JP2010148673A - X-ray image diagnostic apparatus and portable plane detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To share a portable plane detector by many X-ray diagnostic devices. <P>SOLUTION: In the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus for detecting X-rays radiated from an X-ray generation part 50 to a subject by a plane detector, the plane detector is configured separately in a support 21 formed of an X-ray shielding member and an X-ray detection part (portable plane detector 10) detachably supported by the support, the support is fixed to the side of the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus, and an X-ray controller 30 for making the X-ray generation part radiate X-rays only when the portable plane detector is mounted on the support is provided. Thus, the portable plane detector is made light in weight, the work burdens of attachment and detachment are reduced, and it can be shared by many X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses. Also, since X-rays are radiated only when the portable plane detector is mounted on the support, safety is secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus and a portable flat panel detector using, for example, a flat panel detector formed of a semiconductor array as X-ray detection means.

  As a means to generate an X-ray image in an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, an X-ray film or an image intensifier (II) that converts an X-ray image into a visible light image is conventionally formed on the output phosphor screen. What is used to take a visible light image with a television camera is used. Recently, instead of these, for example, a flat panel detector (FPD) formed by arranging semiconductor X-ray detection elements in an array in a planar manner has been used.

  First, an outline of the flat panel detector will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an X-ray detection unit using a thin film transistor (TFT) and a photodiode (Photodiode: PD), which are main parts of the flat panel detector.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of TFT regions and a plurality of PD regions are formed on the substrate 101. A gate electrode 102 is formed in the TFT region, and a SiNx layer 103 is formed thereon. On the SiNx layer 103, a TFT region a / Si layer 104, a drain electrode 105, and a source electrode 106 are formed. The drain electrode 105 and the source electrode 106 are connected via the a · Si layer 104 and are not in direct contact with each other. Further, an n ⁺ a · Si layer is formed in a gap between the drain electrode 105 and the source electrode 106 and the a · Si layer 104. In this way, a TFT is formed in the TFT region.

On the other hand, a SiNx layer 103 and a source electrode 106 are formed in the PD region on the substrate 101, and a pin structure photodiode including an n ⁺ layer 109, an i layer 110, and a P ⁺ layer 111 is formed thereon. The

  A first polyimide resin layer 112 is formed on the TFT thus formed, and a transparent electrode 113 is formed on the photodiode. On the first polyimide resin layer 112, a metal electrode 114 for connecting the transparent electrodes 113 of the photodiode is formed.

  A second polyimide resin layer 115 is formed on the transparent electrode 113 and the metal electrode 114 of the photodiode. Further, a transparent protective film 116, a phosphor 117, and a light reflecting layer 118 are sequentially formed on the second polyimide resin layer 115.

  The circuit connection between the TFT formed as described above and a photodiode is shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 8, the photodiode 121 is connected in parallel with the storage capacitor 122, and the connection point between the cathode terminal of the photodiode 121 and the storage capacitor 122 is the source terminal of the TFT 123 (source electrode 106 in FIG. 7). It is connected to the. As will be described later, the gate terminal (the gate electrode 102 in FIG. 7) of the TFT 123 is connected to the gate drive line, and the drain terminal (the drain electrode 105 in FIG. 7) is connected to the data signal line. In this way, one X-ray detection element is configured, and the X-ray detection elements are configured by two-dimensionally arranging the X-ray detection elements in a matrix.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the X-ray detection unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a main configuration of the X-ray detection unit in the flat panel detector.

  The X-ray detection unit in the flat panel detector has an X-ray detection element 124 (which may include the above-described TFT 123) formed of a photodiode 121 and a storage capacitor 122 as one element, and this is arranged in a column and line form. It is arranged in a two-dimensional array in a matrix.

  The gate terminal of the TFT 123 is connected in common as a gate drive line for each line, and is connected to each line output terminal of the gate driver 125. The drain terminal of the TFT 123 is commonly connected as a data signal line for each column, and is connected via an integration circuit 126 including a read-out amplifier, a time constant capacitor, and a reset switch (not shown). , Connected to each input terminal of the multiplexer 127.

  A pulse-like control signal is output from each line output terminal of the gate driver 125 in time series. Therefore, by this pulse-like control signal, the TFTs 123 of the same line are simultaneously turned on, and the TFTs 123 of different lines are turned on in time series so as not to overlap each other.

  The multiplexer 127 takes in the signals input to the input terminals one by one in time series during one pulse output from the output terminal of each line of the gate driver 125, and outputs A from the output terminal. The data is sequentially output to the / D converter 128.

  That is, when one line of TFT 123 is simultaneously turned ON by the pulse-like control signal output from each line output terminal of the gate driver 125, the charge accumulated in the storage capacitor 122 is output through the TFT 123, and this The current is converted into a voltage via the integrating circuit 126. Further, the signals converted into the voltages are output to the A / D converter 128 one by one by the multiplexer 127 in order. In other words, signals are output to the A / D converter 128 for each pixel of one line.

  The A / D converter 128 converts the input analog signal into a digital signal and outputs it. Therefore, the detection signals are read in order from each X-ray detection element 124 for each line, and output as imaging data for one screen like a scanning line of a television. Note that it can be said that the gate driver 125 and the multiplexer 127 constitute a read control circuit as apparent from the above-described operation.

The X-ray detection unit of the flat detector configured as described above is irradiated with X-rays transmitted through the subject from above. That is, X-rays pass through the light reflecting layer 118 shown in FIG. 7 and enter the phosphor 117. Visible light incident from above is reflected by the light reflecting layer 118, so that the light is reflected. It is not incident on the layer 118. The energy of the X-rays incident on the phosphor 117 is converted into light energy (visible light), passes through the transparent protective film 116 and the second polyimide resin layer 115, and becomes visible light through the transparent electrode 113. Light is received by a photodiode 121 (see FIG. 8) including a sensitive n ⁺ layer 109, i layer 110, and P ⁺ layer 111.

  This photodiode 121 converts the amount of electric charge into proportion to the intensity of light and stores it in the storage capacitor 122. Further, as described above, the accumulated electric charges are read out on a pixel-by-pixel basis (column-by-column basis) for each line through the data signal line by the TFT 123. Since the read signal is proportional to the strength of the X-ray, the X-ray image can be reproduced by reconstructing the signal read in units of pixels.

Such a flat panel detector having an X-ray detection unit is installed in an imaging unit of various X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses and used as a substitute for an X-ray film or an image intensifier. Further, as an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus, a flat detector has been mounted not only on a stationary X-ray image diagnostic apparatus but also on a mobile X-ray diagnostic apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). In the device described in Patent Document 1, the flat detector itself is configured to be detachable from the X-ray diagnostic apparatus so that one flat detector can be shared by a plurality of X-ray diagnostic apparatuses. It was a thing.
JP 2007-535 A

  By the way, the conventional flat panel detector mounted on the mobile X-ray diagnostic apparatus is configured integrally with the above-described X-ray detection unit housed in a lead cassette, similar to the X-ray film cassette. . For this reason, the flat panel detector weighs about 5 kg, and it is difficult for female nurses and weak power to remove it from a mobile X-ray diagnostic device or attach it to another mobile X-ray diagnostic device. It was very burdensome for people.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an X-ray that irradiates an X-ray from an X-ray generation unit toward a subject and detects the X-ray transmitted through the subject with a flat detector. In the image diagnostic apparatus, the flat panel detector includes a support formed by an X-ray shielding member and an X-ray detection unit that is detachably supported by the support, and the support is the X-ray image diagnosis. X-ray control means is provided that is fixed to the apparatus side and enables X-ray irradiation from the X-ray generation unit only when the X-ray detection unit is mounted on the support. To do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the X-ray detection unit includes a semiconductor X-ray detection element arranged in a matrix, and the semiconductor X-ray detection element A read control circuit for controlling data to be read for each line and for each element, an A / D conversion circuit for converting analog data read by the read control circuit into digital data, and the semiconductor X-ray detection element And a holding body for holding the read control circuit and the A / D conversion circuit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first or second aspects, the X-ray detection unit is electrically X-ray imaged via a cable. It is connected to a diagnostic device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of the first or second aspects, the X-ray detection unit includes radio means such as radio waves, sound waves, and light. It is connected to an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus via

  Further, the invention described in claim 5 is the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the X-ray detection unit has a surface covered with a protective film, and The holding body is provided with a handle.

  Further, the invention described in claim 6 is a semiconductor X-ray detection element arranged in a matrix, a read control circuit for controlling the semiconductor X-ray detection element to read data line by line and element by element, An A / D conversion circuit that converts analog data read by the read control circuit into digital data, a holding body that holds the semiconductor X-ray detection element, the read control circuit, and the A / D conversion circuit; A portable flat panel detector comprising a handle provided on a holding body.

  As shown in the section of the means for solving the above problems, according to the invention of each claim described in the claims of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the flat panel detector is configured to be separated into the support formed by the X-ray shielding member and the X-ray detector, and is fixed to the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus side. Since the X-ray detection unit can be appropriately attached to the support body in a detachable manner, the X-ray detection unit is reduced in weight, and the work load at the time of attachment / detachment is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to use one X-ray detection unit with a large number of X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses, and it is possible to improve the use efficiency of an expensive X-ray detection unit. Furthermore, since X-ray irradiation in the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus is possible only when the X-ray detection unit is mounted on the support, safety is ensured and unnecessary X-ray irradiation is prevented. Thus, X-ray exposure of the subject can be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the handle is provided in the X-ray detection unit, the X-ray detection unit is easy to carry, and the X-ray detection unit is removed from a certain X-ray image diagnostic apparatus. The transfer work to be mounted on the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus can be easily performed even by a weak person, and the operational efficiency of the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus can be improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable flat panel detector that is light in weight and easy to carry and can be transferred to a large number of X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses and shared.

  Hereinafter, an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus and a portable flat panel detector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an embodiment of a portable flat panel detector used in the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention. A portion denoted by reference numeral 11 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the X-ray detection unit described with reference to FIGS. The X-ray detection unit 11 is held by a holding body 12 and the surface side is covered with a cover 13. A cable 15 having a connector 14 at the tip is drawn out from the X-ray detection unit 11. The holding body 12 is provided with a handle 16 (see FIG. 2), which constitutes the portable flat detector 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the portable flat detector 10.

  The portable flat panel detector 10 is attached to a support 21 provided in an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus main body (not shown). Specifically, the holding body 12 is attached to a predetermined position of the support body 21. The support 21 is made of a material having a large X-ray absorption such as lead. Further, the connector 14 of the cable 15 is coupled with a connector provided on the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus main body side, and exchanges signals with the X-ray detection unit 11 and supplies power.

  Next, a safety device when the portable flat detector 10 is mounted on the support 21 and used will be described.

  This safety device is intended to allow X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray tube of the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus only when the portable flat panel detector 10 is correctly mounted on the support 21. Since X-ray image data cannot be collected unless the flat panel detector 10 is mounted on the support 21, in such a case, the X-ray is not irradiated and unnecessary X-ray exposure of the subject is performed. It is for stopping. Therefore, this safety device functions as an X-ray controller that permits or disallows X-ray irradiation.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the safety device as the above-described X-ray controller used in the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. Here, in order to fix the portable flat detector 10 to the support 21 and to detect that the portable flat detector 10 is correctly mounted, a hook 22 is provided on the support 21 side, and the portable flat detector is provided. The holding body 12 of the detector 10 is provided with an engaging claw 12a. Therefore, by engaging the hook 22 with the claw 12a, the portable flat panel detector 10 is firmly fixed to the support body 21, and it is detected electrically or magnetically that the hook 22 is engaged with the claw 12a. Based on the detection signal, X-rays can be emitted from the X-ray tube of the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining functions of the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. 4, the reference numeral 30 indicates an X-ray controller as a safety device constituted by means for electrically or magnetically detecting that the hook 22 shown in FIG. 3 is engaged with the claw 12a. ing. The output of the X-ray controller 30 is supplied to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 organically controls the entire X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, as well as supplying power for driving to the portable flat detector 10 and collecting signals from the portable flat detector 10. A high voltage is supplied to the X-ray generation unit 50 having an X-ray tube, the image processing unit 60 for reconstructing an X-ray image based on the X-ray detection signal acquired by the portable flat detector 10, and the X-ray generation unit 50. The power supply unit 70 and the like are controlled.

  Accordingly, when X-ray imaging is performed by the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, a predetermined output signal indicating that the portable flat panel detector 10 is correctly mounted on the support 21 is sent from the X-ray controller 30 to the control unit 40. If the operator presses an X-ray irradiation button (not shown) of the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, the control unit 40 enables the X-ray generation unit 50 and the power supply unit 70 to emit X-rays. An irradiation signal is supplied, and X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray generator 50 toward the subject in response to the irradiation signal. However, if a predetermined signal is not supplied from the X-ray controller 30 to the control unit 40, even if the operator presses the X-ray irradiation button, the X-ray generation unit 50 does not operate and X-rays are not irradiated. Absent.

  As described above in detail, the portable flat detector 10 according to the present invention does not include a lead cassette such as an X-ray film cassette, and the X-ray detector 11 held by the holding body 12 is a main component. To do. Therefore, if the various X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatuses are provided with the support body 21 formed of the X-ray shield, how can the portable flat panel detector 10 be transferred and mounted on the support body 21? The present invention can also be applied to X-ray imaging with an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  In other words, the portable flat panel detector 10 according to the present invention can be used as appropriate in an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus including a standing radiographing table and an upright bed, as well as a mobile X-ray apparatus. FIG. 5 shows these usage examples, and FIG. 5 (a) shows an example of usage on a standing radiography stand, with a portable flat detector 10 placed on a standing radiography stand 81 standing on the floor. A device provided with a support 21 formed of an X-ray shield so as to be detachable is shown. In this figure, a state in which the portable flat detector 10 is mounted on the support 21 of the upright imaging stand 81, the subject P stands in front of it, and the subject P is irradiated with X-rays is shown. ing.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows an example of use in the upright bed, so that the portable flat panel detector 10 can be attached to and detached from the upright bed 83 having the top 82 on which the subject P is placed. The thing provided with the support body 21 formed with the line shield is shown. In this figure, the up-and-down bed 83 is in a horizontal position, X-rays are irradiated from above the subject P, and the X-rays are detected by the portable flat detector 10 provided on the back side of the top plate 82.

  As described above, the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention can perform X-ray imaging only by moving and mounting the portable flat panel detector 10 in many X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses. A functional flow in such a case is shown in FIG.

That is, as a step 1 at the start of the examination, the portable flat detector 10 is mounted on the support 21 of the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus that intends to perform X-ray imaging. Here, as step 2, the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus determines whether or not the portable flat panel detector 10 is correctly mounted on the support 21 based on the output from the X-ray controller 30 as a safety device. Judgment. If a predetermined output signal is supplied from the X-ray controller 30 to the control unit 40, as Step 3, when the operator presses the X-ray irradiation button, X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray generation unit 50 and X-ray imaging is performed. Is implemented. However, in step 2, if a predetermined output signal is not supplied from the X-ray controller 30 to the control unit 40, an alarm for notifying that the portable flat panel detector 10 is not properly mounted on the support 21 is issued. Then, the operator is alerted, and the process returns to step 1 to mount the portable flat detector 10 again. Of course, at this stage, even if the X-ray irradiation button is pressed, X-ray irradiation is not performed. As Step 4 after the X-ray irradiation in Step 3, it is determined whether or not the portable flat detector 10 is used in another X-ray image diagnostic apparatus, and if there is a plan to use it, the portable flat detector 10 is used. Is transferred to another X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus, and if it is not scheduled to be used, the inspection is terminated. As described in detail above, the portable flat panel detector used in the present invention is an X-ray shield such as lead. An X-ray detection unit mainly including semiconductor X-ray detection elements arranged in a matrix without including a body, and this X-ray detection unit is an X-ray such as lead installed on the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus side. It is designed to be used by being attached to a support made of a shield. Accordingly, the portable flat panel detector is light in weight, can be easily transferred to various X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses, can be easily mounted, the work burden of the transfer can be greatly reduced, and many X-ray image diagnostic apparatuses can be used. Therefore, it is possible to share a portable flat detector.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in various forms. For example, as a means for mounting the portable flat panel detector 10 on the support 21 or detecting that it is correctly mounted, FIG. 3 shows the use of the hook 22 and the claw 12a. Needless to say, a number of known means can be employed as appropriate.

It is the figure shown in order to demonstrate the schematic structure of one Example of the portable flat panel detector used with the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the portable flat detector which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the X-ray controller as a safety device used with the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the block diagram shown in order to demonstrate the function of the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure shown in order to demonstrate the example of application of the portable flat panel detector in this invention. It is the flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the functional flow of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the principal part of the X-ray detection part in a plane detector. It is a circuit diagram of the X-ray detection element in a plane detector. It is the circuit diagram which showed the main structures of the X-ray detection part in a plane detector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable plane detector 21 Support part 30 X-ray controller 40 Control part 50 X-ray generation part 60 Image processing part 70 Power supply part

Claims (6)

In an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus that emits X-rays from an X-ray generation unit toward a subject and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject with a flat detector,
The flat panel detector comprises a support formed of an X-ray shielding member and an X-ray detection unit supported detachably on the support,
The support is fixed to the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus side,
An X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising X-ray control means that enables X-ray irradiation from the X-ray generation unit only when the X-ray detection unit is mounted on the support. The X-ray detection unit
A semiconductor X-ray detection element arranged in a matrix;
A read control circuit for controlling the data to be read out line by line and element by element from the semiconductor X-ray detection element;
An A / D conversion circuit for converting analog data read by the read control circuit into digital data;
A holding body for holding the semiconductor X-ray detection element, the read control circuit, and the A / D conversion circuit;
The X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: The X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detection unit is electrically connected to the X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus via a cable. 3. The X-ray according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detection unit is connected to an X-ray diagnostic imaging apparatus through wireless means such as radio waves, sound waves, and light. Diagnostic imaging device. The X-ray image diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detection unit has a surface covered with a protective film, and a handle is provided on the holding body. apparatus. A semiconductor X-ray detection element arranged in a matrix;
A read control circuit for controlling the data to be read out line by line and element by element from the semiconductor X-ray detection element;
An A / D conversion circuit for converting analog data read by the read control circuit into digital data;
A holding body for holding the semiconductor X-ray detection element, the read control circuit, and the A / D conversion circuit;
A handle provided on the holder,
A portable flat panel detector.

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