Flexible Scintillator Pixel Array Contact for Radiological Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiological image detection apparatuses with scintillators formed by columnar crystals face issues with local variations in crystal lengths, leading to gaps between the scintillator and pixel array, which degrade image sharpness due to fluorescence diffusion.
Innovation Solution
A radiological image detection apparatus with a scintillator and pixel array in close contact via flexible substrates and a sealant, forming an isolated depressurized space to ensure uniform contact without bonding, improving image quality and allowing for easy panel replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the scintillator and pixel array are bonded through an adhesive layer, then the contact between scintillator and pixel array is ensured, but the non-uniformity of adhesive layer thickness causes non-uniformity of image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the adhesive layer from the structure, extracting the source of non-uniformity. The scintillator and pixel array are placed in close contact without any adhesive layer, eliminating the thickness variation problem that causes image quality non-uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrates are designed to provide mechanical compliance that absorbs local variations in columnar crystal lengths before they can create gaps. This beforehand cushioning through material selection ensures uniform contact pressure across the entire interface.
2Manufacturing precision
If the scintillator and pixel array are placed in close contact without adhesive layer, then the uniformity of image quality is improved, but local gaps may be generated due to variation in columnar crystal lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs flexible substrates that can dynamically adapt their shape to accommodate local variations in columnar crystal heights. This dynamic compliance ensures that the substrates conform to the actual surface topology, maintaining close contact across the entire interface without requiring rigid bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The support substrates are specifically designed as flexible thin films that can bend and deform to match the non-uniform surface of the columnar crystal array. This flexibility allows the substrates to wrap around local height variations, ensuring continuous contact between the scintillator and pixel array.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid substrates are used to support scintillator and pixel array, then structural stability is ensured, but local gaps are generated due to inability to absorb crystal length variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid substrates with flexible thin film substrates that can deform to accommodate local variations in columnar crystal lengths. This flexibility allows the substrates to conform to the actual surface topology, ensuring continuous contact and eliminating gaps that would occur with rigid substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameter of the substrate from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the substrate to adapt its shape and absorb local height variations, maintaining uniform contact pressure across the interface while still providing sufficient structural support.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances image uniformity and sensitivity by preventing fluorescence diffusion and allowing for efficient recycling of damaged panels.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator for generating fluorescence when exposed to radiation
Implementation Method 2
a pixel array for detecting the fluorescence of the scintillator
Implementation Method 3
suppresses a diffusion of fluorescence by a light guide effect that guides the fluorescence generated in a columnar crystal in a growth direction of the crystal
Data Source
AI summary
A radiological image detection apparatus includes a radiological image conversion panel and a sensor panel. A sealant that is disposed between a substrate of the radiological image conversion panel and a substrate of the sensor panel and surrounds a scintillator in the radiological image conversion panel and a pixel array in the sensor panel to form an isolated space on the inside of the sealant. The scintillator includes a columnar portion including a group of columnar crystals formed by growing crystals of the phosphor in columnar shapes and a surface configured by a set of tips of the columnar crystals is disposed in close contact with the pixel array without being bonded to the pixel array. Both of the substrate of the radiological image conversion panel and the substrate of the sensor panel are flexible, and the isolated space is depressurized.