Abstract: A micro pin hybrid interconnect array includes a crystal anode array and a ceramic substrate. The array and substrate are joined together using an interconnect geometry having a large aspect ratio of height to width. The joint affixing the interconnect to the crystal anode array is devoid of solder.

Abstract: A data acquisition system including a readout Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) having a plurality of channels, each channel having a time discriminating circuit and an energy discriminating circuit, wherein the ASIC is configured to receive a plurality of signals from a semiconductor radiation detector. The data acquisition system also includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) electrically coupled to the ASIC and configured to provide a reference signal to the ASIC used in the generation of digital outputs from the ASIC, and a controller electrically coupled to the ASIC and to the DAC, the controller configured to instruct the DAC to provide the reference signal to the ASIC.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes at least one multiple channel pixelated detector driven via a plurality of pixelated anode electrodes and at least one planar cathode electrode. Each detector is configured to reduce the number of active pixelated anode electrodes until a rate of events detected via at least one corresponding planar cathode electrode exceeds a preset threshold above a background count rate within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes at least one multiple channel pixellated detector driven via a plurality of pixellated anode electrodes and at least one planar cathode electrode. Each detector is configured to reduce the number of active pixellated anode electrodes until a rate of events detected via at least one corresponding planar cathode electrode exceeds a preset threshold above a background count rate within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An event time stamping system comprising a current source, an integrator comprising an input and an output, and configured to output a voltage proportional to the length of time the current source is coupled to the input, and one or more switches configured to couple the current source to the input of the integrator upon receipt of an event signal and configured to de-couple the current source from the input of the integrator upon receipt of a control trigger. The system further comprises a lock-out signal generator configured to generate a lock-out signal, and a controller coupled to the one or more switches, wherein the controller is configured to generate the control trigger based on the lock-out signal to ensure a minimum integration time.

Abstract: A data acquisition system including a readout Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) having a plurality of channels, each channel having a time discriminating circuit and an energy discriminating circuit, wherein the ASIC is configured to receive a plurality of signals from a semiconductor radiation detector. The data acquisition system also includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) electrically coupled to the ASIC and configured to provide a reference signal to the ASIC used in the generation of digital outputs from the ASIC, and a controller electrically coupled to the ASIC and to the DAC, the controller configured to instruct the DAC to provide the reference signal to the ASIC.

Abstract: An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprising a plurality of channels, each channel having circuitry for time and energy discrimination, a plurality of programmable registers, each programmable register configured to output at least one configuration parameter for the circuitry, and a channel-select register configured to identify a channel of the plurality of channels to be configured. The ASIC further includes a configuration-select register configured to identify the programmable register to be used for channel configuration, and a communications interface configured to transmit instructions received from a controller to one of the channel-select register, the configuration-select register, and the plurality of programmable registers.

Abstract: An X-ray sensitive coating (22) for a flat panel direct conversion X-ray detector for medical or industrial imaging. A composite particle-in-binder (PIB) material (22) may contain X-ray photoconductive particles (23) such as PbO (lead monoxide) in a binder of polyimide (23). This PIB material may be prepared in precursor paste form, and applied as a coating (22) onto a thin film transistor array (26) having a storage capacitor (31) at each pixel (30). The coating (22) is cured, and an electrically conducting layer (34) is applied to the exposed surface of the coating (22), to provide a bias voltage. X-ray photons striking the photoconductive particles (23) cause localized electrical conduction proportional to the number of photons. This charges respective capacitors (31) that provide image data input to a computer.

Abstract: A CT collimator includes a first radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. Each aperture formed through the first radiation absorbent lamination is aligned with a respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and an x-ray emission source. The collimator includes a second radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture formed through the second radiation absorbent lamination aligned with the respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and the x-ray emission source. A spacer is positioned between the first and second radiation absorbent laminations.

Abstract: A two dimensional (2D) collimator assembly and a detector system employing a 2D collimator assembly. More specifically, a collimator assembly is provided, having elements extending in the x and z-planes of a detector system. The 2D collimator assembly includes a number of blades arranged in parallel. Each of the blades includes fins extending from one or both sides of the body of the blade. The fins are coupled to each adjacent array to form the 2D collimator assembly.

Abstract: A method for correcting at least one of pileup effects or charge sharing effects in multi-cell photon counting detectors includes determining a correction coefficient using a count rate of an entire spectrum and applying the determined correction to the counts recorded in an energy window of interest.

Abstract: A hybrid x-ray detector includes: a first detector that is adapted to receive x-rays, the first detector absorbs a first portion of the x-rays and allows a second portion of the x-rays to pass through the first detector; and a second detector that is adapted to receive the second portion of the x-rays. A radiation imaging system includes: an x-ray source that produces x-rays; and an image detector assembly that is adapted to receive the x-rays, the image detector assembly having a hybrid x-ray detector that includes: a first detector that is adapted to receive the x-rays, the first detector absorbs a first portion of the x-rays and allows a second portion of the x-rays to pass through the first detector; a second detector that is adapted to receive the second portion of the x-rays; and an x-ray source.

Abstract: A technique for compensating for a retained image includes employing bimodal readout of alternating light and dark images. The bimodal readout technique results from reading either light or dark frames more rapidly, allowing additional time to be allocated to the X-ray exposures occurring prior to the light frames or to the other reading operation. The bimodal readout may be accomplished by a binning procedure by which scan lines are binned and read, typically during dark frame readout. The images acquired from reading the dark frames may then be used to compensate for a retained image artifacts present in the image derived from light frames.

Abstract: A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluoroscopic image includes generating a lag prediction model, scanning an object at a first radiation dosage with an imaging system including at least one radiation source and at least one detector array, and periodically updating the lag prediction model during the scan to generate at least one fluoroscopic image of the object.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluoroscopic image includes generating a lag prediction model, scanning an object at a first radiation dosage with an imaging system including at least one radiation source and at least one detector array, and periodically updating the lag prediction model during the scan to generate at least one fluoroscopic image of the object.

Abstract: A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element.

Abstract: A technique for compensating for a retained image includes employing bimodal readout of alternating light and dark images. The bimodal readout technique results from reading either light or dark frames more rapidly, allowing additional time to be allocated to the X-ray exposures occurring prior to the light frames or to the other reading operation. The bimodal readout may be accomplished by a binning procedure by which scan lines are binned and read, typically during dark frame readout. The images acquired from reading the dark frames may then be used to compensate for a retained image artifacts present in the image derived from light frames.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a method for processing a fluoroscopic image is provided. The method includes scanning an object with an imaging system including at least one radiation source and at least one detector array, acquiring a plurality of dark images to generate a baseline image, acquiring a plurality of lag images subsequent to the baseline image, determining a plurality of parameters of a power law using at least one lag image and at least one baseline image, and performing a log—log extrapolation of the power law including the determined parameters.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a method for processing a fluoroscopic image is provided. The method includes scanning an object with an imaging system including at least one radiation source and at least one detector array, acquiring a plurality of dark images to generate a baseline image, acquiring a plurality of lag images subsequent to the baseline image, determining a plurality of parameters of a power law using at least one lag image and at least one baseline image, and performing a log-log extrapolation of the power law including the determined parameters.