Abstract: Methods and devices for the measurement of molecular binding interactions. Preferred embodiments provide real-time measurements of kinetic binding and disassociation of molecules including binding and disassociation of protein molecules with other protein molecules and with other molecules. In preferred embodiments ligands are immobilized within pores of a porous silicon interaction region produced in a silicon substrate, after which analytes suspended in a fluid are flowed over the porous silicon region. Binding reactions occur when analyte molecules diffuse closely enough to the ligands to become bound. Preferably the binding and subsequent disassociation reactions are observed utilizing a white light source and thin film interference techniques with spectrometers arranged to detect changes in indices of refraction in the region where the binding and disassociation reactions occur.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the measurement of molecular binding interactions. Preferred embodiments provide real-time measurements of kinetic binding and disassociation of molecules including binding and disassociation of protein molecules with other protein molecules and with other molecules. In preferred embodiments ligands are immobilized within pores of a porous silicon interaction region produced in a silicon substrate, after which analytes suspended in a fluid are flowed over the porous silicon region. Binding reactions occur when analyte molecules diffuse closely enough to the ligands to become bound. Preferably the binding and subsequent disassociation reactions are observed utilizing a white light source and thin film interference techniques with spectrometers arranged to detect changes in indices of refraction in the region where the binding and disassociation reactions occur.

Abstract: A solid state radiation detection unit for producing pixel data from electron-hole producing radiation using a photoelectric conversion layer. One aspect of the invention includes a photoelectric conversion layer that is deposited in direct contact with an array of doped semiconductor pixel contacts. Another aspect of the invention uses a buried field electrode formed within a photoelectric conversion layer. The two inventive concepts can be used separately or combined in a single embodiment.

Abstract: A scintillation based microscope. One surface of a single crystal salt crystal scintillator is supported on an optically transparent support plate. The opposite surface, an illumination surface, of the crystal is coated with an optically reflecting material which is transparent to high energy photons (such as x-ray and/or high energy ultraviolet photons) in order to provide a scintillation sandwich having an optical mirror at the illumination surface of the crystal. These high energy photons are directed through a target to create a shadow image of the target on the illumination surface of the scintillator salt crystal. A portion or all of the shadow image is viewed with an optical device such as an eye piece to provide a very high resolution image of the target or portions of the target. In a preferred embodiment an adjustable pin hole unit is described to produce a very small x-ray spot source for producing high resolution geometric magnification of the shadow image of the target.

Abstract: A semiconductor imaging device comprising MOS or CMOS pixel circuits having pixel pads separated by insulating material and having a conductive migration blocking layer applied over the pixel pads. The conductive migration blocking layer comprises an electrically conductive material that is inert with respect to selected photoelectric conversion layer materials, and may be formed as individual contacts, or formed as a deposited layer and etched to form distinct pixels covering the underlying pixel pad material. Thereafter, a photoelectric conversion layer is applied over the migration blocking layer material. The basic device is completed by applying a field electrode layer over the photoelectric conversion layer.

Abstract: An imaging device for producing images from electron-hole producing radiation. Electron-hole pairs are produced in a radiation absorbing layer comprised of a photoconductive material. This layer covers an array of metal oxide semiconductor pixel circuits which are incorporated into and on a crystalline semiconductor substrate. Each pixel circuit has a charge collecting pixel electrode, a capacitor connected to the electrode to store the charges and a charge measuring transistor circuit. A voltage source provides an electric field across the radiation absorbing layer between the pixel electrodes and a radiation transparent surface electrode covering the radiation absorbing layer. A data acquisition system acquires and stores data derived from charge measurements and in a preferred embodiment a computer computes images from the data. The image may be displayed on a monitor or printed out on a printer. Preferred embodiments provide images from x-ray, ultraviolet and visible light.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging device. One surface of a flat single crystal CsI crystal is supported on an optically transparent support plate. The opposite surface, i.e. an x-ray illumination surface of the crystal is coated with an x-ray transparent optical reflector to provide an x-ray scintillation sandwich having an optical mirror at the x-ray illumination surface of the CsI crystal. An optical camera is preferably focused on the illumination surface of the CsI crystal. In a preferred embodiment an index of refraction matched optical adhesive is used at the x-ray illumination surface to attach the reflector and to reduce Fresnel reflections.

Abstract: The invention provides a digital x-ray mammography device capable of imaging a full breast. A movable aperture coupled with a movable x-ray image detector permits x-ray image data to be obtained with respect to partially overlapping x-ray beam paths from an x-ray source passing through a human breast. A digital computer programmed with a stitching algorithm produces a composite image of the breast from the image data obtained with respect to each path. In a preferred embodiment, a Schmidt camera images visible light produced at an x-ray to visible light conversion surface onto a digital detector array to produce an overlapping image pane with respect to each overlapping beam path.

Abstract: This invention provides an imaging system for producing images from electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays. The system includes a detector comprised of a radiation-absorbing layer sandwiched between an array of CMOS integrated circuits (which we call pixel circuits) and a surface electrode layer transparent to the radiation. Each of the pixel circuits in the array has a charge collecting electrode. An external voltage applied between the surface electrode layer and the charge collecting electrodes produces an electric field across the thickness of the absorbing layer. Radiation passing through the transparent surface electrode layer is absorbed in the absorbing layer creating electron/hole pairs in the absorbing layer. A portion of the liberated holes (or electrons) migrates under the influence of the electric field toward the charge collecting electrodes, which collect the holes and store them as charges on small capacitors located within each circuit.

Abstract: An imaging chamber for a radiographic system for exposing an image receptor sheet to an X-ray source. A chamber with an X-ray window having low and uniform X-ray absorption and being substantially rigid for maintaining a uniform gap spacing between the electrodes with a high pressure in the gap. A window comprising inner and outer plates joined at the sides and a space between the sides with a compression resistant filler, with one plate stressed in compression and the other stressed in tension. A chamber using the X-ray absorbing gas to press the receptor sheet against an electrode to achieve the desired sheet configuration.