representing the irradiation field through the exit opening 61 toward the imaging table 25. When irradiating with radiation R shown in Fig. 3, the mirror 64 is retracted to a position away from the entrance opening 60 and the exit opening 61. A filter for changing the radiation quality of the radiation R may be provided within the irradiation field limiter 12.

[0047] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the control device 51 includes a storage 70 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71. The storage 70 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage 70 stores an operating program 72 and setting position information 73. When the operating program 72 is started, the CPU 71, in cooperation with a memory and the like (not shown), functions as an irradiation condition acquisition unit 75, a radiation source control unit 76, a cassette control unit 77, an image transfer unit 78, an AP control unit 79, and an ultraviolet light source control unit 80. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 includes a measurement unit 81.

[0048] The irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 acquires the irradiation conditions transmitted from the console 52. The irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 outputs the acquired irradiation conditions to the radiation source control unit .

[0049] The radiation source control unit 76 controls the operation of the radiation source 11. The radiation source control unit 76 sets the irradiation conditions from the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 in the voltage generator 50. When an instruction to start irradiation of radiation R is input via the irradiation switch 53, the radiation source control unit 76 causes the radiation tube 13 to emit radiation R under the set irradiation conditions. The radiation source control unit 76 outputs an irradiation start notification signal to notify the start of irradiation of radiation R and an irradiation end notification signal to notify the end of irradiation of radiation R to the cassette control unit 77.

[0050] The cassette control unit 77 controls the operation of the electronic cassette 26. In response to an irradiation start notification signal from the radiation source control unit 76, the cassette control unit 77 causes the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 to perform a storage operation. In addition, in response to an irradiation end notification signal from the radiation source control unit 76, the cassette control unit 77 causes the detection panel to perform a readout operation. As a result, the cassette control unit 77 causes the detection panel to output a radiographic image RI. In addition, the cassette control unit 77 receives the radiographic image RI transmitted from the electronic cassette 26 and outputs the received radiographic image RI to the image transfer unit 78. The image transfer unit 78 transfers the radiographic image RI from the cassette control unit 77 to the console 52. Note that an electronic cassette 26 that has a function of detecting the start and end of irradiation of radiation R and performs storage and readout operations by itself may also be used.

[0051] The camera 40, the moving mechanism 55, and the remote controller 57 are connected to the AP control unit 79. The AP control unit 79 uses well-known image recognition technology to detect whether a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40. The AP control unit 79 reads the setting position information 73 from the storage 70. The AP control unit 79 controls the operation of the moving mechanism 55 in response to an AP function execution instruction from the remote controller 57, thereby executing the AP function of moving the radiation irradiation unit 10 to the setting position registered in the setting position information 73. Note that the AP control unit 79 moves the radiation irradiation unit 10 to a home position determined in the radiation imaging room when there is time until the next radiation imaging session or when the medical examination is completed. The camera 40, the moving mechanism 55, the remote controller 57, and the AP control unit 79 constitute an AP device 85.

[0052] The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 controls the operation of the ultraviolet light source 38. When the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate the imaging table 25 with ultraviolet light UV. The measurement unit 81 measures the elapsed time from when the ultraviolet light source 38 starts irradiating ultraviolet light UV.

[0053] The console 52 includes a storage 90, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, input devices 92 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display 93. The storage 90 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. An operating program 94 and an irradiation condition table 95 are stored in the storage 90. When the operating program 94 is started, the CPU 91, in cooperation with a memory and the like (not shown), functions as an imaging menu accepting unit 100, an irradiation condition setting unit 101, an image processing unit 102, and a display control unit 103.

[0054] Prior to radiography, the display control unit 103 displays a list of radiography orders from the RIS on the display 93. The operator views the list of radiography orders to confirm the contents. The display control unit 103 displays a plurality of radiography menus prepared in advance on the display 93 in a form that allows one to be selected, along with the radiography orders. The operator operates the input device 92 to select and input a radiography menu that matches the contents of the radiography order. This causes the radiography menu reception unit 100 to receive the radiography menu. The radiography menu reception unit 100 outputs the received radiography menu to the irradiation condition setting unit 101. The radiography menu reception unit 100 also outputs the received radiography menu to the AP control unit 79 of the control device 51.

[0055] The irradiation condition setting unit 101 reads out irradiation conditions corresponding to the imaging menu from the irradiation condition table 95 and transmits the read irradiation conditions to the control device 51. The irradiation condition table 95 is a table in which irradiation conditions are registered for each imaging menu. The imaging menu is a combination of imaging regions such as the chest and abdomen, imaging postures such as standing and lying, and imaging directions such as front and back (see FIG. 6). Note that the irradiation conditions can be modified via the input device 92 before being transmitted to the control device 51.

[0056] The image processing unit 102 performs various image processing on the radiation image RI from the control device 51. The image processing unit 102 performs, for example, offset correction processing, sensitivity correction processing, defective pixel correction processing, and the like.

[0057] The offset correction process subtracts, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, an offset correction image output without radiation R irradiation from the radiation image RI. By performing this offset correction process, the image processing unit 102 removes fixed pattern noise caused by dark charge and the like from the radiation image RI. The sensitivity correction process corrects, based on sensitivity correction data, variations in the sensitivity of each pixel of the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 and variations in the output characteristics of the circuit that reads out signal charge. The defective pixel correction process linearly interpolates the pixel values ​​of defective pixels with the pixel values ​​of surrounding normal pixels based on information about defective pixels with abnormal pixel values ​​generated at the time of shipment or during periodic inspection. The image processing unit 102 outputs the radiation image RI that has been subjected to these various image processing processes to the display control unit 103. The display control unit 103 displays the radiation image RI from the image processing unit 102 on the display 93.

[0058] As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the setting position information 73 registers a setting position for each imaging menu. The setting position is the height, horizontal, and rotational position of the radiation irradiator 10 in the radiation imaging room. The height position is represented by the length of the support 15 and the dolly 18, in other words, the distance from the ceiling 16 to the radiation irradiator 10. The horizontal position is represented by XY coordinates of the distance with a reference point in the radiation imaging room (e.g., the home position) as the origin. The rotational position is represented by the angle of the radiation irradiator 10. The angle of the radiation irradiator 10 toward the upright imaging table 25S shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 is 0°, and the angle toward the supine imaging table 25L shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 is 90°.

[0059] The set position is the distance from the point (focal point) where radiation R is emitted at the target of the radiation tube 13 to the surface of the detection panel of the electronic cassette 26 housed in the imaging table 25, i.e., the position according to the SID (Source to Image Receptor Distance). The SID is set to a predetermined value depending on the imaging menu, for example, 100 cm when the imaging menu is "chest, standing position, front", or 180 cm when the imaging menu is "lower limbs, standing position, front".

[0060] 7, the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function when the operator operates the remote controller 57 and inputs an instruction to execute the AP function from the remote controller 57. More specifically, the AP control unit 79 moves the radiation irradiator 10 from a setting position corresponding to the imaging menu of the previous radiation imaging to a setting position corresponding to the imaging menu of the current radiation imaging.

[0061] The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light (UV) immediately after the radiation irradiator 10 has moved to a set position corresponding to the imaging menu for the current radiography using the AP function. As a result, the imaging table 25 used for the current radiography is sterilized with ultraviolet light (UV). The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light (UV) when the elapsed time measured by the measuring unit 81 from the start of ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation reaches a preset first set time TS1. The first set time TS1 varies depending on the intensity of the ultraviolet light (UV) and the type of bacteria and / or viruses to be sterilized, but is generally several seconds to several tens of minutes. For example, it has been reported that the novel coronavirus (SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)-CoV (Coronavirus)-2) can be inactivated by irradiation with ultraviolet light (UV) for several seconds. More specifically, the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiated with ultraviolet light having a central wavelength of 222 nm and an intensity of 1 W / m 2It has been reported that 99.7% of UV rays with a central wavelength of 254 nm are inactivated in 30 seconds (https: / / xtech.nikkei.com / atcl / nxt / news / 18 / 08672 / ). It has also been reported that 99.9% of UV rays with a central wavelength of 254 nm are inactivated in 10 to 15 seconds (https: / / robotstart.info / 2020 / 09 / 10 / uvbuster-covid19.html).

[0062] The operator waits until the first set time TS1 has elapsed and irradiation of ultraviolet rays UV has stopped, and then operates the irradiation switch 53 to input an instruction to start irradiating the patient P with radiation R. The radiation source control unit 76 causes the radiation tube 13 to emit radiation R. In other words, the ultraviolet source control unit 80 causes the radiation irradiator 10 to move to the set position using the AP function, and causes the ultraviolet source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet rays UV before the radiation source 11 emits radiation R.

[0063] As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, if a person appears in the image captured by camera 40 while the AP function is being executed, AP control unit 79 stops the AP function. AP control unit 79 stops the AP function while a person appears in the captured image. AP control unit 79 resumes execution of the AP function when the person is no longer in the captured image. Furthermore, when starting execution of the AP function, if a person appears in the image captured by camera 40, AP control unit 79 does not execute the AP function. In other words, camera 40 is provided in AP device 85 so as not to execute the AP function in an environment where a person is present. Here, "a person appears" includes not only when the entire person's body is captured, but also when only part of the person's body is captured.

[0064] As an example, as shown in FIG. 9 , if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 while the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiating ultraviolet light UV, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 stops the ultraviolet light source 38 from irradiating ultraviolet light UV. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 stops the ultraviolet light UV irradiation while the person is captured in the captured image. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 resumes the ultraviolet light UV irradiation when the person is no longer captured in the captured image. Furthermore, if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 when the AP function causes the radiation irradiator 10 to move to a setting position corresponding to the imaging menu for the current radiation imaging and causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 does not instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV or outputs a signal to prohibit the ultraviolet light source 38 from irradiating ultraviolet light UV. In other words, the camera 40 is used to prevent ultraviolet light UV irradiation in an environment where people are present.

[0065] Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 10 and 11. As shown in Figure 5, when the operating program 72 is started, the CPU 71 of the control device 51 functions as an irradiation condition acquisition unit 75, a radiation source control unit 76, a cassette control unit 77, an image transfer unit 78, an AP control unit 79, and an ultraviolet light source control unit 80. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 includes a measurement unit 81. When the operating program 94 is started, the CPU 91 of the console 52 functions as an imaging menu acceptance unit 100, an irradiation condition setting unit 101, an image processing unit 102, and a display control unit 103.

[0066] The procedure for radiography using the radiological diagnostic apparatus 2 starts with radiography preparation work. The radiography preparation work is performed by the operator. Specifically, the radiography preparation work includes the work of setting irradiation conditions and the work of positioning the patient P, etc. After the radiography preparation work is completed, the operator operates the irradiation switch 53 to issue an instruction to start irradiating radiation R.

[0067] As a task of setting irradiation conditions, the operator operates the input device 92 to input an imaging menu according to an imaging order from the RIS. The imaging menu is received by the imaging menu receiving unit 100. Then, the irradiation conditions according to the imaging menu received by the imaging menu receiving unit 100 are read out from the irradiation condition table 95 by the irradiation condition setting unit 101. The irradiation conditions are transmitted from the irradiation condition setting unit 101 to the control device 51.

[0068] As an example, as shown in FIG. 10 , after inputting the imaging menu, the operator operates the remote controller 57. As a result, an AP function execution instruction is issued from the remote controller 57. The AP function execution instruction is received by the AP control unit 79 (YES in step ST100). The AP control unit 79 then controls the operations of the support motor 19, the dolly motor 20, and the rotation motor 22 of the moving mechanism 55, and executes the AP function of moving the radiation irradiator 10 from the previous setting position to the current setting position, as shown in FIG. 7 (step ST110). In other words, the radiation irradiator 10 moves from the previous setting position to the current setting position. When the position detection unit 56 detects that the radiation irradiator 10 has reached the current setting position (YES in step ST120), the AP control unit 79 stops the AP function (step ST130). In other words, the movement of the radiation irradiator 10 is stopped.

[0069] The interior of the radiography room is photographed by a camera 40 mounted on the ceiling 16. If a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 while the AP function is being executed (NO in step ST120, YES in step ST140), the AP control unit 79 stops the AP function (step ST150), as shown in FIG. 8. The AP function remains stopped while a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 (YES in step ST160). If a person is no longer captured in the image captured by the camera 40 (NO in step ST160), the AP control unit 79 resumes execution of the AP function (step ST110). Note that if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 when execution of the AP function is started, the AP function is not executed.

[0070] As an example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the execution of the AP function causes the radiation irradiation unit 10 to reach the current set position (YES in step ST200), as shown in FIG. 7, ultraviolet rays UV are irradiated by the ultraviolet source 38 under the control of the ultraviolet source control unit 80 (step ST210).

[0071] The measuring unit 81 measures the time that has elapsed since the start of irradiation of ultraviolet rays UV (step ST220). When the elapsed time reaches the first set time TS1 (YES in step ST230), irradiation of ultraviolet rays UV by the ultraviolet ray source 38 is stopped under the control of the ultraviolet ray source control unit 80 (step ST240).

[0072] If a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 while ultraviolet rays UV are being emitted (NO in step ST230, YES in step ST250), as shown in FIG. 9, the ultraviolet ray source control unit 80 stops emitting ultraviolet rays UV from the ultraviolet ray source 38 (step ST260). While a person is captured in the captured image (YES in step ST270), the ultraviolet ray UV emission continues to be stopped. When a person is no longer captured in the captured image (NO in step ST270), the ultraviolet ray source control unit 80 resumes emitting ultraviolet rays UV from the ultraviolet ray source 38 (step ST210). Note that if a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 when the AP function moves the radiation irradiator 10 to a setting position corresponding to the imaging menu for this radiation imaging and causes the ultraviolet ray source 38 to start emitting ultraviolet rays UV, the ultraviolet ray source 38 will not emit ultraviolet rays UV.

[0073] After the first set time TS1 has elapsed and the irradiation of ultraviolet light UV has stopped, the operator has the patient P enter the radiography room and have the patient P stand in front of the upright radiography table 25S or lie supine on the top board 35 of the supine radiography table 25L. In addition, the operator adjusts the position of the holder 30 or the holder 36 to perform positioning.

[0074] In the control device 51, the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 acquires the irradiation conditions from the console 52. The irradiation conditions are output from the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75 to the radiation source control unit 76, and are set in the voltage generator 50 by the radiation source control unit 76.

[0075] When an instruction to start irradiation of radiation R is input via the irradiation switch 53, radiation R is irradiated from the radiation tube 13 toward the patient P under the control of the radiation source control unit 76. As a result, a radiation image RI is output from the electronic cassette 26 under the control of the cassette control unit 77. The radiation image RI is output from the electronic cassette 26 to the cassette control unit 77, and further output from the cassette control unit 77 to the image transfer unit 78. The radiation image RI is transferred to the console 52 by the image transfer unit 78.

[0076] In the console 52, the image processing unit 102 performs various image processing on the radiation image RI. The radiation image RI that has been subjected to various image processing is output from the image processing unit 102 to the display control unit 103. Then, under the control of the display control unit 103, the radiation image RI is displayed on the display 93 for viewing by the operator.

[0077] As described above, the radiation diagnostic apparatus 2 includes: one radiation source 11 that emits radiation R; the moving mechanism 55 that moves the position of the radiation source 11 within the radiation imaging room; the AP device 85 that includes the AP control unit 79 that executes an AP function of automatically moving the radiation source 11 to a set position corresponding to the imaging table 25 installed in the radiation imaging room by controlling the operation of the moving mechanism 55; the ultraviolet source 38 that emits ultraviolet light UV and is moved together with the radiation source 11 by the moving mechanism 55; and the ultraviolet source control unit 80 that, when the AP function is executed, causes the ultraviolet source 38 to irradiate the imaging table 25 with ultraviolet light UV. This makes it possible to sterilize the imaging table 25 more efficiently than when ultraviolet light UV is irradiated without linking with the AP function.

[0078] The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 controls the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the radiation source 11 moves to a set position using the AP function and before the radiation source 11 emits radiation R. This ensures that the imaging table 25 to be used for radiography is sterilized with ultraviolet light UV. This greatly reduces the risk of infection from bacteria and / or viruses that have adhered to the imaging table 25 due to contact with the patient P.

[0079] When a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 stops the ultraviolet light source 38 from emitting ultraviolet light UV. This makes it possible to prevent ultraviolet light UV from being irradiated onto people.

[0080] Camera 40 is provided in AP device 85 to prevent AP functions from being performed in an environment where people are present. Camera 40 is also used to prevent ultraviolet light UV from being emitted in an environment where people are present. This allows existing equipment to be utilized, and prevents increases in device costs.

[0081] When the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function in response to an instruction from the operator, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV. The operator commands the execution of the AP function exactly when radiography is about to be performed. This allows sterilization by ultraviolet light UV to be performed at the appropriate time.

[0082] The ultraviolet light source 38 is provided on the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12. Therefore, the imaging table 25 can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light UV.

[0083] The location where the ultraviolet light source 38 is provided is not limited to the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be provided inside the irradiation field limiter 12. More specifically, the ultraviolet light source 38 is provided alongside the irradiation field lamp 63. The ultraviolet light UV emitted from the ultraviolet light source 38 is reflected by a mirror 64, similar to the visible light L emitted from the irradiation field lamp 63, and is irradiated towards the imaging table 25 through the exit opening 61. At this time, the shielding plate 62 is moved to a position where the size of the irradiation opening is maximized so that the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light UV is maximized.

[0084] In this way, by providing the ultraviolet light source 38 inside the irradiation field limiter 12, it is out of reach of the patient P and the operator, and there is no risk of it being damaged by a collision. Furthermore, by providing the ultraviolet light source 38 alongside the irradiation field lamp 63, ultraviolet light UV can be irradiated using the same mechanism as visible light L from the irradiation field lamp 63. However, since it is necessary to move the shielding plate 62 to a position where the size of the irradiation opening is maximized, providing the ultraviolet light source 38 on the outer surface of the irradiation field limiter 12 is preferable in that such control is not required.

[0085] The location where the ultraviolet light source 38 is installed is not limited to the exterior surface or interior of the irradiation field limiter 12, and the number of ultraviolet light sources 38 installed is not limited to one. For example, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be installed on the exterior surface of the radiation source 11 or on the support 15. In short, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be installed anywhere as long as it can irradiate the imaging table 25 with ultraviolet light UV. The ultraviolet light source 38 may be provided with a swing function, so that a single source can cover a wide irradiation range.

[0086] As an example, as shown in FIG. 13 , instead of the camera 40, a moving object detection sensor 110 may be used to detect whether or not a person is present in the radiography room. The moving object detection sensor 110 is a sensor that detects moving objects by utilizing changes in infrared rays, changes in reflected ultrasonic waves, or the blocking of visible light, and is generally called a human presence sensor. The moving object detection sensor 110 is attached to the ceiling 16, for example, like the camera 40, and constitutes an AP device 112 together with an AP control unit 79 and the like. The moving object detection sensor 110 detects moving objects in the radiography room. When the moving object detection sensor 110 detects a moving object, it outputs a signal indicating this to the AP control unit 79.

[0087] 14, as an example, if the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object while the AP function is being executed, the AP control unit 79 stops the AP function. The AP control unit 79 stops the AP function while the motion detection sensor 110 is detecting a moving object. The AP control unit 79 resumes execution of the AP function when the motion detection sensor 110 no longer detects a moving object. Furthermore, if the motion detection sensor 110 detects a moving object when starting execution of the AP function, the AP control unit 79 does not execute the AP function.

[0088] 15, if the moving object detection sensor 110 detects a moving object while the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiating ultraviolet light UV, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light UV. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 stops irradiating ultraviolet light UV while the moving object detection sensor 110 is detecting the moving object. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 resumes irradiating ultraviolet light UV when the moving object detection sensor 110 no longer detects the moving object. Furthermore, if the moving object detection sensor 110 detects a moving object when the AP function causes the radiation irradiator 10 to move to a setting position corresponding to the imaging menu for this radiography and the ultraviolet light source 38 is to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 outputs a signal not to instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV or to prohibit the ultraviolet light source 38 from irradiating ultraviolet light UV.

[0089] In this way, when the moving object detection sensor 110 detects a moving object, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop emitting ultraviolet light UV. Therefore, as with the case where the camera 40 is used, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet light UV from being irradiated onto people. Furthermore, the moving object detection sensor 110 is provided in the AP device 112 to prevent the AP function from being executed in an environment where people are present. The moving object detection sensor 110 is also used to prevent ultraviolet light UV from being irradiated into an environment where people are present. Therefore, as with the case where the camera 40 is used, it is possible to utilize existing equipment and prevent increases in device costs. Furthermore, the moving object detection sensor 110 is less expensive than the camera 40, and, unlike the camera 40, the moving object detection sensor 110 does not require analyzing captured images to determine whether or not a person is present.

[0090] Instead of or in addition to the mode in which the AP function moves the radiation source 11 to a set position and causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the radiation source 11 emits radiation R, the following mode may be implemented.

[0091] 16 , the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 controls the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV after radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11 and before the radiation irradiator 10 moves to a set position by the AP function. Specifically, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 controls the ultraviolet light source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV after a preset second set time TS2 has elapsed since radiation R was emitted from the radiation source 11 in the previous radiography. The ultraviolet light source control unit 80 then controls the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV for a preset third set time TS3. The operator waits until the third set time TS3 has elapsed and the irradiation of ultraviolet light UV has stopped, and then operates the remote controller 57 to input an instruction to execute the AP function for the current radiography.

[0092] The second set time TS2 is set to the average time (e.g., 3 minutes) required for the patient P to leave the radiography room after the previous radiography is completed. The third set time TS3, like the first set time TS1, is set to a time sufficient to sterilize bacteria and / or viruses.

[0093] In this way, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 may cause the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate with ultraviolet light UV after the radiation R is emitted from the radiation source 11 and before the radiation irradiator 10 moves to the set position by the AP function. This allows the imaging table 25, which was used in the previous radiography and may have bacteria and / or viruses attached thereto, to be sterilized with ultraviolet light UV. This further reduces the risk of infection by bacteria and / or viruses.

[0094] In the previous radiography, the radiation source 11 emitted the radiation R, and the ultraviolet light source 38 was caused to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV after the second set time TS2 had elapsed, but this is not limiting. After the previous radiography was completed, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be caused to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV if the camera 40 or the motion detection sensor 110 detects that no one is in the radiography room.

[0095] 17, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV while the radiation irradiator 10 is moving to a set position by the AP function. Specifically, when an instruction to execute the AP function is input from the remote controller 57, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to start irradiating ultraviolet light UV. Then, while the AP function is being executed, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 continues irradiating ultraviolet light UV. Furthermore, similar to the example shown in FIG. 7, when the irradiation time of ultraviolet light UV since the radiation irradiator 10 moved to the current set position by the AP function reaches a first set time TS1, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light UV.

[0096] In this way, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 may cause the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV while the radiation irradiation unit 10 is moving to the set position using the AP function. This allows sterilization with ultraviolet light UV not only of the holder 30 of the upright imaging platform 25S and the top plate 35 of the supine imaging platform 25L, but also of the stand 28 of the upright imaging platform 25S, the base 33 of the supine imaging platform 25L, the floor of the radiography room, etc. This further reduces the risk of infection by bacteria and / or viruses.

[0097] Fig. 18 shows an example in which the mode shown in Fig. 16 in which the radiation source 11 emits radiation R and the ultraviolet light source 38 is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the radiation irradiator 10 moves to the set position by the AP function, and the mode shown in Fig. 17 in which the ultraviolet light source 38 is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV while the radiation irradiator 10 is moving to the set position by the AP function, are combined. This makes it possible to achieve the combined effect of the mode shown in Fig. 16 and the mode shown in Fig. 17.

[0098] 16 to 18, the AP control unit 79 does not execute the AP function when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 or when the moving object detection sensor 110 detects a moving object. Furthermore, when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 40 or when the moving object detection sensor 110 detects a moving object, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 does not instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV, or outputs a signal to the ultraviolet light source 38 to prohibit irradiation of ultraviolet light UV.

[0099] [Second embodiment] As an example, as shown in Figure 19, in the second embodiment, if the patient P for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same and the imaging table 25 used for the previous radiation imaging are the same, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 does not instruct the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV before the current radiation imaging, or outputs a signal to the ultraviolet light source 38 to prohibit irradiation of ultraviolet light UV. In this way, if the patient P for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same and the imaging table 25 used for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same, irradiation of ultraviolet light UV by the ultraviolet light source 38 is not performed before the current radiation imaging. Figure 19 illustrates a case where the patient ID (Identification Data) of the patient P for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same as "P0001", the imaging posture in the imaging menu for the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are set to "standing", and the standing imaging table 25S is used for both.

[0100] If the patient P in the current radiography is the same as the patient P in the previous radiography, and if the same radiography table 25 is used in the current radiography and the previous radiography, there is no risk of bacterial and / or viral infection from the other patient P. In such a case, if irradiation with ultraviolet light UV from the ultraviolet light source 38 is not performed before the current radiography, meaningless irradiation with ultraviolet light UV can be avoided. This can save the time and power consumption required for irradiation with ultraviolet light UV.

[0101] [Third embodiment] 20, the sterilization ability of ultraviolet light UV is changed depending on the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25. Specifically, the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25 is the SID.

[0102] As an example, as shown in Table 115 of FIG. 20, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 changes the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light UV to change the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light UV according to the SID. More specifically, as the SID becomes longer, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 increases the intensity of the ultraviolet light UV and lengthens the irradiation time. For example, when the SID is 80 cm, the intensity of the ultraviolet light UV is set to 15 W / m 2, the irradiation time is 3 minutes. On the other hand, if the SID is 180 cm, the intensity of the ultraviolet UV is 40 W / m 2 The irradiation time is set to 8 minutes. The irradiation time is the time set as the first set time TS1 or the third set time TS3. The intensity of the ultraviolet light UV is changed by increasing or decreasing the voltage and / or current applied to the ultraviolet light source 38.

[0103] As described above, in the third embodiment, the ultraviolet light source controller 80 changes the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light UV according to the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging stand 25. Specifically, the ultraviolet light source controller 80 changes the sterilization ability of the ultraviolet light UV by changing the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light UV. This allows sterilization to be performed according to the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging stand 25.

[0104] Although an example has been shown in which both the intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet light UV are changed, it is sufficient to change at least one of the intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet light UV. Alternatively, the sterilization ability of ultraviolet light UV may be changed by changing the wavelength of ultraviolet light UV, for example, by irradiating ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 254 nm, which has a relatively high sterilization ability, when the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25 is long, and irradiating ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 222 nm, which has a relatively low sterilization ability, when the distance between the radiation source 11 and the imaging table 25 is short.

[0105] [Fourth embodiment] In each of the above embodiments, the ultraviolet light source 38 is caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function in response to an instruction from an operator, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. As in a fourth embodiment shown in Figures 21 and 22, the ultraviolet light source 38 may be caused to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at a preset time.

[0106] As an example, as shown in FIG. 21 , set time information 120 is input to the AP control unit 79 of the fourth embodiment. The set time information 120 is stored in the storage 70. A preset set time is registered in the set time information 120. The set time is the time at which the AP control unit 79 automatically executes the AP function without waiting for an instruction from the operator. The set time is set by the operator or an administrator of the medical facility. The AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at the set time registered in the set time information 120. FIG. 21 shows an example in which the set times are "09:00" as the start time of morning medical treatment at the medical facility, "13:00" as the start time of afternoon medical treatment, and "17:00" as the end time of afternoon medical treatment.

[0107] 22, at a set time, the AP control unit 79 moves the radiation irradiator 10 from a home position determined in the radiography room to a position facing the holder 30 of the upright radiography table 25S. The AP control unit 79 then moves the radiation irradiator 10 to a position facing the top plate 35 of the supine radiography table 25L, and finally returns the radiation irradiator 10 to the original home position. When the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at the set time, the ultraviolet ray source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet ray source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet ray UV.

[0108] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80 causes the ultraviolet light source 38 to irradiate ultraviolet light UV when the AP control unit 79 executes the AP function at a preset time. This allows sterilization to be performed at times when sterilization is particularly necessary, such as the start of medical treatment.

[0109] If someone enters the radiography room while the ultraviolet light source 38 is irradiating ultraviolet light UV and the ultraviolet light irradiation by the ultraviolet light source 38 is stopped, and it takes a certain time (e.g., three minutes) for the person to leave the radiography room, the ultraviolet light irradiation by the ultraviolet light source 38 may not be resumed. In this case, since there is a risk that sterilization by the ultraviolet light UV may be insufficient, a warning screen including a message that the ultraviolet light irradiation has been interrupted may be displayed on the display 93 of the console 52, for example.

[0110] As described in paragraphs

[0028] to

[0031] of Japanese Patent No. 6306097 and Figures 7 and 8, ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 222 nm has less effect on the human body than ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 254 nm. Therefore, when irradiating ultraviolet light UV with a central wavelength of 222 nm, it is not necessary to stop irradiating ultraviolet light UV from the ultraviolet light source 38 even if someone enters the radiography room.

[0111] A switch for turning on and off the power supply of the ultraviolet light source 38 may be provided, and the ultraviolet light source 38 may be manually operated by an operator to irradiate ultraviolet light UV.

[0112] The ultraviolet light source 38 may irradiate ultraviolet light UV continuously or in pulses. When irradiating ultraviolet light UV in pulses, the intensity change in the third embodiment is performed by changing the duty ratio of the pulses.

[0113] Although the upright position imaging table 25S and the lying position imaging table 25L are exemplified as the imaging table 25, the present invention is not limited to this. At least one of the upright position imaging table 25S and the lying position imaging table 25L may be provided.

[0114] Although an example has been shown in which an instruction to execute an AP function is issued to the AP control unit 79 by operating the remote controller 57, this is not limiting. When a shooting menu is input via the input device 92 of the console 52, an instruction to execute an AP function may also be issued to the AP control unit 79.

[0115] The irradiation range of ultraviolet light UV may be changed depending on the area to be photographed, for example, if the area to be photographed is the chest, ultraviolet light UV is irradiated onto the entire surface of the holder 30 of the standing photography stand 25S, and if the area to be photographed is one ankle, ultraviolet light UV is irradiated onto only the center part of the holder 30.

[0116] Instead of the electronic cassette 26, a CR (Computed Radiography) cassette in which an imaging plate is housed in a portable housing may be used.

[0117] In the above-described embodiments, a so-called ceiling-hanging type in which the radiation irradiation unit 10 is suspended from the ceiling 16 of the radiography room by the support 15 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. A type in which rails are laid on the floor of the radiography room and the radiation irradiation unit 10 is attached to the tip of a support extending in the height direction from the floor may also be used.

[0118] In each of the above embodiments, the following various processors may be used as the hardware configuration of processing units that perform various processes, such as the irradiation condition acquisition unit 75, the radiation source control unit 76, the cassette control unit 77, the image transfer unit 78, the AP control unit 79, the ultraviolet light source control unit 80, the measurement unit 81, the imaging menu reception unit 100, the irradiation condition setting unit 101, the image processing unit 102, and the display control unit 103. As described above, the various processors include the CPUs 71 and 91, which are general-purpose processors that function as various processing units by executing software (operation programs 72 and 94), as well as dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having a circuit configuration specifically designed to perform specific processes, such as programmable logic devices (PLDs) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0119] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., a combination of multiple FPGAs and / or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor.

[0120] Examples of configuring multiple processing units with a single processor include, first, a form in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units, as typified by client and server computers. Second, a form in which a processor is used to realize the functions of an entire system including multiple processing units with a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by System on Chip (SoC). In this way, various processing units are configured using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware structure.

[0121] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0122] The technology of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined with the various embodiments and / or various modified examples described above. Furthermore, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, multiple electronic cassettes 26 may be prepared in a radiography room.

[0123] The above-described description and illustrations are a detailed explanation of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects is an explanation of an example of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the above-described description and illustrations within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the above-described description and illustrations omit explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require particular explanation to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0124] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and / or B" is also applied when three or more things are expressed connected by "and / or."

[0125] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. one radiation source that emits radiation; an auto-positioning device including a moving mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source in a radiography room, and an auto-positioning control unit that controls the operation of the moving mechanism to execute an auto-positioning function of automatically moving the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiography room and from which radiation will be emitted in radiography to be performed; an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light and is moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism; an ultraviolet light source control unit that causes the ultraviolet light source to irradiate the imaging table with the ultraviolet light when the auto-positioning function is executed; A radiological diagnostic apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit controls the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation before the radiation source is moved to the set position by the auto-positioning function and the radiation is emitted from the radiation source.

3. 3. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit controls the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation at least in one of a time before the radiation source is emitted from the radiation source and before the radiation source is moved to the set position by the autopositioning function and a time while the radiation source is being moved to the set position by the autopositioning function.

4. 4. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the patient in the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same and the imaging table used in the previous radiation imaging and the current radiation imaging are the same, the irradiation by the ultraviolet light source is not performed before the current radiation imaging.

5. 5. The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit changes a sterilizing ability of the ultraviolet light depending on a distance between the radiation source and the imaging table.

6. The radiation diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit changes the sterilization capability by changing at least one of the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light.

7. Equipped with a camera or motion detection sensor, 7. The radiation diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation by the ultraviolet light source is not performed when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera or when the motion detection sensor detects a moving object.

8. the auto-positioning device includes a camera or a motion detection sensor provided to prevent the auto-positioning function from being executed in an environment where people are present; The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the camera or the motion detection sensor included in the auto-positioning device is used.

9. 9. The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function in response to an instruction from an operator.

10. 10. The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source control unit causes the ultraviolet light source to perform the irradiation when the auto-positioning control unit executes the auto-positioning function at a preset time.

11. an irradiation field limiter that defines an irradiation field of the radiation is attached to the radiation source; 11. The radiological diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source is provided in the irradiation field limiter.

12. 1. A method for operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus including a radiation source that emits radiation and an autopositioning device including a movement mechanism that moves the position of the radiation source in a radiography room, the method comprising: executing an auto-positioning function of automatically moving the radiation source to a set position corresponding to an imaging table installed in the radiography room and from which the radiation will be emitted in radiography to be performed, by controlling the operation of the moving mechanism; and when the auto-positioning function is executed, irradiating the imaging table with ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet source moved together with the radiation source by the moving mechanism; A method for operating a radiological diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

Images