Radiation detector and radiation imaging device

Abstract

To provide a radiation detector that can reduce the possibility that a malfunction occurs in a circuit board, and a radiographic device.SOLUTION: A radiation detector comprises: a support base that is formed with an attachment surface having an arc surface shape; rectangular sensor panels that each have pixels each including a TFT and detecting radiation arranged in a two-dimensional shape; a circuit board; flexible cables; and a reduction structure. The sensor panels are curved along the arc surface shape and attached to the attachment surface. The flexible cables connect the curved sides of the sensor panels and the reading circuit board to each other and are arranged along the curved sides. The flexible cables are bent to arrange the reading circuit board at an angle of 90° with respect to the sensor panels. The reduction structure reduces deviation of a stretching force applied to the flexible cables resulting from the curved sides.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a radiation detector and a radiation imaging apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a radiation detector that detects radiation that has passed through a subject and outputs a radiation image of the subject. A rectangular plate-shaped imaging sensor is built into the radiation detector. The imaging sensor has pixels. The pixels generate electric charges in response to radiation or visible light converted from radiation. A radiation image is obtained by reading out the electric charges from the pixels and performing various signal processing.

[0003] Image sensors include CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type solid-state image sensor elements and sensor panels using thin film transistors (hereafter abbreviated as TFT (Thin Film Transistor)). Sensor panels can be made larger in area and have higher resolution than CMOS type solid-state image sensors. For this reason, it is more advantageous to use sensor panels.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a radiation detector using a sensor panel. In Patent Document 1, the sensor panel is curved to have a curved shape, and the irradiation distance of radiation from the radiation source is made approximately equal over the entire surface of the sensor panel, thereby eliminating distortion of the radiation image.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the sensor panel is attached to a support base. The support base has a mounting surface on which the sensor panel is attached according to its curved shape. The mounting surface has a margin along two perpendicular sides of the sensor panel. Two rectangular circuit boards are attached to the margin. The circuit boards are attached so that the surfaces on which the electrical components are mounted are approximately parallel to the imaging surface of the sensor panel. The circuit boards are connected to the sides of the sensor panel via multiple flexible cables. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-361402 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Naturally, no pixels are provided in the marginal areas, and therefore the marginal areas do not contribute to capturing radiation images. For this reason, from the viewpoint of miniaturization of the radiation detector, it is better to have no marginal areas. Therefore, a method of arranging the circuit board without providing any marginal areas is conceivable, in which after the sensor panel is attached to the mounting surface of the support stand, the flexible cable is bent and the circuit board is arranged so as to form an angle of, for example, 90° with respect to the sensor panel. However, since the side of the sensor panel to which the flexible cable is connected is curved, excessive stretching force is applied to the flexible cable in some places, which may result in cracks in the circuit board, malfunctions, and other problems.

[0008] One embodiment of the technique disclosed herein provides a radiation detector and a radiation imaging apparatus capable of reducing the risk of defects occurring in a circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The radiation detector of the present disclosure includes a support base having a mounting surface with a curved shape, a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having pixels arranged two-dimensionally to detect radiation, the sensor panel being attached to the mounting surface in a curved state following the curved shape, a circuit board, and a plurality of flexible cables connecting the curved sides of the sensor panel to the circuit board and arranged along the curved sides, the flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle relative to the sensor panel, and a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the plurality of flexible cables due to the curved sides.

[0010] It is preferable that the circuit board has a rectangular plate shape, and the reduction structure is configured with a flexible cable having a length corresponding to the distance between the circuit board and the curved side.

[0011] It is preferable that one end of the flexible cable is thermocompression bonded to the curved side before bending, and the other end is thermocompression bonded to the circuit board.

[0012] It is preferable that the lengths of the flexible cables arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line of the circuit board are the same.

[0013] The flexible cable preferably has an integrated circuit mounted thereon.

[0014] It is preferable that the length of each of the multiple flexible cables from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit corresponds to the distance between the circuit board and the curved side, and that the length from the integrated circuit to the circuit board is the same.

[0015] It is preferable that the minimum length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel and the integrated circuit, and the maximum length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel and the integrated circuit plus the difference between the longest and shortest distances between the circuit board and the curved edge.

[0016] Preferably, the integrated circuits have the same performance.

[0017] The circuit board is a readout circuit board for reading out the charge stored in the pixels, and the integrated circuit preferably includes an analog / digital converter for converting an analog signal represented by the charge into a digital signal.

[0018] The circuit board is a switching circuit board for applying an on / off signal to the thin film transistor, and the integrated circuit preferably includes a gate driver that generates the on / off signal.

[0019] Each of the multiple flexible cables is divided into a first flexible cable having one end connected to the curved side and a second flexible cable having one end connected to the circuit board, and in the multiple flexible cables, each of the first flexible cables has the same length, and the other end of the first flexible cable and the other end of the second flexible cable are connected to an intermediate substrate arranged between the sensor panel and the circuit board.

[0020] The reduction structure is preferably configured with a second flexible cable having a length corresponding to the distance between the circuit board and the curved side.

[0021] It is preferable that the second flexible cables disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line of the circuit board have the same length.

[0022] In the multiple flexible cables, each of the second flexible cables preferably has the same length, and the reduction structure is preferably composed of a circuit board to which one end of the second flexible cable is connected and which has a curved end portion shaped to follow the curved side.

[0023] It is preferable that the first flexible cable has one end thermocompression bonded to the curved side and the other end thermocompression bonded to the relay board, the relay board has a connector to which the other end of the second flexible cable is connected, and the circuit board has a connector to which one end of the second flexible cable is connected.

[0024] It is preferable that an integrated circuit is mounted on the first flexible cable or the relay board.

[0025] The circuit board is a readout circuit board for reading out the charge stored in the pixels, and the integrated circuit preferably includes an analog / digital converter for converting an analog signal represented by the charge into a digital signal.

[0026] The circuit board is a switching circuit board for applying an on / off signal to the thin film transistor, and the integrated circuit preferably includes a gate driver that generates the on / off signal.

[0027] The reduction structure is preferably formed of a circuit board that is curved to conform to the shape of the curved surface.

[0028] The reduction structure is preferably composed of a divided circuit board and an inter-board connecting flexible cable that connects adjacent ones of the divided circuit boards.

[0029] The circuit board is a readout circuit board for reading out charges accumulated in the pixels, and is composed of a first readout circuit board responsible for reading out charges from half of the area of ​​the sensor panel, and a second readout circuit board responsible for reading out charges from the remaining half of the area of ​​the sensor panel, and it is preferable that the first readout circuit board and the second readout circuit board are connected to two opposing curved sides of the sensor panel via flexible cables.

[0030] The sensor panel is composed of two panels, a first sensor panel and a second sensor panel, and it is preferable that the first sensor panel and the second sensor panel are arranged so that their ends on the sides other than the curved side to which the circuit board is connected are overlapped in the thickness direction.

[0031] It is preferable that the circuit board connected to the first sensor panel and the circuit board connected to the second sensor panel are arranged in a dyad-symmetric relationship.

[0032] A radiographic imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure includes any one of the radiation detectors described above and a radiation source that emits radiation.

[0033] The device comprises an annular frame in which a radiation detector and a radiation source are attached, the frame having a cavity in which a subject is positioned, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the frame around the subject to capture radiographic images of the subject at different angles, and it is preferable that the mounting surface has an arcuate shape that follows the shape of the annular frame.

[0034] It is preferable that the imaging apparatus be a computed tomography apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of a subject based on radiation images taken at different angles.

[0035] The radiation source preferably emits a cone of radiation.

[0036] The subject is preferably positioned in the cavity in one of two positions: standing and sitting. Effect of the Invention

[0037] According to the technique of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a radiation detector and a radiation imaging apparatus that are capable of reducing the risk of malfunctions occurring in the circuit board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a CT device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body of the CT apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the main body of the CT apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the main body of the CT apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body of the CT apparatus, showing a state in which a subject is positioned in a sitting position in a wheelchair. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a radiation source, a radiation detector, and radiation. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the radiation detector. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of two sensor panels, a spacer, and a support base. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view of two sensor panels, a spacer, and a support base. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a conductive member covering the sensor panel. FIG. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a connection structure between a sensor panel and a readout circuit board. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a processing unit of a CPU of the control device. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an irradiation condition table. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of a process when a scout photography instruction for performing scout photography is input. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a process when a main photography instruction for carrying out a main photography is input. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for capturing a tomographic image by a CT apparatus. [Figure 19] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining the effect obtained by the readout circuit board not protruding from the curved side. [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining the effect of flexible cables arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center line of a readout circuit board having the same length. [Figure 21] 13 is a diagram showing the effective field of view when the sensor panel has an arcuate surface and when the sensor panel has a planar surface. FIG. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a switching circuit board is connected to a curved edge instead of a readout circuit board. FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection structure between a sensor panel and a readout circuit board according to a second embodiment; [Figure 24]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of the connection structure between the sensor panel and the readout circuit board of the 2_1 embodiment; [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a switching circuit board is connected to a curved edge instead of a readout circuit board in the 2_1 embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a connection structure between a sensor panel and a readout circuit board according to a second embodiment; [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connection structure between a sensor panel and a readout circuit board according to a third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a connection structure between a sensor panel and a readout circuit board according to a third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a connection structure between a sensor panel and a readout circuit board according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a readout circuit board according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a connection state between a divided readout circuit board and an image processing circuit board. [Diagram 32] 13 is a diagram showing another connection mode between the divided readout circuit board and the image processing circuit board. FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment in which two readout circuit boards are connected to two opposing curved sides of a sensor panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] [First embodiment] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, a CT device 10 is a device for obtaining a tomographic image TI (see FIG. 17) of a subject S, and is composed of a device main body 11 and a control device 12. The device main body 11 is installed, for example, in an imaging room of a medical facility. The control device 12 is installed, for example, in a control room adjacent to the imaging room. The control device 12 is a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, or a tablet terminal. The CT device 10 is an example of a "radiography device" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0040] 1 to 4, the apparatus body 11 includes a stage 13, three support columns 14A, 14B, and 14C, and a top plate 15. The stage 13 is a flat octagonal surface. Casters 16 for transportation are attached to the four corners of the rear surface of the stage 13.

[0041] The casters 16 are provided with a rotation lock mechanism (not shown), and after the device body 11 is installed at the installation location, the rotation lock mechanism can be operated to lock the rotation of the casters 16. Alternatively, the casters 16 are removable from the stage 13, and the casters 16 can be removed after the device body 11 is installed at the installation location.

[0042] The pillars 14A to 14C have a rectangular plate-like outer shape and are erected at the four corners of the surface of the stage 13. The pillars 14A and 14C are arranged on the left and right sides of the front side of the device body 11 (left and right in front of the subject S). The pillar 14B is arranged in the center of the rear side of the device body 11 (behind the subject S). The top plate 15 is attached to the upper ends of the pillars 14A to 14C. The top plate 15 is a flat surface with an octagonal outer shape that follows the stage 13. The top plate 15 is C-shaped with a circular hole cut out in the center and a cutout in the front side of the device body 11 between the pillars 14A and 14C. In the following description, the pillars 14A to 14C will be collectively referred to as the pillar 14 unless there is a need to distinguish them.

[0043] A connecting member 17A is connected to support pillar 14A, a connecting member 17B is connected to support pillar 14B, and a connecting member 17C is connected to support pillar 14C. A frame 18 is connected to connecting members 17A to 17C. In other words, support pillars 14A to 14C and frame 18 are connected to each other via connecting members 17A to 17C. In the following description, connecting members 17A to 17C will be collectively referred to as connecting members 17 unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them.

[0044] Frame 18 has a circular ring shape. Subject S is positioned at the center C (see FIG. 4) of cavity 19 of this circular frame 18. FIGS. 1 to 4 show subject S positioned in a standing position with both hands raised above his head.

[0045] The support pillars 14 are provided with guide rails (not shown) into which the connection members 17 are fitted. The connection members 17, and therefore the frame 18, can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction along the guide rails. That is, the support pillars 14 hold the frame 18 so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. The frame 18 can also rotate around the subject S with its center C as the central axis. That is, the support pillars 14A to 14C hold the frame 18 so that it can rotate around the subject S. The height position of the frame 18 may be changed by extending and contracting the support pillars 14.

[0046] A radiation source 20 that irradiates radiation R such as X-rays and gamma rays (see FIG. 6), and a radiation detector 21 that detects radiation R are attached to the frame 18. Both the radiation source 20 and the radiation detector 21 protrude from the lower edge of the frame 18. The radiation source 20 and the radiation detector 21 are disposed in opposing positions (positions 180° apart) on the frame 18. The radiation source 20 is box-shaped, and the radiation detector 21 is pad-shaped. When viewed from a direction in which the frame 18 etc. are viewed in a plan view from above, the radiation detector 21 has a convex arcuate surface shape facing the opposite side to the radiation source 20, following the shape of the frame 18.

[0047] A screw shaft 22A is provided on the support 14A, a screw shaft 22B is provided on the support 14B, and a screw shaft 22C is provided on the support 14C. The screw shafts 22A to 22C have a height that reaches from the stage 13 to the top plate 15. When the screw shafts 22A to 22C rotate, the connection members 17A to 17C, and therefore the frame 18, rise and fall in the vertical direction. In the following description, the screw shafts 22A to 22C will be collectively referred to as the screw shaft 22 unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them.

[0048] Pillar 14A has an opening 23A, pillar 14B has an opening 23B, and pillar 14C has an opening 23C. The openings 23A to 23C are formed by hollowing out most of pillars 14A to 14C in a rectangular shape. Through the openings 23A to 23C, subject S can be viewed from outside device body 11. Due to the presence of openings 23A to 23C, pillars 14A to 14C appear to have two pillars in some places, but since openings 23A to 23C are connected above and below, there is actually only one pillar in total.

[0049] A touch panel display 25 is attached to the support 14A via a movable arm 24. The touch panel display 25 is operated by an operator. The touch panel display 25 also displays various information to the operator.

[0050] 4 in which the frame 18 etc. are viewed from above, when the position where the radiation source 20 is in front of the apparatus body 11 is defined as the 0° position, the support pillar 14A is disposed at a 60° position on a circle CC centered on the center C of the frame 18, the support pillar 14B is disposed at a 180° position on the circle CC, and the support pillar 14C is disposed at a 300° position on the circle CC. In other words, the support pillars 14A to 14C are disposed at 120° intervals on the circle CC. Note that angles such as "0°", "60°", etc. refer to "0°", "60°", etc. in the sense that they include, in addition to the exact "0°", "60°", etc., an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure (for example, an error of about 1% to 10%). In addition, "equally spaced" refers not only to completely "equally spaced," but also to "equally spaced" including an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not go against the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure (for example, an error of about 1% to 10%).

[0051] 1 to 4 show an example in which the subject S is positioned in the cavity 19 in a standing position with both hands raised above the head, but this is not limiting. As an example, as shown in Fig. 5, the CT device 10 can also position the subject S in a sitting position in a wheelchair 30 in the cavity 19 and capture the subject S. Note that both the subject S in a standing position and the subject S in a sitting position in the wheelchair 30 are positioned so that their front faces the 0° position.

[0052] 6, the radiation source 20 incorporates a radiation tube 35 and a radiation field lamp 36. The radiation tube 35 emits radiation R. The radiation field lamp 36 emits visible light, for example, orange light, which indicates the radiation field of the radiation R.

[0053] The radiation source 20 also has an irradiation field limiter 37. The irradiation field limiter 37 is also called a collimator, and defines the irradiation field of the radiation R to the radiation detector 21. The irradiation field limiter 37 has an entrance opening into which the radiation R from the radiation tube 35 enters and an exit opening from which the radiation R exits. For example, four shielding plates are provided near the exit opening. The shielding plates are made of a material that blocks the radiation R, such as lead. The shielding plates are arranged on each side of a rectangle, in other words, arranged in a checkered pattern, and form a rectangular irradiation opening that transmits the radiation R. The irradiation field limiter 37 changes the size of the irradiation opening by changing the position of each shielding plate, thereby changing the irradiation field of the radiation R to the radiation detector 21. Due to the action of the irradiation field limiter 37, the radiation R in a quadrangular pyramid shape is irradiated from the radiation source 20. The radiation angle θ of the radiation R is, for example, 45°.

[0054] As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the radiation detector 21 has a housing 40 with an arc-shaped surface that follows the shape of the frame 18. The housing 40 is made of carbon, for example. A sensor panel unit 41 is housed in the housing 40. The sensor panel unit 41 includes two sensor panels 42A and 42B that are rectangular plates using TFTs. The sensor panels 42A and 42B are square-shaped with a size of, for example, 17 inches (approximately 432 mm x approximately 432 mm). The sensor panel 42A has opposing sides 43A and 44A that are bent into an arc shape that follows the shape of the frame 18. Similarly, the sensor panel 42B has opposing sides 43B and 44B that are bent into an arc shape that follows the shape of the frame 18. The sensor panels 42A and 42B are overlapped at sides 45A and 45B that are not bent into an arc shape (see FIG. 8 for side 45B). The sensor panel 42A is an example of a "first sensor panel" according to the technology of the present disclosure, and the sensor panel 42B is an example of a "second sensor panel" according to the technology of the present disclosure. In addition, the sides 43A, 43B, 44A, and 44B are examples of "curved sides" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the sides 45A and 45B are examples of "sides other than the curved side to which the circuit board is connected" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the sides 43A, 43B, 44A, and 44B will be referred to as the curved sides 43A, 43B, 44A, and 44B.

[0055] A readout circuit board 46A is attached to the curved side 44A, and a readout circuit board 46B is attached to the curved side 44B. The readout circuit boards 46A and 46B are rectangular plate-shaped. Nothing is attached to the curved side 43A opposite the curved side 44A, and to the curved side 43B opposite the curved side 44B. The curved sides 44A and 44B, and therefore the readout circuit boards 46A and 46B, are in the same position when rotated 180° around the center of the radiation detector 21. In other words, the readout circuit boards 46A and 46B are arranged in a two-fold symmetric relationship.

[0056] A switching circuit board 48A is attached to side 47A opposite side 45A, and a switching circuit board 48B is attached to side 47B opposite side 45B. The switching circuit boards 48A and 48B are rectangular plate-shaped. The sides 47A and 47B, and therefore the switching circuit boards 48A and 48B, are in the same position when rotated 180° around the center of the radiation detector 21. That is, the switching circuit boards 48A and 48B are arranged in a two-fold symmetric relationship. As with the supports 14A to 14C, the sensor panels 42A and 42B and the components associated therewith may hereinafter be indicated by only the numbers, omitting the "A" and "B".

[0057] 8 and 9, the sensor panels 42A and 42B are arranged such that the end 50A on the side 45A side and the end 50B on the side 45B side are overlapped in the thickness direction with the sides 45A and 45B parallel to each other. The sensor panels 42A and 42B are fixed at the ends 50A and 50B. The sensor panels 42A and 42B are fixed by, for example, a double-sided tape partially attached to the end 50B, or an adhesive partially applied or mask-printed on the end 50B. The sensor panels 42A and 42B are arranged in this order as viewed from the radiation source 20. That is, the sensor panel 42A is arranged closer to the incident side of the radiation R than the sensor panel 42B in the thickness direction.

[0058] The sensor panel unit 41 is attached to the support base 52. The support base 52 is made of a metal such as aluminum or copper, and has a mounting surface 53 that is precisely machined into a convex arc shape (U-shape) facing the opposite side to the radiation source 20, following the shape of the frame 18. The sensor panel unit 41 is attached to the mounting surface 53 in a curved state following the arc shape. In this way, the sensor panel unit 41 is curved to have a curved shape, and the irradiation distance of the radiation R from the radiation source 20 is made substantially equal over the entire surface of the sensor panel 42, thereby eliminating distortion of the radiation image. The radius of the mounting surface 53 is, for example, 500 mm. A member for shielding the radiation R, such as lead (not shown), is attached to the surface of the support base 52 opposite to the mounting surface 53. The arc shape is an example of a "curved shape" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Here, the term "U-shape" refers to a shape in which the sensor panels 42A and 42B are entirely curved, including the imaging regions 61A and 61B described below and the overlapping ends 50A and 50B. More specifically, the term "U-shape" refers to a shape in which both ends protrude toward one side and both ends are connected to the center by a curved surface.

[0059] A spacer 55 is disposed between the first surface 54A of the sensor panel 42A and the mounting surface 53 of the support base 52. The spacer 55 is a thin plate having approximately the same size as the sensor panel 42A and an arcuate surface shape following the shape of the mounting surface 53. The spacer 55 has a thickness according to the distance between the sensor panel 42A and the support base 52. In other words, the spacer 55 has a thickness that fills the step in the thickness direction between the sensor panels 42A and 42B that occurs when the sensor panels 42A and 42B are overlapped. The radius of the sensor panel 42A is, for example, 500 mm, and the radius of the sensor panel 42B is, for example, 501 mm. In this case, the step in the thickness direction between the sensor panels 42A and 42B is 1 mm, and the thickness of the spacer 55 is naturally 1 mm.

[0060] The spacer 55 has the entire first surface 56 attached to the mounting surface 53, and a second surface 58 opposite the first surface 56 faces the first surface 54A of the sensor panel 42A. The spacer 55 and the mounting surface 53 are fixed together, for example, by double-sided tape attached to the mounting surface 53, or by adhesive applied or mask-printed on the mounting surface 53. The first surface 54A of the sensor panel 42A and the second surface 58 of the spacer 55 are in contact with each other but are not fixed together.

[0061] The first surface 54B of the sensor panel 42B is fixed to the mounting surface 53. The sensor panel 42B and the mounting surface 53 are fixed to each other by, for example, double-sided tape that is partially affixed to the mounting surface 53, or an adhesive that is partially applied or mask-printed on the mounting surface 53.

[0062] The second surface 60A of the sensor panel 42A opposite to the first surface 54A has a square imaging area 61A in which pixels 74A (see FIG. 9) are arranged, and a rectangular ring-shaped non-imaging area 62A surrounding the imaging area 61A where the pixels 74A are not arranged. Similarly, the second surface 60B of the sensor panel 42B opposite to the first surface 54B has an imaging area 61B and a non-imaging area 62B.

[0063] 9, the sensor panel 42A has a substrate 70A and a scintillator 71A. The scintillator 71A contains, for example, terbium-activated gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS; Gd2O2S:Tb) and converts radiation R into visible light. The scintillator 71A is attached to a support 73A via an adhesive layer 72A. The support 73A is, for example, white PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). The back surface of the substrate 70A is the first surface 54A, and the front surface of the support 73A is the second surface 60A.

[0064] The substrate 70A is a flexible thin film sheet made of resin such as polyimide. The substrate 70A contains inorganic oxide particles that absorb backscattered radiation. Examples of inorganic oxides include silicon dioxide (SiO2), magnesium oxide (MgO), aluminum oxide (also known as alumina, Al2O3), and titanium oxide (TiO2). An example of the substrate 70A with such characteristics is XENOMAX (registered trademark) manufactured by Xenomax Japan Co., Ltd.

[0065] The substrate 70A is provided with pixels 74A that detect visible light converted from radiation R by the scintillator 71A. As is well known, the pixels 74A include a light receiving section that generates charges in response to visible light, and a TFT as a switching element for reading out the charges accumulated in the light receiving section. The substrate 70A is provided with a plurality of signal lines for reading out the charges of the light receiving section and inputting them to the circuit board 46A, and a plurality of scanning lines for providing on / off signals (scanning signals) from the switching circuit board 48A to the TFTs, which are arranged to intersect in the vertical and horizontal directions. The pixels 74A are arranged at the intersections of the plurality of signal lines and the scanning lines. That is, the pixels 74A are arranged two-dimensionally. The pitch of the pixels 74A is, for example, 150 μm. The pixels 74A may generate charges not in response to visible light converted from radiation R, but in response directly to radiation R.

[0066] As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the second surface 60A of the sensor panel 42A is covered with a conductive member 80A. The conductive member 80A is a thin plate made of metal such as aluminum, and blocks external noise. The conductive member 80A is bent 90° on the curved side 43A side opposite the curved side 44A to which the readout circuit board 46A is connected, and the bent portion is fixed to the support base 52 by a plurality of pins 81A. Although not shown in the figure, the second surface 60B of the sensor panel 42B is also covered with a conductive member. The conductive member covering the second surface 60B is bent 90° on the curved side 43B side opposite the curved side 44B to which the readout circuit board 46B is connected, and the bent portion is fixed to the support base 52 by a plurality of pins.

[0067] The sensor panels 42A and 42B have the same basic configuration, such as the mounting structure of the readout circuit boards 46A and 46B, and therefore the following description will mainly focus on the sensor panel 42A.

[0068] 11, the readout circuit board 46A is connected to the curved side 44A of the sensor panel 42A by flexible cables 90A1, 90A2, 90A3, 90A4, 90A5, and 90A6. The flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 are arranged at equal intervals along the curved side 44A. One end of the flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 is thermocompression-bonded to the curved side 44A, and the other end is thermocompression-bonded to the readout circuit board 46A. The thermocompression-bonding of the flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 to the curved side 44A and the readout circuit board 46A is completed before the sensor panel 42A is attached to the attachment surface 53 of the support base 52.

[0069] The flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 are bent at one end on the curved side 44A toward the support base 52 in order to arrange the readout circuit board 46A at an angle of 90° toward the support base 52 with respect to the sensor panel 42A. This causes the wiring direction of the signal lines of the sensor panel 42A to coincide with the thickness direction of the readout circuit board 46A. 90° is an example of a "set angle" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Note that "90°" refers to "90°" in the sense of including an error (e.g., an error of about 1% to 10%) that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and does not go against the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure, in addition to the exact "90°" as in the above-mentioned "0°" and "60°".

[0070] The flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 have lengths according to the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A. Specifically, the flexible cables 90A3 and 90A4 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the shortest have the shortest length. In contrast, the flexible cables 90A1 and 90A6 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the longest have the longest length. The flexible cables 90A2 and 92A5 arranged at the intermediate position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is intermediate length. The second flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 having lengths according to the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A realize a reduction structure 91A that reduces the bias of the stretching force applied to the flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 due to the curved side 44A.

[0071] The flexible cables 90A1 and 90A6 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CTRA of the readout circuit board 46A. Similarly, the flexible cables 90A2 and 90A5, and the flexible cables 90A3 and 90A4 are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line CTRA. The flexible cables 90A1 and 90A6 have the same length, the flexible cables 90A2 and 90A5 have the same length, and the flexible cables 90A3 and 90A4 have the same length. Note that the "same" in "same length" refers to "same" in the sense of including, in addition to the exact "same," an error that is generally permitted in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure (for example, an error of about 1% to 10%).

[0072] A readout integrated circuit (hereinafter, abbreviated as readout IC (Integrated Circuit)) 92A is mounted on the flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6. Each readout IC 92A has the same performance. Note that the "same" in "same performance", like the "same" in "same length" mentioned above, refers to "same" in the sense of including not only the exact "same" but also an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not go against the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0073] The readout IC 92A has an analog / digital converter (hereinafter, abbreviated as A / D (Analog / Digital) converter) 93A built in. The A / D converter 93A converts an analog signal represented by the charge read out from the pixel 74A into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal to the readout circuit board 46A. In addition to the A / D converter 93A, the readout IC 92A also has a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit built in.

[0074] The length L1 from the sensor panel 42A to the readout IC 92A of the flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6, such as the length L1max from the sensor panel 42A to the readout IC 92A of the flexible cable 90A1 and the length L1min from the sensor panel 42A to the readout IC 92A of the flexible cable 90A3, is a length corresponding to the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A. In contrast, the length L2 from the readout IC 92A to the readout circuit board 46A of the flexible cables 90A1 to 90A6 is the same.

[0075] The length L1 from the sensor panel 42A to the readout IC 92A is the minimum value L1min for the flexible cables 90A3 and 90A4 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the shortest (length L1min is shown only for the flexible cable 90A3 in FIG. 11). The length L1 from the sensor panel 42A to the readout IC 92A is the maximum value L1max for the flexible cables 90A1 and 90A6 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the longest (length L1max is shown only for the flexible cable 90A1 in FIG. 11). The length L1min is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel 42A and the readout IC 92A. The length L1max is the length obtained by adding the difference ΔL between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A to the length L1min. The longest distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the length of the flexible cables 90A1 and 90A6 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the longest. Also, the shortest distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the length of the flexible cables 90A3 and 90A4 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 46A and the curved side 44A is the shortest.

[0076] 12, as an example, an elevation mechanism 110 for vertically raising and lowering the connection member 17, and therefore the frame 18, is a ball screw mechanism composed of the aforementioned screw shaft 22, a nut 111 with a ball that screws onto the screw shaft 22, and an elevation motor 112 that rotates the screw shaft 22. The elevation motor 112 is attached to the rear surface of the stage 13. The height position of the frame 18 is calculated from the rotation direction and the number of rotations of the elevation motor 112.

[0077] The connecting member 17 has a first connecting portion 113 connected to the frame 18, and a second connecting portion 114 connected to the support pillar 14. The first connecting portion 113 protrudes toward the frame 18, and the second connecting portion 114 protrudes toward the support pillar 14, so that the connecting member 17 is generally Z-shaped. A bearing 115 is built into the first connecting portion 113. The bearing 115 is fitted into a guide groove 116 (see also FIG. 1, etc.) formed around the entire circumference of the frame 18. The bearing 115 rolls as the frame 18 rotates. A nut 111 is built into the second connecting portion 114.

[0078] As an example, as shown in FIG. 13, a rotation mechanism 120 for rotating the frame 18 around the subject S is composed of a rotation belt 121 wound around the entire circumference of the frame 18, a rotation motor 122, a potentiometer 123, and the like. The rotation motor 122 is built in the connection member 17B, and is connected to a part of the rotation belt 121 drawn out from the frame 18 via a pulley 124. Drive of the rotation motor 122 causes the frame 18 to rotate in a clockwise (right-handed) direction CW and a counterclockwise (left-handed) direction CCW. The potentiometer 123 is built in the connection member 17C, and is connected to a part of the rotation belt 121 drawn out from the frame 18 via a pulley 125. The potentiometer 123 has a variable resistor whose resistance value changes depending on the rotation position of the frame 18, and outputs a voltage signal according to the rotation position of the frame 18. The rotation position of the frame 18 is determined by the voltage signal from the potentiometer 123.

[0079] As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, a computer constituting the control device 12 includes a storage 130, a memory 131, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 132, a display 133, an input device 134, and the like.

[0080] The storage 130 is a hard disk drive built into the computer constituting the control device 12 or connected via a cable or network. Alternatively, the storage 130 is a disk array in which multiple hard disk drives are connected in series. The storage 130 stores control programs such as an operating system, various application programs, and various data associated with these programs. Note that a solid state drive may be used instead of a hard disk drive.

[0081] The memory 131 is a work memory for the CPU 132 to execute processing. The CPU 132 loads a program stored in the storage 130 into the memory 131 and executes processing according to the program. In this way, the CPU 132 comprehensively controls each part of the computer. The memory 131 may be built into the CPU 132.

[0082] The display 133 displays various screens. Each screen is provided with an operation function using a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The computer constituting the control device 12 accepts input of operation instructions from the input device 134 via each screen. The input device 134 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a microphone for voice input, etc.

[0083] The storage 130 stores an operating program 140. The operating program 140 is an application program for causing a computer to function as the control device 12. In addition to the operating program 140, the storage 130 stores an irradiation condition table 141, order-specific irradiation condition information 142, and the like.

[0084] When the operating program 140 is started, the CPU 132 of the control device 12, in cooperation with the memory 131, etc., functions as a reception unit 145, a read / write (hereinafter abbreviated as RW (Read Write)) control unit 146, a shooting control unit 147, an image processing unit 148, and a display control unit 149.

[0085] The reception unit 145 receives various operation instructions input by an operator via the touch panel display 25 of the apparatus body 11 and the input device 134. For example, the reception unit 145 receives a shooting menu 155. The reception unit 145 outputs the shooting menu 155 to the RW control unit 146.

[0086] The RW control unit 146 receives the imaging menu 155 from the reception unit 145. The RW control unit 146 reads out irradiation conditions 156 of radiation R corresponding to the received imaging menu 155 from the irradiation condition table 141. The RW control unit 146 writes the irradiation conditions 156 read out from the irradiation condition table 141 into the order-specific irradiation condition information 142.

[0087] The imaging control unit 147 controls the operations of the radiation source 20 (radiation tube 35, irradiation field lamp 36, and irradiation field limiter 37), the lifting mechanism 110 (lifting motor 112), the rotation mechanism 120 (rotation motor 122 and potentiometer 123), and the radiation detector 21. The imaging control unit 147 reads out the irradiation conditions 156 from the order-specific irradiation condition information 142. The imaging control unit 147 drives the irradiation field limiter 37 in accordance with the irradiation conditions 156 to adjust the irradiation field. The imaging control unit 147 also drives the radiation tube 35 in accordance with the irradiation conditions 156 to cause the radiation tube 35 to emit radiation R. The imaging control unit 147 causes the radiation detector 21 to output a radiation image detected by the irradiation of radiation R from the radiation detector 21 to the image processing unit 148. Hereinafter, the radiation image detected by the radiation detector 21 will be referred to as a projection image.

[0088] The image processing unit 148 acquires a projection image from the radiation detector 21. The image processing unit 148 performs various image processing on the projection image. The image processing unit 148 also performs reconstruction processing on a plurality of projection images after image processing to generate a tomographic image TI. The image processing unit 148 outputs the projection image or the tomographic image TI after image processing to the display control unit 149. The image processing unit 148 may also perform processing to correct positional deviation of the pixels 74 due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction of the sensor panel 42.

[0089] The display control unit 149 controls the display of various information on the touch panel display 25 and the display 133. The display control unit 149 receives the projection image or tomographic image TI from the image processing unit 148. The display control unit 149 displays the projection image or tomographic image TI on the touch panel display 25 and the display 133.

[0090] The imaging menu 155 includes, for example, an imaging order ID (Identification Data) and an imaging technique (see FIG. 15). The imaging order ID is identification information of an imaging order issued by a doctor who performs a medical examination using the tomographic image TI. The imaging technique is composed of the posture of the subject S (standing or sitting), the imaging region such as the head, neck, spine, etc., and the attributes of the subject S such as an adult male or adult female.

[0091] The imaging order is transmitted from a radiology information system (RIS) (not shown) to the control device 12. The control device 12 displays a list of imaging orders on the display 133 under the control of the display control unit 149. The operator views the list of imaging orders and confirms the contents. Next, the control device 12 displays an imaging menu 155 corresponding to the imaging order on the display 133 in a settable form. The operator operates the input device 134 to select and input the imaging menu 155 corresponding to the imaging order.

[0092] 15 as an example, the irradiation condition table 141 has irradiation conditions 156 registered for each imaging technique. The irradiation conditions 156 include the tube voltage and tube current applied to the radiation tube 35, and the irradiation time of the radiation R. Although not shown in the figure, the irradiation conditions 156 also include the size of the irradiation field. The irradiation conditions 156 can be finely adjusted by an operator. Note that, instead of the tube current and the irradiation time, the product of the tube current and irradiation time, a so-called mAs value, may be used as the irradiation condition 156.

[0093] Although not shown in the figure, the irradiation condition table 141 also registers a scout imaging position and a main imaging start position for each imaging technique. The scout imaging position is a set of a height position and a rotation position of the frame 18 in the scout imaging. The height position indicates the height of the frame 18 when the surface of the stage 13 is set to 0 cm. The rotation position is, for example, a position where the radiation source 20 directly faces the subject S, that is, a position of 0°. Alternatively, the rotation position may be a 90° position where the radiation source 20 faces the right side of the subject S, or a 270° position where the radiation source 20 faces the left side of the subject S.

[0094] Here, the scout radiography is a preparatory radiography performed to check the positioning of the subject S prior to the actual radiography in which a plurality of projection images are captured at predetermined angles to generate a tomographic image TI. In the scout radiography, the frame 18 is set to a height position and rotation position registered in the irradiation condition table 141, and a lower dose of radiation R is irradiated than in the actual radiography to obtain one projection image. Hereinafter, the projection image obtained by the scout radiography is referred to as a scout image SI (see FIG. 16).

[0095] The main photography start position is the rotation start position of the frame 18 in the main photography. The main photography start position is, for example, a position of 0°. Alternatively, the main photography start position may be a position of 90°.

[0096] Although not shown in the figure, the irradiation conditions 156, the scout photographing position, and the start position of the actual photographing are registered for each photographing order ID in the order-specific irradiation condition information 142. The photographing control unit 147 reads out the irradiation conditions 156, the scout photographing position, and the start position of the actual photographing corresponding to the photographing order ID of the next photographing from the order-specific irradiation condition information 142, and controls the operation of each unit according to the read out irradiation conditions 156, the scout photographing position, and the start position of the actual photographing.

[0097] When guiding the subject S into the apparatus body 11, the frame 18 is moved to a retracted height position by the lifting mechanism 110 under the control of the imaging control unit 147, and is rotated to a 60° position by the rotation mechanism 120. The retracted height position is set on the upper end side of the support 14. More specifically, the retracted height position is the highest point of the lifting range of the frame 18. In this example, the highest point of the lifting range of the frame 18 is approximately the upper end of the support 14, where the second connection part 114 of the connection member 17 abuts against the rear surface of the top plate 15. The 60° position is a position where the entirety of the radiation source 20 overlaps with the support 14A. The operator guides the subject S into the apparatus body 11 in this state, using the space between the support 14A and 14C as an entrance, and positions the subject S.

[0098] After positioning the subject S inside the device body 11, the operator remains at the installation location of the device body 11 and operates the touch panel display 25 to move the frame 18 to the height position registered in the irradiation condition table 141 and rotate the frame 18 to the 0° position. Then, in order to check the irradiation field of the radiation R, the operator operates the touch panel display 25 to turn on the irradiation field lamp 36 and irradiate the irradiation field with visible light.

[0099] The operator visually checks the visible light from the irradiation field lamp 36 and judges whether the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging. If the operator judges that the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are not appropriate for imaging, the operator operates the touch panel display 25 to adjust the height position of the frame 18 or reposition the subject S. If the operator judges that the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging, the operator operates the touch panel display 25 to turn off the irradiation field lamp 36.

[0100] 16 as an example, after checking the irradiation field of radiation R, the operator moves to the installation location of the control device 12 and operates the input device 134 to input a scout imaging instruction 160 for performing scout imaging. The reception unit 145 receives the scout imaging instruction 160 and outputs that to the imaging control unit 147. The imaging control unit 147 outputs a scout imaging command 161 corresponding to the scout imaging instruction 160 to the radiation source 20, the radiation detector 21, and the rotation mechanism 120.

[0101] The scout radiography command 161 has a content to rotate the frame 18 to the rotation position of the scout radiography position registered in the irradiation condition table 141, while keeping the height position at the time of confirmation of the irradiation field of radiation R. The scout radiography command 161 also has a content to perform scout radiography at the height position at the time of confirmation of the irradiation field of radiation R and at the rotation position of the scout radiography position registered in the irradiation condition table 141. The rotation mechanism 120 rotates the frame 18 to the rotation position of the scout radiography position registered in the irradiation condition table 141 by driving the rotation motor 122 to rotate the rotation belt 121.

[0102] The radiation source 20 drives the radiation tube 35 to irradiate the subject S with radiation R for scout imaging. The radiation detector 21 detects the radiation R that has passed through the subject S to obtain a projection image. The radiation detector 21 outputs the projection image to the image processing unit 148.

[0103] The image processing unit 148 performs various image processing on the projection image from the radiation detector 21 to generate a scout image SI. The image processing unit 148 outputs the scout image SI to the display control unit 149. The display control unit 149 displays the scout image SI on the touch panel display 25 and the display 133.

[0104] The operator views the scout image SI on the display 133 and judges whether the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging. If the operator judges from the scout image SI that the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are not appropriate for imaging, the operator returns to the installation location of the device main body 11, turns on the irradiation field lamp 36 again, and adjusts the height position of the frame 18 or repositions the subject S.

[0105] 17 as an example, when it is determined from the scout image SI that the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging, the operator operates the input device 134 to input a main imaging instruction 170 for performing the main imaging. The reception unit 145 receives the main imaging instruction 170 and outputs the reception instruction 170 to the imaging control unit 147. The imaging control unit 147 outputs a main imaging command 171 according to the main imaging instruction 170 to the radiation source 20, the radiation detector 21, and the rotation mechanism 120.

[0106] The main photography command 171 rotates the frame 18 to the main photography start position while keeping the height position at the end of the scout photography, and then rotates the frame 18 in the counterclockwise direction CCW to the main photography end position. The main photography command 171 also rotates the main photography while the frame 18 is rotated from the main photography start position to the main photography end position. The rotation mechanism 120 drives the rotation motor 122 to rotate the rotation belt 121, thereby first rotating the frame 18 to the main photography start position. After that, the rotation mechanism 120 rotates the frame 18 in the counterclockwise direction CCW to the main photography end position. In this example, the main photography end position is a position rotated 225° counterclockwise CCW from the main photography start position. If the main photography start position is the 0° position, the main photography end position is a 135° position rotated 225° counterclockwise CCW from the 0° position. Furthermore, when the main photography start position is 90°, the main photography end position is a position of 225°, and when the main photography start position is 180°, the main photography end position is a position of 315°.

[0107] The radiation source 20 drives the radiation tube 35 at each predetermined angle to irradiate the subject S with radiation R for main imaging at each predetermined angle in accordance with the irradiation conditions 156. The radiation detector 21 detects the radiation R that has passed through the subject S at each predetermined angle to obtain a plurality of projection images. The radiation detector 21 sequentially outputs the plurality of projection images to the image processing unit 148.

[0108] The image processing unit 148 performs reconstruction processing on a plurality of projection images from the radiation detector 21 to generate a tomographic image TI. The image processing unit 148 outputs the tomographic image TI to the display control unit 149. The display control unit 149 displays the tomographic image TI on the touch panel display 25 and the display 133.

[0109] The operator views the tomographic image TI on the display 133 and determines whether or not it is necessary to re-capture the tomographic image TI. If it is determined that it is necessary to re-capture the tomographic image TI, the operator operates the input device 134 to re-input the main imaging instruction 170.

[0110] When it is determined that re-imaging of the tomographic image TI is not necessary, the operator operates the input device 134 to return the frame 18 to the evacuation height position. Also, the operator rotates the frame 18 in the clockwise direction CW from the imaging end position to return the frame 18 to the 60° position. Thereafter, the operator evacuates the subject S from inside the apparatus body 11.

[0111] Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 18 as an example. When the operating program 140 is started, the CPU 132 of the control device 12 functions as a reception unit 145, a RW control unit 146, an imaging control unit 147, an image processing unit 148, and a display control unit 149 as shown in Fig. 14.

[0112] First, the frame 18 is moved to the retract height position and rotated to a 60° position, and then the subject S is guided into the device body 11 by the operator (step ST100). Then, the subject S is positioned by the operator (step ST110).

[0113] After positioning of the subject S, an operator instructs to turn on the irradiation field lamp 36 via the touch panel display 25. This causes the lifting mechanism 110 to operate and move the frame 18 to the height position registered in the irradiation condition table 141. Also, the rotation mechanism 120 is operated to rotate the frame 18 to a position of 0°. Furthermore, the irradiation field limiter 37 is driven to adjust the irradiation field according to the irradiation condition 156, and then the irradiation field lamp 36 is turned on and visible light is irradiated onto the irradiation field (step ST120).

[0114] With reference to the visible light from the irradiation field lamp 36, the operator determines whether the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging (step ST130). If the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are not appropriate for imaging (NO in step ST130), the operator adjusts the height position of the frame 18 or repositions the subject S. If the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging (YES in step ST130), the operator issues an instruction to turn off the irradiation field lamp 36 via the touch panel display 25, and the irradiation field lamp 36 is turned off (step ST140).

[0115] 16, after checking the irradiation field of radiation R, the operator inputs a scout imaging instruction 160 via the input device 134. The scout imaging instruction 160 is accepted by the acceptance unit 145. In response to this, a scout imaging command 161 is output from the imaging control unit 147 to the radiation source 20 etc.

[0116] In response to the scout imaging command 161, the rotation mechanism 120 is operated to rotate the frame 18 to the rotation position registered in the irradiation condition table 141. Furthermore, the radiation tube 35 irradiates the subject S with radiation R for scout imaging, and the radiation R that has passed through the subject S is detected by the radiation detector 21 to obtain a projection image (step ST150).

[0117] The projection image obtained by the radiation detector 21 is subjected to various image processing in the image processing unit 148 to become a scout image SI. The scout image SI is displayed on the touch panel display 25 and the display 133 under the control of the display control unit 149 (step ST160).

[0118] With reference to the scout image SI, the operator once again determines whether the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging (step ST170). If the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are not appropriate for imaging (NO in step ST170), the operator adjusts the height position of the frame 18 or repositions the subject S.

[0119] If the height position of the frame 18 and the positioning of the subject S are appropriate for imaging (YES in step ST170), an operator inputs a main imaging instruction 170 via the input device 134, as shown in Fig. 17. The main imaging instruction 170 is accepted by the acceptance unit 145. As a result, a main imaging command 171 is output from the imaging control unit 147 to the radiation source 20, etc.

[0120] In response to the main radiography command 171, the rotation mechanism 120 is operated to rotate the frame 18 to the start position of the main radiography. After that, the frame 18 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction CCW to the end position of the main radiography. During this time, the radiation tube 35 irradiates the subject S with radiation R for the main radiography at predetermined angles, and the radiation R that has passed through the subject S is detected by the radiation detector 21 at each time, and multiple projection images are obtained (step ST180).

[0121] A plurality of projection images obtained by the radiation detector 21 are subjected to reconstruction processing by the image processing unit 148 to become a tomographic image TI. The tomographic image TI is displayed on the touch panel display 25 and the display 133 under the control of the display control unit 149 (step ST190).

[0122] The operator determines whether or not it is necessary to re-photograph the tomographic image TI (step ST200). If the operator determines that it is necessary to re-photograph the tomographic image TI (YES in step ST200), the operator re-inputs the actual photography instruction 170 via the input device 134, and the process returns to step ST180.

[0123] If the operator determines that re-imaging of the tomographic image TI is not necessary (NO in step ST200), the lifting mechanism 110 is operated to return the frame 18 to the retracted height position in response to an instruction from the operator via the input device 134. In addition, the rotation mechanism 120 is operated to return the frame 18 to a position at 60° in the clockwise direction CW from the imaging end position. After the frame 18 has been returned to the retracted height position and the 60° position, the subject S is retracted from within the apparatus body 11 by the operator (step ST210). This series of steps ST100 to ST210 is repeated if there is a next imaging order.

[0124] As described above, the radiation detector 21 includes the support base 52 on which the mounting surface 53 having an arcuate surface is formed, the rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel 42 on which the pixels 74 including TFTs and detecting radiation R are arranged two-dimensionally, the circuit board 46, the flexible cable 90, and the reduction structure 91. The sensor panel 42 is attached to the mounting surface 53 in a curved state following the arcuate surface. The flexible cable 90 connects the curved side 44 of the sensor panel 42 to the readout circuit board 46, and is arranged along the curved side 44. The flexible cable 90 is bent to dispose the readout circuit board 46 at an angle of 90° with respect to the sensor panel 42. The reduction structure 91 reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 90 due to the curved side 44. Therefore, the risk of excessive stretching force being applied to the flexible cable 90 in some places is reduced, and as a result, the risk of defects such as cracks and malfunctions occurring in the readout circuit board 46 can be reduced.

[0125] By arranging the readout circuit board 46 at an angle of 90° to the sensor panel 42, the readout circuit board 46 does not protrude from the curved side 44 in the direction parallel to the sides 45 and 47. This allows the radiation detector 21 to be made smaller.

[0126] 19, the radiation detector 21 of this embodiment is mounted on the radiation imaging device 180, which is shown as an example in the following advantages. The radiation imaging device 180 includes an annular frame 181 incorporating the radiation source 20 and the radiation detector 21, and two support pillars 182. The support pillars 182 support the frame 181 so that a central axis CA of the frame 181 is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0127] Consider a case in which, in such a radiation imaging device 180, for example, the elbow EL of the subject S is inserted into the frame 181 to be imaged. In this case, if the readout circuit board 46 protrudes from the curved side 44 in a direction parallel to the sides 45 and 47, the elbow EL must be inserted deeper into the frame 181 by the amount of the readout circuit board 46, imposing a burden on the subject S. However, in the radiation detector 21 of this example, the readout circuit board 46 does not protrude from the curved side 44 in a direction parallel to the sides 45 and 47, so the elbow EL can be inserted less into the frame 181, and the burden on the subject S can be reduced.

[0128] The readout circuit board 46 is a rectangular plate. The reduction structure 91 is composed of a flexible cable 90 having a length corresponding to the distance between the readout circuit board 46 and the curved side 44. With a very simple configuration in which the length of the flexible cable 90 is changed according to the distance between the readout circuit board 46 and the curved side 44, it is possible to reduce bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 90.

[0129] One end of the flexible cable 90 is thermocompression bonded to the curved side 44 before bending, and the other end is thermocompression bonded to the readout circuit board 46. The curved side 44 before bending has a straight shape, and the readout circuit board 46 is also a rectangular plate with straight sides as described above, so that the flexible cable 90 can be thermocompression bonded more easily than to a curved side.

[0130] The flexible cables 90 arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line CTR of the readout circuit board 46 have the same length. Therefore, compared to the case where the length of the flexible cables 90 is changed stepwise as shown in FIG. 20 as an example, the variation in the length of the flexible cables 90 can be reduced. Also, the difference ΔL between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the readout circuit board 46 and the curved side 44 can be reduced. The fact that the difference ΔL is small means that there is not much difference in the lengths of the multiple flexible cables 90. And the fact that there is not much difference in the lengths of the multiple flexible cables 90 means that there is not much difference in the signal transmission characteristics of the multiple flexible cables 90. Therefore, the difference in the transmission characteristics of the multiple flexible cables 90 can be minimized.

[0131] A read IC 92 is mounted on the flexible cable 90. Therefore, processing such as A / D conversion can be performed in the flexible cable 90.

[0132] The multiple flexible cables 90 have a length L1 from the sensor panel 42 to the readout IC 92 that corresponds to the distance between the readout circuit board 46 and the curved side 44, and a length L2 from the readout IC 92 to the readout circuit board 46 that is the same. This makes it possible to reduce bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cables 90 in the length L1 from the sensor panel 42 to the readout IC 92. In addition, the attachment position of the readout IC 92 from one end of the flexible cables 90 connected to the readout circuit board 46 can be unified for the multiple flexible cables 90.

[0133] The minimum value L1min of the length of the flexible cable 90 from the sensor panel 42 to the readout IC 92 is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel 42 and the readout IC 92. The maximum value L1max of the length of the flexible cable 90 from the sensor panel 42 to the readout IC 92 is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel 42 and the readout IC 92 plus the difference ΔL between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the readout circuit board 46 and the curved side 44. Therefore, the length L1 of the flexible cable 90 from the sensor panel 42 to the readout IC 92 can be set to the minimum length overall. In the case where the circuit board is the readout circuit board 46 and the readout IC 92 includes the A / D converter 93 as in this example, the risk of noise being added to the analog signal before it is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 93 can be minimized.

[0134] The readout ICs 92 have the same performance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unevenness in image quality due to differences in performance of the readout ICs 92 from appearing in the projected image, and in the tomographic image TI.

[0135] The radiation detector 21 includes a support base 52 having an arc-shaped mounting surface 53 facing the opposite side of the radiation source 20, on which the sensor panel unit 41 is mounted following the arc-shaped mounting surface 53. As an example, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 21, if the sensor panel unit 41 is flat, the dose of radiation R is lower at the edge of the sensor panel unit 41 than at the center, and as a result, the effective field of view sFOV (Scan Field Of View)1, which is the imaging range that can be reconstructed as a tomographic image TI, becomes smaller. In contrast, if the sensor panel unit 41 is arc-shaped, the entire sensor panel unit 41 is irradiated with approximately the same amount of radiation R, so that the effective field of view sFOV2 can be made larger than the effective field of view sFOV1 (sFOV2>sFOV1). For example, sFOV1 is 384 mm, while sFOV2 is 406 mm. Therefore, by making the sensor panel unit 41 arc-shaped, a wider range of the subject S can be imaged at once.

[0136] Incidentally, some conventional CT devices achieve sFOV1 by moving the planar sensor panel unit 41 in the planar direction, but this has the disadvantages of requiring a movement mechanism to move the sensor panel unit 41 in the planar direction, making the device larger, and taking a long time to capture images. In this respect, the CT device 10 of this example does not require a movement mechanism, and does not take a long time to capture images.

[0137] The sensor panel unit 41 is composed of two sensor panels 42A and 42B, and the sensor panels 42A and 42B are arranged with their ends 50A and 50B overlapping each other in the thickness direction on the sides 45A and 45B other than the curved sides 44A and 44B to which the readout circuit boards 46A and 46B are connected. Therefore, the overlapping portion that causes deterioration of the image quality of the tomographic image TI can be reduced to a minimum of one place on the ends 50A and 50B, and deterioration of the image quality of the tomographic image TI can be suppressed. The number of sensor panels 42 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. By increasing the number of panels, a wider range of the subject S can be photographed at once.

[0138] The readout circuit board 46A and the switching circuit board 48A connected to the sensor panel 42A and the readout circuit board 46B and the switching circuit board 48B connected to the sensor panel 42B are arranged in a two-fold symmetric relationship, so that the weight of the radiation detector 21 can be kept balanced.

[0139] The CT device 10 includes an annular frame 18 to which a radiation source 20 and a radiation detector 21 are attached, and a rotation mechanism 120. The frame 18 has a cavity 19 in which a subject S is positioned. The rotation mechanism 120 rotates the frame 18 around the subject S to capture projection images of the subject S at different angles. The radiation detector 21 includes a support base 52 having an arc-shaped mounting surface 53 facing the opposite side to the radiation source 20, and a mounting surface 53 on which a sensor panel unit 41 is attached following the arc-shaped surface. As shown in FIG. 21, by forming the sensor panel unit 41 into an arc-shaped surface, a wider range of the subject S can be captured at once.

[0140] 6, the radiation source 20 irradiates pyramidal radiation R. Therefore, imaging can be completed in a shorter time than when the radiation source irradiates fan-shaped radiation R and scans in the height direction. Note that conical radiation R may be irradiated instead of pyramidal.

[0141] 1 and 5, the subject S is positioned in the cavity 19 in either a standing or sitting position. This meets the needs of a physician who wants to observe soft tissues such as the lungs in a natural state under the influence of gravity, or a joint such as a hip joint under the influence of gravity and a load.

[0142] The circuit board connected to the curved side 44 is not limited to the illustrated readout circuit board 46. For example, as shown in Fig. 22, a switching circuit board 48A may be connected to the curved side 44A instead of the readout circuit board 46A.

[0143] 22, the switching circuit board 48A is connected to the curved side 44A of the sensor panel 42A by flexible cables 190A1, 190A2, 190A3, 190A4, 190A5, and 190A6. The flexible cables 190A1 to 190A6 have lengths corresponding to the distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A, and form a reduction structure 191A.

[0144] 22 has the same configuration as the example shown in FIG. 11, except that the readout circuit board 46A is replaced with a switching circuit board 48A, and the flexible cables 90A1-90A6 are replaced with flexible cables 190A1-190A6. For example, one end of the flexible cables 190A1-190A6 is thermocompression-bonded to the curved side 44A before bending, and the other end is thermocompression-bonded to the switching circuit board 48A. In addition, one end of the flexible cables 190A1-190A6 on the curved side 44A side is bent toward the support base 52 in order to arrange the switching circuit board 48A toward the support base 52 at an angle of 90° with respect to the sensor panel 42A. Furthermore, the flexible cables 190A arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center line CTSA of the switching circuit board 48A, i.e., flexible cables 190A1 and 190A6, flexible cables 190A2 and 190A5, and flexible cables 190A3 and 190A4, have the same length.

[0145] The flexible cables 190A1 to 190A6 are each equipped with a switching integrated circuit (hereinafter, abbreviated as switching IC) 192A. Each switching IC 192A has the same performance. The switching IC 192A includes a gate driver 193A that generates an on / off signal to be applied to the TFT.

[0146] The length L1 of the flexible cables 190A1-190A6 from the sensor panel 42A to the switching IC 192A corresponds to the distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A. On the other hand, the length L2 of the flexible cables 190A1-190A6 from the switching IC 192A to the switching circuit board 48A is the same.

[0147] The length L1 from the sensor panel 42A to the switching IC 192A is the minimum value L1min in the flexible cables 190A3 and 190A4 arranged at the position where the distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A is the shortest (length L1min is shown only for the flexible cable 190A3 in FIG. 22). The length L1 from the sensor panel 42A to the switching IC 192A is the maximum value L1max in the flexible cables 190A1 and 190A6 arranged at the position where the distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A is the longest (length L1max is shown only for the flexible cable 190A1 in FIG. 22). The length L1min is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel 42A and the switching IC 192A. The length L1max is the length obtained by adding the difference ΔL between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A to the length L1min. The longest distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A is the length of the flexible cables 190A1 and 190A6 arranged at the position where the distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A is the longest. Also, the shortest distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A is the length of the flexible cables 190A3 and 190A4 arranged at the position where the distance between the switching circuit board 48A and the curved side 44A is the shortest.

[0148] [2_1 embodiment] 23, in the second embodiment, each of the flexible cables 200A1, 200A2, 200A3, 200A4, 200A5, and 200A6 is divided into a first flexible cable 201A and second flexible cables 202A1, 202A2, 202A3, 202A4, 202A5, and 202A6. A relay substrate 203A is disposed between the first flexible cable 201A and the second flexible cables 202A1 to 202A6.

[0149] One end of first flexible cable 201A is connected to curved side 44A, and the other end is connected to relay substrate 203A. One end of first flexible cable 201A is thermocompression bonded to curved side 44A. The other end of first flexible cable 201A is also thermocompression bonded to relay substrate 203A. Thermocompression bonding of first flexible cable 201A to curved side 44A and relay substrate 203A is completed before sensor panel 42A is attached to mounting surface 53 of support base 52.

[0150] Among the multiple flexible cables 200A1 to 200A6, each of the first flexible cables 201A has the same length. In the first flexible cable 201A, one end on the curved side 44A side is bent toward the support base 52 in order to arrange the readout circuit board 204A toward the support base 52 at an angle of 90° with respect to the sensor panel 42A. The first flexible cable 201A is equipped with a readout IC 92A including an A / D converter 93A and the like. Each readout IC 92A has the same performance. Note that the "same" in the "same length" of the first flexible cables 201A refers to "same" in the sense of including, in addition to the exact "same," an error that is generally permitted in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not go against the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure (for example, an error of about 1% to 10%).

[0151] A connector 205A is provided on the relay substrate 203A at an end opposite to the end to which the other end of the first flexible cable 201A is thermocompression bonded. The other ends of the second flexible cables 202A1 to 202A6 are connected to the connector 205A. In addition, a connector 206A is provided on the readout circuit board 204A. One ends of the second flexible cables 202A1 to 202A6 are connected to the connector 206A.

[0152] The second flexible cables 202A1 to 202A6 have lengths according to the distance between the readout circuit board 204A and the curved side 44A. Specifically, the second flexible cables 202A3 and 202A4 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 204A and the curved side 44A is the shortest have the shortest length. In contrast, the second flexible cables 202A1 and 202A6 arranged at the position where the distance between the readout circuit board 204A and the curved side 44A is the longest have the longest length. The second flexible cables 202A2 and 202A5 arranged at the intermediate position where the distance between the readout circuit board 204A and the curved side 44A is intermediate length. The second flexible cables 202A1 to 202A6 having lengths according to the distance between the readout circuit board 204A and the curved side 44A realize a reduction structure 207A that reduces the bias of the stretching force applied to the flexible cables 200A1 to 200A6 due to the curved side 44A.

[0153] The second flexible cables 202A1 and 202A6, which are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line CTRA of the readout circuit board 204A, have the same length. Similarly, the second flexible cables 202A2 and 202A5 also have the same length, and the second flexible cables 202A3 and 202A4 also have the same length.

[0154] As described above, in the 2_1 embodiment, each of the multiple flexible cables 200 is divided into a first flexible cable 201 having one end connected to the curved side 44 and a second flexible cable 202 having one end connected to the readout circuit board 204. In the multiple flexible cables 200, each of the first flexible cables 201 has the same length. Also, the other end of the first flexible cable 201 and the other end of the second flexible cable 202 are connected to a relay board 203 disposed between the sensor panel 42 and the readout circuit board 204. Therefore, the multiple flexible cables 200 can have the same configuration from the first flexible cable 201 to the relay board 203, thereby reducing the parts cost.

[0155] Since each of the first flexible cables 201 has the same length, the distance from the sensor panel 42 to the readout IC 92 is also the same. In the case where the circuit board is the readout circuit board 204 and the readout IC 92 includes the A / D converter 93 as in this example, the transmission paths of the analog signals before being converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 93 are the same length. Therefore, the environment to which the analog signals are exposed in each flexible cable 200 can be made the same.

[0156] In the 2_1 embodiment, the reduction structure 207 is configured with a second flexible cable 202 having a length according to the distance between the readout circuit board 204 and the curved side 44. With a very simple configuration in which the length of the second flexible cable 202 is changed according to the distance between the readout circuit board 204 and the curved side 44, it is possible to reduce bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 200.

[0157] The second flexible cables 202 arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line CTR of the readout circuit board 204 have the same length. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the variation in length of the second flexible cables 202 can be reduced compared to the case where the length of the second flexible cables 202 is changed stepwise. In addition, the difference ΔL between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the readout circuit board 204 and the curved side 44 can be reduced, and the difference in transmission characteristics of the multiple second flexible cables 202 can be minimized.

[0158] One end of the first flexible cable 201 is thermocompression-bonded to the curved side 44 before bending, and the other end is thermocompression-bonded to the relay substrate 203. The relay substrate 203 has a connector 205 to which the other end of the second flexible cable 202 is connected, and the readout circuit substrate 204 has a connector 206 to which one end of the second flexible cable 202 is connected. Therefore, after the first flexible cable 201 is bent in a state in which the second flexible cable 202 is detached from the connector 205 of the relay substrate 203, the second flexible cable 202 can be connected to the connector 205, thereby improving workability.

[0159] 23, the readout IC 92 is mounted on the first flexible cable 201, but this is not limiting. As an example, as shown in Fig. 24, the readout IC 92 may be mounted on the relay board 203. In this case, the transmission paths of the analog signals have the same length, so that the environment to which the analog signals are exposed in each flexible cable 200 can be made the same.

[0160] Also, as an example, as shown in FIG. 25, the circuit board may be a switching circuit board 214 rather than the readout circuit board 204 .

[0161] 25, the switching circuit board 214A is connected to the curved side 44A of the sensor panel 42A by flexible cables 210A1, 210A2, 210A3, 210A4, 210A5, and 210A6. The flexible cables 210A1 to 210A6 are divided into a first flexible cable 211A having one end connected to the curved side 44A and second flexible cables 212A1, 212A2, 212A3, 212A4, 212A5, and 212A6 having one end connected to the switching circuit board 214A. The relay board 213A is disposed between the first flexible cable 211A and the second flexible cables 212A1 to 212A6.

[0162] One end of the first flexible cable 211A is thermocompression-bonded to the curved side 44A before bending. The other end of the first flexible cable 211A is also thermocompression-bonded to the relay board 213A. In the multiple flexible cables 210A1 to 210A6, each of the first flexible cables 211A has the same length. One end of the first flexible cable 211A on the curved side 44A side is bent toward the support base 52 in order to arrange the switching circuit board 214A toward the support base 52 at an angle of 90° with respect to the sensor panel 42A. A switching IC 192A including a gate driver 193A and the like is mounted on the first flexible cable 211A.

[0163] A connector 215A is provided on the relay substrate 213A at an end opposite to the end to which the other end of the first flexible cable 211A is thermocompression bonded. The other ends of the second flexible cables 212A1-212A6 are connected to the connector 215A. In addition, a connector 216A is provided on the switching circuit substrate 214A. One ends of the second flexible cables 212A1-212A6 are connected to the connector 216A.

[0164] The second flexible cables 212A1 to 212A6 have a length corresponding to the distance between the switching circuit board 214A and the curved side 44A, and form a reduction structure 217A.

[0165] The second flexible cables 212A1 and 212A6, which are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line CTSA of the switching circuit board 214A, have the same length. Similarly, the second flexible cables 212A2 and 212A5 also have the same length, and the second flexible cables 212A3 and 212A4 also have the same length.

[0166] [2_2 embodiment] 26 is the same as the above-mentioned 2_1 embodiment in that the flexible cables 220A are divided into a first flexible cable 221A and a second flexible cable 222A, a relay board 223A is disposed between the first flexible cable 221A and the second flexible cable 222A, and each of the first flexible cables 221A has the same length. Also, it is the same as the above-mentioned 2_1 embodiment in that one end of the first flexible cable 221A is thermocompression-bonded to the curved side 44A before bending, the other end is thermocompression-bonded to the relay board 223A, and the other end of the second flexible cable 222A is connected to a connector 224A provided on the relay board 223A. Also, it is the same as the above-mentioned 2_1 embodiment in that a read IC 92A is mounted on the first flexible cable 221A.

[0167] In the second embodiment, not only the first flexible cable 221A but also the second flexible cable 222A of the multiple flexible cables 220A have the same length. Also, instead of the readout circuit board 204A, a readout circuit board 226A having a curved end 225A shaped to follow the curved side 44A is used. The multiple flexible cables 220A are extended radially from the curved side 44A and connected to the readout circuit board 226A. The readout circuit board 226A having the curved end 225A realizes a reduction structure 227A that reduces the bias of the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 220A due to the curved side 44A. Note that the "same" in the "same length" of the second flexible cable 222A refers to the "same" meaning not only the exact "same" but also the "same" meaning an error that is generally permitted in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and does not go against the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure (for example, an error of about 1% to 10%).

[0168] A connector 228A is provided at the curved end 225A. One end of the second flexible cable 222A is connected to the connector 228A.

[0169] Thus, in the second_2 embodiment, in the multiple flexible cables 220, each of the second flexible cables 222 has the same length. And the reduction structure 227 is configured with a readout circuit board 226 to which one end of the second flexible cable 222 is connected and which has a curved end portion 225 shaped to follow the curved side 44. Therefore, the multiple flexible cables 220 can have the same configuration, and the parts cost can be reduced.

[0170] In the above-described first embodiment, if the side of the readout circuit board 46 is not straight, it takes time and effort to thermocompress the flexible cable 90. In the second embodiment, the readout circuit board 226 has a curved end 225 and is not straight, but the connection between the readout circuit board 226 and the second flexible cable 222 is performed by a connector 228, so the problem of time and effort required for thermocompression does not occur.

[0171] Although not shown, in the 2_2 embodiment as well, the read IC 92 may be mounted on the relay board 223 instead of the first flexible cable 221. Also, it may be applied to a switching circuit board.

[0172] [Third embodiment] As an example, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in the third embodiment, the set angle is 180°, and the readout circuit board 230A is disposed so as to face the surface opposite to the mounting surface 53 of the support base 52.

[0173] The readout circuit board 230A is connected to the curved side 44A of the sensor panel 42A by a plurality of flexible cables 231A. The flexible cables 231A have the same length. The flexible cables 231A are thermocompression bonded to the curved side 44A before bending and the readout circuit board 230A, respectively. In order to arrange the readout circuit board 230A at an angle of 180° with respect to the sensor panel 42A, one end of the flexible cable 231A on the curved side 44A side and the other end on the readout circuit board 230A side are each bent toward the support base 52. Note that, like the above-mentioned "90°", "180°" refers to "180°" in the sense of including an error (for example, an error of about 1% to 10%) that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure, in addition to the perfect "180°".

[0174] The readout circuit board 230A is formed of a flexible resin material such as polyimide, similar to the base material 70A of the sensor panel 42A. Therefore, the readout circuit board 230A can be curved to follow the arcuate surface of the sensor panel 42A. The readout circuit board 230A that bends to follow the arcuate surface realizes a reduction structure 232A that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 231A due to the curved side 44A.

[0175] Thus, in the third embodiment, the reduction structure 232 is configured with the readout circuit board 230 that curves to follow the arcuate surface of the sensor panel 42. Therefore, with a very simple configuration in which a flexible readout circuit board 230 is prepared and the readout circuit board 230 is curved to follow the arcuate surface of the sensor panel 42, it is possible to reduce bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 231. In addition, multiple flexible cables 231 can have the same configuration, which reduces component costs. The present invention may also be applied to a switching circuit board.

[0176] [Fourth embodiment] As an example, as shown in FIG. 29, in the fourth embodiment, the set angle is 180°, as in the third embodiment, and the readout circuit board 240A is positioned so as to face the surface opposite the mounting surface 53 of the support base 52.

[0177] As an example, as shown in FIG. 30, the readout circuit board 240A is configured by dividing the readout circuit board 46A of the first embodiment into three readout circuit boards 240A1, 240A2, and 240A3. The readout circuit board 240A1 and the readout circuit board 240A2 are connected by a flexible cable 241A1 for connecting between boards. Similarly, the readout circuit board 240A2 and the readout circuit board 240A3 are connected by a flexible cable 241A2 for connecting between boards. Therefore, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 30, the readout circuit board 240A1 is bent with respect to the readout circuit board 240A2, with the connection part with the flexible cable 241A1 for connecting between boards as a fulcrum. Similarly, the readout circuit board 240A3 is bent with respect to the readout circuit board 240A2, with the connection part with the flexible cable 241A2 for connecting between boards as a fulcrum.

[0178] The readout circuit board 240A is connected to the curved side 44A of the sensor panel 42A by a plurality of flexible cables 242A. The flexible cables 242A have the same length. The flexible cables 242A are thermocompression bonded to the curved side 44A before bending and to the readout circuit board 240A. One end of the flexible cable 242A on the curved side 44A side and the other end on the readout circuit board 240A side are each bent toward the support base 52 in order to arrange the readout circuit board 240A at an angle of 180° with respect to the sensor panel 42A.

[0179] The readout circuit boards 240A1 and 240A3 are bent relative to the readout circuit board 240A2 following the arcuate surface shape of the sensor panel 42A. A reduction structure 243A that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 242A due to the curved side 44A is realized by these divided readout circuit boards 240A1 to 240A3, the inter-board connecting flexible cable 241A1 that connects the readout circuit board 240A1 and the readout circuit board 240A2, and the inter-board connecting flexible cable 241A2 that connects the readout circuit board 240A2 and the readout circuit board 240A3.

[0180] As an example, as shown in FIG. 31, a readout circuit board 240A has a central readout circuit board 240A2 connected to a downstream image processing circuit board 246A by a flexible cable 245A.

[0181] Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the reduction structure 243 is composed of the divided readout circuit board 240 and the inter-board connecting flexible cable 241 that connects adjacent readout circuit boards 240. This configuration can also reduce bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 242. This may also be applied to a switching circuit board.

[0182] 32, adjacent readout circuit boards 240 may not be connected by the inter-board connecting flexible cable 241, but the divided readout circuit boards 240 may be arranged independently and connected to the image processing circuit boards 246 by sufficiently long flexible cables 245 (flexible cables 245A1, 245A2, and 245A3). This configuration also makes it possible to reduce bias in the stretching force applied to the flexible cable 242.

[0183] [Fifth embodiment] As an example, as shown in FIG. 33, in the fifth embodiment, a readout circuit board 46 is connected not only to the curved side 44 but also to the curved side 43 opposite to the curved side 44.

[0184] In FIG. 33, the readout circuit board 46A of the fifth embodiment is composed of a first readout circuit board 46A1 connected to the curved side 44A via a plurality of flexible cables 90A (drawn with the same length in FIG. 33 to avoid complication), and a second readout circuit board 46A2 connected to the curved side 43A via a plurality of flexible cables 90A. The first readout circuit board 46A1 is responsible for reading out the electric charge of the pixels 74A in a half region (hereinafter referred to as a first imaging region) 61A1 on the curved side 44A side of the imaging region 61A. The second readout circuit board 46A2 is responsible for reading out the electric charge of the pixels 74A in the remaining half region (hereinafter referred to as a second imaging region) 61A2 on the curved side 43A side of the imaging region 61A. The first readout circuit board 46A1 and the second readout circuit board 46A2 are driven independently and simultaneously read out the electric charge. In this case, the switching circuit boards 48A (not shown) are provided with one for providing an on / off signal to the TFTs of the pixels 74A in the first imaging region 61A1 and one for providing an on / off signal to the TFTs of the pixels 74A in the second imaging region 61A2. Although not shown, the readout circuit boards 46B are also provided with one for reading out the charges of half the imaging region 61B and one for reading out the charges of the remaining half, which are connected to the opposing curved sides 43B and 44B, similar to the readout circuit board 46A.

[0185] As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the readout circuit board 46 is composed of a first readout circuit board 461 that is responsible for reading out the electric charges in the first imaging region 611, and a second readout circuit board 462 that is responsible for reading out the electric charges in the second imaging region 612. The first readout circuit board 461 and the second readout circuit board 462 are connected to the two opposing curved sides 43 and 44 of the sensor panel 42 via a flexible cable 90. This makes it possible to reduce the time required for reading out the electric charges by half.

[0186] The curved shape is not limited to the illustrated circular arc shape. It may be an elliptical arc shape or a bowl shape like a parabolic antenna. In the case of a bowl shape, all sides of the sensor panel 42 are curved, so in the first embodiment and the like, the reduction structure is applied not only to the readout circuit board 46 but also to the switching circuit board 48. In addition, the frame 18 is not limited to a circular ring, and may be a polygonal ring.

[0187] Although an example has been given in which the rear surface of the base material 70 serves as the first surface 54 , the sensor panel 42 may be attached to the support base 52 so that the rear surface of the base material 70 serves as the second surface 60 .

[0188] Although the CT device 10 has been exemplified as the radiation imaging device, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a simple radiation imaging device that captures one projection image at a time by changing the angle. It may also be a radiation imaging device that has a frame to which two sets of radiation source 20 and radiation detector 21 are attached, and irradiates radiation R simultaneously from the front and side of subject S to obtain two projection images, thereby investigating the anatomical shape of the hip joint and spine of subject S, and the connection between the spine and the lower limbs.

[0189] The hardware configuration of the computer constituting the control device 12 can be modified in various ways. For example, the control device 12 can be composed of multiple computers separated as hardware in order to improve processing capacity and reliability. For example, the functions of the reception unit 145 and the RW control unit 146 and the functions of the shooting control unit 147, the image processing unit 148, and the display control unit 149 are distributed and assigned to two computers. In this case, the control device 12 is composed of two computers.

[0190] In this way, the hardware configuration of the computer of the control device 12 can be appropriately changed according to the required performance such as processing power, safety, reliability, etc. Furthermore, not only the hardware, but also the application program such as the operating program 140 can be duplicated or distributed and stored in multiple storage devices for the purpose of ensuring safety and reliability.

[0191] In each of the above embodiments, the following various processors can be used as the hardware structure of the processing unit that executes various processes, such as the reception unit 145, the RW control unit 146, the photography control unit 147, the image processing unit 148, and the display control unit 149. The various processors include the CPU 132, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (operation program 140) and functions as various processing units, as well as a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and / or a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing specific processes, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0192] A single processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors, or may be composed of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., a combination of multiple FPGAs and / or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be composed of a single processor.

[0193] As an example of configuring multiple processing units with one processor, first, there is a form in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, as typified by computers such as client and server, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, there is a form in which a processor is used that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by System On Chip (SoC), etc. In this way, the various processing units are configured using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

[0194] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0195] The technology of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined with the above-mentioned various embodiments and / or various modified examples. In addition, it is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the technology. Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure extends to a storage medium that non-temporarily stores a program, in addition to a program.

[0196] The above description and illustrations are detailed descriptions of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, function, action, and effect is an example of the configuration, function, action, and effect of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replaced with respect to the description and illustrations shown above, within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. In addition, in order to avoid confusion and to facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the description and illustrations shown above omit explanations of technical common sense that do not require explanation in order to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0197] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. In addition, in this specification, the same idea as "A and / or B" is also applied when three or more things are expressed by connecting them with "and / or."

[0198] All publications, patent applications, and standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, and standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 10 CT device 11. Device body 12 Control device 13 Stages 14, 14A~14C, 182 pillars 15 Tabletop 16 Caster 17, 17A to 17C Connection parts 18, 181 frames 19 Cavity 20 Radiation source 21 Radiation detector 22, 22A~22C Screw shaft 23A~23C opening 24 Movable Arm 25 Touch Panel Display 30 Wheelchair 35 Radiation Tube 36 Field Lamp 37 Irradiation field limiter 40 Case 41 Sensor panel unit 42, 42A, 42B Sensor Panel Sides 43, 43A, 43B, 44, 44A, 44B (curved sides) Sides 45, 45A, 45B, 47, 47A, 47B 46, 46A, 46B, 204, 204A, 226, 226A, 230, 230A, 240, 240A, 240A1~240A3 Readout circuit board 46A1, 461 First readout circuit board 46A2, 462 Second readout circuit board 48, 48A, 48B, 214, 214A Switching Circuit Board 50A, 50B end 52 Support stand 53 Mounting surface 54, 54A, 54B First surface of sensor panel 55 Spacer 56 First surface of spacer 58 Second surface of spacer 60, 60A, 60B Second side of sensor panel 61A, 61B Imaging area 61A1, 611 First imaging area 61A2, 612 Second imaging area 62A, 62B Non-imaging area 70, 70A base material 71A Scintillator 72A Adhesive layer 73A Support 74, 74A pixels 80A Conductive material 81A Pin 90, 90A, 90A1~90A6, 190A, 190A1~190A6, 200, 200A1~200A6, 210A1~210A6, 220, 220A, 231, 231A, 242, 242A, 245, 245A, 245A1~245A3 Flexible Cable 91, 91A, 191A, 207, 207A, 217A, 227, 227A, 232, 232A, 243, 243A Reduction structure 92, 92A Readout integrated circuit (readout IC) 93, 93A Analog / Digital Converter (A / D Converter) 110 Lifting mechanism 111 Nut 112 Lifting motor 113 First Connection 114 Second connection part 115 Bearing 116 Guide groove 120 Rotation Mechanism 121 Rotating Belt 122 Rotation motor 123 Potentiometer 124, 125 Pulley 130 Storage 131 Memory 132 CPU 133 Display 134 Input Devices 140 Operating Program 141 Irradiation Condition Table 142 Irradiation condition information by order 145 Reception 146 Read / write control unit (RW control unit) 147 Shooting control section 148 Image Processing Unit 149 Display control section 155 Shooting Menu 156 Irradiation conditions 160 Scout Shooting Instructions 161 Scout Shooting Order 170 shooting instructions 171 Main shooting command 180 Radiography Equipment 192A Switching Integrated Circuit (Switching IC) 193A Gate Driver 201, 201A, 211A, 221, 221A 1st flexible cable 202, 202A1~202A6, 212A1~212A6, 222, 222A 2nd flexible cable 203, 203A, 213A, 223, 223A relay board 205, 205A, 206, 206A, 215A, 216A, 224A, 228, 228A Connectors 225, 225A curved end 241, 241A1, 241A2 Board-to-board flexible cable 246, 246A Image processing circuit board C Frame Center CA Frame Center Axis A circle centered on the center of the CC frame and aligned with the support CCW Counterclockwise CTR, CTRA readout circuit board centerline CTSA Switching Circuit Board Centerline CW Clockwise direction EL Elbow L1 Length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the readout IC or switching IC L1max Maximum length of flexible cable from sensor panel to readout IC or switching IC L1min: Minimum length of flexible cable from sensor panel to readout IC or switching IC L2 Length of flexible cable from readout IC or switching IC to readout circuit board R Radiation S Subject sFOV1: Effective field of view when the sensor panel is flat sFOV2: Effective field of view when the sensor panel is arc-shaped SI Scout Images ST100, ST110, ST120, ST130, ST140, ST150, ST160, ST170, ST180, ST190, ST200, ST210 Step TI Tomographic Image ΔL is the difference between the longest and shortest distances between the readout circuit board or switching circuit board and the curved edge. θ Radiation angle

Claims

1. A support base having a curved mounting surface; a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having radiation-detecting pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor panel being attached to the attachment surface in a curved state following the shape of the curved surface; A circuit board; a plurality of flexible cables that connect the curved side of the sensor panel and the circuit board, the plurality of flexible cables being arranged along the curved side, the plurality of flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle with respect to the sensor panel; a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the multiple flexible cables due to the curved sides; Equipped with The reduction structure includes: The circuit board is divided, and a flexible cable for connecting adjacent circuit boards among the divided circuit boards is arranged. Radiation detector.

2. A support base having a curved mounting surface; a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having radiation-detecting pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor panel being attached to the attachment surface in a curved state following the shape of the curved surface; A circuit board; a plurality of flexible cables that connect the curved side of the sensor panel and the circuit board, the plurality of flexible cables being arranged along the curved side, the plurality of flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle with respect to the sensor panel; a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the multiple flexible cables due to the curved sides; Equipped with The reduction structure includes: the flexible cable has a length corresponding to the distance between the circuit board and the curved side, The flexible cables arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center line of the circuit board have the same length. Radiation detector.

3. A support base having a curved mounting surface; a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having radiation-detecting pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor panel being attached to the attachment surface in a curved state following the shape of the curved surface; A circuit board; a plurality of flexible cables that connect the curved side of the sensor panel and the circuit board, the plurality of flexible cables being arranged along the curved side, the plurality of flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle with respect to the sensor panel; a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the multiple flexible cables due to the curved sides; Equipped with The reduction structure includes: the flexible cable has a length corresponding to the distance between the circuit board and the curved side, The flexible cable has an integrated circuit mounted thereon; The plurality of flexible cables include a length from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit corresponds to a distance between the circuit board and the curved side, The lengths from the integrated circuit to the circuit board are the same; the minimum value of the length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit is a minimum length of wiring connecting the sensor panel and the integrated circuit, The maximum length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit is the minimum length of the wiring connecting the sensor panel and the integrated circuit plus the difference between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the circuit board and the curved side. Radiation detector.

4. A support base having a curved mounting surface; a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having radiation-detecting pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor panel being attached to the attachment surface in a curved state following the shape of the curved surface; A circuit board; a plurality of flexible cables that connect the curved side of the sensor panel and the circuit board, the plurality of flexible cables being arranged along the curved side, the plurality of flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle with respect to the sensor panel; a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the multiple flexible cables due to the curved sides; Equipped with Each of the plurality of flexible cables is divided into a first flexible cable having one end connected to the curved side and a second flexible cable having one end connected to the circuit board, Among the plurality of flexible cables, each of the first flexible cables has the same length, a relay board to which the other end of the first flexible cable and the other end of the second flexible cable are connected and which is disposed between the sensor panel and the circuit board; Radiation detector.

5. A support base having a curved mounting surface; a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having radiation-detecting pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor panel being attached to the attachment surface in a curved state following the shape of the curved surface; A circuit board; a plurality of flexible cables that connect the curved side of the sensor panel and the circuit board, the plurality of flexible cables being arranged along the curved side, the plurality of flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle with respect to the sensor panel; a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the multiple flexible cables due to the curved sides; Equipped with Each of the plurality of flexible cables is divided into a first flexible cable having one end connected to the curved side and a second flexible cable having one end connected to the circuit board, Among the plurality of flexible cables, each of the first flexible cables has the same length, a relay board to which the other end of the first flexible cable and the other end of the second flexible cable are connected and which is disposed between the sensor panel and the circuit board; The reduction structure includes: the second flexible cable has a length corresponding to the distance between the circuit board and the curved side, The second flexible cables arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center line of the circuit board have the same length. Radiation detector.

6. A support base having a curved mounting surface; a rectangular plate-shaped sensor panel including thin film transistors and having radiation-detecting pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor panel being attached to the attachment surface in a curved state following the shape of the curved surface; A circuit board; a plurality of flexible cables that connect the curved side of the sensor panel and the circuit board, the plurality of flexible cables being arranged along the curved side, the plurality of flexible cables being bent to position the circuit board at a set angle with respect to the sensor panel; a reduction structure that reduces bias in the stretching force applied to the multiple flexible cables due to the curved sides; Equipped with Each of the plurality of flexible cables is divided into a first flexible cable having one end connected to the curved side and a second flexible cable having one end connected to the circuit board, Among the plurality of flexible cables, each of the first flexible cables has the same length, a relay board to which the other end of the first flexible cable and the other end of the second flexible cable are connected and which is disposed between the sensor panel and the circuit board; In the plurality of flexible cables, each of the second flexible cables has the same length; The reduction structure includes: The circuit board has one end connected to the second flexible cable and a curved end that follows the curved side. Radiation detector.

7. 4. The radiation detector according to claim 2, wherein one end of the flexible cable is thermocompression-bonded to the curved side before bending, and the other end of the flexible cable is thermocompression-bonded to the circuit board.

8. 4. The radiation detector according to claim 3, wherein the flexible cables arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center line of the circuit board have the same length.

9. 3. The radiation detector according to claim 2, wherein an integrated circuit is mounted on the flexible cable.

10. The plurality of flexible cables include a length from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit corresponds to a distance between the circuit board and the curved side, 10. The radiation detector according to claim 9, wherein the lengths from the integrated circuit to the circuit board are the same.

11. the minimum value of the length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit is a minimum length of wiring connecting the sensor panel and the integrated circuit, 11. The radiation detector according to claim 10, wherein a maximum value of a length of the flexible cable from the sensor panel to the integrated circuit is a minimum length of wiring connecting the sensor panel and the integrated circuit plus a difference between the longest distance and the shortest distance between the circuit board and the curved side.

12. The radiation detector according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the integrated circuits have the same performance.

13. the circuit board is a readout circuit board for reading out charges stored in the pixels, 13. A radiation detector according to claim 9, wherein the integrated circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog signal represented by the charge into a digital signal.

14. The circuit board includes a switching element for applying an on / off signal to the thin film transistor. A circuit board, The radiation detector according to claim 9 , wherein the integrated circuit includes a gate driver that generates the on / off signal.

15. one end of the first flexible cable is thermally compressed to the curved side and the other end is thermally compressed to the relay board; the relay board has a connector to which the other end of the second flexible cable is connected, The radiation detector according to claim 4 , wherein the circuit board has a connector to which one end of the second flexible cable is connected.

16. The radiation detector according to claim 4 , wherein an integrated circuit is mounted on the first flexible cable or the relay board.

17. the circuit board is a readout circuit board for reading out charges stored in the pixels, 17. The radiation detector of claim 16, wherein the integrated circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts an analog signal represented by the charge into a digital signal.

18. the circuit board is a switching circuit board for applying an on / off signal to the thin film transistor, The radiation detector of claim 16 , wherein the integrated circuit includes a gate driver that generates the on / off signal.

19. the circuit board is a readout circuit board for reading out charges stored in the pixels, the readout circuit board being composed of a first readout circuit board responsible for reading out the charges from a half region of the sensor panel, and a second readout circuit board responsible for reading out the charges from the remaining half region of the sensor panel; 19. The radiation detector according to claim 1, wherein the first readout circuit board and the second readout circuit board are connected to the two opposing curved sides of the sensor panel via the flexible cable.

20. The sensor panel is composed of two panels, a first sensor panel and a second sensor panel, 20. The radiation detector according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor panel and the second sensor panel are arranged such that their ends on sides other than the curved side to which the circuit board is connected are overlapped in the thickness direction.

21. The radiation detector according to claim 20 , wherein the circuit board connected to the first sensor panel and the circuit board connected to the second sensor panel are arranged in a relationship of two-fold symmetry.

22. A radiation detector according to any one of claims 1 to 21; A radiation source that emits the radiation; A radiography apparatus comprising:

23. a ring-shaped frame in which the radiation detector and the radiation source are mounted, the frame having a cavity in which a subject is positioned; a rotation mechanism for rotating the frame around the subject in order to capture radiation images of the subject at different angles; 23. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the mounting surface has an arcuate surface shape conforming to the annular shape of the frame.

24. 24. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 23, which is a computed tomography apparatus for obtaining a tomographic image of the subject based on the radiation images captured at different angles.

25. 25. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the radiation source irradiates the radiation in a cone shape.

26. 26. The radiographic imaging apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the subject is positioned in the cavity in either a standing position or a sitting position.

Images