JP2015213756A - Radiation imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve portability without giving the discomfort feeling to a subject.SOLUTION: An electronic cassette 11 has first and second housings 21, 22, and the upper and lower surfaces thereof are flat surfaces. The housings 21, 22 consist of first and second housing bodies 23, 24, and first and second lid bodies 25, 26 closing the openings of the housing bodies 23, 24. The first lid body 25 of the first housing 21 is formed of material for transmitting an X-ray. The second housing 22 is made of metal. Electric connectors 27, 28 detachably fitted to each other are respectively attached to facing surfaces 23a, 24a of the housing bodies 23, 24. Fastening parts 29, 30 fastened to each other are respectively provided on side surfaces 23b, 24b of the housing bodies 23, 24. A gripping cylinder part 31 is formed in the vicinity of an end 24c of the second housing body 24. A gripping hole part 32 communicating with the gripping cylinder part 31 is formed in the second lid body 26. The center line passes through the centers of the gripping cylinder part and the gripping hole part, and further passes through the centroid or its vicinity of the electronic cassette 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cassette type radiographic image capturing apparatus having photoelectric conversion elements arranged two-dimensionally inside a casing.

  Conventionally, radiographic systems have been widely used in industrial nondestructive inspections and medical diagnostics. Radiation is emitted from the radiation generation means to the subject, and the intensity distribution of the radiation transmitted through the subject is detected by the radiation detection means. A radiographic image of the subject is obtained. This system uses a so-called film / screen method in which a photosensitive film and a phosphor are combined and photographed. In this film / screen method, a rare earth phosphor that emits light when irradiated with radiation is formed into a sheet, and is closely held on both sides of the photosensitive film, and the radiation transmitted through the subject is converted into visible light by the phosphor. The visible light is captured by a photosensitive film, and the latent image formed on the photosensitive film is developed and visualized by chemical processing.

  With recent advances in digital technology, a radiation image recording / reproducing system using a method of converting a radiation image into an electrical signal has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). This system converts a radiographic image into an electrical signal, processes the electrical signal, and reproduces it as a visible image on a CRT or the like to obtain a high-quality radiographic image. When converting a radiographic image into an electrical signal, the intensity distribution of the radiation transmitted through the subject is temporarily stored as a latent image in the stimulable phosphor, and then the phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as laser light. Fluorescence corresponding to the latent image produced by this is photoelectrically read and output as a visible image.

  Along with the progress of semiconductor process technology, a radiographic imaging system using a semiconductor sensor has been developed. This system has an extremely wide dynamic range as compared with a radiographic system using a conventional photosensitive film, and has an advantageous advantage that a radiographic image that is hardly affected by fluctuations in the amount of exposure of radiation can be obtained. have. This system also has an advantage that an output image can be obtained instantly because it does not require chemical processing unlike a system using a conventional photosensitive film.

  A radiographic imaging system using such a semiconductor sensor includes a radiation generating means for irradiating a subject with radiation, a radiation detecting means for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject, and image processing for digitally processing an image signal from the radiation detecting means. And a display means for displaying a radiographic image. The radiation detection means is composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional grid, and is placed in the imaging room together with the radiation generation means.

  At present, in order to rapidly image a wider area of a subject, a thin and light radiographic image capturing apparatus, so-called electronic cassette, has been developed as a radiation detection means. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, inside the housing 2 of the electronic cassette 1, a phosphor 3 that converts radiation into visible light, and a photoelectric conversion element 4 that is arranged in a grid and converts visible light into an electrical signal, A substrate 5 having the photoelectric conversion element 4 formed on the upper surface, a base 6 that supports the substrate 5, a circuit board 7 that includes an electronic component 7a and processes an electrical signal, a photoelectric conversion element 4 and the circuit board 7 And a wiring 8 for electrically connecting the two.

  When using the electronic cassette 1, the examiner changes the manner in which the electronic cassette 1 is installed in accordance with the imaging region of the subject. For example, when photographing a subject's limbs, the electronic cassette 1 is installed horizontally on a floor or the like, and the imaging region of the subject is placed on the upper surface thereof. When taking an axial image of the shoulder joint of the subject S, as shown in FIG. 12, the subject S holds the electronic cassette 1 under his arm and irradiates the radiation R from the opposite side (upper side). doing.

  Next, the configuration of another conventional electronic cassette will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of a conventional electronic cassette. The electronic cassette 400 includes a plurality of phosphors 451a that convert X-rays into visible light, and a plurality of grids arranged in a grid that converts the visible light into electrical signals. An image sensor 451 composed of a photoelectric conversion element 451b and a substrate 451c on which the photoelectric conversion element is formed, a base 452 that supports the substrate 451c, and an electronic component 453a that processes the photoelectrically converted electric signal are mounted. A circuit board 453, a wiring 454 for electrically connecting the photoelectric conversion element 451b and the circuit board 453, a power supply circuit 460 and a power supply wiring 461 for supplying power to the photoelectric conversion element 451b and the circuit board 453, It is comprised from the housing | casing 55 which accommodates these, etc. Specifically, the power supply circuit 460 includes, for example, a combination of a battery and a DC / DC power supply circuit, or a DC / DC power supply that generates various voltages by being supplied with a predetermined voltage from outside by a power cable (not shown). Is done.

  Such an electronic cassette is heavier than a conventional cassette with a built-in photosensitive film, and may be destroyed if it is accidentally dropped. Therefore, it is conceivable to attach a handle for the purpose of reducing dropping.

  As a conventional technique in which a handle is attached to a cassette, an example in which a handle is attached to a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor panel is disclosed (see Patent Document 3). Here, a handle is provided on the side opposite to the side from which the stimulable fluorescent panel is taken out, and it is intended to facilitate transportation of the cassette even for a relatively weak person.

  Further, an electronic cassette having a handle (grip) attached so that the electronic cassette can be easily moved by hand to the X-ray irradiation position is disclosed (see Patent Document 4).

JP-A-55-12429 JP-A-56-11395 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-338079 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-342099

  As described above, since the examiner arranges the electronic cassette 1 horizontally on the floor or the like and causes the examinee to hold the electronic cassette 1 under the armpit, the electronic cassette 1 is required to have high portability. Therefore, in order to improve the portability of the electronic cassette 1, in addition to the above-described known technique, the arm-shaped handle 9 can be freely rotated in the holes 2a formed on both side surfaces of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. A bowl-shaped electronic cassette 1 ′ attached to the frame 1, or an electronic cassette 1 ″ in which a frame-like handle 10 is integrally provided on one end surface of the housing 2 as shown in FIG.

  However, there is no problem when such electronic cassettes 1 ′ and 1 ″ are installed horizontally on a floor or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the electronic cassettes 1 ′ and 1 ″ are placed under the arm of the subject S. When photographing a specific part of the subject from a specific direction, such as when holding it, the handles 9 and 10 are obstructive to the subject S, or the desired arrangement of the electronic cassette due to the presence of the handles 9 and 10 The problem that it becomes difficult arises. Therefore, it is desirable that the conventionally-considered electronic cassette 1 is excellent in portability and is configured so as not to reduce the degree of freedom of imaging and to make the subject uncomfortable.

  In addition, the conventional example described in the above publication only discloses that a handle is provided in the cassette so that it is suitable for transporting or moving the cassette, and a handle is attached to the electronic cassette in consideration of the characteristics peculiar to the electronic cassette. The disclosed configuration is not disclosed. In particular, in the case of an electronic cassette, there is a possibility that an electronic component such as a semiconductor sensor may be broken by an impact from the outside, a structure capable of suppressing a decrease in the SN ratio due to electromagnetic noise, etc. It is necessary to consider the convenience of photographing such as the ease or diversity of holding or arranging the electronic cassette when the subject holds and photographs the electronic cassette.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging apparatus that is excellent in portability while eliminating or suppressing the above-described problems and preventing or suppressing a subject's discomfort or a decrease in the degree of freedom of imaging.

  Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic cassette having a handle appropriately attached in consideration of the characteristics specific to the electronic cassette.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a radiographic imaging apparatus for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject, and comprising a two-dimensional array of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject. Detecting means having a surface; a circuit board for processing an electric signal from the detecting means; a power supply for supplying power to the detecting means and the circuit board; a housing for enclosing the detecting means, the circuit board and the power supply. The radiation is characterized in that the outer shape of the casing viewed from the normal direction to the detection surface of the detection means is substantially rectangular and has a gripping hole in the vicinity of one side of the outer shape. An image capturing device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, each of the casings includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped first casing and a second casing, and the first casing includes at least the detection means, and the second casing The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing has the gripping hole.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the radiation according to claim 2, wherein the contact surfaces of the first casing and the second casing are both rectangles having substantially the same size. An image capturing device.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the surface including the gripping hole of the housing located on the detection surface side of the detection means is a flat surface. It is a radiographic imaging device as described in one claim.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the housing is located on or near the center line of the gripping hole.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the casing encloses the circuit board and / or the power source in the vicinity of the holding hole.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second casing includes the circuit board and / or the power source.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, on one side of the housing in the vicinity of the gripping hole, the bottom surface of the housing located on the opposite side of the detection surface is concave in the thickness direction. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the radiographic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the casing located on the opposite side of the detection surface of the detection means has an inclined surface in the thickness direction. is there.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiographic imaging apparatus that detects radiation that has passed through a subject, and has a substantially rectangular shape configured by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting radiation that has passed through the subject. A detection means having a detection surface formed, and a housing that encloses the detection means, and the housing is located on a long side of the detection surface when viewed from a normal direction of the detection surface of the detection means. It is a radiographic imaging device characterized by having a handle part in a lined area.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiographic imaging apparatus for detecting radiation that has passed through a subject, wherein the device has a substantially rectangular shape configured by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting radiation that has passed through the subject. A detection means having a detection surface formed, disposed in a region aligned with a short side of the detection surface, a reading circuit unit for reading an electrical signal from the detection unit, and disposed in a region aligned with a long side of the detection surface, It is composed of a drive circuit unit that drives a detection unit, and a housing that includes the detection unit, the reading circuit unit, and the drive circuit unit, and the housing is viewed from a normal direction of the detection surface. It is a radiographic imaging device characterized by having a handle part in the field along the long side of the detection surface.

  The invention according to claim 12 further includes a power source for supplying power to the detection means, the reading circuit unit, and the drive circuit unit, and the power source is detected when viewed from the normal direction of the detection surface. It is arrange | positioned to the area | region located in a line with the long side of a surface, The radiographic imaging apparatus of Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, each of the reading circuit units is arranged in a region aligned with each of the two short sides of the detection surface, and each region formed by dividing the detection surface into two substantially in the long side direction. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a reading circuit unit adjacent to each region reads the image.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the handle portion is configured by a hole provided in the housing.

  As described above, according to the radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiographic image capturing apparatus that is excellent in portability while preventing or suppressing a subject's discomfort or a decrease in the degree of freedom of imaging. it can.

  Alternatively, an electronic cassette with a handle appropriately attached can be provided in consideration of the characteristics specific to the electronic cassette.

1 is a configuration diagram of an X-ray imaging system. It is a top view of 1st Embodiment of an electronic cassette. It is the perspective view which isolate | separated the 1st housing | casing and the 2nd housing | casing. It is sectional drawing of an electronic cassette. It is a disassembled perspective view of 2nd Embodiment of an electronic cassette. It is a perspective view of 3rd Embodiment of an electronic cassette. It is a side view of 4th Embodiment of an electronic cassette. It is a top view of 5th Embodiment of an electronic cassette. It is explanatory drawing of the use condition of the electronic cassette of 5th Embodiment. It is a top view of 6th Embodiment of an electronic cassette. It is sectional drawing of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing of the use condition of a prior art example. It is a perspective view of a prior art example. It is a perspective view of a prior art example. It is sectional drawing of a prior art example.

  The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an X-ray imaging system. An electronic cassette 11 as an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment is horizontally arranged on a floor or the like, and X-rays are generated above the electronic cassette 11. A device 12 is installed. An image processing means 13 for processing an image signal is connected to the electronic cassette 11, and a monitor 14 for displaying an X-ray image is connected to the image processing means 13.

  2 is a plan view of the electronic cassette 11, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view. The electronic cassette 11 can be separated and coupled, and has a first casing 21 and a second casing 22 each having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casings 21 and 22 are symmetric with respect to the center line CC, the thicknesses are the same with respect to the center line CC, and the upper and lower surfaces are flat surfaces without unevenness. The first and second casings 21 and 22 are tray-shaped first and second casing bodies 23 and 24, respectively, and first and second lids that block the openings of the casing bodies 23 and 24, respectively. It consists of bodies 25 and 26. The first lid 25 of the first casing 21 is made of a material that transmits X-rays, and the second casing 22 is made of metal.

The opposing surfaces 23a, 24a of the two housing bodies 23, 24 are rectangular in size, and electrical connectors 27, 28 that are detachable are attached to these opposing positions.
Further, on the side surfaces 23b and 24b of both the housing main bodies 23 and 24, fastening portions 29 and 30 made of, for example, grooves and projecting pieces are provided. A gripping cylinder portion 31 is formed in the vicinity of the end surface 24 c of the second casing body 24, and a gripping hole portion 32 communicating with the gripping cylinder portion 31 is formed in the second lid body 26. Yes. The gripping cylinder part 31 and the gripping hole part 32 are formed to be rectangular in plan and communicate with each other in the vertical direction, and their centers are located on the center line CC, and the center line CC is an electron. It is formed at or near the center of gravity G of the cassette 11.

  That is, the electronic cassette 11 is configured such that the center of gravity G and the center of the gripping cylinder part 31 or the gripping hole part 32 are positioned substantially on the center line CC.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cassette 11. An X-ray detection panel 44 including a fluorescent plate 41, a photoelectric conversion element 42, and a substrate 43 is disposed above the interior of the first housing 21. A circuit board 47 that is disposed above and has an electronic component 46 and processes electrical signals is supported below the base 45. The photoelectric conversion element 42 and the circuit board 47 are connected by a flexible circuit board 48, and the circuit board 47 is fixed to a protrusion 45 a provided on the lower surface of the base 45.

  The fluorescent plate 41 is formed by applying a phosphor of a metal compound to a resin plate, and is integrated with the substrate 43 by adhesion. A glass plate is frequently used for the substrate 43 because of the necessity of having no chemical action with the semiconductor element, withstanding the temperature of the semiconductor process, and having dimensional stability, and the photoelectric conversion element 42 is formed on the substrate 43 by the semiconductor process. Is formed in a two-dimensional array.

  On the other hand, a power supply 49 for supplying power to the circuit board 47 is disposed inside the second housing 22, and the circuit board 47 and the power supply 49 are connected via electrical connectors 27 and 28. The power source 49 has a U-shape in plan and is disposed so as to surround the gripping cylinder portion 31 of the second housing body 24.

  In the first embodiment, the first and second casings 21 and 22 of the electronic cassette 11 are rectangular parallelepiped, and the second casing 22 has a gripping cylinder portion 31 and a gripping hole portion that communicate with each other. 32 is provided, the examiner can easily carry the electronic cassette 11 by inserting his / her fingers into the gripping cylinder 31 and the gripping hole 32. In addition, since the electronic cassette 11 does not have a protruding portion, even when the subject is held when taking an axial image of the subject's shoulder joint, the subject does not feel uncomfortable. . Further, since the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second casings 21 and 22 are flat surfaces without unevenness, the subjects are placed horizontally and the subject is lying on the upper surfaces of the first and second lids 25 and 26. Even if it is made to be, it does not give an unpleasant feeling to a subject similarly.

  Since the center line C-C passing through the centers of the gripping cylinder 31 and the gripping hole 32 passes through the center of gravity G of the electronic cassette 11 or the vicinity thereof, when the examiner grips the electronic cassette 11 In addition, the electronic cassette 11 is not affected by a rotational moment associated with the deviation from the center of gravity G, and the examiner can easily hold the electronic cassette 11. Further, since the power source 49 is arranged so as to surround the gripping cylinder portion 31, the thin electronic cassette 11 can be realized by effectively using the mounting space. Furthermore, since the second casing 22 is made of metal, it has an electromagnetic shielding effect, and electromagnetic noise generated from the electric circuit of the power source 49 enters the flexible circuit board 48 and the like, thereby impairing the S / N performance. Can be prevented.

  Although only the power source 49 is arranged in the second casing 22, it is also possible to arrange the circuit board 47 or a part thereof, and in this case, the influence of electromagnetic noise can be greatly reduced.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment. An electronic cassette 51 includes a metal housing main body 52 having a shape obtained by integrating the housing main bodies 23 and 24 of the first embodiment, and the first embodiment. The lid body 25, 26 of the first embodiment is integrated with a metal lid body 53, and the housing body 52 and the lid body 53 have a shape similar to that of the first embodiment. A cylinder portion 54 and a gripping hole portion 55 are formed at the same positions as in the first embodiment. An X-ray detection panel 44 and the like, which are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a power source 49 are arranged inside the housing body 52. An opening 53a is formed in the lid 53 at a position facing the X-ray detection region of the X-ray detection panel 44, and the opening 53a is made of a material such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) having excellent X-ray transparency. It is closed by a cover 56 made of

  In the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved, and since the structure is composed of the integral housing main body 52 and the integral lid 53, it can be applied to a force such as bending. The strength is improved as compared with the first embodiment. In addition, since the X-ray detection panel 44 and the power source 49 are disposed inside the common casing body 52, it is effective in grounding the electric circuit.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third embodiment. The electronic cassette 51 ′ is slightly different in shape from the electronic cassette 51 of the second embodiment. A recessed portion 57 that is recessed and communicates from the end surface 52 a to the inside of the gripping cylinder portion 54 is formed.

  The third embodiment can achieve the same effect as the second embodiment, and can easily put the finger on the concave portion 57 when the examiner lifts the electronic cassette 51 ′. The portability can be further improved.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of the fourth embodiment, which is an electronic cassette 51 ″ slightly different in shape from the second embodiment. In addition to the second embodiment, the housing main body 52 ″ Inclined surfaces 58 and 59 that are inclined in the thickness direction are formed at both ends of the bottom surface.

  The fourth embodiment can achieve the same effect as the second embodiment, and the examiner can easily put his / her fingers on the inclined surfaces 58 and 59 of the casing body 52 ″ in the horizontal state. It is possible to further improve the portability. Further, since a part of both end portions of the casing main body 52 "has an obtuse angle, it is possible to flexibly hit the subject S and give discomfort. Absent.

  As described above, in the radiographic imaging devices according to the first to fourth embodiments, the outer shape of the housing is substantially rectangular when viewed from the normal direction with respect to the detection surface of the detection means, and is in the vicinity of one side of the outer shape. Since the gripping hole is provided in the tester, the examiner can transport the finger through the gripping hole and improve the transportability. Moreover, since it does not have the part which protruded externally, even when held in the armpit etc. of the subject, the subject does not feel uncomfortable.

  If the surface (upper surface) of the housing including the gripping hole located on the detection surface side of the detection means is a flat surface, discomfort may be given to the subject when the subject is placed in a horizontal state. Absent.

  Further, if the center of gravity is positioned on or near the center line of the gripping hole, a moment does not act when gripped and the portability is further improved.

  Furthermore, if the power source is enclosed in the vicinity of the gripping hole, the mounting space can be used effectively and the thickness can be reduced.

  Then, on one side of the housing near the gripping hole, the surface (bottom surface) of the housing located on the opposite side of the detection surface is concave with respect to the thickness direction, or the detection surface of the detection means If an inclined surface with respect to the thickness direction is provided on the surface (bottom surface) of the housing located on the opposite side, the finger of the examiner can be easily hung even when installed horizontally, and the portability is further improved.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of an electronic cassette 200 according to the fifth embodiment. A frame (housing) 201 forms the outer shape of the electronic cassette 200 and is made of a lightweight metal or resin. The detection surface of the X-ray detection panel (sensor unit) 202 is formed in a rectangular shape, and its size is preferably, for example, 17 × 14 inches (43 × 35 cm). If it is this size, adult chest photography is also possible. Further, as other sizes, 10 × 12 inches (24 × 30 cm), which is the size of a photosensitive film generally used for photographing limbs and mammograms, may be used. The X-ray detection panel 202 is configured similarly to the X-ray detection panel 44 of the first embodiment. A circuit to be described later for reading out charges generated by photoelectric conversion from the X-ray detection panel 202 is disposed from the side surface to the back surface of the X-ray detection panel 202, for example.

  To read out the charges from the X-ray detection panel, the charges generated and accumulated by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the column selected by the drive circuit (drive circuit unit) are discharged in the row direction and installed corresponding to each row. This is performed by a method of reading by the amplifier circuit (read circuit unit). When all the data (analog signal) read out in the row direction by the amplifier circuit is subjected to A / D conversion simultaneously, a large number of A / D converters are required. It is also possible to reduce the number of necessary A / D converters by performing / D conversion. In the electronic cassette shown in FIG. 8, a drive circuit 204 for selecting a photoelectric conversion element array is arranged on the upper side of the X-ray detection panel 202, and each charge corresponding to the photoelectric conversion element array selected by the drive circuit 204 is stored. Amplifier circuits 203 for reading are arranged on both the left and right sides of the X-ray detection panel 202.

  There are various options for arranging the drive circuit and the amplifier circuit adjacent to the side of the rectangle with respect to the X-ray detection panel having a substantially rectangular detection surface, but they are arranged as shown in FIG. Is considered suitable. The following two points can be cited as factors for this determination.

  Factor 1: When a column is selected in the drive circuit, a delay or a switch failure may be a problem due to wiring resistance. Therefore, it is preferable that the drive circuit drives photoelectric conversion elements that are as close as possible to the physical distance.

  Factor 2: Since the wiring resistance and the wiring capacitance can be a problem when reading the charge in the amplifier circuit, it is preferable that the amplifier circuit reads the charge from the photoelectric conversion elements at a physically close distance.

  First, considering the arrangement of the amplifier circuit from the above factor 1, the amplifier circuit is arranged on opposite sides as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the left half of the X-ray detection panel is read by the left amplifier circuit 203, and the X-ray The right half of the detection panel is preferably read by the right amplifier circuit 203. However, it is unavoidable that the determination of whether the amplifier circuit 203 is arranged on the short side or the long side of the X-ray detection panel 202 is advantageous only by this factor. Next, considering the arrangement of the drive circuit from the above factor 2, it can be said that it is desirable to drive one column or row from both sides in the same manner.

  Next, in clinical radiography using a cassette, at least one side (side surface of the casing) whose distance from the outer edge of the frame 201 to the outer edge of the X-ray detection panel 202 is, for example, about 5 mm (or less) is used. It is hoped that there will be. By reducing the distance from the outer edge of the frame 201 to the outer edge of the X-ray detection panel 202, the cassette is placed under the arm as described above (FIG. 12), and the shoulder is photographed over a wide range. In addition, the mammogram can be photographed over a wide range.

  Based on the above conditions or assumptions, the following two options can be considered.

  Selection 1: A drive circuit is arranged adjacent to one of the long sides of the X-ray detection panel 202, and the outer edge of the X-ray detection panel 202 is brought as close as possible to the frame 201 without arranging a circuit on the other long side. . An amplifier circuit is arranged in the vicinity of the two short sides of the X-ray detection panel 202, and each region obtained by dividing the X-ray detection panel 202 into two substantially in the long side direction is adjacent to each region. The amplifier circuit reads.

Selection 2: An amplifier circuit is arranged adjacent to one of the long sides of the X-ray detection panel 202,
The outer edge of the X-ray detection panel 202 is brought as close as possible to the frame 201 without arranging a circuit on the other long side. A drive circuit is disposed in the vicinity of the two short sides of the X-ray detection panel 202, and each region obtained by dividing the X-ray detection panel 202 into two substantially in the long side direction is adjacent to each region. The drive circuit is driven.

  Which of the above choices 1 and 2 is more suitable is determined by estimating the contribution to the S / N ratio in each case (which can increase the S / N ratio) based on the wiring length of each case. Can be determined. As a result of such estimation, it was found that the selection 1 shown in FIG. 8 is the best selection. In addition, the correctness of the selection based on this estimate was verified by experiments.

  Since the arrangement of the drive circuit and the amplifier circuit has been determined as described above, the arrangement of the power supply, which is a large component, will be considered next. This power supply supplies power to the X-ray detection panel 202, the amplifier circuit 203, the drive circuit 204, and the like. Electromagnetic noise radiated from the power supply is a major element that should be countered among various electromagnetic noises affecting the X-ray detection panel and each circuit. When placing power supplies, analog circuits have lower noise immunity than digital circuits. Therefore, in electronic cassettes that must be compact and lightweight, the power supply must be placed at a greater distance from the amplifier circuit that is an analog circuit than the drive circuit that is a digital circuit. Preferably it is arranged. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the power supply 205 side by side in the drive circuit 204 as shown in FIG.

Next, consider the arrangement of the handles of the electronic cassette. When carrying the electronic cassette by gripping its handle, the vertical (gravity) direction when holding the handle and hanging the electronic cassette is to avoid as much as possible that the electronic cassette will collide with something and receive an impact. Is preferably short.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, it is preferable to arrange the handles along the long side of the X-ray detection panel. Further, in FIG. 8, the handle cannot be disposed in the portion of the frame 201 in which the long side of the X-ray detection panel 202 is as close as possible, and therefore, the handle is provided along with the other long sides of the X-ray detection panel 202. Moreover, it is preferable that the handle is a hole or a recess provided in the frame without protruding from the frame so as not to give a sense of incongruity to the subject (subject) in contact with the electronic cassette. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, it is optimal to provide a handle hole (handle portion) 206 in a region of the frame 201 that is aligned with the drive circuit 204 and not buffered with the power source 205.

  In the above description, the arrangement of the handles is determined from the preferred arrangement of the other components of the electronic cassette. However, it is understood that the determined arrangement of the handles is preferable also from the following factors. That is, as described above, a part of the body may be photographed while the subject holds the electronic cassette in his / her hand. In this case, the vertical human body has many vertical parts, so the electronic cassette is It is often held and photographed. Therefore, arranging the grips (grip holes 206) side by side on the long side of the X-ray detection panel 202 is desirable because the subject can easily hold the electronic cassette in a vertically long layout as shown in FIG.

  In the above description, the drive circuit is disposed only in the vicinity of one long side of the X-ray detection panel 202 whose detection surface is rectangular. However, this is not an essential requirement, and the X-ray detection panel 202 is not necessarily required. Each drive circuit is arranged in the vicinity of the two long sides, and the drive circuit adjacent to each region drives each region formed by dividing the X-ray detection panel 202 into two substantially in the short side direction. You may comprise. Even in this case, in consideration of electromagnetic noise generated by the power supply, it is also an appropriate choice to arrange the power supply on one of the long sides instead of the short side of the X-ray detection panel 202. From the standpoint of the arrangement efficiency, etc., it is advantageous to provide a grip portion in the vicinity of the long side where the power source is arranged in the vicinity thereof.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, a sensor drive with a high S / N ratio can be realized by arranging a handle on the long side of the X-ray detection panel 202 whose detection surface is rectangular. In many cases, when taking an image with the electronic cassette held by the subject, the subject can hold the electronic cassette by hand, especially when the electronic cassette is held vertically. Effects such as being easy to hold are produced.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electronic cassette 200 ′ according to the sixth embodiment. The same components as those in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The difference from the fifth embodiment is that in the fifth embodiment, the hole 201 or the concave portion is formed in the frame 201 as the handle portion to form the handle hole 206, but in the present embodiment, it is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. This is that the handle portion 207 is attached to one side surface of the shaped frame 201 ′ (housing). Also in the present embodiment, the grip portion is disposed on the long side of the X-ray detection panel 202 whose detection surface is rectangular, as in the fifth embodiment. In addition, it is configured such that power is supplied from the power source arranged in such a grip portion to the above-described electric circuit or the like in the frame 201 ′, or as shown in FIG. If the handle portion 207 has a continuous internal space and the power source is arranged in the frame 201 ′ and the handle portion, it is effective in terms of component arrangement efficiency or noise reduction. Is the same as in the fifth embodiment. Of course, it is not essential that all or a part of the power supply is disposed in the handle portion 207. For example, the entire power supply may be disposed in the frame 201 'adjacent to the drive circuit 204.

11, 51, 51 ', 51 "Electronic cassette 12 X-ray generator 21, 22 Housing 23, 24, 52, 52', 52" Housing body 25, 26, 53 Lid 27, 28 Electrical connectors 29, 30 Fastening part 31, 54 Gripping cylinder part 32, 55 Grasping hole part 41 Fluorescent plate 42 Photoelectric conversion element 43 Substrate 44 X-ray detection panel 47 Circuit board 49 Power supply 57 Concave part 58, 59 Inclined surface S Subject

In order to achieve the above object, a cassette-type radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged and detecting means for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject, and supplying power to the detecting means. A power supply circuit; and a housing that encloses the detection means and the power supply circuit, wherein the housing includes a first surface on which radiation transmitted through the subject is incident, and a first surface facing the first surface. The housing has a concave portion that is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the first surface, and the second surface is concave with respect to the thickness direction. And

Claims (14)

  In a radiographic imaging apparatus for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject, a detection means having a detection surface in which photoelectric conversion elements for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject are two-dimensionally arranged, and an electrical signal from the detection means A circuit board to be processed, a power supply for supplying power to the detection means and the circuit board, and a casing containing the detection means, the circuit board and the power supply, the casing being the detection of the detection means A radiographic imaging apparatus, wherein an outer shape viewed from a normal direction to a surface is substantially rectangular and has a gripping hole in the vicinity of one side of the outer shape.   Each of the housings includes a first housing and a second housing having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the first housing includes at least the detection means, and the second housing includes the gripping hole. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the contact surfaces of the first casing and the second casing are both rectangles having substantially the same size.   The radiation image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface including the gripping hole of the housing located on the detection surface side of the detection means is a flat surface. Shooting device.   The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the housing is located on or near the center line of the gripping hole.   The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing encloses the circuit board and / or the power source in the vicinity of the holding hole.   The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second casing includes the circuit board and / or the power source.   2. The radiation according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the casing located on the opposite side of the detection surface on one side of the casing in the vicinity of the gripping hole is concave in the thickness direction. Image shooting device.   The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the casing located on the opposite side of the detection surface of the detection unit has an inclined surface in a thickness direction.   A radiographic imaging apparatus for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject, and a detection means having a substantially rectangular detection surface configured by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject. And a casing that encloses the detection means, and the casing has a handle portion in a region aligned with a long side of the detection surface when viewed from the normal direction of the detection surface of the detection means. A radiographic imaging device characterized by the above.   A radiographic imaging apparatus for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject, and a detection means having a substantially rectangular detection surface configured by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject. A reading circuit unit that is arranged in a region aligned with the short side of the detection surface and reads an electric signal from the detection unit, and a drive circuit unit that is disposed in a region aligned with the long side of the detection surface and drives the detection unit And a casing that encloses the detection means, the reading circuit section, and the drive circuit section, and the casing is aligned with the long side of the detection surface when viewed from the normal direction of the detection surface. A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising a handle portion in a region.   A power source that supplies power to the detection unit, the reading circuit unit, and the drive circuit unit; and when the power source is viewed from the normal direction of the detection surface, the power source is arranged in a region aligned with a long side of the detection surface. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the radiographic image capturing apparatus is arranged.   The reading circuit unit is disposed in a region aligned with each of the two short sides of the detection surface, and each region formed by dividing the detection surface substantially in half in the long side direction is adjacent to each region. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reading circuit unit reads the radiation image.   The radiographic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the grip portion is configured by a hole provided in the housing.

Images