Mobile X-ray imaging equipment

Abstract

A mobile X-ray imaging device includes a heat generating component capable of generating heat and a heat transfer structure. The heat transfer structure connects the heat generating component to the housing of a flat panel detector in a manner capable of achieving heat transfer, and is used to transfer the heat of the heat generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector. The housing of the flat panel detector can be heated when the temperature of the housing is low, thereby improving the comfort of the patient when the flat panel detector is close to the patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to an X-ray photographic device, and in particular to a mobile X-ray photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] Mobile X-ray imaging equipment (DR, Digital Radiography) refers to a technology that directly performs digital X-ray photography under computer control. The usual mobile X-ray imaging equipment includes a body and a flat-panel detector, which plays a decisive role in the image quality. Being familiar with the performance indicators of the detector will help us improve the image quality and reduce the X-ray radiation dose.

[0003] In order to ensure the anti-collision and load-bearing properties of flat-panel detectors, their outer shells are generally made of metal materials. However, usually a part of the flat-panel detector will be exposed outside the fuselage, and the mobile X-ray imaging device needs to be pushed outside the building when used between different floors of the hospital campus. Due to the cold weather in the north in winter, when the mobile X-ray imaging device is used from the outside to the ward, the surface temperature of the flat-panel detector outer shell is relatively low. Because the flat-panel detector needs to be used close to the patient's body, the low surface temperature of its outer shell will increase the discomfort of the patient during the examination. In order to solve this problem, some mobile X-ray imaging devices will use a plastic shell to replace the metal shell of the flat-panel detector to reduce the cold feeling. However, the plastic shell cannot completely solve the problem of the cold shell, and it will also reduce the anti-collision and load-bearing properties of the flat-panel detector. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a mobile X-ray imaging device, which can actively heat a flat-panel detector to improve the comfort of patients.

[0005] In one embodiment, a mobile X-ray imaging device is provided, including a body and a flat-panel detector, wherein the flat-panel detector has a shell and an X-ray conversion module installed in the shell, and the flat-panel detector is installed on the body. The device is characterized in that it also includes a heat-generating component capable of generating heat and a heat transfer structure, wherein the heat transfer structure connects the heat-generating component to the shell of the flat-panel detector in a manner capable of achieving heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heat-generating component to the shell of the flat-panel detector.

[0006] In one embodiment, the mobile X-ray imaging device includes a controller for information processing, and the controller is used as the heat generating component.

[0007] In one embodiment, the mobile X-ray imaging device includes a controller for information processing, and the controller is connected to the heating component to control the heating state of the heating component.

[0008] In one embodiment, the heat generating component is an electronic component capable of converting electrical energy into thermal energy.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mobile X-ray imaging device includes a display for displaying information and a power module, and at least one of the display and the power module is used as the heat generating component.

[0010] In one embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a fan, and the fan blows the heat generated by the heat-generating component toward the housing of the flat panel detector.

[0011] In one embodiment, the fan is mounted on the body, and its air outlet is arranged facing the flat-panel detector. The fan is located below the heating component to blow the heat generated by the heating component toward the flat-panel detector.

[0012] In one embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a closed hot air flow channel, an inlet of the hot air flow channel is connected to a fan, and an outlet of the hot air flow channel is connected to a housing of the flat panel detector for conveying hot air flow.

[0013] In one embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a heat conducting member made of a heat conducting material, and the heat conducting member is respectively connected to the heat generating component and the housing of the flat panel detector to transfer heat.

[0014] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor is further included. The temperature sensor is arranged on the housing of the flat panel detector to detect the temperature of the housing of the flat panel detector. The temperature sensor is connected to a controller. The controller controls the heating state of the housing of the flat panel detector according to information fed back by the temperature sensor.

[0015] In one embodiment, the flat-panel detector further includes a temperature sensor and a bracket made of a thermally conductive material, the housing of the flat-panel detector is connected to the bracket, the X-ray conversion module is mounted on the bracket, the temperature sensor is mounted in the housing to detect the temperature of the X-ray conversion module, the controller is connected to the temperature sensor, and the controller controls the heating state of the housing of the flat-panel detector according to the temperature of the X-ray conversion module.

[0016] In one embodiment, another mobile X-ray imaging device is provided, including a body, a controller for control and information processing, and a flat-panel detector, wherein the flat-panel detector has a housing and an X-ray conversion module, wherein the X-ray conversion module is installed in the housing, and the flat-panel detector is installed on the body, wherein the flat-panel detector further includes a heat-generating component capable of generating heat and a heat transfer structure, wherein the controller is connected to the heat-generating component to control the heating state of the heat-generating component, and the heat transfer structure connects the heat-generating component to the housing of the flat-panel detector in a manner capable of achieving heat transfer, and transfers the heat of the heat-generating component to the housing of the flat-panel detector.

[0017] In one embodiment, the heat generating component is an electronic component capable of converting electrical energy into thermal energy.

[0018] In one embodiment, the flat panel detector includes a power supply for supplying power to each module in the flat panel detector, and the power supply is used as the heat generating component.

[0019] In one embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a fan, and the fan blows the heat generated by the heat-generating component toward the housing of the flat panel detector.

[0020] In one embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a closed hot air flow channel, an inlet of the hot air flow channel is connected to a fan, and an outlet of the hot air flow channel is connected to a housing of the flat panel detector for conveying hot air flow.

[0021] In one embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a heat conducting member made of a heat conducting material, and the heat conducting member is respectively connected to the heat generating component and the housing of the flat panel detector to transfer heat.

[0022] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor is further included. The temperature sensor is arranged on the housing of the flat panel detector to detect the temperature of the housing of the flat panel detector. The temperature sensor is connected to a controller. The controller controls the heating state of the housing of the flat panel detector according to information fed back by the temperature sensor.

[0023] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor is further included. The flat-panel detector has a bracket made of a thermally conductive material. The housing of the flat-panel detector is connected to the bracket. The X-ray conversion module is installed on the bracket. The temperature sensor is installed in the housing to detect the temperature of the X-ray conversion module. The temperature sensor is connected to a controller. The controller controls the heating state of the housing of the flat-panel detector according to the temperature of the X-ray conversion module.

[0024] According to the mobile X-ray imaging device of the above embodiment, it includes a heat generating component capable of generating heat and a heat transfer structure. The heat generating component can be an original functional component (such as a controller, a power module, a display, etc.) in the mobile X-ray imaging device or the flat panel detector, or a heating device specially provided for the flat panel detector. The heat transfer structure connects the heat generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector in a manner capable of achieving heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heat generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector, and can heat the housing of the flat panel detector when the temperature of the housing of the flat panel detector is low, thereby improving the comfort of the patient when the flat panel detector is close to the patient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile X-ray imaging device in one embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flat panel detector in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention is further described in detail below by specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Wherein similar elements in different embodiments adopt associated similar element numbers. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are for making the present application better understood. However, those skilled in the art can easily recognize that some features can be omitted in different situations, or can be replaced by other elements, materials, methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification, this is to avoid the core part of the present application being overwhelmed by too much description, and for those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail, and they can fully understand the related operations according to the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0028] In addition, the features, operations or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any appropriate manner to form various implementations. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can also be interchanged or adjusted in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and the drawings are only for the purpose of clearly describing a certain embodiment and are not meant to be a required sequence, unless otherwise specified that a certain sequence must be followed.

[0029] The serial numbers of the components in this document, such as "first", "second", etc., are only used to distinguish the objects described and do not have any order or technical meaning. The "connection" and "coupling" mentioned in this application, unless otherwise specified, include direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0030] In one embodiment of the present application, a mobile X-ray imaging device is provided, which is a mobile device that directly performs digital X-ray photography under computer control.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 The mobile X-ray imaging device 100 includes a body 110, a flat panel detector 120, a heat generating component 130 and a heat transfer structure 140. Of course, the mobile X-ray imaging device 100 may also include other functional components, and the components related to the improvements of the present application are mainly described here.

[0032] The body 110 serves as a mounting support structure for various components. The flat panel detector 120, the heat generating component 130 and the heat transfer structure 140 can be disposed on the body 110 or connected thereto as a whole. Figure 2 The flat panel detector 120 has a housing 121. The housing 121 can be equipped with various functional modules and corresponding power supplies. The flat panel detector 120 is mounted on the body 110. The heating component 130 can generate heat, and it can be a component that converts electrical energy into thermal energy. For example, the heating component 130 is an electronic component that can convert electrical energy into thermal energy. Of course, the heating component 130 can also generate heat in other ways, such as emitting heat through chemical reactions.

[0033] The heat transfer structure 140 connects the heat generating component 130 and the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 in a manner that enables heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heat generating component 130 to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120. The heat transfer manner includes heat convection, heat conduction, and heat radiation, for example, heat is transferred to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 by means of a fan, a heat conducting structure, etc. The mobile X-ray imaging device 100 can heat the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 when the temperature is low, thereby improving the comfort of the patient when the flat panel detector 120 is close to the patient.

[0034] The heating component 130 may be one or more existing functional components (such as a controller, a power module, a display, etc.) in the mobile X-ray imaging device 100, or may be a heating device specially provided for the flat panel detector 120, such as a heating resistor. Figure 1The mobile X-ray imaging device 100 includes a controller for control and information processing, such as an industrial computer, which has a central processing unit (CPU), a memory and other units, and completes tasks such as receiving and sending instructions and data processing. In one embodiment, the controller can be connected to the heating component 130 to control the heating state of the heating component 130 to heat the flat panel detector 120. In other embodiments, since the controller will emit a large amount of heat when working, the controller can be directly used as the heating component 130, and the heat transfer structure 140 connects the controller to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 in a way that can achieve heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heating component 130 to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120.

[0035] In addition, in some other embodiments, the mobile X-ray imaging device 100 further includes a display for displaying information and a power module, etc. The display and the power module also generate heat when working, so at least one of these components can be used as a heat generating component 130.

[0036] Further, in one embodiment, the heat transfer structure 140 includes a fan, which blows the heat generated by the heat generating component 130 toward the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120. The fan can be installed on the body 110, and its air outlet is arranged facing the flat panel detector 120. The fan can be located below the heat generating component 130 (such as a controller) or at other locations to blow the heat generated by the heat generating component 130 toward the flat panel detector 120. The fan can use the closed space inside the body 110 to blow the hot air directly onto the flat panel detector 120.

[0037] Of course, the fan can also be set in other positions, as long as it is guaranteed that the heat of the heat-generating component 130 can be blown onto the flat-panel detector 120. For example, in one embodiment, the heat transfer structure 140 includes a closed hot air flow channel. The inlet of the hot air flow channel is connected to the air outlet of the fan, and the outlet of the hot air flow channel is connected to the housing 121 of the flat-panel detector 120 to transport the hot air flow. The hot air flow channel can play the function of centralized heat transfer to prevent hot air from flowing to other positions and causing losses. When a hot air flow channel is set, there are more options for the position of the fan, and the air outlet of the fan may not be directly facing the flat-panel detector 120.

[0038] In some other embodiments, the heat transfer structure 140 includes a heat conducting member made of a heat conducting material, which is respectively connected to the heat generating component 130 and the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 to transfer heat. The heat conducting material can be a common or uncommon heat conducting material such as a heat conducting metal. The heat conducting member can be a common or uncommon heat conducting structure such as a heat conducting pipe.

[0039] Further, in order to more accurately control the temperature of the flat panel detector 120, please refer to Figure 2 In one embodiment, a temperature sensor 150 is further included. The temperature sensor 150 is disposed on the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 to detect the temperature of the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120. At this time, the temperature sensor 150 may be located outside the housing 121 or inside the housing 121. The temperature sensor 150 is connected to a controller, and the controller controls the heating state (including heating or stopping heating) of the housing 121 according to the information fed back by the temperature sensor 150. The temperature sensor 150 feeds back the measured temperature information to the controller, and the controller controls the heating component 130 to continue heating or stop heating according to preset conditions (such as an upper temperature limit). In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 150 directly detects the temperature of the flat panel detector 120, which is conducive to more accurate control of the temperature of the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120.

[0040] The controller's control over heating includes controlling the working state (on and off) of the heat-generating component 130 and controlling the heat transfer state of the heat transfer structure 140 (for example, controlling the rotation and stop of the fan, or the closing and disconnection of the heat conductor; when the heat conductor is closed, heat can be smoothly conducted, and when the heat conductor is disconnected, heat conduction stops).

[0041] In another embodiment, the flat panel detector 120 has a housing 121, an X-ray conversion module (TFT module), a temperature sensor 150, and a bracket made of a thermally conductive material. That is, the temperature sensor 150 is a component inside the flat panel detector 120. The X-ray conversion module and the bracket are not shown in the figure. The housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 is connected to the bracket, and the X-ray conversion module is installed on the bracket, so that the temperature of the housing 121 can be transferred to the X-ray conversion module, so that the temperature of the X-ray conversion module has a corresponding relationship with the temperature of the housing 121. For example, if the temperature of the housing 121 increases, it will also cause the temperature of the X-ray conversion module, but the change values ​​of the two may be different.

[0042] The temperature sensor 150 is used to detect the temperature of the X-ray conversion module. The controller is connected to the temperature sensor 150, and the controller controls the heating state of the housing 121 according to the temperature of the X-ray conversion module. Since the X-ray conversion module itself also needs a temperature sensor 150 for temperature control, this embodiment can use a temperature sensor 150 to simultaneously control the temperature of the X-ray conversion module and the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120, further simplifying the structure and saving costs.

[0043] On the other hand, another mobile X-ray imaging device 100 is provided in one embodiment of the present application. The mobile X-ray imaging device 100 includes a body 110, a controller (such as an industrial computer) for control and information processing, and a flat panel detector 120. The flat panel detector 120 has a housing 121, a heat generating component 130 capable of generating heat, a heat transfer structure 140, and other related components, which are not described in detail herein.

[0044] The controller is connected to the heating component 130 to control the heating state of the heating component 130. The heat transfer structure 140 connects the heating component 130 to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 in a heat transfer manner to transfer the heat of the heating component 130 to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120.

[0045] Likewise, the heating component 130 may be a component that converts electrical energy into thermal energy. For example, the heating component 130 is an electronic component that can convert electrical energy into thermal energy. Of course, the heating component 130 may also generate heat in other ways, such as by chemical reactions.

[0046] The heating component 130 may be one or more original functional components in the flat panel detector 120. For example, the flat panel detector 120 includes a power supply for supplying power to corresponding modules in the flat panel detector 120, and the power supply may be used as the heating component 130. The flat panel detector 120 increases the power consumption of the power supply device by spontaneously and continuously reading and refreshing image data, thereby increasing the temperature. Of course, the heating component 130 may also be a heating device specially provided for the flat panel detector 120, such as a heating resistor or other components.

[0047] The heat transfer structure 140 connects the heat generating component 130 and the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 in a manner that enables heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heat generating component 130 to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120. The heat transfer manner includes heat convection, heat conduction, and heat radiation, for example, heat is transferred to the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 by means of a fan, a heat conducting structure, etc. Specifically, the heat transfer structure 140 can adopt the structures shown in the above-mentioned embodiments and other variations.

[0048] Furthermore, in order to more accurately control the temperature of the flat panel detector 120, a temperature sensor 150 for detecting the temperature may be provided. The temperature sensor 150 may be provided as shown in the above-mentioned embodiment. The temperature sensor 150 may be provided on the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 to directly detect the temperature of the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120. Alternatively, in the case where the temperature control accuracy of the housing 121 is not required to be high, the temperature sensor 150 may also be provided on a component that has a temperature variation relationship with the housing 121, such as the above-mentioned X-ray conversion module, and then the temperature of the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 may be inferred or predicted by detecting the temperature variation of these components, so as to control the heating of the housing 121 of the flat panel detector 120 based on the inferred or predicted result.

[0049] The above specific examples are used to illustrate the present invention, which is only used to help understand the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, according to the concept of the present invention, some simple deductions, modifications or substitutions can be made.

Claims

1. A mobile X-ray imaging device, comprising a body and a flat panel detector, wherein the flat panel detector has a housing and an X-ray conversion module installed in the housing, characterized in that: The flat panel detector also includes a heat-generating component capable of generating heat and a heat transfer structure; the heat-generating component is one or more functional components located in the housing, or the heat-generating component is a heating device; the heat transfer structure connects the heat-generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector in a manner capable of achieving heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heat-generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector.

2. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat generating component is an electronic component capable of converting electrical energy into thermal energy.

3. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flat panel detector includes a power supply for supplying power to each module in the flat panel detector, and the power supply is used as the heat generating component.

4. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat transfer structure includes a fan, and the fan blows the heat generated by the heat-generating component toward the housing of the flat panel detector.

5. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The heat transfer structure comprises a closed hot air flow channel, the inlet of the hot air flow channel is communicated with a fan, and the outlet of the hot air flow channel is communicated with a housing of the flat panel detector for conveying hot air flow.

6. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat transfer structure comprises a heat conducting member made of a heat conducting material, and the heat conducting member is respectively connected to the heat generating component and the housing of the flat panel detector to transfer heat.

7. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A temperature sensor is also included. The temperature sensor is arranged on the housing of the flat panel detector and is used to detect the temperature of the housing of the flat panel detector.

8. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The flat panel detector also includes a temperature sensor and a bracket made of heat conductive material. The housing of the flat panel detector is connected to the bracket. The X-ray conversion module is installed on the bracket. The temperature sensor is installed in the housing to detect the temperature of the X-ray conversion module.

9. A mobile X-ray imaging device, comprising a body, a controller for control and information processing, and a flat panel detector, the flat panel detector having a housing and an X-ray conversion module, the X-ray conversion module being installed in the housing, characterized in that: The flat panel detector further includes a heat generating component capable of generating heat and a heat transfer structure; the heat generating component is one or more functional components located in the housing, or the heat generating component is a heating device; the controller is connected to the heat generating component to control the heating state of the heat generating component; the heat transfer structure connects the heat generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector in a manner capable of achieving heat transfer, so as to transfer the heat of the heat generating component to the housing of the flat panel detector.

10. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heat generating component is an electronic component capable of converting electrical energy into thermal energy.

11. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The flat panel detector includes a power supply for supplying power to each module in the flat panel detector, and the power supply is used as the heat generating component.

12. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heat transfer structure includes a fan, and the fan blows the heat generated by the heat-generating component toward the housing of the flat panel detector.

13. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The heat transfer structure comprises a closed hot air flow channel, the inlet of the hot air flow channel is communicated with a fan, and the outlet of the hot air flow channel is communicated with a housing of the flat panel detector for conveying hot air flow.

14. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heat transfer structure comprises a heat conducting member made of a heat conducting material, and the heat conducting member is respectively connected to the heat generating component and the housing of the flat panel detector to transfer heat.

15. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature sensor, which is arranged on the housing of the flat panel detector to detect the temperature of the housing of the flat panel detector; the temperature sensor is connected to a controller, and the controller controls the heating state of the housing of the flat panel detector according to information fed back by the temperature sensor.

16. The mobile X-ray imaging device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature sensor. The flat-panel detector has a bracket made of heat-conducting material. The outer shell of the flat-panel detector is connected to the bracket. The X-ray conversion module is installed on the bracket. The temperature sensor is installed in the outer shell to detect the temperature of the X-ray conversion module. The temperature sensor is connected to a controller. The controller controls the heating state of the outer shell of the flat-panel detector according to the temperature of the X-ray conversion module.

Images