Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined imaging detector (10, 20) for detection of gamma and x-ray quanta comprising an integrating x-ray detector (11) comprising a first scintillator layer (12) and a photodetector array (13) and a second structured scintillator layer (14), optionally as part of a second gamma detector having a second photodetector array. The combined imaging detector can be used for X-ray and SPECT detection and uses the principle of current flat x-ray detectors. Different resolutions are used: high spatial resolution for x-ray imaging and low spatial resolution for SPECT imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for imaging an object in an x-ray imaging mode and in a gamma imaging mode. A radiation detector (1) of the system comprises a conversion unit (202) including a plurality of detector pixels (2061, . . . ,M) and generating for each detection event a detection signal indicative of an energy of the event, and a counting unit (203) including for each detector pixel (2061, . . . ,M) a plurality of comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) and associating each detection event to one of a plurality of predetermined energy bins based on the detection signals using the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N). In the x-ray imaging mode, the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) of one pixel (2061, . . . ,M), and in the gamma imaging mode, the comparators (209i; 1, . . . ,N) of several pixels (2061, . . . ,M) are available for the association so that more energy bins are available in the gamma imaging mode than in the x-ray imaging mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector for detection of gamma and x-ray quanta comprising an x-ray detector (31) for generating x-ray detection signals in response to detected x-ray quanta and a gamma detector (32) for generating gamma detection signals in response to detected gamma quanta. The x-ray detector (31) and the gamma detector (32) are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (33). The gamma detector (32) comprises a gamma collimator plate (320) comprising a plurality of pinholes (321), and a gamma conversion layer (322, 324) for converting detected gamma quanta into gamma detection signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for imaging an object. It is described to receive (110) by at least a portion of first pixels of a first area (A, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) of an X-ray detector (20) first radiation emitted by at least one X-ray source (30). The X-ray detector is configured such that X-ray radiation received by a pixel leads to the generation of signal in that pixel. A plurality of first signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of first pixels are stored (120) in at least one first plurality of storage nodes associated with the first area. Second radiation emitted by the at least one X-ray source (30) is received (150) by at least a portion of second pixels of a second area (B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8; C) of the X-ray detector. A plurality of second signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of second pixels are stored (190) in at least one second plurality of storage nodes associated with the second area.

Abstract: An X-ray detector (100) and an X-ray imaging apparatus (500) with such X-ray detector (100) are provided. The X-ray detector (100) comprises at least three scintillator layers (102a-e) for converting X-ray radiation into scintillator light (110), and at least two sensor arrays (104a, 104b), each comprising a plurality of photosensitive pixels (108a, 108b) aranged on a bendable substrate (106a, 106b) for receiving scintillator light (110) emitted by at least one of the scintillator layers (102a-e). Therein, a number of the scintillator layers (102a-e) is larger than a number of the sensor arrays (104a, 104b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector (110) for the detection of x-ray and gamma quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) is adapted for simultaneous detection of gamma and x-ray quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) includes an x-ray anti-scatter grid (111), a layer of x-ray scintillator elements (112), a first photodetector array (113), a layer of gamma scintillator elements (114), and a second photodetector array (115) that are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (116). The x-ray anti-scatter grid (111) comprises a plurality of septa (117A, B, C) that define a plurality of apertures (118) which are configured to collimate both x-ray quanta and gamma quanta received from the radiation receiving direction (116) such that received gamma quanta are collimated only by the x-ray anti-scatter grid (111). The use of the x-ray anti-scatter grid as a collimator for received gamma quanta results in a significantly lighter combined imaging detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector for detection of gamma and x-ray quanta comprising an x-ray detector (31) for generating x-ray detection signals in response to detected x-ray quanta and a gamma detector (32) for generating gamma detection signals in response to detected gamma quanta. The x-ray detector (31) and the gamma detector (32) are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (33). The gamma detector (32) comprises a gamma collimator plate (320) comprising a plurality of pinholes (321), and a gamma conversion layer (322, 324) for converting detected gamma quanta into gamma detection signals.

Abstract: A radiation detector for combined detection of low-energy radiation quanta and high-energy radiation quanta has a multi-layered structure. A rear scintillator layer (5) is configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a high-energy radiation quantum being absorbed by the rear scintillator layer (5). A rear photosensor layer (6) attached to a back side of the rear scintillator layer (5) is configured to detect scintillation photons generated in the rear scintillator layer (5). A front scintillator layer (3) arranged in front of the rear scintillator layer (5) opposite the rear photosensor layer (6) is configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a low-energy radiation quantumbeing absorbed by the front scintillator layer (3). A front photosensor layer (2) attached to a front side of the front scintillator layer (3) opposite the rear scintillator layer (5) is configured to detect scintillation photons generated in the front scintillator layer (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector (110) for the detection of x-ray and gamma quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) is adapted for simultaneous detection of gamma and x-ray quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) includes an x-ray anti-scatter grid (111), a layer of x-ray scintillator elements (112), a first photodetector array (113), a layer of gamma scintillator elements (114), and a second photodetector array (115) that are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (116). The x-ray anti-scatter grid (111) comprises a plurality of septa (117A, B, C) that define a plurality of apertures (118) which are configured to collimate both x-ray quanta and gamma quanta received from the radiation receiving direction (116) such that received gamma quanta are collimated only by the x-ray anti-scatter grid (111). The use of the x-ray anti-scatter grid as a collimator for received gamma quanta results in a significantly lighter combined imaging detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for imaging an object. It is described to receive (110) by at least a portion of first pixels of a first area (A, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) of an X-ray detector (20) first radiation emitted by at least one X-ray source (30). The X-ray detector is configured such that X-ray radiation received by a pixel leads to the generation of signal in that pixel. A plurality of first signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of first pixels are stored (120) in at least one first plurality of storage nodes associated with the first area. Second radiation emitted by the at least one X-ray source (30) is received (150) by at least a portion of second pixels of a second area (B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8; C) of the X-ray detector. A plurality of second signals representative of corresponding signals on the plurality of second pixels are stored (190) in at least one second plurality of storage nodes associated with the second area.

Abstract: A radiation detector for combined detection of low-energy radiation quanta and high-energy radiation quanta, the radiation detector (8) having a multi-layered structure, comprising: a rear scintillator layer (5) configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a high-energy radiation quantum being absorbed by the rear scintillator layer (5); a rear photosensor layer (6) attached to a back side of the rear scintillator layer (5), said rear photosensor layer (6) configured to detect scintillation photons generated in the rear scintillator layer (5); a front scintillator layer (3) arranged in front of the rear scintillator layer (5) opposite the rear photosensor layer (6), said front scintillator layer (3) configured to emit a burst of scintillation photons responsive to a low-energy radiation quantumbeing absorbed by the front scintillator layer (3); and a front photosensor layer (2) attached to a front side of the front scintillator layer (3) opposite the rear scintillator layer (5), said fron

Abstract: A processing circuit for an X-ray sensor for collecting at least a first pixel information of a first pixel and a second pixel information of a second pixel is provided. The processing circuit comprises an amplifier (112), a feedback loop (113) and a first collecting device (111). It is provided a compensation for a non-linearity in the pixels or in the pixel circuits (100, 200) by applying an inverse non-linearity (125) in the periphery of the X-ray sensor. A processing circuit (110) may provide a copy of a pixel voltage and/or of a pixel charge. In the case of pixel charge a non-linear characteristic of a pixel capacitance may be compensated.

Abstract: An x-ray detector and its pixel circuit are described, that allow to cover a large dynamic range with automatic selection of the sensitivity setting in each pixel, thus providing improved signal to noise ratio with all exposure levels. X-ray detectors are required to cover a large dynamic range. The largest exposure determines the required pixel capacitance. However, a large pixel capacitance gives a bad signal to noise ratio with small exposures e.g. in the dark parts of the image. This invention disclosure describes several approaches to provide automatic sensitivity selection in the pixels. This ensures that low signals are stored in a small capacitor or read out with a high sensitivity with corresponding good signal to noise ratio, while larger signals are stored in larger capacitors or are read out with lower sensitivity so that no information is lost.

Abstract: A processing circuit for an X-ray sensor for collecting at least a first pixel information of a first pixel and a second pixel information of a second pixel is provided. The processing circuit comprises an amplifier (112), a feedback loop (113) and a first collecting device (111). It is provided a compensation for a non-linearity in the pixels or in the pixel circuits (100, 200) by applying an inverse non-linearity (125) in the periphery of the X-ray sensor. A processing circuit (110) may provide a copy of a pixel voltage and/or of a pixel charge. In the case of pixel charge a non-linear characteristic of a pixel capacitance may be compensated.

Abstract: An x-ray detector and its pixel circuit are described, that allow to cover a large dynamic range with automatic selection of the sensitivity setting in each pixel, thus providing improved signal to noise ratio with all exposure levels. X-ray detectors are required to cover a large dynamic range. The largest exposure determines the required pixel capacitance. However, a large pixel capacitance gives a bad signal to noise ratio with small exposures e.g. in the dark parts of the image. This invention disclosure describes several approaches to provide automatic sensitivity selection in the pixels. This ensures that low signals are stored in a small capacitor or read out with a high sensitivity with corresponding good signal to noise ratio, while larger signals are stored in larger capacitors or are read out with lower sensitivity so that no information is lost.

Abstract: An Y-ray detector apparatus comprises an array of detector pixels arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays. The pixels in each sub-array share a common dose sensing output provided to a dose sensing output conductor which extends to a periphery of the pixel array. The dose sensing output conductor for one sub-array of pixels passes through the area occupied by another sub-array of pixels, which can lead to unwanted cross talk. The invention provides a plurality of additional screening electrodes, with a screening electrode substantially adjacent the dose sensing output conductor for each sub-array of pixels. These screening electrodes reduce cross talk between the dose sensing output and other pixel electrodes. In another arrangement, each pixel further comprises a pixel electrode for each pixel formed at an upper region of the array, and the dose sensing output conductors are formed at a lower region of the array.

Abstract: In a flat X-ray detector, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is reduced by either opening a pickup loop between the common lines (28) and the reference plane (29) of the PCB, or by reducing the size of a pickup loop by providing a permanent connection (33) between the common supply line and the reference plane (29) in respect of each row of photoconductors (12).

Abstract: In a flat X-ray detector, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is reduced by either opening a pickup loop between the common lines (28) and the reference plane (29) of the PCB, or by reducing the size of a pickup loop by providing a permanent connection (33) between the common supply line and the reference plane (29) in respect of each row of photoconductors (12).

Abstract: An Y-ray detector apparatus comprises an array of detector pixels arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays. The pixels in each sub-array share a common dose sensing output provided to a dose sensing output conductor which extends to a periphery of the pixel array. The dose sensing output conductor for one sub-array of pixels passes through the area occupied by another sub-array of pixels, which can lead to unwanted cross talk. The invention provides a plurality of additional screening electrodes, with a screening electrode substantially adjacent the dose sensing output conductor for each sub-array of pixels. These screening electrodes reduce cross talk between the dose sensing output and other pixel electrodes. In another arrangement, each pixel further comprises a pixel electrode for each pixel formed at an upper region of the array, and the dose sensing output conductors are formed at a lower regon of the array.

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and an exposure control system. The exposure control system is arranged to control the X-ray source so as to perform a test exposure at a low X-ray dose and to perform an X-ray exposure at a higher X-ray dose. The X-ray detector applies a control signal resulting from the test exposure to the exposure control system and the X-ray source is adjusted on the basis of this control signal. The X-ray exposure produces an X-ray image and the X-ray detector supplies an image signal representing this X-ray image. The exposure control system is arranged to adjust the X-ray detector to a low spatial resolution during the test exposure and to a high spatial resolution during the X-ray exposure. The X-ray detector preferably includes a sensor matrix having sensor elements arranged in columns and rows. The spatial resolution is adjusted by deriving the control signal and the image signal from large and small groups of sensor elements, respectively.