Abstract: Filmless photon imaging sensor plates and apparatus which are particularly effective in medical radiology and industrial applications including, but not limited to high resolution mammography. In combination, the sensor plates and apparatus provide rapid production of high resolution images which exhibit higher sensitivity and wider dynamic range than contemporary X-ray systems. Novel sensor plate structures provide images having attributes of increased sensitivity; dual plate design providing increased pixel read-out speed and differential dual energy image production; and electrically isolated segments by which a plurality of pixels are read concurrently to reduce overall image processing time. Generally, the plates employ a homogeneous photoconductive material such as amorphous selenium and are read by exposing each pixel sized area to a small diameter scanning light beam. Using light beam scanning, resulting plate design promises low cost manufacture of both sensor plates and associated apparatus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 1998
Date of Patent:
November 16, 1999
Assignee:
Quantum Imaging Corporation
Inventors:
Charles D. Becker, Harry Dell Foster, Alfonzo Zermeno, Gale H. Thorne, James V. Yardley