Imaging System Patents (Class 250/370.08)
  • Publication number: 20110180717
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiographic imaging device including: plural pixels disposed in a matrix, each pixel including a sensor section that generates charges based on irradiation of radiation, or on illumination of light that has been converted from radiation; plural scan lines through which a control signal flows for switching switch elements included in pixels that are employed as radiographic imaging pixels out of the plural pixels; plural signal lines through which electrical signal flow corresponding to the charge that has been accumulated in the radiographic imaging pixels according to the switching state of the switch elements; and one or more radiation detection line through which an electrical signal flows corresponding to the charge that has been generated in the sensor sections of the radiation detection pixels out of the plural pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OKADA
  • Publication number: 20110180714
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detector including: a wavelength conversion unit that converts irradiated radiation to a radiation with a second wavelength; a first substrate that has a first and a second surface; radiation detecting pixels, disposed in a matrix on the first surface, that accumulate charges generated by irradiation of the radiation with the second wavelength, and that include switching elements to read out the charges; scan lines, provided on the first surface, through which a control signal, that switches each switching element provided in each radiation detecting pixel, flows; signal lines, provided on the first surface, through which an electric signal flows, the electric signal corresponding to the charges accumulated in each radiation detecting pixel; and a second substrate, provided on the second surface, that includes radiation irradiation detecting sensors that generate charges due to irradiation of the radiation having the second wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OKADA
  • Patent number: 7983461
    Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for extracting an edge of a distal radius metaphysis. The method includes: setting a region of interest including a distal radius in an X-ray image; setting a potential energy distribution of the region of interest by using a gradient of gray levels; setting a temporary edge adjacent to both sides of a distal radius metaphysis and a side of an epiphysis in the region of interest; and extracting a detailed edge of the distal radius metaphysis having minimum energy by adjusting the set temporary edge using a metropolis annealing technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sooyeol Lee, Jeong Won Lee, Seunghwan Kim, Seon Hee Park
  • Publication number: 20110168906
    Abstract: A radiation image detector includes a radiation-image-detector main body and a vacuum container. The radiation-image-detector main body generates charges by irradiation with an electromagnetic wave for recording that carries a radiation image and records the radiation image by accumulating the charges. The vacuum container is sealed to store the radiation-image-detector main body in a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto IWAKIRI
  • Publication number: 20110155917
    Abstract: A scintillator panel includes a substrate and a scintillator layer. The substrate includes a first plate having a surface provided with irregularities, and a flat second plate fixed to the first plate in a confronting relation to the irregularities of the first plate. The scintillator layer is disposed on a surface of the second plate on the side oppositely away from the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiichi Nomura, Satoshi Okada, Kazumi Nagano, Yohei Ishida
  • Patent number: 7968853
    Abstract: A radiation detector (24) includes a two-dimensional array of upper scintillators (30?) which is disposed facing an x-ray source (14) to convert lower energy radiation into visible light and transmit higher energy radiation. A two-dimensional array of lower scintillators (30B) is disposed adjacent the upper scintillators (30?) distally from the x-ray source (14) to convert the transmitted higher energy radiation into visible light. Respective active areas (94, 96) of each upper and lower photodetector arrays (38?, 38B) are optically coupled to the respective upper and lower scintillators (30?, 30B) at an inner side (60) of the scintillators (30?, 30B) which inner side (60) is generally perpendicular to an axial direction (Z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Ami Altman, Olga Shapiro, Simha Levene, Naor Wainer
  • Publication number: 20110147598
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric converter. According to the present invention, a photoelectric converter comprises a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, either scan circuits or detection circuits, at least, that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: ISAO KOBAYASHI, NORIYUKI KAIFU, SHINICHI TAKEDA, KAZUAKI TASHIRO, TADAO ENDO, TOSHIO KAMESHIMA
  • Publication number: 20110147601
    Abstract: A radiation image detector including: an internal power supply section, which is capable of being charged, to supply power to each section; an external power supply terminal to receive power from an external power source to allow the internal power supply section to be charged; and a power supply control section to control supply of the power to the internal power supply section, the power being received from the external power source via the external power supply terminal, wherein when detecting that the external power supply terminal receives power from the external power source, the power supply control section judges an operating state of each section, and controls supply of the power to the internal power supply section according to the operating state of each section, the power being received from the external power source via the external power supply terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Niekawa, Yoshihiko Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20110147599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering noise in pixelated photon counting image detectors are provided. One method includes obtaining image information including event count information for a pixelated solid-state photon counting radiation detector and obtaining a count-rate threshold. The method further includes filtering the event count information based on the count-rate threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Yariv Grobshtein, Ruben Brenner, Lana Volokh, Jean-Paul Bouhnik
  • Publication number: 20110150179
    Abstract: In an X ray imaging system, a rotational support device supports an X ray source in a rotatable manner, to adjust an orientation angle thereof. An angle detector is disposed on the X ray source removably, for detecting the orientation angle. A shift determiner operates when the X ray source is moved pivotally, and determines a shift amount for an FPD device to a position opposed to the X ray source according to the orientation angle from the angle detector and a distance between the X ray source and the FPD device. A pseudo signal generator generates a pseudo signal of a level irrespective of the shift amount by correcting a detection signal from a shift detector according to the shift amount from the shift determiner, and supplies a second moving device with the pseudo signal. Movement of the FPD device is controlled according to the shift amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20110139992
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a flow passage 51 formed inside a base substrate 5, an active matrix substrate 3 disposed relative to a surface of the base substrate 5, an amplifier circuit connected to the active matrix substrate, and a temperature-control heat transfer medium circulated through the flow passage 51 to remove heat generated in the amplifier circuit 4 and suppress a temperature change in a semiconductor layer 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshinori YOSHIMUTA
  • Publication number: 20110133095
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation sensor comprising: a phosphor layer that converts incident radiation into converted light containing a first light component having a first wavelength region that includes a maximum peak wavelength different from a maximum peak wavelength of the radiation, and a second light component having a second wavelength region of 400 nm to 460 nm, different from that of the radiation and the first wavelength region; an organic photoelectric conversion layer; and an insulating substrate provided with a charge detection layer, and that includes a storage capacitor and a thin film transistor having an oxide semiconductor active layer, wherein the first and second light components each pass through the organic photoelectric conversion layer and arrive at the oxide semiconductor active layer, and wherein an intensity of the second light component is lower than an intensity of the first light component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Shinji IMAI
  • Patent number: 7956313
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image pickup device that has a plurality of scanning lines that extends in a predetermined direction, a plurality of data lines that extends in a direction for intersecting the scanning lines, and a plurality of bias lines within an image pickup area on a substrate. For each of a plurality of pixels disposed in positions corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, a field effect transistor that is controlled by the scanning line and a photoelectric conversion element that has a electrode electrically connected to the data line through the field effect transistor and a electrode electrically connected to the bias line are formed, and a constant electric potential line for electrostatic protection is formed on the substrate. For each of bias lines, a bias line electrostatic protection circuit having a protection diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Yukimasa Ishida, Yasushi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110127440
    Abstract: There is provided a radiographic imaging apparatus including: a control unit configured as a flat plate shape housing a control section and a power source section; a panel unit configured as a flat plate shape housing a radiation detection panel; and a connection member that rotatably connects one edge portion of each of the control unit and the panel unit so as to adopt two states: a closed state in which one face of the control unit faces one face of the panel unit on the opposite side to an irradiation face irradiated with radiation, and an open state in which the one face of the control unit and the one face of the panel unit on the opposite side are side-by-side in a same flat plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Naoyuki NISHINO, Naoto IWAKIRI, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110127441
    Abstract: An X-ray detector provided for a radiation image pickup apparatus of this invention includes two types of areas, i.e. an image area for X-ray detection, and an image area for time variation noise detection to detect time variation noises generating from circuits of the X-ray detector. Consequently, time variation noises can be detected properly, regardless of damage to gate circuits of an active matrix substrate, by reading charge signals from the image area for time variation noise detection before a gate drive circuit is set to ON. As a result, a radiation image pickup apparatus with improved image quality can be manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Koichi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20110127439
    Abstract: Provided are a radiation sensor having a first flexible substrate provided with a phosphor layer which converts incident radiation into an electromagnetic wave in a wavelength region that is at least different from that of the radiation; an organic photoelectric conversion layer which includes a charge transport layer and a charge generation layer containing a charge transporting agent and 55% by mass to 75% by mass of a polymer binder, and photoelectrically converts the electromagnetic wave; a second flexible substrate provided with a charge detection layer which includes a storage capacitor and a thin film transistor and is adapted to read electrical charge generated at the organic photoelectric conversion layer; and a polymer subbing layer disposed between the organic photoelectric conversion layer and the charge detection layer, and a radiation image detection apparatus using the radiation sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Shinji IMAI
  • Patent number: 7952080
    Abstract: An image capturing system includes a cassette having a radiation detector, an image memory, and a cassette controller, an image capturing apparatus, a display device, and a host computer. The cassette controller comprises a capacity value transmitter for transmitting a capacity value of the radiation image information to the host computer before transmission process, and an image transmitter for transmitting the radiation image information. The host computer comprises an indicator controller for controlling the display device to display an indicator representing the capacity value received from the cassette as the upper limit, and a bar controller for controlling the display device to display a bar moving toward the indicator and having a length corresponding to the received capacity value of the radiation image information while the radiation image information is being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuwabara, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20110121190
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging device includes: a panel unit accommodating a radiation detection panel; a control unit accommodating a control section and a power source section; and a connection portion, a first end portion of the connection portion being attached to a side portion of the panel unit so as to be rotatable around a first axis that is substantially parallel to an irradiation surface of the panel unit, and a second end portion of the connection portion being attached to the control unit so as to be rotatable around a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Naoyuki NISHINO, Naoto IWAKIRI, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110121189
    Abstract: Scan lines, each disposed to plural pixel lines for each of the pixel lines in a row direction of plural pixels disposed in a matrix, that switch each TFT switch provided at respective pixels in the plural pixel lines. Plural signal lines are each disposed to each of the pixel lines in the row direction of the matrix array. In each of the pixel lines in the row direction, respective signal line is connected to different TFT switch from the TFT switches that are connected to the same respective scan line, and charges accumulated in charge storage capacitors is read out according to the states of the TFT switches. The pixels or the signal lines at a subset of the pixel lines in one direction are disposed shifted in the one direction, such that the signal lines are disposed between pixels of the pixel lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OKADA
  • Publication number: 20110114846
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a pixel region, on an insulating substrate 100, including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a conversion element 101 that converts radiation into electric charges and a switching element 102 connected to the conversion element 101. The conversion element 101 has an upper electrode layer 119, a lower electrode layer 115, a semiconductor layer 117 arranged between the upper electrode layer 119 and the lower electrode layer 115. The upper electrode layer 119 or the lower electrode layer 115 has an opening 200 at least within a region where the semiconductor layer 117 is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita
  • Publication number: 20110108732
    Abstract: This invention includes a radiation detector to detect the radiation transmitted through an object while being in a portable state or mounted on a detector holder, a control unit to control capturing of a radiographic image using the radiation detector, and a plurality of relay stations to relay wireless communication from the radiation detector. The detector holder includes a detection unit to detect the mounting of the radiation detector. The control unit determines the usage pattern of the radiation detector or the mounting of the radiation detector on a detector holder based on detection information from the detection unit or a connection request from the radiation detector, and selects one of the relay stations based on the determination result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110108733
    Abstract: Scintillation pixels are described that can include a series of ridges formed in the outer surfaces of the pixels. The ridges may be oriented vertically or horizontally and can result in faster scintillators and in scintillators that exhibit a reduction in light spread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Patent number: 7935931
    Abstract: The power consumption of a battery for supplying electric power to a cassette having a radiation detector for detecting radiation image information is greatly reduced. When a cassette transceiver of the cassette starts transmitting the radiation image information to a console transceiver of a console, the cassette transceiver changes the gain of a variable-gain amplifier to change a transmission radio-wave intensity, and transmits a test signal at the changed transmission radio-wave intensity. When the console transceiver receives the test signal, the console transceiver transmits a reception acknowledgement signal generated by a reception acknowledgement signal generator. In response to the reception acknowledgement signal, the cassette transceiver sets its own transmission radio-wave intensity to a value at the time the cassette transceiver received the reception acknowledgement signal, and transmits the radiation image information at the set transmission radio-wave intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 7935932
    Abstract: An electronic cassette has a casing and a radiation detection device accommodated inside the casing, which detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and having passed through a subject, and converts the radiation into radiation image information. The electronic cassette further includes a winding member accommodated rotatably inside of the casing. The radiation detection device includes a flexible base. The radiation detection device is wound on the winding member, and a portion of the radiation detection device is capable of being pulled outside of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Kito, Naoyuki Nishino, Yasunori Ohta, Hiroshi Tamaoki, Tatsuo Iiyama, Yuto Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110095195
    Abstract: This invention provides a radiographic imaging device, having: a scintilator layer which converts transmitted radiation incident with emission of radiation to an imaging target to light; a first organic photoelectric conversion layer which is continuous and converts a first light containing the maximum peak wavelength from the scintilator layer to a charge; an insulating substrate having a storage capacitor and a thin film transistor for reading the charge generating in the first organic photoelectric conversion layer for each image detection pixel; a second organic photoelectric conversion layer which converts a second light from the scintilator layer to a charge; and a radiation dose detection circuit for reading the charge generating in the second organic photoelectric conversion layer for each radiation dose detection pixel and a radiographic imaging system using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Shinji IMAI
  • Patent number: 7932500
    Abstract: A radiation image detection method including the steps of: detecting from a radiation image detector including multitudes of pixels disposed two-dimensionally, each having a TFT switch, an analog image signal of each pixel flowing out through each data line by sequentially switching ON the TFT switches connected to each scanning line on a scanning line-by-scanning line basis; detecting an analog leak level flowing out through each data line with the TFT switches connected to each of the scanning lines being switched OFF each time before switching ON the TFT switches on a scanning line-by-scanning line basis when converting the detected analog image signal to a digital image signal and outputting; and correcting the analog image signal before being converted to the digital image signal based on the leak level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 7928398
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a radiation detecting pixel array. The radiation detecting pixel array includes a substrate, a plurality of radiation detecting pixels arranged in a grid pattern on the substrate, a signal routing array embedded within the substrate in operative communication with the plurality of radiation detecting pixels, and at least two symmetrical communication channels arranged on each of two sides of the grid pattern. The signal routing array is formed of communication channels configured to provide operative communication between any of the plurality of radiation detecting pixels and each of the at least two symmetrical communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanfeng Du, Naresh Kesavan Rao
  • Patent number: 7928399
    Abstract: A method for imaging a radiation source, and a device that utilizes these methods that in one embodiment include the steps of: calculating at least one Compton cone of a first parameter of a radiation emission from information received from a sensor occurrence; and tracing this Compton cone on to a unit sphere having preselected characteristics using an estimated angular uncertainty to limit at least a portion of said tracing. In another embodiment of the invention at least two Compton cones are calculated and then intersected upon a predefined surface such as a sphere. These intersection points can then be iterated over a preselected series of prior events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Mitchell J. Myjak, Carolyn E. Seifert, Scott J. Morris
  • Publication number: 20110084212
    Abstract: A multilayer electronic module for photon counting such as in the solar blind region of the ultraviolet electromagnetic spectrum is provided. The device comprises a photocathode for detecting photons and generating an electron output, a micro-channel plate for receiving the output electrons emitted from the photocathode in response to the photon input and amplifying same, readout circuitry and one or more bit-counting circuit layers used to count the electron output of the micro-channel plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Irvine Sensors Corporation
    Inventor: Stewart Clark
  • Patent number: 7923695
    Abstract: Sensitivity is freely changeable to another one in correspondence to a photographing mode, and both still image photographing and moving image photographing for example which are largely different from each other in dosage of exposure to radiation and which are also different from each other in required sensitivity are carried out so as to meet that request. A source or drain electrode of a TFT 21 is connected to a signal output circuit 3 through a signal line 14a and an IC 5. A source/drain of a TFT 23 is connected to the signal output circuit 3 through a signal line 14b and the IC 5. Thus, in each pixel 6, any one of the signal lines 14a and 14b is freely selectable when a signal is read out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Minoru Watanabe, Keiichi Nomura
  • Publication number: 20110073767
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing device has: a radiation image capturing section that is adapted to image capturing in a selected operation mode, an image processing section, a power supply section that supplies electric power for driving to the radiation image capturing section, a connection portion that electrically connects to at least one of a power supply device or an image processing device, and a control section. The control section effects control such that, in a case in which an operation mode that generates a predetermined generated heat amount or more is selected and the power supply device is connected to the connection portion, the power supply device is used instead of the power supply section, and, in a case in which an operation mode that generates a predetermined generated heat amount or more is selected and the image processing device is connected to the connection portion, the image processing device is used instead of the image processing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoto IWAKIRI, Yasunori OHTA, Futoshi YOSHIDA, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA, Naoyuki NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20110073768
    Abstract: A portable radiographic image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a control unit, and a connecting member. The image capturing unit is formed in the shape of a flat plate, captures a radiographic, and includes a radiation detector that outputs electric signals expressing a captured radiographic image, the image capturing unit being able to capture a radiographic image from either an obverse side or a reverse side of the flat plate. The control unit includes a controller that controls image capturing operations of the radiation detector. The connecting member connects the image capturing unit and the control unit such that both units can be opened and closed between an unfolded state, in which the both units are lined-up next to one another, and a housed state, in which the both units are folded-up so as to be superposed one on another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori OHTA, Naoyuki NISHINO, Naoto IWAKIRI, Futoshi YOSHIDA, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110073769
    Abstract: A radiographic image capture managing system includes an information storage unit for storing image information acquired by a radiation detector in chronological order, a usage status acquirer for acquiring information concerning a usage status of the radiation detector, a deterioration information acquirer for acquiring information concerning an extent of deterioration of the radiation detector based on the image information, a service life predictor for predicting a service life of the radiation detector based on the acquired information concerning the extent of deterioration and the acquired information concerning the usage status, a service life prolongation information setter for setting service life prolongation advice information required to prolong the predicted service life based on a preset relationship between the usage status and the extent of deterioration of the radiation detector and history information, and a service life prolongation advice output unit for transmitting service life prolongati
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7915747
    Abstract: A substrate for forming a semiconductor layer includes a plurality of linear convexes or grooves on a surface of the substrate by crystal growth. The plurality of linear convexes or grooves are formed along a direction of a cleavage plane of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keiichi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 7915589
    Abstract: An idling time period after applying a bias to a conversion element until a start of an accumulation of the conversion element for deriving an image and an accumulation period from the start of the accumulation to a termination of the accumulation are measured. An offset correction of the image is conducted by using a dark current accumulation charge quantity in the accumulation calculated based on the measured idling time period and accumulation period and stored dark current response characteristics. Thus, even just after applying the bias to the conversion element, the offset correction can be properly conducted. An imaging apparatus which can execute a good radiographing without increasing costs and a size even just after applying the bias to the conversion element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20110062341
    Abstract: A sensor device, in particular for an image recorder for recording any desired radiation, in particular electromagnetic radiation, X-ray radiation, gamma radiation or some other particle radiation has a plurality of sensor layers which are arranged above one another and each have sensor elements. In each sensor layer, coefficients of a basic function are recorded by the sensor elements which are hard-wired and each directly provide a measured value, the magnitude of which corresponds to a coefficient of the basic function which may be a wavelet basic function. The sensor device provides a recorded image in compressed form and with simultaneously little complexity and can be used in a versatile manner, in particular in an image recorder or a digital camera or, in medicine, in an X-ray machine or a tomograph. Furthermore, the sensor device can be used in a satellite for distant reconnaissance or for the purposes of astrophysics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Utz Wever, Qinghua Zheng
  • Publication number: 20110064293
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation diagnostic apparatus includes a photon-counting detector, a counting information storage unit, an image reconstituting unit, and a controlling unit. The detector performs counting on light derived from incident radiation. The counting information storage unit stores therein counting information based on the counting result of the detector. The image reconstituting unit reconstitutes a medical image by performing a back projection process on projection data that is generated by use of the counting information stored in the counting information storage unit. After the reconstitution of the medical image, the controlling unit performs control so that all or part of the counting information is maintained in the counting information storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuzo TAKAYAMA, Manabu Teshigawara, Kenta Moriyasu
  • Publication number: 20110057111
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing system includes plural radiographic image capturing devices that carry out an image capturing preparation operation when capturing a radiographic image; and a synchronous control section that carries out control that synchronizes the image capturing preparation operations of the plurality of radiographic image capturing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoyuki NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20110058644
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a generally stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (106), rotatably supported by the generally stationary gantry (102), that rotates about a longitudinal axis around an examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a radiation source (112) that emits a radiation beam that traverses the examination region. The radiation source (112) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to translate in a direction of the longitudinal axis with respect to the rotating gantry (106) while scanning a subject in the examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a detector array (120) that detects the radiation beam that traverses the examination region and generates a signal indicative thereof. The detector array (120) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to move in coordination with the radiation source (112) while scanning the subject in the examination region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Axel Thran, Claas Bontus, Peter Forthmann, Roland Proksa, Ronald B. Sharpless, Dominic J. Heuscher, Felix Peeters, Johannes Bathazar Maria Soetens
  • Patent number: 7902514
    Abstract: An image detecting device (radiation solid-state detecting device) including an image detector (sensor substrate) for recording an image and outputting the recorded image as image information; a temperature regulation control unit for performing a temperature regulation control operation to adjust the image detector to a predetermined temperature; and an image information output detecting unit (timing control signal detector) for detecting the output of the image information from the image detector, and outputting the detected output as an image information output detection signal to the temperature regulation control unit, wherein the temperature regulation control unit halts the temperature regulation control operation on the image detector based on the image information output detection signal that is input thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Miyako, Hajime Nakata, Kazuo Hakamata, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20110049375
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a first driving circuit unit to drive a first switching element connected to a conversion element, wherein the conversion element converting radiation into charges, a second driving circuit unit to drive a second switching element connected to the conversion element, and a control unit to control the first driving circuit and the second driving circuit independently at different timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20110049374
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus of the present invention includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a predetermined image and an image after correction which corrected an anomalous pixel of the predetermined image, and a display control unit configured to display an image expanding a partial region of the predetermined image including the anomalous pixel and a pixel used for correcting the anomalous pixel, and the image after correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Omi
  • Patent number: 7897928
    Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Thierry Oggier, Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20110042575
    Abstract: A disclosed semiconductor detector block includes a plurality of semiconductor plates each configured to have a front surface on which an electrically resistive electrode is formed and a back surface on which an electrically conductive electrode is formed and to detect a two-dimensional detection position of gamma rays on the semiconductor plates using a ratio of electric signals from four corners of the electrically resistive electrode, wherein the plurality of semiconductor plates are piled up and a three-dimensional detection position of the gamma rays is detectable using a ratio of the electric signals from the four corners of the electrically resistive electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keizo Ishii, Youhei Kikuchi, Shigeo Matsuyama, Hiromichi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110042574
    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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Keiji Tsubota, Yasunori Ohta, Yutaka Yoshida, Masato Hattori
  • Publication number: 20110036989
    Abstract: A pulse shaper (124) includes an integrator (202) with a feedback capacitor (208) that stores integrated charge of a charge pulse indicative of a detected photon. An output pulse of the integrator includes a peak amplitude indicative of the detected photon. An end pulse identifier (214) identifies the end of the charge pulse. A controller (216) generates a control signal that invokes a reset of the integrator (202) when the end of the 5 pulse is identified. An energy discriminator (128) includes a chain of comparators (132) connected in series. An output of each of the comparators (702, 704) is influenced by an output of a previous one of the comparators 712 (702, 704). A decision component (706) determines an output of the comparators (702, 704), and a controller component (708) triggers the decision component (706) to store the output of the comparators (702, 704) 10 after lapse of a charge collection time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Aviv Marks, Christoph Herrmann, Ewald Roessl
  • Publication number: 20110036986
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KAZUAKI TASHIRO, NORIYUKI KAIFU, SHIN KIKUCHI, TOMOYUKI NODA
  • Patent number: 7883916
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor comprises a first photosensitive diode comprising a first semiconductor material is formed in a first semiconductor substrate. A second photosensitive diode comprising a second semiconductor material, which has a different light detection wavelength range than the first semiconductor material, is formed in a second semiconductor substrate. Semiconductor devices for holding and detecting charges comprising a sensing circuit of the CMOS image sensor may also be formed in the second semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate are bonded so that the first photosensitive diode is located underneath the second photosensitive diode. The vertical stack of the first and second photosensitive diodes detects light in the combined detection wavelength range of the first and second semiconductor materials. Sensing devices may be shared between the first and second photosensitive diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Daniel N. Maynard, Kevin N. Ogg, Richard J. Rassel, Raymond J. Rosner
  • Publication number: 20110024641
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a detector, having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, for performing first and second radiography operations, a bias light source, and a control unit that controls the operation of the detector and the bias light source. In the first radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a first radiation field corresponding to some of the pixels is output. In the second radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a second radiation field larger than the first radiation field is output. In accordance with a change from the first radiation field to the second radiation field, the operation of the bias light source is controlled so that the irradiation with the bias light is performed during a period between the first and second radiography operations at a bias-light integral dose determined based on radiation integral dose information in the first radiography operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Masayoshi Akiyama, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Sho Sato
  • Publication number: 20110019794
    Abstract: To mitigate the influence of charge sharing occurring in semiconductor detectors, an improved semiconductor detector (200) is provided, which comprises: a plurality of anodes (210) arranged to form at least one opening (230), each opening being formed by two anodes in the plurality of anodes; at least one cathode (220); a detector cell (240) located between the plurality of anodes and the at least one cathode; wherein the detector cell comprises at least one groove (250), each of the at least one groove having a first opening (252) aligned with one of the at least one opening being formed by two anodes in the plurality of anodes, each of the at least one groove extending towards the at least one cathode. By forming grooves in the detector cell, the charge cloud generated by a single photon can be received by a corresponding anode instead of several neighboring anodes, which thereby improves the spectral resolution and count rate of a semiconductor detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Roland Proksa