JP2010048945A - Portable radiation detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To photograph a radiation image from the side of a subject at a free position. <P>SOLUTION: A side surface 20B of an electronic cassette 12 and a free end part 13B of a self-standing leg 13 are grounded on a photographing base 100 to make the electronic cassette 12 self-stand. The electronic cassette 12 is not provided in a predetermined portion of the photographing base 100, but configured to self-stand, so that it can be installed at an optional position on the photographing base 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable radiation detector that can be carried.

  An electronic cassette that captures an X-ray image of a subject as a subject is known as a portable radiation detector.

  As a photographing technique in such an electronic cassette, there is a photographing technique of photographing from the side of the subject while the subject is sleeping, and conventionally, the electronic cassette has been inserted into a holder that fixes the cassette at the end of the photographing table and photographed. .

  However, in the configuration as described above, the shooting location is determined, and when adjusting the shooting position, it is necessary to move the subject with respect to the cassette, which is not a shooting technique that is gentle to the injured person. Also, the setup of the shooting was troublesome, and the engineers were forced to take time.

  As a proposal for solving the latter problem, an X-ray imaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

  The apparatus of Patent Document 1 can pull out the X-ray imaging unit 4b to the front along the rail-shaped guide 4a provided on the X-ray imaging apparatus 4 on the back side of the top plate 3 on which the subject is placed. A flat X-ray imaging unit 4b that rotates about one side parallel to the longitudinal direction of the top plate as a rotation axis 4c is provided.

Front imaging is performed from above the subject 2 using the X-ray tube 1 of the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging table, and side imaging is performed by pulling the X-ray imaging unit 4b forward and rotating 90 degrees upward. Then, an image is taken from the lateral direction of the subject 2 using a separate X-ray tube 5 suspended from the ceiling.
JP 2002-191588 A (FIG. 1)

  Although the apparatus of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can reduce the labor of an engineer, the point of photographing at a fixed position, that is, the end of the photographing stand is the same as the conventional one, and the former problem has not been solved.

  In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable radiation detector capable of detecting radiation from the side at a free position.

  A portable radiation detector according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with a housing in which a radiation detection unit for detecting radiation is housed, and provided in the housing so that the detection surface of the detection unit faces sideways. A self-supporting leg that makes the housing self-supporting.

  According to this configuration, the self-supporting leg provided in the housing causes the housing to stand up so that the detection surface of the detection unit faces the side. Thereby, the detection part can detect the radiation from the side.

  In addition, since the housing is self-supporting by the self-supporting legs, the portable radiation detector can be installed at a free position.

  The portable radiation detector according to claim 2 of the present invention is the configuration according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting leg has one end portion rotatably connected to the housing and the other end portion connected to the housing. The case is made independent by being separated from it.

  According to this configuration, the one end of the self-supporting leg is rotatably connected to the housing, and the housing is made independent by separating the other end of the self-supporting leg from the housing.

  When the housing is not self-supporting, the other end of the self-supporting leg can be brought close to the housing, so that the self-supporting legs can be compactly assembled in the housing.

  In the portable radiation detector according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, the self-supporting leg is also used as a graspable gripping portion.

  According to this configuration, since the self-supporting leg can be used as the grip portion, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost of the device and the size of the device can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the self-supporting leg is also used as a cable for conducting electricity.

  According to this configuration, since the self-supporting leg can be used as a cable, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost of the device can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to detect the radiation from the side at any position.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
(Configuration of electronic cassette according to this embodiment)
First, the configuration of an electronic cassette as an example of a portable radiation detector will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of electronic cassettes at the time of radiographic imaging. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the electronic cassette. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of the electronic cassette 12.

  The electronic cassette 12 according to the present embodiment has portability, detects radiation from a radiation source that has passed through a subject, generates image information of a radiation image represented by the detected radiation, and generates the generated image information. Is specifically configured as shown below. The electronic cassette 12 may be configured not to store the generated image information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic cassette 12 is arranged at a distance from a radiation generation unit 14 as a radiation source that generates radiation when a radiographic image is taken. The space between the radiation generation unit 14 and the electronic cassette 12 at this time is an imaging position for the subject 16 as a subject to be located. When an instruction to capture a radiographic image is given, the radiation generation unit 14 gives in advance. Radiation with a radiation dose according to the imaging conditions is emitted. The radiation emitted from the radiation generation unit 14 passes through the subject 16 located at the imaging position, and then is applied to the electronic cassette 12 after carrying the image information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic cassette 12 includes a flat casing 20 made of a material that transmits radiation X and having a predetermined thickness. Within the housing 20, the grid 24 that removes scattered radiation of the radiation X generated by passing through the subject 16 and the subject 16 are sequentially transmitted from the irradiation surface 22 side where the radiation X is irradiated in the housing 20. The radiation detection panel 26 as an example of the radiation detection part which detects the radiation from the produced radiation generation part 14, and the lead plate 28 which absorbs the back scattered radiation of the radiation X are accommodated.

  The radiation detection panel 26 of the electronic cassette 12 is configured by laminating a photoelectric conversion layer that absorbs radiation and converts it into charges on the TFT active matrix substrate 32 shown in FIG. The photoelectric conversion layer is made of amorphous a-Se (amorphous selenium) containing, for example, selenium as a main component (for example, a content rate of 50% or more), and when irradiated with radiation, the amount of charge corresponding to the amount of irradiated radiation. The generated radiation (electron-hole pair) is internally generated to convert the irradiated radiation into charges.

  The radiation detection panel 26 indirectly uses a phosphor material and a photoelectric conversion element (photodiode) instead of the X-ray-charge conversion material that directly converts the radiation X such as amorphous selenium into electric charges. You may convert into an electric charge. As phosphor materials, gadolinium sulfate (GOS) and cesium iodide (CsI) are well known. In this case, X-ray-light conversion is performed using a fluorescent material, and light-charge conversion is performed using a photodiode of a photoelectric conversion element.

  Further, on the TFT active matrix substrate 32, a pixel unit 40 (FIG. 3) provided with a storage capacitor 34 for storing the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and a TFT 36 for reading the charge stored in the storage capacitor 34. In this figure, a large number of photoelectric conversion layers corresponding to the individual pixel portions 40 are schematically shown as photoelectric conversion portions 38), and are arranged in a matrix, and the photoelectric conversion layers accompany the radiation to the electronic cassette 12. The electric charges generated in the above are stored in the storage capacitors 34 of the individual pixel units 40. As a result, the radiation image represented by the radiation that has passed through the subject and has been applied to the electronic cassette 12 is converted into image information by charges and is held on the radiation detection panel 26.

  The TFT active matrix substrate 32 has a plurality of gate lines 42 extending in a certain direction (row direction) for turning on / off the TFTs 36 of the individual pixel units 40, and a direction (column direction) orthogonal to the gate lines 42. And a plurality of data wirings 44 for reading out stored charges from the storage capacitor 34 through the TFT 36 which is extended and turned on. Individual gate lines 42 are connected to a gate line driver 46, and individual data lines 44 are connected to a signal processing unit 48.

  When charges are accumulated in the storage capacitors 34 of the individual pixel units 40, the TFTs 36 of the individual pixel units 40 are sequentially turned on in units of rows by a signal supplied from the gate line driver 46 via the gate wiring 42. The charge accumulated in the storage capacitor 34 of the pixel unit 40 for which is turned on is transmitted as a charge signal through the data wiring 44 and input to the signal processing unit 48. Accordingly, the charges accumulated in the storage capacitors 34 of the individual pixel portions 40 are sequentially read out in units of rows.

  The signal processing unit 48 includes an amplifier and a sample hold circuit provided for each individual data line 44, and the charge signal transmitted through each data line 44 is amplified by the amplifier and then held in the sample hold circuit. The Further, on the output side of the sample hold circuit, a multiplexer and an A / D converter 48A as an example of an electric signal converter for converting an electric signal carrying image information are connected in order. The charge signals held in the individual sample and hold circuits are sequentially input (serially) to the multiplexer, and the analog electric signal is converted into a digital electric signal by the A / D converter 48A. An image memory 50 is connected to the signal processing unit 48, and image information output from the A / D converter 48 </ b> A of the signal processing unit 48 is stored in the image memory 50 in order. The image memory 50 has a storage capacity capable of storing image information for a plurality of frames, and image information obtained by imaging is sequentially stored in the image memory 50 each time a radiographic image is captured.

  The electronic cassette 12 includes a communication unit 52 for transmitting and receiving radiographic image data to and from the display device, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus as an example of a control unit for controlling the radiation detection panel 26. 58.

  The display device includes a keyboard or mouse as input means, a display as display means, a PC (personal computer) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Further, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from the electronic cassette 12 is provided.

  The control unit 58 includes a CPU that controls the entire electronic cassette 12, a ROM as a storage medium that stores various processing programs, a RAM that temporarily stores data as a work area, and a memory that stores various information. It is composed of the included microcomputer.

  The control unit is not limited to the one that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and may be a part that controls the operation of a part of the components of the apparatus.

  The electronic cassette 12 is a power supply unit that supplies electric power to at least a part of the components including the radiation detection panel 26. The power supply unit supplies electric power to the components of various circuits and elements to operate the electronic cassette 12. 54.

  Further, the power supply unit 54 includes a battery (a rechargeable secondary battery) as a power storage unit that stores electric power supplied by the power supply unit 54 so as not to impair the portability of the electronic cassette 12.

  The power storage unit that stores the power supplied by the power supply unit 54 is not limited to a rechargeable secondary battery, and a nickel hydride, lithium ion, lead storage battery, capacitor, or the like may be used.

  Further, the power supply unit is not limited to one that supplies power to the components of the entire apparatus as in the present embodiment, and may be one that supplies power to some components of the apparatus. Moreover, the structure which has several power supply parts may be sufficient.

(The shape of the casing 20 of the electronic cassette 12 and the free standing leg 13 provided on the casing 20)
Next, the shape of the housing 20 of the electronic cassette 12 and the free standing legs 13 provided on the housing 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 20 of the electronic cassette 12 has four sides (four straight lines) 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D on the outer edge in a plan view (viewed from the side irradiated with radiation). The shape, specifically, a quadrilateral shape (rectangular shape). More specifically, the housing 20 of the electronic cassette 12 has a rectangular shape. The electronic cassette 12 may have a shape with rounded corners.

  The housing 20 is formed with a side surface 20A constituting the side 21A, a side surface 20B constituting the side 21B, a side surface 20C constituting the side 21C, and a side surface 20D constituting the side 21D.

  Further, the TFT active matrix substrate 32 (detection region) has the same shape as the electronic cassette 12, and has four sides (four straight lines) on the outer edge in plan view (as viewed from the side irradiated with radiation). It has a shape, specifically, a quadrilateral shape (rectangular shape). More specifically, the TFT active matrix substrate 32 (detection region) has a rectangular shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a self-supporting leg 13 is provided in the housing 20 of the electronic cassette 12.

  One end of the self-supporting leg 13 is pivotally connected to the housing 20 by a hinge 33, thereby forming a connecting end 13A. The connecting end portion 13A is connected to the back surface of the housing 20 on the opposite side to the irradiation surface 22 (detection surface of the radiation detection panel 26) irradiated with the radiation X.

  The other end portion is a free end portion 13B that contacts and separates from the housing 20 by rotating the connecting end portion 13A by a specific angle. As shown in FIG. 4, the free end portion 13 </ b> B is used as a leg that supports the housing 20 at a specific distance from the housing 20. The connecting end portion 13 </ b> A is disposed on the side surface 20 </ b> D side of the housing 20, and the free end portion 13 </ b> B is disposed on the side surface 20 </ b> B side of the housing 20.

  The detection surface of the radiation detection panel 26 is directed to the side by allowing the case 20 to stand on its side 20B of the case 20 and the free end 13B of the free standing leg 13 downward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the electronic cassette 12 is placed on the imaging table 100 on the side of the subject 16 lying on the imaging table 100, and the radiation generating unit 14 is disposed opposite to the electronic cassette 12 so as to sandwich the subject 16. Thus, it is possible to shoot from the side.

  Moreover, the housing | casing 20 is formed with the recessed part 35 for accommodating the self-supporting leg 13, and the self-supporting leg 13 can be accommodated in the recessed part 35 when not in use.

  In addition, instead of the self-supporting leg 13, as shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal orientation (orientation shown in FIG. The structure which provides the self-supporting leg 15 which makes the housing | casing 20 self-supporting may be sufficient.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the case 20 is to stand on its side with the side surface 20 </ b> B constituting the long side 21 </ b> B of the case 20 facing down, one surface 15 </ b> A of the free end of the self-standing leg 15. The housing 20 is supported by the above.

  When the case 20 is self-supporting in the vertical direction with the side surface 20A constituting the side 21A, which is the short side of the case 20, facing downward, the case 20 is supported by the other surface 15B of the free end of the self-standing leg 15. Is done.

  Thereby, the orientation of the electronic cassette 12 can be changed depending on whether the part to be imaged is vertically long or horizontally long.

(Operation of the electronic cassette 12 according to the present embodiment)
Next, the operation of the electronic cassette 12 according to this embodiment will be described.

  In the electronic cassette 12 according to the present embodiment, when a radiographic image is to be taken from the side of the subject, the free end 13B of the self-supporting leg 13 is rotated around the connection end 13A of the self-supporting leg 13 as a rotation center. The self-standing leg 13 is pulled out from the recess 35.

  The side surface 20B of the electronic cassette 12 and the free end portion 13B of the self-supporting leg 13 are grounded on the photographing stand 100, thereby allowing the electronic cassette 12 to stand on its own.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic cassette 12 is not provided at a specific location on the imaging stand 100 but has a self-supporting configuration, and thus can be installed at any position on the imaging stand 100.

  Therefore, when adjusting the photographing position, it is only necessary to move the electronic cassette 12 with respect to the subject 16, and there is no need to move the subject 16.

(First modification of self-supporting leg 13)
Instead of the above-mentioned self-supporting leg 13, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a self-supporting leg 17 that also serves as a gripping part that can be gripped by a person handling the electronic cassette 12 may be provided.

  The free standing leg 17 is formed with an opening 37 through which a finger of a person handling the electronic cassette 12 can be passed, and the free standing leg 17 can be held through the opening 37 through the finger.

  One end of the self-supporting leg 17 is connected to be rotatable, and serves as a connected end. The connecting end is connected to the outer edge of the housing 20. A recess 23 for accommodating the self-supporting leg 17 is formed at the center of the housing 20.

  The free-standing leg 17 is accommodated in the recess 23 by rotating the free end that is the other end toward the recess 23 with the connecting end as the center of rotation.

  The self-supporting leg 17 can be used as a gripping part by rotating the self-supporting leg 17 accommodated in the recess 23, for example, by 180 degrees and moving it to the opposite side of the recess 23. As shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to carry the electronic cassette 12 by holding the free standing leg 17 through a finger through the opening 37 of the free standing leg 17.

  Further, the self-supporting leg 17 accommodated in the recess 23 is rotated, for example, 90 degrees so that the side surface 20B of the housing 20 and the side surface 17A of the self-supporting leg 17 are positioned on the same surface as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to make the electronic cassette 12 self-supporting with the side surface 20B of the body 20 and the side surface 17A of the self-supporting leg 17 facing down.

(Second modification of self-supporting leg 13)
Instead of the above-mentioned self-supporting leg 13, as shown in FIG. 9, a self-supporting leg 19 that is also used as a cable may be provided.

  The self-supporting leg 19 is composed of a plurality of link members. In this embodiment, it is comprised by three link member 19A, 19B, 19C.

  One end of the link member 19A is connected to the back surface of the housing 20 (the surface opposite to the irradiation surface) by a universal joint. The other end of the link member 19A is connected to one end of the link member 19B by a universal joint.

  The other end of the link member 19B is connected to one end of the link member 19C by a universal joint. The other end of the link member 19C is connected to the connector 18 by a universal joint. The connector 18 is detachably connected to the rear surface of the housing 20.

  The detection surface of the radiation detection panel 26 is directed to the side by separating the link member 19B from the housing 20 and separating the link member 19B from the housing 20 with the side surface 20B and the link member 19B of the housing 20 facing down.

  In addition, conductors that conduct electricity are provided inside the link members 19A, 19B, and 19C, and the link members 19A, 19B, and 19C function as cables. One end portion of the link member 19 </ b> A is electrically connected to the power supply unit 54 and can supply power to the battery of the power supply unit 54.

  Therefore, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the power supply unit 54 can be charged by connecting the connector 18 to the charging device 200.

  In addition, the structure which uses the self-supporting leg 19 as a cable for wire-communication of image data may be sufficient.

(Third modification of the self-supporting leg 13)
Instead of the above-mentioned self-supporting legs 13, as shown in FIG. 10, self-supporting legs 25A, 25B, and 25C (hereinafter referred to as 25A to 25C) protruding from the housing 20 may be provided.

  The self-supporting legs 25 </ b> A to 25 </ b> C are supported so as to be able to go in and out of the housing 20, and are movable between a protruding position protruding from the housing 20 and an accommodation position accommodated in the housing 20. The self-supporting legs 25A to 25C are biased to the protruding position by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring.

  Further, the self-supporting legs 25A to 25C are provided with locking members (not shown) for locking the self-supporting legs 25A to 25C at the storage position. When the self-supporting legs 25A to 25C in the protruding position are pressed toward the housing 20 and moved to the storage position, the locking member locks the self-supporting legs 25A to 25C at the storage position and locks at the storage position. When the legs 25A to 25C are pressed toward the housing 20, the locked state is released.

  When the locking of the self-supporting legs 25A to 25C by the locking member is released, the self-supporting legs 25A to 25C are moved to the protruding positions by the biasing force of the biasing member.

  In this configuration, the three self-supporting legs 25 </ b> A to 25 </ b> C are disposed at three corners among the four corners on the back side of the housing 20. The free standing legs 25A and 25B are arranged along the side surface 20B, and the free standing legs 25B and 25C are arranged along the side surface 20A.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the case 20 is made to stand sideways with the side surface 20B of the case 20 facing down, the case 20 is supported by the self-supporting legs 25A and 25B arranged along the side surface 20B. .

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the case 20 is self-supporting in the vertical direction with the side surface 20A of the case 20 facing down, the case 20 is supported by the self-supporting legs 25B and 25C arranged along the side surface 20A. The

  Thereby, the orientation of the electronic cassette 12 can be changed depending on whether the part to be imaged is vertically long or horizontally long.

(Fourth modification of the self-supporting leg 13)
The configuration shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 may be used as the configuration in which the grip portion and the self-supporting leg are combined.

  In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 12, the side surface 20 </ b> A is a convex portion 60 whose central portion protrudes outward, and both sides of the convex portion 60 are step portions 61 that are lowered by one step.

  Also, two self-supporting legs 62 and 63 formed in an L shape are provided. One end of each of the self-supporting legs 62 and 63 is rotatably attached to the step portion 61 of the side surface 20A of the housing 20. Yes.

  In the self-supporting leg 62, a portion 62A forming one side of the L shape is disposed along the side surface 20A, and a portion 62B forming the other side of the L shape is disposed along the side surface 20B. On the other hand, in the self-supporting leg 63, a portion 63A forming one side of the L shape is arranged along the side surface 20A, and a portion 63B forming the other side of the L shape is arranged along the side surface 20D.

  As shown in FIG. 13, by rotating the self-supporting legs 62 and 63 and arranging the portions 62 </ b> B and 63 </ b> B forming the other side of the L shape on the back side of the housing 20, The casing 20 is supported at three points 62A and 63A that form one side, and the casing 20 can be made independent.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the self-supporting legs 62 and 63 are rotated to superimpose the portions 62B and 63B forming the other side of the L shape, and the portions 62B forming the other side of the superimposed L shape, 63B can be gripped as a gripping portion.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of electronic cassettes at the time of radiographic imaging. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the electronic cassette. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of the electronic cassette. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a self-supporting leg provided in the housing. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an image is taken from the side of a subject with a self-supporting electronic cassette. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a self-supporting leg capable of independently supporting the casing in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the self-supporting leg according to the first modification. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a case where the self-supporting leg according to the first modification is used as a gripping portion. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a self-supporting leg according to a second modification. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a self-supporting leg according to a third modification and showing a state in which the housing is self-supporting in the horizontal direction. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a self-supporting leg according to a third modification and showing a state in which the casing is self-supporting in a vertical direction. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a self-supporting leg according to a fourth modification. FIG. 13: is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which made the housing self-supporting by the self-supporting leg concerning a 4th modification. FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a case where the self-supporting leg according to the fourth modification is used as a gripping portion.

Explanation of symbols

12 Electronic cassette (portable radiation detector)
13 Standing leg 15 Standing leg 17 Standing leg 19 Standing leg 20 Case 26 Radiation detection panel (Radiation detection part)

Claims (4)

A housing containing a radiation detection unit for detecting radiation;
A self-supporting leg that is provided in the case and that makes the case stand so that a detection surface of the detection unit faces sideways;
A portable radiation detector.   The portable radiation detector according to claim 1, wherein one end of the self-supporting leg is pivotally connected to the housing, and the other end is separated from the housing to make the housing self-supporting.   The portable radiation detector according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting leg is also used as a gripping portion that can be gripped.   The portable radiation detector according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting leg is also used as a cable for conducting electricity.

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