JPH0348188A - Autoradiography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cut release in an adjacent direction by interposing a collimator for preventing the spreading of a radiation between scintillation fibers when a sheet-shaped array is one layer to receive the radiation with a corresponding fiber alone. CONSTITUTION:Numerous scintillation fibers 1 are arranged in a sheet with a slight clearance and a photodetector is connected to one or both ends of each fiber 1 to form a sheet-shaped array. The fibers thus obtained are fitted separately into grooves 7 of a metal plate 6 made of stainless steel or the like and collimators 8 each comprising with a cross-section acute are interposed between the fibers 1. Thus, radiation is received by a corresponding fiber 1 and release thereof is cut in an adjacent direction, thereby enabling detection of a distribution of a low-level radiation at a high efficiency and with a low noise without blurring.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Industrial Application Field" The present invention relates to an autoradiography device for obtaining positional data by flashing two or more scintillation fibers by scattering radiation (mainly β rays). be.

``Prior Art'' Autoradiography devices have been conventionally used as means for measuring the distribution of isotope standard compounds separated by electrophoresis and the distribution of isotope standard compounds in biological tissue sections. Such methods are known.

(1) A method in which the film is directly exposed to β-rays, etc.

(2) Multi-wire gas chamber method.

(3) A method using a phosphor and an imaging device.

The film exposure method takes a long time to obtain results because the film is not sensitive enough to capture low-level radiation, and it also fails because it is not possible to monitor the data collection status during the measurement. The problem was that there were many cases.

The multi-wire gas chamber method is difficult to use because it requires gas to flow, there is a lot of absorption loss of low-energy β-rays in the gas filling window, and the range in the gas is limited for high-energy β-rays. There were problems such as deterioration of resolution.

Methods using phosphors and imaging devices have the problem of large background noise such as photoelectric noise, making low-level measurements difficult.

However, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6O-L59675, it is known that a large number of wrench 1-nosion fibers are arranged in a sheet shape. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a large number of scintillation fibers (1) are arranged in a sheet, and a photodetector (2) is installed for each scintillation fiber (1) or for each plurality of scintillation fibers (1). An example in which a one-dimensional detector is constructed by combining them is disclosed.6 Also, as shown in FIG.
A two-dimensional detector in which the detectors (□) are arranged in two directions has also been disclosed.

"Problem to be Solved by the Invention" However, when the diameter of the scintillation fiber (1) is large, or when there is a gap (S) between the sheet-like array (31) and the subject (5) of a certain extent as shown in Fig. 4. At certain times, such as when the energy of the β-rays is high, there is a problem that blurring occurs due to spatial expansion during detection.

In addition, when there are two layers, upper and lower, as shown in Figure 6, the upper layer (3□) on the incident side is used to detect the passage of radiation.
There was a problem that detection in the lower layer (32) was insufficient and inefficient.

"Means for Solving the Problem" The present invention arranges a large number of scintillation fibers into a sheet-like array to form a sheet-like array, and detects radiation with a photodetector at the end of the scintillation fibers of this sheet-like array. In an apparatus for obtaining radiation emission position data, if the sheet-like array has one layer, a collimator for preventing the radiation from spreading is interposed between each of the scintillation fibers. In addition, in the case of two layers, the sheet-like array on the opposite side to the radiation incidence side is constructed with a scintillation fiber having a diameter larger than that on the radiation incidence side, and the sheet-like array on the opposite side to the radiation incidence side A collimator for preventing the spread of radiation is interposed between each scintillation fiber to further improve efficiency.

"Operation" The sheet-like array is overlapped with the radiation emitter so as to be in substantially close contact with it. Radiation (for example, β rays) emitted from the radiation emitter is received by one of the many scintillation fibers, and flashing light is generated inside the fiber. At this time, a collimator is interposed for each thinning fiber, so that only the corresponding fiber receives radiation, and radiation to adjacent fibers is blocked. The flash light inside the fiber is divided into left and right sides at a ratio of approximately 1:1, and is output from both ends of the scintillation fiber. It is detected as an electrical signal when counted simultaneously between a pair of photodetectors at both ends. When two layers are polymerized, the radiation emitted from the radiation emitter (for example, β rays) is first detected by the radiation emitter side. It is received by one of the thinner fibers in the layer and generates a flash of light inside it. At the same time, scintillation fibers in other layers also generate flashing light due to scattering by the same radiation. At this time, since the wire diameter on the side opposite to the radiation incident side is thick, it efficiently receives radiation and generates flashing light. blur) - blurring is prevented by providing a background.

"Example" Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

In FIG. 1, (1) has a diameter φ of 0.1 mm to 1.
With a scintillation fiber (1) of about Om+++,
A large number of scintillation fibers (1) are arranged in a sheet shape with a slight gap (about d = +φ1 to φ1), and each scintillation fiber (1) is provided with a light beam at the -end or both ends as shown in Figure 5. Detector (2) (2)
, and are combined to form a sheet-like array (3). These scintillation fibers (1)...
Each fiber is fitted into a groove (7) in a metal plate (6) made of stainless steel or the like, and a collimator (8) consisting of a barrier with an acute cross section is interposed between the fibers (1).

In this way, the radiation is received only by the corresponding scintillation fiber (1), and emission in adjacent directions is blocked.

Figure 2 shows the case where the first sheet-like array (3□) and the second sheet-like array (3□) are superposed, and in this case, the opposite layer (3,) on the radiation incident side is A collimator (8) similar to that in Figure 1 is interposed.

Figure 3 is 1. Second sheet-like array (3,) (32)
In the case where the second sheet-like array (,3
□) Diameter (φ2) of scintillation fiber (1)
is larger than the diameter (φ1) of that used for the first sheet-like array (3□). As a result, the lower layer (3,)
It detects radiation with sufficient efficiency and generates a flash of light.

"Effects of the Invention" Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

(1) One-dimensional or two-dimensional distribution of low-level radiation, especially β-rays, can be detected without blurring, with high efficiency, and with low noise.

(2) In the case of a collimator or 52 layers, the wire diameter is simply increased, so it is inexpensive.

(3) Data can be monitored in real time during data collection.

(4) Scintillation fibers have a large degree of freedom in terms of bending dimensions and can be freely designed in terms of field of view and resolution.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which the sheet-like array has one layer, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention in which the sheet-like array has two layers. FIG. 3 is an end view of still another embodiment of the present invention in which the sheet-like array has two layers, FIG. 4 is an end view of the conventional example, FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another conventional example. (1) ... Scintillation fiber, (2,) (2
,)...Photodetector, (3,)(3□)...Sheet array, (5)・Subject, (6)...Metal plate, (7)
...Groove, (8)...Collimator.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A large number of scintillation fibers are arranged in a sheet to form a sheet-like array, and radiation emission position data is obtained by detecting radiation with a photodetector at the end of the scintillation fiber in this sheet-like array. An autoradiography apparatus characterized in that a collimator for preventing the spread of radiation is interposed between each of the scintillation fibers. (2) The autoradiography apparatus according to claim (1), wherein the collimator comprises a barrier protruding from one side of a metal plate, and each scintillation fiber is fitted into a groove between these barriers. (3) Claim (1) wherein the sheet-like array has two layers, upper and lower, with a collimator interposed in the layer on the opposite side to the radiation incident side.
Or the autoradiography device according to (2). (4) A sheet-like array in which a large number of scintillation fibers are arranged in a sheet-like manner and a photodetector is coupled to at least one end of the scintillation fibers is superposed in two layers, the opposite side being on the radiation incident side. The side sheet-like array has a scintillation fiber wire diameter,
An autoradiography device characterized in that the device is made of a material that is thicker than the radiation incident side. (5) The autoradiography apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheet-like array on the side opposite to the radiation incident side has a collimator interposed between each scintillation fiber for preventing the spread of radiation.