Radiation detection apparatus and radiographic apparatus

According to one embodiment, a radiation detection apparatus includes a radiation detection panel, a support member that is configured to support the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof and has electrical conductive property, a circuit board that is supported on the other surface of the support member, a flexible circuit board configured to electrically connect the radiation detection panel to the circuit board, a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and the circuit board, a housing that is configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the circuit board, the support member, and the heat insulation member and has electrical conductive property, and a heat conduction member that is accommodated in the housing, connected to the support member and the housing, and configured to achieve electrical conduction between the support member and the housing to conduct heat of the support member to the housing.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a radiation detection apparatus and a radiographic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

An X-ray detection apparatus that detects a radiation, especially an X-ray has been conventionally utilized in a wide field, such as an industrial nondestructive test, medical diagnostics, or scientific research such as structural analysis.

Among X-ray detection apparatuses, a high-sensitivity and a high-definition X-ray detection apparatus provided with an X-ray detection panel having a photodetector and a fluorescent layer has been known. The photodetector has a photoelectric conversion element section in which a plurality of photosensors and a plurality of thin-film transistors (TFTs) are two-dimensionally arranged. The fluorescent layer is directly formed on the photodetector. The fluorescent layer converts an X-ray into light that can be detected by the photoelectric conversion element section.

The X-ray detection panel is supported on one surface of a plate-shaped support member. A circuit board is supported on the other surface of the support member. The circuit board drives the X-ray detection panel. The X-ray detection panel and the circuit board are electrically connected to each other through a flexible circuit board.

When the X-ray detection apparatus is actuated, the circuit board generates heat. A part of the generated heat is radiated into air in a housing of the X-ray detection apparatus. However, a major part of the heat moves to a member having a lower temperature based on heat conduction.

Therefore, the heat generated in the circuit board is conducted to the support member that supports the circuit board. Further, the heat conducted to the support member is conducted to the X-ray detection panel having a lower temperature.

When the heat is conducted to the X-ray detection panel, a temperature of the X-ray detection panel increases, and an operation temperature becomes a high temperature. Then, a dark current of the photoelectric conversion element and a leak current of the TFTs increase and an amount of fixed noise fluctuates, which results in a problem causing unevenness in an image.

A calorific value of the circuit board is not uniform even when taking a partial view. The heat conductive property of the circuit board is not uniform even when taking a partial view either. Therefore, partial unevenness occurs in the temperature of the X-ray detection panel. Thus, in the X-ray detection panel, values of the dark current and the leak current partially fluctuate, and the fixed noise partially varies.

In regard to this problem, a method of cooling the circuit board or the X-ray detection panel by using a cooling device has been suggested (see, e.g., Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOkAI Publication No. 2005-283262 (page 6, FIGS. 1 to 2)). As the cooling device, although there is a cooler adopting a natural radiational cooling system, a peltier element or a cold-water circulation device is used in order to obtain sufficient cooling performance.

Further, a method of energizing the X-ray detection apparatus 24 hours before use to make uniform a variation of the leak current has been also suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided a radiation detection apparatus comprising a radiation detection panel configured to detect a radiation, a support member that is configured to support the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof and has electrical conductive property, a circuit board that is supported on the other surface of the support member and configured to drive the radiation detection panel, a flexible circuit board configured to electrically connect the radiation detection panel to the circuit board, a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and the circuit board, a housing that is configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the circuit board, the support member, and the heat insulation member and has electrical conductive property, and a heat conduction member that is accommodated in the housing, connected to the support member and the housing, and configured to achieve electrical conduction between the support member and the housing to conduct heat of the support member to the housing.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a radiation detection apparatus comprising a radiation detection panel configured to detect a radiation, a support member that is configured to support the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof and has electrical conductive property, a circuit board that is supported on the other surface of the support member and configured to drive the radiation detection panel, a flexible circuit board configured to electrically connect the radiation detection panel to the circuit board, a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and the circuit board, a housing that is configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the circuit board, the support member, and the heat insulation member and has electrical conductive property, a heat conduction member that is accommodated in the housing, connected to the support member and the housing, and configured to achieve electrical conduction between the support member and the housing to conduct heat of the support member to the housing, and a frame-shaped partition member that is provided between the radiation detection panel and the housing, partitions a space into a first space surrounded by the housing and the support member and a second space surrounded by the radiation detection panel and the entrance window, and suppresses entrance and exit of an atmosphere between the first space and the second space.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a radiation detection apparatus comprising a first heat insulation space and a second heat insulation space, wherein the first heat insulation space comprises a radiation detection panel configured to detect a radiation, a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and a circuit board, and an entrance window arranged opposite to the radiation detection panel with a gap, and the second heat insulation space comprises a support member that is configured to support the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof and has electrical conductive property, a circuit board that is supported on the other surface of the support member and configured to drive the radiation detection panel, a housing having electrical conductive property, and a heat conduction member that is accommodated in the housing and connected to the support member and the housing, and the first heat insulation space and the second heat insulation space are thermally insulated by a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and the circuit board.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a radiographic apparatus comprising a radiation irradiation unit configured to irradiate a radiation, and a radiation detection apparatus, wherein the radiation detection apparatus comprises a radiation detection panel configured to detect a radiation, a support member that is configured to support the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof and has electrical conductive property, a circuit board that is supported on the other surface of the support member and configured to drive the radiation detection panel, a flexible circuit board configured to electrically connect the radiation detection panel to the circuit board, a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and the circuit board, a housing that is configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the circuit board, the support member, and the heat insulation member and has electrical conductive property, and a heat conduction member that is accommodated in the housing, connected to the support member and the housing, and configured to achieve electrical conduction between the support member and the housing to conduct heat of the support member to the housing.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a radiographic apparatus comprising a radiation irradiation unit configured to irradiate a radiation, and a radiation detection apparatus, wherein the radiation detection apparatus comprises a radiation detection panel configured to detect a radiation, a support member that is configured to support the radiation detection panel on one surface thereof and has electrical conductive property, a circuit board that is supported on the other surface of the support member and configured to drive the radiation detection panel, a flexible circuit board configured to electrically connect the radiation detection panel to the circuit board, a heat insulation member arranged between the radiation detection panel and the circuit board, a housing that is configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the circuit board, the support member, and the heat insulation member and has electrical conductive property, a heat conduction member that is accommodated in the housing, connected to the support member and the housing, and configured to achieve electrical conduction between the support member and the housing to conduct heat of the support member to the housing, and a frame-shaped partition member that is provided between the radiation detection panel and the housing, partitions a space into a first space surrounded by the housing and the support member and a second space surrounded by the radiation detection panel and a entrance window, and suppresses entrance and exit of an atmosphere between the first space and the second space.

One embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings appended hereto. The embodiment discloses a roentgenographic apparatus as a radiographic apparatus.

FIG. 1is a schematic block diagram showing a roentgenographic apparatus1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the roentgenographic apparatus1comprises an X-ray irradiation unit2that irradiats an X-ray as a radiation irradiation unit that irradiats a radiation ray, an X-ray detection apparatus11as a radiation detection apparatus, a power supply unit3, a control unit4, a personal computer (PC)5, and a monitor8.

The X-ray detection apparatus11is configured to detect an X-ray image formed when an X-ray is irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit2enters through a subject10, generate an analog signal indicative of the X-ray image, and convert the analog signal into a digital signal. It is to be noted that, although described later, the X-ray detection apparatus11can form a background image without incidence of the X-ray, generate an analog signal indicative of the background image, and convert the analog signal into a digital signal.

The power supply unit3is configured to supply electric power to the X-ray irradiation unit2and the X-ray detection apparatus11. The control unit4is configured to control activation or drive of the X-ray irradiation unit2and the X-ray detection apparatus11. Further, the control unit4is configured to acquire a digital signal indicative of an X-ray image and a digital signal indicative of a background image from the X-ray detection apparatus11.

The PC5includes an image processing unit6and a storage medium7. The image processing unit6can acquire the digital signal indicative of an X-ray image and the digital signal indicative of a background image formed by the X-ray detection apparatus11through the control unit4. The image processing unit6has a memory6athat stores the digital signal indicative of a background image.

The image processing unit6is configured to execute subtraction processing of subtracting the digital signal indicative of a background image from the digital image indicative of an X-ray image. As a result, the image processing unit6can form a digital signal indicative of a normal image associated with a dosage of X-rays that enter the X-ray detection apparatus11.

The storage medium7is configured to store the digital signal indicative of a normal image. It is to be noted that the roentgenographic apparatus1may be formed to enable storing the digital signal indicative of a background image and the digital signal indicative of an X-ray image in the storage medium7.

To the monitor8is input the digital signal indicative of a normal image formed by the image processing unit6or the digital signal indicative of a normal image stored in the storage medium7. As a result, the monitor8can display the normal image.

The X-ray detection apparatus11will now be described in detail.

FIG. 2is a sectional view showing a part of the X-ray detection apparatus.

The X-ray detection apparatus11comprises an X-ray-detection panel12as a radiation detection panel, a plate-shaped support member13, a circuit board group14, a flexible circuit board15, a heat insulation member16, a housing46, and a heat conduction member47.

The support member13supports the X-ray detection panel12on one surface thereof. The support member13has electrical conductive property. The circuit board group14is supported on the other surface of the support member13and electrically drives the X-ray detection panel12. The flexible circuit board15electrically connects the X-ray detection panel12with the circuit board group14. The heat insulation member16is arranged between the X-ray detection panel12and the circuit board group14.

The housing46accommodates the X-ray detection panel12, the support member13, the circuit board group14, the flexible circuit board15, the heat insulation member16, and the heat conduction member47. The housing46has electrical conductive property. The housing46has an opening46aformed at a position facing the X-ray detection panel12.

A plurality of spacers33are connected with an analog circuit board31and the support member13and have electrical conductive property and heat conductive property. A plurality of spacers34are connected with the analog circuit board31and a digital circuit board32and have electrical conductive property and heat conductive property. The spacers33and the spacers34are stacked on multiple stages.

The analog circuit board31is electrically and thermally connected to the support member13through the spacers33. The digital circuit board32is electrically and thermally connected to the support member13through the spacers34, the analog circuit31, and the spacers33. It is to be noted that the spacers33and the spacers34may be integrally formed and directly connected to the digital circuit board32.

Therefore, the analog circuit board31, the digital circuit board32, and the support member13can have the same reference potential, Moreover, heat generated in the circuit board group14(the analog circuit board31, the digital circuit board32, and others) can be conducted to the support member13. It is to be noted that the heat conducted from the circuit board group14to the support member13is transferred as heat radiation and thermal hydraulics besides the heat conduction.

A heat conduction member47is connected to the support member13and the housing46. The heat conduction member47runs through an opening of the analog circuit board31and an opening of the digital circuit board32. It is to be noted that the heat conduction member47may run through a part where the analog circuit board31and the digital circuit board are not arranged.

The heat conduction member47achieves electrical conduction between the support member13and the housing46. The heat conduction member47has the heat conductive property. The heat conduction member47conducts heat of the support member13to the housing46.

As described above, the circuit board group14and the housing46are electrically and thermally connected to each other. The circuit board group14, the support member13, and the housing46have the same reference potential. Therefore, noise contamination with respect to a signal (a detection signal) of the circuit board group14, which may possibly occur when the reference potential of the circuit board group14is different from the potential of the housing46, can be suppressed.

Heat generated in the circuit board group14is conducted to the housing46as heat conduction, heat radiation, or thermal hydraulics through the heat conduction member47and others. Therefore, the heat generated in the circuit board group14can be released to the outside of the housing46.

Further, in this embodiment, the heat conduction member47is implanted in the support member13. Therefore, a thickness of the support member13can be reduced, thereby achieving weight saving. It is to be noted that means for connecting the heat conduction member47to the support member13can be modified in many ways, and these members may be connected by, e.g., welding.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4, the X-ray detection panel12has a photodetector21and a fluorescent layer22directly formed on the photodetector21. The fluorescent layer22is placed on an X-ray incidence side of the photodetector21. The fluorescent layer22is configured to convert an X-ray into light that can be detected by the photodetector21.

The photodetector21has a glass substrate23, a plurality of wiring portions25, a plurality of thin-film transistors (TFTs)26, a charge fetch section (an electrode pad section) A, and a photosensor24. The photosensor24has a plurality of photodiodes27.

Photoelectric conversion element sections28are two-dimensionally formed on the glass substrate23. In detail, the photoelectric conversion element sections28are formed on the glass substrate23in a matrix form. Each photoelectric conversion section28is formed of the photodiode27and the TFT26. The photodiode27converts light converted by the fluorescent layer22into an electrical signal. The electrical signal converted by the photodiode27is supplied to the TFT26.

The wiring portions25are formed on the glass substrate23and connected to the TFTs26. The charge fetch section A is formed at an outer peripheral portion of the glass substrate23. The charge fetch section A is connected to the wiring portions25.

The circuit board group14includes a non-illustrated control board, an analog circuit board31, a digital circuit board32, a non-illustrated power supply circuit board, and others. The control board is configured to control the X-ray detection panel. The analog circuit board31has at least one of a function of receiving an analog signal from the flexible circuit board15, a function of processing this signal, and a function of converting this signal into a digital signal.

The digital circuit board32has at least one of a function of controlling the other board and a function of communicating with the outside of the X-ray detection apparatus11. The power supply circuit board is configured to supply electric power to the other boards.

The circuit board group14is supported being apart from the other surface of the support member13through the plurality of spacers33and the plurality of spacers34.

The flexible circuit board15includes a flexible board41, an IC-mounted board42connected to one end of the flexible board41, and a detection integrated circuit43. The detection integrated circuit43is mounted on the IC-mounted board42. The other end of the flexible board41is arranged on the charge fetch section A of the X-ray detection panel12through an anisotropic conductive adhesive44. A connector45is provided at one end of the IC-mounted board42. The IC-mounted board42is connected to the analog circuit board31through the connector45.

Furthermore, as the heat insulation member16, a resin-based material or a fiber-based material having excellent heat insulation property can be used. The heat insulation member16is arranged between the X-ray detection panel12and the circuit board group14. In this embodiment, the heat insulation member16is sandwiched and held between the x-ray detection panel12and the support member13. The heat insulation member16is bonded to the X-ray detection panel12and the support member13by a non-illustrated adhesive or double-faced tape. The heat insulation member16has antielectricity characteristics. The heat insulation member16is formed into a plate shaped and has a thickness of 1 to 5 mm.

An entrance window50is disposed to the outside of the housing46. The entrance window50is formed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The entrance window50is arranged opposite to the X-ray detection panel12with a gap therebetween. The entrance window50overlaps the opening46ato be connected to the housing46. Since the entrance window50allows an X-ray to pass therethrough, the X-ray passes through the entrance window50to enter the X-ray detection panel12.

A thermoplastic resin member48as a partition member is provided between the X-ray detection panel12and the housing46. The thermoplastic resin member48joins and connects the outer peripheral portion of the X-ray detection panel12and the housing46to each other. In this embodiment, the thermoplastic resin member48is integrally formed into a frame-shaped without being divided. It is to be noted that the thermoplastic resin member48may be formed of a plurality of divided segment portions.

The thermoplastic resin member48divides a space into a first space Sa and a second space Sb. The first space Sa is a space surrounded by the thermoplastic resin member48, the housing46, and the support member13. The second space Sb is a space surrounded by the thermoplastic resin member48, the X-ray detection panel12, and the entrance window50. The thermoplastic resin member48is configured to suppress entrance and exit of an atmosphere (air) between the first space Sa and the second space Sb. In this embodiment, the thermoplastic resin member48isolates to prevent the atmosphere (the air) from entering and exiting between the first pace Sa and the second space Sb.

A roentgenographic method of roentgenographing the subject10by using the thus configured roentgenographic apparatus1will now be described.FIG. 5is a flowchart showing the roentgenographic method for the subject10using the roentgenographic apparatus1.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 5, when the roentgenographic method for the subject10starts, at a step S1, the power supply unit3first supplies electric power to the X-ray irradiation unit2and the X-ray detection apparatus11, and the control unit4activates and drives the X-ray irradiation unit2and the X-ray detection apparatus11.

At a step S2, the control unit4allows the X-ray detection apparatus11to form a background image without irradiating X-rays from the X-ray irradiation unit2. The background image is an image generated by using a dark current generated in each photoelectric conversion element27in accordance with a temperature of the X-ray detection panel, a value of a leak current generated in each TFT26, and a signal including an offset voltage of the analog circuit board31.

If the dark currents generated in the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements27and the leak currents generated in the TFTs26are uneven, the background image becomes uneven.

In detail, at the step S2, the X-ray detection panel12forms the background image without incidence of the x-rays and generates an analog signal indicative of the background image. The analog signal indicative of the background image is converted into a digital signal by the circuit board group14, and the converted signal is transmitted to the image processing unit6via the control unit4. It is to be noted that, when converting into the digital signal by the circuit board group14, the analog signal is converted into a plurality of bits. The image processing unit6acquires the digital signal indicative of the background image and stores the digital signal indicative of the background image in the memory6a.

As shown inFIG. 6, a signal level of the background image acquired by the image processing unit6becomes uneven due to unevenness in element characteristics of the X-ray detection panel, unevenness in temperature, and others. That is, an intensity of the digital signal becomes uneven depending on a position in the X-ray'detection panel12.

It is to be noted that an X-ray image in each ofFIG. 6toFIG. 8is data fundamentally having a planar distribution, but it will be one-dimensionally represented and explained here.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 5, at a step S3, when the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit2passes through the subject10to enter the X-ray detection apparatus11, the control unit4forms an X-ray image in the X-ray detection apparatus11.

In detail, at the step S3, when the X-ray having passed through the subject10enters the X-ray detection panel12, the X-ray detection panel12forms an X-ray image and generates an analog signal indicative of the X-ray image. The analog signal indicative of the X-ray image is converted into a digital signal by the circuit board group14, and the converted signal is transmitted to the image processing unit6through the control unit4.

As shown inFIG. 7, the X-ray image acquired by the image processing unit6corresponds to a sum of a component of the background image and a signal component associated with an incident X-ray dosage. Therefore, the X-ray image contains the signal component of the background image. Accordingly, even if X-rays with a uniform radiation dosage enter the entire X-ray detection panel12, image unevenness remains.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 5, at a step S4, the image processing unit6executes subtraction processing of subtracting the digital signal indicative of the background image stored in the memory6afrom the acquired digital signal indicative of the X-ray image. As a result, the image processing unit6can form a digital signal indicative of a normal image associated with the incident X-ray dosage for the X-ray detection apparatus11alone.

As shown inFIG. 8, since the normal image formed by the image processing unit6does not contain the component of the background image, unevenness in signal level caused due to unevenness in element characteristics and unevenness in temperature of the X-ray detection panel, and the like can be eliminated.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 5, at a step S5, the digital signal indicative of the normal image formed by the image processing unit6is stored in the storage medium7. Alternatively, the digital signal indicative of the normal image formed by the image processing unit6is input to the monitor8to display the normal image in the monitor8, thereby terminating the roentgenographic method for the subject10.

Here, the present inventors examined a change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12with respect to an activation time of the X-ray detection apparatus11. Additionally, as a comparative example, they also examined a change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12with respect to an activation time of an X-ray detection apparatus formed without providing the heat insulation member16and the heat conduction member47.

FIG. 9shows a result of examining a change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12with respect to an activation time of the X-ray detection apparatus11according to this embodiment.FIG. 10shows a result of examining a change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12with respect to an activation time of the X-ray detection apparatus as the comparative example.

As shown inFIG. 9, the temperature of the entire X-ray detection panel12was low, and a saturation temperature was also approximately 35° C., which is not greater than 40° C. Therefore, it can be understood that the dark current generated in each photoelectric conversion element27and the leak current generated in each TFT26can be suppressed.

A change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12is not greater than 0.13° C./min when 20 minutes elapse after turning on the power supply, and hence this change is gentle. That is, the change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12is not greater than 0.13° C./min within 20 minutes after turning on the power supply. Therefore, since each interval for executing the subtraction processing (image correction) can be prolonged, an X-ray continuous irradiation period can be increased.

When 20 minutes elapse from activation of the X-ray detection apparatus11, a change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12is not greater than 0.13° C./rain, and a correction error after the subtraction processing can be suppressed, thus sufficiently obtaining an effect of the subtraction processing. Therefore, after 20 minutes from the activation of the X-ray detection apparatus11, the subject10can be excellently roentgenographed.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 10, in the X-ray detection apparatus according to the comparative example, a temperature of the entire X-ray detection panel12was high, and consequently a saturation temperature exceeded 40° C. Therefore, suppressing the leak current generated in the X-ray detection panel12is difficult. In particular, when the temperature of the X-ray detection panel12exceeds 40° C., the dark current generated in each photoelectric conversion element27or the leak current generated in each TFT precipitously increases, the leak current greatly fluctuates. In this case, it can be considered that a correction error after the subtraction processing cannot be suppressed even if the subtraction processing is executed, and the effect of the subtraction processing cannot be obtained.

Further, it can be also considered that, even though the effect of the subtraction processing can be obtained, since a change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12is large, each interval for execution of the subtraction processing (image correction) must be shortened, and the X-ray continuous irradiation period cannot be prolonged.

Although not shown, after 20 minutes from the activation of the X-ray detection apparatus, a change in temperature of each TFT was large, and consequently it exceeded 0.13° C./min. Therefore, it can be considered that the subject10cannot be excellently roentgenographed immediately after the activation of the X-ray detection apparatus11.

In other words, the X-ray detection apparatus11has a first heat insulation space and a second heat insulation space. The first heat insulation space and the second heat insulation space are thermally insulated by the heat insulation member16arranged between these spaces. The first heat insulation space includes the X-ray detection panel12, the heat insulation member16, and the entrance window50. The second heat insulation space includes the support member13, any circuit board in the circuit board group14, the housing46, and the heat conduction member47.

As described above, according to the roentgenographic apparatus1in this embodiment, the X-ray detection apparatus11comprises the X-ray detection panel12, the support member13, any circuit board in the circuit board group14, the flexible circuit board15, the heat conduction member47, and the heat insulation member16.

When the X-ray detection apparatus11is actuated, heat is generated from the circuit board group14arranged on a back surface side of the X-ray detection panel12. A part of the heat generated from the circuit board group14is transferred to air in the housing46. However, a major part of the heat generated from the circuit board group14is conducted to a member having a lower temperature as heat conduction.

Therefore, the heat generated from the circuit board group14is conducted to the support member13through the spacers33and34or the air. In an X-ray detection apparatus having a conventional configuration, the heat conducted to the support member13is conducted to the X-ray detection panel12having a lower temperature.

However, in the X-ray detection apparatus11according to this embodiment, the heat insulation member16is arranged between the X-ray detection panel12and the support member13. The heat insulation member16can increase thermal resistance between the X-ray detection panel12and the circuit board group14. The heat insulation member16can thermally isolate the X-ray detection panel12and the circuit board group14from each other. Therefore, the conduction of the heat generated in the circuit board group14from the support member13to the X-ray detection panel12can be reduced.

The X-ray detection apparatus11comprises the heat conduction member47. Therefore, the heat conducted to the support member13can be conducted to the housing46through the heat conduction member47having smaller thermal resistance. It is to be noted that the heat transferred to the housing46can be released to the outside air by a cooling mechanism arranged on the outer surface of the housing46.

Furthermore, the heat transferred to the air in the housing46is circulated in the housing46. However, the thermoplastic resin member48can prevent the air from being circulated between the first space Sa in which the circuit board group14is placed and the second space Sb in which the X-ray detection panel12is placed.

Therefore, an increase in operation temperature of the X-ray detection panel12due to the heat generated in the circuit board group14can be reduced without using the cooling device, thereby suppressing occurrence of image unevenness.

In particular, the heat insulation member16is formed into a plate-shaped and has a thickness of 1 to 5 mm. A change in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12becomes 0.13° C./min or below within 20 minutes after turning on the power supply. Since a fluctuation in temperature of the X-ray detection panel12becomes gentle by the heat insulation member16, occurrence of the image unevenness can be suppressed by image processing of the image processing unit6. Moreover, since the heat insulation member16is sandwiched and held between the X-ray detection panel12and the support member13, the heat conducted to the support member13can be assuredly reduced from being conducted to the X-ray detection panel12.

The heat conduction member16has the antielectricity characteristics. It can suppress occurrence of static electricity when assembling the X-ray detection panel12(fixing the X-ray detection panel12).

The support member13has the electrical conductive property. Therefore, it can make uniform the reference potentials of the respective circuit boards.

The housing46has the electrical conductive property. The spacers33and34, the support member13, and the heat conduction member47achieve electrical conduction between the circuit board group14and the housing46. Therefore, the reference potential of the housing and the reference potential of the circuit board can be made uniform, noise produced due to a small reference potential difference can be suppressed, thus acquiring a normal image with less noise.

With the above-described configuration, the X-ray detection apparatus and the roentgenographic apparatus comprising the X-ray detection apparatus that can reduce a thermal influence exerted on the X-ray detection panel by the circuit board without using the cooling device can be obtained.

For example, the heat insulation member16may be arranged between the support member13and the circuit board group14. Even in this case, the heat conduction from the circuit board group14to the support member13can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce an increase in operation temperature of the x-ray detection panel12caused due to the heat generated in the circuit board group14.

The X-ray detection panel is not restricted to an indirect conversion type X-ray detection panel that converts an X-ray into light and then converts the light into an electrical signal, and even a direct conversion type X-ray detection panel that directly converts an X-ray into an electrical signal can obtain the above-described effect.

The present invention is not limited to the X-ray detection apparatus and the roentgenographic apparatus, and it can be applied to various kinds of X-ray detection apparatuses and roentgenographic apparatuses.FIG. 1shows an example of a schematic configuration of the roentgenographic apparatus. Not only the image processing unit6but also software can execute the image processing. The image processing may be performed by the control unit4or the PC5. The image processing may be effected by the circuit board group14too.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a radiation detection apparatus and a radiographic apparatus.