Scintillation System Patents (Class 250/370.11)
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Patent number: 8668844Abstract: The invention relates to a Gd2O2S:Nd fluorescent material and the use of Nd3+ as emitter in suitable materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Guenter Zeitler, Herbert Schreinemacher, Norbert Conrads, Detlef Uwe Wiechert
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Patent number: 8669513Abstract: A method is provided of at least partly assembling a light sensor module having at least one light sensing element optically coupled to a further optical element, for receiving light therefrom. The method comprises coupling the at least one light sensing element to an intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is adapted to provide at least a predetermined level of optical coupling between the optical element and the at least one light sensing element when assembled by subsequently coupling, for example as part of a separate method, the intermediate layer to the optical element, with the intermediate layer being arranged between the optical element and the at least one light sensing element. An optical element other than a light sensing element, for example a light source element, can be used in place of the or each light sensing element, with in that case the or each optical element providing light to the further optical element rather than receiving light therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: SensL Technologies LimitedInventors: Patrick J. Hughes, John C. Jackson
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Patent number: 8664616Abstract: In a method of count correction for pixels of a pixilated photon counting detector, the average count value output by each of a plurality of pixels during a period of time is determined. A product is determined of the actual average count value and a multiplying correction factor. A corrected count value is then determined for the pixel equal to a sum of the product and an additive correction factor. The multiplying correction factor equals a square root of a quotient of a desired average count value to be output by each of the plurality of pixels during the period of time divided by the actual average count value. The additive correction factor equals a product of the multiplying correction factor and the actual average count value subtracted from the desired average count value.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: EV Products, Inc.Inventor: David S. Rundle
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Patent number: 8653469Abstract: A probe for detecting K-alpha photon emissions. A housing has an aperture at an end. A detector crystal is situated within the housing adjacent to the housing aperture. An energy conversion device is situated within the housing between the detector crystal and the aperture. The energy conversion device is made from a predetermined material configured to convert energy directed through the housing aperture from a source of primary photon emission radiation to a corresponding secondary K-alpha emission within a predetermined emission energy acceptance window. A power supply is coupled to the detector crystal and is configured to establish a polarized electrical field between the anode and the cathode of the detector crystal. The detector crystal receives the K-alpha emission and generates an electrical signal representative of the amount of target emissions received through the housing aperture.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.Inventor: John D. Call
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Patent number: 8653468Abstract: A radiological image conversion panel includes a phosphor and a light transmissive protection material. The phosphor has a group of columnar crystals formed by growing a crystal of a fluorescent material and a fluorescence emitting surface configured by a set of tips of the columnar crystals. The light transmissive protection material covers the fluorescence emitting surface of the phosphor. The protection material is inserted between the tips of the group of the columnar crystals. A gap is formed between at least a part of a side of the tips of the columnar crystals and the protection material. The radiological image detection apparatus includes a radiological image conversion panel and a sensor panel that is provided close to the fluorescence emitting surface of the phosphor to detect the fluorescence emitted from the phosphor.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
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Patent number: 8648310Abstract: An indirect x-ray imager including one or more semi-transparent layers that reduce lateral spreading of light produced by the scintillator layer. The semi-transparent layers may be one or more layers above and/or below the scintillator, which the light generated by the scintillator goes through prior to being received by an array of photosensors. The semi-transparent layers may have a light transparency that is proportional to the pixel pitch of the photosensor, and/or proportional to a thickness of the layers. The semi-transparent layers have a light transparency that allows a high percent of the light to be received across the thickness of the layer, but restrains most of the light from being received across a lateral distance of more than one pixel pitch. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventor: Ivan P. Mollov
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Patent number: 8637829Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition device enabling a dental radiological image to be obtained, the device comprising a matrix sensor (C) having integrated therein a plurality of image acquisition photodiodes (DA) sensitive to irradiation and at least one detection photodiode (DD) also sensitive to irradiation, the device also comprising a control module (M) for controlling the sensor (C) and suitable for periodically reading the detection photodiode (DD) and for causing the sensor (C) to change over (SBA) between at least two modes: a standby mode and an acquisition mode (ACQ).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: SoproInventors: Alain Mazuir, Laurent Guilhaumon
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Patent number: 8637831Abstract: An x-ray detector that is suitable for both imaging and dose rate measurement has a hybrid photoactive layer arranged between an electrode and a substrate. The hybrid photoactive layer includes a number of scintillators as well as a bulk heterojunction and is designed to produce indirect x-ray conversion. The bulk heterojunction absorbs the scintillator radiation to form electron-hole pairs that are detected electrically. The production takes place by a spraying process, in particular a co-spraying process of bulk heterojunction solution and scintillator particle suspension.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Oliver Hayden, Tobias Rauch, Reiner Franz Schulz, Maria Sramek, Sandro Francesco Tedde
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Patent number: 8637830Abstract: In a radiation image conversion panel (10), a radiation conversion layer (2) for converting an incident radiation into light is formed on a substrate (1). The radiation conversion layer (2) has a reflective layer (3), on a side opposite from a light exit surface (2a) for emitting the light, for reflecting the light to the exit surface (2a) side, while the reflective layer (3) has a helical structure comprising helically stacked phosphor crystals. Thus constructed radiation image conversion panel (10) can enhance the reflectance without forming a reflective layer made of a thin metal film or the like and exhibit a reflectance higher than that in the case where the reflective layer is formed by spherical crystal particles.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Masanori Yamashita, Yutaka Kusuyama, Shintaro Toyama, Kazuhiro Shirakawa, Munenori Shikida
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Publication number: 20140021362Abstract: There are provided a gamma ray detecting apparatus, including: a secondary electron emitter causing a Compton scattering reaction with an incident gamma ray to emit secondary electrons in a progress direction of the gamma ray; a first radiation detector provided to be opposed to the secondary electron emitter with respect to an emission progress direction of the secondary electrons and detecting the position and transfer energy of the secondary electron; a second radiation detector provided to be opposed to the first radiation detector with respect to the emission progress direction of the secondary electron and detecting the position and the transfer energy of the secondary electron passing through the first radiation detector; a third radiation detector provided to be opposed to the second radiation detector with respect to the emission progress direction of the secondary electron and detecting residual energy of the secondary electron by absorbing the secondary electron passing through the second radiationType: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITYInventors: Chan-Hyeong Kim, Jin-Hyung Park, Hee Seo
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Patent number: 8629405Abstract: A radiological image detection apparatus includes: a scintillator which is formed out of a group of columnar crystals in which crystals of a fluorescent material emitting fluorescence when irradiated with radiation have grown into columnar shapes; and a photodetector which detects the fluorescence emitted by the scintillator as an electric signal. Activator density in the scintillator varies between high density and low density repeatedly in a radiation travelling direction in at least a part of the scintillator. The activator density in each of front end portions and base end portions of the columnar crystals is lower than the high density.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Yasuhisa Kaneko, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
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Patent number: 8629403Abstract: A new inorganic scintillating material is provided represented by the formula Ln(1-m-n)HfnCemA(3+n), where A is Br or Cl, or I, or a mixture of at least two halogens of the group, Ln is an element from the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu, Y. A new crystal scintillator is also provided represented by the formula Ln(1-m)CemA3:n.Hf4+, where Ln(1-m)CemA3 represents the chemical composition of the matrix material, A is Br, or Cl, or I, or a mixture of at least two halogens from the group, Ln is an element from the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu, Y; Hf4+ is a dopant. A radiation detector comprising a scintillating element based on the novel inorganic scintillating material is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Obshchestvo s Ogranichennoy Otvetstvennostyu “Scintillyatsionnye Tekhnologii Radiatsionnogo Kontrolya”Inventor: Dmitry Ivanovich Vyprintsev
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Patent number: 8624194Abstract: A radiation detecting device is manufactured by a method that includes forming a scintillator layer on a substrate carrying a plurality of photodetectors and a plurality of convex patterns each including a plurality of convexities, the plurality of convex patterns coinciding with the respective photodetectors, the scintillator layer being formed in such a manner as to extend over the plurality of convex patterns; and forming a crack in a portion of the scintillator layer that coincides, in a stacking direction, with a gap between adjacent ones of the convex patterns by cooling the substrate carrying the scintillator layer. The plurality of convex patterns satisfy specific conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoko Ueyama, Nobuhiro Yasui, Yoshihiro Ohashi, Toru Den
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Patent number: 8610079Abstract: The present disclosure relates to radiation detectors having a layer of a high Z material, such as tungsten or lead, disposed on a face of a photodetector layer or other underlying layer. In one embodiment, the layer of the high Z material substantially prevents radiation from reaching on or more electronics components or circuits, such as an analog-to-digital conversion ASIC or other circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mahesh Raman Narayanaswamy, Gregory Scott Zeman
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Patent number: 8586935Abstract: The present invention relates to quaternary compound scintillators and related devices and methods. The scintillators may include, for example, a quaternary compound, the quaternary compound having a first position, a second position, a third position, a fourth position; wherein the first position is Cs; the second position is Li; the third position is La or Lu; and the fourth position is Cl, Br, or I. In certain embodiments, the scintillator composition can further include a single dopant or mixture of dopants.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.Inventors: Kanai S. Shah, William M. Higgins, Edgar V. Van Loef, Jaroslaw Glodo
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Patent number: 8586933Abstract: A radiation-sensitive detector (120) includes a scintillator array (124) coupled with a photosensor array (140) via an adhesive laminate (144). The photosensor (140) has a plurality of dixels (136). The adhesive laminate (144) includes a material free region that extends through the adhesive laminate (144) from the scintillator array (124) to the photosensor array (140) and that is located between a pair of adjacent dixels (136).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Gerardus F. C. M. Lijten
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Patent number: 8581254Abstract: The present approach involves a radiation detector module with increased quantum efficiency and methods of fabricating the radiation detector module. The module includes a scintillator substrate and a photodetector fabricated on the scintillator substrate. The photodetector includes an anode, active organic elements, and a cathode. The module also includes a pixel element array disposed over the photodetector. During imaging, radiation attenuated by an object to be imaged may propagate through the pixel element array and through the layers of the photodetector to be absorbed by the scintillator which in response emits optical photons. The photodetector may absorb the photons and generate charge with improved quantum efficiency, as the photons may not be obscured by the cathode or other layers of the module. Further, the module may include reflective materials in the cathode and at the pixel element array to direct optical photons towards the active organic elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aaron Judy Couture, Steven Jude Duclos, Joseph John Shiang, Gautam Parthasarathy
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Patent number: 8581188Abstract: An electron detector includes a plurality of assemblies, the plurality of assemblies including a first assembly having a first SiPM and a first scintillator made of a first scintillator material directly connected to an active light sensing surface of the first SiPM, and a second assembly having a second SiPM and a second scintillator made of a second scintillator material directly connected to an active light sensing surface of the second SiPM, wherein the first scintillator material and the second scintillator material are different than one another. Alternatively, an electron detector includes an assembly including an SiPM and a scintillator member having a front surface and a back surface, the scintillator member being a film of a scintillator material directly deposited on to an active light sensing surface of the SiPM.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Pulsetor, LLCInventors: Nicholas C. Barbi, Richard B. Mott
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Patent number: 8574458Abstract: The invention relates to an inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu(2-y)Y(y-z-x)CexMzSi(1-v)M?vO5, in which: M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal and M? represents a trivalent metal, (z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2; z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and y ranging from (x+z) to 1. In particular, this material may equip scintillation detectors for applications in industry, for the medical field (scanners) and/or for detection in oil drilling. The presence of Ca in the crystal reduces the afterglow, while stopping power for high-energy radiation remains high.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Saint-Gobain Cristaux et DetecteursInventors: Bernard Ferrand, Bruno Viana, Ludivine Pidol, Pieter Dorenbos
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Patent number: 8575557Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detection element and a radiographic imaging device that may provide optimal resolution that corresponds to the purpose of imaging and to imaging speed, and that may suppress increase in device size. Namely, TFTs of plural pixels in a column direction are connected to the same signal lines. When a moving image is imaged, a control signal is output via a control line, the TFTs of the pixels are turned on, and the charges are read-out from sensor sections. Since the two pixels×two pixels are operated as one pixel and the charges are extracted, resolution may be lowered when compared with a still image and a frame rate may be improved.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Okada
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Patent number: 8575750Abstract: A radiation detector made of High Purity Germanium (HPGe) has been specially machined to be this invented multilayer Inter-Coaxial configuration. With this special configuration, extra large volume HPGe detectors of diameters to be 6 inches, 9 inches, and even 12 inches, can be produced with current achievable HPGe crystal purity and quality, in which the entire detector crystal will be depleted and properly over biased for effective photo-induced signal collection with just less than 5000V bias applied. This invention makes extra large efficiency of 200%, 300%, and maybe even higher than 500% possible with HPGe gamma ray detectors with reasonable great resolution performances procurable based on current HPGe crystal supply capability. The invention could also be applied to any other kind of semiconductor materials if any of them could be purified enough for this application in the future.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Inventors: Yongdong Zhou, Xiao Zhou
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Patent number: 8563941Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array and a scintillator array of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter, an integrator offset voltage signal determiner, and a logic unit, wherein the determiner induces an electrical current via an offset voltage, the A/D converter measures the current, and the logic unit calculates a resistance of the photosensor array based on the reference voltage and the measured current.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Marc Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Christopher J. Vrettos, Brian E. Harwood
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Patent number: 8552392Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette houses therein a detector for detecting a load applied to the radiation detecting cassette when a patient has moved. It is determined whether or not the patient has moved in an image capturing process based on the load detected by the detector. If it is judged that the patient has moved, then a warning is displayed, and a radiation image of the subject is inhibited from being captured.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Eiichi Kito, Naoyuki Nishino, Yasunori Ohta, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima
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Patent number: 8552393Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation image conversion panel wherein luminance is improved by preventing the disorder of the structure of phosphor columnar crystals, thereby eliminating the scattering and refraction of optical elements which is emitted by an X-ray-irradiated phosphor and propagated in the direction of a photoelectric conversion element. Moreover disclosed is a radiation image detector using the same.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.Inventors: Yasushi Nagata, Keiko Maeda
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Patent number: 8541750Abstract: A structure of X-ray detector includes a Si-rich dielectric material for serving as a photo-sensing layer to increase light sensitivity. The fabrication method of the X-ray detector including the Si-rich dielectric material needs less photolithography-etching processes, so as to reduce the total thickness of thin film layers and decrease process steps and cost.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Yu-Cheng Chen, An-Thung Cho, Ching-Sang Chuang, Chia-Tien Peng
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Patent number: 8541751Abstract: A method of managing radiation detectors allows the radiation detectors to be assembled into a radiographic image capturing apparatus such that defective pixels of the radiation detectors are not disposed at the same pixel position (coordinates). The method comprises the steps of recognizing the positions of defective pixels of a plurality of manufactured radiation detectors, referring to the recognized positions of the defective pixels, and assembling at least two radiation detectors into the radiographic image capturing apparatus in a superposed relationship, such that the defective pixels of the radiation detectors are not superposed one on the other.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Yasunori Ohta, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
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Patent number: 8536534Abstract: The present invention provides a radiographic imaging including, provided at an insulating substrate, sensor portions for radiation detection that generate charges due to receive radiation or light converted from radiation, first signal lines that are connected to the sensor portions for radiation detection and through which flow electric signals that correspond to the charges generated at the sensor portions for radiation detection, and second signal lines having a substantially same wiring pattern as the first signal lines. Detection of radiation is carried out on the basis of a difference between an electric signal flowing through the first signal line and an electric signal flowing through the second signal line, or a difference between values of digital data obtained by digitally converting an electric signal flowing through the first signal line and an electric signal flowing through the second signal line, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Okada
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Patent number: 8531568Abstract: An image sensing apparatus is provided, which is provided with a plurality of image sensing elements each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections and an adding circuit adapted to add signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion sections to obtain a one-pixel signal, wherein the adding circuit adds the signals such that the one-pixel signals obtained by the addition are arranged at equal intervals in an area extending over the plurality of image sensing elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Yuki, Noriyuki Kaifu, Kazuaki Tashiro, Tetsunobu Kochi
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Patent number: 8525116Abstract: An imaging system includes positron emission tomography (PET) detectors (30) shrouded by broadband galvanic isolation (99) and coincidence detection electronics (50, 50ob), or other radiation detectors. A magnetic resonance scanner includes a main magnet (12, 14) and magnetic field gradient assembly (20, 20?, 22, 24) configured to acquire imaging data from a magnetic resonance examination region at least partially overlapping the examination region surrounded by the PET detectors. A radio frequency coil (80, 100) has plurality of conductors (66, 166) and a radio frequency screen (88, 188, 188EB, 188F) substantially surrounding the conductors to shield the coil at the magnetic resonance frequency. The radiation detectors are outside of the radio frequency screen. Magnetic resonance-compatible radiation collimators or shielding (60, 62) containing an electrically non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic heavy atom oxide material are disposed with the radiation detectors.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Torsten J. Solf, Gordon D. DeMeester, Michael A. Morich
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Patent number: 8525122Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics (208) with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array (204) and a scintillator array (202) of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter (302) that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit (308) that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter (302), an integrator offset voltage signal determiner (318), and a logic unit (308), wherein the determiner (318) induces an electrical current via an offset voltage, the A/D converter (302) measures the current, and the logic unit (308) calculates a resistance of the photosensor array (204) based on the reference voltage and the measured current.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Marc Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Christopher J. Vrettos, Brian E. Harwood
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Patent number: 8519349Abstract: A scintillator panel assembly for gamma ray detection includes a scintillator panel having fluorescent material therein for generating a photon when a gamma ray enters the panel, and one or more non-scintillating segments embedded in opposing edges of the scintillator panel which conduct light but do not generate a photon when a gamma ray enters. One or more photon detectors, such as photomultiplier tubes, are disposed immediately adjacent the one or more non-scintillating segments for receiving photons conducted through the non-scintillating segments. The non-scintillating segments preferably have optical transmission and reflection properties that are substantially the same as the optical transmission and reflection properties of the scintillator panel. This configuration provides substantially uniform light output response for all photon generation locations which results in improved spectral resolution.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Nucsafe, Inc.Inventors: Alan E. Proctor, James R. Sheldon
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Patent number: 8519347Abstract: Compounds, methods and devices for detecting incident radiation, such as incident x-rays or gamma-rays, are provided. The detection of incident radiation can be accomplished by employing inorganic compounds that include elements with high atomic numbers, that have band gaps of at least about 1.5 eV, and that have an electrical resistivity of at least 106 ?cm as photoelectric materials in a radiation detector. The compounds include inorganic compounds comprising at least one element from periods five or six of the Periodic Table of the Elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Northwestern UniversityInventors: Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Ioannis Androulakis, Simon Johnsen, Sebastian C. Peter
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Patent number: 8519348Abstract: A system for monitoring the state of calibration of a digital x-ray detector having a solid state sensor with a plurality of pixels, a scintillating screen and at least one embedded microprocessor, the system having means for capturing a digital image and a computer operable during normal diagnostic use of the detector, in cooperation with at least one embedded microprocessor, for performing pixelwise computations on the image and calculating a misregistration metric indicative of movement of the solid state sensor relative to the scintillating screen. A defect metric indicative of abnormal properties of pixels in the solid state sensor is calculated. It is then determined whether one or both of the misregistration metric and the defect metric exceeds a respective, preselected threshold value. The user of the system is alerted to conduct a calibration of the detector when either one or both of the respective threshold values have been exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Karin Topfer, Richard T. Scott, Timothy J. Wojcik
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Patent number: 8519338Abstract: An X-ray detection device including a scintillator configured to convert gamma rays or X-rays into optical radiation, an optical image intensifier configured to intensify the optical radiation to generate intensified optical radiation, an optical coupling system configured to guide the intensified optical radiation, and a solid state detector configured to detect the intensified optical radiation to generate an interaction image representing an X-ray energy emission and to perform photon counting based on data of the interaction image.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of ArizonaInventors: Harrison H. Barrett, Lars R. Furenlid, H. Bradford Barber, Brian W. Miller
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Patent number: 8513613Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100), particularly for X-rays (X) and for ?-rays, which comprises a combination of (a) at least one primary conversion layer (101a-101f) with a low attenuation coefficient for the photons and (b) at least one secondary conversion layer (102) with a high attenuation coefficient for the photons. In preferred embodiments, the primary conversion layer (101a-101f) may be realized by a silicon layer coupled to associated energy-resolving counting electronics (111a-111f, 121). The secondary conversion layer (102) may be realized for example by CZT or GOS coupled to energy-resolving counting electronics or integrating electronics. Using primary conversion layers with low stopping power allows to build a stacked radiation detector (100) for spectral CT in which the counting rates of the layers are limited to feasible values without requiring unrealistic thin layers.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Christoph Herrmann, Christian Baeumer, Roger Steadman Booker, Guenter Zeitler
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Patent number: 8513611Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detecting element and a radiographic imaging device that may reliably detect radiation even when a region where radiation is irradiated is set narrowly. Namely, in the radiation detecting element and the radiographic imaging device of the present invention, plural pixels including radiographic imaging pixels and plural radiation detection pixels are disposed in a matrix in a detection region that detects radiation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Okada
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Patent number: 8507870Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an imaging area formed by arranging a plurality of imaging blocks each including a pixel array, a plurality of vertical signal lines, a horizontal output line commonly provided for the plurality of vertical signal lines to read out signals read out to the plurality of vertical signal lines, a first scanning circuit, and a second scanning circuit, wherein signals of the pixels of a selected row in the pixel array are read out to the plurality of vertical signal lines in accordance with a driving pulse from the first scanning circuit, the signals read out to the plurality of vertical signal lines are sequentially read out to the horizontal output line in accordance with a driving pulse from the second scanning circuit, and a length in a row direction of the pixel array is smaller than a length in a column direction of the pixel array.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yu Arishima, Yuichiro Yamashita, Masaru Fujimura, Shin Kikuchi, Shoji Kono, Shinichiro Shimizu
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Patent number: 8502157Abstract: A neutron detector includes an exterior shell bounding an interior volume. The neutron detector includes at least a wall portion serving as a cathode. In one example the wall portion has microfeatures. The neutron detector includes a central structure located within the interior volume and serving as an anode. The neutron detector includes a boron coating on the wall portion. In on example, the boron coating is applied by an electrostatic spray process. In one example, the boron coating conforms to the microfeatures on the wall portion. In one example, the wall portion has a thickness of between 2 to 5 microns. The neutron detector includes an electrical connector operatively connected to the central structure for transmission of a signal collected by the central structure. An associated method provides for depositing the boron coating.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Michael Lustig, Jon Bennett Jansma
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Publication number: 20130187057Abstract: An ion detector 1A for detecting positive ions is provided with a chamber 2 having an ion entrance 3 which allows positive ions to enter, a conversion dynode 9 which is disposed in the chamber 2 and to which a negative potential is applied, and an avalanche photodiode 30 that is disposed in the chamber 2 and has an electron incident surface 30a which is opposed to the conversion dynode 9 and also into which secondary electrons emitted from the conversion dynode 9 are made incident. The electron incident surface 30a is located closer to the conversion dynode 9 than a positioning part 14 which supports the avalanche photodiode 30 in the grounded chamber 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventor: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
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Patent number: 8492728Abstract: A radiation sensor including a scintillation layer configured to emit photons upon interaction with ionizing radiation and a photodetector including in order a first electrode, a photosensitive layer, and a photon-transmissive second electrode disposed in proximity to the scintillation layer. The photosensitive layer is configured to generate electron-hole pairs upon interaction with a part of the photons. The radiation sensor includes pixel circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and configured to measure an imaging signal indicative of the electron-hole pairs generated in the photosensitive layer and a planarization layer disposed on the pixel circuitry between the first electrode and the pixel circuitry such that the first electrode is above a plane including the pixel circuitry. A surface of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode at least partially overlaps the pixel circuitry and has a surface inflection above features of the pixel circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Regents of the University of MichiganInventor: Larry E. Antonuk
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Patent number: 8487264Abstract: A detector ring of radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention has a fracture portion having no scintillation counter crystal arranged therein. Moreover, the radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention includes a correlated data complementation section. The correlated data complementation section forms correlated data when assuming that a first scintillation counter crystal actually provided in the detector ring is in the fracture portion, and additionally stores it to a correlated data storing section, thereby complementing correlated data in the fracture portion. As noted above, the correlated data complementation section obtains positional information under assumption that the scintillation counter crystals are in the fracture portion and a corresponding number of coincident events. Consequently, this invention may realize acquisition of faithful detecting efficiencies in the scintillation counter crystals.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Nobuya Hashizume, Keishi Kitamura
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Patent number: 8481954Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Alain Boucly, Jean-Marc Inglese, Philippe Congy
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Patent number: 8481955Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Alain Boucly, Jean-Marc Inglese, Philippe Congy
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Patent number: 8481956Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Alain Boucly, Jean-Marc Inglese, Philippe Congy
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Patent number: 8476600Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a Depth-Of-Interaction (DOI), comprising a crystal layer 10 of a mono layer in which a plurality of crystals for absorbing gamma rays are consecutively arranged, scintillation light detectors disposed at one end of the crystals and configured to detect scintillation light emitted from the crystal layer 10 by the gamma rays, change means included in the crystals and configured to linearly change transmittance in a length direction of the crystals, and a control unit 30 configured to calculate the DOI in the crystal layer 10 on a basis of the first output signal and the second output signal. The scintillation light detector outputs the first output signal in one direction and the second output signal in a direction at a right angle to the one direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Snu R&DB FoundationInventors: Jae Sung Lee, Mikiko Ito, Seong Jong Hong
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Patent number: 8476594Abstract: A PET scanner (8) includes a ring of detector modules (10) encircling an imaging region (12). Each of the detector modules includes at least one detector pixel (24,34). Each detector pixel includes a scintillator (20, 30) optically coupled to one or more sensor APDs (54) that are biased in a breakdown region in a Geiger mode. The sensor APDs output a pulse in response to the light from the scintillator corresponding to a single incident radiation photon. A reference APD (26, 36) also biased in a break-down down region in a Geiger mode is optically shielded from light and outputs a temperature dependent signal. At least one temperature compensation circuit (40) adjusts a bias voltage applied to the sensor APDs based on the temperature dependent signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Thomas Frach, Gordian Prescher, Carsten Degenhardt
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Patent number: 8477906Abstract: A bundle of drawn fibers that have X-ray scintillating unagglommerated nanocrystallite particles in plastic or glass cores of down to 0.1 micron spacing and claddings of X-ray absorbing compounds in the cladding composition. Optional is a cover to the bundle that blocks light from leaving the bundle at the X-ray side while allowing X-rays to pass into the cores. To image the light exiting the fiber bundle at the sub-micron level, light expansion is preferable using either a lens system or a fiber bundle expander.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignees: Trustees of Boston University, Corporate Sponsored Research and Licensing for Massachusetts General Hospital, Partners Healthcare System, Inc.Inventors: Theodore F. Morse, Rajiv Gupta, Carson B. Roberts, Robert D. Chivas
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Patent number: 8476599Abstract: Partially and completely curved and spherical scintillation arrays are described. These arrays can provide improved imaging of a variety of subjects and objects.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Louis Perna
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Patent number: 8476571Abstract: The present invention is a Silicon PhotoMulitplier comprising a plurality of photon detection cell clusters each comprising a plurality of avalanche photodiodes connected in parallel, so that the output of each avalanche photodiode is summed together and applied to a cell cluster output. Each of the plurality of cell cluster outputs is connected to one of a plurality of cluster readout circuits, each of which includes an analog to digital converter that converts an analog representation of the total energy received by a photon detection cell cluster to a digital energy signal. A SiPM Pixel reader circuit is connected to the plurality of cluster readout circuits and configured to generate an overall pixel output by digital processing the plurality of digital energy signals received from the plurality of photon detection cell clusters by way of the plurality of cluster readout circuits.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Grazioso, Debora Henseler, Mathias J. Schmand, Nan Zhang
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Patent number: 8466437Abstract: A compact image sensor for imaging radiation emitted by fluorescing objects exposed to excitation light is disclosed. The compact image sensor includes a light guide defining a longitudinal axis for channeling radiation emitted by the fluorescing object; a reflective surface defined on the light guide that is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light guide to reflect the excitation light away from a detector of the image sensor; and the detector positioned at an end of the light guide for imaging radiation emitted by the fluorescing object. Also disclosed is a fluorescence imaging system for imaging radiation emitted by a fluorescing object to be imaged by compact image sensor and a method of fluorescence imaging.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventor: Ulrich Boettiger