Radiography equipment

Abstract

To prevent quality of a radiographic image generated by a radiographic device from being deteriorated even when the radiographic device is used under an environment in which disinfection is executed using an antiseptic solution with a disinfection effect higher than that of a conventional antiseptic solution.SOLUTION: A radiographic device 100 includes a radiation detection part 1 for converting the strength of a received radiation to an electric signal and a housing 2 for storing the radiation detection part 1. Portions 211, 212, and 221 other than a predetermined region of the housing 2 (at least one region of a region where an operation part 213 that a user can operate is provided and a region where a connection part 124a to which a component of another device is connected is exposed) are formed of a material (carbon fiber-reinforced resin, glass fiber-reinforced resin, corrosion resistant metal, composite material, etc.) having durability to an antiseptic solution with a disinfection effect higher than that of ethanol.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiographic apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In the technical field of portable radiographic imaging devices, it has been common practice to form at least a portion of the housing from a metal such as a magnesium alloy in order to improve robustness and reduce weight, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. In addition, portable radiography devices often come into contact with subjects during imaging, and for this reason, when imaging using a portable radiography device, the surface of the housing is wiped with a disinfectant such as rubbing alcohol for disinfection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-073186 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the strengthening of measures against infectious diseases, disinfectants (eg, sodium hypochlorite) that have a stronger disinfecting effect than ethanol for disinfection have come to be used to disinfect radiographic imaging apparatuses. However, such highly effective disinfectants may have the property of corroding many metals, and therefore, when a radiographic imaging device has a housing that contains metal, the housing may corrode when it is wiped. Corrosion of the housing can, for example, prevent electrical continuity between the housing and the radiation detection unit inside (preventing noise from escaping), and can cause a deterioration in the image quality of the radiation image (for example, image unevenness).

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent a decrease in the image quality of radiation images generated by a radiation imaging device, even when the radiation imaging device is used in an environment where disinfection is performed using a disinfectant that has a stronger disinfecting effect than conventional devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a radiation imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises: A radiation detection unit that converts the intensity of received radiation into an electrical signal; A housing that houses the radiation detection unit, The portion of the housing other than the predetermined area is formed of a material having durability against a disinfectant solution having a higher disinfecting effect than ethanol. And, The predetermined area is an area in which an operation unit that can be operated by a user is provided. . Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even when a radiographic imaging device is used in an environment where disinfection is performed using a disinfectant having a stronger disinfecting effect than in the past, there is no deterioration in the image quality of the radiographic images generated by the radiographic imaging device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a radiation imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the radiation imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a radiation imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0010] <1. Outline of the configuration of the radiation imaging device> First, a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to this embodiment (hereinafter, imaging apparatus 100) will be described. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the imaging device 100, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the imaging device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0011] The imaging device 100 is for generating a radiation image according to the dose distribution of the received radiation. The imaging device 100 includes a radiation detection unit 1 and a housing 2, as shown in FIG.

[0012] [1-1. Radiation detection section] The radiation detection unit 1 converts the intensity of the received radiation into an electrical signal. The radiation detection unit 1 includes a substrate 11 and an electronic component 12 .

[0013] [1-1-1. Circuit board] The substrate 11 has a plurality of semiconductor elements (not shown). The radiation detection unit 1 also includes a plurality of switch elements (not shown) provided adjacent to each semiconductor element, scanning lines and signal lines (not shown) connected to each switch element, bias lines connected to each semiconductor element, etc. The substrate 11 according to this embodiment has a rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front. The semiconductor elements are formed on the surface of the substrate 11 so as to be distributed two-dimensionally. The semiconductor elements according to this embodiment are arranged in a matrix. Hereinafter, the surface of the substrate 11 on which the semiconductor elements are formed will be referred to as an element forming surface 11a.

[0014] [1-1-2. Electronic Components] The electronic component 12 is electrically connected to the substrate 11 . The electronic component 12 includes a power supply circuit 121 for applying a voltage to the semiconductor elements, a scanning circuit 122 for controlling each switch element, a read circuit 123 for reading out the electric charges as image data, a communication circuit 124 for outputting the image data to another device, a control circuit 125 for controlling each circuit 121 to 124, and wiring (not shown). The circuits 121 to 125 are disposed on the surface of the substrate 11 opposite to the element formation surface 11a. Hereinafter, the surface of the radiation detection unit 1 opposite to the element formation surface 11a will be referred to as a component mounting surface 11b. The wiring (not shown) is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (Flexible Printed Circuits ) and connects the terminals of the scanning lines, signal lines, and bias lines on the element forming surface 11a to the circuits 121 to 125 on the component mounting surface 11b.

[0015] The communication circuit 124 has a connection portion 124a. The connection unit 124a is for connecting components of other devices (eg, a radiation generating device, a console, etc.), and is configured, for example, with a connector into which the tip (plug) of a cable extending from the other device is inserted. The connection portion 124a according to this embodiment is provided on the peripheral edge of the component mounting surface 11b so as to face an opening 212a formed in a side surface portion 212 of the housing 2, which will be described later. The connection portion 124a according to this embodiment has a shape recessed inward (not protruding from the surface of the housing 2). That is, the structure is such that it is difficult for a cloth or the like used to wipe the housing 2 to come into contact with the connection portion 124a. The connection section may be provided in the housing 2 and electrically connected to the radiation detection section 1.

[0016] [1-2. Chassis] The housing 2 accommodates the radiation detection unit 1 . The housing 2 according to this embodiment has a rectangular panel shape. The housing 2 also includes a box body 21 and a cover body 22 .

[0017] [1-2-1, box body] The box 21 has a front surface 211 . Moreover, the box 21 according to this embodiment further includes a side surface portion 212 and an operation portion 213. The front portion 211 and the side portion 212 according to this embodiment are integrally formed. The front surface portion 211 and the side surface portion 212 may be separate members.

[0018] (Front part) The front surface 211 is formed so as to extend in parallel with the element forming surface 11 a of the substrate 11 . The front surface portion 211 according to this embodiment is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The outer surface of the front part 211 becomes a radiation incident surface 211a (front surface) of the imaging device 100 (housing 2).

[0019] (side part) The side surface portion 212 extends from the peripheral edge of the front surface portion 211 in a direction perpendicular to the radiation entrance surface 211a and away from the front surface portion 211. The outer surface of the side surface portion 212 becomes the side surface of the imaging device 100 (housing 2). The side surface portion 212 according to this embodiment has an opening 212a formed in a region facing the connection portion 124a of the radiation detection unit 1, through which the connection portion 124a is exposed.

[0020] (Operation unit) The operation unit 213 can be operated by the user. The operation unit 213 according to this embodiment includes a power switch, operation buttons, indicators, and the like. The operation unit 213 is electrically connected to the radiation detection unit 1 . The operation portion 213 according to this embodiment forms a part of the side portion 212 . The operation unit may be provided on the periphery of the component mounting surface of the radiation detection unit 1. In that case, the area of ​​the side surface unit 212 facing the operation unit (the area where the operation unit 213 in this embodiment is present) may be an opening that exposes the operation unit.

[0021] [1-2-2. Lid] The cover 22 has a rear surface portion 221 . The cover 22 according to this embodiment has a rear surface portion 221 as a whole. The rear surface portion 221 according to this embodiment is formed in a rectangular shape that is substantially the same as that of the front surface portion 211 . The rear surface portion 221 faces the front surface portion 211 of the box body 21 across the radiation detection unit 1, and is disposed so as to extend in parallel with the front surface portion 211. Therefore, the outer surface of the back surface part 221 becomes the back surface of the imaging device 100 (housing 2). Further, the rear surface portion 221 abuts against the side surface portion 212 of the box body 21 and is attached to the side surface portion 212 . The lid 22 according to this embodiment is fixed to the side surface portion 212 of the box 21 with screws.

[0022] [1-2-3. Durability of the housing] The portion of the housing 2 configured in this manner other than the predetermined area is made of a material that is durable against the disinfectant solution. The predetermined area according to the present embodiment is at least one of the area where the operation portion 213 is provided and the area where the connection portion 124a is exposed (the area where the opening 212a is formed). The predetermined area occupies about 2% of the surface of the imaging device 100. For this reason, it can be said that 98% or more of the surface of the imaging device 100 is durable against disinfectants. Furthermore, the housing 2 according to this embodiment is formed in a predetermined area from a material that is durable against the disinfectant solution. The disinfectant and the material configuration for realizing durability against the disinfectant will be described later.

[0023] [1-2-4. Housing and other items] Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a housing 2 (box body 21) in which the side portion 212 is integrally formed with the front portion 211, the housing 2 may be one in which the side portion 212 is integral with the rear portion 221, or the front portion 211, the side portion 212, and the rear portion 221 may each be separate components. Furthermore, the housing 2 may be configured so that both the front portion 211 and the back portion 221 each have a side portion. In addition, while FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a housing 2 having a box body 21 and a lid body 22, the housing 2A may be something like the radiographic imaging device 100A shown in FIG. 2, which has a cylindrical body 21A having a front portion 211, a rear portion 214, and a pair of side portions 215 respectively connecting both ends of the front portion 211 and both ends of the rear portion 214, and a pair of lid bodies 22A each closing an opening of the cylindrical body 21A.

[0024] <2. Material composition of the housing> Next, the material configuration of the housing 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the imaging device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0025] At least one of the operation portion 213 and the connection portion 124a which form a predetermined region of the housing 2, and the box body 21 and the lid body 22 which form the housing 2, are made of the following materials.

[0026] [2-1.Predetermined area] At least one of the operation section 213 and the connection section 124a according to this embodiment is formed from a material that is durable against a disinfectant solution. The disinfectant referred to here is one that has a stronger disinfecting effect than disinfectant ethanol, and does not corrode resin, but does corrode metal (excluding corrosion-resistant metals that are durable against the disinfectant). Such disinfectants include, for example, sodium hypochlorite. Sodium hypochlorite is also effective against bacterial spores and non-enveloped viruses such as norovirus, which are difficult to disinfect with disinfectant ethanol, and has a stronger disinfecting effect than disinfectant ethanol. The operation unit 213 and the connection unit 124a need to be strong enough to withstand user operations and external shocks, and need to be electrically connected to the ground to prevent noise. For this reason, at least one of the operation unit 213 and the connection unit 124a according to this embodiment may be made of a material containing metal.

[0027] Examples of materials containing metal include corrosion-resistant metal M R , Composite Material C, etc. Corrosion resistant metal M R Examples of such materials include stainless steel. Corrosion resistant metal M R The box body 21 formed by the above is made of a corrosion-resistant metal M not only at the surface layer but also to the inside in the thickness direction (for example, over the entire area as shown in FIG. 3(a)). R exists.

[0028] 3(b), the composite material C includes a material having a metal M and a protective film F made of a material durable against a disinfectant solution and covering the surface of the metal M. That is, at least the surface of the composite material C is formed of a material durable against a disinfectant solution. The metal M that constitutes the composite material C is a corrosion-resistant metal M R Alternatively, it may be a metal that corrodes with the disinfectant solution. The protective film F is made of resin, corrosion-resistant metal M R This includes thin films of The thin film may be formed by plating, vapor deposition, or the like, or may be formed in a sheet shape and attached.

[0029] Note that Figure 3 shows an example in which the entire housing 2 shown in (a) is formed from the same material up to the inside in the thickness direction, and an example in which the entire housing 2 shown in (b) is formed from composite material C. However, the housing 2 may be, for example, one in which a predetermined region is formed from the same material up to the inside in the thickness direction and other regions are formed from composite material C, or one in which a predetermined region is formed from composite material C and other regions are formed from the same material up to the inside in the thickness direction. At least one of the material forming operation portion 213 and the portion of connection portion 124a other than the terminal may be made of resin or a material containing resin.

[0030] [2-2. Box material] In the box 21 according to this embodiment, the area where the operation unit 213 is provided and the area where the connection unit 124a is exposed are formed of a material that is durable against a disinfectant. At least the front surface 211 of the box 21 is made of a material that does not impede the transmission of radiation. Materials that are durable against this disinfectant and do not impede the transmission of radiation include materials containing resins and materials containing the above-mentioned metals.

[0031] Examples of materials containing resin include carbon fiber reinforced resin P C (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic: CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastic P G (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic: GFRP) and others. Resin-containing material P C ,P G The box body 21 formed of the corrosion-resistant metal M R As in the case of the material P, which contains resin not only in the surface layer but also in the thickness direction (for example, throughout the entire surface as shown in FIG. 3(a)), C ,P G exists.

[0032] [2-3. Lid material] The entire lid 22 (rear portion 221) according to this embodiment is made of a material that is durable against the disinfectant solution. The material for forming the lid body 22 includes the above-mentioned carbon fiber reinforced resin, the above-mentioned glass fiber reinforced resin, the above-mentioned corrosion-resistant metal, the above-mentioned composite material, and the like. The lid 22 may be made of the same material as the box 21, or may be made of a different material. When the lid 22 is made of a material containing resin, it is preferable to use one in which the fibers are cut into short pieces (not in a sheet or long string shape). In this way, it is easy to form recesses for users to hook their fingers and screw holes for fixing the lid 22 to the box 21.

[0033] <3. Actions and Effects> The imaging device 100 described above comprises a radiation detection unit 1 and a housing 2, and the parts other than a predetermined area of ​​the housing 2 (at least one of the areas where the operation unit 213 is provided and the area where the connection part 124a is exposed) are made of a material that is durable against disinfectant (carbon fiber reinforced resin, glass fiber reinforced resin, corrosion-resistant metal, composite material, etc.). The housing 2 made of such a material will not corrode even if wiped with a disinfectant such as sodium hypochlorite, which has a stronger disinfecting effect than conventional disinfectants, so there is no problem, for example, in that electrical continuity between the housing 2 and the radiation detection unit 1 will be lost. Therefore, according to the imaging device 100, even when the imaging device 100 is used in an environment where disinfection is performed using a disinfectant with a higher disinfecting effect than conventional disinfectants, the image quality of the radiation image generated by the imaging device 100 is not degraded.

[0034] In particular, if the material that is durable against the disinfectant is carbon fiber reinforced resin, glass fiber reinforced resin, corrosion-resistant metal, etc., then the interior of the housing 2 as well as the surface thereof will be durable against the disinfectant. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the disinfectant from entering through tiny holes in the surface of the housing 2 and corroding the housing 2 from the inside. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 100 Radiography equipment 1 Radiation detection unit 11 Substrate 11a Element formation surface 111 Semiconductor elements 11b Component mounting surface 12 Electronic Components 121 Power supply circuit 122 Scanning circuit 123 Readout circuit 124 Communication Circuit 124a Connection 125 Control circuit 2. Chassis 21 Box body 211 Front part 211a Radiation entrance surface 212 Side part 212a aperture 213 Operation section 22 Lid 221 Back section 100A Radiography Equipment 2A housing 21A cylinder 214 Back section 215 Side part 22A Lid body C Composite material F Protective film M Metal M R corrosion resistant metal P C Carbon Fiber Reinforced Resin P G Glass fiber reinforced resin

Claims

1. A radiation detection unit that converts the intensity of the received radiation into an electrical signal; A housing that houses the radiation detection unit, The portion of the housing other than the predetermined area is formed of a material having durability against a disinfectant solution having a higher disinfecting effect than ethanol, The predetermined area of ​​the radiation imaging apparatus is an area in which an operation unit that can be operated by a user is provided.

2. The predetermined area of ​​the housing is It contains metal, 2. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the surface thereof is durable against the disinfectant solution.

3. 3. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined region is formed of a corrosion-resistant metal that is durable against the disinfectant solution.

4. 3. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined area is formed of a metal and a protective film made of a material that is resistant to the disinfectant solution and that covers a surface of the metal.

5. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined area includes an area where a connection portion to which a component of another apparatus is connected is exposed.

Images