Abstract: A signal detector detects signals transmitted from signal generators disposed in a radiation detecting cassette, and a distance calculator calculates the distance between a radiation source and a radiation detector based on the signals detected by the signal detector. A determining unit determines whether the detected distance matches a predetermined distance from the radiation source to the radiation detector when a radiation image is captured. If the detected distance does not match the predetermined distance, the determining unit outputs, to a warning unit, a warning signal indicating that the detected distance does not match the predetermined distance, and also outputs a control signal for equalizing the detected distance with the predetermined distance, to a radiation source movement controller.

Abstract: A transceiver of a radiation detecting cassette sends cassette ID information stored in a cassette ID memory to a transceiver of a console via a transceiver of an image capturing apparatus by way of wireless communications. An ID determining unit determines whether cassette ID information which matches the cassette ID information received by the transceiver is stored in a cassette ID memory or not. If the ID determining unit judges that both cassette ID information match each other, the transceiver sends the cassette ID information and an activation instruction signal to the transceiver by way of wireless communications.

Abstract: An image capturing system includes a cassette having a radiation detector, an image memory, and a cassette controller, an image capturing apparatus, a display device, and a host computer. The cassette controller comprises a capacity value transmitter for transmitting a capacity value of the radiation image information to the host computer before transmission process, and an image transmitter for transmitting the radiation image information. The host computer comprises an indicator controller for controlling the display device to display an indicator representing the capacity value received from the cassette as the upper limit, and a bar controller for controlling the display device to display a bar moving toward the indicator and having a length corresponding to the received capacity value of the radiation image information while the radiation image information is being received.

Abstract: A cassette device includes a radiation detecting cassette having a radiation detector therein for detecting radiation having passed through a subject and converting the detected radiation into radiation image information, a transmission and reception controller connected to the radiation detector for transmitting the radiation image information to an image processor by way of wireless communications, and a cassette storage bag for storing the radiation detecting cassette therein. The cassette storage bag includes an antenna incorporated therein for transmitting the radiation image information from the transmission and reception controller to the image processor by way of wireless communications. The transmission and reception controller and the antenna are capable of being electrically connected to each other through detachable connectors.

Abstract: Power supply switches are disposed on respective side walls of a casing of a radiation detecting cassette, which are held out of contact with a patient when a radiation image of the patient is captured. When a surgeon or a radiological technician turns one of the power supply switches on or off, a battery starts or stops supplying electric power to a radiation detector, a cassette controller, and a transceiver.

Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette houses therein a detector for detecting a load applied to the radiation detecting cassette when a patient has moved. It is determined whether or not the patient has moved in an image capturing process based on the load detected by the detector. If it is judged that the patient has moved, then a warning is displayed, and a radiation image of the subject is inhibited from being captured.

Abstract: A radiation image capturing system detects the position of a radiation detecting cassette disposed below a patient and the position of a radiation source for emitting a radiation, based on the differences between the propagation times of radio waves emitted from an antenna device to an image capturing apparatus and the radiation detecting cassette. Based on the detected positions, the relative positions of the image capturing apparatus and the radiation detecting cassette are calculated, and then compared with each other by a position determining unit to judge how the image capturing apparatus is positioned with respect to the radiation detecting cassette. If the image capturing apparatus is not positioned in head-on facing relation to the radiation detecting cassette, then a warning is issued, and an actuating mechanism moves the image capturing apparatus to an appropriate position.

Abstract: A transceiver of a radiation detecting cassette receives subject ID information from an RFID tag by way of wireless communications. An ID checker checks the subject ID information received by the transceiver against a plurality of subject ID information stored in an RFID memory. If the subject ID information received by the transceiver matches one of the subject ID information stored in the RFID memory, then the ID checker associates the matching subject ID information with a radiation dose that is stored in a dose storage unit and corresponds to the matching subject ID information.

Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette has a casing including a first flat plate for facing a patient and a second flat panel for facing a surgical table. The first flat plate and the second flat panel are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. The casing also includes a pair of first and second tapered side members disposed on respective side edges of the first and second flat plates. The first and second tapered side members are progressively tapered toward their distal ends. The first and second tapered side members house therein respective radiation shields, which in turn house therein a battery, a cassette controller, and a transceiver.

Abstract: Radiation image information detected by a radiation detector of a radiation detecting cassette is compressed by an image compressor, and then transmitted by way of wireless communications to a display device, which displays a compressed image representative of a rough radiation image on a display unit. The radiation image information is stored in an image memory and transmitted by way of wireless communications to a console in which the radiation image information is processed as desired by an image processor. The processed radiation image information is sent by way of wireless communications to the display device, which displays a detailed image in place of the compressed image.

Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette includes a casing having first through fourth display units mounted on respective side walls thereof for displaying ID information of a patient, etc. The casing also has first detectors on the respective side walls for detecting obstacles facing the first through fourth display units and second detectors on the respective side walls for detecting loads applied to the casing near the first through fourth display units. Based on detected results from the first and second detectors, at least one of the first through fourth display units which is not covered by the patient is selected to display the ID information of a patient, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation image capturing system. A radiation detector of a radiation detecting cassette detects a radiation that has passed through a patient, and an accumulated exposed radiation dose calculator calculates an accumulated exposed radiation dose by accumulating radiation image information detected by the radiation detector, at every image capturing. The calculated accumulated exposed radiation dose is transmitted, together with cassette ID information, to a console. In the console, a status determining unit compares the accumulated exposed radiation dose with an allowable accumulated exposed radiation dose for the radiation detecting cassette to determine the status of the radiation detecting cassette, and issues a warning based on the determined status.