With Optics Patents (Class 250/368)
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Publication number: 20020121604Abstract: A 6Li doped glass scintillator sheet is provided with grooves that are cut at given spacings in both a horizontal and a vertical direction. Bundles of wavelength shifting fibers are placed in the vertical grooves and a fluorescence reflector Al2O3 is buried in the horizontal grooves to make a group of detection pixels as separated by the horizontal and vertical grooves. Neutron detecting mediums which are each a mixture of YAlO3:Ce in powder form with a neutron converter 6LiF are provided on the top surface of the scintillator. Bundles of wavelength shifting fibers are also arranged horizontally on the bottom surface of the scintillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventor: Masaki Katagiri
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Publication number: 20020117625Abstract: The new scintillators are connected at one or more points or on one or more sides or faces, or on any or all sides to conductors which are collimators, lenses or fiber ends. Optical fibers in cables conduct the photons generated by the crystal scintillators to photon-actuated devices. The devices may be mounted near the crystal scintillators or remote from the crystal scintillators, for example on surfaces near drilled wells or exploration holes. The crystals or scintillators have any of several cross-sections. Down hole detectors or detectors used in other adverse conditions are ruggedized, with rugged flexible outer cases which are transparent to the looked-for energy, particles or rays, gamma rays for example. Inner scintillator construction of multiple aligned or angularly related scintillators connected to optical fiber ends allow bending, twisting and flexing without damaging scintillator arrays, individual scintillators, lenses or fiber optic connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventor: Kiril A. Pandelisev
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Patent number: 6442238Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray system which includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector for deriving an image signal. The X-ray detector includes an X-ray matrix sensor, such as an FDXD, which includes a matrix of sensor elements. Preferably, the sensor elements are light-sensitive &agr;-Si sensor elements (photodiodes) and the FDXD is provided with a scintillator layer which converts X-rays into light. The sensor elements generate electric charges that are read out in the form of an image signal that represents the X-ray image. The X-ray matrix sensor is provided with an additional array of detection elements which are arranged between the sensor elements and the X-ray source. More specifically, the detection elements are also &agr;-Si light-sensitive photodiodes. The scintillator layer is arranged between the X-ray matrix sensor and the additional array of detector elements. A partly transparent coating is disposed between the additional array of detector elements and the scintillator layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Hendrik Jan Meulenbrugge
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Patent number: 6414316Abstract: A radiation imaging device includes a scintillator, a cover and an imager substrate. A photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetectors is disposed on the imager substrate. The cover is hermetically bonded to the substrate with a sealant. The cover has outer sidewalls and a top side connecting the outer sidewalls. In attaching to the substrate, the cover is disposed on the imager substrate to surround the scintillator. A curable sealant is applied along the outer surface of the cover. The sealant is then cured to hermetically bond the cover to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Inventors: Fyodor I. Maydanich, Yakov Shvetskiy
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Publication number: 20020079455Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventor: Herfried Karl Wieczorek
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Publication number: 20020074502Abstract: A scintillator panel (2) comprises a radiation-transparent substrate (10), a flat resin film (12) formed on the substrate (10), a reflecting film (14) formed on the flat resin film (12), a deliquescent scintillator (16) formed on the reflecting film (14), and a transparent organic film (18) covering the scintillator (16).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Toshio Takabayashi, Takuya Homme, Hiroto Sato
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Patent number: 6407392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Akira Tsuyuki, Tatsuyuki Maekawa, Akio Sumita, Shunichiro Makino
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Patent number: 6403962Abstract: A device for detecting X-radiation comprises a scintillator for converting X-radiation impinging thereon into light, a detecting device for detecting the light produced by the scintillator, and a fibre optic system for feeding the light produced by the scintillator to the detecting device. The device for detecting X-radiation is additionally provided with a heating means for heating at least one section of the fibre optic system to a predetermined temperature while the X-radiation is being detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Peter Schmitt, Randolf Hanke, Norbert Bauer, Michael Maisl
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Patent number: 6389105Abstract: A portable, self-contained, electronic radioscopic imaging system uses a pulsed X-ray source, a remote X-ray sensor, and a self-contained, display and controller unit to produce, store, and/or display digital radioscopic images of an object under investigation in low voltage imaging environments such as medical applications including mammography and tissue imaging, and industrial radiography of low-density structures, or the like. The radiographic system uses an X-ray converter screen for converting impinging X-ray radiation to visible light, and thus each point impinged on the screen by X-ray radiation scintillates visible light emissions diverging from the screen. An image sensor, i.e., a CCD camera, is configured to sense the visible light from the screen. An aspheric objective lens operable with the CCD camera spatially senses visible light within a collection cone directed outwardly from the image sensor. An emission modification lens layer, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: Raulf M. Polichar, Richard C. Schirato, Janis Baltgalvis
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Patent number: 6384417Abstract: A sintered body of a rare earth oxysulfide is heat-treated at a temperature of 900° C. to 1200° C. in an atmosphere of a mixture of sulfur and oxygen to form island-like rare earth oxide phases on the surface of the sintered body to produce a ceramic scintillator. Therefore, the ceramic scintillator comprises a sintered body of a rare earth oxysulfide, and a rare earth oxide phase formed on the surface of the sintered body, wherein a rare earth oxysulfide phase or the rare earth oxide phase is dispersed on the surface of the sintered body, so that the optical output characteristic of the ceramic scintillator is improved. According to this ceramic scintillator, it is possible to remove the pressure and distortion during sintering, the coloring caused by the deviation from the stoichiometric composition, and the coloring caused during processing such as saw-cutting and polishing.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Miwa Okumura, Masaaki Tamatani, Naotoshi Matsuda, Takeshi Takahara, Yukihiro Fukuta
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Patent number: 6380541Abstract: This device comprises a chamber (4) with a pinhole, the walls of the chamber acting as shielding (6) that absorbs radiation. The chamber contains means of forming images of the sources, due to radiation, and the area in which the sources are located, due to visible light from this area. A part (36) of the shielding in which the pinhole (32) is located, is free to move and is fixed to an optical system (34) capable of providing sharp images in visible light over the required field depth by replacing the pinhole for the formation of the image of the area, and vice versa for formation of the image of the sources. Application to localizing gamma radiation sources.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Compagnie Generale des Matieres NucleairesInventors: Frédéric Laine, Olivier Gal, Séverine Gaucher
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Patent number: 6373061Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a radiation detector and a radiation detector of a computed tomography apparatus manufactured in accordance therewith, a grid-like structure is introduced into a luminophore layer. It is thus possible to simultaneously scan a number of slices during a computed tomography examination of a subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Seimens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thomas Deutscher
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Patent number: 6369391Abstract: A scintillator, having two faces, for use in medical diagnostic imaging devices, said devices including a plurality of light sensors for converting light generated in said scintillators to electrical signals, processors for converting the electrical signals to images and a monitor for displaying the images, said scintillator including a two dimensional distribution of intrinsic light controllers, said controllers changing the light distribution among the sensors to achieve a desired distribution wherein the light controllers focus the light such that the spread of light to detectors is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Elgems Ltd.Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Naor Wainer, Amir Pansky
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Patent number: 6369390Abstract: A scintillation camera crystal includes a plurality of light scattering holes in the crystal extending toward the photosensor and communicating with at least one surface of the crystal, the crystal is formed from a first material and the holes include a second material differing from the first material for deflecting the light generated by the scintillation crystal in response to incident gamma rays and reducing the spread of the generated light.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Digital Scintigraphics, Inc.Inventor: Sebastian Genna
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Publication number: 20020038851Abstract: The invention provides a fiber plate formed by arranging in mutually adjacent manner plural individual fiber plates of a same thickness so as to provide a light guiding plane larger in area than the light guiding plane of the individual one fiber plate, and a radiation image pickup apparatus utilizing such fiber plate, in which:Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Kenji Kajiwara, Osamu Hamamoto
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Patent number: 6362481Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing a solid state X-ray detector for a CT imaging system with an optical coupler having a substantially reduced coefficient of thermal expansivity (CTE). In accordance therewith, a prespecified amount of a ceramic scintillator material, in powdered form, is mixed with the resin component of an optical coupling material, such as transparent epoxy, which has resin and hardener components. Air bubbles are removed from the powdered scintillator-resin mixture, and a prespecified amount of the hardener component of the optical coupling material is combined therewith to provide a powdered scintillator-optical coupler composite. The CTE of the composite is substantially less than the CTE of epoxy only. A monolithic block or body of the ceramic scintillator material is placed in close, spaced-apart relationship with a photodiode device, and the gap therebetween is filled with the reduced CTE optical coupler composite to eliminate air spaces therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: John M. Warren
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Patent number: 6359282Abstract: A modular radiation detector includes a scintillator module containing a crystal, and an electronics module containing a light sensing device such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT), and an electronics package. The scintillator module and the electronics module are releaseably mechanically coupled, for example by means of mating threaded portions on each of the modules. The crystal and the PMT are optically coupled via an optical window in the scintillator module and a removable gel pad which is pressed between the modules as they are mechanically coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.Inventor: William D. Sekela
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Publication number: 20020031203Abstract: A portable, self-contained, electronic radioscopic imaging system uses a pulsed X-ray source, a remote X-ray sensor, and a self-contained, display and controller unit to produce, store, and/or display digital radioscopic images of an object under investigation in low voltage imaging environments such as medical applications including mammography and tissue imaging, and industrial radiography of low-density structures, or the like. The radiographic system uses an X-ray converter screen for converting impinging X-ray radiation to visible light, and thus each point impinged on the screen by X-ray radiation scintillates visible light emissions diverging from the screen. An image sensor, i.e., a CCD camera, is configured to sense the visible light from the screen. An aspheric objective lens operable with the CCD camera spatially senses visible light within a collection cone directed outwardly from the image sensor. An emission modification lens layer, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2000Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Raulf M. Polichar, Richard C. Schirato, Janis Baltgalvis
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Patent number: 6355932Abstract: A radiation detector assembly includes a radiation detector enclosed within a shield and a light detector enclosed in a housing and operatively connected to said radiation detector by a threaded connection between the shield and the housing. A first set of elongated, radial springs are located about the circumference of the light detector, radially between the housing and the light detector. A second set of similar radial springs are located about the circumference of the radiation detector, radially between the shield and the radiation detector. A tool casing encloses the detector assembly and a third set of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced radial springs are positioned between the tool casing and the detector assembly. Various optical coupler configurations are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Larry D. Frederick
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Publication number: 20020027200Abstract: A surface of a substrate made of Al in a scintillator panel 1 is sandblasted, whereas one surface thereof is formed with an MgF2 film as a low refractive index material. The surface of MgF2 film is formed with a scintillator having a columnar structure for converting incident radiation into visible light. Together with the substrate, the scintillator is covered with a polyparaxylylene film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Takuya Homme, Toshio Takabayashi
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Patent number: 6346707Abstract: An imaging system with an imaging assemblage including a prompt phosphor layer for converting an ionizing radiation image into a light image, and a transparent layer supporting the phosphor layer; wherein the light image is transmitted through the transparent layer; an electronic camera for converting the light image into an electronic image; and a light image transmission system between the imaging assemblage and the electronic camera for transmitting the light image to the electronic camera.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Douglas L. Vizard, Joel N. Helfer, William E. McLaughlin, David J. Steklenski
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Publication number: 20020014592Abstract: ? The invention relates to an X-ray detector for converting X-rays (27) into electric charges, including a scintillator arrangement (21) and a photosensor arrangement (28) which is situated therebelow; the light that is incident in openings Z between the pixels P is reflected to the photosensor D by means of a reflector arrangement (23) so that it contributes to an increased signal without degrading the spatial resolution of the X-ray detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Walter Rutten, Matthias Simon
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Patent number: 6344649Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fabricating scintillators for use in a CT systems are described. Adjacent scintillator elements are separated by gaps filled with a composition of white diffuse reflective material, a light absorber, and a castable polymer. The composition increases the strength of the signal to the photodiode by minimizing the amount of light that is lost by the scintillator elements. Additionally, the light absorber minimizes the amount of light transferred between adjacent scintillator elements to limit cross-talk. In addition, the outer edges of the scintillator may have a lower amount of light absorber to compensate for the light lost from the periphery.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert J. Riedner, Erdogan O. Gurmen, David M. Hoffman, August O. Englert, Timothy J. Sporer, Matthew R. Schedler
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Publication number: 20020005489Abstract: A radiation detector 10 is provided with three optical members 12, 14, 16 arranged so that their entrance end faces 12a, 14a, 16a are placed on a substantially identical plane; a scintillator 18 provided on the entrance end faces 12a, 14a, 16a of the optical members 12, 14, 16; a plurality of CCDs 20 for picking up optical images outputted from exit end faces 12b, 14b, 16b of the optical members 12, 14, 16; and a plurality of lightguide optical members 22 for guiding the optical images outputted from the exit end faces 12b, 14b, 16b of the optical members 12, 14, 16, to the CCDs 20. The optical members 12, 14, 16 are bonded and fixed to each other with an adhesive 24 having the light-absorbing property and spacings between them are set in the range of 10 to 15 &mgr;m. A protective film 26 is provided on the scintillator 18.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Yutaka Kasuyama, Katsutoshi Nonaka
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Publication number: 20020005488Abstract: In order to make available a detector assembly (100) for photons, more particularly X-ray gamma quanta, with a fiber glass body (10) possessing a screen surface (12) for the imaging of photons, a detector surface (14) with a photon detector (16) mounted thereupon as well as an intermediate section (18) which conducts photons imaged by the screen surface (12) to the detector surface (14); which permits the detection of as large as possible a solid angle in conjunction with a minimal distortion of the image, it is proposed that the screen surface (12) be configured in the form of a curved surface area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 1999Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventor: JULES HENDRIX
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Patent number: 6337488Abstract: A defect inspection apparatus enabling more reliable and quicker detection of a defect present in the surface of a stacked film formed on a wafer and enabling reliable and quicker detection of a minute defect even if there is unevenness in the surface of the wafer, including a light source, a light frequency shifter unit for converting light from the light source to a plurality of beams of inspection light and a beam of reference light having close frequencies, an object lens upon which the beams of inspection light are incident and focusing the beams of light on the wafer to form a plurality of different focal points corresponding to the beams of inspection light, a laser scanning unit for making the beams of inspection light scan the wafer, a light detection unit and cofocal pinhole plate 13 for detecting an intensity of a superposed light of the beams of reflected light and the beam of reference light at a cofocal point, and an analyzing unit serving as a contrast waveform generating means for generating aType: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kouki Okawauchi
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Publication number: 20010054695Abstract: Method of acquisition of images of an object in an imaging system equipped with a rotating assembly comprising an energy beam emitter and an energy beam receiver, the energy beam being centered on an axis, in which a continuous path of the moving assembly is defined along at least two axes of a three-dimensional reference, the axis of the energy beam describing a left curve on the path; and, in the course of the path, the energy beam is emitted and images are acquired.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Jean Lienard, Regis Vaillant, Laurent Breham, Francisco Sureda
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Patent number: 6333502Abstract: A radiation detector D comprises: a scintillator 1, a main light guide 4, a wavelength shift fiber 5 passing through the main light guide 4, and an auxiliary light guide 2 provided between the scintillator 1 and the main light guide 4. The scintillator 1 is designed to emit scintillation light in response to incoming radiation. The main light guide 4 is surrounded by a plane 4a of incidence, for allowing the scintillation light to be incident thereon, and a reflecting surface for inwardly reflecting the scintillation light entering the plane 4a of incidence. The wavelength shift fiber 5 is designed to absorb the scintillation light entering the main light guide 4 to re-emit the scintillation light as fluorescent pulses of a longer wavelength to allow the re-emitted fluorescent pulses to simultaneously leave both ends 5a, 5b.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Akio Sumita, Tatsuyuki Maekawa
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Publication number: 20010048080Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray system which includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector for deriving an image signal. The X-ray detector includes an X-ray matrix sensor, such as an FDXD, which includes a matrix of sensor elements. Preferably, the sensor elements are light-sensitive &agr;-Si sensor elements (photodiodes) and the FDXD is provided with a scintillator layer which converts X-rays into light. The sensor elements generate electric charges that are read out in the form of an image signal that represents the X-ray image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventor: Hendrik Jan Meulenbrugge
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Publication number: 20010038078Abstract: Device and method of treatment of light obtained from X-rays, comprising a means of filtering the light with a cutoff frequency such that a first part of the spectrum of the light emitted by a light emitter is preserved, the first part of the spectrum being independent of temperature, and a second part of the light spectrum is stopped, the second part of the spectrum presenting a shift dependent on temperature. The invention also concerns an imaging cassette, a dose measuring module and a radiology apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventor: Uwe Wiedmann
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Patent number: 6313465Abstract: A radiation discriminative measurement is performed by using a radiation discriminative measuring apparatus which comprises a radiation source for radiating radiations, first, second and third scintillators disposed in a region which is irradiated with the radiations radiated from the radiation source, and an image pickup means to deal with the light beams emitted from the first, second and third scintillators and the discrimination measurement includes the steps of arranging the first, second and third scintillators in a region which is irradiated with the radiations radiated from the radiation source, causing the first scintillator to respond to type A, type B and type C radiations radiated from the radiation source and to emit alight beam in a first wavelength region, causing the second scintillator to respond to type B and type C radiations which pass through the first scintillator so as to to emit a light beam in a second wavelength region, and causing the third scintillator to respond to a type C radiatType: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Koichi Nittoh, Takeshi Takahara, Yukihiro Fukuta, Chikara Konagai
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Patent number: 6298113Abstract: A scintillator pack including an x-ray damage shield. The scintillator pack has an array of scintillator pixels. A scintillation light reflecting layer that reflects scintillation light from the pixels is included at least between the scintillator pixels in inter-scintillator regions. An x-ray absorbing layer acts as the x-ray damage shield to protect the portions of the scintillation light reflecting layer from x-rays. The x-ray absorbing layer is formed selectively and in a self aligned manner in regions over the inter-scintillator regions.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Jude Duclos, Jacob Charles Bortscheller, George William Taylor, Christopher Jay Morse
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Patent number: 6294789Abstract: A radiation intensifying screen is formed by a reflective-transmissive layer which is disposed between two radiation absorbing, luminescent phosphor layers having emission maximum wavelengths which are well separated. The reflective-transmissive layer is either a long wave pass or short wave pass filter which provides maximum reflection for spectral emissions produced in the first luminescent layer but, at the same time, allows the maximum transmission of spectral emissions produced in the second luminescent layer. An optional secondary reflective layer and a backing layer are provided adjacent to the second luminescent layer. As a result, spectral emissions in the first luminescent layer have a relatively short traveling path compared to the path in a conventional intensifying screen. The disclosed dual layer intensifying screen construction increases the spatial resolution of the phosphor screen without adversely affecting the screen speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventor: Zhenxue Jing
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Patent number: 6288399Abstract: A depth of interaction detector block for improving the spatial resolution and uniformity in modern high resolution PET systems over an entire FOV. An LSO crystal layer, a GSO crystal layer, and a light guide are stacked on each other and mounted on a 2×2 PMT set, so that the corners of the phoswich are positioned over the PMT centers. The crystal phoswich is cut into a matrix of discrete crystals. The separation of the LSO and the GSO layers by pulse shape discrimination allows discrete DOI information to be obtained. The block design provides an external light guide used to share the scintillation light in four PMTs. The 4 PMT signals Si are connected to an amplifier box which offers a 4 pole semi-Gaussian shaping for each of the four PMT signals, a sample clock for triggering the ADC cards and a fast sum signal &Sgr;iSi of the four PMT signals Si for pulse shape discrimination. A CFD provides a START signal for the time to pulse height converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: CTI Pet Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Andreaco, Charles W. Williams, Michael E. Casey, Ronald Nutt
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Patent number: 6271525Abstract: A gamma camera comprising essentially and in order from the front outer or gamma ray impinging surface: 1) a collimator, 2) a scintillator layer, 3) a light guide, 4) an array of position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes, and 5) printed circuitry for receipt of the output of the photomultipliers. There is also described, a system wherein the output supplied by the high resolution, position sensitive photomultipiler tubes is communicated to: a) a digitizer and b) a computer where it is processed using advanced image processing techniques and a specific algorithm to calculate the center of gravity of any abnormality observed during imaging, and c) optional image display and telecommunications ports.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Southeastern University Research Assn.Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Randolph F. Wojcik
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Publication number: 20010006214Abstract: An X-ray detector comprising a scintillator including a doped alkali halogenide, and comprising an array of photodiodes including at least one photodiode containing a semiconductor material, with a color transformer containing a photoluminescent phosphor being arranged between the scintillator and the array of photodiodes, enables a larger part of the X-radiation to be used for image analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: July 5, 2001Inventors: Herbert Friedrich Boerner, Hans Nikol, Herfried Karl Wieczorek
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Patent number: 6252231Abstract: An x-ray detector system for a computed tomography (CT) scanner includes a plurality of x-ray scintillating crystals disposed in an array. A highly dense, light-reflective, x-ray absorbent medium is disposed in the spaces between adjacent crystals. In a preferred embodiment, the medium comprises a mixture of tantalum pentoxide and an optically transparent epoxy.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventor: Simon George Harootian
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Patent number: 6178224Abstract: A portable, self-contained, electronic radioscopic imaging system uses a pulsed X-ray source, a remote X-ray sensor, and a self-contained, display and controller unit to produce, store, and/or display digital radioscopic images of an object under investigation in low voltage imaging environments such as medical applications including mammography and tissue imaging, and industrial radiography of low-density structures, or the like. The radiographic system uses an X-ray converter screen for converting impinging X-ray radiation to visible light, and thus each point impinged on the screen by X-ray radiation scintillates visible light emissions diverging from the screen. An image sensor, i.e., a CCD camera, is configured to sense the visible light from the screen. An aspheric objective lens operable with the CCD camera spatially senses visible light within a collection cone directed outwardly from the image sensor. An emission modification lens layer, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Science Applications International CorporationInventors: Raulf M. Polichar, Richard C. Schirato, Janis Baltgalvis
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Patent number: 6131051Abstract: Described herein is an in-dash automotive accessory having a detachable faceplate with a keypad and a medium resolution color graphics display. The graphic display has a rectangular array of addressable pixels. A serial interface is used to transfer data to and from the faceplate. Although the serial interface has a clock rate of only 7.5 MHz, it allows refreshing of a 64.times.256 pixel display panel at a 70 Hz pixel refresh rate. This is accomplished through a variety of techniques, including the use of efficient command code protocol, by packing or compressing pixel intensity data, and by double buffering incoming control messages.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Richard D. Beckert, Alec Barker, Mark M. Moeller
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Patent number: 6121619Abstract: A method for predicting PMT failure in a gamma camera by generating historical data for each PMT in a gamma camera indicating high voltage gain values at which each PMT causes autotune failure. The historical data is analyzed to predict PMT failure accurately thereby allowing PMT maintenance prior to failure actually occurring.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert J. Johnsen, Nicholas Waterton, Burke D. Brunet
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Patent number: 6111257Abstract: A gamma camera includes at least one detector assembly 10. The detector assembly includes an array of photomultiplier tubes, a sheet of scintillating crystal material, a sheet of optical glass, and a matrix of mu-metal material. The mu-metal matrix defines an array of apertures corresponding to the array of photomultiplier tubes into which apertures the photomultiplier tubes are inserted. The scintillating crystal is bonded to the first surface of the optical glass. The mu-metal matrix is connected to the second surface of the sheet of optical glass using an adhesive such as an epoxy cement. By integrating the metal matrix into the structure formed by the glass sheet and the crystal, the glass sheet may be made thinner than before while the crystal is supported against possible bending and consequent fracture.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Picker International, Inc.Inventors: Dennis C. Shand, Frank C. Valentino, John R. Leichliter
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Patent number: 6087663Abstract: Light guides (1) capable of encoding the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of light emission induced by the interaction of photons in an array of a plurality of the light guides. Each light guide has at least two discrete crystal segments (4) adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the light guide (1). Between adjacent segments is a boundary layer (7) having less light transmission than the light transmission of the crystal segments (4). A light absorbing mask (8) increases light adsorption in a segment (4). Photons enter the light guide (1) and cause the emission of scintillation light which is delivered in different and resolvable quantities to light sensing devices. The differences in quantity of delivered light is caused by successive decreases in light in part by the boundary layers (7). The differences in quantity of light establish the segment from which the light emission took place.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: TriumfInventors: Christian Moisan, Mark S. Andreaco, Sebastian Paquet, Joel G. Rogers
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Patent number: 6087665Abstract: A multi-layer scintillator having a first and a second layer of scintillation material. In one embodiment, the scintillator first layer has fast scintillation characteristics and the second layer has a higher transparency than the first layer. The two scintillating layers are bonded together so that a light signal is transferred from the first layer to the second layer and the second layer to a photodiode adjacent the second layer. The specific scintillating materials are selected to achieve the desired characteristics of the scintillator.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David M. Hoffman, Hui David He
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Patent number: 6078052Abstract: A radiation detector includes wavelength-shifting optical fibers which are selected and arranged to capture a greater percentage of visible photons through the use of two or more different color stages of wavelength-shifting fibers. A primary set of optical fibers contains a first wavelength shifting optical fiber tuned to absorb photons emitted by the detector crystal and to re-emit photons at a longer wavelength. At least some of the re-emitted photons from the primary set of optical fibers are captured and transmitted down the first wavelength shifting optical fiber. A secondary set of optical fibers contains a second wavelength shifting optical fiber tuned to absorb photons emitted by the primary set of optical fibers and to re-emit photons at a still lower frequency. In this way at least some of the photons emitted by the primary set of optical fibers and not transmitted down the first optical fiber are captured and transmitted down the secondary optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Picker International, Inc.Inventor: Frank P. DiFilippo
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Patent number: 6072523Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional imaging system (2), including a first camera (6) and a second camera (8), both facing a field of view of two-dimensional images and a normally open, fast gating device (12) interposed between the second camera (8) and the field of view (14 and 26). The system further includes a frame grabber (10) connected to the first and the second camera, and a computer (14) for receiving signals representing, pixel by pixel, light intensities of an image during a predetermined period of time and signals representing same pixel by pixel of light intensities arriving at the second camera until the fast gating device (12) is closed, and for determining three-dimensional imaging signals therefrom to eventually be displayed. A method for producing three-dimensional imaging is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.Inventors: Daniel Zajfman, Oded Herber, Zeev Vager
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Patent number: 6069361Abstract: An improved solid-state detector for use in a digital X-Ray imaging system. The detector includes two or more silicon CCDs that are sandwiched together with phosphor screens or layers between them in order to improve the overall sensitivity of the detector to X-rays. In order to improve the resolution of the device, the CCDs are offset relative to one another so that the pixels of one cover the nonsensing portions of the other. The phosphorescent screen is combined with an opaque mask containing holes corresponding to positions of the pixels in the CCDs. This arrangement improves image quality by preventing light resulting from an X-ray striking the phosphorescent screen in a particular location from "bleeding" and exposing adjacent pixels.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1997Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Roger B. Rubinstein
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Patent number: 6066851Abstract: A radiation deep dose measuring apparatus. A corpuscular beam detector of scintillation fibers bundled together into a block is adjusted in position to have a width similar to the radiation range of corpuscular beams; a driving apparatus rotates the corpuscular beam detector and an image receiver together around a center corresponding to a radial axis of the beams; the image receiver captures the image of scintillation light emanating from the corpuscular beam detector; an image signal processing apparatus processes the image signal to produce the distribution of radiation doses as a function of depth; and a displaying apparatus displays the result. The radiation deep dose measuring apparatus allows rapid measurement of radiation doses in three-dimensional space.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kunio Madono, Eisaku Teratani, Kazunori Ikegami, Hiroshi Nishizawa, Satoshi Senoo
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Patent number: 6060713Abstract: A detector comprising a plurality of densely packed x-ray detectors arranged into an array. Each detector preferably comprises a scintillator element which is optically coupled to a photodetector element, preferably with a fiber optic link. Each photodetector element is preferably optically separate from adjacent photodetector elements. The detector array preferably includes integral alignment means to align the scintillator elements with the photodetector elements. The scintillator array elements are preferably formed from materials which possess a fast response and a minimum afterglow time.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Inventors: Brian Skillicorn, Giovanni Pastrone
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Patent number: 6031234Abstract: A radiation imager includes a photosensor array that is coupled to a scintillator so as to detect optical photons generated when incident radiation is absorbed in the scintillator. The imager includes an optical crosstalk attenuator that is optically coupled to a first surface of the scintillator (that is, the surface opposite the photosensor). The optical crosstalk attenuator includes an optical absorption material that is disposed so as to inhibit reflection of optical photons incident on the scintillator first surface back into the scintillator along selected crosstalk reflection paths. The crosstalk reflection paths are those paths oriented such that optical photons passing along such paths would be incident upon photosensor array pixels that are outside of a selected focal area corresponding to the absorption point in the scintillator.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1997Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Albagli, Robert Forrest Kwasnick, George Edward Possin
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Patent number: 6015974Abstract: A scintillation camera including photosensors for producing an output in response to emitted light; a scintillation material for emitting light directed to the photosensors in response to radiation absorbed by a source, the scintillation material formed in two or more segments defining an optical interface between adjacent segments; and an increased surface area at the interface for improving the transmissivity of the interface and efficiently optically coupling the adjacent sensors.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Digital Scintigraphics, Inc.Inventor: Sebastian Genna