JP2005265596A - Radiation image conversion panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide radiation image conversion panel which has good sealabilities and can be used in good condition over a long period by locating a support equipped with a stimulable phosphor layer inside a box container and sealing an opening of the container with a protective member. <P>SOLUTION: The radiation image conversion panel has the support and the stimulable phosphor layer formed on it. The panel which can maintain the sealabilities of the stimulable phosphor layer and can be used in good condition over a long period can be obtained by locating the support equipped with the stimulable phosphor layer inside the box container and sealing the opening of it with the protective member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation image conversion panel, and more particularly to a radiation image conversion panel using a photostimulable phosphor.

  Conventionally, a radiation image conversion panel in which a photostimulable phosphor layer is provided on a support has been developed as a method for imaging a radiation image without using a silver salt in order to obtain a radiation image.

  The radiation image conversion panel can cause the stimulable phosphor layer to absorb the radiation transmitted through the subject and accumulate radiation energy corresponding to the radiation transmission density of each part of the subject. Thereafter, the stimulable phosphor is excited in time series by electromagnetic waves (excitation light) such as visible light and infrared rays, thereby releasing the radiation energy accumulated in the stimulable phosphor as stimulated emission. A signal based on the intensity of the light can be photoelectrically converted to obtain an electric signal, which can be reproduced as a visible image on a recording material such as a silver halide photographic material or a display device such as a CRT.

  The radiation image conversion panel using this photostimulable phosphor releases accumulated energy by irradiating excitation light after accumulating radiation image information, so that radiation images can be accumulated again after scanning and used repeatedly. Is possible. In other words, the conventional radiographic method consumes a radiographic film for each photographing, whereas this radiographic image conversion method repeatedly uses a radiographic image conversion panel, so that also from the viewpoint of resource protection and economic efficiency. It is advantageous.

  In order for the radiation image conversion panel to withstand repeated use, a protective member is usually provided on the side of the stimulable phosphor layer that does not face the support, and this protective member is used for chemical absorption such as moisture absorption and oxidation. The photostimulable phosphor layer is protected from alteration or physical contamination.

  As a method for providing a protective member on a radiation image conversion panel, a method is known in which a photostimulable phosphor layer formed on a support is covered with a protective member, and the protective member is adhered to the periphery of the support. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Moreover, the method of coat | covering the both ends with which the support body, fluorescent substance, and the protection member were laminated | stacked with an edge part film is known (refer patent document 3).

  In addition, the support has a frame shape having a convex portion at the periphery, a phosphor layer is formed inside the frame, and the phosphor layer is covered with a protective member. A radiation image conversion panel is known in which the phosphor layer is shielded from an external atmosphere by bonding the protective member to a portion (see Patent Document 4).

Further, a metal solder is provided around the phosphor of the support provided with the phosphor layer, and the support layer and the protective member are joined by melting after laminating the protective layer member, so that the phosphor layer is externally attached. A radiation image conversion panel shielded from the atmosphere is known (see Patent Document 5). In addition, a frame spacer is provided on the periphery of the rigid sheet, a filling resin, a metal thin film, and a phosphor layer are formed inside the frame spacer, and the frame is covered with a protective member. A radiation image conversion panel is known in which the phosphor layer is shielded from the external atmosphere by bonding the protective member to the end of the body spacer (see Patent Documents 6 to 8).
JP 2002-107495 A JP 2003-248089 A JP 2002-174698 A JP 2002-107852 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-022895 JP 2003-098299 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-075594 JP 2003-107197 A

  However, in the conventional method in which the protective member is directly bonded to the peripheral portion of the support or the peripheral portion is sealed by joining the protective member with a frame, a covering material, or metal solder, it is necessary to position and supply the member for bonding. There is a problem that not only the manufacturing process becomes complicated, but also the support having the phosphor layer may be damaged when any trouble occurs in production, and the productivity is lowered.

Moreover, when providing a frame etc. around a support body, since the process which manufactures a frame body separately from a support body and assembles is needed, there existed a problem that a manufacturing process was complicated.
Further, when repairing the radiation image conversion panel because the protective member is damaged for some reason, it is difficult to replace the protective member.
Furthermore, when the support and the frame are made of different materials, the radiation image panel is unnecessary, and the separation work at the time of disposal is complicated.

Further, when the protective member is directly bonded to the support, it may be difficult to adhere and seal the protective member depending on the thickness of the phosphor layer provided on the support.
Furthermore, since all of the above inventions adhere the support and the protective member, it is necessary to sufficiently select an adhesive and an adhesive member depending on the material and surface treatment of the support, and sufficient sealing is required. There was a problem that the property and the bonding strength could not be maintained for a long time.

  The object of the present invention is to arrange a stimulable phosphor layer provided on a support in a box-type container and coat it with a protective member, so that the productivity is good and the seal is used for a long time in a good condition. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image conversion panel that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a radiation image conversion panel having a support and a photostimulable phosphor layer formed on the support, the upper part being open. A box-shaped container in which the support having the photostimulable phosphor layer formed therein is accommodated, and a protective member that is adhered to the opening end of the box-shaped container and holds the inside of the box-shaped container in an airtight manner. It is characterized by having.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the support provided with the photostimulable phosphor layer is disposed inside the box-type container, the position of the support is automatically determined.
Moreover, it can be set as a sealed structure by arrange | positioning the support body provided with the stimulable fluorescent substance layer inside a box-type container, and sealing a box-type container and a protection member.
Further, since the box-shaped container and the protective member are bonded in a state where the support is disposed inside the box-shaped container, the sealing condition is not affected by the material of the support.

  Invention of Claim 2 is a radiation image conversion panel of Claim 1, Comprising: The depth dimension of the said box-shaped container is the thickness dimension of the support body in which the said photostimulable phosphor layer was formed It is characterized by being less than or equal to.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a protective member is bonded to the opening end of the box-shaped container, the depth dimension of the box-shaped container and the thickness of the support including the stimulable phosphor layer are as follows. Since there is a difference in dimensions, the periphery of the protective member is lowered one step. With this structure, the surface of the protective member is kept in a horizontal state without the peripheral portion of the protective member being warped upward.

  Invention of Claim 3 is a radiation image conversion panel of Claim 1, Comprising: A radiation shielding material is arrange | positioned inside the said box-type container, The said photostimulable phosphor layer on this radiation shielding material The support body provided with is arranged, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, radiation is shielded by the radiation shielding material. The position of the radiation shielding material is also automatically determined.

  Invention of Claim 4 is a radiographic image conversion panel of Claim 3, Comprising: The depth dimension of the said box-shaped container is the thickness dimension of the said radiation shielding material, and the said stimulable fluorescent substance layer. It is characterized by being equal to or smaller than the total thickness of the support provided.

  According to invention of Claim 4, when a protective member is adhere | attached on the opening edge part of a box-shaped container, the depth dimension of the said box-shaped container, the thickness dimension of a radiation shielding material, and the said stimulable phosphor layer Since there is a difference in the sum of the thickness dimensions of the support with the above, the same effect as in claim 2 can be obtained.

  Invention of Claim 5 is a radiographic image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising: The flange part which protrudes outward was formed in the opening edge part of the said box-type container. It is characterized by.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a wider bonding area can be secured by using the flange portion as the bonding portion between the box-shaped container and the protective member.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the box-shaped container is formed of a resin.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the surface irregularity of the box-shaped container 31 is eliminated by the resin. Further, the moisture resistance of the container is improved.
Furthermore, since the container is made of resin, it is difficult for the seal portion to be burdened against an action such as bending.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the radioactive image conversion panel according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the protective member is formed of a resin film.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the strength of the protective member is increased by the resin film, and light diffusion can be prevented by forming a thin layer.

Invention of Claim 8 is a radioactive image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-7, Comprising: The said protection member is an aluminum vapor deposition layer (moisture permeability: 0.01-1.0 g / m). characterized by having a ² / 24hr).

  According to invention of Claim 8, the moisture-proof property of a protection member improves with aluminum.

  Invention of Claim 9 is a radiographic image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-8, Comprising: The said protection member and the said box-type container are adhere | attached by heat sealing | fusion. Features.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the photostimulable phosphor layer can be reliably and easily sealed without creating a gap between the protective member and the box-shaped container.

  Invention of Claim 10 is a radiographic image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-9, Comprising: The space inside the said protection member and the said box-type container is pressure-reduced from atmospheric pressure. It is characterized by that.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, since the space inside the box-shaped container and the protective member is depressurized from the atmospheric pressure, the photostimulable phosphor layer does not come into contact with water or oxygen.

  Invention of Claim 11 is a radiographic image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-10, Comprising: The pressure reduction degree of the space inside the said protection member and the said box-type container is 100 Pa in absolute pressure -10,000 Pa.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, since the degree of vacuum inside the box-type container is 100 Pa to 10,000 Pa in absolute pressure, the photostimulable phosphor layer does not come into contact with water or oxygen.

  Invention of Claim 12 is a radiographic image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-11, Comprising: The space inside the said protection member and the said box-type container is substituted by the inert gas. It is characterized by being.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the space inside the box-shaped container and the protective member is replaced with the inert gas, so that the photostimulable phosphor layer does not come into contact with water or oxygen.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the radiation image conversion panel according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the support is a rigid plate mainly made of carbon.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the rigidity of the support is ensured by the carbon.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the support is made of a metal material mainly composed of aluminum.

  According to the invention described in claim 14, the rigidity of the support is ensured by the metal material.

  Invention of Claim 15 is a radiation image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-14, Comprising: A polyimide layer is formed on the said support body, The said stimulable fluorescent substance layer is the said It is formed on a polyimide layer.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the unevenness of the support surface is eliminated by the resin, and the heat resistance and heat fusion property of the support are improved.

  Invention of Claim 16 is a radiation image conversion panel as described in any one of Claims 1-15, Comprising: An inorganic vapor deposition layer is formed on the said support body, The said photostimulable phosphor layer is It is formed on the inorganic vapor deposition layer.

  According to the invention described in claim 16, since the inorganic vapor deposition layer is a high hardness film, the rigidity of the support is ensured.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a resin layer containing fluorine is formed on the support, and the photostimulable phosphor is formed. The layer is formed on the resin layer.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the unevenness of the support surface is eliminated by the resin, and the heat resistance and heat fusion property of the support are improved.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is easy to position the support provided with the stimulable phosphor layer in the box-type container.
Moreover, since the inside of a box-type container is interrupted | blocked with external air, the radiation image conversion panel which has favorable airtightness and can be used in a favorable state for a long period of time can be obtained.
Furthermore, when the protective member and the support are bonded together, it is necessary to select the material of the substrate and the protective member, the layer configuration, and the substrate surface treatment sealing material. In the present invention, the material of the support is not affected. The seal can be optimized.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the margin when the optical system passes on the plate, and to obtain an interference prevention effect.

  According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the effect similar to Claim 1, the radiation image conversion panel excellent in the shielding property of a radiation can be obtained.

  According to invention of Claim 4, in addition to the effect similar to Claim 2, the radiographic image conversion panel excellent in the shielding property of a radiation can be obtained.

  According to invention of Claim 5, in addition to the effect similar to Claim 1, these adhesive strengths can be raised by ensuring the adhesion area of a protection member and a box-type container.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the same effects as those of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained, and a thin and highly moisture-proof seal can be performed.
In addition, since the seal portion is hardly burdened, the hermeticity in the box-type container is maintained.
Furthermore, the separation work when discarding the radiation image panel is facilitated.

  According to the invention of claim 7, the same effect as that of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 6 can be obtained, and the material of the protective member is mainly a resin film, so that a thin layer is obtained. However, there is no problem in strength, and by making it a thin layer, deterioration of image quality due to light diffusion can be prevented, and a radiation image conversion panel with further excellent sensitivity and sharpness can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the same effects as those of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7 can be obtained, and the moisture permeability and oxygen permeability of the protective member are reduced, thereby stimulating fluorescence. It can prevent deterioration of the body.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and radiation that can be used in a good condition for a long period of time with good sealing properties. An image conversion panel can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, the same effect as that of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 9 can be obtained, and oxidation and moisture absorption of the stimulable phosphor layer can be prevented. A radiation image conversion panel with little deterioration of sharpness due to can be obtained.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and oxidation and moisture absorption of the stimulable phosphor layer can be prevented. A radiation image conversion panel with little deterioration of sharpness due to can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 12, the same effect as that of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 11 can be obtained, and oxidation and moisture absorption of the stimulable phosphor layer can be prevented, A radiation image conversion panel with little deterioration of sharpness due to can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 13, the same effect as in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 12 can be obtained, the rigidity of the support is ensured, and the support is used at the time of image reading. There is no need to attach to another rigid substrate. Further, the flatness of the entire radiation image conversion panel is maintained.

  According to the invention described in claim 14, the same effect as that of any one of claims 1-13 can be obtained, the rigidity of the support is ensured, and the support is used during image reading. There is no need to attach to another rigid substrate. Further, the flatness of the entire radiation image conversion panel is maintained.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and the surface of the box-shaped container is free from irregularities. The moldability at the time of vapor-depositing can be improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the box-shaped container from being deformed by the heat of the vapor flow when the stimulable phosphor is deposited.

  According to the invention of the sixteenth aspect, the same effects as those of the invention of any one of the first to fifteenth aspects can be obtained, the rigidity of the support is ensured, and the support is provided at the time of image reading. There is no need to attach to another rigid substrate. Further, the flatness of the entire radiation image conversion panel is maintained.

  According to the invention described in claim 17, since the same effect as that of the invention described in any one of claims 1-16 can be obtained and the unevenness of the surface of the box-type container is eliminated, the photostimulable phosphor The moldability at the time of vapor-depositing can be improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the box-shaped container from being deformed by the heat of the vapor flow when the stimulable phosphor is deposited.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a radiographic image conversion panel according to the present invention. The radiographic image conversion panel according to the present embodiment has a side wall 33 provided upright at the peripheral edge of a flat bottom plate 32. The box-shaped container 31 is formed of a resin such as OPP (stretched polypropylene). The OPP resin is preferable because it is excellent in moisture resistance and transparency and is low in cost, but is not limited thereto.

Further, inside the box-shaped container 31 may be formed of aluminum deposited layer (water vapor permeability ^{0.01~1.0g / m 2 / 24hr40 ℃ 90} %). By forming the aluminum vapor deposition layer in this way, since aluminum is excellent in moisture resistance, deterioration of the radiation image conversion panel due to moisture absorption can be prevented. Furthermore, a moisture-proof sheet may be stuck inside the box-shaped container 31. By sticking the moisture-proof sheet in this manner, it is possible to prevent the radiation image conversion panel from being deteriorated due to moisture absorption, as in the case of forming the above-described aluminum vapor deposition layer.

  The surface of the box-shaped container 31 may be a smooth surface, or may be a mat surface for the purpose of improving the adhesion with the protective member 21.

  Inside the box-shaped container 31, the support 11 on which the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is formed on one side, and the surface of the support 11 on which the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is not formed is the box-shaped container 31. The bottom plate 32 is accommodated so as to be in contact therewith.

  As the support 11 used in the present embodiment, various polymer materials, glass, ceramics, metals, carbon fibers, composite materials including carbon fibers, and the like can be used, for example, quartz, borosilicate glass, chemically tempered glass. , Plate glass such as crystallized glass, ceramics such as alumina and silicon nitride, cellulose acetate film, polyester film, polyethylene terephthalate film, polyamide film, polyimide film, triacetate film, polycarbonate film and other plastic films, aluminum, iron, copper, chromium A metal sheet and a metal sheet having a coating layer of hydrophilic fine particles are preferred.

  Although the thickness dimension of these support bodies 11 changes with materials etc. to be used, it is generally 80 micrometers-5000 micrometers, and from a viewpoint on handling, 250 micrometers-4000 micrometers are still more preferable.

  Moreover, you may make it form the support body 11 with a rigid material. Specific examples of the rigid material include a metal plate such as aluminum, iron, copper, stainless steel, lead, and chromium, a metal plate having a metal oxide coating layer, an aluminum-magnesium alloy plate, etc. A binding plate, an alumina silica sintered plate, chemically strengthened glass, quartz glass, and the like, carbon fiber reinforced resin, polycarbonate, and phenol resin (trade name Bakelite) can be used, but are not limited thereto. As a result, the rigidity of the support 11 is ensured, and it is not necessary to attach the support 11 to another rigid substrate at the time of image reading, and the flatness of the entire radiation image conversion panel is ensured. It becomes possible.

In addition, an inorganic vapor deposition layer that is a high hardness film may be provided on the support 11, and the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 may be provided thereon. The high hardness film includes inorganic nitrides such as BN and Si ₃ N ₄ , inorganic carbides such as SiC, TiC and WC, inorganic oxides such as MgO, CaO and B ₂ O ₃ , and inorganic fluorides such as BaF ₂ At least one inorganic compound selected from the above is obtained by adhering in a layered manner to the surface of the support 11 by a vapor deposition method such as vacuum deposition or sputtering. As a result, the rigidity of the support 11 is ensured in the same manner as described above, and it is not necessary to attach the support 11 to another rigid substrate at the time of image reading. Sex can be secured.

  Further, by arranging a rigid substrate inside the box-shaped container 31 separately from the support 11, it is possible to ensure the flatness of the entire radiation image conversion panel.

  Further, a heat resistant resin layer may be provided on one side or both sides of the support 11. By providing the heat-resistant resin layer in this manner, the surface of the support 11 can be smoothed and the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 can be formed smoothly. Further, by providing the heat resistant resin layers on both surfaces, it is possible to prevent the support 11 from being distorted due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the support 11 and the heat resistant resin layer when heated.

The photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is made of columnar crystals of photostimulable phosphor, and is formed on the one surface side of the support 11 with a thickness of 50 μm or more, preferably 300 to 500 μm, by vapor deposition. It is like that.
As the vapor deposition method, a vapor deposition method, a sputtering method, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method or the like is preferably used.

In the vapor deposition method, after the support 11 is installed in the vapor deposition apparatus, the inside of the apparatus is evacuated to a vacuum of about 1.0 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa, and then at least one of the stimulable phosphors is removed. The stimulable phosphor is deposited on the surface of the support 11 in a desired thickness by evaporating by heating using a resistance heating method, an electron beam method, or the like. The accumulation of the photostimulable phosphor may be performed in a plurality of times, or a plurality of resistance heaters or a plurality of electron beams may be used. Further, the stimulable phosphor material is vapor-deposited on the support 11 by using a resistance heater or an electron beam, and the target stimulable phosphor is synthesized on the support 11 and the stimulable phosphor layer. 12 may be formed. Moreover, the support body 11 which is a to-be-deposited material may be cooled or heated, and the stimulable phosphor layer 12 may be heat-treated after the deposition. Further, the degree of vacuum is adjusted to 5 × 10 ⁻⁵ Pa to 1 Pa, preferably 1 × 10 by adjusting the aperture of the exhaust valve of the vapor deposition apparatus or introducing an inert gas such as nitrogen gas or argon gas during vapor deposition. ^The vapor deposition may be performed at about ^-4 Pa to 0.5 Pa.

In the sputtering method, after the support 11 is installed in the sputtering apparatus, the inside of the apparatus is once evacuated to a vacuum of about 1.333 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa, and then Ar, Ne, etc. are used as sputtering baths. The inert gas is introduced into the apparatus to obtain a gas pressure of about 1.333 × 10 ⁻¹ Pa. Next, the stimulable phosphor is deposited in a desired thickness dimension on the surface of the support 11 by sputtering using the stimulable phosphor as a target. The accumulation of the photostimulable phosphor may be performed in a plurality of times, or the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 may be formed by sputtering the target simultaneously or sequentially. . In addition, a plurality of photostimulable phosphor materials are used as targets, and these are sputtered simultaneously or sequentially to synthesize the desired photostimulable phosphor on the support 11 and the photostimulable phosphor layer. 12 may be formed, or reactive sputtering may be performed by introducing a gas such as O ₂ or H ₂ as necessary. Moreover, the support body 11 which is a to-be-deposited material may be cooled or heated, and the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 may be heat-treated after the end of sputtering.

In the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, by decomposing the target stimulable phosphor or organometallic compound containing the stimulable phosphor material with heat, energy such as high-frequency power, A stimulable phosphor layer 12 containing no binder can be obtained on the support 11. In any case, the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 can be vapor-phase grown on the support 11 into independent elongated columnar crystals.

  By the combination of the above methods and conditions, the thickness of the columnar crystal of the stimulable phosphor layer 12, that is, the average area of the crystal surface can be controlled to a desired size.

  Further, the protective member 21 is attached to the opening end portion of the box-shaped container 31 by bonding with an adhesive, heat welding, or other methods. In this state, as shown in FIG. The inside is cut off from the outside air. In this case, in this embodiment, the internal space formed by the box-shaped container 31 and the protection member 21 is depressurized with respect to the atmospheric pressure. Specifically, the internal space of the box-shaped container 31 is depressurized. The degree is 100 Pa to 10000 Pa in absolute pressure.

As a method of adjusting the atmospheric pressure of the space formed between the box-shaped container 31 and the protective member 21, a decompression method using a vacuum pump can be considered. Moreover, in adjusting to the above-described degree of decompression, the degree of decompression in the sealing treatment container is set to a predetermined degree of decompression or less, and then an inert gas or the atmosphere is introduced from the gas inlet to adjust to the target degree of decompression. . Moreover, you may adjust to the target pressure reduction degree by using together the pressure reduction with a vacuum pump, and introduction | transduction of the said inert gas.
Examples of the inert gas according to the present invention include nitrogen gas, helium gas, argon gas, radon gas, and neon gas.

As the material of the protective member 21, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polytrifluoride- Usual resin films such as ethylene chloride, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer can be used.
The resin film is easy to process, and even if the thickness is made as thin as 100 μm or less, there is no problem in strength during the manufacturing process, and since it is a thin layer, it is preferable in terms of initial image quality.

Further, the protective member 21 may have a laminated layer of inorganic substances having low moisture permeability and oxygen permeability. Examples of such inorganic substances include SiO _x (SiO, SiO ₂ ), Al ₂ O ₃ , ZnO ₂ , SnO ₂ , SiC, and SiN. Of these, Al ₂ O ₃ and SiO _x are particularly light transmissive. And moisture permeability and oxygen permeability are high. That is, it is particularly preferable because a dense film with few cracks and micropores can be formed. SiO _x and Al ₂ O ₃ may be laminated alone, but if both are laminated together, moisture permeability and oxygen permeability can be increased, so both SiO _x and Al ₂ O ₃ are laminated. Also good.

  For the lamination of the inorganic substance on the protective member 21, a PVD method, a sputtering method, a CVD method, a PE-CVD (Plasma enhanced CVD) method or the like can be used. Lamination may be performed after the box-shaped container 31 is coated with the protective member 21 or may be performed before the box-shaped container 31 is coated. The lamination thickness is preferably about 0.01 μm to 1 μm.

  Moreover, you may use the laminated film formed by laminating | stacking metal films, such as an aluminum film. Or you may use the commercially available moisture-proof resin film in which the aluminum vapor deposition layer was formed previously. Examples of such a moisture-proof resin film include GL-AU manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Furthermore, a plurality of the films may be laminated to form a moisture-proof protective film.

  It is preferable to provide a sealant layer for lamination on one surface of the protective member 21. As the resin used for the sealant layer, CPP (unstretched polypropylene) is suitable as a sealing material excellent in moisture resistance and transparency, but is not limited thereto. By this sealant layer for laminating, the box-type container 31 can be suitably attached.

  As the adhesive used for bonding the protective member 21 to the sealant layer for laminating, any adhesive having low moisture permeability and oxygen permeability may be used, and hot melt or the like should be used. Can do. In the case where an adhesive is applied to the entire protective member 21, it is preferable that the light transmittance is higher. For example, a polyester resin solution can be used as such an adhesive.

  As the adhesive for bonding the box-shaped container 31 and the protection member 21, any adhesive can be used as long as it has high light transmittance and low moisture permeability and oxygen permeability. Examples of such adhesives include known thermoplastic adhesives such as epoxy adhesives, urethane adhesives, acrylic adhesives, and polyester adhesives.

  Further, the box-shaped container 31 and the protective member 21 can be bonded together by heat fusion. For example, the outermost layer of the protective member 21 on the side in contact with the open end of the box-shaped container 31 contains a resin having heat-fusibility, so that the protective member 21 can be fused, and the open end of the box-shaped container 31 It is possible to improve the efficiency of the sealing work and to prevent the deterioration of characteristics due to moisture absorption of the stimulable phosphor 12 extremely effectively.

  The resin having the heat sealing property described above is a resin film that can be fused with a commonly used impulse sealer. For example, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polypropylene (PP) film, polyethylene (PE) film However, the present invention is not limited to these.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the support 11 having the stimulable phosphor layer 12 formed therein is loaded into the box-shaped container 31, and then the protective member 21 is bonded to the peripheral end of the box-shaped container 31. The box-shaped container 31 is sealed. Therefore, positioning of the support 11 with respect to the box-shaped container 31 can be performed easily and reliably.
In addition, since the support 11 is loaded into a box-shaped container 31 having a certain depth, even if the thickness of the support 11 and the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is large, the support 11 is appropriate. It becomes possible to adhere the protective member 21 to.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the support 11 provided with the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 can be easily positioned, so that the productivity of the radiation image conversion panel can be significantly increased. Moreover, since the protective member 21 can be reliably bonded, good sealing performance can be ensured over a long period of time. Further, since the protective member 21 is not directly bonded to the support 11 as in the prior art, the protective member 21 can be securely bonded without being affected by the material of the support 11. .

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Also in the radiation image conversion panel of the second embodiment, the support body 11 having the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 formed therein is arranged inside the box-shaped container 31 as in the first embodiment described above. The protective member 21 is bonded to the opening end of the box-shaped container 31. In the present embodiment, when the length from the opening end portion to the bottom surface of the box-shaped container 31 is L1, and the total of the thickness dimension of the stimulable phosphor layer 12 and the thickness dimension of the support 11 is L2. In addition, L1 ≦ L2.
Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the protective member 21 is bonded to the open end of the box-shaped container 31, the upper surface of the bonded portion of the protective member 21 and the protective member at the open end of the box-shaped container 31. A step of L2-L1 is formed between the central upper surface of 21.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a step is formed in the peripheral portion of the protective member 21 that does not contact the stimulable phosphor layer 12, so that the center of the protective member 21 that contacts the stimulable phosphor layer 12 is formed. The portion protrudes most, and the peripheral portion of the protection member 21 does not protrude from the central portion of the protection member 21. Therefore, when the radiation image conversion panel having such a configuration is read by the image reading apparatus, a margin when the reading optical system scans the radiation image conversion panel can be reduced, and the reading optical system can be used as the radiation image conversion panel. It is possible to prevent contact with the peripheral part of the.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, only points different from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the radiation image conversion panel of this embodiment is configured such that a radiation shielding material 41 is disposed between a box-shaped container 31 and a support 11, and the other parts are the first part. This is the same as the embodiment.

  As the inorganic material having radiation shielding property 41 contained in the radiation shielding material 41, lead, a lead compound, a lithium compound, a boron compound, or the like can be considered.

  As a manufacturing method of the radiation shielding material 41, for example, there is a method in which an adhesive layer of about 5 μm is provided on both surfaces of a lead sheet of about 150 μm and a PET (polyester) sheet of about 100 μm is bonded. Moreover, a method of laminating a plastic sheet containing a radiation shielding inorganic substance such as lead in a plastic is also conceivable.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, excellent productivity and sealing performance can be obtained, and radiation can be shielded by the radiation shielding material 41, so that it is bright during radiographic imaging. The radiation that has passed through the stimulable phosphor layer 12 can be reliably shielded.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, a radiation shielding material 41 is disposed between the box-shaped container 31 and the support 11, and the second embodiment. Similarly, when the length from the opening end to the bottom surface of the box-shaped container 31 is L3, and the total thickness of the stimulable phosphor layer 12 and the thickness of the support 11 is L4, L3 ≦ L4.
Other parts are the same as those in the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, when the protective member 21 is bonded to the opening end portion of the box-shaped container 31, the upper surface of the bonding portion of the protective member 21 and the protection at the opening end portion of the box-shaped container 31 are protected as in the above-described embodiment. Since a step of L4-L3 is formed between the central upper surface of the member 21, the central portion of the protective member 21 in contact with the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 protrudes most, and the protective member 21 The peripheral portion does not protrude from the central portion of the protection member 21. Therefore, the margin when the reading optical system scans the radiation image conversion panel can be reduced, and the reading optical system can be prevented from coming into contact with the peripheral portion of the radiation image conversion panel.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, a flange portion 34 protruding outward is formed at the open end of the box-shaped container 31, and the protective member 21 is bonded to the flange portion 34. . Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, excellent productivity and airtightness can be obtained as in the first embodiment, and a large bonding area between the box-shaped container 31 and the protection member 21 can be ensured. The adhesive strength between the container 31 and the protection member 21 can be increased.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, a flange portion 34 that protrudes outward is formed at the opening end of the box-shaped container 31, and the second embodiment Similarly to the embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the length from the opening end to the bottom surface of the box-shaped container 31 is L5, and the sum of the thickness dimension of the stimulable phosphor layer 12 and the thickness dimension of the support 11 is used. When L is L6, L5 ≦ L6. Other parts are the same as those in the fifth embodiment.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, the adhesive strength between the box-shaped container 31 and the protection member 21 can be increased as in the above-described embodiment. Further, since the step of L6-L5 is formed between the upper surface of the adhesive portion of the protective member 21 and the central upper surface of the protective member 21 at the opening end of the box-shaped container 31, the brightening of the protective member 21 is achieved. The central portion in contact with the phosphor layer 12 is projected most, so that the margin when the reading optical system scans the radiation image conversion panel can be reduced, and the reading optical system is located at the periphery of the radiation image conversion panel. It is possible to prevent contact.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, the flange portion 34 is formed at the open end of the box-shaped container 31 as in the fifth embodiment, and the box-shaped container 31 and the support 11 are formed in the same manner as in the third embodiment. The radiation shielding material 41 is arranged between them, and the other parts are the same as those in the above embodiments.

  Also in the present embodiment, the flange portion 34 can increase the adhesive strength between the box-shaped container 31 and the protection member 21 and can reliably shield radiation as in the above-described embodiment.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the radiation shielding material 41 is disposed between the box-shaped container 31 and the support 11 as in the third embodiment, and the box-shaped container as in the fifth embodiment. A flange portion 34 protruding outward is formed at the opening end portion of 31. Further, similarly to the second embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the sixth embodiment, the length from the opening end to the bottom surface of the box-shaped container 31 is L7, and the thickness of the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is set. When the total of the dimension and the thickness dimension of the support 11 is L8, L7 ≦ L8, and the other parts are the same as those in the above embodiments.

  Therefore, also in the present embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, the adhesive strength between the box-shaped container 31 and the protection member 21 can be increased, and radiation can be reliably shielded. In addition, since a step is formed between the upper surface of the protective member 21 at the opening end of the box-shaped container 31 and the central upper surface of the protective member 21, the reading optical system scans the radiation image conversion panel. The margin at the time can be reduced, and the reading optical system can be prevented from coming into contact with the peripheral portion of the radiation image conversion panel.

  Next, an embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus for a radiation image conversion panel according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the case where the radiation image conversion panel in 5th Embodiment is manufactured is demonstrated.

  FIG. 13 shows a portion of the radiographic image conversion panel manufacturing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment that performs a process of heat-sealing the protective member 21 to the box-shaped container 31.

  In the apparatus for manufacturing a radiation image conversion panel in the present embodiment, a protective film roller 52 and a winding roller 53 formed by winding a long protective film 51 constituting the protective member 21 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. The protective film 51 is sent out from the protective film roller 52 and guided in a substantially horizontal direction by a driving device (not shown), and then wound around the winding roller 53.

  A box-shaped container 31 loaded with the support 11 on which the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is formed in advance is transported to a lower position between the protective film roller 52 and the take-up roller 53. Yes. A heater corresponding to the flange portion 34 of the box-shaped container 31 and for heat-welding the protective film 51 to the flange portion 34 at a position above the protective film 51 and corresponding to the transport position of the box-shaped container 31. The unit 54 is disposed so as to be movable up and down with respect to the protective film 51. The protective film 51 is heated on the flange portion 34 of the box-shaped container 31 above the protective film 51 and on the downstream side of the heater unit 54. A punching device 55 for separating the welded box-shaped container 31 from the protective film 51 is disposed so as to be movable up and down.

Next, the operation of the apparatus for manufacturing a radiation image conversion panel according to the present embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, first, the box-shaped container 31 loaded with the support 11 on which the photostimulable phosphor layer 12 is formed below the protective film 51 wound up from the protective film roller 52 to the take-up roller 53. The box-shaped container 31 is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the protective film 51. In this state, by lowering the heater unit 54 and operating the heater unit 54, the flange portion 34 of the box-shaped container 31 and the protective film 51 are thermally welded.
Then, the box-shaped container 31 is separated from the protective film 51 by moving the protective film 51 to a position below the punching device 55 and lowering the punching device 55.
By repeating this operation, the welding operation of the protective film 51 to the box-shaped container 31 can be performed automatically and continuously.

  The box-shaped container 31 may be previously formed into a box shape, or formed into a box shape by thermoforming a long film, for example, After the box-shaped container 31 and the protective film 51 are thermally welded, both may be separated.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the support body 11 can be easily positioned by the box-shaped container 31, and the radiation image conversion panel can be manufactured very easily and automatically. Can significantly increase the performance.

It is drawing which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the sealing structure of a radiographic image conversion panel among the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the sealing structure of a radiographic image conversion panel among the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the sealing structure of a radiographic image conversion panel among the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the sealing structure of a radiographic image conversion panel among the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows an example of the manufacturing apparatus of the radiographic image conversion panel of the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Support body 12 Stimulable phosphor layer 21 Protective member 31 Box-shaped container 32 Bottom plate 33 Side wall 34 Flange part 41 Radiation shielding material 51 Protective film 52 Protective film roller 53 Protective film winding roller 54 Heater unit 55 Punching device

Claims (17)

A radiation image conversion panel having a support and a photostimulable phosphor layer formed on the support,
A box-shaped container in which an upper part is opened and a support body in which the photostimulable phosphor layer is formed is accommodated, and the box-shaped container is bonded to the open end of the box-shaped container to keep the inside of the box-shaped container airtight. A radiation image conversion panel comprising a protective member.   The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 1, wherein a depth dimension of the box-shaped container is equal to or smaller than a thickness dimension of the support on which the photostimulable phosphor layer is formed.   The radiation image conversion according to claim 1, wherein a radiation shielding material is disposed inside the box-shaped container, and a support having the stimulable phosphor layer is disposed on the radiation shielding material. panel.   The depth dimension of the box-shaped container is equal to or smaller than the sum of the thickness dimension of the radiation shielding material and the thickness dimension of the support including the stimulable phosphor layer. Item 4. The radiation image conversion panel according to Item 3.   The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 1, wherein a flange portion protruding outward is formed at an opening end portion of the box-shaped container.   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the box-shaped container is formed of a resin.   The radioactive image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective member is formed of a resin film. The protective member is an aluminum deposited layer (moisture permeability: 0.01~1.0g / m ² / 24hr) Radioactive image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has a .   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protective member and the box-type container are bonded together by heat fusion.   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a space inside the protective member and the box-type container is depressurized from an atmospheric pressure.   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a degree of decompression of the space inside the protective member and the box-shaped container is 100 Pa to 10000 Pa in absolute pressure.   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a space inside the protective member and the box-shaped container is replaced with an inert gas.   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the support is a rigid plate mainly composed of carbon.   The radiation image conversion panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the support is made of a metal material mainly composed of aluminum.   The radiographic image according to claim 1, wherein a polyimide layer is formed on the support, and the photostimulable phosphor layer is formed on the polyimide layer. Conversion panel.   The inorganic vapor-deposited layer is formed on the support, and the stimulable phosphor layer is formed on the inorganic vapor-deposited layer. Radiation image conversion panel.   The resin layer containing fluorine is formed on the support, and the photostimulable phosphor layer is formed on the resin layer. Radiation image conversion panel.

Images