With Output System Patents (Class 250/369)
  • Publication number: 20110284753
    Abstract: A semiconductor diode scintillation detector probe, in conjunction with a base-line-stabilized, wide-bandwidth first amplifying circuit DC-coupled to a constrained-bandwidth second amplifying circuit DC-coupled, in turn, to a novel analog threshold discriminator circuit, suppresses base-line fluctuation and noise at low input count-rates, while providing a linear rate-meter response for time-random input pulse rates far in excess of what would otherwise—as in the prior art—be 100% saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Lewis Ronald Carroll
  • Patent number: 8058622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photomultiplier tube interface device (PMT), comprising a PMT module and a circuit substrate. The PMT module comprises a plurality of pins formed at a front end. A plurality of contacts are disposed on a lateral side of the circuit substrate to be electrically connected to the plurality of pins while a connecting base is arranged at a peripheral portion on another lateral side of the circuit substrate to be electrically connected to the contacts. By means of the interface device, not only the connecting pins of the PMT can be protected from being damaged and generating high frequency noise but also the convenience for assembling or replacing the PMT can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Shih-Fan Yu, Tzong-Dar Wu, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20110272585
    Abstract: A halide scintillator material is disclosed. The material is single-crystalline and has a composition of the formula A3MBr6(1-x)Cl6x (such as Cs3CeBr6(1-x)Cl6x) or AM2Br7(1-x)Cl7x (such as CsCe2Br7(1-x)Cl7x), 0?x?1, wherein A consists essentially of Li, Na K, Rb, Cs or any combination thereof, and M consists essentially of Ce, Sc, Y, La, Lu, Gd, Pr, Tb, Yb, Nd or any combination thereof. Furthermore, a method of making halide scintillator materials of the above-mentioned compositions is disclosed. In one example, high-purity starting halides (such as CsBr, CeBr3, CsCl and CeCl3) are mixed and melted to synthesize a compound of the desired composition of the scintillator material. A single crystal of the scintillator material is then grown from the synthesized compound by the Bridgman method. The disclosed scintillator materials are suitable for making scintillation detectors used in applications such as medical imaging and homeland security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kan Yang, Mariya Zhuravleva, Charles L. Melcher, Piotr Szupryczynski
  • Patent number: 8050743
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Intramedical Imaging, LLC
    Inventor: Farhad Daghighian
  • Publication number: 20110260068
    Abstract: Provided are a radioactive contamination monitoring device and a radioactive contamination monitoring method for enabling easy detection of radiation from an object to be monitored in a little surrounding space. The radioactive contamination monitoring device comprises a radiation detection unit, a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the light generated in the radiation detection unit to electricity, and a signal processing unit connected to the photoelectric conversion unit. The radiation detection unit includes a quadrangular prism-shaped light guide bar having a rectangular cross-section and a scintillator attached only to two adjacent side faces of the four side faces of the light guide bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, TOSHIBA PLANT SYSTEMS & SERVICES CORPORATION, TOSHIBA POWER SYS RADIATION TECH- SERVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori Nakashima, Tetsuo Goto, Kenzo Ogawa, Kanji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8044357
    Abstract: Light emitted in correspondence to ionizing radiation incident from a scintillator is fed through an optical fiber to a photoelectron multiplier tube by which it is converted to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified by a signal amplifying circuit, and any light emission events of given or higher intensity are discriminated by a discriminator and counted by a counter. The count value is fed to a computer. The computer converts the count value to a dosage on the basis of an exponential relationship lying between the light emission intensity and the number of emission events, thereby attaining detection of the dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: National University Corporation Hokkaido University
    Inventor: Masayori Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110253900
    Abstract: Charged particle beamlet lithography system for transferring a pattern to a surface of a target comprising a sensor for determining one or more characteristics of one or more charged particle beamlets. The sensor comprises a converter element for receiving charged particles and generating photons in response. The converter element comprises a surface for receiving one or more charged particle beamlets, the surface being provided with one or more cells for evaluating one or more individual beamlets. Each cell comprises a predetermined blocking pattern of one or more charged particle blocking structures forming multiple knife edges at transitions between blocking and non-blocking regions along a predetermined beamlet scan trajectory over the converter element surface. The converter element surface is covered with a coating layer substantially permeable for said charged particles and substantially impermeable for ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: MAPPER LITHOGRAPHY IP B.V.
    Inventor: Rabah HANFOUG
  • Patent number: 8039804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating an image dataset obtained by a radiation-based image acquisition device. A scatter background dataset is determined as a function of the image data. The image dataset is corrected pixel by pixel by multiplying the image dataset with the inverse of a function dependent on the quotient of the scatter background data and the image data at a respective pixel. The function is a nonlinear, smooth function determined by a coefficient and having positive derivatives. The absolute value of the function is one for the value zero. The image acquisition parameter dependent coefficient is determined by an optimization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Brunner, Christoph Köhler, Bernd Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20110240868
    Abstract: The application describes an X-ray detector for use in a medical equipment, wherein the detector comprises an unit for transforming X-ray radiation into electrical charge, a first capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, wherein the first capacitor is electrically connected to the unit for transforming, a second capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, and a first gain switching gate, wherein the second capacitor is electrically connected with the unit for transforming if the first gain switching gate is in on-state, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further the application describes an X-ray system comprising a detector according to the invention, wherein the system is adapted for gain selection, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Walter Ruetten, Rainer Kiewitt, Olaf Wischhusen
  • Publication number: 20110240864
    Abstract: When detecting scintillation events in a nuclear imaging system, time-stamping and energy-gating processing is incorporated into autonomous detection modules (ADM) (14) to reduce downstream processing. Each ADM (14) is removably coupled to a detector fixture (13), and comprises a scintillation crystal array (66) and associated light detect or (s) (64), such as a silicon photomultiplier or the like. The light detector(s) (64) is coupled to a processing module (62) in or on the ADM (14), which performs the energy gating and time-stamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Degenhardt, Thomas Frach, Gordian Prescher
  • Publication number: 20110226957
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radioactive ray detecting apparatus includes: a scintillator that produces visible light from a radioactive ray; a light detecting portion including a light receiving element that generates an electrical signal on a basis of intensity of visible light; a first board; a first electrical connection unit that electrically connects the light detecting portion and a first surface of the first board to each other; a second board disposed to face the first board; a second electrical connection that electrically connects a first surface of the second board and a second surface of the first board being opposite from the first surface of the first board to each other; and a data acquisition device that processes an electrical signal transmitted from the light detecting portion through the first electrical connection unit, the first board, the second electrical connection unit, and the second board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru ASAGIRI, Takayuki Yamazaki, Michito Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20110220803
    Abstract: A radiation signal-processing unit including a position identifying device for identifying an incident radiation position in a radiation detector; a count data-memory device for storing positional information outputted from the position identifying device, a count ratio-calculation device for calculating a count ratio based on the positional information stored in the count data-memory device, a reference count ratio-memory device for memorizing a reference count ratio as the count ratio calculated under a state where fluorescence to be detected does not overlap each other temporally, and a correction instruction device for reading the reference count ratio from the reference count ratio-memory device and comparing the ratio with the count ratio, thereby instructing execution of correction of a radiation generating position to the position identifying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Junichi Ohi, Masafumi Furuta, Masanobu Sato
  • Publication number: 20110220802
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Jean-Francois Genat, Hervé Grabas, Chien-Min Kao, Chin-Tu Chen, Heejong Kim, Fukun Tang
  • Publication number: 20110215249
    Abstract: An electric signal produced by a photo-electric conversion element(104) is input to a comparator (120). The comparator (120) judges whether the electric signal output from the amplifier (110) exceeds a reference voltage or not, and outputs a HIGH signal if “exceeds”. A reference voltage modifier unit (130) elevates the reference voltage, after a predetermined time period elapses since the comparator (120) judged that the electric signal reached or exceeded the reference voltage. The signal processor calculates an incidence time which represents a time when the signal light starts to enter the photo-electric converter unit (100), by correcting a rise-up time of the electric signal when it reaches or exceeds the reference voltage, based on a pulse width which represents a time period from when the electric signal exceeds the reference voltage, up to when the electric signal falls below the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, FURUKAWA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Usuki, Kei Kamada
  • Publication number: 20110204244
    Abstract: A neutron detector is disclosed. The neutron detector includes an optically transparent, low density solid porous matrix containing nanoparticles of a neutron absorbing material having a neutron absorption capture cross-section of at least about 70 barns, optionally doped with a scintillating material, for absorbing neutrons and emitting scintillation photons; and at least one detector element connected to the optically transparent neutron detector to detect fluorescence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas M. Haard, Joan A. Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110192979
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: OHMART/VEGA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bonaventure Cahill
  • Publication number: 20110192980
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for compensating for anode gain non-uniformity in a Multi-anode Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube (PS-PMT), in which a compensation unit is disposed between the multi-anode position sensitive photomultiplier tube and a position detection circuit unit and configured to uniform a current signal inputted to the position detection circuit unit, thereby compensating for anode gain non-uniformity. In accordance with the present invention, the compensation unit for changing resistance is used. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the gain non-uniformity of each of the anodes of the PS-PMT can be compensated for. Furthermore, the gain non-uniformity of each of the anodes of the PS-PMT is compensated for by changing resistance values of the variable resistances of the compensation unit. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the interaction positions of gamma rays can be calculated more precisely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jae Sung Lee, Chan Mi Lee, Sun Il Kwon, Mikiko Ito, Hyun Suk Yoon, Sang Keun Park, Seong Jong Hong, Dong Soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20110186740
    Abstract: A system for controlling photomultiplier gain drift is disclosed. According to one aspect, the system includes first means for measuring a noise signal of the photomultiplier, the first means configured emit a measurement signal representative of the photomultiplier's noise signal. The system further includes second means for maintaining the measured noise signal at a constant level, based on the measurement signal. The disclosed embodiments apply to stabilization of the gain of photomultipliers and, more specifically, to stabilization of neutron measurement systems using photomultipliers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomiwque et aux energies altenatives
    Inventors: Stéphane Normand, Anne-Marie Frelin, Hassen Hamrita, Vladimir Kondrasovs
  • Publication number: 20110168902
    Abstract: Described is device comprising dosimeter for measuring one or more doses of radiation; and an RFID tag comprising an antenna for communicating with an RFID tag reader and non-volatile memory for storing data therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Landauer, Inc.
    Inventor: R. CRAIG YODER
  • Publication number: 20110158387
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to radiation detectors having a layer of a high Z material, such as tungsten or lead, disposed on a face of a photodetector layer or other underlying layer. In one embodiment, the layer of the high Z material substantially prevents radiation from reaching on or more electronics components or circuits, such as an analog-to-digital conversion ASIC or other circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahesh Raman Narayanaswamy, Gregory Scott Zeman
  • Patent number: 7947957
    Abstract: The invention provides a data processing device for processing an reference background spectrum and a measurement spectrum of a radioactive material represented by a multichannel spectrum to acquire energy region information of detected gamma rays comprises: energy region dividing means for degenerating multichannel spectrum into a degenerated spectrum of limited channels; degenerated spectrum calculating means for calculating a background and measurement degenerated spectrum corresponding to degenerated spectrum of limited channels respectively; energy ratio calculating means for calculating a energy ratio based on the calculated background and measurement degenerated spectrum; peak-detection means, for searching a peak value in the calculated energy ratios; energy region determining information for determining a corresponding energy region of gamma rays based on the searched peak value in the energy ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Ming Ruan, Yingrong Jian, Kun Zhao, Jin Lin
  • Patent number: 7939807
    Abstract: A scintigraphic device includes: a collimator for receiving and directing electromagnetic radiation from a source; a scintillation structure associated with the collimator for receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the collimator and converting it into visible radiation; an electro-optical converter combined with a suitable electronics and associated with the scintillation structure for receiving the visible radiation and converting it into electric signals; a processing unit connected to the electro-optical converter for receiving the electric signals and rebuilding, as a function of the electric signals, images of the source; an actuating system for mutually moving the source and the collimator to enable the collimator to detect the electromagnetic radiation at different mutual positioning locations of the source and the collimator, the processing unit being adapted to rebuild a plurality of auxiliary images representative of the source, each auxiliary image corresponding to a respective mutual positi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche
    Inventors: Alessandro Soluri, Roberto Massari
  • Publication number: 20110095173
    Abstract: A radiation detector can include a photosensor to receive light via an input and to send an electrical pulse via an output in response to receiving the light. The radiation detector can also include a pulse analyzer to send an indicator to a pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse and to not send the indicator to the pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a noise pulse. The pulse analyzer can be coupled to the output of the photosensor. A method can include receiving an electrical pulse at a pulse analyzer from an output of a photosensor and determining whether the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse or a noise pulse, based on a pulse shape of the electrical pulse. The method can also include sending the electrical pulse to a pulse counter when the electrical pulse corresponds to a scintillation pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Menge, John C. Cooper, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110079726
    Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a first material to produce a first light in response to receiving a target radiation. The radiation detection system can also include a second material to propagate a second light to a first end of the second material and to a second end of the second material, in response to receiving the first light. The radiation detection system can also include a reflector coupled to the first end of the second material. In an embodiment, the reflector can reflect the second light, so that the reflected second light can be received by a photosensor coupled to a second end of the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kusner, Michael R. Mayhugh
  • Publication number: 20110024634
    Abstract: Li-6 enriched Li-containing scintillator compositions, as well as related structures and methods. Radiation detection systems and methods include a Cs2LiLn Halide scintillator composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanai S. Shah, William M. Higgins, Edgar V. Van Loef, Jaroslaw Glodo, Rastgo Hawrami, Urmila Shirwadkar
  • Patent number: 7873144
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus (10) comprises a primary radiation source (14) which projects a beam of radiation into an examination region (16). A detector (18) converts detected radiation passing through the examination region (16) into electrical detector signals representative of the detected radiation. The detector (18) has at least one temporally changing characteristic such as an offset B(t) or gain A(t). A grid pulse means (64) turns the primary radiation source (14) ON and OFF at a rate between 1000 and 5000 pulses per second, such that at least the offset B(t) is re-measured between 1000 and 5000 times per second and corrected a plurality of times during generation of the detector signals. The gain A(t) is measured by pulsing a second pulsed source (86, 100, 138) of a constant intensity (XRef) with a second pulse means (88). The gain A(t) is re-measured and corrected a plurality of times per second during generation of the detector signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo, Brian E. Harwood, Rodney A. Mattson, Chris J. Vrettos
  • Publication number: 20110001052
    Abstract: A computed radiography system comprises a radiation detecting system wherein an image is formed by the steps of (1) exposing an object to radiation; (2) forming a first digitized image directly captured from said radiation by a detector; (3) storing said digitized image from said radiation on an intermediate medium; (4) forming a latent image originating from the same radiation, as an image stored in a photostimulable phosphor layer, and (5) retrieving said directly captured digitized image and superposing it onto a digitized image originating from said latent image in said photostimulable phosphor layer after photostimulation of said phosphor layer with radiation having a lower energy than the said exposure radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Luc Struye
  • Publication number: 20100320391
    Abstract: A radiation sensor including a scintillation layer configured to emit photons upon interaction with ionizing radiation and a photodetector including in order a first electrode, a photosensitive layer, and a photon-transmissive second electrode disposed in proximity to the scintillation layer. The photosensitive layer is configured to generate electron-hole pairs upon interaction with a part of the photons. The radiation sensor includes pixel circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and configured to measure an imaging signal indicative of the electron-hole pairs generated in the photosensitive layer and a planarization layer disposed on the pixel circuitry between the first electrode and the pixel circuitry such that the first electrode is above a plane including the pixel circuitry. A surface of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode at least partially overlaps the pixel circuitry and has a surface inflection above features of the pixel circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: Larry E. ANTONUK
  • Patent number: 7855370
    Abstract: A method of detecting edges of a preamplifier signal including identifying a first portion of the signal wherein each part thereof has an instantaneous slope having a first polarity, identifying a second portion immediately following the first portion wherein each part thereof has an instantaneous slope having a second opposite polarity, and identifying a third portion immediately following the second portion wherein each part thereof has an instantaneous slope having the first polarity. The method further includes determining a first difference between the magnitudes associated with an end point and a beginning point of the second segment, determining a second difference between the magnitude associated with an end point of the third segment and the magnitude associated with a beginning point of the first segment, and detecting an edge if: (i) the first difference exceeds a threshold, and (ii) the second difference exceeds a fraction of the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsetor, LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. Mott
  • Publication number: 20100301198
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for the detection of nuclear radiation. The system can include a scintillator material that intrinsically generates radiation and a photodetection system coupled to the scintillator material and adapted to generate electrical signals based on light emitted from the scintillator material. A processing system adapted and programmed to receive the electrical signals, to generate a count rate reference value based at least in part on electrical signals generated in response to the light emitted from the scintillator material due to the intrinsically generated radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markus Berheide, James A. Grau, Bradley Albert Roscoe, Peter Wraight
  • Publication number: 20100301220
    Abstract: A gamma ray detector is disclosed. A scintillation layer (60), for example of barium fluoride, is formed of a plurality of adjacent elongate rods, each rod being elongate within the plane of the layer, and being provided with a plurality of slots (62) distributed along the length of the rod and extending in a width direction also coplanar with the layer. Behind the scintillation layer a sensor determines a position of uv photons exiting the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Robert John Ott, Richard Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20100294943
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Innovative American Technology Inc.
    Inventor: DAVID L. FRANK
  • Publication number: 20100288933
    Abstract: A voltage divider for supplying a photomultiplier. The voltage divider may include a plurality of active circuits, each of the active circuits configured to establish divided voltage levels at separate ports of a photomultiplier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Artan Duraj
  • Patent number: 7829857
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Publication number: 20100270462
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for radiographic imaging (including conventional CT and radiation therapy portal and CT), nuclear medicine, material composition analysis, container inspection, mine detection, remediation, high energy physics, and astronomy. This invention provides novel face-on, edge-on, edge-on sub-aperture resolution (SAR), and face-on SAR scintillator detectors, designs and systems for enhanced slit and slot scan radiographic imaging suitable for medical, industrial, Homeland Security, and scientific applications. Some of these detector designs are readily extended for use as area detectors, including cross-coupled arrays, gas detectors, and Compton gamma cameras. Energy integration, photon counting, and limited energy resolution readout capabilities are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100268074
    Abstract: The present invention provides strontium halide scintillators as well as related radiation detection devices, imaging systems, and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar V. Van Loef, Kanai S. Shah, Jarek Glodo, Cody M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7818047
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nova R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Tumay O Tumer, Martin Clajus, Gerard Visser
  • Publication number: 20100258731
    Abstract: Multiplexing for radiation imaging is provided by using optical delay combiners to provide distinct optical encoding for each detector channel. Each detector head provides an optical output which is encoded. The encoded optical signals can be optically combined to provide a single optical output for all of the detectors in the system. This single optical output can be coupled to a fast photodetector (e.g., a streak camera). The pulse readout from the photodetector can decode the arrival time of the event, the energy of the event, and which channels registered the detection event. Preferably, the detector heads provide coherent optical outputs, and the optical delay combiners are preferably implemented using photonic crystal technology to provide photonic integrated circuits including many delay combiners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Craig S. Levin, Peter D. Olcott
  • Publication number: 20100252723
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes an array of detector pixels each including an array of detector cells. Each detector cell includes a photodiode biased in a breakdown region and digital circuitry coupled with the photodiode and configured to output a first digital value in a quiescent state and a second digital value responsive to photon detection by the photodiode. Digital triggering circuitry is configured to output a trigger signal indicative of a start of an integration time period responsive to a selected number of one or more of the detector cells transitioning from the first digital value to the second digital value. Readout digital circuitry accumulates a count of a number of transitions of detector cells of the array of detector cells from the first digital state to the second digital state over the integration time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas FRACH, Klaus FIEDLER
  • Patent number: 7807974
    Abstract: A nuclear medical diagnosis apparatus capable of attaining improvement of the sensitivity by the reduction of a count loss of the data is provided. A data sort section inside a data acquisition unit re-arranges and outputs the data packet from a plurality of auxiliary data acquisition unit in order of the detection time data. A coincidence detection section includes a pair check section and a pair generation section. The pair check section refers to a context on the data packet re-arranged in order of the detection time, and judges a pair relating to a coincidence counting. The pair generation section, based on this judgment result, merges the data packet used as a pair, and outputs the same to the collection work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Ishitsu, Yuichiro Ueno, Kensuke Amemiya, Keiji Kobashi
  • Publication number: 20100243878
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an automatic drift compensation of a scintillation counter may include a drift compensation monitoring unit which is designed to evaluate a counting rate caused by a monitoring radiation source for the purpose of monitoring the automatic drift compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Ewald FREIBURGER, Juergen Briggmann, Gerhard Kappler
  • Publication number: 20100224783
    Abstract: A scintillator system is provided to detect the presence of fissile material and radioactive material. One or more neutron detectors are based on 6LiF mixed in a binder medium with scintillator material, and are optically coupled to one or more wavelength shifting fiber optic light guide media that have a tapered portion extending from the scintillator material to guide light from the scintillator material to a photosensor at the tapered portion. An electrical output of the photosensor is connected to an input of a first pre-amp circuit designed to operate close to a pulse shape and duration of a light pulse from the scintillator material, without signal distortion. The scintillator material includes a set of scintillation layers connected to the wavelength shifting fiber optic light guide media that guide light to the photosensor. Moderator material is applied around the set of scintillation layers increasing detector efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Innovative American Technology Inc.
    Inventor: DAVID L. FRANK
  • Publication number: 20100226580
    Abstract: A system detects at least one of nuclear and fissile materials. The system includes a plurality of high speed scintillator detectors. Each high speed scintillator detector in the plurality of high speed scintillator detectors includes at least one photo sensor and a pre-amp circuit adapted to eliminate pulse stretching and distortion of detected light pulses emitted from scintillation material when interacting with neutron particles and/or gamma particles. An isotope database includes a plurality of spectral images corresponding to different known isotopes. An information processing system is adapted to compare spectral data received from each high speed scintillator detector to one or more of the spectral images and identify one or more isotopes present in an object or container being monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Innovative American Technology Inc.
    Inventor: DAVID L. FRANK
  • Publication number: 20100224785
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector includes a photodetector including a fluorescent film configured to convert radiation into light, and a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light into an electrical signal, a circuit board configured to electrically drives the photodetector, and electronically processes an output signal from the photodetector, and a connection board configured to electrically connect the photodetector and circuit board, and including a flexible circuit board, and an IC mounting board connected to the flexible circuit board, less flexible than the flexible circuit board, and including an IC semiconductor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Chiyoma, Hiroshi Iwata
  • Publication number: 20100213379
    Abstract: A self-powered sensor (e.g., 100, 180, 220, 400) can wake-up systems requiring a trigger signal to wake-up circuits or systems in power-sleep mode, conserving the battery power for emergency computations and communications. In a humidity sensor embodiment 100, radioisotope generated voltage biases are employed to power sensor capacitors to realize self-powered sensors. A first self-powered capacitor biasing architecture 160 is based on changes in the leakage resistance of the polymer capacitor 110, and a second self-powered capacitor biasing architecture 140 uses changes in the capacitance of the polymer capacitor. Another sensor embodiment uses changes in the capacitance or leakage resistance of the sensor capacitor to modulate conductance of a MOSFET 114, realizing an easily readable electronic output signal. A temperature sensor embodiment 180 and a MEMS cantilever structure based fissile material proximity sensor embodiment 400 are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Rajesh Duggirala, Mvs Chandrasekhar
  • Patent number: 7763859
    Abstract: A method of detecting pileups includes testing an instantaneous slope of a preamplifier signal against a noise trigger value and, after the instantaneous slope has been determined to exceed the noise trigger value, identifying a first subsequent portion of the preamplifier signal wherein the instantaneous slope of the preamplifier signal increases to a maximum. The method further includes, following the first subsequent portion, identifying a second subsequent portion of the preamplifier signal wherein the instantaneous slope still exceeds the noise trigger level but has decreased by more than the noise trigger level from the maximum, and, following the second subsequent portion and before the instantaneous slope declines below the noise trigger level, identifying a third subsequent portion of the preamplifier signal wherein the instantaneous slope of the preamplifier output signal increases by more than the noise trigger value, and, in response thereto, determining that a pileup has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsetor, LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. Mott
  • Publication number: 20100181488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a neutron detector for detection of neutrons in fields with significant ?- or ?-radiation, comprising a neutron sensitive scintillator crystal, providing a neutron capture signal being larger than the capture signal of 3 MeV ?-radiation, a semiconductor based photo detector being optically coupled to the scintillator crystal, where the scintillator crystal and the semiconductor based photo detector are selected so that the total charge collection time for scintillator signals in the semiconductor based photo detector is larger than the total charge collection time for signals generated by direct detection of ionizing radiation in the semiconductor based photo detector, the neutron detector further comprising a device for sampling the detector signals, a digital signal processing device, means which distinguish direct signals from the semiconductor based photo detector, caused by ?- or ?-radiation and being at least partially absorbed in the semiconductor based photo detector, from lig
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Guntram Pausch, Juergen Stein
  • Publication number: 20100176286
    Abstract: A detector includes a sonde having a housing and comprising a scintillator disposed within the housing and a calibration source coupled to the scintillator to fluoresce the scintillator at a known wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes an electromagnetic radiation sensing device coupled to the scintillator and disposed within the housing and a first programmable/re-programmable processing module (PRPM) coupled to the electromagnetic radiation sensing device and disposed within the housing. The PRPM is programmed to process signals from the electromagnetic sensing device based on a user-defined analysis mode selected from the group of modes consisting of filtering, windowing, discriminating, and counting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Artan Duraj
  • Patent number: 7750311
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Intramedical Imaging, LLC
    Inventor: Farhad Daghighian
  • Publication number: 20100155606
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of acquiring images created by penetration of a radioactive ray. The apparatus includes a scintillator to generate a light signal in response to an irradiated radioactive ray, and to change an advancing direction of the generate light signal, a light receiving unit to receive the light signal whose advancing direction is changed, and a signal processing unit to convert the received light signal into an electrical signal, and acquire an image corresponding to the penetrated irradiated radioactive ray based on the converted electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Dong-Goo Kang