Plural Or Composite Luminophor Patents (Class 250/367)
  • Publication number: 20040124360
    Abstract: A radiation imaging device includes scintillation crystal sheets arranged in parallel to each other. Semiconductor photodetector positional detectors read light from large faces of the scintillation crystal sheets to detect interactions in the scintillation crystal sheets and independently provide positional information concerning the interactions relative to at least one axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Craig S. Levin
  • Patent number: 6750456
    Abstract: In a camera or similar radiation sensitive device comprising a pixilated scintillation layer, a light guide and an array of position sensitive photomultiplier tubes, wherein there exists so-called dead space between adjacent photomultiplier tubes the improvement comprising a two part light guide comprising a first planar light spreading layer or portion having a first surface that addresses the scintillation layer and optically coupled thereto at a second surface that addresses the photomultiplier tubes, a second layer or portion comprising an array of trapezoidal light collectors defining gaps that span said dead space and are individually optically coupled to individual position sensitive photomultiplier tubes. According to a preferred embodiment, coupling of the trapezoidal light collectors to the position sensitive photomultiplier tubes is accomplished using an optical grease having about the same refractive index as the material of construction of the two part light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research Assn., Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger
  • Publication number: 20040104347
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of a minimum ionizing particle (MIP) are disclosed. A plurality of rectangular or triangularly shaped MIP sensitive scintillators can be configured from a plurality of nano-sized particles and a plastic material. A plastic light collector can then be associated with each triangularly-shaped MIP sensitive scintillator, such that each plastic light collector includes a central hole thereof. A wavelength-shifting fiber can then be located within the hole, wherein the wavelength-shifting fiber absorbs scintillation light having a wavelength thereof and remits the light at a longer wavelength to indicate the presence of at least one minimum ionizing particle. The rectangular or triangularly shaped MIP sensitive scintillators can be formed as a pair rectangular or triangularly shaped MIP sensitive scintillators and/or a plurality of such pairs for MIP detection thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Alan D. Bross, Kerry L. Mellott, Anna Pla-Dalmau
  • Patent number: 6740897
    Abstract: In a radiation image storage panel composed of a support sheet and a phosphor layer formed on a surface of the support sheet by vapor-accumulating method, the phosphor layer is composed of prismatic crystals of phosphor aligned in the same direction, and each of the crystals has a convex surface at one end. The radiation image storage panel is favorably employed in combination with a line sensor in a radiation image recording and reproducing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Hosoi
  • Patent number: 6734430
    Abstract: A miniaturized scintigraphic device comprising a collimator (1), internally having a multiplicity of equal conduits (10) of determined length, identified and separated by septa (11) of minimum thickness in relation to the energy of the radiation, terminating in a common end plane (12) on the side opposite to the source of the event to be measured, comprising a scintillation crystal structure (2) and at least a photomultiplier (3), in which the scintillation crystal structure is constituted by a multiplicity of individual crystals (20) with polygonal section, each integrally integrated in proximity to the end, oriented towards the photomultiplier (3), of each conduit (10) of the collimator (1), having conforming polygonal section, and arranged in such a way that all the base faces (21) of the crystals (20) oriented towards the photomultiplier (3) are mutually coplanar and lying on a plane parallel to said common end plane (12) of the collimator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: C.N.R.-Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche
    Inventors: Alessandro Soluri, Raffaele Scafe', Nunzio Burgio, Alfiero Schiaratura
  • Patent number: 6728154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a three-dimensional optical memory medium capable of recording and reading a large quantity of information therein and therefrom, and a process for producing the same. A recording pulsed laser beam is applied to an arbitrary position in a luminescent-ion-containing solid medium as the solid medium is three-dimensionally moved relative to a converging point of the pulsed laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Miura, Seiji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6727503
    Abstract: A two-dimensional detector of ionizing radiation and a process for manufacturing the detector. The detector includes sheets emitting particles by interaction with ionizing radiation, semiconducting layers that alternate with the sheets and can be ionized by the particles, and groups of conducting tracks in contact with the layers. A created electric field is used to collect charge carriers generated in the layers due to interaction with particles, through the tracks. For example, the layer and the corresponding tracks are formed on each sheet and the sheets are then assembled together. The detector, as an example, is applicable to radiography and can achieve good X-ray detection efficiency and high spatial resolution at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gerstenmayer
  • Patent number: 6717150
    Abstract: A finished detector module suitable for use in a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The finished detector module includes a substrate; a photosensor array mounted on the substrate; an array of scintillators optically coupled to the photosensor array and separated therefrom by a gap filled with either air or a compliant clear film, and a flexible electrical cable electrically coupled to the photosensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6713767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid two-dimensional scintillator arrangement which is formed by a plurality of one-dimensional detector strips. The detector strips (1) are formed by scintillator slabs (3) and absorber layers (2) which are glued between said scintillator slabs. The detector strips (1) are fitted parallel to one another in a fitting form (4). The one-dimensional detector strips can be manufactured with a high degree of precision. The fitting form (4) can also be manufactured with a very high degree of precision and accommodates the individual detector strips (1) in a second direction which extends perpendicularly to the direction in which the detector strips extend. The fitting form (4) is provided with transverse pieces (5), the detector strips (1) being inserted between the transverse pieces (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Herfried Karl Wieczorek, Francisco Morales Serrano
  • Patent number: 6710350
    Abstract: An Radiation detector employs one or more arrays of microphotonic light transmission devices to selectively control the flow of light from different detection sites in a scintillator into an optical conduit. For example the microphotonic light transmission devices may be microelectromechanical steerable mirrors or light gates. Instead of employing a separate detector element to convert the light from each site into an electrical signal that is then switched into a data acquisition system, the present detector assembly switches the light into the optical conduit to the data acquisition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Ruzga
  • Patent number: 6707046
    Abstract: A photodiode detector array includes a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material having a first doped layer on a first surface of a first conductivity type and an array of photodiodes having respective doped regions on a second surface of an opposite conductivity type. Electrical contacts on the second surface respectively contact the doped regions and convey electrical signal therefrom. Conductors extend from the electrical contacts to convey the electrical signals to output terminals of the array. A scintillator is optically coupled to the layer of intrinsic semiconductor material at the first surface thereof and can be pixelated, with individual scintillator elements aligned with and corresponding to the doped regions of the photodiode. The photodiode detector array can be mounted to a rigid printed wiring board or to a flat bottom wall surface of the scintillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Edward Possin, David Michael Hoffman, Bing Shen, Steven Jude Duclos
  • Publication number: 20040042585
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an apparatus for an enhanced imaging sensor consisting of pixellated micro columnar scintillation film material for x-ray imaging comprising a scintillation substrate and a micro columnar scintillation film material in contact with the scintillation substrate. The micro columnar scintillation film material is formed from a doped scintillator material. According to the invention, the micro columnar scintillation film material is subdivided into arrays of optically independent pixels having interpixel gaps between the optically independent pixels. These optically independent pixels channel detectable light to a detector element thereby reducing optical crosstalk between the pixels providing for an X-ray converter capable of increasing efficiency without the associated loss of spatial resolution. The interpixel gaps are further filled with a dielectric and or reflective material to substantially reduce optical crosstalk and enhance light collection efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Vivek V. Nagarkar, Sameer V. Tipnis
  • Publication number: 20040021082
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for asymmetrically placed cross-coupled scintillation crystals. A method includes coupling a plurality of photomultiplier tubes to a scintillation crystal array, the scintillation crystal array defining a plurality of corner edges, wherein a first corner edge of the plurality of corner edges is aligned with a first center of a first photomultiplier tube of the plurality of photomultiplier tubes and a second corner edge of the plurality of corner edges is not aligned with a second center of a second photomultiplier tube of the plurality of photomultiplier tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Jorge Uribe, Hossain Baghaei, Hongdi Li
  • Publication number: 20040016885
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation detector element assembly. The radiation detector assembly comprises a scintillator and a photo sensor, the scintillator including a first surface proximate to a photo sensor and a second surface distal to the first surface and receptive to a radiation beam. The radiation detector also includes a side portion of the scintillator configured to intercept impingement of a radiation beam thereon and reduce response of the photo sensor to said impingement on the side portion. Also disclosed herein is a method of detecting an incident radiation beam. The method comprising: receiving a radiation beam incident upon a second surface of a scintillator, the scintillator including a first surface proximate to a photo sensor and a second surface distal to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Abdelaziz Ikhlef
  • Publication number: 20030226972
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a production method for making position-sensitive radiation detector arrays. A method includes applying a plurality of masks to a plurality of scintillation crystal slabs; coupling the plurality of scintillation crystal slabs to form a sandwich structure; cutting a plurality of slices from the sandwich structure; and coupling at least two of the plurality of slices to form a detector array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Jorge Uribe, Hossain Baghaei, Hongdi Li
  • Patent number: 6661012
    Abstract: An X-ray detector that includes a sensor matrix and a scintillator arrangement and in which wire elements are spaced apart in layers A and B in order to reduce the crosstalk in neighboring detector elements. Scintillators are inserted at least partly in the grid openings formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Such, Francisco Morales Serrano, Stefan Schneider, Herfried Karl Wieczorek, Josef Lauter
  • Patent number: 6661867
    Abstract: X-ray radiation is transmitted through and scattered from an object under inspection to detect weapons, narcotics, explosives or other contraband. Relatively fast scintillators are employed for faster X-ray detection efficiency and significantly improved image resolution. Detector design is improved by the use of optically adiabatic scintillators. Switching between photon-counting and photon integration modes reduces noise and significantly increases overall image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Control Screening, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur W. Mario, Scott D. Kravis
  • Patent number: 6639210
    Abstract: An improved fast neutron detector fabricated with alternating layers of hydrogenous, optically transparent, non scintillating material and scintillating material. Fast neutrons interact with the hydrogenous material generating recoil protons. The recoil protons enter the scintillating material resulting in scintillations. The detector is optically coupled to a photomultiplier tube which generates electrical pulses proportional in amplitude to the intensity of the scintillations, and therefore are an indication of the energy of the fast neutrons impinging upon the detector. Alternating layers of materials are dimensioned to optimize total efficiency of the detector, or to optimize the spectroscopy efficiency of the detector. The scintillating material is preferably ZnS, and the hydrogenous material is preferably plastic. The detector is ideally suited for well logging applications and fast neutron monitor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Computalog U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Odom, Donald E. Tiller, Robert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6635877
    Abstract: A radiation image sensor 10 comprises two optical members 12, 14; a scintillator 18 deposited on entrance end faces 12a, 14a of the optical members 12, 14; a plurality of light-guiding optical components 22; and a plurality of CCDs 20. Each of the optical members 12, 14 is an optical member in which several millions/cm2 of optical fibers are disposed parallel to each other and integrally molded, whereas the optical fibers have an axis forming an acute angle with the entrance end face 12a, 14a. The two optical members 12, 14 are arranged such that the optical fibers respectively constituting each of the optical members 12, 14 have a gap therebetween widening from the entrance end face 12a, 14a side to the exit end face 12b, 14b side. Respective side faces 12c, 14c of optical members 12, 14 are formed with ground surfaces 12d, 14d in which the respective side faces 12c, 14c of optical members 12, 14 are ground against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kusuyama, Katsutoshi Nonaka
  • Publication number: 20030193029
    Abstract: A detector includes a first position sensitive radiation detector having a first radiation sensitive area and a second radiation insensitive area. The detector further includes a first scintillator having a first decay time, located adjacent to the first radiation sensitive area and a second scintillator having a second decay time different than the first decay time, located adjacent to the second radiation insensitive area and being optically coupled to the first scintillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Yiping Shao
  • Patent number: 6630675
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes a praseodymium (Pr) doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) scintillator and a detector array positioned adjacent to the scintillator. The scintillator is particularly suited for x-ray imaging applications in which fast scan times are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Farhad Abbasi Ghelmansarai
  • Publication number: 20030178570
    Abstract: Resins used in radiation detectors undergo quality change owing to the irradiation. The quality change includes the degradation in the light reflectivity and light transmittance of the resins. The quality change of the resin is one of the causes for the output current reduction of the detectors and affects operating life of the detector. A radiation detector and a CT device are provided which are small in the output current degradation of the radiation detector and long in working life even with a large irradiation. A cured mixture of a rutile type titanium oxide powder and a polyester resin is used for the light reflecting material covering the scintillators. Additionally, a polyester resin is used for bonding the scintillators and semiconductor photodetecting elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Tsunota, Susumu Matsui
  • Publication number: 20030136913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector for detecting radiation impinging in a detection zone, having detector elements which are arranged in the form of a preferably two-dimensional array in rows and columns running orthogonally with respect to one another and each have a scintillator and a photodiode interacting with the latter. In this case, detector elements arranged at the edge of array are provided, whose scintillators have an extent transversely with respect to the edge of the array which is larger than is necessary for encompassing the detection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Von Der Haar
  • Patent number: 6594336
    Abstract: An intensity modulated radio therapy (IMRT) dosimeter measuring a three-dimensional absorption dose distribution in a transparent plastic phantom readily and accurately. In the IMRT dosimeter, radiation beams are directed to a phantom assembly having a scintillation fiber block sandwiched between two blocks of the phantom. As an intensity of light proportional to the radiation beam is emitted from one side of the scintillation fiber block, its profile is measured by an image sensor. Then, the three-dimensional absorption dose distribution is obtained from the light intensity distribution data. By summing the three-dimensional absorption dose distribution data measured with the radiation beam at different angles, an integrated three-dimensional absorption dose distribution in the phantom can be calculated readily and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishizawa, Kiyoshi Yoda, Keiichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6587538
    Abstract: A detector unit for detecting X rays passed through a collimator having a plurality of collimator single plates, includes a substrate attached to a collimator support for supporting the collimator, a photodetecting device array including photodetecting devices mounted on the substrate, a scintillator block arranged corresponding to the photodetecting device array and provided on the photodetecting device array to convert the X rays into light, and an engaging component having an engaging portion provided on the collimator single plate side of the substrate, and engaged with the collimator single plate to regulate a position of the photodetecting device array or the scintillator block in a channel direction with respect to the collimator single plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenji Igarashi, Hideki Ide, Kenji Ushimi, Yasuo Saito, Yuuzo Yoshida, Miwa Okumura
  • Patent number: 6570160
    Abstract: In a radiation detecting apparatus, an &agr; ray and &bgr; ray are transmitted through a light shielding film but an incident light is shielded. A first light is emitted from a first scintillator by the &agr; ray transmitted through the light shielding film. The first scintillator has an emission center wavelength based on the &agr; ray. A second light is emitted in a second scintillator by the &bgr; ray transmitted through the light shielding film. The second scintillator has an emission center wavelength based on the &bgr; ray. The first and second lights are detected by two photo-detectors, respectively. The first emission center wavelength and the second emission center wavelength are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Maekawa, Akio Sumita, Kazumi Watanabe, Soichiro Morimoto, Yoshiaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 6563120
    Abstract: Shown is a flexible scintillator, or scintillation-type level detector, in which the scintillator is made from a plurality of elongated, relatively thin layers of plastic scintillator material stacked in close proximity to one another in a slidable relationship to provide flexibility in at least two dimensions. The layers of at least one end are aligned for operable connection to a photodetector. Optionally, an anti-friction material, such as PTFE, may be placed between layers of the plastic scintillator material. Edge and outer face surfaces of the layers of the scintillator material may be covered with an inwardly facing light reflective material and/or light-excluding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Ronan Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Charles E. Baldwin, Craig Caris
  • Patent number: 6559452
    Abstract: An image input apparatus having a plurality of sensors each including a pixel area in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, is provided. The image input apparatus includes: a first group including one or a plurality of pixel areas; and a second group including a plurality of pixel areas arranged adjacently to each other surrounding one or the plurality of pixel areas of the first group, as viewed along an image input direction, wherein the plurality of pixel areas of the second group are arranged nearer to an image input surface than one or the plurality of pixel areas of the first group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Tashiro
  • Patent number: 6534771
    Abstract: A gamma camera scintillation crystal plate assembly and method that may be used for both PET (positron emission tomography) and SPECT (single photon emission computer tomography). The crystal plate assembly includes two or more crystals which are optically coupled and tuned so as to control the energy position of the photopeaks at an output surface of the plate assembly. The crystals are tuned by various means including varying the surface finishes and material selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Csaba M. Rozsa
  • Patent number: 6534772
    Abstract: A microchannel phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced microchannels having diameters of the order of 40 microns or less. Deposited within each of the microchannels is a multiplicity of phosphors which emit light when acted upon by radiation. The dimensions of the microchannel and the phosphors and the relationship between the microchannels and the phosphors is optimized so that the light output compares favorably with lower resolution non microchannel based scintillation screens. A photomultiplier can be integrated with the X-ray detector so as to provide an enhanced output for use with low level X-ray of for cine or fluoroscopy applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nanocrystal Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Vishal Chhabra, Rameshwar Nath Bhargava, Dennis Gallagher, Samuel P. Herko, Bharati S. Kulkarni, Nikhil R. Taskar, Aleksey Yekimov
  • Publication number: 20030034455
    Abstract: A radiation detector, in particular a gamma camera, is constructed and operated in such a fashion that only a predetermined number of light sensors (such as PMT's) adjoining each other in a cluster are used to generate a signal with amplitude and event position information. The camera may also use an array of individual scintillation elements (crystals) in place of a single crystal, with certain advantages obtained thereby. According to another aspect of the invention, there is a reflector sheet that defines an array of apertures through which scintillation light can pass from the scintillation crystal to a plurality of light sensors optically coupled to an optical window in an array corresponding to the array of apertures in the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Robert S. Schreiner, John A. White, Michael R. Mayhugh, George Mataraza, Csaba M. Rozsa, Daniel J. Herr
  • Publication number: 20030030003
    Abstract: In a radiation detecting apparatus, an &agr; ray and a &bgr; ray are transmitted through a light shielding film but an incident light is shielded. A first light is emitted from a first scintillator by the &agr; ray transmitted through the light shielding film. The first scintillator has an emission center wavelength based on the &agr; ray. A second light is emitted in a second scintillator by the &bgr; ray transmitted through the light shielding film. The second scintillator has an emission center wavelength based on the &bgr; ray. The first and second lights are detected by two photo-detectors, respectively. The first emission center wavelength and the second emission center wavelength are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Maekawa, Akio Sumita, Kazumi Watanabe, Soichiro Morimoto, Yoshiaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 6519313
    Abstract: A scintillator pack comprises an array of scintillator pixels and an x-ray absorbing layer disposed in inter-scintillator regions between the scintillator pixels. The x-ray absorbing layer acts to absorb x-rays and protect underlying regions of the inter-scintillator regions. The x-ray absorbing layer may be formed by a number of methods including casting and melt infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Steven Jude Duclos
  • Patent number: 6498828
    Abstract: A system and method of computer tomography imaging using a cerium-doped lutetium orthosilicate scintillator are provided. The system includes a high frequency electromagnetic energy projection source to project high frequency energy toward an object, such as a patient. A scintillator array having a plurality of cerium-doped lutetium orthosilicate scintillators therein receives the high frequency energy attenuated by the object and emits light energy based on the attenuated energy received. A photodiode array including a plurality of photodiodes is optically-coupled to the scintillator array and configured to detect the light energy and discharge output to a data processing system to produce a visual display. Each scintillator of the scintillator array is formed into a transparent glass ceramic having a high crystalline phase by combing glass-forming compounds in a glass forming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Haochuan Jiang
  • Publication number: 20020190214
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid two-dimensional scintillator arrangement which is formed by a plurality of one-dimensional detector strips. The detector strips (1) are formed by scintillator slabs (3) and absorber layers (2) which are glued between said scintillator slabs. The detector strips (1) are fitted parallel to one another in a fitting form (4). The one-dimensional detector strips can be manufactured with a high degree of precision. The fitting form (4) can also be manufactured with a very high degree of precision and accommodates the individual detector strips (1) in a second direction which extends perpendicularly to the direction in which the detector strips extend. The fitting form (4) is provided with transverse pieces (5), the detector strips (1) being inserted between the transverse pieces (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Herfried Karl Wieczorek, Francisco Morales Serrano
  • Patent number: 6495845
    Abstract: Sintered ceramics having such high radiation shielding capability and so easy to machine that they can be used as a radiation shield for radiation detectors are disclosed. The ceramics show a radiation shielding capability more than 90% and preferably have high light reflecting performance. They may comprises rare-earth oxides such as gadolinium oxide, oxide of at least one of vanadium, tantalum and niobium and alkali-earth oxide which is used for a sintering agent. They can be used as a radiation shield in place of a molybdenum or tungsten radiation shielding plate and also as a light reflecting film instead of titanium dioxide film in a radiation detector for radiation CT equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Tsunota, Nobuyuki Yamada, Shinji Furuichi, Takeo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6483115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for forming a high integrity imager device having a passivation layer disposed over a photosensor array, a passivation layer with an adhesion topography on its surface, and a scintillator layer disposed over the passivation layer such that the scintillator layer is coupled to the adhesion topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald Earl Castleberry
  • Patent number: 6479824
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a detector for detecting x-rays of an imaging system. The detector has a plurality of photodetectors; and a plurality of scintillator elements optically coupled to the plurality of photodetectors. The scintillator elements have sides separated from adjacent scintillator elements by gaps; and a cast reflector mixture in the gaps between the sides of the scintillator elements. The cast reflector mixture include a first powdered material having a higher Z and a higher density than titanium dioxide, and a refractivity index sufficient to effectively scatter and reflect light within the cast reflector mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6473486
    Abstract: The present invention provides a detector for a CT imaging system. The detector includes a focused scintillator for receiving and converting high frequency electromagnetic energy to light energy. The detector further includes a photodiode positioned adjacent to the scintillator and configured to receive light energy discharged through a light exiting surface of the scintillator. The detector also includes electrical leads to transmit signals from the photodiode to a data processing unit for image construction. The CT system also provides for a gantry having an output for projecting high frequency electromagnetic energy toward the scintillator. A method of use and method of fabricating the tapered scintillators of the tapered scintillator array are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Co., LLC
    Inventor: David M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6462341
    Abstract: A positron emission detection scanner includes a first plurality of detecting elements arranged in a first two dimensional geometrical array, the detecting elements defining a first detection surface oriented for receiving radiant energy stimulus incident thereto. The detecting elements each have a second surface for communicating light from a scintillation event occurring in response to receiving a radiant energy stimulus. A light transmitting member is provided for receiving light from the scintillation events from each of the detecting elements. A second plurality of light sensing members is arranged in a second two dimensional geometrical array, different from the first geometrical array, the alignment of the light sensing members is independent of the detecting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: ADAC Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerd Muehllehner
  • Patent number: 6462344
    Abstract: An X-ray image detector includes a photoelectric conversion part providing electric charges in accordance with the received amount of light; a charge storage part (storage capacitor) having a first storage electrode, a dielectric layer deposited on the first storage electrode, a second storage electrode on the dielectric layer and a pixel electrode in contact with total surface of the second storage electrode and collecting electric charges produced in the photoelectric conversion part; and a switching part controlling release of the electric charges stored in the storage capacitor and a method for fabricating the same. The x-ray image detector has a reduced “off” electric current due to a reduced leakage current of the TFT, and the capacity of storage capacitor is increased. Also, the X-ray image detector may be manufactured with a higher yield, due to reduced electrical shorts between the first and second storage electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Insu Joo, Yuho Jung
  • Patent number: 6459085
    Abstract: A device and method for determining the x- and y-positions, as well as the depth of interaction, of an interaction between a gamma ray and a scintillation crystal. In one embodiment, a first and a second sensor array are disposed on opposite sides of a scintillation crystal which is subjected in incident gamma radiation resulting in the release of photons. The first sensor array provides a measurement of the x- and y-positions of the interaction while the second sensor array provides a measurement of the depth-of-interaction. In one embodiment, the first sensor array is a photomultiplier array and the second sensor array is an array of wavelength-shifting fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
    Inventors: Wei Chang, Kenneth Matthews, Caesar Ordonez
  • Publication number: 20020130267
    Abstract: An improved fast neutron detector fabricated with alternating layers of hydrogenous, optically transparent, non scintillating material and scintillating material. Fast neutrons interact with the hydrogenous material generating recoil protons. The recoil protons enter the scintillating material resulting in scintillations. The detector is optically coupled to a photomultiplier tube which generates electrical pulses proportional in amplitude to the intensity of the scintillations, and therefore are an indication of the energy of the fast neutrons impinging upon the detector. Alternating layers of materials are dimensioned to optimize total efficiency of the detector, or to optimize the spectroscopy efficiency of the detector. The scintillating material is preferably ZnS, and the hydrogenous material is preferably plastic. The detector is ideally suited for well logging applications and fast neutron monitor applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Richard C. Odom, Donald E. Tiller, Robert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6452184
    Abstract: A composite phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced microchannels having diameters of the order of 10 microns or less. Deposited within each of the microchannels is a multiplicity of phosphors which emit light when acted upon by radiation. A photomultiplier, which may be microchannel based, is integrated with the X-ray detector so as to provide an enhanced output for use with low level X-ray of for cine or fluoroscopy applications. The walls of the microchannels and/or the substrate surfaces include dielectric stack based light reflective coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Nanocrystal Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Nikhil R. Taskar, John Victor D. Veliadis, Vishal Chhabra, Bharail Kulkarni, Neeta Pandit, Rameshwar Nath Bhargava, Roger Delano
  • Patent number: 6448559
    Abstract: A detector assembly for multi-modality PET/SPEC/CT scanners comprises a first layer for detecting low energy gamma radiation and X-rays and a second layer for detecting high energy gamma radiation. The first layer is generally transparent to high energy gamma radiation. The second layer may advantageously provide measurement of depth of interaction of the high energy radiation. The first layer is preferably in the form of a thin CsI(TI) scintillator, while the second layer includes a pair of LSO/GSO scintillators. The detector assembly includes a photodetector, preferably in the form avalanche photodiode to transform the light signals from the scintillators into electric signals. The detector assembly is advantageously incorporated in a multi-modality PET/SPECT/CT scanner allowing simultaneous transmission and emission imaging with the same detection geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Université de Sherbrooke
    Inventors: Abdelhamid Saoudi, Roger Lecomte
  • Patent number: 6444988
    Abstract: An electronic imaging system including; a transparent support having first and second sides; an optical interference coating on the first side of the transparent support; and a first prompt phosphor layer overlaying the interference coating for use in high resolution ionizing radiation imaging application or in low energy ionizing radiation imaging applications. The system also includes a second prompt phosphor layer which is removably overlaid on the first prompt phosphor layer for use in high energy ionizing radiation applications; and an electronic camera for converting the light image produced by the first and the second prompt phosphor layers when exposed to an ionizing radiation image, into an electronic image; wherein the phosphor of the first and second prompt phosphor layers emits radiation at wavelengths which are passed by the optical interference coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Douglas L. Vizard
  • Patent number: 6433341
    Abstract: In a radiation image photographing apparatus using a radiation detection cassette containing an image memory, image data read from the image memory are properly related to a photographing menu used at the time of obtaining the image data. A counter value C of a photographing counter 57 in a cassette 50 is converted to radio data C′ and transferred to a display apparatus 21 while being stored in an image memory 45 as accompanying information of image data D. The display apparatus 21 relates the transferred counter value C to a photographing menu. When the image data D are read from the image memory 45, the counter value C is also read and the photographing menu corresponding to the image data D is identified by referring to the counter value C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Shoji
  • Patent number: 6429430
    Abstract: A scintillator having a columnar structure adapted to convert incident radiation into visible light is formed on one surface of a substrate made of Al in a scintillator panel. All surfaces of the substrate and scintillator are covered with a first polyparaxylylene film, whereas an SiO2 film is formed on the surface of polyparaxylylene film on the scintillator side. Further, a second polyparaxylylene film is formed on the surface of SiO2 film and the surface of polyparaxylylene film on the substrate side, so that all surfaces are covered with the second polyparaxylylene film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroto Sato, Takuya Homme, Toshio Takabayashi
  • Publication number: 20020079455
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector module (1) in which a preferably metallic carrier (3) forms tubular cells (4) in which there is provided a mixture of a binder (7) and scintillator particles (6). The absorption of X-rays by the scintillator particles (6) gives rise to the emission of light of a longer wavelength (&lgr;1,&lgr;2) that can be detected by a detector (5) arranged at the far end of the cells (4). In order to keep the light yield as high as possible, a difference of less than 20% is pursued between the refractive indices of the binder (7) and the scintillator particles (6) and/or nano-crystalline scintillator particles (6) of a size of between 1 and 100 nm are used. Preferably, the cell walls (3, 3′) are extended in the direction of incidence of the X-rays in order to form an anti-scatter grid above the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Herfried Karl Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6407392
    Abstract: A radiation detector for detecting radiation comprises a scintillator, a first light guide, a plurality of second light guides and a photo detector. The scintillator generates a scintillated light in response to received radiation. The first light guide, which is connected to the scintillator, has a fluorescence characteristic. The second light guide has a common surface arranged at the opposite side of the surface of the scintillator where radiation is received, and the second light guide has a fluorescence characteristic. The photo detector is connected to the first light guide and the second light guide, and detects a fluorescent light therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Tsuyuki, Tatsuyuki Maekawa, Akio Sumita, Shunichiro Makino