JP5238652B2 - Radiation imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging apparatus that converts radiation transmitted through a subject into radiographic image information.

  2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, a radiation image capturing system that irradiates a subject with radiation and guides the radiation that has passed through the subject to a radiation conversion panel to capture a radiation image is widely used. In this case, as the radiation conversion panel, a storage phosphor panel that accumulates radiation energy as a radiation image on the phosphor and irradiates excitation light to extract the radiation image as stimulated emission light is known. ing. A CR (Computed Radiography) cassette (radiation image capturing apparatus) that can be carried by storing the stimulable phosphor panel in a small casing is widely used.

  On the other hand, in an operating room or the like, it is necessary to be able to immediately read out and display a radiation image from a radiation conversion panel after imaging in order to perform a quick and accurate treatment on a patient. Radiation using a radiation detection panel that converts radiation directly into an electrical signal, or a solid-state detection element that converts radiation into visible light using a scintillator, and then converts it into an electrical signal and reads it. An FPD (Flat Panel Detector) cassette in which a detector is housed in a small casing has been developed.

  Since these cassettes contain a large number of fragile electronic components and the like in the casing, it is necessary to have impact resistance when the cassette is dropped and load resistance when a subject is placed.

  As an FPD cassette corresponding to impact resistance or the like, the top plate of the casing is made of a displaceable material, and the rigidity of the base on which the photoelectric conversion device is placed and fixed is set larger than the rigidity of the top plate. A plurality of spaces communicating with the conversion substrate in a support member made of a highly rigid material (see Patent Document 1), and a control element disposed in the plurality of spaces (see Patent Document 2) It has been known.

  As a CR cassette corresponding to impact resistance or the like, one in which a plurality of cushioning materials are arranged between a support plate provided with a stimulable phosphor layer and a housing is known (see Patent Document 3). .

  In addition, in the FPD cassette, by including a conductive member in a non-conductive casing that houses a support structure to which an imaging panel is attached and an internal support that holds the support structure, an electronic device in the casing is provided. Also known is a technique (see Patent Document 4) that reduces electrical noise received from the outside of the casing, and a technique that omits the base and attaches a scintillator to the upper surface of the casing (see Patent Document 5). Yes.

Japanese Patent No. 3815766 JP 2007-300996 A JP 2004-219705 A JP 2008-304460 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0122959

  By the way, it is desirable to set the FPD cassette to a size in accordance with the standard of the CR cassette in order to divert the photographing apparatus corresponding to the already widely used CR cassette.

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the rigidity of the base is made larger than the rigidity of the top plate, the thickness of the base becomes large. For this reason, the thickness of the entire FPD cassette is increased, and the FPD cassette may not be applied to a photographing apparatus compatible with a CR cassette.

  Moreover, when the structure of patent document 3 is used for FPD cassette, since it is necessary to arrange | position a several buffering material between a housing | casing and a support plate, the thickness of the whole FPD cassette becomes large. Therefore, there is no versatility for the same reason as in Patent Document 1.

  On the other hand, according to Patent Document 2, since the control element is disposed in the space of the support member, the thickness of the entire FPD cassette can be suppressed to some extent. However, since the space communicates with the conversion substrate, a good radiation image may not be obtained due to the influence of electrical noise (electromagnetic waves) emitted from the conversion substrate and the control element. In other words, Patent Document 2 does not have sufficient EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) measures.

  Usually, in the FPD cassette, the base has, for example, a function of shielding electrical noise between the radiation conversion panel and the electronic circuit board, and a function of improving the impact resistance of the FPD cassette.

  According to Patent Document 5, since the base is omitted, the thickness of the entire FPD cassette can be reduced. However, since the electronic circuit board is disposed in a narrower space, EMC countermeasures and impact resistance Measures against this will become a more important issue.

  Patent Document 4 describes EMC countermeasures, but does not consider impact resistance and versatility.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging apparatus that can improve impact resistance and versatility, and can suppress deterioration in the quality of radiographic images due to electrical noise.

  The radiographic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a conversion unit that converts radiation transmitted through a subject into an electrical signal, a transmission unit that transmits the electrical signal converted by the conversion unit, and the transmission unit that transmits the electrical signal. An electrical processing unit that processes electrical signals; a housing that houses the conversion unit, the transmission unit, and the electrical processing unit; and is in contact with the housing in a state of being positioned between the conversion unit and the electrical processing unit And a conductive member that supports the electrical processing section and has a bending rigidity lower than the bending rigidity of the casing.

  According to the radiographic imaging device of the present invention, since the conductive member is located between the conversion unit and the electrical processing unit, the electrical noise generated by the conversion unit and the electrical processing unit is received by the conductive member. It can escape to the body. Thereby, the quality degradation of the radiation image by an electrical noise can be suppressed. Moreover, since the bending rigidity of the conductive member is set lower than the bending rigidity of the housing, the thickness of the conductive member can be reduced. Therefore, the thickness of the entire radiographic imaging apparatus can be reduced as compared with the conventional method using a base having a bending rigidity higher than the bending rigidity of the housing (high rigidity base). Therefore, it is possible to use an imaging apparatus compatible with a CR cassette that has already been widely used, so that versatility can be improved. Furthermore, it has been found by the inventor of the present application that the impact resistance of the electric processing section can be improved by setting the bending rigidity of the conductive member lower than the bending rigidity of the casing.

  That is, the inventor of the present application omits the conventional high-rigidity base and uses a conductive member (for example, a thin plate-shaped conductive member) having a thickness that can secure the thickness of the radiographic imaging apparatus according to the CR cassette standard When a drop test of the radiographic imaging device was performed from a predetermined height (for example, 90 cm) from the floor surface with the electric processing unit provided, it was determined that the electric processing unit was damaged by plastic deformation of the conductive member. It was. Then, it was found that if the load on the conductive member generated when the radiographic imaging apparatus is dropped is within the elastic deformation range (within the elastic limit) of the conductive member, damage to the electrical processing unit is suppressed. In other words, the inventor of the present application sets the bending rigidity of the conductive member to be lower than the bending rigidity of the casing, so that the load generated when the radiographic imaging apparatus falls is within the elastic limit of the casing. As a result, the performance of the processing unit can be maintained. In addition, in this invention, a housing | casing includes the housing | casing comprised by combining a nonelectroconductive member and a conductive member, and the case comprised by conducting a conductive coating to a nonelectroconductive member.

  One form of this invention WHEREIN: The said housing | casing has an irradiation surface part to which the radiation which permeate | transmitted the said object is irradiated, The said conversion part may be affixed on the said irradiation surface part.

  According to this form, since the conversion part is affixed on an irradiation surface part, an irradiation surface part and a conversion part can be stuck. Thereby, while being able to hold | maintain a conversion part using the rigidity of an irradiation surface part, the intensity | strength of a conversion part can be raised. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the concern that the conversion unit moves and is damaged when the radiographic imaging device is transported or dropped. In addition, the weight of the entire radiographic imaging apparatus can be reduced and the thickness can be reduced as compared with the case where the conversion unit is held on the irradiation surface unit using fixing means such as screws and jigs. In addition, it is preferable to make it possible to peel off the attachment of the conversion part to the irradiation surface. As a result, it is possible to reuse an expensive conversion unit when the irradiation surface is damaged, or to repair (repair) the conversion unit when the conversion unit fails.

  In one form of this invention, the said electric processing part and the said electrically-conductive member may be electrically connected. Thereby, the reference potential of the electrical processing unit can be set to the potential of the conductive member and the casing. In other words. The conductive member and the housing can be a ground. Therefore, the processing of the electrical signal of the electrical processing unit can be stabilized and the quality of the radiation image can be improved.

  In one form of this invention, when the said electrically-conductive member and the said electric processing part are projected in the irradiation direction of the said radiation, the said electrically-conductive member is set so that the projection area of this electrically-conductive member becomes more than the projection area of this electric-processing part. And the magnitude | size of the said electric processing part may be set.

  According to this aspect, compared with the case where the projected area of the conductive member is smaller than the projected area of the electric processing unit, the shielding effect (EMC effect) of the electrical noise generated from the conversion and the electric processing unit can be enhanced. it can.

  By the way, for example, when an engineer or the like drops the radiographic image capturing device during transportation or setting of the radiographic image capturing device, the radiographic image capturing device falls with the corner portion of the casing directed vertically downward. There are many cases. In this case, since stress concentrates on the corners of the housing, the impact transmitted to the inside of the radiographic apparatus is likely to increase.

  The said form WHEREIN: The notch part may be formed in the site | part corresponding to the corner | angular part of the said housing | casing in the said electrically-conductive member. Thereby, when a radiographic imaging device falls, even if the corner | angular part of a housing | casing deforms plastically (buckling deformation), possibility that a conductive member will carry out plastic deformation can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to cut out in parts other than the said part of the said conductive member (part which does not respond | correspond to the corner | angular part of a housing | casing), the shielding performance of an electrical noise does not reduce.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a gap may be formed between the conductive member and the electrical processing unit, and a non-conductive spacer may be provided in the gap.

  According to this aspect, when the conductive member is elastically deformed, the conductive member and the electric processing unit can be prevented from coming into contact with the spacer. Thereby, it can prevent that the said electrically-conductive member deform | transforms elastically and a short circuit arises between this electrically-conductive member and the said electric processing part.

  One form of this invention WHEREIN: The said electrically-conductive member may be comprised including the metal in any one of aluminum, magnesium, copper, iron, and stainless steel.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive member has a structure of any one of a conductive plate, a conductive sheet, a conductive mesh, and a non-conductive member whose surface is subjected to a conductive treatment. It may be.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the conductive member is located between the conversion unit and the electrical processing unit, the electrical noise generated by the conversion unit and the electrical processing unit is received by the conductive member. It can escape to the body. Thereby, the quality degradation of the radiation image by an electrical noise can be suppressed. In addition, since the bending rigidity of the conductive member is set lower than the bending rigidity of the housing, the versatility and impact resistance of the radiographic imaging apparatus can be improved.

It is a block explanatory view of a radiographic imaging system to which a cassette concerning a 1st embodiment is applied. It is a perspective view of a cassette concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cassette body of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partially omitted enlarged sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is a perspective view which shows the inner surface of the 1st member with which a radiation detection panel is affixed. It is a projection figure of the shielding member regarding the irradiation direction of a radiation, an electric processing part, and a housing | casing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection structure of a cassette main body and a cable part. It is block explanatory drawing of the radiographic imaging system to which the cassette concerning 2nd Embodiment was applied. It is a perspective view of a cassette concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a partially-omission expanded sectional view of the cassette concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cassette main body which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 12 is a partially omitted enlarged sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(First embodiment)
First, a radiographic imaging system to which the radiographic imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The radiographic image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is also used for standing position shooting, supine position shooting, special shooting, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the radiographic imaging system 10 includes an imaging table 14 on which a subject 12 lies on a floor or the like of a hospital, and radiation 16 having a dose according to imaging conditions. A radiation source 18 for irradiating, a radiation image capturing device (cassette, radiation detection cassette, radiation detection device) 20 for converting radiation 16 transmitted through the subject 12 into an electrical signal (radiation image information), a radiation source 18 and a cassette 20 includes a console 22 as a control unit that controls the control unit 20 and a monitor 24 provided on the console 22.

  A cassette placement section 26 in which a transportable cassette 20 is placed is formed on the photographing table 14. For example, the cassette placement unit 26 is set to a size such that a CR cassette having a size (thickness) defined in JIS standard (JIS Z 4905) can be placed.

  The cassette 20 is configured as an FPD cassette, and includes a cassette body 28 that is irradiated with radiation 16 that has passed through the subject 12, and a cable portion 30 that connects between the cassette body 28 and the console 22. The console 22 supplies power to the cassette body 28 via the cable unit 30 and displays a radiation image on the monitor 24 based on the electrical signal converted by the cassette 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette body 28 has a casing 32 having a substantially octagonal shape (substantially rectangular shape) in plan view with corners of the four corners cut off, and corners of the casing 32. Shock mitigating members 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d that are attached with an adhesive or the like are provided.

  The housing 32 includes a first member 36 and a second member 38, and the first member 36 has an irradiation surface portion 40 irradiated with the radiation 16 and a first side surface portion erected on the periphery of the irradiation surface portion 40. The second member 38 includes a back surface portion 44 that faces the irradiation surface portion 40, and a second side surface portion 46 that is erected on the periphery of the back surface portion 44 so as to correspond to the first side surface portion 42. Have. In addition, the irradiation surface part 40 and the 1st side part 42, the back part 44, and the 2nd side part 46 are each formed integrally. As a result, a space for accommodating various components that convert the radiation 16 into electrical signals is formed inside the housing 32.

  The housing 32 is made of, for example, carbon fiber (carbon fiber), aluminum, magnesium, bionanofiber (cellulose microfibril), or a composite material in order to reduce the weight of the entire cassette 20.

  Examples of the composite material include carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), a structure in which a foam material is sandwiched with carbon fibers, or a material in which the surface of the foam material is coated with carbon fibers.

  However, it is preferable that the housing 32 is made of carbon fiber from the viewpoint of strength-weight ratio, cost, and the like. In this case, when the cassette 20 is dropped or the like, the number of laminated carbon fibers is increased with respect to the location where the load is concentrated (for example, the corner portion of the housing 32), and the load is not concentrated ( For example, it is possible to reinforce compared with the back surface portion 44).

  Also, from the viewpoint of the transmittance of the radiation 16, it is preferable that the irradiation surface portion 40 is composed of carbon fibers having better radiation transmittance than aluminum, magnesium, or the like. However, the irradiation surface portion 40 may be composed of a plurality of materials. For example, in the irradiation surface portion 40, a portion including the outer surface in contact with the subject 12 is configured with CFRP having a low thermal conductivity, and a portion including the inner surface located inside the cassette body 28 has a high thermal conductivity (same as metal). It may also be composed of CFRP (having a degree of thermal conductivity). Thereby, it can suppress that the heat | fever which generate | occur | produced inside the cassette main body 28 is transmitted to the to-be-photographed object 12 at the time of imaging | photography of a radiographic image. The CFRP having a low thermal conductivity may be formed using a PAN (polyacrylonitrile) -based carbon fiber, and the CFRP having a high thermal conductivity may be formed by spinning an anisotropic pitch-based carbon fiber. Thereby, the former CFRP has higher rigidity and lower thermal conductivity than the latter CFRP, and the latter CFRP becomes more elastic than the former CFRP. Moreover, the housing | casing 32 may comprise the irradiation surface part 40 which contacts the to-be-photographed object 12 with CFRP with low heat conductivity, and may comprise the 1st side part 42 and the 2nd member 38 with CFRP with high heat conductivity.

  The impact relaxation members 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d are made of an elastic member and include an outer surface formed in an arc shape. As the elastic member, for example, rubber or the like is used. Thereby, the impact by the external load can be absorbed by the impact relaxation members 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d.

  The cable portion 30 is connected in the vicinity of the impact relaxation member 34 a so as to straddle the first and second side surface portions 42 and 46. The cable unit 30 includes a first external connection cable 48 that supplies power from the console 22 to the cassette body 28, a second external connection cable 50 that transmits electrical signals between the cassette body 28 and the console 22, And a protective bushing 52 that protects the casing 32 side end of the second external connection cables 48 and 50.

  Further, in the cable portion 30, at least one of the first and second external connection cables 48 and 50 (both the first and second external connection cables 48 and 50 in the figure) is opposed to the outer surface of the impact relaxation member 34a. It is preferable to set the cable part 30 so as to be directed to the position (see FIG. 6). Thereby, when the cassette 20 falls in a state where the impact relaxation member 34a is directed vertically downward, the load generated in the cassette body 28 due to the elasticity of the first and second external connection cables 48 and 50 can be reduced.

  The protective bush 52 is made of an elastic member. As the elastic member, for example, rubber or the like is used. Thereby, the impact by the load from the outside can be absorbed by the protective bush 52. The protective bush 52 is formed so as to surround the first and second external connection cables 48 and 50 in a state of being attached to the housing 32, and the first and second external connection cables 48 and 50 of the protective bush 52. Is directed to a position facing the outer surface of the impact relaxation member 34a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the housing 32 includes a radiation detection panel 54 as a conversion unit, a radiation shielding sheet 56, a heat insulating sheet 58, a conductive shield member 60 as a conductive member, and an electric processing unit. 62 are arranged in this order in the irradiation direction of the radiation 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a middle core member 64 is provided between the shield member 60 and the back surface portion 44. As shown in FIG. 3, the radiation detection panel 54 and the electric processing unit 62 are used as a transmission unit. They are connected by a flexible substrate 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the radiation detection panel 54 is detachably attached to the inner surface of the irradiation surface portion 40 via an adhesive member 68, and the radiation 16 transmitted through the subject 12 is converted into an electrical signal (analog signal). ).

  As the adhesive member 68, for example, a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like can be used. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the adhesive member 68 is formed in a band shape, and is provided on the inner surface of the irradiation surface portion 40 along the outer shape of the irradiation surface portion 40. And the radiation detection panel 54 is affixed on the irradiation surface part 40 via the adhesive member 68 by arrange | positioning the radiation detection panel 54 on the adhesive member 68. FIG. In addition, the radiation detection panel 54 can be peeled from the irradiation surface part 40 as needed by setting the surface of the adhesive member 68 on the side in contact with the radiation detection panel 54 to be weakly adhesive.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the adhesive member 68 includes a space other than the internal space A surrounded by the irradiation surface portion 40, the radiation detection panel 54, and the adhesive member 68 and the internal space A inside the cassette body 28. (Hereinafter, it may be referred to as the external space B.) A communication path 70 is formed corresponding to the corner of the housing 32. Thereby, even when the atmospheric | air pressure in the housing | casing 32 changes in the state which affixed the radiation detection panel 54 on the irradiation surface part 40, the internal space A and the external space B can be maintained at the same atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the concern that the radiation detection panel 54 is peeled off from the irradiation surface portion 40 due to a change in the atmospheric pressure in the housing 32. In FIG. 4, the size of the internal space A is exaggerated for easy understanding. Actually, since the internal space A is very small, the irradiation surface portion 40 and the radiation detection panel 54 are substantially integrated.

  Furthermore, the communication path 70 has a bent structure (labyrinth structure). Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the internal space A from the external space B.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the radiation detection panel 54 is formed such that a scintillator 54 a and a photoelectric conversion layer 54 b are laminated. The scintillator 54a is made of a phosphor having GOS (Gd ₂ 0 ₂ S: Tb) or CsI: Tl as a base material, and once converts the radiation 16 transmitted through the subject 12 into visible light. The photoelectric conversion layer 54b has a structure in which a solid-state detection element made of a substance such as amorphous silicon is arranged on an array of thin film transistors (TFTs), and the visible light converted by the scintillator 54a is an electric signal. Convert to

  The radiation detection panel 54 is configured such that the photoelectric conversion layer 54b is positioned on the irradiation surface portion 40 side and the scintillator 54a is positioned on the back surface portion 44 side with the radiation detection panel 54 attached to the irradiation surface portion 40. ing. However, the radiation detection panel 54 is configured such that the scintillator 54a is positioned on the irradiation surface portion 40 side and the photoelectric conversion layer 54b is positioned on the back surface portion 44 side with the radiation detection panel 54 attached to the irradiation surface portion 40. It may be.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the radiation shielding sheet 56 is in contact with the radiation detection panel 54 and is made of, for example, lead, tungsten, stainless steel, or the like. Thereby, the radiation shielding sheet 56 absorbs the back scattered rays of the radiation 16 and prevents the radiation 16 transmitted through the subject 12 from being applied to the electric processing unit 62.

  The heat insulating sheet 58 is in contact with the radiation shielding sheet 56 and is made of, for example, urethane or foamed polyethylene. Thereby, since it can suppress that the heat which generate | occur | produced in the electrical processing part 62 is transmitted to the radiation detection panel 54, it prevents that the radiation detection panel 54 raise | generates a malfunction by the heat which generate | occur | produced in the electrical processing part 62. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shield member 60 is in contact with the heat insulating sheet 58 through the contact member 72 and is in contact with the back surface portion 44 through the middle core member 64. Thereby, the shield member 60 can be held inside the cassette body 28. Further, since the middle core member 64 is arranged, the load resistance of the cassette body 28 in the irradiation direction of the radiation 16 can be improved. Therefore, even when the subject 12 is directly placed on the cassette body 28, the subject 12 is captured. The cassette body 28 does not have a problem due to the load.

  The middle core member 64 is made of, for example, a foam material from the viewpoint of weight reduction and absorption of dimensional deviation. In this case, the middle core member 64 is formed in a complicated shape by a method of bonding a plurality of sheets having a single thickness or a method of cutting.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible substrate 66 transmits the electrical signal converted by the radiation detection panel 54 to the electrical processing unit 62.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical processing unit 62 includes an electronic circuit board 73 and an electronic component 74 mounted on the electronic circuit board 73. A ground pattern 75 is provided on the surface of the electronic circuit board 73 that faces the shield member 60. The electronic component 74 converts the electrical signal transmitted by the flexible board 66 from an analog signal to a digital signal, distributes the electric power supplied from the first external connection cable 48 to various components, and converts the converted digital signal. Or output to the second external connection cable 50.

  The shield member 60 is configured in a plate shape. The shield member 60 is in contact with the ground pattern 75 of the electronic circuit board 73 via the conductive bracket 76, and the bracket 76 and the electronic circuit board 73 are fixed by a fixing screw 78. The bracket 76 is subjected to burring in order to ensure the fastening with the fixing screw 78. However, the electrical connection between the electrical processing unit 62 and the bracket 76 may be performed by a conductive tape, a shield gasket, a shield finger, or the like. Moreover, the shield member 60 and the bracket 76 are joined by spot welding, for example.

  Accordingly, the electrical processing unit 62 can be supported by the shield member 60 in a state where the contact resistance between the electrical processing unit 62 and the bracket 76 is suppressed, and the shield member 60 and the electrical processing unit 62 are electrically connected by the bracket 76. Can be connected.

  A folded portion 80 extending in the irradiation direction of the radiation 16 is formed at the peripheral portion of the shield member 60, and a conductive shield finger 82 connected to the first side surface portion 42 is attached to the push-back portion 80. ing.

  Further, the material and plate thickness of the shield member 60 are determined so that the shield member 60 has a bending rigidity lower than that of the housing 32. Specifically, the shield member 60 may be configured to include any one of aluminum, magnesium, copper, iron, stainless steel, and the like. Thereby, when the housing | casing 32 is comprised with carbon fiber, it becomes possible to make board thickness thin (for example, to board thickness of 0.3-0.5 mm), ensuring electroconductivity. However, it is preferable that the shield member 60 has such a rigidity that the shield member 60 is not deformed during photographing. This is because if the shield member 60 is deformed at the time of photographing, the shield member 60 and the electric processing unit 62 may come into contact with each other and a short circuit may occur.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, assuming that the electrical processing unit 62 includes, for example, three electronic circuit boards 73 a, 73 b, and 73 c, the shielding member 60 and the electrical processing unit 62 are irradiated with the radiation 16. The size of the shield member 60 and the electrical processing unit 62 is set so that the projected area of the shield member 60 is larger than the projected area of the electrical processing unit 62. In the present embodiment, the projected area of the shield member 60 is within a range that is equal to or larger than the area of one outer shape (outer shape indicated by a broken line a in the drawing) that circumscribes the three electronic circuit boards 73a, 73b, and 73c. For example, the size of the shield member 60 may be arbitrarily set.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the shield member 60 has notches 84, 84, 84, 84 formed at portions corresponding to the corners of the housing 32. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, you may set the width | variety d of the notch parts 84, 84, 84, 84 to 10 mm or more.

  Next, a connection structure between the cable portion 30 and the cassette body 28 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The first and second external connection cables 48 and 50 are configured as coaxial cables. The first external connection cable 48 has a power line 86 and a ground line 88, and the second external connection cable 50 has an input signal line 90 and an output signal line 92. The power supply line 86, the ground line 88, and the input / output signal lines 90 and 92 are disposed inside the cassette body 28 via an intermediate member 94.

  The intermediate member 94 is surrounded by a shield box 96 made of aluminum or stainless steel, and the shield box 96 is fixed to the shield member 60 with screws or conductive tape. Thereby, it can suppress that the quality of a radiographic image falls by mixing of electrical noise. The shield box 96 may also be in contact with the housing 32 using a shield finger, a shield gasket, or the like. In this case, since the impedance can be lowered as compared with the case where the shield box 96 is fixed only to the shield member 60, the shielding effect of the electrical noise of the shield box 96 can be improved.

  The intermediate member 94 is fixed to the shield member 60 via a conductive cable clamp 98. As the cable clamp 98, a cable clamp made of resin and plated with a conductive member can be used. Thereby, the cost of the cable clamp 98 can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the cassette 20 according to the present embodiment, since the shield member 60 is located between the radiation detection panel 54 and the electrical processing unit 62, the radiation detection panel 54 and the electrical processing unit 62 are Electric noises generated from each other can be received by the shield member 60 and escaped to the housing 32 via the shield fingers 82. Thereby, the quality degradation of the radiation image by an electrical noise can be suppressed.

  Further, since the bending rigidity of the shield member 60 is set lower than the bending rigidity of the housing 32, the thickness of the shielding member 60 can be reduced. Therefore, the thickness of the cassette body 28 can be reduced and the cassette body 28 can be made lighter compared to the conventional method in which the electric processing unit or the like is held on a base having a bending rigidity higher than that of the casing. . Therefore, the cassette 20 of the present embodiment can be placed in the cassette placement portion 26 of the CR cassette imaging stand 14 that is already in widespread use. Therefore, since there is no need for an imaging table or the like dedicated to the FPD cassette, versatility can be improved.

  Further, it has been found by the present inventor that the impact resistance of the electric processing unit 62 can be improved by setting the bending rigidity of the shield member 60 lower than the bending rigidity of the housing 32. That is, when the cassette body 28 is dropped, the shield member 60 can also be elastically deformed in accordance with the elastic deformation of the casing 32. If the shield member 60 is within the elastic deformation range (within the elastic limit), electrical processing is performed. The performance of the part 62 can be maintained.

  According to this embodiment, since the radiation detection panel 54 is affixed to the irradiation surface part 40, the irradiation surface part 40 and the radiation detection panel 54 can be stuck. Thereby, while being able to hold | maintain the radiation detection panel 54 using the rigidity of the irradiation surface part 40, the intensity | strength of the radiation detection panel 54 can be raised. Therefore, the concern that the radiation detection panel 54 moves and is damaged when the cassette 20 is transported or dropped can be eliminated. In addition, the weight of the cassette body 28 can be reduced and the thickness can be reduced as compared with the case where the radiation detection panel 54 is held on the irradiation surface portion 40 by using fixing means such as screws and jigs. .

  Furthermore, since the attachment of the radiation detection panel 54 to the irradiation surface portion 40 can be peeled off, when the outer surface of the irradiation surface portion 40 is damaged, the expensive radiation detection panel 54 can be reused or the radiation detection panel 54 can be used. In the case of failure, the radiation detection panel 54 can be repaired.

  In the present embodiment, since the shield member 60 and the electronic circuit board 73 are electrically connected via the bracket 76, the reference potential of the electrical processing unit 62 can be set to the potential of the shield member 60 and the housing 32. it can. That is, since the shield member 60 and the housing 32 can be grounded, the processing of the electrical signal of the electrical processing unit 62 can be stabilized and the quality of the radiation image can be improved.

  In this embodiment, since the projected area of the shield member 60 is larger than the projected area of the electrical processing unit 62, the radiation is compared with the case where the projected area of the shield member 60 is smaller than the projected area of the electrical processing unit 62. The shielding effect (EMC effect) of electrical noise generated from the detection panel 54 and the electrical processing unit 62 can be enhanced.

  By the way, for example, when an engineer or the like drops the cassette body 28 during transportation or setting of the cassette 20, the cassette body 28 often falls in a state where the impact relaxation member 34a is directed vertically downward. In this case, the impact on the cassette body 28 is alleviated by the impact relaxation member 34a. However, the possibility of plastic deformation of the corners of the housing 32 cannot be denied depending on the manner of dropping.

  In the present embodiment, the shield member 60 is provided with notches 84, 84, 84, 84 at portions corresponding to the corners of the casing 32 to which the impact relaxation members 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d are attached. Therefore, when the cassette body 28 is dropped, the possibility that the shield member 60 is plastically deformed even if the corner portion of the housing 32 is plastically deformed can be reduced. Moreover, since only the part corresponding to the corner | angular part of the housing | casing 32 is notched, the shielding performance of the electrical noise of the shield member 60 is also securable.

  The present embodiment is not limited to the configuration described above. The cassette may be configured such that the cable portion is detachable from the cassette body. In this case, the cables are arranged so that the first and second external connection cables are directed to the side of the impact mitigating member (impact mitigating member 34b in the case of FIG. 2) located on the far side of the impact mitigating members adjacent to the protective bush. The part may be attached to the cassette body. In other words, the cable portion may be attached to the cassette body so that the direction of the protective bushing of the first embodiment is rotated 180 degrees. Thereby, compared with the first embodiment, the outlets of the first and second external connection cables of the protective bush are oriented in the direction rotated by 180 degrees, so that the first and second external connection cables are connected to the length of the casing. It can be taken out smoothly along the side direction. Therefore, since the cable portion does not bend, the deterioration of the cable portion can be prevented.

  The cassette may be configured such that the cable portion can move between the long side and the short side of the housing. Thereby, even if the direction of the cassette arranged in the cassette arrangement part is rotated by 90 degrees, the cable part does not hit the wall surface of the cassette arrangement part or the like and bend. Therefore, deterioration of the cable part can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a radiographic imaging system to which the cassette according to the second embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  The radiation image capturing system 200 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the cassette and the console. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the cable portion 30 is omitted, and electrical signals are transmitted between the cassette body 128 (cassette 120) and the console 122 by radio waves. Therefore, the console 122 is provided with a console antenna 201 that can transmit and receive wireless signals.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of (three in the figure) hole portions 202 are formed in the back surface portion 144 of the cassette body 128, and each hole portion 202 is capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves. An antenna 204 is provided. As a result, the cassette antenna 204 can function as a diversity antenna that uses an antenna having excellent radio wave conditions, and operation troubles can be avoided even in a communication environment with a lot of noise. A film antenna may be used as the cassette antenna 204. This is because a film antenna can be used for a thin housing.

  The hole 202 in which the cassette antenna 204 is disposed is covered from the outside by a cover 206 made of a material that does not block radio waves. For example, a resin or the like is used as a material that does not interfere with radio waves. Thus, even when the housing 132 is made of a material that is difficult to transmit radio waves, the cover 206 transmits radio waves, so that the cassette antenna 204 can smoothly transmit and receive radio waves. In this case, the influence of the radio interference is reduced as the opening area of the hole 202 (the size of the cover) is increased. However, the second member 138 of the housing 132 may be made of resin so that the cassette antenna 204 can smoothly transmit and receive radio waves.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a battery arrangement hole 210 in which a battery 208 for supplying power is arranged is formed in the back surface portion 144 of the cassette body 128, and the battery 208 is arranged in the battery arrangement hole 210. In this state, it is covered with a battery cover 212. As the battery 208, for example, a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery is used. This is because the cost can be reduced by using a lithium ion battery, and impact resistance can be ensured by using a lithium polymer battery.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of spacers 214 are provided in the gap between the shield member 60 and the electronic circuit board 73. These spacers 214 are made of a non-conductive member such as resin, for example. Thereby, when the shield member 60 elastically deforms, it can prevent that the shield member 60 and the electric processing part 62 contact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shield member 60 from being elastically deformed during photographing and causing a short circuit between the shield member 60 and the electric processing unit 62.

  The present embodiment is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, a plurality of battery placement holes may be formed in the back surface of the cassette body, and a battery may be attached to each battery placement hole. Thereby, the time which can utilize (operate) a cassette main body can be lengthened compared with the form where one battery is used. The battery may be detachable from the battery arrangement hole. Thereby, only the battery can be taken out and charged. Further, the housing may be provided with a display unit that displays the remaining amount of the battery. Thereby, the engineer etc. can charge a battery efficiently with reference to the battery remaining amount displayed on a display part.

  In the radiographic imaging system of the present embodiment, a cradle capable of charging the battery with the cassette body mounted may be installed at a predetermined location such as a hospital or an operating room. Thereby, the battery can be charged smoothly. In addition, by enabling wired communication or wireless communication between the cradle and the console, data transmission / reception between the cassette body and the console may be performed with the cassette body mounted on the cradle.

  Data transmission / reception between the cassette body and the console may be optical wireless communication using infrared rays.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a cassette 320 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the housing 332 of this embodiment includes a first member 336, a second member 338, and a cover member 400. The first member 336 is made of carbon fiber, has an irradiation surface portion 340 to which the radiation 16 transmitted through the subject 12 is irradiated, and the first side surface portion 42 of the first embodiment is omitted. The second member 338 is made of, for example, aluminum or the like, and has a back surface portion 344 that faces the irradiation surface portion 340 and a side surface portion 346 that stands on the periphery of the back surface portion 344.

  The back surface portion 344 and the side surface portion 346 are integrally formed. The back surface portion 344 includes a holding portion 402 that is deformed so as to be pushed out toward the irradiation surface portion 340 in a state where the cassette body 328 is assembled. As can be understood from FIG. 11, the holding portion 402 is formed along the side surface portion 346.

  The cover member 400 is fixed to the outer surface of the side surface portion 346 and is caulked to the outer surface of the irradiation surface portion 340. The cover member 400 is made of stainless steel, for example. Thereby, the first member 336 and the second member 338 can be electrically connected via the cover member 400. The cover member 400 may be formed so as to cover the entire periphery of the irradiation surface portion 340. In this case, dust or the like can be prevented from entering the housing 332 from the outside.

  An intermediate fixing member 404 having a U-shaped cross section and a plurality of spacers 406 provided between the shield member 60 and the electric processing unit 62 are added inside the housing 332, and the middle core of the first embodiment is added. The member 64 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the intermediate fixing member 404 is made of, for example, stainless steel, and two are provided on each side of the shield member 60. The intermediate fixing member 404 is disposed so as to be in contact with the surface located on the irradiation surface portion 340 side of the shield member 60 and the inner surface of the holding portion 402.

  Further, the intermediate fixing member 404 and the holding portion 402 are fixed by a fixing screw 408. A nut 410 inserted into the intermediate fixing member 404 is provided between the irradiation surface portion 340 and the shield member 60 so as to contact the irradiation surface portion 340, and the irradiation surface portion 340, the intermediate fixing member 404, and the shield member 60 are fixed. It is fixed by screws 412. The nut 410 is made of, for example, stainless steel. Thereby, the shield member 60 is held by the housing 332. Therefore, the radiation shielding sheet 56, the heat insulating sheet 58, the electric processing unit 62, and the like are held by the housing 332 through the shield member 60.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, a gap is formed between the radiation detection panel 54 and the radiation shielding sheet 56, but the radiation detection panel 54 and the radiation shielding sheet 56 may be brought into contact with each other.

  As described above, according to the cassette according to the present embodiment, the shield member 60 positioned between the radiation detection panel 54 and the electrical processing unit 62 contacts the second member 338 via the intermediate fixing member 404, and Since it is in contact with the irradiation surface portion 340 via the intermediate fixing member 404 and the nut 410, the radiation detection panel 54 and the electric processing portion 62 receive electrical noises emitted from each other by the shield member 60 and irradiate via the intermediate fixing member 404 and the like. The surface portion 340 and the second member 338 can escape. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the radiation image due to electrical noise.

  The present embodiment is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the shield member may be made of copper. In this case, radiation can be shielded by the shield member, so that the radiation shielding sheet can be omitted. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced, the thickness of the cassette body can be further reduced, and the cassette body can be made lead-free.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms. The casing may be configured by combining a non-conductive member and a conductive member, or may be configured by conducting conductive coating on a non-conductive member or a member having low conductivity. When conducting conductive coating, conductive coating may be applied only to the inner surfaces of the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, and the back surface portion. The conductive coating on the inner surface of the irradiated surface may be made of a material that can transmit radiation, and as the material, electroless nickel or the like can be used. However, it may be determined whether or not the conductive coating on the inner surface of the irradiated surface portion is performed in consideration of the shielding effect of electrical noise and the radiation transparency of the irradiated surface portion.

  The shield member may be configured by laminating a plurality of plates, or may be a conductive sheet or a conductive mesh. For example, a copper mesh is used as the conductive mesh. The shield member may be made of conductive resin, carbon subjected to conductive treatment, or non-conductive resin subjected to conductive treatment. In this case, the elastic limit is higher than that of a shield member made of metal.

  The radiation detection panel may be configured to directly convert the radiation transmitted through the subject into an electrical signal. In this case, the radiation detection panel has a solid detection element made of a substance such as amorphous selenium.

  The electrical processing unit is not limited to an example having a plurality of electronic circuit boards, and may have only one electronic circuit board.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,200 ... Radiation imaging system 12 ... Subject 14 ... Imaging stand 16 ... Radiation 18 ... Radiation source 20, 120, 320 ... Radiation imaging device 22, 122 ... Console 32, 132, 332 ... Housing 40, 340 ... Irradiation Surface part 54 ... Radiation detection panel (conversion part)
60 ... Shield member (conductive member) 62 ... Electric processing part 66 ... Flexible substrate (transmission part) 76 ... Bracket 82 ... Shield finger

Claims (6)

A conversion unit that converts radiation transmitted through the subject into an electrical signal;
A transmission unit for transmitting the electrical signal converted by the conversion unit;
An electrical processing unit for processing electrical signals transmitted by the transmission unit;
A housing that houses the conversion unit, the transmission unit, and the electrical processing unit;
Wherein the electric processing unit is supported with in a state of being positioned between the converter unit and the electric processing unit in contact with the housing, and comprising a conductive member having a low bending stiffness than the bending rigidity of the housing, and
When the conductive member and the electrical processing unit are projected in the radiation direction, the size of the conductive member and the electrical processing unit is such that the projected area of the conductive member is equal to or larger than the projected area of the electrical processing unit. Is set,
Wherein the conductive member, the housing radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim notches at positions corresponding to the corners that you have been formed. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
The housing has an irradiation surface portion irradiated with radiation that has passed through the subject,
The radiographic image capturing apparatus, wherein the conversion unit is attached to the irradiation surface unit. In the radiographic imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The radiographic imaging apparatus, wherein the electrical processing unit and the conductive member are electrically connected. In the radiographic imaging device of any one of Claims 1-3 ,
A gap is formed between the conductive member and the electrical processing unit,
A radiographic imaging apparatus, wherein a non-conductive spacer is provided in the gap. In the radiographic imaging device of any one of Claims 1-4 ,
The radiographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member includes any one of aluminum, magnesium, copper, iron, and stainless steel. In the radiographic imaging device of any one of Claims 1-5 ,
The radiographic image characterized in that the conductive member has a structure of any one of a conductive plate, a conductive sheet, a conductive mesh, and a nonconductive member whose surface is subjected to conductive treatment. Shooting device.

Images