JPH02217839A - Radiation image information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent stimulated luminous light which is emitted at a scanning position from leaking between an accumulative type fluorescent material sheet and a light guide, and a reflecting mirror and to improve the detection efficiency of the stimulated luminous light by conveying the accumulative type fluorescent material sheet along a curved surface which is outwardly convex. CONSTITUTION:The accumulative type fluorescent material sheet 10 is conveyed at a constant speed as shown by an arrow D by the rotation of a conveyor roller 21 in the direction of an arrow C and then scanned in a subscanning direction. The stimulated luminous light 10a which is emitted by the accumulative type fluorescent material sheet 10 by the scanning of exciting light 2 is made incident on the incidence end surface 8a of the light guide 8 arranged nearby the scanning position and light which travels to the opposite side from the incidence end surface 8a is reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of a reflecting mirror 14 arranged opposite the incidence end surface 8a across a main scanning direction to be made incident on the incidence end surface 8a. Thus, the accumulative type fluorescent material sheet 10 is conveyed so that the part including the main scanning position of the exciting light 2 moves along the curved surface, so the stimulated luminous light 10a never leaks between the accumulative type fluorescent material sheet 10 and incidence end surface 8a, and reflecting surface 14a and the light convergence efficiency is improved.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 （発明の分野） 本発明は蓄積性蛍光体シートに蓄積記録された放射線画
像情報を読取る読取装置に関し、特に詳細には、蓄積記
録された画像情報に応じて蓄積性蛍光体シートから発せ
られる輝尽発光光を効率的に検出することのできる放射
線画像情報読取装置に関するものである。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of the Invention) The present invention relates to a reading device for reading radiographic image information stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a reading device for reading radiographic image information stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a reading device that reads radiation image information stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet. The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading device that can efficiently detect stimulated luminescence light emitted from a phosphor sheet.

（従来の技術） ある種の蛍光体に放射線（Ｘ線、α線、β線、γ線、電
子線、紫外線等）を照射すると、この放射線エネルギー
の一部が蛍光体中に蓄積され、この蛍光体に可視光等の
励起光を照射すると、蓄積されたエネルギーに応じて蛍
光体が輝尽発光を示すことが知られており、このような
性質を示す蛍光体は蓄積性蛍光体と呼ばれる。(Prior art) When a certain type of phosphor is irradiated with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is accumulated in the phosphor, and this It is known that when a phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, the phosphor exhibits stimulated luminescence depending on the accumulated energy, and phosphors that exhibit this property are called stimulable phosphors. .

この蓄積性蛍光体を利用して、人体等の被写体の放射線
画像情報を一部シート状の蓄積性蛍光体に記録し、この
ｇｓｔ性蛍光体シートをレーザ光等の励起光で走査して
輝尽発光光を生ぜしめ、？すられた輝尽発光光を光電的
に読み取って画像信号を得、この画像信号に基づき被写
体の放射線画像を写真感光材料等の記録材料、ＣＲＴ等
に可視像として出力させる放射線画像情報記録再生シス
テムが本出願人によりすでに提案されている。（特開昭
５５−１２４２９号、同５Ｂ−１１３９５号、同５５−
１６３４７２号。Using this stimulable phosphor, radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is partially recorded on a sheet of stimulable phosphor, and this GST phosphor sheet is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to make it shine. Produces exhaustive light, ? Radiation image information recording and reproduction that photoelectrically reads the blurred stimulated luminescence light to obtain an image signal, and outputs the radiation image of the subject as a visible image to a recording material such as a photographic light-sensitive material, CRT, etc. based on this image signal. A system has already been proposed by the applicant. (JP-A No. 55-12429, No. 5B-11395, No. 55-
No. 163472.

同５６−１０４１３４５号、同５５−１１８３４０号な
ど。）この様な放射線画像情報記録再生システムにおい
ては、放射線画像情報が蓄積記録された蓄積性蛍光体シ
ートをレーザ光等の励起光で走査して輝尽発光光を生ぜ
しめ、得られた輝尽発光光を光電的に読み取るのに、従
来第３図に示す様な読取装置が提案されている。No. 56-1041345, No. 55-118340, etc. ) In such a radiation image information recording and reproducing system, a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is accumulated and recorded is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to generate stimulated luminescence light, and the resulting In order to photoelectrically read emitted light, a reading device as shown in FIG. 3 has been proposed.

図示の装置においては、励起光源１から励起光２が発せ
られ、この励起光２はビーム・エクスパンダ−３により
ビーム径の大きさが厳密に調整され、ガルバノメータミ
ラー等の光偏向器４によって平面反射１１５を介して蓄
積性蛍光体シート１０上に矢印Ａ方向（主走査方向）に
偏向せしめられて入射する。光偏向器４と平面反射鏡５
との間にはｆθレンズ６が配され、蓄積性蛍光体シーＮ
Ｏ上を励起光２が均一なビーム径を有して等適止走査さ
れるようになっている。本装置では、上記励起光源１．
ビームエクスパンダ−３，光偏向器４゜平面反射鏡５．
およびｆθレンズ６により主走査手段が構成されている
。また上記蓄積性蛍光体シートｌＯは、例えばエンドレ
スベルト装置２０等のｔｔ１走査手段によって、主走査
方向と略垂直な矢印Ｂの方向に移送せしめられて副走査
がなされ、その結果蓄植性蛍光体シート１０の全面にわ
たって励起光が照射せしめられる。このように励起光２
が照射せしめられると、蓄積性蛍光体シートｌＯは蓄積
記録されている放射線画像情報に応じた輝尽発光光を発
し、この発光光は光ガイド８に入射する。In the illustrated apparatus, excitation light 2 is emitted from an excitation light source 1, the beam diameter of this excitation light 2 is strictly adjusted by a beam expander 3, and the beam diameter of this excitation light 2 is strictly adjusted by an optical deflector 4 such as a galvanometer mirror. The light is incident on the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 via the reflection 115 and is deflected in the direction of arrow A (main scanning direction). Optical deflector 4 and plane reflector 5
An fθ lens 6 is arranged between the stimulable phosphor sheet N
The excitation light 2 has a uniform beam diameter and is scanned evenly over O. In this device, the excitation light source 1.
Beam expander 3, optical deflector 4° plane reflector 5.
The fθ lens 6 constitutes a main scanning means. Further, the above-mentioned stimulable phosphor sheet 1O is conveyed in the direction of arrow B, which is substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction, by a tt1 scanning means such as the endless belt device 20, and is sub-scanned, and as a result, the stimulable phosphor sheet 1O is The entire surface of the sheet 10 is irradiated with excitation light. In this way, the excitation light 2
When irradiated, the stimulable phosphor sheet IO emits stimulated luminescent light corresponding to the radiographic image information stored and recorded, and this luminescent light enters the light guide 8.

この光ガイド８は、その入射端面８ａがｔ［Ｉ線状をな
し蓄積性蛍光体シート１０上の励起光の主走査ｌ１Ｉ２
ｅに沿って配置され、射出端面８ｂは円環状をなし）す
トマルチブライヤー等の光検出器９の受光面に接続され
ている。上記光ガイド８は、アクリル系樹脂等の透明熱
可塑性樹脂シートを加工してっくられたもので、入射端
面８ａより入射した光がその内部を全反射しつつ射出端
面へ伝達されるよう構成されており、蓄積性蛍光体シー
ト１０からの輝尽発光光はこの光ガイド８内を導かれ、
射出端面から射出して光検出器９によって受光される。The light guide 8 has an incident end surface 8a in the form of a t[I line, and main scanning l1I2 of the excitation light on the stimulable phosphor sheet 10.
e, and the exit end surface 8b is connected to the light receiving surface of a photodetector 9 such as a multi-brier. The light guide 8 is made by processing a transparent thermoplastic resin sheet such as acrylic resin, and is configured so that the light incident from the entrance end surface 8a is transmitted to the exit end surface while being totally reflected inside. The stimulated luminescent light from the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 is guided through the light guide 8,
The light is emitted from the emission end face and is received by the photodetector 9.

光ガイドの好ましい形状、材質等は特開昭５５−４７９
７０号、同５Ｇ−Ｌ１３９７号公報等に開示されている
。The preferred shape, material, etc. of the light guide is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55-479.
No. 70, No. 5G-L1397, etc.

光検出器９の受光面には、輝尽発光光の波長領域の光の
みを通過し、励起光の波ＭＭ域の光をカットするフィル
ター（図示せず）が貼着されており、光検出器９は輝尽
発光光のみを選択的に検出しうるようになっている。光
検出器９により検出された輝尽発光光は電気信号に変換
され、得られた電気信号は画像情報読取回路ＩＬに送ら
れて処理された後、ＣＲＴや光走査記録装置といった再
生装置１２において可視像として再生されたり、−旦磁
気テープ等に記録されたりする。A filter (not shown) is attached to the light-receiving surface of the photodetector 9, which passes only light in the wavelength region of the stimulated luminescence light and cuts light in the MM region of the excitation light. The device 9 is capable of selectively detecting only stimulated luminescence light. The stimulated luminescence light detected by the photodetector 9 is converted into an electrical signal, and the obtained electrical signal is sent to the image information reading circuit IL and processed, and then sent to the reproducing device 12 such as a CRT or optical scanning recording device. It can be reproduced as a visible image or recorded on magnetic tape or the like.

また、上述した読取装置においては、励起光２の走査よ
り蓄積性蛍光体シート１０から発せられる輝尽発光光の
集光効率を向上させるために、主走査線２ｃを挾んで前
記光ガイド８の入射端面８ａと対向する位置に、反射ミ
ラー１４が設けられる場合がある。この反射ミラー１４
は、第４図に示すように、その反射面１４ａにより、励
起光の走査位置から発せられた輝尽発光光１０ａのうち
光ガイド８とは反対側に向かう光を光ガイドの入射端面
８ａに向けて反射させるものである。In addition, in the above-mentioned reading device, in order to improve the efficiency of collecting stimulated luminescence light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 by scanning the excitation light 2, the light guide 8 is inserted between the main scanning line 2c. A reflecting mirror 14 may be provided at a position facing the incident end surface 8a. This reflective mirror 14
As shown in FIG. 4, the reflecting surface 14a directs the light directed toward the side opposite to the light guide 8 out of the stimulated luminescence light 10a emitted from the scanning position of the excitation light to the incident end surface 8a of the light guide. It is something that is directed and reflected.

（発明が解決しようとする課Ｓ！Ｉ＋）上述した放射線
画像情報読取装置においては、走査位置から発せられる
輝尽発光光を、できるだけ漏れなく、効率的に検出する
ことが望ましい。(Issue S!I+ to be solved by the invention) In the above-mentioned radiation image information reading device, it is desirable to efficiently detect the stimulated luminescence light emitted from the scanning position without omission as much as possible.

しかしながら、上述した装置におけるように、蓄積性蛍
光体シートは通常副走査手段により平面上を搬送されつ
つ走査が行なわれるので、第４図に示すように、光ガイ
ド８および反射ミラー１４と蓄積性蛍光体シートＩＯと
の間にはいくらか隙間が生じてしまう。このため走査位
置から無指向に発する輝尽発光光のうち、これらの隙間
に入射する光は検出することができず、思うように検出
効率が高められないという不都合が生じていた。However, as in the above-mentioned apparatus, the stimulable phosphor sheet is usually scanned while being conveyed on a flat surface by the sub-scanning means, so that the stimulable phosphor sheet is connected to the light guide 8 and the reflecting mirror 14 as shown in FIG. Some gap will be created between the phosphor sheet IO and the phosphor sheet IO. For this reason, among the stimulated luminescent light emitted omnidirectionally from the scanning position, the light incident on these gaps cannot be detected, resulting in the inconvenience that the detection efficiency cannot be increased as desired.

本発明は上記の問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、走
査位置から発せられる輝尽発光光が、蓄積性蛍光体シー
トと光ガイドおよび反射ミラーの間から漏れることを防
止して輝尽発光光の検出効率を高めることのできる放射
線画像情報読取装置を提供することを目的とするもので
ある。The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prevents the stimulated luminescence light emitted from the scanning position from leaking between the stimulable phosphor sheet, the light guide, and the reflective mirror. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation image information reading device that can improve light detection efficiency.

（課題を解決するための手段） 本発明の放射線画像情報読取装置は、前述した副走査手
段が、少なくとも励起光の主走査の位置において、蓄積
性蛍光体シートを外側に凸の曲面に沿って搬送し、前述
した光ガイドの入射端面および反射ミラーの反射面の前
記蓄積性蛍光体シート側の端部が、上記主走査の位置に
おいて蓄積性蛍光体シートと接する平面上の位置または
該平面より蓄積性蛍光体シート寄りの位置にあることを
特徴とするものである。(Means for Solving the Problems) In the radiation image information reading device of the present invention, the above-mentioned sub-scanning means scans the stimulable phosphor sheet along an outwardly convex curved surface at least at the main scanning position of the excitation light. The incident end face of the light guide and the end of the reflective surface of the reflective mirror on the stimulable phosphor sheet side are at a position on a plane where they are in contact with the stimulable phosphor sheet at the main scanning position, or from the plane. It is characterized by being located near the stimulable phosphor sheet.

（作　　用） 蓄積性蛍光体シートを上述のように曲面に沿って搬送す
るようにすれば、光ガイドと反射ミラーの端部を、主走
査位置と同一平面上もしくは該平面上よりも蓄積性蛍光
体シート側に近付けて配することができる。従って蓄積
性蛍光体シートと光ガイドおよび反射ミラーの間から輝
尽発光光が漏れるおそれがなくなり、輝尽発光光の検出
効率を高めることができる。(Function) If the stimulable phosphor sheet is conveyed along a curved surface as described above, the ends of the light guide and reflection mirror can be placed on the same plane as the main scanning position or on a stimulable surface that is less stimulable than on the same plane. It can be placed close to the phosphor sheet side. Therefore, there is no possibility that the stimulated luminescence light will leak from between the stimulable phosphor sheet, the light guide, and the reflection mirror, and the detection efficiency of the stimulated luminescence light can be improved.

（実　施　例） 以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施例について説明する
。(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

第１図は本発明の一実施例による放射線画像情報読取装
置における励起光の走査位置近傍部分の側面図である。FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion near a scanning position of excitation light in a radiation image information reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

なお、本装置の構成は第１図に示す部分を除き、第３図
に示した従来の装置と同様であるのでここでは他の部分
については説明を行なわない。The configuration of this device is the same as the conventional device shown in FIG. 3 except for the portion shown in FIG. 1, so the other portions will not be explained here.

図示の装置において、蓄積性蛍光体シートｌＯを搬送す
る副走査手段は、蓄積性蛍光体シート１０をその周面上
に密接させつつ回転する搬送ローラ２１と、蓄積性蛍光
体シートｌＯを搬送ローラ２１上に安定して保持させる
２つの押えローラ２２，２３とからなっており、蓄積性
蛍光体シート１０は搬送ローラ２１の矢印Ｃ方向の回転
により、矢印り方向に一定速度で搬送されて副走査され
る。また、励起光２は、上記押えローラ２２，２３の間
の、搬送ローラ２１上にある蓄積性蛍光体シート１０に
対して、搬送ローラ２１の回転軸と平行な方向に繰り返
し主走査を行なう。励起光２の走査により蓄桔性蛍光体
シート１０から発せられる輝尽発光光１０ａは、走査位
置に近接した位置に配された光ガイド８の入射端面８ａ
に入射する。また輝尽発光光１０ａは走査位置から発す
る無指向性の光であり、この輝尽発光光のうち、上記入
射端面８ａと反対側に向かう光は、主走査位置を介して
入射端面８ａに対向する位置に配された反射ミラー１４
の反射面１４ａにより一旦反射されて上記入射端面８ａ
に入射する。In the illustrated apparatus, the sub-scanning means for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 includes a conveying roller 21 that rotates while keeping the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 in close contact with its circumferential surface, and a conveying roller 21 for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 by the conveying roller 21. The stimulable phosphor sheet 10 is conveyed at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow C by the rotation of the conveyance roller 21 in the direction of the arrow C. scanned. Furthermore, the excitation light 2 repeatedly performs main scanning on the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 placed on the transport roller 21 between the presser rollers 22 and 23 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the transport roller 21. Stimulated luminescence light 10a emitted from the storage phosphor sheet 10 by scanning the excitation light 2 is transmitted to the incident end surface 8a of the light guide 8 disposed close to the scanning position.
incident on . Further, the stimulated luminescent light 10a is non-directional light emitted from the scanning position, and of the stimulated luminescent light, the light directed toward the side opposite to the incident end surface 8a is directed toward the incident end surface 8a via the main scanning position. Reflection mirror 14 arranged at a position to
It is once reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the incident end surface 8a.
incident on .

ところで上記光ガイド８の入射端面８ａおよび反射ミラ
ー１４の反射面１４ａは、主走査位置において蓄積性蛍
光体シートｌＯと接する面（第１図に一点鎖線で示す面
）上にその蓄積性蛍光体シート側の端部が位置するよう
に配されている。すなわち、蓄積性蛍光体シート１０は
励起光２による主走査位置を含む部分が、前述のように
曲面に沿って搬送されるようになっているので、入射端
面８ａおよび反射面１４ａは主走査位置と同一平面上の
位置に配されることが可能となっている。このように入
射端面８ａと反射面１４ａの蓄積性蛍光体シート側の端
部が主走査位置と同じ高さに配されていれば、輝尽発光
光は主走査位置より下方には発散しないので、輝尽発光
光１０ａが、蓄積性蛍光体シートＩＯと入射端面８ａお
よび反射面１４ａの間から漏れるおそれがなくなり、そ
の集光効率が高められる。Incidentally, the incident end surface 8a of the light guide 8 and the reflective surface 14a of the reflective mirror 14 are arranged so that the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 is in contact with the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 at the main scanning position (the surface indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1). It is arranged so that the end on the seat side is located. That is, since the part of the stimulable phosphor sheet 10 that includes the main scanning position by the excitation light 2 is conveyed along the curved surface as described above, the incident end surface 8a and the reflective surface 14a are located at the main scanning position. It can be placed on the same plane as the If the ends of the incident end surface 8a and the reflective surface 14a on the stimulable phosphor sheet side are arranged at the same height as the main scanning position, the stimulated luminescent light will not diverge below the main scanning position. There is no possibility that the stimulated luminescent light 10a leaks from between the stimulable phosphor sheet IO, the incident end surface 8a, and the reflective surface 14a, and the light collection efficiency is increased.

なお、上述した読取装置においては、励起光の一部が蓄
積性蛍光体シート上で反射され、この反射光が上記入射
端面８ａに直接または反射ミラーの反射面１４ａを介し
て入射し、入射端面８ａ上で再度反射されて蓄積性蛍光
体シートｌＯ上の走査位置以外の部分を励起してしまう
、いわゆるフレア現象が生じる場合がある。従って、か
かるフレア現象を防止するために、光ガイドの入射端面
８ａおよび反射ミラーの反射面１４ａ上には、それぞれ
特開昭８０−１８９７３７号および特開昭８０−１８９
７３６号に開示されているような、励起光の反射を防止
する反射防止膜を形成するのが望ましい。In the above-mentioned reading device, a part of the excitation light is reflected on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and this reflected light enters the incident end surface 8a directly or via the reflective surface 14a of the reflective mirror, and A so-called flare phenomenon may occur in which the light is reflected again on the stimulable phosphor sheet 8a and excites a portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet 1O other than the scanning position. Therefore, in order to prevent such a flare phenomenon, the incident end face 8a of the light guide and the reflective surface 14a of the reflective mirror are
It is desirable to form an antireflection coating that prevents reflection of excitation light, as disclosed in No. 736.

また、第１図に示す装置においては、入射端面８ａの上
端と反射面１４ａの上端の間にわずかながら励起光を通
すための隙間が生じており、この隙間から輝尽発光光が
漏れることが考えられる。そこで輝尽発光光の漏れをさ
らに減少させたい場合には、第２図に示すように、反射
ミラー２４をダイクロイックミラーによって形成し、そ
の反射面２４ａの上端が上記入射端面８ａの上端と接す
るようにすればよい。すなわち、上記反射ミラー２４を
、励起光２の波長領域の光を透過し、輝尽発光光の波長
領域の光を反射する特性を有するダイクロイックミラー
からなるものとすれば、励起光２を図示のように反射ミ
ラー２４を通過させて蓄積性蛍光体シートｌＯに入射さ
せることができるので、反射面２４ａと入射端面８ａを
密接させることができ、輝尽発光光の集光効率を一層向
上させることができる。In addition, in the device shown in FIG. 1, there is a slight gap between the upper end of the incident end surface 8a and the upper end of the reflective surface 14a for passing excitation light, and stimulated luminescence light may leak from this gap. Conceivable. Therefore, if it is desired to further reduce the leakage of the stimulated luminescence light, as shown in FIG. Just do it. That is, if the reflecting mirror 24 is made of a dichroic mirror having a characteristic of transmitting light in the wavelength range of the excitation light 2 and reflecting light in the wavelength range of stimulated luminescence light, the excitation light 2 can be Since the light can pass through the reflective mirror 24 and be incident on the stimulable phosphor sheet 1O, the reflective surface 24a and the incident end surface 8a can be brought into close contact, and the efficiency of collecting stimulated luminescence light can be further improved. Can be done.

また、反射面２４ａと入射端面８ａの蓄積性蛍光体シー
ト側の端部の位置は、第２図に示すように、蓄積性蛍光
体シートに走査位置において接する面よりもさらに蓄積
性蛍光体シート寄りであってもよい。Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the positions of the ends of the reflective surface 24a and the incident end surface 8a on the stimulable phosphor sheet side are located further than the surface that contacts the stimulable phosphor sheet at the scanning position. It may be closer.

なお、本発明の読取！Ａｇｌに用いられる副走査手段は
、少なくとも励起光の主走査位置において、蓄積性蛍光
体シートを外方に凸の曲面に沿って搬送するものであれ
ばよく、上述した複数のローラからなるものの他、ガイ
ド板とローラの組み合わせやエンドレスベルト装置等、
任意の手段を用いることができる。また、光ガイドと光
検出器は、上述したように比較的大型の光ガイドとこの
光ガイドの射出端面に接続された小型の光検出器とに限
られるものではなく、特開昭６２−１６６６６号に開示
されている、受光面が主走査線に沿って延びた長尺のフ
ォトマルチプライヤ−とこのフォトマルチプライヤ−の
受光面上に取り付けられた、比較的小型の光ガイドとの
組み合わせであってもよい。In addition, the reading of the present invention! The sub-scanning means used in Agl may be of any type as long as it conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet along an outwardly convex curved surface at least in the main scanning position of the excitation light, and may be other than the one consisting of the plurality of rollers described above. , combinations of guide plates and rollers, endless belt devices, etc.
Any means can be used. Furthermore, the light guide and the photodetector are not limited to the relatively large light guide and the small photodetector connected to the exit end face of the light guide as described above. The combination of a long photomultiplier whose light-receiving surface extends along the main scanning line and a relatively small light guide mounted on the light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier, disclosed in There may be.

（発明の効果） 以上説明したように、本発明の放Ｊ１４線画像情報読取
装置によれば、蓄積性蛍光体シートと光ガイドの入射端
面および苗植性蛍光体シートと反射ミラーの反射面との
間から輝尽発光光が漏れるのを防止することができるの
で、輝尽発光光の検出効率を高めて画像情報の読取りを
良好に行なうことができる。(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the J14 radiation image information reading device of the present invention, the incident end face of the stimulable phosphor sheet and the light guide, and the reflection surface of the seedling phosphor sheet and the reflection mirror. Since it is possible to prevent the stimulated luminescence light from leaking from between the two, the detection efficiency of the stimulated luminescence light can be increased and image information can be read satisfactorily.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は本発明の一実施例による放射線画像情報読取装
置の励起光走査位置近傍部分の側面図、第２図は本発明
の他の実施例による装置の励起光走査位置近傍部分の側
面図、 第３図は従来の放射線画像情報読取装置の斜視図、 第４図は第３図に示す装置の励起光走査位置近傍部分の
側面図である。 ２・・・励起光 ８ａ・・・入射端面 １（ｌａ・・・輝尽発光光 １４ａ、２４ａ・・・反射面 ２２．２３・・・押えローラ ８・・・光ガイド ＩＯ・・・蓄積性蛍光体シート １４．２４・・・反射ミラー ２１・・・搬送ローラ 第 ！ 図 第 図 第 図 ０ａ ０ａFIG. 1 is a side view of a portion near the excitation light scanning position of a radiation image information reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion near the excitation light scanning position of an apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional radiation image information reading device, and FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 3 near the excitation light scanning position. 2...Excitation light 8a...Incidence end surface 1 (la...Stimulated luminescence light 14a, 24a...Reflection surface 22.23...Press roller 8...Light guide IO...Storage property Phosphor sheet 14.24...Reflection mirror 21...Conveyance roller No.! Figure Figure Figure Figure 0a 0a

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 放射線画像情報が蓄積記録された蓄積性蛍光体シートを
励起光により主走査して輝尽発光光を生ぜしめる主走査
手段、前記蓄積性蛍光体シートと前記励起光を前記主走
査の方向と略垂直な方向に搬送する副走査手段、前記励
起光による主走査線に沿って延びた入射端面を有し、こ
の入射端面から入射した光を射出端面まで案内する光ガ
イド、該光ガイドの射出端面に接続された光検出器、お
よび前記主走査線を介して前記光ガイドの入射端面と対
向する位置に配され、前記輝尽発光光を前記入射端面に
向けて反射する反射面を有する反射ミラーからなる放射
線画像情報読取装置において、前記副走査手段が、少な
くとも前記主走査の位置において、前記蓄積性蛍光体シ
ートを外側に凸の曲面に沿って搬送し、前記光ガイドの
入射端面および反射ミラーの反射面の前記蓄積性蛍光体
シート側の端部が、前記主走査の位置において蓄積性蛍
光体シートと接する平面上の位置または該平面より蓄積
性蛍光体シート寄りの位置にあることを特徴とする放射
線画像情報読取装置。main scanning means for generating stimulated luminescence light by main scanning a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information has been stored and recorded with excitation light; a sub-scanning means for conveying in a vertical direction; a light guide having an entrance end surface extending along the main scanning line of the excitation light; and guiding light incident from the entrance end surface to an exit end surface; and an exit end surface of the light guide. a photodetector connected to the main scanning line, and a reflecting mirror disposed at a position facing the incident end surface of the light guide through the main scanning line and having a reflective surface that reflects the stimulated luminescent light toward the incident end surface. In the radiation image information reading device, the sub-scanning means transports the stimulable phosphor sheet along an outwardly convex curved surface at least at the main scanning position, and transports the stimulable phosphor sheet along an outwardly convex curved surface, and transports the stimulable phosphor sheet at least at the main scanning position, and The end of the reflective surface on the stimulable phosphor sheet side is located on a plane that contacts the stimulable phosphor sheet at the main scanning position, or at a position closer to the stimulable phosphor sheet than the plane. A radiation image information reading device.