JP2013142557A - X-ray detector accommodating case - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray detector accommodating case that enables FPD to be used in the most suitable temperature condition and satisfactory X-ray images to be obtained.SOLUTION: An X-ray detector accommodating case comprises: a case body; an accommodating unit provided in the case body to accommodate a portable X-ray plane detector whose detecting face is configured by arranging X-ray detecting elements in a matrix; a transparent member provided on a side face of the case body opposing the detecting face of the X-ray plane detector accommodated in the accommodating unit to make the detecting face of the detector accommodated in the accommodating unit visible from outside the case body; and a temperature controller that so controls the temperature of the X-ray plane detector accommodated in the accommodating unit as to be kept at a prescribed target level.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an X-ray detector housing case that houses a portable X-ray flat panel detector.

  Conventionally, X-ray films and CR are used as means for generating an X-ray image in an X-ray diagnostic apparatus.

  In recent years, instead of these, for example, an X-ray flat panel detector (FPD) formed by planarly arranging semiconductor X-ray detection elements in an array has been used.

  Furthermore, with recent advances in FPD technology, it is expected that portable portable FPDs will be used more frequently in the future for home treatment, remote X-ray imaging, and disaster diagnosis.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-14860

  In FPD, a change in detection sensitivity occurs due to a change in internal temperature. Therefore, in order to obtain a good X-ray image, the internal temperature of the FPD must be kept constant within a preferable temperature range. In particular, when the portable FPD described above is used outdoors, it is necessary to take some measures so that the FPD can be used at an optimum temperature state because the influence of the outside air temperature on the FPD main body is large.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an X-ray detector housing case in which an FPD can be used in an optimum temperature state and a good X-ray image can be obtained.

  An X-ray detector accommodating case according to an embodiment is provided in the case main body and the case main body that accommodates a portable X-ray flat panel detector in which X-ray detection elements are arranged in a matrix to form a detection surface. And the detection surface of the detector, which is provided on the side surface of the case body facing the detection surface of the X-ray flat panel detector accommodated in the accommodation portion, and is accommodated in the accommodation portion. A transparent member that is visible from the outside of the case body, and a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the X-ray flat panel detector housed in the housing part to a predetermined target value.

The external appearance perspective view of the X-ray detector storage case which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The external appearance perspective view which shows the state which the cover body of the case opened. The figure for demonstrating the opening-closing mechanism of the ventilation opening with which the case is equipped. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the X-ray detector accommodating case shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the structure in the accommodating part with which the case is equipped. The block diagram which shows the control structure of the same case and FPD. The figure for demonstrating the temperature control of FPD by the same case. The external appearance perspective view of the X-ray detector storage case which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The external appearance perspective view which shows the modification of the holding mechanism with which the case is equipped.

Several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.
1 and 2 are external perspective views of the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in each figure, the X-ray detector housing case 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped case main body 2 opened upward. The inside of the case main body 2 serves as a housing portion 3 for housing the FPD 100 that is a portable (portable type) X-ray detector.

  A lid 5 is attached above the case body 2 via a hinge 4. The lid body 5 can be opened and closed with respect to the case body 2 by rotating the lid body 5 about the hinge 4 as an axis. When the lid 5 is pressed against the case body 2, the lid 5 is fixed to the case body 2 by a latch mechanism (not shown). For example, the latch mechanism is provided with a hook on one of the case body 2 and the lid 5 and an engagement shaft that engages with the hook on the other. When the lid 5 is closed, the hook and the engagement are provided. The lid 5 can be configured to be fixed to the case body 2 by engaging the shaft.

  The case main body 2 and the lid 5 are made of, for example, a vacuum heat insulating material or the like in order to enhance the heat insulation between the inside of the housing 3 and the outside air.

  An annular rubber packing 6 is provided on the lower surface of the lid 5, and when the lid 5 is closed, the rubber packing 6 is pressed against the opening edge of the case body 2 to open the housing 3. The surface is sealed.

  The front surface of the case body 2, that is, a part of the side surface facing the X-ray detection surface 101 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the FPD 100 housed in the housing portion 3 is made of two sheets having high X-ray transparency and transparency. It is formed of a double-layer glass 7 (transparent member) having a structure in which a vacuum layer is sandwiched between glass materials. For example, the dimension of the multilayer glass 7 is slightly larger than the dimension of the X-ray detection surface 101 of the FPD 100 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 so that the entire X-ray detection surface 101 can be visually recognized from the outside. In addition, as a glass material used for the multilayer glass 7, acrylic glass (polymethyl methacrylate resin) can be employ | adopted, for example. Thus, by forming one surface of the case body 2 with the multilayer glass 7, the FPD 100 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 can be visually recognized from the outside, and the X-ray while the FPD 100 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 3. Shooting is possible.

  Further, a mesh-like ventilation port 8 connected to the housing portion 3 is provided on the side surface of the case body 2. The ventilation port 8 may be freely opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism. As the opening / closing mechanism, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the ventilation port 8 is provided in a portion recessed from the surrounding surface, and a pair of guide grooves 80 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) is provided on both side walls of the portion. The guide groove 80 can be used to hold both side edges of the cover 81 for closing the ventilation port and slide the cover 81 in the guide groove 80 to open and close the ventilation port 8. However, as the opening / closing mechanism, a mechanism for fitting a detachable cover into the ventilation port 8 in addition to the one shown in FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the X-ray detector housing case 1 shown in FIG. In the drawing, the FPD 100 housed in the case 1 is shown in a front view, not a cross section. As shown in this cross-sectional view, inside the accommodating portion 3, the guide members 10, 11 for guiding the FPD 100 inserted into the accommodating portion 3 to an appropriate position, and the connection for electrically connecting the FPD 100 and the case body 2 are provided. A terminal 12 and a switch 13 (detector detection unit) for detecting the FPD 100 housed in the housing unit 3 are provided. Also, below the case body 2, a control unit 14 that controls each part of the case body 2, an outside air temperature sensor 15 that detects the outside air temperature T _OUT of the case body 2, and a heat exchange unit that adjusts the temperature inside the housing 3. 16 and a battery unit 17 (power feeding unit) for supplying power to each part of the case body 2 are provided. Among these, the control unit 14 and the heat exchange unit 16 function as a temperature control unit in the present embodiment.

  The heat exchange unit 16 includes, for example, a Peltier element that selectively performs cooling / heating operations depending on the direction of flowing current, a heat sink attached to the Peltier element, a blower fan that blows air to the heat sink to promote heat exchange, and the like. The provided structure may be adopted.

  The battery unit 17 includes a battery that stores electric power, a power supply circuit that extracts power from the battery and supplies the power to each part of the X-ray detector housing case 1. The battery is charged when, for example, an external power source such as a commercial AC power source is connected to a charging connection terminal (not shown) provided in the case body 2. The battery may be configured to be detachable from the case body 2 so that the battery can be replaced with another battery. In this way, even if the remaining amount of power stored in the battery of the battery unit 17 decreases, the X-ray detector housing case 1 can be used without waiting for the charging time by replacing the battery.

  Here, the structure and positional relationship of the guide members 10 and 11, the connection terminal 12, and the switch 13 will be described with reference to FIG. The guide members 10 and 11 have U-shaped groove portions 10a and 11a as shown in the figure, and are arranged so that these groove portions 10a and 11a face each other. The widths of the groove portions 10a and 11a substantially coincide with the width of the FPD 100, and slidably hold the edge portion of the FPD 100 inserted into the accommodating portion 3 to guide the FPD 100 to a position suitable for photographing. Further, after the FPD 100 is inserted, the guide members 10 and 11 serve to fix the FPD 100 to the case main body 2 and form a space for air circulation between the inner wall of the housing portion 3 and the FPD 100. Also works.

  The connection terminal 12 and the switch 13 are provided on the bottom surface of the housing part 3. When the FPD 100 guided by the guide members 10 and 11 is pushed in, the connection terminal 12 and the connection terminal 108 provided on the lower surface of the FPD 100 are electrically connected. Further, the switch 13 contacts the lower surface of the FPD 100, and the state is switched from off to on.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the X-ray detector housing case 1 and the FPD 100.
The FPD 100 includes a large number of X-ray detection elements 102, a readout circuit 103, a control unit 104, a wireless communication unit 105, a plurality of temperature sensors 106, a battery unit 107, and the like arranged in a matrix of N × M columns. Yes. The circuit on the FPD 100 side constituted by these parts is connected to the connection terminal 108 and the connection terminal 12 as described above, whereby the connection terminal 12, the switch 13, the control unit 14, the outside air temperature sensor 15, It is connected to a circuit on the X-ray detector housing case 1 side, which includes the heat exchange unit 16, the battery unit 17, and the like.

  Each X-ray detection element 102 generates an electric charge corresponding to the incident X-ray, a conversion layer sensitive to the X-ray and directly outputting an electric charge corresponding to the incident dose, and an electric charge output from the conversion layer. Direct conversion type having a capacitor to be accumulated and a switching element for taking out the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor, an X-ray conversion film for converting X-rays into light, and light converted by the X-ray conversion film Any of an indirect conversion type having a photodiode that outputs a corresponding charge, a capacitor that accumulates the charge output from the photodiode, and a switching element for taking out the charge accumulated in the capacitor may be used.

  The readout circuit 103 sequentially controls the switching element of each X-ray detection element 102 to read out the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor of each X-ray detection element 102, and an amplifier that amplifies the output from this gate driver circuit The A / D converter is configured to convert the output from the amplifier into a digital signal.

  The wireless communication unit 105 performs wireless communication with the external device 200 that performs various processes such as storing the digital signal as X-ray image data or displaying the digital signal on a display.

As shown in FIG. 4, each temperature sensor 106 is provided at various locations in the _FPD 100 and detects the temperature of the _FPD 100, particularly the temperature T _FPD in the vicinity of each X-ray detection element 102.

The control unit 104 controls the wireless communication unit 105 to transmit the digital signal output from the reading circuit 103 to the external device 200. Further, the control unit 104 periodically acquires the detected temperature T _FPD of each temperature sensor 106 and transmits it to the control unit 14 on the X-ray detector housing case 1 side via the connection terminal 108 and the connection terminal 12. The case body 2 may also have a wireless communication unit, and the detected temperature T _FPD may be transferred to the case body 2 by this wireless communication unit (in this case, the connection terminal is only an electrical connection for charging).

  The battery unit 107 is a battery for storing electric power, and takes out the power from the battery and supplies it to each part of the FPD 100, and also supplies the battery with electric power supplied from the X-ray detector housing case 1 side via the connection terminal 108. It consists of a power supply circuit that stores electricity. Note that while power is supplied from the X-ray detector housing case 1 side, the power supply circuit also supplies the power to each part of the FPD 100.

Then, the process which the control unit 14 of the X-ray detector storage case 1 performs is demonstrated.
The control unit 14 starts to operate in response to the FPD 100 being accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 and the switch 13 being turned on.

  At the beginning of processing, the control unit 14 first instructs the battery unit 17 to start supplying power to the FPD 100. In response to receiving this command, the battery unit 17 starts to supply power to the battery unit 107 of the FPD 100 via the connection terminal 12 and the connection terminal 108. At this time, the battery included in the battery unit 107 is charged by the power, and each part of the FPD 100 is operated by the power.

Further, the control unit 14 starts temperature control of the FPD 100.
In this temperature control, the control unit 14 periodically acquires the outside air temperature T _OUT detected by the outside air temperature sensor 15, and is detected by each temperature sensor 106 via the connection terminal 12, the connection terminal 108 and the control unit 104. The FPD temperature T _FPD to be obtained is periodically acquired.

Then, in order to keep the FPD 100 in an optimum temperature environment, the control unit 14 sequentially obtains the target of temperature control based on the outside air temperature T _OUT that is sequentially acquired, the lower limit temperature Tmin and the upper limit temperature Tmax that are stored in advance in the memory provided in the control unit 14. The value is dynamically set, and the heat exchange unit 16 is controlled so that the sequentially obtained FPD temperature T _FPD approaches the target value. The lower limit temperature Tmin and the upper limit temperature Tmax indicate the boundary of the temperature range in which the FPD 100 operates optimally, and are determined experimentally, empirically, or theoretically.

Note that the FPD temperature T _FPD used in the temperature control may be an average value of the FPD temperatures T _FPD detected by the temperature sensors 106, for example. In addition, the maximum value or the minimum value of each FPD temperature T _FPD detected by each temperature sensor 106 may be used.

The target value is the three modes shown in FIG. 7, that is, when the outside air temperature T _OUT is a value within the range of the lower limit temperature Tmin to the upper limit temperature Tmax (Tmin ≦ T _OUT ≦ Tmax; Case 1), the outside air temperature T _OUT is the lower limit. When the value is lower than the temperature Tmin (T _OUT <Tmin; Case 2), and when the outside air temperature T _OUT is a value exceeding the upper limit temperature Tmax (Tmax <T _OUT ; Case 3), different methods are used.

Specifically, in Case 1, the target value of the FPD temperature T _FPD is set to the outside air temperature T _OUT .
In Case 2, the target value of the FPD temperature T _FPD is set to the lower limit temperature Tmin.
In Case 3, the target value of the FPD temperature T _FPD is set to the upper limit temperature Tmax.
When the target value is set in this way, the FPD temperature T _FPD is kept within the temperature range in which the FPD temperature T _FPD operates optimally, and the value approaches the outside air temperature T _OUT as much as possible.

Next, the effect | action by the above structures is demonstrated.
When taking an X-ray image, a portable X-ray source having an X-ray tube or the like and the X-ray detector housing case 1 in which the FPD 100 is housed face each other with the subject interposed therebetween, and in this state X-rays are exposed to the subject from the X-ray source, and X-rays transmitted through the subject are detected by the FPD 100.

  In the present embodiment, since the side surface of the case body 2 facing the X-ray detection surface 101 of the FPD 100 housed in the housing portion 3 is composed of the multi-layer glass 7 having high X-ray transparency, the FPD 100 is It is possible to take an image while it is housed without being taken out from the housing case 1. Further, in order to obtain a good X-ray image related to the imaging target region of the subject, the alignment between the FPD 100 and the X-ray source is important. In this regard, since the multilayer glass 7 according to the present embodiment has high transparency, the X-ray detection surface 101 of the FPD 100 can be visually recognized from the outside of the case body 2, and the X-ray detection surface 101. Accurate alignment is possible while visually observing. Furthermore, since the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to the present embodiment automatically adjusts the temperature of the FPD 100 housed in the housing portion 3 to a temperature suitable for imaging, the image quality of the X-ray image due to the temperature is adjusted. Deterioration is also prevented.

  The FPD 100 can also be used for X-ray imaging while being taken out from the X-ray detector housing case 1. In this case, when the temperature difference between the temperature of the FPD 100 accommodated in the X-ray detector accommodating case 1 and the outside air temperature is large, dew condensation that occurs on the X-ray detection surface 101 or the like, or deformation of components of each X-ray detection element 102 There is a concern that the image quality of the X-ray image is deteriorated due to the above. In this regard, the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to this embodiment controls the FPD 100 from the X-ray detector housing case 1 in order to control the temperature of the FPD 100 housed in the housing portion 3 as close as possible to the outside air temperature. Even when the image is taken out and used, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image quality of the X-ray image due to the temperature difference as described above. Further, the X-ray detector housing case 1 supplies power to the FPD 100 housed in the housing portion 3 via the connection terminal 12 and the connection terminal 108 and charges a battery included in the battery unit 107 of the FPD 100. Thus, if the battery of FPD100 is charged by accommodating FPD100 in the accommodating part 3, it will become unnecessary to prepare the apparatus for exclusive use which charges the said battery.

  Further, in the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to the present embodiment, when the FPD 100 is housed in the housing portion 3, the switch 13 is turned on, and temperature control and power supply to the FPD 100 are started. Such a configuration eliminates the need for the user to manually switch temperature control and power supply on / off. Also, the user never forgets to perform such an on / off operation.

  Further, if the ventilation port 8 can be freely opened and closed as shown in FIG. 3, the confidentiality of the X-ray detector housing case 1 can be improved by closing the ventilation port 8, so that the inside of the housing unit 3 is, for example, in rainy weather. When used in an environment where water can easily enter, it is possible to prevent water from entering the housing portion 3. In addition, when a portion other than the ventilation opening 8, for example, the heat exchange unit 16 has a communication portion between the inside of the accommodating portion 3 and the outside air, an opening / closing mechanism as shown in FIG. It should be possible to improve the sex.

  In addition, various suitable effects can be obtained from the configuration disclosed in the present embodiment.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to the present embodiment.
The X-ray detector housing case 1 and the FPD 100 according to the present embodiment have all the configurations described in the first embodiment. In addition to these, the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to the present embodiment includes a solar panel 20 that generates power by receiving sunlight on the side surface opposite to the side surface on which the multilayer glass 7 of the case body 2 is provided. Yes. Furthermore, the X-ray detector housing case 1 according to the present embodiment includes a holding mechanism 21 for use in carrying the X-ray detector housing case 1.

  The solar panel 20 is formed by connecting a plurality of photovoltaic cells that generate electric power by applying a photovoltaic effect using external light such as sunlight and interconnecting them. The battery unit 17 of the case main body 2 is a panel. And are electrically connected. The battery unit 17 charges a battery included in the battery unit 17 with the electric power generated by the solar panel 20. Instead of using the battery unit 17 for charging the battery, the power generated by the solar panel 20 may be directly supplied to each part of the X-ray detector housing case 1 and used as an operating power source for each part. Good.

  The holding mechanism 21 is, for example, a belt-like member whose ends are fixed to the opposite side surfaces of the case body 2 as shown in the figure. The user holds the X-ray detector housing case by holding it with his hand or hanging it on his shoulder. Used to carry 1 Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the holding mechanism 21 has a pair of belt-shaped members in which one end is fixed above the side surface of the case body 2 on the side of the multilayer glass 7 and the other end is fixed below the side surface. May be configured. If the holding mechanism 21 is provided on the side surface on the side of the multilayer glass 7 in this way, the solar panel 20 is exposed to external light when the user carries the X-ray detector housing case 1 using the holding mechanism 21. It becomes easy and the electric power generation amount of the solar panel 20 can be raised. In addition, the holding mechanism 21 may be a handle or the like attached to the X-ray detector housing case 1.

  If the solar panel 20 is provided in the X-ray detector housing case 1 as in this embodiment, for example, even when the battery of the housing case 1 is exhausted outdoors, the power generated by the solar panel 20 is used. The housing case 1 or the FPD 100 can be operated.

  Further, by providing the holding mechanism 21 in the X-ray detector housing case 1 as in the present embodiment, the housing case 1 or the FPD 100 can be easily transported.

  In addition, various suitable effects can be obtained from the configuration disclosed in the present embodiment.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray detector accommodating case, 2 ... Case main body, 3 ... Accommodating part, 4 ... Hinge, 5 ... Cover body, 7 ... Multi-layer glass, 8 ... Ventilation opening, 10, 11 ... Guide member, 12 ... Connection terminal , 13 ... switch, 14 ... control unit, 15 ... outside air temperature sensor, 16 ... heat exchange unit, 17 ... battery unit, 100 ... FPD, 101 ... X-ray detection surface, 106 ... temperature sensor

Claims (10)

The case body,
An accommodating portion provided in the case main body for accommodating a portable X-ray flat panel detector in which X-ray detecting elements are arranged in a matrix to constitute a detection surface;
Provided on the side surface of the case body facing the detection surface of the X-ray flat panel detector housed in the housing portion, the detection surface of the detector housed in the housing portion from the outside of the case body A transparent member that is visible,
A temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the X-ray flat panel detector housed in the housing unit to a predetermined target value;
An X-ray detector housing case, comprising: An outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature of the X-ray detector housing case,
The X-ray detector housing case according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control unit sets the target value based on an outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor.   When the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is within a preset temperature range, the temperature control unit sets the target value to the outside air temperature, and the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor. Is set to the lower limit value when the temperature is smaller than the lower limit value of the temperature range, and the target value is set when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is larger than the upper limit value of the temperature range. The X-ray detector housing case according to claim 2, wherein the upper limit value is set.   The X-ray detector housing case according to claim 1, further comprising a power feeding unit that feeds power to the X-ray flat panel detector housed in the housing unit. Connected to a terminal provided in the X-ray flat panel detector for charging a battery provided in the X-ray flat panel detector when the X-ray flat panel detector is stored in the receiving unit. A connection terminal to be provided,
The X-ray detector housing case according to claim 4, wherein the power feeding unit feeds power to the X-ray flat panel detector housed in the housing portion via the connection terminal. A detector detection unit for detecting the X-ray flat panel detector stored in the storage unit;
The temperature control unit starts temperature control of the X-ray flat panel detector in response to the detection of the X-ray flat panel detector by the detector detection unit. The X-ray detector housing case according to any one of the above.   The X-ray according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the case body is provided with a ventilation port communicating with the housing portion from the outside and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the ventilation port. Detector housing case.   The X-ray detector housing case according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transparent member is composed of a double-layer glass having a vacuum layer. A solar panel that generates power in response to external light
The X-ray detector housing case according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control unit operates using electric power generated by the solar panel.   The X-ray detector storage case according to claim 1, further comprising a holding mechanism for transporting the X-ray detector storage case.

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