Radiological Image Conversion Panel Non-Uniform Junction Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing radiological image conversion panels face challenges in strength, particularly due to the weak junction portions between columnar and non-columnar sections, which are prone to stress from shock and shear forces, especially in devices with electronic components like Digital Radiography cassettes.
Innovation Solution
A radiological image conversion panel is designed with a non-uniform thickness in the non-columnar section and an uneven junction with the columnar section, enhancing the panel's resistance to stress through a vapor deposition method that varies the vacuum degree to control crystal growth and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-columnar section is formed between the support and columnar section to improve adhesion and light reflection, then the sensitivity is improved, but the junction portion becomes weak against shear force and shock stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-columnar section with specific properties (spherical crystals, non-uniform thickness) in a localized region between the support and columnar section. This non-columnar section has different structural characteristics from the columnar section above it, optimizing adhesion and light reflection at the interface while maintaining the columnar structure's light-guiding properties in the upper region. The non-uniform thickness distribution within the non-columnar section further refines the local optical and mechanical properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If the non-columnar section has uniform thickness to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the resistance to stress and adhesion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by intentionally varying the thickness parameter of the non-columnar section. The non-uniform thickness distribution (thicker at edges, thinner at center) is designed to optimize both mechanical strength and optical performance. This parameter variation enhances adhesion at the support interface and improves resistance to stress while maintaining manufacturability through controlled vapor deposition processes.
3Reliability
If columnar crystals grow large in diameter to improve light guide effect, then the sensitivity is improved, but the junction portion with non-columnar section becomes weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the scintillator into two distinct sections: a non-columnar section at the bottom and a columnar section at the top. This segmentation allows each section to have optimized properties for its specific function. The non-columnar section provides strong adhesion and light reflection, while the columnar section provides efficient light guidance. The interface between these segments is designed with non-uniform thickness to strengthen the junction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating a non-uniform thickness distribution in the non-columnar section, with the thickness varying from the center to the edges. This asymmetric thickness profile optimizes the stress distribution and adhesion characteristics at the junction between the non-columnar and columnar sections, making the structure more resistant to shear forces and shock while maintaining the light guide effectiveness of the columnar crystals.
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 design improves the mechanical strength and sensitivity of the radiological image conversion panel by reducing gaps and enhancing adhesion, thereby protecting the scintillator from mechanical stress and maintaining image sharpness.
Implementation Method 1
the non-columnar section and the columnar section are formed in this order on a support by depositing crystals of the fluorescent material on the support by a vapor deposition method
Implementation Method 2
by the light reflection in the non-columnar section, the improvement of use efficiency of fluorescence, and thereby the improvement of the sensitivity may be achieved
Implementation Method 3
the columnar crystals are obtained through columnar growth of crystals of a fluorescent material such as CsI on a support... has a light guide effect of guiding the fluorescence emitted therefrom in the growth direction of the crystals, thereby suppressing the diffusion of the fluorescence
Implementation Method 4
the radiological image conversion panel has a scintillator formed of a fluorescent material that emits fluorescence through radiation exposure
Implementation Method 5
a scintillator formed of a fluorescent material that emits fluorescence through radiation exposure
Implementation Method 6
the fluorescence of the scintillator is photoelectrically converted by a group of the photoelectric conversion elements of the sensor panel to generate an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radiological image conversion panel 2 is provided with a phosphor 18 containing a fluorescent material that emits fluorescence by radiation exposure, in which the phosphor includes, a columnar section 34 formed by a group of columnar crystals which are obtained through columnar growth of crystals of the fluorescent material, and a non-columnar section 36, the columnar section and the non-columnar section are integrally formed to overlap in a crystal growth direction of the columnar crystals, and a thickness of the non-columnar section along the crystal growth direction is non-uniform in a region of at least a part of the non-columnar section.