Two-dimensional image pickup apparatus

• US 6,897,449 B1
• Filed: 01/27/1999
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Hata, Fumio
• Primary Examiner(s): GAGLIARDI, ALBERT J
• Application Number:
  US09/238,501
• Time in Patent Office: 2,309 Days
• Field of Search: 250/370.11, 250/370.08, 250/370.09, 250/485.1, 378/184, 378/182, 378/187
• US Class Current: 250/370.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1648 Ancillary equipment for scintillation cameras, e.g. reference markers, devices for removing motion artifacts, calibration devices adapted for flow studies G01T1/1647
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2928 using solid state detectors

Abstract

An image pickup apparatus for X-ray photography is structurally adapted to absorb external impacts and possible resultant deformations such as deflections of the cabinet so that the interior is protected against damage and remains intact if the cabinet is deformed by the external load. The two-dimensional image pickup apparatus comprises a substrate, two-dimensional photoelectric converters formed on the substrate and an apparatus cabinet containing the substrate and the photoelectric converters. At least part of the apparatus cabinet is deformable and capable of restoring its original profile. A plurality of containers such as air bags may also be inserted into the gap between the substrate and the apparatus cabinet to prevent the inner wall surface of the apparatus cabinet and the substrate from contacting each other.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus comprising:

an apparatus cabinet having an inner mounting surface and a deformable top plate; and

a two-dimensional photoelectric converter unit contained in said apparatus cabinet and carried by a base member which is directly mounted onto said inner mounting surface, said two-dimensional photoelectric converter unit comprising a substrate and a plurality of photoelectric converters formed on said substrate;

wherein said top plate is arranged opposite to said base member such that said two-dimensional photoelectric converter unit is positioned in between said top plate and said base member, and wherein said top plate is less rigid than said base member.

2. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said top plate can return to an original position after deformation.

3. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of deformation of said top plate is greater than that of said substrate member.

4. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said top plate is comprised of resin.

5. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the resin contains carbon-fiber-reinforced resin.

6. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said two-dimensional photoelectric converter unit includes a fluorescent body.

7. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a space between the deformable top plate and the light-receiving surface of said two-dimensional photoelectric converter unit.

8. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said space is dimensioned to receive inward deformations of the deformable top plate without contact to the light-receiving surface of said two-dimensional photoelectric converter unit.

9. A two-dimensional image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said space is empty.