Plural Or Composite Luminophor Patents (Class 250/367)
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Patent number: 8003949Abstract: The present invention is a detection system and method for using the detection system in radiant energy imaging systems. In particular, the present invention is an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. And more particularly, the present invention is a detection system for detecting electromagnetic radiation having an enclosure having four adjacent walls, connected to each other at an angle and forming a rectangle and interior portion of the enclosure, a front side area and a back side area formed from the four adjacent walls and located at each end of the enclosure, at least two screens, that further include an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light, and a photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the enclosure, having an active area responsive to the light.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.Inventors: Peter Ryge, Ronald J. Hughes, Steven J. Gray
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Publication number: 20110192981Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a scintillating member including a polymer matrix, a first scintillating material, and a second scintillating material different from the first scintillating material and at least one photosensor coupled to the scintillating member. The radiation detection system can be configured to receive particular radiation at the scintillating member, generate a first light from the first scintillating material and a second light from the second scintillating material in response to receiving the particular radiation, receive the first and second lights at the at least one photosensor, generate a signal at the photosensor, and determine a total effective energy of the particular radiation based at least in part on the signal. Practical applications of the radiation detection system can include identifying a particular isotope present within an object, identifying a particular type of radiation emitted by the object, or locating a source of radiation within the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Rongfu Li, Anne B. Hardy
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Publication number: 20110192979Abstract: A detector and associated method are provided including a first scintillation material having a light yield temperature dependence and an output at a first energy level, a second scintillation material having a light yield temperature dependence similar to the first material and an output at a second energy level, and detection circuitry. The first and second outputs are responsive to radiation emitted from an ionizing radiation source. The detection circuitry includes a photo multiplier tube configured to convert photon outputs from the first and second scintillating materials to electrical pulses, a counter circuit configured to count the electrical pulses generated in the photo multiplier tube by the first and second materials, and a gain control circuit configured to monitor the electrical pulses generated in the photomultiplier tube by the second material and adjust a gain of the detector upon detecting a drift in the output of the second material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: OHMART/VEGA CORPORATIONInventor: Bonaventure Cahill
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Patent number: 7982190Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector includes, a substrate, a scintillator layer, a moistureproof body, and an adhesion layer. The substrate comprises a photoelectric conversion element. The scintillator layer is formed on the substrate and converts radiation into fluorescence. The moistureproof body comprises a flange portion in a periphery thereof, the moistureproof body being deep enough to contain at least the scintillator layer. The adhesion layer causes the substrate and the flange portion of the moistureproof body to adhere to each other in a sealed manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhisa Homma, Hitoshi Chiyoma, Shinetsu Fujieda, Keiko Sakai, Masakuni Ikagawa, Akiko Suzuki
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Publication number: 20110163237Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
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Patent number: 7968853Abstract: A radiation detector (24) includes a two-dimensional array of upper scintillators (30?) which is disposed facing an x-ray source (14) to convert lower energy radiation into visible light and transmit higher energy radiation. A two-dimensional array of lower scintillators (30B) is disposed adjacent the upper scintillators (30?) distally from the x-ray source (14) to convert the transmitted higher energy radiation into visible light. Respective active areas (94, 96) of each upper and lower photodetector arrays (38?, 38B) are optically coupled to the respective upper and lower scintillators (30?, 30B) at an inner side (60) of the scintillators (30?, 30B) which inner side (60) is generally perpendicular to an axial direction (Z).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Ami Altman, Olga Shapiro, Simha Levene, Naor Wainer
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Publication number: 20110133094Abstract: A radiation projection detector includes a conversion layer configured to generate light photons in response to a radiation, the conversion layer having a plurality of first conversion elements and a plurality of second conversion elements, and a photo detector array aligned with the conversion panel, wherein each of the first conversion elements has a first radiation conversion characteristic, and each of the second conversion elements has a second radiation conversion characteristic. A radiation projection detector includes a photoconductor layer configured to generate charges in response to radiation, the photoconductor layer having a plurality of first photoconductor elements and a plurality of second photoconductor elements, and a detector array aligned with the photoconductor layer, wherein each of the first photoconductor elements has a first charge generating characteristic, and each of the second photoconductor elements has a second charge generating characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Edward J. SEPPI, Larry PARTAIN, George ZENTAI
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Publication number: 20110116595Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting low and high x-ray densities is provided for use in CT imaging. Two photodetectors, one having a relatively low dynamic range and the other having a relatively high dynamic range, are coupled to the same transducer. The first photodetector may be, for example, a SiPM which is passively quenched.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.Inventors: Raz Carmi, Amir Livne
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Publication number: 20110101229Abstract: This aims to provide a DOI type radiation detector in which scintillation crystals arranged two-dimensionally on a light receiving surface to form rectangular section groups in extending directions of the light receiving surface of a light receiving element are stacked up to make a three-dimensional arrangement and responses of the crystals that have detected radiation are made possible to identify at response positions on the light receiving surface, so that a three-dimensional radiation detection position can be obtained. In the DOI type radiation detector, scintillation crystals are right triangle poles extending upwards from the light receiving surface and the response positions on the light receiving surface are characterized. With this structure, DOI identification of a plurality of layers can be carried out by simply performing an Anger calculation of a light receiving element signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCESInventors: Naoko Inadama, Hideo Murayama, Kengo Shibuya, Fumihiko Nishikido, Taiga Yamaya, Eiji Yoshida
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Patent number: 7923693Abstract: The present invention describes scintillator-elements for use in X-ray detectors, the elements being shaped to ensure maximum absorption of the energy carried in by X-ray photons and to provide high position-resolution. Arrangements of such scintillator-elements in arrays and detector-systems comprising a plurality of arrays are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Inventor: Aurel A. Faibis
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Patent number: 7893405Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes an optical detector disposed on a substrate and having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which convert light into an electrical signal, and a scintillator layer disposed on the optical detector and having a columnar crystal structure which converts radiation into light, wherein the concentration of an activator of the scintillator layer is higher at the radiation-incident side opposite the optical detector and is lower at the optical detector side. The scintillator panel includes the substrate and the scintillator layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the concentration of the activator of the scintillator layer is higher at the radiation-incident side and is lower at the light-emission side.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazumi Nagano, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Satoshi Okada, Keiichi Nomura
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Publication number: 20110006213Abstract: A radiation image detection apparatus comprising a scintillator, which is configured to include columnar crystals and converts radiation into light when the radiation is irradiated thereon, and an optical detector, which converts the light, emitted from the scintillator into an electrical signal, the scintillator and the optical detector being arranged on a support such that the radiation is incident on the optical detector and the scintillator in this order, wherein a columnar crystal area is present at a radiation-incident side of the scintillator, and a non-columnar crystal area is present at a side of the scintillator opposite to the radiation-incident side; and a method for manufacturing the radiation image detection apparatus are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventors: Keiichiro SATO, Makoto KITADA, Kei MIURA
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Publication number: 20100294943Abstract: A scintillator system is provided to detect the presence of fissile material and radioactive material. One or more neutron detectors include scintillator material, and are optically coupled to one or more wavelength shifting fiber optic light guide media that extend from the scintillator material to guide light from the scintillator material to a photosensor. An electrical output of the photosensor is connected to an input of a pre-amp circuit designed to provide an optimum pulse shape for each of neutron pulses and gamma pulses in the detector signals. Scintillator material as neutron detector elements can be spatially distributed with interposed moderator material. Individual neutron detectors can be spatially distributed with interposed moderator material. Detectors and moderators can be arranged in a V-shape or a corrugated configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Innovative American Technology Inc.Inventor: DAVID L. FRANK
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Publication number: 20100276600Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes an array of scintillator pixels (102) in optical communication with a photosensor. The scintillator pixels (102) include a hygroscopic scintillator (104) and one or more hermetic covers (106a, 106b). A desiccant (124) may be disposed between a hermetic cover (106a) and the scintillator (104) or between the hermetic covers (106a, 106b).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Cornelis R. Ronda, Guenter Zeitler, Herbert Schreinemacher
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Publication number: 20100276602Abstract: A radiation detector includes a neutron sensing element comprising a neutron scintillating composite material that emits a first photon having a first wavelength and an optical waveguide material having a wavelength-shifting dopant dispersed therein that absorbs the first photon emitted by the neutron scintillating composite material and emits a second photon having a second, different wavelength, and a functionalized reflective layer at an interface between the neutron scintillating composite material and the optical waveguide material. The functionalized reflective layer allows the first photon emitted by the neutron scintillating composite material to pass through and into the optical waveguide material, but prevents the second photon emitted by the optical waveguide material from passing through and into the neutron scintillating composite material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Adrian Ivan, Chulmin Joo, Daniel Bruno McDevitt
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Publication number: 20100264322Abstract: A radiation-sensitive detector includes a photosensor elements (122) and a scintillator (116) optically coupled to the photosensor element (122). The scintillator (116) includes a powdered scintillator and a resin mixed with the powdered scintillator. The refractive index mismatch between the powdered scintillator and the resin is less than 7%. In one non-limiting instance, the composite scintillator material may be used to form fiber optic leaves arranged as a high-resolution detector array in conventional or spectral CT.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Cornelis R. Ronda
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Patent number: 7818047Abstract: A readout electronics scheme is under development for high resolution, compact PET (positron emission tomography) imagers based on LSO (lutetium ortho-oxysilicate, Lu2SiO5) scintillator and avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays. The key is to obtain sufficient timing and energy resolution at a low power level, less than about 30 mW per channel, including all required functions. To this end, a simple leading edge level crossing discriminator is used, in combination with a transimpedance preamplifier. The APD used has a gain of order 1,000, and an output noise current of several pA/?Hz, allowing bipolar technology to be used instead of CMOS, for increased speed and power efficiency. A prototype of the preamplifier and discriminator has been constructed, achieving timing resolution of 1.5 ns FWHM, 2.7 ns full width at one tenth maximum, relative to an LSO/PMT detector, and an energy resolution of 13.6% FWHM at 511 keV, while operating at a power level of 22 mW per channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Nova R&D, Inc.Inventors: Tumay O Tumer, Martin Clajus, Gerard Visser
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Publication number: 20100232568Abstract: An X-ray or gamma ray detector array is disclosed, with at least one row of detector elements including at least one layer made of an X-ray or gamma radiation absorbing conversion material. In at least one embodiment, the conversion material is at least in part composed of a chemical element with an atomic number ?72, preferably >82. Such an X-ray or gamma ray detector array allows an increased spatial and spectral resolution and better dose usage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Björn HEISMANN, Jürgen LEPPERT
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Patent number: 7786445Abstract: A side tube includes a tube head, a funnel-shaped connection neck, and a tube main body, which are arranged along a tube axis and which are integrated together into the side tube. The size of a cross section of the tube head perpendicular to the tube axis is larger than the size of a cross section of the tube main body perpendicular to the tube axis. The radius of curvature of rounded corners of the tube head is smaller than the radius of curvature of rounded corners of the tube main body. The length of the tube head along the tube axis is shorter than the length of the tube main body along the tube axis. One surface of a faceplate is connected to the tube head. A photocathode is formed on the surface of the faceplate in its area located inside the tube head.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Teruhiko Yamaguchi, Suenori Kimura, Minoru Suzuki, Yoshitaka Nakamura
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Publication number: 20100193693Abstract: A radiation detector assembly comprises a radiation scintillator detector for generating a light signal as a function of radiation detected. A light detector is operatively connectable with the radiation scintillator detector for receiving a light signal from the radiation scintillation detector and generating an electrical signal as a function of the light signal received. A housing for the light detector is electrically connectable with the light detector. At least one of the housing and the light detector is electrically connectable with a pole of a power supply whereby the housing and the light detector are at substantially the same electrical potential when electrically connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Keith D. Jones, Audry M. Alabiso
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Patent number: 7750311Abstract: A three-dimensional detector module for use in detecting annihilation photons generated by positrons emitted from radio-labeled sites within a body is formed from multiple solid state photo-detectors attached to one or more scintillators. Each photo-detector can be attached to a scintillator to form a photo-detector/scintillator combination and multiple photo-detector/scintillator combinations can be arranged in an array. Alternatively, multiple photo-detectors can be attached to the surface of a single scintillator to form an array. Multiple arrays are then stacked to form a photo-detector module. The modules can then be assembled to form a sheet of photo-detector modules. Multiple sheets or multiple modules can then be arranged around a body to detect emissions from radio-labeled sites in the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Intramedical Imaging, LLCInventor: Farhad Daghighian
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Publication number: 20100168947Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation includes at least two scintillation crystals at angular offsets and directed toward a common plane of detection, photodetectors adjacent to each of the scintillation crystals for converting the light response of the scintillation crystals into distinct electrical signals, and a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal. The digital processing system monitors a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to a selected set of radioisotopes, and uses one or more of the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for a detected radioisotope in the plane of detection. Another scintillation crystal directed outside of the common plane of detection may be used for three-dimensional detection. Related methods for detection and location of gamma ray sources are discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: James H. Winso, Michael D. Fennell
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Patent number: 7737408Abstract: A scintillation detector according to an embodiment of the invention features a monolithic scintillation crystal and a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the scintillation crystal. The optical fibers are arranged to convey scintillation light to an optical sensor that is located exterior to the scintillation crystal. Because the optical fibers are extremely small in diameter, a multiplicity of them can be coupled to the scintillation crystal to provide the extremely high resolution of a pixelated scintillation crystal while the comparative manufacturing simplicity of a monolithic scintillation crystal is maintained. In preferred embodiments, the optical fibers are further arranged so that depth of interaction information can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Niraj K. Doshi
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Patent number: 7732762Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inspecting a specimen surface. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of primary beams directed towards the specimen surface, focussing the plurality of primary beams onto respective loci on the specimen surface, collecting a plurality of secondary beams of charged particles originating from the specimen surface upon incidence of the primary beams, converting at least one of the collected secondary beams into an optical beam, and detecting the optical beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNOInventors: Michiel David Nijkerk, Pieter Kruit
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Patent number: 7734325Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes first means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, and second means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image. The first imaging mode is selected from the group: x-ray mode and radio isotopic mode. The second imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode and dark-field mode. A removable phosphor screen is employed when the first image is captured and not employed when the second image is captured. The phosphor screen is adapted to transduce ionizing radiation to visible light. The phosphor screen is adapted to be removable without moving the immobilized object. The system can further include means for generating a third image comprised of the first and second image.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Douglas L. Vizard, Joel N. Helfer, George Brocksieper, William E. Mclaughlin
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Publication number: 20100127177Abstract: A fiber-optic scintillator radiation detector includes a multitude of optical fibers that each include an optical core. The optical cores are spaced apart from one another by an interposer material. In various embodiments, the interposer material has an average atomic number less than 13 and a density greater than 1.3 g/cm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: William M. Schmitt, Juha-Pekka J. Laine, Peter Miraglia
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Publication number: 20100127279Abstract: A solid state radiation detector capable of improving the sharpness of obtained radiation images. The solid state radiation detector includes: two scintillator layers that convert irradiated radiation to light; and a solid state photodetector, disposed between the two scintillators, that detects the light converted by the two scintillator layers and converts the detected light to electrical signals. Here, the scattering length of each of the scintillators is not greater than 100 ?m for the light propagating in the direction parallel to the surface of the scintillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2006Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventor: Kenji Takahashi
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Publication number: 20100127176Abstract: A scintillator composition is described, including a lutetium silicate or lutetium phosphate matrix; along with selected amounts of cerium, praseodymium, and gadolinium. A radiation detector for detecting high-energy radiation is also described. The radiation detector incorporates a crystal scintillator having the composition mentioned above. Related methods for detecting high-energy radiation with a scintillation detector are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Alok Mani Srivastava
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Publication number: 20100127180Abstract: A pixilated scintillator, scintillator array and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The scintillator array comprises a grid having walls, a scintillator crystal packed between the walls, and a reflective coating provided between the walls and the scintillator crystal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: CMT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventors: Ronen Lifshitz, Adi Bolan
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Patent number: 7723691Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a radiation detector according to this invention, a lattice frame 40 is stored in a receptacle 50, and scintillators 1SF and 1SR are also stored therein. The lattice frame 40 and scintillators 1SF and 1SR are once taken out of the receptacle in a state of trial assembly as a two-stage scintillator block in trial assembly 54. The lattice frame 40 and scintillators 1SF and 1SR in trial assembly are stored in the receptacle 50 into which an optical binding material has been poured. This method can reduce trouble occurring in manufacture to realize a radiation detector simply.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Hiromichi Tonami
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Patent number: 7718972Abstract: An emitted light in a scintillator element is sufficiently diffused in the scintillator array to be inputted into a photo multiplier tube (PMT) using a side face light guide that is optically coupled with respect to a side face of a scintillator array, except for in an end area. In the end area, the emitted light in the scintillator element is sufficiently diffused also in the side face light guide to be inputted into the PMT. In this way, also in the scintillator element in the end area, the emitted light is sufficiently diffused in the side face light guide, and thereby the precision of separation of a position calculation map in the end area may be improved, resulting in improved discriminating ability of a position in the end area.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Tomoaki Tsuda, Jyunichi Ohi
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Patent number: 7709801Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear medicine diagnosis equipment comprising a scintillator block having a plurality of scintillators, the scintillator block having a plurality of scintillator arrays in a depth direction of an incident ? ray with different decay times for an emitted light pulse; an incidence timing calculating device for calculating an incident timing in the scintillator array; a scintillator array identifying device for identifying a scintillator array, in a plurality of arrays, that has received the electrical signal; and an incidence timing compensation device in a position arithmetic processing part for discriminating whether compensation for an incidence timing calculated by the incidence timing calculating device is to be done or not corresponding to a scintillator array identified by the scintillator array identification part.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Jyunichi Ooi
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Publication number: 20100090116Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
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Publication number: 20100090117Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
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Publication number: 20100090114Abstract: A phoswich device for determining depth of interaction (DOI) includes a first scintillator having a first scintillation decay time characteristic, a second scintillator having a second scintillation decay time characteristic substantially equal to the first scintillation decay time, a photodetector coupled to the second scintillator, and a wavelength shifting layer coupled between the first scintillator and the second scintillator, wherein the wavelength shifting layer modifies the first scintillation decay time characteristic of the first scintillator to enable the photodetector to differentiate between the first decay time characteristic and the second decay time characteristic. The phoswich device is particularly applicable to positron emission tomography (PET) applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Florian Bauer, Lars A. Eriksson, Ronald Grazioso, Charles L. Melcher, Harold E. Rothfuss
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Patent number: 7683334Abstract: A phoswich radiation detector for simultaneous spectroscopy of beta rays and gamma rays includes three scintillators with different decay time characteristics. Two of the three scintillators are used for beta detection and the third scintillator is used for gamma detection. A pulse induced by an interaction of radiation with the detector is digitally analyzed to classify the type of event as beta, gamma, or unknown. A pulse is classified as a beta event if the pulse originated from just the first scintillator alone or from just the first and the second scintillator. A pulse from just the third scintillator is recorded as gamma event. Other pulses are rejected as unknown events.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State UniversityInventors: Abdollah T. Farsoni, David M. Hamby
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Patent number: 7659666Abstract: The present invention relates to a photomultiplier that realizes significant improvement of response time properties with a structure enabling mass production. The photomultiplier comprises a sealed container, and, in the sealed container, a photocathode, at least one dynode set, a dynode unit including a part of insulating supporting members holding the one dynode unit, and a gain control unit are housed. The gain control unit has an insulating base plate, and the insulating base plate is integrally fixed with a control dynode and a final stage dynode that belong to each dynode set together with an anode. By the insulating base plate thus being clamped by the pair of insulating supporting members, the anode, the control dynode, and the final stage dynode constitute a part of an electron multiplier section.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Takayuki Ohmura, Teruhiko Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 7655915Abstract: A detector assembly 18 for an imaging system 10 is provided comprising a plurality of scintillator elements 50 positioned within a scintillator pack 56. The scintillator pack 56 forms a scintillator pack upper surface 58 and a plurality of scintillator pack walls 60 positioned between the plurality of scintillator elements 50. A plurality of collimator elements 64 are mounted on the scintillator pack upper surface 58. Each of the plurality of collimator elements 64 is comprised of a stack laminated base 66 mounted to the scintillator pack upper surface 58 and a cast upper wall 68 formed on the stack laminated base 66.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Michael Ratzmann, Mark A. Kappel
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Patent number: 7655157Abstract: This invention provides novel cadmium tungstate scintillator materials that show improved radiation hardness. In particular, it was discovered that doping of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) with trivalent metal ions or monovalent metal ions is particularly effective in improving radiation hardness of the scintillator material.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Intematix CorporationInventors: Shifan Cheng, Yi-Qun Li
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Patent number: 7655912Abstract: A direction finding radiation detector for detecting the direction of incidence of radioactive rays, comprising: a plurality of scintillators (41, 42, 43) (101, 102, 103) made of the same material, being arranged to overlap circumferentially at least in part so that they are shadowed by each other from radioactive rays incident in circumferential directions and so that light emitted from one of the scintillators is not incident on the other scintillators; and photoreceptor devices (51, 52, 53) (111, 112, 113) having light receiving surfaces optically coupled to the respective scintillators, wherein a combination of proportions of radioactive rays incident directly on the respective scintillators and radioactive rays incident indirectly thereon, being shadowed by the other scintillators, varies with the direction of incidence circumferentially.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignees: National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Aloka Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shirakawa, Toshiya Yamano
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Patent number: 7650021Abstract: With the aid of an X-ray CT (5, 6), the spatial position (r) of a body cavity that is filled with blood is determined, which for example can be a part of the aorta or of the left ventricle of the heart of a patient (1). Subsequently, a TOF-PET unit that includes two detector elements (3a, 3b) is positioned to place a predefined volume element (2) in the blood filled body cavity. From pairs of annihilation quanta received from the volume element (2) a concentration of the tracer in this volume element (2) and thus in the blood is determined. This concentration can for example be used within the framework of pharmaco-kinetic examinations which are carried out on the patient (1) with the aid of a three-dimensional PET unit (4).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Henning Braess
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Publication number: 20090314947Abstract: This invention describes an imaging system based on an array of semiconductor photosensitive elements with isolating structure between elements (pixels) of the array. The isolated pixels of the array may be photodiodes and they provide excellent imaging capabilities that are important for many applications. The isolated photosensitive pixels may be comprised also by photoconductors, avalanche photodiodes, photosensitive IC, or other similar solid-state devices. The fields of possible application include but are not limited to the detector modules for homeland security, medical imaging systems (CT, SPECT, and PET including), fundamental and applied research, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: ARRAY OPTRONIX, INC.Inventors: Alexander O. Goushcha, Perry A. Denning, Frederick A. Flitsch
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Patent number: 7626178Abstract: An integrated radiation detector having a pulse-mode operating photosensor optically coupled to a gamma sensing element and a neutron sensing element is disclosed. The detector includes pulse shape and processing electronics package that uses an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a charge to digital converter (QDC) to determine scintillation decay times and classify radiation interactions by radiation type. The pulse shape and processing electronics package determines a maximum gamma energy from the spectrum associated with gamma rays detected by the gamma sensing element to adaptively select a gamma threshold for the neutron sensing element. A light pulse attributed to the neutron sensing element is a valid neutron event when the amplitude of the light pulse is above the gamma threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adrian Ivan, Steven Jude Duclos, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, James Richard Williams, Brent Allen Clothier, Jeffrey Seymour Gordon
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Patent number: 7612342Abstract: The present application discloses methods and devices for increasing the light output of a scintillator. Using the methods of the present disclosure, a very high intensity electric field is applied to a scintillator exposed to ionizing radiation and provides light outputs that far exceeds those previously obtained in the art. The light output gains are very high, on the order of 10 to 100 times those obtained with prior methods, and will make it possible to achieve sufficient brightness to enable the use of a cathode ray tube or a field emission display in new devices. In the field of x-ray imaging, a bright scintillator will have tremendous potential in many important applications, such as computed tomography (CT), SPECT, diagnostic digital radiology, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.Inventor: Vivek V. Nagarkar
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Publication number: 20090261257Abstract: A radiation detector device is disclosed that includes a photosensor and a scintillator coupled to the photosensor. The scintillator includes a scintillator crystal having a first end proximal to the photosensor, a second end distal from the photosensor, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The scintillator also includes a reflector substantially surrounding the scintillator crystal at least along its length. The reflector comprises a fabric that includes a plurality of fibers, each fiber comprising an inorganic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Peter R. Menge
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Patent number: 7601963Abstract: A depth of interaction-sensitive crystal scintillation detector features crystal types that alternate in three-dimensional checkerboard fashion, each type having a different crystal decay time. One or more photosensors are disposed on each of at least two orthogonal surfaces. The scintillation detector provides improved depth of interaction resolution. The different crystal types are identified by pulse shape discrimination processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Mehmet Aykac, Ronald Grazioso
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Patent number: 7595493Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus includes a sensor panel 100, a phosphor layer 111 formed on the sensor panel 100 to convert a radiation into light, and a phosphor protecting member 110 covering the phosphor layer 111 to adhere closely to the phosphor protecting member 110. The phosphor protecting member 110 includes a phosphor protecting layer 116 made of vapor deposition polymerization polyimide formed by vapor deposition polymerization, a reflecting layer 113 reflecting the light converted by the phosphor layer 111, and a protecting layer 117 made of vapor deposition polymerization polyurea formed by the vapor deposition polymerization. By such a configuration, a polymerization reaction of the phosphor protecting layer 116 is performed on the substrate. Thereby, the generation of by-products is suppressed to make it easy to acquire the uniformity of film quality.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Okada, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Masato Inoue, Kazumi Nagano, Shinichi Takeda, Tomoyuki Tamura
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Patent number: 7554089Abstract: A method for localizing optical emission is disclosed. The method involves identifying a first readout channel of a first pixellated photodetector array based on an impact of a first photon on the first pixellated photodetector array. The first photon is emitted by a scintillator unit of a scintillator array and the first readout channel corresponds to a column of one or more pixels of the first pixellated photodetector array. The method also involves identifying a second readout channel of a second pixellated photodetector array based on an impact of a second photon on the second pixellated photodetector array. The second photon is emitted by the scintillator unit and the second readout channel corresponds to a row of one or more pixels of the second pixellated photodetector array. The method further involves identifying the scintillator unit based on the first readout channel and the second readout channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kent Charles Burr, James Walter LeBlanc, Adrian Ivan, Donald Earl Castleberry
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Publication number: 20090159805Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object, including: a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state; a removable phosphor plate assembly adapted to respond to ionizing radiation by emitting visible light; first imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image; second imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image; and third imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a third imaging mode, different from the first and second imaging modes, to capture a third image, wherein the first imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and is selected from the group: x-ray mode and low energy radio isotope mode; the second imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and a high energy radio isotope mode, and the third imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode and luminescence mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Gilbert Feke, Douglas Lincoln Vizard, William E. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 7541589Abstract: A scintillator composition is described, including a matrix material and an activator. The matrix material includes at least one lanthanide halide compound. The matrix can also include at least one alkali metal, and in some embodiments, at least one alkaline earth metal. The composition also includes a praseodymium activator for the matrix. Radiation detectors that include the scintillators are disclosed. A method for detecting high-energy radiation with a radiation detector is also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alok Mani Srivastava, Steven Jude Duclos, Lucas Lemar Clarke, Holly Ann Comanzo, Qun Deng