Imaging System Patents (Class 250/370.08)
  • Patent number: 8158950
    Abstract: Digital images or the charge from pixels in light sensitive semiconductor based imagers may be used to detect gamma rays and energetic particles emitted by radioactive materials. Methods may be used to identify pixel-scale artifacts introduced into digital images and video images by high energy gamma rays. Statistical tests and other comparisons on the artifacts in the images or pixels may be used to prevent false-positive detection of gamma rays. The sensitivity of the system may be used to detect radiological material at distances in excess of 50 meters. Advanced processing techniques allow for gradient searches to more accurately determine the source's location, while other acts may be used to identify the specific isotope. Coordination of different imagers and network alerts permit the system to separate non-radioactive objects from radioactive objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Rubenstein
  • Publication number: 20120080605
    Abstract: A stacked-type detection apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged at small intervals in row and column directions and has small signal line capacitance that allows a high-speed driving operation. Each pixel includes a conversion element configured to convert radiation or light into an electric charge and a switch element disposed on an insulating substrate. A driving line is disposed on the insulating substrate and is connected to switch elements arranged in the row direction; and a signal line is connected to switch elements arranged in the column direction. Each conversion element is disposed above a corresponding switch element. The driving line is realized using a conductive layer embedded in an insulating layer located below an uppermost surface portion of the driving line located below an uppermost surface portion of a main electrode of the switch element located below the conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Kawanabe, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Publication number: 20120080603
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radiation, which can improve the resolution of a radiation image and contribute to the simplification of the manufacture of the apparatus, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: DRTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung-Seok KIM, Byung-Hun Ko, Beom-Jin Moon, Jung-Kee Yoon
  • Publication number: 20120080604
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radiation are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: DRTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung-Seok KIM, Byung-Hun KO, Beom-Jin MOON, Jung-Kee YOON
  • Patent number: 8148697
    Abstract: A phoswich device for determining depth of interaction (DOI) includes a first scintillator having a first scintillation decay time characteristic, a second scintillator having a second scintillation decay time characteristic substantially equal to the first scintillation decay time, a photodetector coupled to the second scintillator, and a wavelength shifting layer coupled between the first scintillator and the second scintillator, wherein the wavelength shifting layer modifies the first scintillation decay time characteristic of the first scintillator to enable the photodetector to differentiate between the first decay time characteristic and the second decay time characteristic. The phoswich device is particularly applicable to positron emission tomography (PET) applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian Bauer, Lars A. Eriksson, Ronald Grazioso, Charles L. Melcher, Harold E. Rothfuss
  • Publication number: 20120074328
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to perform imaging by using a plurality of image capture elements for accumulating electric charges, a storage unit configured to store an offset correction image, a correction image generation unit configured, when capturing a radiation image through radiant-ray irradiation, to combine the offset correction image with an image captured by using a part of the plurality of image capture elements through the imaging unit without radiant-ray irradiation to update the offset correction image, and a correction processing unit configured to correct the captured radiation image, based on the offset correction image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tadahiko Iijima
  • Publication number: 20120074327
    Abstract: A flat panel sensor control unit reads image data from each region formed by dividing a flat panel. A write access control unit writes the image data read by the flat panel sensor control unit in a frame memory. A read access control unit starts reading the image data from the frame memory in response to that the writing of the image data to the frame memory becomes a predetermined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidehiko Saito
  • Patent number: 8143587
    Abstract: An intermediate layer is located between a recording photoconductive layer and an electrode, which is either one of a bias electrode and a reference electrode, and which is located on the side at positive electric potential with respect to a charge accumulating section at the time of readout of electric charges of the charge accumulating section. The intermediate layer is an a-Se layer containing, as a specific substance, at least one kind of substance selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal fluoride, an alkaline earth metal fluoride, an alkali metal oxide, an alkaline earth metal oxide, SiOx, and GeOx, where x represents a number satisfying 0.5?x?1.5, in a concentration falling within the range of 0.003 mol % to 0.03 mol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Publication number: 20120068078
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a radiation detector, an imaging device and an electrode structure thereof, and a method for acquiring an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Lan Zhang, Zhiqiang Chen, Ziran Zhao, Wanlong Wu, Yuanjing Li, Zhi Deng, Xiaocui Zheng
  • Publication number: 20120056092
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for integrating electrical charge yielded from an indirect conversion detector array of a pulsating radiation system are provided. The integration begins during a resting period between a first and second pulse and ends before the second pulse is emitted. Electrical charge that is measured during a resting period is integrated, while electrical charge measured during a pulse is not integrated. In this way, parasitic contributions caused by the direct interaction of radiation photons with a photodiode are reduced and a quantum efficiency of the indirect conversion detector array is increased, for example. Moreover, the period of integration can be adjusted such that a voltage gain related to the indirect conversion detector array can be varied to a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Ruvin Deych, Charles Shaughnessy
  • Publication number: 20120049077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiographic imaging including, provided at an insulating substrate, sensor portions for radiation detection that generate charges due to receive radiation or light converted from radiation, first signal lines that are connected to the sensor portions for radiation detection and through which flow electric signals that correspond to the charges generated at the sensor portions for radiation detection, and second signal lines having a substantially same wiring pattern as the first signal lines. Detection of radiation is carried out on the basis of a difference between an electric signal flowing through the first signal line and an electric signal flowing through the second signal line, or a difference between values of digital data obtained by digitally converting an electric signal flowing through the first signal line and an electric signal flowing through the second signal line, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OKADA
  • Publication number: 20120049078
    Abstract: A radiation image pickup device includes: an image pickup section having a plurality of pixels and generating an electric signal according to incident radiation, the plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element and one or a plurality of transistors of a predetermined amplifier circuit; and a correction section subjecting signal data of the electric signal obtained in the image pickup section to predetermined correction process. The correction section makes a comparison between measurement data obtained by measuring an input-output characteristic of the amplifier circuit in each of the plurality of pixels and initial data on the input-output characteristic, and performs the correction process by the pixel individually, by using a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michiru Senda, Tsutomu Tanaka, Tsutomu Harada
  • Publication number: 20120049076
    Abstract: A method embodiment for forming an imaging array includes providing a glass substrate having a top surface, forming a patterned conductive layer on the top surface of the glass substrate, and forming an insulating layer on the patterned conductive layer on a side of the patterned conductive layer opposite the glass substrate. The method can include providing a single crystal silicon substrate having an internal separation layer proximate a first surface of the single crystal silicon substrate. The single crystal silicon substrate is secured to the glass substrate such that the first surface of the single crystal silicon substrate corresponds to the insulating layer. The single crystal silicon substrate is separated at the internal separation layer to create an exposed surface opposite the first surface of the single crystal silicon substrate and an array including one or more photosensitive elements and/or readout elements is formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy J. Tredwell
  • Publication number: 20120037809
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a macro organic photodiode array with rows and columns of printed photodiodes. The array may be bendable for easy manufacture and assembly on a curved support within an imaging system. Two or more layers of photodiodes may be provided for use in a spectral CT imaging system or as slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: Simha Levene, Ami Altman, Naor Wainer, Dagobert M. de Leeuw, Eliav Haskal
  • Patent number: 8113712
    Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette is disposed in a desired position between a bed and a patient in an operating room. After a detector-side connector and a bed-side connector are connected to each other by a cable, an image capturing apparatus captures and records radiation image information of the patient in a radiation detector. The recorded radiation image information is transmitted from a transceiver of the bed to a console by way of wireless communications in a communication range selected by a selector of the bed, then processed by the console, and transmitted to a display device, which displays a radiation image based on the supplied radiation image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Eiichi Kito, Takuya Yoshimi, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20120033785
    Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for performing phase-contrast measurements, including at least two transducer layers arranged one behind the other, wherein at least the first transducer layer arranged in the radiation direction includes alternate sensitive areas having a high absorptance for the conversion of incident radiation quanta into signals and less sensitive areas having a lower absorptance in comparison thereto. Further, a corresponding X-ray tomography device and a method for performing phase-contrast measurements are also enclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thilo Michel, Peter Bartl, Gisela Anton
  • Patent number: 8110806
    Abstract: A solid-state photomultiplier is provided for use in imaging detectors. The solid-state photomultiplier includes a plurality of microcells configured to detect impinging photons. Each of the plurality of microcells further includes a photodiode coupled to a common electrode through a quenching resistor and configured to convert the impinging photons into electrical signals, and an impedance device coupled in parallel with the quenching resistor so as to reduce overall quenching impedance at high frequency. Further, techniques are provided for implementing low impedance device with controllable value to the SSPM for optimized timing resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kent Charles Burr, Gin-Chung Jimmy Wang, Aaron Judy Couture
  • Publication number: 20120025088
    Abstract: To display a stereoscopic image enabling a viewer to appropriately view the entire image stereoscopically even when the inclination of a detection plane of a radiological image detector is changed depending on the radiographing directions of radiological images constituting a stereoscopic image. The inclination of a detection plane of a radiological image detector is changed depending on radiographing directions and a stereoscopic image is displayed using projected radiological images obtained by projecting radiological images detected on the inclined detection plane onto a plane perpendicular to a desired viewpoint direction of the stereoscopic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8106362
    Abstract: A surface contamination examining device includes a radiation detector 11 and an arithmetic/display device 13 for displaying radiation intensity in form of a counting rate. The arithmetic/display device has a boundary detecting device 10 that detects the boundary of contamination 14 of an object to be measured by a radioactive material while the radiation detector moves along a surface 18 of the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Radiological Sciences
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8101912
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes an image-taking device configured to take an image of an object, at least one illumination light source configured to be able to illuminate the object, an illumination region controller configured to be able to partially emit an illumination light ray originating from the illumination light source towards a plurality of different regions of the object, and to sequentially change the location of an illuminated area of the illumination light ray, and a controller configured to cause the image-taking device to take an image of the object under a plurality of illumination conditions produced in accordance with control of the illumination region controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamaguchi, Tsutomu Harada, Mitsuru Tateuchi, Ryoichi Tsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20120006994
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation image detecting system including a cassette type radiation image detecting apparatus capable of being driven by electric power supplied from a built-in battery; a charge controlling circuit to control charging of the battery; a cradle supplying electric power to the radiation image detecting apparatus; and a cable supplying electric power to the radiation image detecting apparatus, wherein the radiation image detecting apparatus includes a connection section being electrically connected to each of the cradle and the cable to receive the electric power; the battery is charged by the cradle being connected to the connection section and by the cable being connected to the connection section; and the charge controlling circuit switches a charging current between a time when the cradle is connected to the connection section and a time when the cable is connected to the connection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Niekawa, Yoshihiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8093562
    Abstract: The invention intends to be able to perform a gain correction fully adequately. Hence, at the time of radiographing an object, a gain correction of the object image is performed based on a gain correction image (XRc1) derived by performing a light reset. On the other hand, at the time of radiographing an object, when a light reset is not performed, a gain correction of the object image is performed based on a gain correction image (XRc2) derived without performing the light reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8089049
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes a plurality of image capturing apparatus having different specifications for capturing a radiation image of a subject, a plurality of processors having specifications corresponding to the specifications of the image capturing apparatus, for controlling the image capturing apparatus and processing radiation image information acquired from the image capturing apparatus, and a supply apparatus for supplying image capturing instruction information for the image capturing apparatus to one of the processors, which is selected depending on the specifications of the image capturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino, Naoki Mochizuki, Daiki Harada, Hiroshi Fukuda, Eiichi Kito, Kazuharu Ueta
  • Publication number: 20110317812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method obtain an image of an object from a first radiation source in the presence of a second radiation source. The first radiation source is directed at a first side of the object while the second radiation source is directed at the second side of the object. At least one portion of the radiation is detected at the second side of the object. A first signal is produced based on the at least one portion of detected radiation. The first signal has a first radiation component and a second radiation component. At least one other portion of radiation at the second side of the object is filtered and then detected. A second signal is produced based on the detected filtered radiation. The second signal has at least one of a filtered first radiation component and a filtered second radiation component. Then a third signal is produced from the first and second signals. The third signal is a representation of a first radiation component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Mohamad Khairul Islam, Bernhard Dieter Norrlinger, Jason R. Smale, Robert K. Heaton, David A. Jaffray
  • Patent number: 8084743
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting a received electromagnetic wave comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an amorphous oxide layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Keishi Saito, Hideo Hosono, Toshio Kamiya, Kenji Nomura
  • Patent number: 8080802
    Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing system, when a radiation detector is activated by a battery which is capable of being charged by a charging apparatus, charging of the battery by the charging apparatus is controlled based on whether image-capturing with respect to a subject is performed or not and/or whether delivery of the radiographic image information from the radiation detector is performed or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Keiji Tsubota, Yasunori Ohta, Yutaka Yoshida, Masato Hattori
  • Publication number: 20110297837
    Abstract: The radiation detection module (20) is provided with a semiconductor element (1) having a plurality of pixels (Pn), radiation detection elements (30) in which a plurality of first electrodes (31n) are arranged along one side of the semiconductor element (1), and a second electrode (32m) is disposed astride a plurality of pixels (Pn) along the other side, and which output detection signals when a radioactive ray comes incident on the detection pixels (Pn), and a support PCB (21) placed to stand along the direction in which the radioactive ray comes incident. The support PCB (21) has a connection section (21a) detachably connectable to an external connecting section. Radiation detection elements (30) are connected on the support PCB (21) to fabricate a signal read-out circuit having mutually-perpendicular wiring in a pseudo way and that the incident position of the radioactive ray is identified by coincidence determination of the detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi Ishitsu, Isao Takahashi, Katsutoshi Tsuchiya, Kazuma Yokoi, Yuichiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 8067743
    Abstract: Pixels including a photoelectric conversion element 1, a signal transfer TFT (thin film transistor) 2 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a reset TFT 3 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element and for applying a bias to the photoelectric conversion element are two-dimensionally disposed on the insulating substrate, and the photoelectric conversion element 1, signal transfer TFT 2, and reset TFT 3 are electrically connected through a common contact hole 9. A source or drain electrode of the signal transfer TFT 2 and the source or drain electrode of the reset TFT 3 are formed from a common electroconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8053727
    Abstract: A radiation conversion device is driven by an on-board battery, detects radiation that has passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into image information. A charging cradle to which the radiation conversion device is connected carries out a charging process on the battery. The radiation conversion device includes a signal transmitting unit for transmitting image information by wireless communications to an external apparatus, a transmission suspension unit for monitoring a transmission state of the image information by the signal transmitting unit and suspending transmission of the image information when a transmission error is generated, and a suspension release unit for releasing suspension of transmission of the image information when the radiation conversion device is connected to the charging cradle. The signal transmitting unit transmits the image information to the external apparatus when suspension of transmission of the image information has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Yasunori Ohta, Eiichi Kito, Hiroshi Tamaoki, Tatsuo Iiyama
  • Patent number: 8053738
    Abstract: A radiographic image detection device includes a radiation detector and a handle portion. The radiation detector detects radiation that has passed through a subject and has been irradiated thereon, and outputs image information expressing a radiographic image corresponding to a detected radiation amount. The handle portion is provided at a side surface of the radiation detector and configured to be grasped, and has a notification section that gives notice of an operating state of the radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Yutaka Yoshida, Yasunori Ohta, Keiji Tsubota, Takeshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8050385
    Abstract: Photon counting detectors may suffer from pulse sharing effects and fluorescence photon generation, which may lead to a degradation of the measured signals. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a detector unit is provided which is adapted for performing a coincidence detection and correction by comparing detection events of neighbouring cells, thereby providing for a coincidence identification followed by an individual coincidence correction. In order to reduce the number of coincidence detection and corresponding units per detector unit, a specific detector cell geometry may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Roland Proksa
  • Patent number: 8044360
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detector that can suppress a deterioration of image quality of a radiation image while suppressing the size of the radiation detector. Namely, a conductive layer configured by a conductive member is disposed at a portion that corresponds to at least the back side of the peripheral edge portion of a bias electrode, on the surface of an insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kitada
  • Patent number: 8044361
    Abstract: Plural detection boards are stacked and fixed. The detection board has a wiring board, a semiconductor detection device fixed on an upper surface of the wiring board and configured to detect radiation, and a spacer fixed on the upper surface of the wiring board. Each of the detection boards is provided so that the semiconductor detection device and the spacer have a designated positional relationship. In addition, the spacers are stacked and matched in an X-Y plane surface with each other so that the detection boards are fixed by fixing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Ukita
  • Patent number: 8039784
    Abstract: A readout chip for single photon counting has a plurality of N individually working channels each assigned to a respective detector diode. Each channel has a counter designed as a binary counter having a length of M bits and a number of programmable bits. Further, the readout chip has a serial shift register or parallel data input register for entering values for the counter and the programmable bits, and a number of data output shift registers each having a number of K data outputs. Means are provided for selectively multiplexing each of the K data outputs onto a selectable bit of the data output shift register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Scherrer Institut
    Inventor: Bernd Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20110233415
    Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing apparatus, by interfitting each of panel accommodating units by means of connecting sections so that portions of respective radiation conversion panels are superimposed, and that each of the irradiated surfaces thereof are repeated alternately in a sequence of a first irradiated surface and a second irradiated surface thereof, an image capturing surface of the radiographic image capturing apparatus, which is constituted to include respective image capturing regions, is maintained in a substantially planar condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Naoyuki Nishino, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20110233416
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition device enabling a dental radiological image to be obtained, the device comprising a matrix sensor (C) having integrated therein a plurality of image acquisition photodiodes (DA) sensitive to irradiation and at least one detection photodiode (DD) also sensitive to irradiation, the device also comprising a control module (M) for controlling the sensor (C) and suitable for periodically reading the detection photodiode (DD) and for causing the sensor (C) to change over (SBA) between at least two modes: a standby mode and an acquisition mode (ACQ).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SOPRA
    Inventors: Alain Mazuir, Laurent Guilhaumon
  • Publication number: 20110215250
    Abstract: A radiographic image according to an embodiment includes two radiation detectors and a light blocking layer. Each of the radiation detectors includes a light generation layer that generates light due to irradiation of radiation, and a substrate that accumulates charge by receiving light generated at the light generation layer and includes switch elements for reading the charge. The two radiation detectors are superimposed on each other. The light blocking layer is disposed between the two radiation detectors, and blocks light generated by each of the light generation layers of the two radiation detectors from the other light generation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Naoyuki NISHINO, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA, Naoto IWAKIRI
  • Patent number: 8008627
    Abstract: A radiation imaging element that includes a plurality of pixel portions each having a phosphor layer that absorbs radiation transmitted through a subject to emit light, a photoelectric conversion portion that includes an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and a TFT which outputs a signal corresponding to an electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein the TFT includes at least a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and an electric insulating layer is further provided so as to be electrically connected between the active layer and at least one of the source electrode or the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yaegashi, Masaya Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20110204246
    Abstract: A radiation image pickup apparatus allowed to restore a change in characteristics in a pixel transistors caused by radiation, and a method of driving the same are provided. The radiation image pickup apparatus includes: a pixel section including a plurality of unit pixels and generating an electrical signal based on incident radiation, each of the unit pixels including one or more pixel transistors and a photoelectric conversion element; a drive section for selectively driving the unit pixels of the pixel section; and a characteristic restoring section including a first constant current source for annealing and a selector switch for changing a current path from the unit pixels to the first constant current source at the time of non-measurement of the radiation, and allowing an annealing current to flow through the pixel transistor, thereby restoring characteristics of the pixel transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tanaka, Makoto Takatoku, Yasuhiro Yamada, Ryoichi Ito
  • Publication number: 20110204245
    Abstract: A photonic radiation detection device includes a collimator, a detector, means for localization in the detection plane defining on the one hand the partitioning of the detection plane in physical or virtual pixels of transversal dimensions smaller than those of the collimator channels, and associating on the other hand one of said pixels to each photon interaction. The detection device has at least in one previously selected acquisition configuration, a degree of pixelation in the detection plane greater than 1 and a collimator-detector distance (c) greater than one tenth of the septal height (h) of the collimator. A method for dimensioning such a device includes, for at least one given spatial frequency, calculating and comparing merit indicator values for different acquisition configurations of a structural model of the detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Charlotte Robert, Guillaume Montemont, VĂ©ronique Rebuffel
  • Publication number: 20110204239
    Abstract: A radiation detection device, which includes an imaging board for detecting radiation transmitted through a subject to obtain a radiographic image of the subject, is provided with a heat dissipating member disposed on a radiation receiving side of the imaging board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Futoshi Yoshida, Yuusuke Kitagawa, Toshiharu Kuwae, Koichi Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20110198507
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises: a radiation imaging unit configured to capture an image based on radiation irradiated by a radiation generator; a light receiving unit configured to receive light irradiated on an irradiated region of the radiation generator; and a control unit configured to communicate with a control apparatus of the radiation generator in accordance with reception of light by the light receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Takegami
  • Patent number: 8000773
    Abstract: A method of imaging, including receiving radioactive radiation from a body; reconstructing a 3D SPECT image of a distribution of radiation in at least one voxel of said body; and reconstructing a dynamic change in radiation in said voxel, as an updated image, at a rate of faster than one change per 5 minutes, wherein said reconstructed image is a clinically useful image including a resolution of 10 mm or better for a voxel volume of at least 5 cm in diameter and a contrast to background ratio of radiation of at least 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Spectrum Dynamics LLC
    Inventors: Benny Rousso, Shlomo Ben-Haim, Michael Nagler, Omer Ziv, Ran Ravhon, Dalia Dickman, Yoel Zilberstein, Eli Dichterman, Simona Ben-Haim, Shankar Vallabhajosula, Daniel Berman, Zohar Bronshtine, Ziv Popper, Nir Weissberg, Nathaniel Roth, Haim Melman
  • Patent number: 8000510
    Abstract: In a method and control device to control a slice image acquisition system, a scan protocol is initially selected from a number of scan protocols, and then an automatic control of the slice image acquisition system (13) ensues on the basis of the selected scan protocol by automatic receipt of previous information regarding the examination subject, automatic synchronization of the previous information with information regarding scan protocol-specific parameters of scan protocols, and automatic selection of the scan protocol, from among the number of scan protocols, that has parameters exhibiting the greatest compatibility with the received previous information according to an established rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Boeing, Bernhard Krauss, Stefan Kaepplinger, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110192966
    Abstract: At least one of conditions including that power is applied to a radiation detector, that a predetermined time period has elapsed from the application of power, and that the radiation detector is connected is detected. When at least one of the conditions is detected, determination is made as to whether or not calibration information of the currently used radiation detector is appropriate. If a negative determination is made, control is exerted to enable calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Harada, Futoshi Yoshida, Yasunori Ohta, Yuusuke Kitagawa, Takeshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7994480
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) light camera or sensor that provides temperature alarms. The temperature alarms may be audible, vibrational, and visual to indicate when a portion of the IR image meets user-defined alarm criteria. Visual alarms may be provided by displaying on a camera display unit the portions of the IR image that meet the alarm criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk R. Johnson, Thomas McManus, John W. Pratreu
  • Patent number: 7994481
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus capable of complying with arbitrary data acquisition period (frame rate) change instruction without increasing load and cost, and a method and a system for controlling such an apparatus. To realize this, in the present invention, there are included an area sensor for reading out an electric signal accumulated in a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, line by line, and a control unit for controlling the area sensor. The area sensor operates in a first operation for deriving radiation image data by reading during irradiation with radiation, and a second operation for deriving the radiation image data by reading during non-irradiation with radiation, alternately. The control unit switches a period for deriving the radiation image data during a time period from an end of the reading in the first operation until an end of the reading in the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Hitoshi Inoue, Hideto Shiozawa
  • Publication number: 20110186741
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus has a radiation source device including a radiation source for outputting radiation, and a detector device including a radiation detector for detecting radiation that is transmitted through a subject when the subject is irradiated with radiation by the radiation source, and converting the detected radiation into a radiographic image. At least one of the radiation source device and the detector device has an electric power supply limiting unit for limiting supply of electric power, and the electric power supply limiting unit controls supply of electric power between the radiation source device and the detector device, depending on timing of an image capturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
  • Publication number: 20110186742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detection element that allows repairing of a defect portion, and that minimizes the number of pixels from which charges cannot be read out when repaired. Namely, in two adjacent pixels that are connected to a signal line having a defect portion where a defect has occurred and that are adjacent to the defect portion, the signal lines and the parallel lines are short-circuited to configure a parallel circuit parallel to the defect portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OKADA
  • Publication number: 20110180716
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detection element including, a substrate that has a top surface, which has provided thereon, plural pixels, plural scan lines through which control signals flow for switching switching elements included in the plural pixels, and plural signal lines connected to the switching elements through lines that change to a non-conductive state by irradiation of a laser beam, through which electric signals according to charges generated in the plural pixels flow, in accordance with switching states of the switching elements, an intermediate insulation film provided on the lower side of sensor sections, and an intermediate insulation film provided on the upper side of the sensor sections, including portions that correspond to laser beam irradiation portions of the lines and are opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OKADA