Multi-panel detector

Abstract

A multi-panel detector according to the present invention makes it possible to prevent phenomena that can occur when there are a plurality of panels, such as blurring due to backscattering or brightness variation in an overlapping area between panels. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a detector having multiple panels is characterized by comprising: a panel case forming an exterior; a first panel disposed inside the panel case; a second panel arranged behind the first panel inside the panel case so as to be partially overlapped with the first panel; and a radiation shielding sheet disposed in the overlapping area of the first panel and the second panel.

Description

Multi-panel detector

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-panel detector, and more specifically, to a multi-panel detector that can prevent phenomena such as brightness deviation or blurring due to backscatter in an overlapping area between panels when equipped with a plurality of panels.

[0002] In general, analog radiology equipment using traditional films was able to capture images of the patient's entire body at once by using a large cassette and film.

[0003] Additionally, digital radiology equipment is commercializing systems that utilize detectors with multiple panels to acquire radiographic images of a patient's entire body in a single scan. In this digital radiology equipment, the primary technique used for acquiring radiographic images involves stitching multiple radiographic images, each taken overlapping a specific area, into a single image.

[0004] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of a detector (10) equipped with a multi-panel in a radiation equipment according to the prior art, and Fig. 8 shows an image of a subject taken using the detector (10) of Fig. 7.

[0005] Looking at Figure 7, a front cover (12) is placed on the front of the case (11) of the detector (10), and a first panel (13) and a second panel (15) can be placed on the inside of the case (11).

[0006] In this case, the first panel (13) and the second panel (15) may overlap in some areas, resulting in an overlapping area (G).

[0007] However, when a subject is photographed using a detector (10) according to the prior art, as shown in Fig. 8, a phenomenon such as blurring due to backscattering of radiation occurs in the overlapping area (G) of the first panel (13) and the second panel (15).

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above problems by providing a multi-panel detector capable of preventing blurring or brightness deviation due to backscattering in a detector equipped with a multi-panel.

[0009] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a detector having a multi-panel may be characterized by comprising: a panel case forming an exterior; a first panel disposed inside the panel case; a second panel disposed inside the panel case at a rear side of the first panel so as to overlap a portion of the first panel; and a radiation shielding sheet disposed in an overlapping area of ​​the first panel and the second panel.

[0010] According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a radiation shielding sheet is provided in an area where panels overlap in a detector having multiple panels, thereby preventing blurring or brightness deviation due to backscattering.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a radiographic system equipped with a multi-panel detector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the detector.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area 'A' of FIG. 2 having a radiation shielding sheet according to one embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area 'A' of FIG. 2 having a radiation shielding sheet according to another embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of area 'A' of FIG. 2 having a radiation shielding sheet according to another embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an image of a subject captured using a multi-panel detector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of a detector equipped with a multi-panel in a radiation equipment according to the prior art.

[0018] Figure 8 is a drawing showing an image of a subject captured using the detector of Figure 7.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, a detector having a multi-panel is proposed, characterized by comprising: a panel case forming an exterior; a first panel disposed inside the panel case; a second panel disposed inside the panel case at a rear side of the first panel so as to overlap a portion of the first panel; and a radiation shielding sheet disposed in an overlapping area of ​​the first panel and the second panel.

[0020] Hereinafter, a multi-panel detector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a radiographic system (1000) equipped with a multi-panel detector (100) (hereinafter referred to as “detector”) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the radiographic system (1000) may include a radiation irradiation device (300) that irradiates radiation, a detector (100) that creates an image of a subject (S) by radiation that has passed through the subject, an image processing unit (400), and an image display unit (500).

[0023] The radiation irradiated by the above radiation irradiation device (300) may be, for example, X-rays, but is not limited thereto and may be replaced with various other radiations. The following description assumes X-rays.

[0024] The above detector (100) may correspond to a device that converts light (visible light) emitted by a fluorescent material in response to radiation passing through a subject (S) into an electric (charge) signal to obtain image information.

[0025] In addition, the image processing unit (400) can align the image acquired by the multi-panel of the detector (100), and the image display unit (500) can display the aligned image to the user.

[0026] The image processing unit (400) and the image display unit (500) may be separately provided within a PC (personal computer) or the like, which is provided separately from the detector (100), but are not limited thereto. In addition, the operation of the image processing unit (400) and the image display unit (500) may be performed manually by a user or automatically by an automated system.

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the above detector (100).

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the detector (100) may be provided with a panel case (110) forming an exterior, a first panel (130) arranged on the inside of the panel case (110), and a second panel (150) arranged on the inside of the panel case (110) at the rear of the first panel (130) so as to overlap a portion of the first panel (130).

[0029] In the present embodiment, it is illustrated that two panels are provided, including the first panel (130) and the second panel (150), but it is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a case where three or more panels are overlapped and configured.

[0030] The first panel (130) and the second panel (150) may be arranged inside the panel case (110). In this case, the first panel (130) may be arranged at the front inside the panel case (110), and the second panel (150) may be arranged at the rear of the first panel (130).

[0031] Additionally, the first panel (130) and the second panel (150) may be arranged so that at least a portion thereof overlaps.

[0032] In Fig. 2, the lower portion of the first panel (130) and the upper portion of the second panel (150) are illustrated as overlapping, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which the upper portion of the first panel (130) and the lower portion of the second panel (150) overlap, or a configuration in which the side portion of the first panel (130) and the side portion of the second panel (150) overlap, is also possible. Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the lower portion of the first panel (130) and the upper portion of the second panel (150) overlap.

[0033] A front cover (120) may be provided on the front of the above panel case (110). The front cover (120) may be formed of a lightweight material that allows radiation to pass through, and may be composed of, for example, carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), but the material is not specifically limited.

[0034] As described above, when the first panel (130) and the second panel (150) overlap, when checking the image of the area where the first panel (130) and the second panel (150) overlap, the image may appear blurred or blurry due to backscatter of radiation.

[0035] In order to solve the above-described problem, the detector (100) according to the present embodiment may be provided with a radiation shielding sheet (170) in the overlapping area of ​​the first panel (130) and the second panel (150). This will be described in detail below.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area 'A' of FIG. 2 having a radiation shielding sheet (170) according to one embodiment.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first panel (130) may include a first scintillator (132) and a first photoelectric conversion panel (134) disposed at the rear of the first scintillator (132).

[0038] The first scintillator (132) may be composed of a fluorescent material that emits light (visible light) in response to radiation passing through the subject (S). In addition, the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) may convert the light (visible light) generated by the first scintillator (132) into an electric (charge) signal and output it.

[0039] In this case, the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) may include photoelectric conversion elements (not shown) of a photodiode-based matrix arrangement and a switching element (not shown) that controls current flow between the photoelectric conversion elements. For example, the switching element may include a thin film transistor (TFT).

[0040] Additionally, the first panel (130) may be provided with a first inner plate (138) at the rear of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134).

[0041] The above first inner plate (138) can be connected to the rear of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) and support the first photoelectric conversion panel (134).

[0042] Furthermore, a first shielding sheet (136) may be placed between the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) and the first inner plate (138). The first shielding sheet (136) may be composed of, for example, lead (Pb), but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0043] The second panel (150) may include a second scintillator (152), a second photoelectric conversion panel (154) disposed at the rear of the second scintillator (152), and a second inner plate (158) disposed at the rear of the second photoelectric conversion panel (154). In addition, the second panel (150) may include a second shielding sheet (156) between the second photoelectric conversion panel (154) and the second inner plate (158).

[0044] The configuration of the second scintillator (152), the second photoelectric conversion panel (154), and the second shielding sheet (156) of the second panel (150) is similar to the configuration of the first panel (130), so a repeated description is omitted.

[0045] Meanwhile, the first shielding sheet (136) disposed between the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) and the first inner plate (138) may not extend to the lower end of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134), but may be disposed to extend upward to a height spaced a certain distance from the lower end of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134).

[0046] In the above-described configuration, the radiation shielding sheet (170) can be placed between the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) of the first panel (130) and the second scintillator (152) of the second panel (150).

[0047] The above radiation shielding sheet (170) can prevent backscattering by shielding an area where the first shielding sheet (136) of the first panel (130) cannot shield radiation in an area where the first panel (130) and the second panel (150) overlap.

[0048] More specifically, the radiation shielding sheet (170) may include a first sheet portion (172) arranged on the rear side of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134), and a second sheet portion (174) connected to the lower end of the first inner plate (138) at the upper end of the first sheet portion (172) and wrapping the lower end of the first inner plate (138).

[0049] The first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174) of the radiation shielding sheet (170) may be made of a material capable of shielding radiation, such as lead (Pb), but the specific material is not limited.

[0050] In addition, the first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174) of the radiation shielding sheet (170) may be configured to a predetermined thickness, but are not limited to a specific numerical value.

[0051] Furthermore, although the first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174) are illustrated as having the same thickness, this is not limited to the first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174) may have different thicknesses.

[0052] The first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174) can be connected to the back of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) and the lower portion of the first inner plate (138), respectively, using, for example, double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0053] Additionally, a protective film (not shown) may be provided on the surfaces of the first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174).

[0054] Meanwhile, the upper part of the first sheet portion (172) can extend to the lower part of the first inner plate (138).

[0055] Additionally, the lower portion of the first sheet portion (172) may extend to the lower portion of the active area of ​​the first panel (130).

[0056] That is, the lower end of the first sheet portion (172) may extend to the lower end of the effective area of ​​the first scintillator (132) of the first panel (130). If the lower end of the first sheet portion (172) extends downward beyond the lower end of the effective area of ​​the first scintillator (132), the brightness of the image of the second panel (150) may decrease, and further, the image information obtained from the second panel (150) may be recognized as a foreign substance.

[0057] For example, the gap (D) between the lower portion of the first sheet portion (172) and the lower portion of the first photoelectric conversion panel (134) can be set to a predetermined value, but is not limited to a specific value.

[0058] Meanwhile, the second sheet portion (174) covers the lower surface of the first inner plate (138), and may include a second lower cover portion (176) that extends and bends rearward from the upper portion of the first sheet portion (172), and a second rear cover portion (178) that extends and bends upward from the end of the second lower cover portion (176) along the rear surface of the first inner plate (138).

[0059] The second lower cover portion (176) may be formed by extending rearward along the lower surface of the first inner plate (138) from the upper portion of the first sheet portion (172). In addition, the second rear cover portion (178) may be formed by bending upward along the rear surface of the first inner plate (138) from the end portion of the second lower cover portion (176).

[0060] Meanwhile, according to the inventor's experiment, the lower the height (H) of the second rear cover part (178) extending upward from the end of the second lower cover part (176), the more desirable it is. This is because, as the height (H) of the second rear cover part (178) increases, the image of the first panel (130) in the area corresponding to the second rear cover part (178) becomes darker.

[0061] For example, the height (H) of the second rear cover portion (178) may correspond to a predetermined height, but is not limited thereto.

[0062] Meanwhile, FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area 'A' of FIG. 2 equipped with a radiation shielding sheet (170') according to another embodiment.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, the radiation shielding sheet (170') may include the first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174').

[0064] In this case, the second sheet portion (174') is configured to cover the lower surface of the first inner plate (138), but is not extended upwardly by being bent along the rear surface of the first inner plate (138).

[0065] That is, in the present embodiment, the second sheet portion (174') may be arranged to surround only the lower surface of the first inner plate (138). For example, one end of the second sheet portion (174') may be connected to the upper end of the first sheet portion (172), and the other end of the second sheet portion (174') may extend along the lower surface of the first inner plate (138) to coincide with the rear surface of the first inner plate (138).

[0066] Meanwhile, FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of area 'A' of FIG. 2 equipped with a radiation shielding sheet (170”) according to another embodiment.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, the radiation shielding sheet (170”) may include the first sheet portion (172) and the second sheet portion (174”), and the second sheet portion (174”) may be configured to be shorter than the lower surface of the first inner plate (138).

[0068] That is, the second sheet portion (174”) is configured to cover the lower surface of the first inner plate (138), but may be configured not to cover the entire lower surface of the first inner plate (138).

[0069] For example, one end of the second sheet portion (174”) may be connected to the upper end of the first sheet portion (172), and the other end of the second sheet portion (174”) may extend from the upper end of the first sheet portion (172) along the lower surface of the first inner plate (138) and be configured to be shorter than the lower surface of the first inner plate (138).

[0070] Meanwhile, FIG. 6 shows an image of a subject (S) captured using a detector (100) having the aforementioned configuration.

[0071] Looking at Figure 6, it can be confirmed that there is no deviation in the brightness of the image or any phenomenon such as blurring or blurring of the image due to backscattering centered on the boundary (B) between the first panel (130) and the second panel (150).

[0072] While the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims below. Therefore, any modified implementation that fundamentally includes the elements of the claims should be considered within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0073] [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100: Detector

[0075] 110: Panel case

[0076] 120: Front cover

[0077] 130: Panel 1

[0078] 132: First scintillator

[0079] 134: First photoelectric conversion panel

[0080] 136: First shielding sheet

[0081] 138: First inner plate

[0082] 150: Panel 2

[0083] 152: Second scintillator

[0084] 154: Second photoelectric conversion panel

[0085] 156: Second shielding sheet

[0086] 158: Second inner plate

[0087] 170: Radiation shielding sheet

[0088] 172: First sheet

[0089] 174: Second sheet

[0090] 176: Second lower cover section

[0091] 178: Second rear cover

[0092] 300: Radiation irradiation device

[0093] 400: Image processing unit

[0094] 500: Video display section

[0095] 1000: Radiography System

[0096] The present invention relates to a multi-panel detector, which can prevent phenomena such as brightness deviation or backscatter in an overlapping area between panels when equipped with a plurality of panels, and can be utilized in the manufacturing of imaging devices and medical devices, etc.

Claims

1. Panel case forming the exterior; A first panel arranged on the inside of the above panel case; A second panel disposed on the inside of the panel case, partially overlapping the first panel at the rear of the first panel; and A multi-panel detector characterized by comprising a radiation shielding sheet disposed in an overlapping area of ​​the first panel and the second panel.

2. In paragraph 1, The first panel has a first scintillator and a first photoelectric conversion panel, and the second panel has a second scintillator and a second photoelectric conversion panel. A multi-panel detector, characterized in that the radiation shielding sheet is placed between the first photoelectric conversion panel and the second scintillator.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first panel further includes an inner plate on the rear side of the above first photoelectric conversion panel, A multi-panel detector characterized in that the radiation shielding sheet comprises a first sheet portion arranged on the rear surface of the first photoelectric conversion panel, and a second sheet portion connected to the lower portion of the inner plate from the upper portion of the first sheet portion and wrapping the lower portion of the inner plate.

4. In paragraph 3, A multi-panel detector characterized in that the upper part of the first sheet part extends to the lower part of the inner plate, and the lower part of the first sheet part extends to the lower part of the active area of ​​the first panel.

5. In paragraph 3, The above second sheet portion A multi-panel detector characterized by comprising a second lower cover portion that covers the lower surface of the inner plate and extends backward from the upper portion of the first sheet portion, and a second rear cover portion that extends upward from the end of the second lower cover portion along the rear surface of the inner plate.

6. In paragraph 3, A multi-panel detector characterized in that one end of the second sheet part is connected to the upper end of the first sheet part, and the other end of the second sheet part extends along the lower surface of the inner plate and coincides with the rear surface of the inner plate.

7. In paragraph 3, A multi-panel detector characterized in that one end of the second sheet part is connected to the upper end of the first sheet part, and the other end of the second sheet part extends from the upper end of the first sheet part along the lower surface of the inner plate and is formed shorter than the lower surface of the inner plate.

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