Imaging System Patents (Class 250/370.08)
  • Publication number: 20110017917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20110012021
    Abstract: A detector for detecting radiation, the detector comprising: a plurality of elongate scintillator segments arranged in a side by side array; and at least one pair of light sensors optically coupled to ends of each of the elongate scintillator such that they receive light from scintillations produced in the scintillator and generate electrical signals responsive thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Dan INBAR
  • Patent number: 7872237
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with semiconductor circuit substrates for use in a radiation detection device, said radiation detection device comprising a detector substrate having a plurality of detector cells arranged to generate charge in response to incident radiation, each of said detector cells including at least one detector cell contact for coupling charge from said detector cell to said semiconductor circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: IPL Intellectual Property Licensing Limited
    Inventors: Kimmo Puhakka, Iain Benson
  • Patent number: 7872218
    Abstract: Each pixel is provided with a photoelectric converting device S1(1-1) or the like, a source-follower-type first transistor T1(1-1) or the like, a second transistor Te(1-1) to be turned on when reading an electrical signal from a pixel selected by a shift register SR1 for each line and outputting the signal to a readout circuit unit and a third transistor T3(1-1) to be turned on when resetting a photoelectric converting device set to a pixel selected by a shift register SR1 for each line. Moreover, a bias power source for supplying a photoelectric conversion bias to a photoelectric converting device and a reset power source for supplying a reset bias to a photoelectric converting device are set in the readout circuit unit. By using the radiation image pickup apparatus and its control method, it is possible to improve the S/N ratio while restraining noises and preferably, it is possible to perform stable and high-speed dynamic-image photographing and restrain dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20110001053
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging device includes a signal processing circuit (22) processes signals from a detector array (16) which detects radiation from an imaging region (20). The hit signals are indicative of a corresponding detector (18) being hit by a radiation photon. The signal processing circuit (22) includes a plurality of input channels (321, 322, 323, 324), each input channel receiving hit signals from a corresponding detector element (18) such that each input channel (321, 322, 323, 324) corresponds to a location at which each hit signal is received. A plurality of integrators (42) integrate signals from the input channels (32) to determine an energy value associated with each radiation hit. A plurality of analog-to-digital converters (441, 442, 443, 444) convert the integrated energy value into a digital energy value. A plurality of time to digital converters (40) receive the hit signals and generate a digital time stamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Torsten Solf
  • Patent number: 7863575
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging method and system use a radiation solid state detector or a flat panel detector (FPD). The method and system enable radiographic imaging to be continued for a while after occurrence of pixel defects that may lower image quality and minimizing adverse effects of the pixel defects. The pixel defects are analyzed in the respective local regions on the detector. A pixel defect correction is not made on local regions where the pixel defect exceeds a given tolerance but these regions are marked on the radiographic image for recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20100327172
    Abstract: A radiation detector of this invention includes a Cl-doped CdTe or Cl-doped CdZnTe polycrystalline semiconductor film in which defect levels in crystal grains are protected. This is obtained by grinding CdTe or CdZnTe crystal doped with Cl, and preparing the polycrystalline semiconductor film again by using its powder as the source. The defect levels of crystal grain boundaries in the polycrystalline semiconductor film are also protected by further doping the polycrystalline semiconductor film prepared again with Cl. These features enable manufacture of the radiation detector which has excellent sensitivity and response to radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Satoshi Tokuda, Hiroyuki Kishihara, Masatomo Kaino, Tamotsu Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20100320392
    Abstract: In a radiation image detection apparatus for reading out a radiation image signal from the radiation detection unit that detects radiation transmitted through a subject and outputting the radiation image signal as a radio communication signal, the carrier frequency of the radio communication signal is made lower during a reading period in which the radiation image signal is being read out by the read out unit than the carrier frequency of the radio communication signal at a time other than the reading period, and compression is performed on the radiation image signal and compressed radiation image signal is outputted as a radio communication signal during the reading period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7851764
    Abstract: A method of high-energy particle imaging by individual particle counting with an active pixel direct bombardment detector. The method includes the step of providing an active pixel direct bombardment detector including an array of pixels. Each pixel is characterized by a reset time constant. The method further includes sampling the pixel voltage of each pixel at a first time. The method further includes applying a pixel reset voltage to each pixel for a reset time interval less than the reset time constant. The method further includes sampling the pixel voltage of each pixel at a second time. The method further includes computing a difference between the sampled pixel voltages at the first and second times. The sampling and the applying of the reset voltage may be periodic. A direct bombardment detector is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: Direct Electron, LP, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Liang Jin, Robert B. Bilhorn, Xuong Nguyen-Huu
  • Patent number: 7852985
    Abstract: A digital detector of a digital imaging system is provided. In one embodiment, a digital detector includes a detector array disposed in a housing and configured to generate image data based on received radiation. The digital detector may also include a battery configured to be disposed within a receptacle of the housing and to supply operating power to the detector array. In one embodiment, the receptacle and the housing may be configured such that the receptacle is externally accessible to enable a user to selectively insert and remove the battery from the receptacle. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Donald Langler, Gary V. McBroom
  • Patent number: 7847258
    Abstract: A radiation imaging device 12 has a phosphor film 8; a photoelectric conversion portion 13 including an upper electrode 6, a lower electrode 2, and a photoelectric conversion film 4 disposed between the electrodes; a signal output portion 14 including a field effect thin film transistor 10 having an active layer 24 formed from an amorphous oxide and that outputs a signal corresponding to electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion portion; and a substrate 1 on which the signal output portion, the photoelectric conversion portion and the phosphor film are formed in this order. Each of pixel portions is made up of the signal output portion, the photoelectric conversion portion and the phosphor film, and the signal output portion and the photoelectric conversion portion in each of the pixel portions are formed so as to have an overlapping portion in a thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yaegashi, Rui Shen
  • Patent number: 7847231
    Abstract: To provide a small-size image sensor and electromagnetic radiation imaging device which can obtain a good image without relying on the condition of an object, the image sensor including a plurality of pixel units arranged two-dimensionally, wherein each of the plurality of pixel units includes: a first photodiode and a second photodiode; a readout circuit which reads a signal generated by the first photodiode and a signal generated by the second photodiode, and outputs the read signals, the readout circuit being connected to the first photodiode and the second photodiode; and a difference circuit which outputs a difference signal corresponding to a difference between the signal read from the first photodiode and the signal read from the second photodiode, the difference circuit being connected to the readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Hirose
  • Publication number: 20100301223
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a portable electronic cassette having a first cable that includes at least one of a signal line and a power line and is provided with a first connector for connecting to another connector, the electronic cassette being configured to acquire an image based on radiation transmitted through an object; a controller having a second cable that includes at least one of a signal line and a power line and is provided with a second connector for connecting to the first connector, the controller being configured to control an imaging operation of the electronic cassette viathese cables; and a patient platform having an electronic cassette-housing unit in which the electronic cassette can be installed and a connector holding unit in which the second connector can be fixedly fitted. Here, the first connector has a lock/unlock operation unit configured to detachably connect to the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kensuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7842926
    Abstract: The invention relates to production and precision patterning of work pieces, including manufacture of photomask for photolithography and direct writing on other substrates, such as semiconductor substrates. In particular, it relates to applying corrections to pattern data, such as corrections for distortions in the field of an SLM exposure stamp. It may be used to produce a device on a substrate. Alternatively, the present invention may be practiced as a device practicing disclosed methods or as an article of manufacture, particularly a memory, either volatile or non-volatile memory, including a program adapted to carry out the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Micronic Laser Systems AB
    Inventors: Martin Olsson, Torbjörn Sandström, Mats Rosling
  • Patent number: 7834324
    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: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Imai
  • Patent number: 7829859
    Abstract: Power supply switches are disposed on respective side walls of a casing of a radiation detecting cassette, which are held out of contact with a patient when a radiation image of the patient is captured. When a surgeon or a radiological technician turns one of the power supply switches on or off, a battery starts or stops supplying electric power to a radiation detector, a cassette controller, and a transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshimi, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7829860
    Abstract: An imaging detector system includes a radiation detector having a plurality of pixels for generating a plurality of detection signals in response to radiation. Each of the pixels is used to generate a corresponding one of the detection signals. The imaging detector system includes a plurality of photon counting channels. Each photon counting channel is coupled to a corresponding one of the pixels to receive and process the corresponding one of the detection signals. Each photon integrating channel is coupled to a corresponding one of the pixels to receive and process the corresponding one of the detection signals. An image processor receives outputs from the photon counting channels and the photon integrating channels, wherein the image processor is adapted to generate an image using the received outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: DxRay, Inc.
    Inventors: Einar Nygard, Jan S. Iwanczyk, William C. Barber
  • 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: 20100264316
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mirror array having a plurality of mirrors and a control system. The plurality of mirrors is capable of receiving a signal for an image. The control system is capable of controlling a first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a first portion of the signal to a detector. The control system is also capable of controlling a second portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a second portion of the signal away from the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Delaney, JR., David Arthur Whelan
  • Publication number: 20100264324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (3) comprising a detector array (5) having a periodical pattern of detector elements (51). Each detector element (51) comprises a sensor element (53) for converting incident radiation into an electrical charge. The sensor elements (53) are spaced at a sensor-center-to-center distance. Over the detector array (5) an imaging radiation-collimating structure (7) is disposed. The imaging radiation-collimating structure has a periodical pattern of radiation absorbing elements, which radiation absorbing elements are being spaced at a collimator center-to-center distance. The radiation detector (3) comprises a combiner for generating combiner-signals from the electrical charges of the sensor elements (53) of groups of an even number of sensor elements adjacent in a direction of the periodicity of the pattern of the radiation absorbing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Pierre Antoine Jozef Hoornaert, Getty Wissink, Tiemen Poorter
  • Publication number: 20100259409
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuwabara, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi, Kazuharu Ueta, Makato Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20100252743
    Abstract: A first leakage current value output from each signal line is stored in a storage unit, with a charge corresponding to an emitted radiation being held in a radiographic image detector, when the radiation is uniformly emitted to the radiographic image detector. A second leakage current value is acquired which is output from each signal line, with a charge corresponding to the radiation dose being held in the radiographic image detector, when the radiation passing through an object is emitted to the radiographic image detector. When the first and second leakage current values are equal to each other for each line corresponding to each signal line, all pixels on the line are determined to belong to a background area (lines A and C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaharu Ogawa, Nobuyuki Iwasaki, Takao Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20100243906
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive detector includes a first substrate 202 with first and second opposing sides. The first side detects incident radiation, and the first substrate 202 produces a signal indicative of the detected radiation. At least one electrical contact 204 is located on the first substrate 202. An electrically conductive material 214 is coupled to the at least one electrical contact 204. The electrically conductive material 214 has a melting point in a range of about seventy-two (72) degrees Celsius to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen, Rob Van Asselt
  • Publication number: 20100237252
    Abstract: A method of high-energy particle imaging by individual particle counting with an active pixel direct bombardment detector. The method includes the step of providing an active pixel direct bombardment detector including an array of pixels. Each pixel is characterized by a reset time constant. The method further includes sampling the pixel voltage of each pixel at a first time. The method further includes applying a pixel reset voltage to each pixel for a reset time interval less than the reset time constant. The method further includes sampling the pixel voltage of each pixel at a second time. The method further includes computing a difference between the sampled pixel voltages at the first and second times. The sampling and the applying of the reset voltage may be periodic. A direct bombardment detector is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Liang Jin, Robert B. Bilhorn, Xuong Nguyen-Huu
  • Publication number: 20100230607
    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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto KITADA
  • Patent number: 7795594
    Abstract: A system for reading data is provided. The system includes a detector having an array of first semiconductor devices, an array of second semiconductor devices, and an array of photodiodes. The array of photodiodes is coupled to the array of first semiconductor devices and the array of second semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott William Petrick, Alan Dean Blomeyer
  • Publication number: 20100208871
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Eiichi Kito, Takuya Yoshimi, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7772539
    Abstract: A system is provided for determining characteristic information of an object positioned adjacent to a route. The system includes a first camera configured to collect a first set of spectral data of the object. The system further includes a second camera configured to collect a second set of spectral data of the object. The first and second cameras are attached to a powered system traveling along the route. The system further includes a controller coupled to the first camera and the second camera. The controller is configured to determine the characteristic information of the object based on the first set of spectral data and the second set of spectral data of the object. Additionally, a method is provided for determining characteristic information of the object positioned adjust to the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Publication number: 20100198061
    Abstract: Intraoperative radiation detection probes and cameras for use in surgical or transcutaneous procedures or procedures incorporating probes inserted through body orifices to aid in the location, detection and removal of radiation labeled cells, abnormal tissue or deposits thereon incorporate solid state or silicon photomultiplier (SSPM, or SiPM) devices to provide safe, highly sensitive and compact beta and gamma probes or cameras for use in locating the radiation labeled sites within the human body or abnormal labeled sites within the body. The probes may include both gamma and beta detecting components as well as means for enhancing the accuracy and sensitivity of the beta detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Farhad Daghighian, Henry Daghighian
  • Publication number: 20100193696
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for calibrating pixelated detectors are provided. A method includes acquiring energy response data for a plurality of pixels of the pixelated semiconductor radiation detector and performing at least one of energy calibration and sensitivity calibration on each of the plurality of pixels based on the acquired energy response data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Ira Blevis, Leonid Tsukerman
  • Publication number: 20100187427
    Abstract: A wireless communication control unit controls a transmitting and receiving apparatus so as to prohibit transmission of radiation image information to the outside by wireless communication or power supply from the outside to an electric power source by wireless communication in accordance with an exposure detecting signal from an exposure detecting unit or a conversion detecting signal from a conversion detecting unit. Thus, this can control the transmitting and receiving apparatus not to carry out, at the same period of time, the irradiation of a radiation (X) to a radiation detector, a conversion operation of the radiation image information in the radiation detector, and wireless communication by the transmitting and receiving apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuwabara, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7755056
    Abstract: A radiation sensor 10 includes an array of imaging pixels 13 electrically connectable to a readout port. At least one first peripheral row of trigger pixels 11 is located at a first edge of the array, the trigger pixels also being electrically connectable to the readout port but responding faster to x-rays than the imaging pixels. At least one second peripheral row of trigger pixels 12 may be located at a second edge of the array opposed to the first edge. Trigger pixels 11, 12 from the first and second peripheral rows may be addressable alternately in a predetermined pattern to detect a radiation signal for triggering the sensor. Various methods of clocking the sensor are also described. The sensor has particular applicability to intra-oral x-ray imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Thomas Bell
  • Patent number: 7750303
    Abstract: A positron emission tomography apparatus installs a plurality of detector units in the circumference of a bed. The detector unit installs a plurality of combined substrates including detectors, analogue ASICs, and a digital ASIC and a voltage adjustment device inside a housing. A partition plate installed inside the housing separates the region inside the housing into a first region installed with the combined substrates and a second region installed with the voltage adjustment device. The partition plate blocks noise generated in the voltage adjustment device so as not to affect ?-ray detection signals outputted from the detectors, thereby preventing the effect of the noise generated in the voltage adjustment device toward ?-ray detection signals and shortening the examination time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichirou Ueno, Kensuke Amemiya, Norihito Yanagita, Takafumi Ishitsu, Tomoyuki Seino, Takashi Matsumoto, Shinobu Irikura
  • Patent number: 7745795
    Abstract: In a gamma camera, a plurality of radiation detector elements having a rod-shaped first electrode, a semiconductor device surrounds the first electrode to contact with it for entering a radiation, and a second electrode provided for the side surface of the semiconductor device are detachably attached to a holding member. The holding member has a first electrode contact portion contacted with the first electrode and a second electrode contact portion contacted with the second electrode. A collimator in which a plurality of radiation paths provided corresponding to the plurality of radiation detector elements are formed is arranged on the radiation entering side of the plurality of radiation detector elements. A ?-ray detection signal outputted from the first electrode contact portion is sent to a signal processing integrated circuit. A high voltage is applied to the second electrode via the second electrode contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Kazuma Yokoi, Kikuo Umegaki, Kensuke Amemiya, Yuuichirou Ueno, Norihito Yanagita, Shinichi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100155612
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a base that has electric conductivity, at least one image pickup element, and at least one fixing member for fixing the image pickup element to the base. The base has at least one conducting portion on the surface thereof on the side of the fixing member, and the image pickup element has a conducting portion on the surface thereof on the side of the fixing member. The fixing member is formed of peelable resin for separating the image pickup element from the base by applying current. The area of the conducting portion of the base is larger than the area of the fixing region between the fixing member and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeda, Satoshi Okada, Masato Inoue, Kazumi Nagano, Keiichi Nomura, Satoru Sawada
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100156593
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 7741608
    Abstract: In an image reader, if a first and second light sources alternately light-up when a conveying unit conveys an imaging target medium, a visible light data group that is based on a reflected light, of a wavelength inside a visible spectrum, of a first light having a wavelength inside the visible spectrum and a visible light external data group that is based on the reflected light, of the wavelength inside the visible spectrum, of a second light having a wavelength outside the visible spectrum are alternately generated. By scanning the imaging target medium once and by collecting multiple visible light data group, first image data of the imaging target medium, based on the first light, is generated. Furthermore, by collecting multiple visible light external data group, second image data of the imaging target medium, based on the second light, is also generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventor: Masanari Takabatake
  • Publication number: 20100148080
    Abstract: First drive wirings electrically connected to output switching elements TT11 to TT63 in a plurality of n-th row pixels 111 and second drive wirings electrically connected to initializing switch elements TR11 to TR63 in a plurality of pixels 111 along a predetermined row are connected to a first drive circuit unit 121 arranged on a first side of a glass substrate 10. Third drive wirings electrically connected to output switching elements in a plurality of n+1-th row pixels 111 and fourth drive wirings electrically connected to initializing switch element in a plurality of pixels 111 along another row different from a predetermined row are connected to a second drive circuit unit 122 arranged along a second side in opposition to the first side of the glass substrate 10 sandwiching the converting unit 110 between the first and second sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20100148081
    Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette has a casing including a first flat plate for facing a patient and a second flat panel for facing a surgical table. The first flat plate and the second flat panel are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. The casing also includes a pair of first and second tapered side members disposed on respective side edges of the first and second flat plates. The first and second tapered side members are progressively tapered toward their distal ends. The first and second tapered side members house therein respective radiation shields, which in turn house therein a battery, a cassette controller, and a transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshimi, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7737427
    Abstract: A signal detector detects signals transmitted from signal generators disposed in a radiation detecting cassette, and a distance calculator calculates the distance between a radiation source and a radiation detector based on the signals detected by the signal detector. A determining unit determines whether the detected distance matches a predetermined distance from the radiation source to the radiation detector when a radiation image is captured. If the detected distance does not match the predetermined distance, the determining unit outputs, to a warning unit, a warning signal indicating that the detected distance does not match the predetermined distance, and also outputs a control signal for equalizing the detected distance with the predetermined distance, to a radiation source movement controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7737410
    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: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Rubenstein
  • Publication number: 20100140490
    Abstract: There is provided a radiographic imaging device including: a radiation detector; a switching power supply; a storage section; a reading section; and a control section that controls the switching power supply so as to implement switching control and cause electricity to be accumulated in the storage section at a time when charge is not being read by the reading section, and stop switching control at a time when charge is being read by the reading section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji TSUBOTA, Takashi SHOJI, Yutaka YOSHIDA, Naoyuki NISHINO, Kiyoshi KONDOU, Yuji KURACHI, Yasunori OHTA
  • Patent number: 7732768
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a thermographic imaging device having a visual compare mode that allows a user to compare a live image of a subject to a previously captured image of the same subject to aid the user in aligning the live image with the previously captured image. In this manner, a user can capture a series of images of the subject with the device located and oriented at a common location and orientation that is consistent throughout the series. In another embodiment, trend analysis software that includes a thermographic tool copying feature for copying one or more thermographic tools from a tooled thermographic image file to one or more non-tooled thermographic image files. In some embodiments, the software includes a trend-graphing feature that generates one or more trend plots after one or more tools have been copied to one or more non-tooled thermographic image files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Thermoteknix Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Haigh, Richard Salisbury, Robin Tucker
  • Patent number: 7732778
    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: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20100133635
    Abstract: The image sensor and an image sensing system including the same are provided. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a pixel array formed at a pixel area located in the semiconductor substrate and comprising a plurality of photoelectric converts, a plurality of driver circuits formed at a circuit area defined in the semiconductor substrate. The image sensor includes at least one heat blocker or heat shield. The at least one heat blocker may be formed between the pixel area and the circuit area in the semiconductor substrate. The heat blocker or heat shield may block or dissipate heat generated at the circuit area from being transferred to the pixel area through the semiconductor substrate. The heat blocker or heat shield may be used in image sensors using a back-side illumination sensor (BIS) structure or image sensors using a silicon on insulator (SOI) semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Kyung Ho Lee, Dong-Yoon Jang, Jung Chak Ahn, Moo Sup Lim, Yong Jei Lee, Jong Eun Park
  • Patent number: 7728299
    Abstract: Edge portions of detection electrodes, such as a first linear electrode and a second linear electrode, that include the side surfaces of the detection electrodes and parts of surfaces of the detection electrodes, the surfaces continuing from the side surfaces and facing a photoconductive layer for recording, are covered with dielectrics. Further, surfaces of the detection electrodes and the dielectrics are coated with an anti-crystallization layer to prevent crystallization of a photoconductive layer for readout. At this time, the surfaces of the electrodes are smoothly covered with the dielectrics at angles ? of contact of 5 to 60 degrees so that no bump is present, thereby preventing generation of a crack in the anti-crystallization layer on the dielectrics and the electrodes. Accordingly, crystallization of the photoconductive layer for readout, which is induced by injection of charges from the edge portions of the detection electrodes or the like, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kaku Irisawa, Yasuhisa Kaneko, Masaharu Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20100123082
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for acquiring an image in a sensor having a substrate side and a front side comprising illuminating the semiconductor image sensor with electrons that approach the sensor from the substrate side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: GATAN, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Mooney
  • Patent number: 7718973
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a read unit reading electric signals from radiation detecting elements that are arranged two-dimensionally and that convert incident radiation into electric signals. A control unit controls the radiation detecting unit such that a first radiation detecting element is switched into a state in which charge generated therein cannot be taken out (a “senseless state”) and a second radiation detecting element is switched into a state in which it charge generated therein by incident radiation can be taken out (a “sensible state”), and a signal processing unit performs a subtraction processing such that the electric signal from the radiation detecting element that is in the senseless state is subtracted from the electric signal from the radiation detecting element that is in the sensible state, to reduce conspicuous line noise in an image by means of a relatively simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7712959
    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, 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: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Eiichi Kito, Takuya Yoshimi, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta