Radiation cassette with shock absorber

Abstract

The invention relates to a cassette with shock absorber. The three-dimensional part (30, 40) according to the invention is intended to cooperate with a single-piece base (12) comprising a first main face (13) and a second main face (14), the base being delimited by four lateral faces (15, 16, 17, 18) and being able to support a digital detector (11) on the first main face (13) and to support an electronic circuit board; a mechanical protection casing (20), the base (12), the digital detector (11) and the electronic circuit board (19) being intended to be arranged in the mechanical protection casing (20), the casing comprising four lateral faces (25, 26, 27, 28), a top face (23) and a bottom face (24). The three-dimensional part (30, 40) comprises a bottom (31) connected to the base (12) and at least partially surrounding the lateral faces (15, 16, 17, 18) of the base (12) and a top (32) extending from the first main face (13) of the base (12) to the top face (23) of the casing (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of imaging. The invention can be applied to any type of imager, particularly X-ray imagers, visible light imagers, and infrared imagers. The invention is explained herein by way of example in the field of X-ray medical imaging, but its application to other imaging fields is not excluded. This invention also relates to a portable radiation cassette with a shock absorber that enhances the protection of the cassette against drops, impacts from external objects, localized or distributed pressure, and any stress. Background Technology

[0002] The box includes a digital detector for ionizing radiation, which enables the provision of an image as a function of the received radiation. The radiation system also includes: an ionizing radiation source, such as an X-ray tube, which enables the radiation system to generate X-ray radiation; and a base station including an information processing system, which enables synchronization of the X-ray tube and the detector, and also enables image processing operations to be performed, such as showing the operator that all inherent defects of the detector have been corrected and enhancing the image, for example, by highlighting the contours of the image. The object for which an X-ray image is to be obtained is placed between the ionizing radiation source and the detector. Such a system can be used in many applications, such as medical radiological and non-destructive testing. The invention can also be implemented for other types of radiation to be detected, especially gamma radiation.

[0003] In the past, radiology systems, including digital sensors or image intensifier tubes, were bulky and quite difficult to move. Objects had to be positioned relative to the system to obtain the desired image. With the advent of new-generation solid-state detectors, detectors have become less bulky, making it possible to move them relative to stationary objects. In medical radiology, digital detectors are now used in the form of movable boxes that can be placed close to the patient who needs the image when their health condition prevents them from moving to a dedicated radiology room. These detectors now have similar geometry to older analog sensors of the box or electroluminescent screen type. However, they are still mechanically more fragile than older analog sensors and are particularly sensitive to the risk of breakage of internal components if dropped or subjected to severe impact.

[0004] The mobile housing essentially comprises a digital ionizing radiation detector in the form of a flat panel and an electronic circuit board specifically responsible for driving the detector. The detector and circuit board are housed in a housing that ensures their mechanical protection.

[0005] The cartridges used in portable systems undergo more handling than those in fixed radiation systems, thus requiring enhanced mechanical protection, particularly regarding the impacts the cartridges may experience during movement. More specifically, digital detectors typically consist of photosensitive components arranged in a matrix on a glass plate that forms the most fragile element of the cartridge. Besides impacts that can damage this plate, it is also sensitive to deformation, especially deformation caused by torsion or deflection.

[0006] Therefore, portable cases must balance extreme resistance to external impacts with reduced weight and size. In reality, these cases are likely to be exposed to drops, impacts from external objects, localized or distributed pressure, and bending stresses when the patient's weight is applied to the unevenly supported detector during their handling and throughout their lifespan. For this reason, the detector's mechanical structure must provide maximum protection for the fragile components that house the digital detector and electronic circuit boards.

[0007] Impacts, vibrations, or mechanical clearances within the housing can cause degradation due to these mechanical stresses. This degradation can lead to damage to the active components of the detector (the photodiode matrix on the glass substrate, possibly encapsulated by a glass cover over phosphor material), breakage or damage to the circuit boards or components mounted on them, separation or disconnection of connectors or flexible ribbon cables designed to electrically connect various sub-components, and ultimately, interference with the radiographic image caused by vibrations of the flexible connectors (so-called flexible modules) that ensure electrical contact between the photodiode matrix and the circuit board. This degradation can occur immediately during periods of mechanical stress and result in transient failures. It can also originate from friction mechanisms associated with friction or repeated minor disturbances throughout the product's lifespan.

[0008] Several solutions have been implemented to protect the sensitive parts of the box. The first solution involves adding a layer integrated into the outer protective film. This solution does not protect the panel from external impacts caused by internal movement (if dropped) and tends to increase the product's volume, as the product size is constrained by the need to meet the three-dimensional standards of radiation devices.

[0009] Another solution is to add local supports to the edge of the base. This solution does not protect the module (flexible connector) from the risk of vibration or tearing. Furthermore, due to the small size of these supports (the volume is constrained by the standardized dimensions of the detector), the absorption capacity is very limited.

[0010] Finally, reducing mechanical clearance is also known. However, to date, there is no simple solution for reducing mechanical clearance other than tightening the dimensional tolerances of all parts, which has an impact on the cost of these components (even if feasible, the assembly of these parts is very difficult).

[0011] All of these solutions offer only partial protection against limited mechanical stress groups (impact, vibration) and are not entirely satisfactory.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a portable radiation box 100 known in the prior art. Traditionally, a portable radiation box 100 includes:

[0013] - A digital detector 111 for ionizing radiation, which takes the form of a flat plate extending in a plane (XY);

[0014] - Base 112, which includes a first main surface 113 and a second main surface 114 opposite to the first main surface 113. The base 112 is defined by four sides 115, 116 (not shown because they are not visible in the sectional view), 117, and 118. The base 112 supports the digital detector 111 on the first main surface 113.

[0015] - Electronic circuit board 119, which handles the management of digital detector 111;

[0016] - A mechanical protective housing 120, a base 112, a digital detector 111 and an electronic circuit board 119 are arranged in the housing 120, which includes four sides, a top surface 123 and a bottom surface 124.

[0017] The prior art portable radiation cassette 100 also includes two elements 107 positioned within a housing 120, each element 107 placed against the side of the housing and base. The two elements 107 act as buffers against lateral impacts, that is, impacts in a plane parallel to the base (parallel to plane (XY)). A foam layer 130 is superimposed perpendicularly to the plane (XY) on the digital detector on the Z-axis and positioned between the digital detector 111 and the top surface 123 of the housing to insulate or isolate the detector from impacts on the Z-axis. In other words, in prior art radiation cassettes, lateral impact isolation elements and additional protective layers are necessary to absorb impacts on the Z-axis in order to insulate or isolate the digital detector and other fragile components of the cassette.

[0018] The purpose is to install shock-absorbing damping elements 107 on the housing, and then place the panel (base and digital detector assembly) on the housing. This arrangement does not control the stress transfer interface between the damping elements and the panel. The damping elements are only effective under stress at the edges of the detector and can therefore be considered as two-dimensional protection. Impacts on the front are absorbed only by the foam layer, which provides very little filtering of shocks and vibrations, and it transmits them directly to the panel without passing through the damping elements. Such a prior art radiation box 100 is specifically described in document US7989773B2. Summary of the Invention

[0019] The object of this invention is to overcome all or part of the problems cited above by providing a portable radiation cartridge with a shock absorber that allows the radiation cartridge to be protected from accidental or repeated mechanical stresses that can cause irreversible degradation or affect the performance of the product when used in disturbed environments. This invention enhances the inherent mechanical robustness of the cartridge in the event of a detector drop or severe impact by ensuring protection of the internal active portion of the detector integrated into the outer housing, enhances protection of sensitive components during image acquisition (image acquisition under given vibration conditions can result in image defects), and reduces internal mechanical clearance between the housing and the components formed by the base and digital detector.

[0020] Therefore, the subject of this invention is a portable radiation box, which includes:

[0021] - A digital detector for ionizing radiation in the form of a flat panel;

[0022] - A one-piece base, the one-piece base including a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the base being defined by four sides, the base supporting the digital detector on the first main surface;

[0023] - An electronic circuit board for managing the digital detector;

[0024] - A mechanical protective housing, wherein the base, the digital detector, and the electronic circuit board are arranged in the mechanical protective housing, and the housing includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and four sides;

[0025] The portable radiation box includes at least one three-dimensional component, each of the at least one three-dimensional component being associated with at least one of the four sides of the base, and each three-dimensional component comprising:

[0026] - The bottom, which is connected to the base and at least partially surrounds the at least one side of the base associated with the three-dimensional component;

[0027] - Top, the top extending from the first main surface of the base to the top surface of the housing;

[0028] The portable radiation box includes a flexible circuit, and the bottom of at least one of the three-dimensional components includes at least one recess intended to receive the flexible circuit; the top of at least one of the three-dimensional components includes at least one hole located on an axis substantially perpendicular to the side of the base and the at least one of the components.

[0029] The portable radiation box includes a comb-like component, the comb-like component including branches extending substantially parallel to the first main surface of the base and contacting the bottom of the at least one of the bases, the branches being provided with at least one tooth extending substantially at right angles to the branches, the at least one tooth being configured to cooperate with the at least one of the bases to fix the branches against the flexible circuitry.

[0030] Advantageously, the bottom of at least one of the three-dimensional components partially surrounds the side of the side of the base associated with the three-dimensional component.

[0031] Advantageously, the at least one tooth is inserted into a hole at the top of the at least one and is configured to prevent the comb from translating in a plane substantially parallel to the base.

[0032] Advantageously, the top of at least one of the three-dimensional components terminates in a manner that complements the top surface of the housing.

[0033] Advantageously, the at least one three-dimensional component is made of an elastomer, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide, and / or polyester.

[0034] Advantageously, the bottom of the at least one three-dimensional component is glued to the base.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a three-dimensional component designed to cooperate with the following components:

[0036] - A one-piece base, the one-piece base including a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the base being defined by four sides, the base being able to support the digital detector on the first main surface and being able to support the electronic circuit board;

[0037] - A mechanical protective housing, wherein the base, the digital detector, and the electronic circuit board are intended to be arranged within the mechanical protective housing, the housing comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and four sides;

[0038] The three-dimensional component includes:

[0039] - The bottom, which is connected to the base and at least partially surrounds the side of the base;

[0040] - Top, the top extending from the first main surface of the base to the top surface of the housing;

[0041] The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture a three-dimensional part according to the present invention.

[0042] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional part according to the invention by additive manufacturing, the method comprising: obtaining an electronic file representing the geometry of a product, wherein the product is the three-dimensional part; and controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product according to the geometry specified in the electronic file in one or more additive manufacturing steps. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The invention will be better understood by reading the detailed description of the embodiments given as examples, and other advantages will emerge, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art radiation box;

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the radiation box according to the invention;

[0046] Figure 3 A schematic view of a portion of the portable digital box according to the invention without a casing;

[0047] Figure 4 Schematic representation in Figure 3 An enlarged view of the portable digital box according to the invention without a casing, presented in the figure;

[0048] Figure 5 This represents the three-dimensional components of a portable digital box according to the present invention;

[0049] Figure 6 A schematic view of another embodiment of the portable digital box according to the invention without a casing;

[0050] Figure 7 Schematic representation in Figure 6 An enlarged view of the portable digital box according to the invention without a casing, presented in the figure;

[0051] Figure 8The steps of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional part according to the invention by additive manufacturing are illustrated schematically.

[0052] For clarity, scale is not observed in these figures. Furthermore, the same elements will have the same reference numerals in each figure. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art radiation box 100, which has been described in the background art, is shown.

[0054] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a radiation box 10 according to the invention is shown. The portable radiation box 10 includes a digital detector 11 for ionizing radiation in the form of a flat plate. The box 10 includes a one-piece base 12 comprising a first main surface 13 and a second main surface 14 opposite to the first main surface 13, the base 12 being defined by four sides 15, 16, 17, 18 (side 16 being a rear side not visible in this cross-sectional view, and side 18 being a front side not visible in this cross-sectional view), the base 12 supporting the digital detector 11 on the first main surface 13. The base extends in a plane (XY). Thus, the digital detector is superimposed on the Z-axis at right angles to the plane (XY) on the base 12. The box 10 also includes at least one electronic circuit board 19 ensuring the processing of the digital detector 11. The electronic circuit board 19 is typically positioned on the second main surface 14 of the base, but it may also be positioned on the first main surface 13 or in another location within the box 10. Finally, the box 10 includes a mechanical protective housing 20 in which a base 12, a digital detector 11, and an electronic circuit board 19 are arranged. The housing 20 includes four sides 25, 26, 27, 28 (side 26 being a rear side not visible in this cross-sectional view, and side 28 being a front side not visible in this cross-sectional view), a top surface 23, and a bottom surface 24. According to the invention, the portable radiation box 10 includes at least one three-dimensional component 30 (several three-dimensional components will be considered hereinafter by way of example and in a non-limiting manner), each of the three-dimensional components 30 being associated with one of the four sides 15, 16, 17, 18 of the base 12. Each three-dimensional component 30 includes a bottom 31 that is attached to the base 12 and at least partially surrounds the side 15, 16, 17, 18 of the base 12 associated with the three-dimensional component 30. As detailed below, the bottom 31 attached to the base 12 may at least partially surround at least one side of the base 12 associated with the three-dimensional component 30. It may, for example, surround two of them. Each three-dimensional component 30 includes a top portion 32 extending from the first main surface 13 of the base 12 to the top surface 23 of the housing 20.

[0055] Three-dimensional components can be connected to a three-dimensional shock absorber in three dimensions: X, Y, and Z.

[0056] The three-dimensional component 30 may be made of elastomer, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide and / or polyester or any other material with similar mechanical properties.

[0057] The three-dimensional components ensure the absorption of forces in three directions between the panel (the assembly formed by the base 12 and the digital detector 11) and the housing 20. If the detector falls, the three-dimensional components allow for the filtering out of acceleration transmitted to the X-ray imaging technology (panel).

[0058] The three-dimensional components are designed to create heightwise wedging along the Z-axis between modules. This prevents the transmission of external vibrations to the modules. This filters out vibration transmission reaching the modules and allows for a significant reduction in so-called "micro-sound" defects.

[0059] Furthermore, the properties of the material, preferably but not limited to an elastomer, used also allow for limiting the internal clearance between the panel and the housing. This results in limiting internal movement that could become sources of defects (especially electrical separation and wear) during product use.

[0060] The use of three-dimensional components ensures more accurate positioning of the detection element relative to the external marker.

[0061] The choice of materials for these components allows for the consideration of injection molding, and thus enables the production of these components at low production costs. Other manufacturing methods, such as additive manufacturing as described below, can also be considered.

[0062] The three-dimensional component is used to wed into the base relative to the housing in the XY plane and the Z-axis in the height direction. This single component allows for isolation from impacts along the three axes (X, Y, and Z). The resulting advantage is excellent mechanical robustness even in the event of a cartridge drop, vibrations during image acquisition, or sudden handling by the user. The three-dimensional component ensures protection against accidental or repeated mechanical stresses that can cause irreversible degradation or affect the product's performance when used in disturbed environments. Furthermore, the three-dimensional component does not significantly increase the cost of the detector.

[0063] The internal active components of the digital detector consist of fragile parts that can break if the casing is dropped or subjected to a severe impact. The active core of the casing (panel + electronic circuit board) can undergo significant deformation under the influence of shock waves generated by a drop or a severe lateral impact on the outer casing.

[0064] However, flexible or elastic retainers are needed to ensure the positioning of the sensitive image area relative to the product's external mechanical reference.

[0065] These flat digital detectors are also sensitive to mechanical disturbances (shock, vibration) from the external environment during their routine use. While they do not damage the product, these mechanical disturbances can produce visible artifacts in radiographic images, most commonly in the form of dark lines that appear in the image and significantly degrade image quality.

[0066] Therefore, the present invention can avoid damage to the internal active components when the product is dropped (the drop height is typically from 80cm to 120cm) and avoid interference in the image.

[0067] In one embodiment (in Figure 2 (See right side) The bottom 31, connected to the base 12, extends from the second main surface 14 of the base 12 to the first main surface 13 of the base and contacts the side of the housing 20 facing thereto. In this embodiment, the bottom 31 holds a portion of the base 12, or a portion of the base 12 holds the bottom 31.

[0068] In another embodiment (in) Figure 2 (See left side) The bottom 31, connected to the base 12, extends from the side of the base 12 to the first main surface 13 of the base and contacts the opposite side 20. In this embodiment, the bottom 31 clamps a portion of the base 12.

[0069] The three-dimensional component according to the invention can also take other forms, such as a bracket, wherein the bottom is connected to a base.

[0070] The bottom 31 of the three-dimensional component 30 is preferably glued to the base 12. It can also be clamped or secured to the base by any other suitable fastening device.

[0071] Figure 3 A schematic view of a portion of the portable digital box 10 according to the invention without the mechanical protective housing 20.

[0072] The radiation box 10 may include a first three-dimensional component 30 and / or a second three-dimensional component 40. The first three-dimensional component 30 and the second three-dimensional component 40 include a bottom 31 and a top 32. The first three-dimensional component 30 has its top 32 extending from its bottom 31 to a certain height on an axis Z corresponding to the height below the housing (that is, below the top surface 23 of the housing 20). The purpose of the top is to absorb forces on the axis Z.

[0073] The second three-dimensional component 40 differs from the first three-dimensional component 30 in its bottom 41. The portable radiation box 10 typically includes a flexible circuit 60 (or several circuits thereof), which may contain electronic components. The bottom 41 of the three-dimensional component 40 includes at least one recess 44 designed to accommodate the flexible circuit 60.

[0074] Figure 4 Schematic representation in Figure 3 The image presented is an enlarged view of the portable digital box 10 according to the invention, without the housing 20. As will be seen in detail later, the flexible circuitry 60 is positioned in the recess 44 of the bottom 41. This positioning allows the flexible circuitry to wedge well into place. In the event of a lateral impact, the bottom 41 can be slightly compressed to absorb these forces.

[0075] The top 42 of at least one of the three-dimensional components 40 may terminate in the form of supplementing the top surface 23 of the housing 20. In other words, the top 42 terminates at its top portion in the form of a combination of recesses and / or protrusions that supplement the top surface 23, so as to closely follow the internal form of the housing 20.

[0076] The bottom 41 of at least one of the three-dimensional components 40 (as is the bottom 31 of component 30) may partially surround the side 18 adjacent to the side 15 of the base 12, the three-dimensional component being associated with the side 15 of the base 12. In other words, the bottom of the three-dimensional component may surround a corner of the base.

[0077] Figure 5 This refers to the three-dimensional component 40 of the portable digital cassette 10 according to the present invention. As previously explained, the three-dimensional component 40 is intended to cooperate with the following parts:

[0078] - A single-piece base 12, which includes a first main surface 13 and a second main surface 14 opposite to the first main surface 13. The base 12 is defined by four sides 15, 16, 17 and 18. The base 12 can support a digital detector 11 on the first main surface 13 and can support an electronic circuit board.

[0079] - A mechanical protective housing 20, a base 12, a digital detector 11 and an electronic circuit board 19 are designed to be arranged in the mechanical protective housing 20, which includes four sides 25, 26, 27, 28, a top surface 23 and a bottom surface 24.

[0080] According to the invention, the three-dimensional component 40 includes: a bottom 41 connected to the base 12 and at least partially surrounding the sides 15, 16, 17, 18 of the base 12; and a top 42 extending from the first main surface 13 of the base 12 to the top surface 23 of the housing 20.

[0081] In this figure, the recess 44 at the bottom 41 of the three-dimensional component 40, which is designed to accommodate the flexible circuit 60, is highlighted.

[0082] It is worth noting that three-dimensional components can be associated with the sides of the base (such as in...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Presented in the text), or can be associated with more than two sides, such as two, as in Figure 5 As can be seen in the image. In the latter variation, the bottom 41 extends along the two lateral edges of the base 12. In addition to covering the two sides of the base, such a three-dimensional component allows for proper positioning of the elements relative to the housing. Furthermore, a single three-dimensional component is sufficient to absorb shocks in three directions (vibrations in the X and Y directions are absorbed by the bottom 41, and vibrations in the Z direction are absorbed by the top 42).

[0083] At least one of the three-dimensional components 40 has at least one hole 43 on its top 42 along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the side of the base 12 and the three-dimensional component 40. The function of this hole 43 will be explained with reference to the following figure.

[0084] Figure 6 The diagram schematically illustrates a view of another embodiment of the portable digital box 10 according to the invention without the housing 20, which is connected to a second three-dimensional component 40. Figure 6 The view presented in the middle and Figure 3 The view presented is the same. In this view, box 10 also includes a comb 50 designed to cooperate with the three-dimensional component 40, as shown in... Figure 7 As detailed in the description, this ensures that the flexible circuit 60 is held in the proper position in the recess and pressed against the bottom 41 of the three-dimensional component.

[0085] Figure 7 Schematic representation in Figure 6 The image shows an enlarged view of the portable digital box 10 according to the invention without the housing 20. As can be seen in more detail, the box 10 includes a comb 50, which includes branches 51 extending substantially parallel to a first main surface 13 of the base 12 and contacting the bottom 41 of the three-dimensional component 40. The branches 51 are provided with at least one tooth 52 extending substantially at right angles to the branches 51. The at least one tooth 52 is configured to cooperate with the three-dimensional component 40 to fix the branches 51 against the flexible circuitry 60.

[0086] At least one tooth 52 is inserted into a hole 43 in the top 42 of the three-dimensional component 40 and configured to prevent the comb 50 from translating in a plane substantially parallel to the base 12. The comb 50 is prevented from translating in the XY plane and is prevented from translating in the Z axis by inserting the tooth 52 into the hole 43. The comb 50 presses the flexible circuit 60 against the bottom of the three-dimensional component 40 toward the base. The comb ensures the correct positioning of the flexible circuit 60, which must be held with absolute precision relative to the base. It should also be noted that the bottom 41 of the component 40 may extend very slightly (on the order of a few tenths of a millimeter) beyond the flexible circuit. In other words, the lateral thickness of the bottom 41 is greater than the thickness of the flexible circuit, which may extend beyond the base at the side. This configuration helps to hold the flexible circuit in place, even in the event of impact: the three-dimensional component is flexible enough to be compressed and ensures a uniform effect along the entire length of the three-dimensional component.

[0087] The foregoing only mentions comb-like element 50. While the invention can be applied with a single comb-like element, it also advantageously includes multiple comb-like elements, such as... Figure 7 As shown in the image.

[0088] Therefore, in addition to their three-dimensional damping effect, the three-dimensional components 40 also allow for the integration of comb-like elements, i.e., components used to hold the module / flexible circuitry and mechanically isolate it from the housing. This helps to improve the filtering of external vibrations to the module / flexible circuitry.

[0089] This invention relies on a three-dimensional component capable of absorbing shocks and vibrations in all directions (X, Y, Z) and thus protecting the detector from damage. This three-dimensional component forms a mechanical filter between the mechanical protective housing and the active core of the detector. Its resilient structure allows for the positioning of the sensitive image region of the digital detector relative to an external mechanical reference.

[0090] Another advantage of this invention is that the three-dimensional component is removable, thus allowing for easy repair or replacement of the panel and electronic circuit boards. Finally, the three-dimensional component contributes to the rigidity of the panel by limiting uncontrolled local bending as shock waves generated by lateral impacts propagate.

[0091] The present invention also relates to a computer program product, the computer program including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the previously described three-dimensional part 30 or 40.

[0092] Figure 8The steps of a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional part according to the invention by additive manufacturing are illustrated schematically. The method for manufacturing three-dimensional parts 30, 40 by additive manufacturing includes: step 501, which includes obtaining an electronic file representing the geometry of a product, wherein the product is a three-dimensional part 30 or 40; and step 502, which controls an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product according to the geometry specified in the electronic file in one or more additive manufacturing steps.

[0093] The examples according to this disclosure can be formed using additive manufacturing methods. A common example of additive manufacturing is 3D printing; however, other additive manufacturing methods are also available. Rapid prototyping or rapid manufacturing are also terms that can be used to describe additive manufacturing methods. As used herein, “additive manufacturing” generally refers to a manufacturing method in which successive layers of material are arranged one on top of another to “build” or “additively manufacture” a three-dimensional part layer by layer. This is compared to certain subtractive manufacturing methods, such as milling or drilling, in which material is continuously removed to manufacture a part. Successive layers are often fused together to form a monolithic part, which may have various combined sub-parts. In particular, the manufacturing method can allow the examples of this disclosure to be fully formed and include a variety of properties that would be impossible to achieve using existing manufacturing methods. The additive manufacturing methods described herein make it possible to manufacture any size and form suitable for a variety of properties that may not be achievable using existing manufacturing methods. Additive manufacturing can produce complex geometries without using any type of tooling, molds, or drills, and with little or no waste. Instead of machining parts from solid blanks of plastic or metal (whose main parts are cut off and discarded), the only material used in additive manufacturing is the material necessary to form the part.

[0094] Suitable additive manufacturing technologies according to this disclosure include, for example, fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), 3D printing such as by inkjet and laser jetting, stereolithography (SLA), direct selective laser sintering (stereolithography or DSLS), electron beam sintering (EBS), electron beam melting (EBM), laser engineered net forming (LENS), electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM), laser net forming manufacturing (LNSM), direct metal deposition (DMD), digital light processing (DLP), continuous digital light processing (CDLP), direct selective laser melting (DSLM), selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser melting (DMLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), material jetting (MJ), nanoparticle jetting (NPCJ), on-demand titration (DOD), binder jetting (BJ), multi-jet fusion (MJF), laminated object fabrication (LOM), and other known methods. The additive manufacturing methods described herein can be used to form parts by using any suitable material. For example, the material can be a plastic, composite material, polymer, epoxy resin, photopolymer resin, or any other suitable material, which can be in solid, liquid, powder, sheet, or wire form, or any other suitable form or combination thereof. More specifically, according to exemplary embodiments of this subject matter, the additively manufactured parts herein can be formed partially or wholly, or in some combination of materials. These materials are examples of materials suitable for use in additive manufacturing methods adapted to the manufacturing examples described herein.

[0095] As described above, the additive manufacturing method allows for the formation of a single part from multiple materials. Therefore, the examples described herein can be formed from any suitable mixture of the aforementioned materials. For example, a part may comprise layers, segments, or portions formed using different materials, methods, and / or on different additive manufacturing machines. In this way, parts with different materials and material properties can be constructed to meet the requirements of any particular application. Furthermore, while the parts described herein are constructed entirely by additive manufacturing methods, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, all or part of these parts may be formed by molding, machining, and / or any other suitable manufacturing method. In fact, any suitable combination of materials and manufacturing methods can be used to form these parts. Additive manufacturing methods typically manufacture parts based on three-dimensional (3D) information about the part (e.g., a three-dimensional computer model (or design file)). Therefore, the examples described herein include not only the products or parts described herein, but also methods for manufacturing such products or parts via additive manufacturing, as well as software, firmware, or computer hardware used to control the manufacturing of such products via additive manufacturing.

[0096] The structure of one or more parts of a product can be digitally represented in the form of a design file. A design file, or computer-aided design (CAD) file, is a configuration file that encodes the configuration of one or more surfaces or volumes of a product form. In other words, a design file represents the geometric arrangement or form of a product. Design files can be any file format currently known or to be developed. For example, a design file can be a stereolithography format or "Standard Tessellation Language" (.stl) created for a CAD stereolithography program for a 3D system, or an additive manufacturing file (.amf) format, which is based on a standard format advocated by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and on Extensible Markup Language (XML), designed to allow any CAD software to describe the form and composition of any three-dimensional object to be manufactured on any additive manufacturing printer. Other examples of design file formats include AutoCAD (.dwg) files, blender (.blend) files, Parasolid (.x_t) files, 3D manufacturing format (.3mf) files, Autodesk (3ds) files, Collada (.dae) files, and Wavefront (.obj) files, but many other file formats exist. Design documents can be generated using modeling software (e.g., CAD modeling) and / or by scanning the surface of the product to measure the configuration of the product's surface.

[0097] Once obtained, the design file can be converted into a set of executable instructions for a computer. Once executed by a processor, these computer-executable instructions instruct the processor to control the additive manufacturing apparatus to produce a product according to the geometric arrangement specified in the design file. The conversion can transform the design file into slices or layers that must be sequentially formed by the additive manufacturing apparatus. The instructions (also known as geometric codes or “code G”) can be calibrated for a specific additive manufacturing apparatus and can specify the precise placement and quantity of material to form each step of the manufacturing process. As discussed above, this formation can be accomplished by deposition, by sintering, or by any other form of additive manufacturing method. If necessary, the code or instructions can be converted into different formats, into a set of data signals, and sent and received as a set of data signals, converted back into codes, stored, etc. The instructions can be input to the additive manufacturing system and can originate from the part designer, from the intellectual property (IP) provider, from the design company, from the operator, or from the owner of the additive manufacturing system, or from other sources. The additive manufacturing system can execute the instructions to manufacture a product using any of the techniques or methods described herein. Design documents or computer-executable instructions can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (transient or non-transient) (e.g., memory, storage system, etc.) that stores code or computer-readable instructions representing a product to be manufactured. As noted, the code or computer-readable instructions define a product that can be physically generated when the code or instructions are executed by an additive manufacturing system. For example, the instructions may include a 3D model that precisely defines the product and can be derived from many well-known computer-aided design (CAD) software systems (such as...). This is a software generation method used in tools such as DesignCAD and 3DMax. As a variant, it involves scanning a model or prototype of a part to determine its 3D information.

[0098] Therefore, by controlling the additive manufacturing apparatus according to computer-executable instructions, the additive manufacturing apparatus can undertake the task of printing one or more parts of a product. These parts can be printed in an assembled or unassembled form. For example, different sections of the product can be printed individually (in the form of a kit of unassembled parts) and then assembled. As a variation, and preferably, the various parts can be printed in an assembled form. In view of the above, embodiments include a manufacturing method based on additive manufacturing. This includes the step of obtaining a design document representing the product and instructions for the additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product in an assembled or unassembled form according to the design document. The additive manufacturing apparatus may include a processor configured to automatically convert the design document into computer-executable instructions to control the manufacturing of the product. In these embodiments, once entered into the additive manufacturing apparatus, the design document itself can automatically initiate the production of the product. Therefore, in this embodiment, the design document itself can be considered as computer-executable instructions that cause the additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture the product. As a variation, the design document can be converted into instructions by an external computing system, and the resulting computer-executable instructions are provided to the additive manufacturing apparatus. Given the foregoing, the design and manufacture of embodiments of the subject matter and operations described herein can be performed using digital electronic circuits or by software, firmware, or computer hardware (including the structures described herein and their equivalents) or a combination thereof. For example, hardware may include processors, microprocessors, electronic circuits, electronic components, integrated circuits, etc. Embodiments of the subject matter described herein can be implemented using one or more computer programs, that is, one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer storage medium and executed by or controlling the operation of a data processing device. As a variation or additionally, program instructions may be encoded on artificially generated propagation signals, such as machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signals, for encoding information to be sent to a suitable receiving device for execution by the data processing device. The computer storage medium may be or is included in a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a matrix or random or serial access memory device, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, although the computer storage medium is not a propagation signal, it may be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in artificially generated propagation signals. The computer storage medium may also be or be included in one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., several CDs, discs, or other storage devices). While additive manufacturing is described herein as allowing the fabrication of complex objects by constructing them point-by-point or layer-by-layer (typically in the vertical direction), other manufacturing methods are possible and within the scope of this subject matter. For example, although the description herein involves adding material to form continuous layers, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and structures described herein can be practiced using any additive manufacturing technique or other manufacturing technique.It can also refer to the manufacturing process of injection molding or low-pressure elastomer casting.

[0099] This invention is primarily applicable to the production of radiographic image sensors, and more specifically to “portable” type sensors that are frequently subjected to impacts or may be dropped during handling. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this invention can be applied to any device other than a digital detector, including fragile electronic components linked by flexible modules to another electronic component, such as a display, touchscreen, or non-touchscreen.

Claims

1. A portable radiation box, the portable radiation box comprising: - A digital detector for ionizing radiation in the form of a flat panel; - A one-piece base, the one-piece base including a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, the base being defined by four sides, the base supporting the digital detector on the first main surface; - An electronic circuit board for managing the digital detector; - A mechanical protective housing, in which the base, the digital detector, and the electronic circuit board are arranged, the housing including a top surface, a bottom surface, and four sides; The portable radiation box is characterized in that it includes at least one three-dimensional component, each of the at least one three-dimensional component being associated with at least one of the four sides of the base, and each three-dimensional component comprising: - The bottom, which is connected to the base and at least partially surrounds the at least one side of the base associated with the three-dimensional component; - Top, which extends from the first main surface of the base to the top surface of the housing; Furthermore, the portable radiation box includes flexible circuitry; The bottom of at least one of the three-dimensional components includes at least one recess designed to accommodate the flexible circuit; The top of at least one of the three-dimensional components includes at least one hole located on an axis substantially perpendicular to the side of the base and the at least one of the components. Furthermore, the portable radiation box includes a comb-like component comprising branches extending substantially parallel to the first main surface of the base and contacting the bottom of the at least one of the bases, the branches being provided with at least one tooth extending substantially at right angles to the branches, the at least one tooth being configured to cooperate with the at least one of the bases to fix the branches against the flexible circuitry.

2. The portable radiation box according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom of at least one of the three-dimensional components partially surrounds the side of the side of the base associated with the three-dimensional component.

3. The portable radiation box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one tooth is inserted into the hole at the top of the at least one and is configured to prevent the comb from translating in a plane substantially parallel to the base.

4. The portable radiation box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The top of at least one of the three-dimensional components terminates in a manner that complements the top surface of the housing.

5. The portable radiation box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one three-dimensional component is made of elastomer, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide and / or polyester.

6. The portable radiation box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The bottom of the at least one three-dimensional component is glued to the base.

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