Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
  • G02B27/02—Viewing or reading apparatus
  • G02B27/022—Viewing apparatus
  • G02B27/024—Viewing apparatus comprising a light source, e.g. for viewing photographic slides, X-ray transparancies

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment which is used for an interpretation of a radiograph on a radiographic film obtained by application of radiation (X-rays). More particularly, the present invention relates to a film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment, which is constructed in a slim type to increase availability of a room space and has uniform brightness of a light source for an interpretation of a radiograph on a radiographic film to facilitate the interpretation of the radiograph on the film for medical treatment.
• Typical fields using the radiation are a medical field and a quality control field.
• various lesions and skeletal abnormalities of patients are diagnosed by using the radiation, and the radiation is also used for treatment of inflammations or tumors.
• the quality control field nondestructive testing is performed by using the radiation to inspect manufactured products and materials.
• X-rays are used as the radiation in the medical field.
• Such radiation is applied to an affected part of a patient, and the radiation that has penetrated through the patient's body is imaged on a radiographic film disposed on an opposite side. By interpreting a radiograph imaged on the radiographic film, it is possible to check any lesions, bone fractures, inflammations, tumors and the like which may be caused within the patient's body.
• a doctor uses a film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment in order to interpret such a radiograph imaged on the radiographic film.
• the radiograph imaged on the radiographic film can be interpreted by disposing the radiographic film on a diffuser sheet of the film interpretation apparatus and causing a fluorescent lamp to emit light.
• the doctor interprets the radiograph on the radiographic film by analyzing light and shade caused by the light that has penetrated through the radiographic film.
• pluralities of fluorescent lamps are placed in parallel with one another within the film interpretation apparatus.
• the radiograph imaged on the radiographic film is interpreted by causing these fluorescent lamps to emit the light.
• the conventional film interpretation apparatus there is a difference in the brightness between positions where the fluorescent lamps are disposed and positions between the fluorescent lamps, and thus, the light and shade appearing in the radiographic film vary depending on the positions. Accordingly, there is a difficulty in correctly interpreting the radiograph on the radiographic film. Further, there is a disadvantage in that the thickness of the film interpretation apparatus is increased since the diameter of each of the fluorescent lamps is large.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment, which is constructed in a slim structure by using a surface light source and has a substantially uniform brightness throughout a diffuser sheet on which a radiographic film is disposed so as to perform a correct interpretation of a radiograph imaged on the radiographic film.
• a film interpretation apparatus for use in an interpretation of an image on a film that is in close contact with the apparatus by illuminating the film, comprising a surface light source for emitting light; and a case having an opening for receiving the surface light source and causing the light emitted from the surface light source to be incident onto the film.
• the surface light source may include at least one transparent light guide panel, a rear reflector sheet that is in close contact with a rear surface of the light guide panel, at least one lamp installed along a side of the light guide panel, and side reflector sheets attached to the other sides of the light guide panel on which the lamp is not installed.
• the lamp may be accommodated in a reflection lampshade that is open toward the side of the light guide panel, and the reflection lampshade may be disposed along the side of the light guide panel.
• a diffuser sheet is secured in the opening of the case, and the surface light source is secured within the case to be aligned with the diffuser sheet.
• the case may be constructed by coupling a front case formed with the opening and a rear case complementary to the front case.
• a diffuser sheet is secured in the opening of the front case, and the surface light source is secured within the case to be aligned with the diffuser sheet.
• the front case may include upper and lower frames having slots into which upper and lower ends of the diffuser sheet having the shape of a rectangle are inserted, respectively, and a pair of side frames to which lateral sides of the diffuser sheet are fixedly connected, respectively.
• the upper and lower frames are connected to the side frames.
• a portion of the upper frame for covering an upper edge of a front surface of the diffuser sheet defines an inclined surface
• a predetermined gap is formed between the upper frame and the front surface of the diffuser sheet
• a plurality of roller rods are placed in between the covering portion of the upper frame and the diffuser sheet so that they can move along the inclined surface of the upper frame.
• the front case is formed with a plurality of female threaded apertures open to the rear case
• the rear case and a cover sheet disposed on a rear surface of the rear case are formed with a plurality of fastening holes corresponding to the female threaded apertures
• a plurality of bolts penetrating through the fastening holes formed in the rear case and the cover sheet are fixedly fastened in the female threaded apertures
• the cover sheet is formed with holes for receiving heads of screws or bolts.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the film interpretation apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the film interpretation apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a front case of the film interpretation apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
• FIGS. 5 (a) and (b) are sectional views of upper and lower frames of the front case shown in FIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is a rear view of a rear case of the film interpretation apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state where a radiographic film is secured in the film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment shown in FIG. 1.
• a film interpretation apparatus 100 for medical treatment comprises a surface light source 30, a case 10 for surrounding the surface light source 30, and a lamp switch 46 for supplying or cutting off electric power to the surface light source 30.
• the surface light source 30 comprises a light guide panel 31 made of a rectangular transparent acrylic panel, cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36 disposed along upper and lower ends of the light guide panel 31 , a rear reflector sheet 33 disposed to be in close contact with a rear surface of the light guide panel 31, and a diffuser sheet 32 disposed in the front of the light guide panel 31.
• Side reflector sheets 34 are attached to both lateral sides of the light guide panel 31.
• the diffuser sheet 32 that takes the shape of a rectangle and is disposed in the front of the light guide panel 31 performs a function of dispersing light, which escapes in predetermined directions from a surface of the light guide panel 31, and causing the light to be diffused throughout the surface of the light guide panel 31.
• the light guide panel 31 receives light, which is emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36, through both the upper and lower ends thereof.
• a pattern (not shown) having a predetermined area and configuration is deposited on the rear surface of the light guide panel 31. The pattern performs a function of causing the light to be uniformly distributed throughout the light guide panel 31.
• the rear reflector sheet 33 that is in close contact with the rear surface of the light guide panel 31 performs a function of reflecting the light, which escapes from the rear surface of the light guide panel 31 , and returning the light back to the light guide panel 31.
• the side reflector sheets 34 prevent the light, which is emitted in all directions from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36, from escaping through the lateral sides of the light guide panel 31 and simultaneously reflects the light onto the light guide panel, thereby performing a function of maximizing the efficiencies of the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36.
• the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36 disposed along both the upper and lower ends of the light guide panel 31 are accommodated in reflection lampshades 37. Openings of the reflection lampshades 37 adjoin the upper and lower ends of the light guide panel 31 so that most of the light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36 is incident into the light guide panel 31.
• the case 10 comprises a rectangular front case 11 and a rear case 12.
• the front case 11 includes an upper frame 21 (FTG. 5 (a)) fixed to an upper end of the diffuser sheet 32, a lower frame 22 (FIG. 5 (b)) fixed to a lower end of the diffuser sheet 32, and a pair of side frames 23 disposed at lateral sides of the diffuser sheet 32 and connected with longitudinal ends of the upper and lower frames 21, 22, respectively.
• the rear case 12 is disposed to oppose to the front case 11 and to support the rear reflector sheet 33 at a front surface of the rear case.
• the front and rear cases 11 , 12 are fixedly fastened by means of bolts 64 in a state where the front case 11 is aligned with the rear case 12 to face each other with the surface light source 30 interposed therebetween. Further, a cover sheet 18 is fastened to a rear surface of the rear case 12.
• an inverter 40 is disposed between the front and rear cases 11 , 12 at a position where it does not interfere with the surface light source 30.
• the lamp switch 46 for supplying or cutting off the electric power is installed on the front case 11, and a power source connector 42 is disposed at one of the side frames 23. Accordingly, when an adapter 44 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the power source connector 42 and the lamp switch 46 is turned on, the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36 are caused to emit the light. The case will be described in more detail below.
• the upper and lower frames 21, 22 are made of an L- shaped beam and formed with slots 25 longitudinally extending along the upper and lower frames 21, 22 so as to accommodate the upper and lower ends of the diffuser sheet 32 in the slots, respectively.
• a piece 26 of each of the upper and lower frames 21, 22 having an L-shaped cross section covers upper and lower edge portions of a front surface of the diffuser sheet 32 and is inclined at a predetermined angle.
• a distal end of the piece 26 of the upper frame 21 is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the front surface of the diffuser sheet 32 to form a gap therebetween.
• a distal end of the piece 26 of the lower frame 22 is formed with a bent portion 27 toward the front surface of the diffuser sheet 32 so that the bent portion 27 of the piece 26 of the lower frame 22 is positioned to be in contact with the diffuser sheet 32. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of roller rods 50 are inserted into and placed in between the sloping piece 26 of the upper frame 21 and the diffuser sheet 32.
• the rear case 12 is formed with four projections 15 which protrude toward the interior of the case 10 (see FIG. 2).
• the four projections 15 are inserted into slots 39 formed at side edges of the rear reflector sheet 33, so that the rear reflector sheet 33 and the light guide panel 31 and the light guide panel 31 are supported by the four projections 15.
• the rear case 12 and the cover sheet 18 are formed with a plurality of fastening holes 60 corresponding to one another.
• Inner surfaces of the side frames 23 of the front case 11 are formed with protruding female threaded tubes (not shown) at positions corresponding to the fastening holes 60.
• the upper and lower frames 21, 22 of the front case 1 1 are formed with female threaded apertures.
• the front and rear cases 11, 12 are placed to be properly aligned with each other, and the cover sheet 18 is then positioned on the rear surface of the rear case 12 in a state aligned therewith.
• the bolts 64 When the plurality of bolts 64 are inserted and screwed into the fastening holes 60 of the cover sheet 18, the bolts 64 are fastened to the protaiding female threaded tubes and the female threaded apertures of the front case 11.
• the surface light source 30 and the inverter 40 are positioned within the case 10.
• the rear surface of the cover sheet 18 is formed with holes 62 for receiving heads of screws or bolts.
• the holes 62 formed in the cover sheet 18 accommodate heads of screws or bolts fastened into a wall so that the film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment according to the embodiment of the present invention can be hung on the wall.
• the adapter 44 When the adapter 44 is connected to the power source connector 42 and the lamp switch 46 is turned on, a supplied current flows through the inverter 40 and causes the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36 to emit the light. Then, the light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps is incident into the light guide panel 31 through the upper and lower ends thereof. The incident light is reflected by the rear reflector sheet 33 and the side reflector sheets 34 and then the reflected light travels forward of the light guide panel 31. Accordingly, most of the light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 36 is incident onto the rear surface of the diffuser sheet 32. When a doctor views the film interpretation apparatus 100 in such a state, it appears that the diffuser sheet 32 itself emits the light. At this time, the radiographic film 70 is attached onto the diffuser sheet 32.
• the radiographic film 70 comes into close contact with the front surface of the diffuser sheet 32 and then is shifted upward, i.e. toward the upper frame 21, so that it is inserted into the gap between the front surface of the diffuser sheet 32 and the distal end of the piece 26 of the upper frame 21.
• the roller rods 50 move along the sloping piece 26 of the upper frame 21 due to their own weights and press down an upper end of the radiographic film 70 inserted into the gap between the diffuser sheet 32 and the upper frame 21. Therefore, the radiographic film 70 is prevented from dropping by the weights of the roller rods 50 and remains in a state where it is fixedly inserted into the gap between the diffuser sheet 32 and the upper frame 21.
• the light emitted from the surface light source 30 causes light and shade to be shown on the radiographic film 70 which is positioned on the front surface of the diffuser sheet 32 by means of the weights of the roller rods 50.
• the doctor interprets the light and shade shown on the radiographic film 70 and thus determines any abnormalities of a patient.
• the aforementioned film interpretation apparatus has been described as being used for the interpretation of the radiograph on the radiographic film 70, it is not limited thereto but may also be used for an interpretation of an image on a general film such as a photographic film to be disposed on the front surface of the diffuser sheet 32.
• the diffuser sheet 32 of the film interpretation apparatus 100 has been described as being disposed in the front of the light guide panel 31 and performing a function of scattering the light that escapes in the predetermined directions from the surface of the light guide panel 31 and uniformly distributing the scattered light throughout the surface of the light guide panel 31, a general semitransparent acrylic panel may substitute the diffuser sheet since it can sufficiently achieve and perform the object and effects of the present invention.
• the film interpretation apparatus 100 may be a partial lighting type film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment having a plurality of surface light sources capable of being independently turned on so that radiographs on a plurality of radiographic films can be independently interpreted.
• the cold cathode fluorescent lamps are installed on sides of a plurality of light guide panels, respectively, and the side reflector sheets are attached to the other sides of the light guide panels on which the cold cathode fluorescent lamps are not installed.
• the light guide panels are disposed side by side, and one rear reflector sheet and one diffuser sheet are disposed in the rear and front of the light guide panels, respectively.
• the plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps are connected to respective inverters. Then, a plurality of lamp switches connected to the respective inverter are selectively turned on so that only one selected among the plurality of surface light sources is turned on, thereby performing a partial lighting in one diffuser sheet. Consequently, with the film inte ⁇ retation apparatus having the plurality of surface light sources, radiographs on a plurality of radiographic films can be inte ⁇ reted at one time or one by one through separate turning-on of each surface light source.
• the film inte ⁇ retation apparatus for medical treatment according to the present invention has the uniform brightness throughout the diffuser sheet by using the surface light source.
• the film inte ⁇ retation apparatus for medical treatment according to the present invention which utilizes the surface light source has a thickness smaller than that of a conventional film inte ⁇ retation apparatus for medical treatment using a fluorescent lamp, there is an advantage in that availability of a room space can be enhanced.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)
• Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=19715591

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2001
  • 2001-11-01 KR KR10-2001-0067772A patent/KR100415907B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2002
  • 2002-08-20 WO PCT/KR2002/001570 patent/WO2003037188A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-08-20 EP EP02802389A patent/EP1450689A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events