Patents by Inventor Jack F. Butler
Jack F. Butler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 6541763Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Dory, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Publication number: 20020148957Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: Digirad Corporation, a Delaware corporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Dory, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Publication number: 20020079456Abstract: A radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation. The detector includes a semiconductor having at least two sides. A bias electrode is formed on one side of the semiconductor. A signal electrode is formed on a side of the semiconductor and is used to detect the energy level of the ionizing radiation. A third electrode (the control electrode) is also formed on the semiconductor. The control electrode shares charges induced by the ionizing radiation with the signal electrode, shielding the signal electrode until the charge clouds are close to the signal electrode. The control electrode also alters the electric field within the semiconductor, such that the field guides the charge clouds toward the signal electrode when the clouds closely approach the signal electrode. As a result, signal loss due to trapped charge carriers (i.e., electrons or holes) is minimized, and low-energy tailing is virtually eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: Digirad Corporation, a California corporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Jack F. Butler, Boris Apotovsky, Richard L. Conwell, F. Patrick Doty, Stanley J. Friesenhahn
-
Patent number: 6333504Abstract: A radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation. The detector includes a semiconductor having at least two sides. A bias electrode is formed on one side of the semiconductor. A signal electrode is formed on a side of the semiconductor and is used to detect the energy level of the ionizing radiation. A third electrode (the control electrode) is also formed on the semiconductor. The control electrode shares charges induced by the ionizing radiation with the signal electrode, shielding the signal electrode until the charge clouds are close to the signal electrode. The control electrode also alters the electric field within the semiconductor, such that the field guides the charge clouds toward the signal electrode when the clouds closely approach the signal electrode. As a result, signal loss due to trapped charge carriers (i.e., electrons or holes) is minimized, and low-energy tailing is virtually eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Inventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Jack F. Butler, Boris Apotovsky, Richard L. Conwell, F. Patrick Doty, Stanley J. Friesenhahn
-
Publication number: 20010025928Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: Digirad Corporation, a Delaware corporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Patent number: 6194715Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector including a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module includes a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Patent number: 6172362Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector including a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module includes a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Patent number: 6091070Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Patent number: 6046454Abstract: A radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation. The detector includes a semiconductor having at least two sides. A bias electrode is formed on one side of the semiconductor. A signal electrode is formed on a side of the semiconductor and is used to detect the energy level of the ionizing radiation. A third electrode (the control electrode) is also formed on the semiconductor. The control electrode shares charges induced by the ionizing radiation with the signal electrode, shielding the signal electrode until the charge clouds are close to the signal electrode. The control electrode also alters the electric field within the semiconductor, such that the field guides the charge clouds toward the signal electrode when the clouds closely approach the signal electrode. As a result, signal loss due to trapped charge carriers (i.e., electrons or holes) is minimized, and low-energy tailing is virtually eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Jack F. Butler, Boris Apotovsky, Richard L. Conwell, F. Patrick Doty, Stanley J. Friesenhahn
-
Patent number: 5847396Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Patent number: 5786597Abstract: A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Digirad CorporationInventors: Clinton L. Lingren, Stanley J. Friesenhahn, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, William L. Ashburn, Frank L. Augustine, Boris Apotovsky
-
Patent number: 5677539Abstract: A radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation. The detector includes a semiconductor having at least two sides. A bias electrode is formed on one side of the semiconductor. A signal electrode is formed on a side of the semiconductor and is used to detect the energy level of the ionizing radiation. A third electrode (the control electrode) is also formed on the semiconductor. The control electrode shares charges induced by the ionizing radiation with the signal electrode, until the charge clouds are close to the signal electrode. The control electrode also alters the electric field within the semiconductor, such that the field guides the charge clouds toward the signal electrode when the clouds closely approach the signal electrode. As a result, trapping of charge carrying radiation (i.e., electrons or holes) is minimized, and low-energy tailing is virtually eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: DigiradInventors: Boris Apotovsky, Clinton L. Lingren, Ashot Oganesyan, Bo Pi, Jack F. Butler, F. Patrick Doty, Richard L. Conwell, Stanley J. Friesenhahn
-
Patent number: 4196402Abstract: Radiating mirror lasers in which a semiconductor active element containing an appropriately fabricated heterostructure configuration is formed as one end mirror of a two-mirror resonant cavity. The active element is fabricated from an alloy semiconductor compound such a lead salt alloy, the bandgap of which may be varied by varying the relative composition of its constituents. By properly selecting the compound and its composition, lasers may be made for operation at wavelengths that span the ultraviolet, visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The lasers combine the inherently high power characteristics of a radiating mirror structure with a wide spectral coverage. Arrangements are disclosed for increasing power efficiencies, for tuning the operating wavelength over a wide range and for otherwise improving the utility of the lasers.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1977Date of Patent: April 1, 1980Assignee: Laser Analytics, Inc.Inventors: Jack F. Butler, Kenneth W. Nill
-
Patent number: 4000502Abstract: A radiation detector that combines the characteristics of high quantum efficiency in the UV spectrum with good IR transmission characteristics so that it may be used in association with an IR sensor to produce a coaxial transducer suitable for use in association with unfiltered, high-resolution optics. The detector is a solid state photovoltaic Schottky barrier semi-conductor junction comprising a thin platinum layer laid over single-crystal cadmium sulfide. Processing, including lapping, polishing, and chemical etch, produces a surface suitable for providing radiation sensitivity which drops off sharply outside of the ultraviolet spectrum beyond 550 nanometers. The platinum layer is approximately 35 angstroms in thickness and is therefore transparent both to ultraviolet and infrared radiation. The infrared radiation passes through the cadmium sulfide wafer and through a window in the indium ohmic contact surface on the second surface of the cadmium sulfide crystal.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1973Date of Patent: December 28, 1976Assignee: General Dynamics CorporationInventors: Jack F. Butler, Gary L. Harnagel, James R. Nelson, Jr.