Abstract: A method for correcting an image obtained by a matrix of photosensitive points finds particular utility when the matrix is subjected to an electromagnetic disturbance. The method of correction comprises a first step of row-by-row reading of the matrix. The signals read during a first reading of each row represent the charges accumulated subsequent to exposure of the matrix to luminous radiation and make it possible to form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. The signals read during a second reading represent the charges accumulated in the absence of exposure and form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. In a second step of the method, a signal corresponding substantially to the signal which would have been formed at the time of the first reading in the absence of exposure is determined. In a third step, the signal is subtracted column by column from the signal.

Abstract: The application describes an X-ray detector for use in a medical equipment, wherein the detector comprises an unit for transforming X-ray radiation into electrical charge, a first capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, wherein the first capacitor is electrically connected to the unit for transforming, a second capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, and a first gain switching gate, wherein the second capacitor is electrically connected with the unit for transforming if the first gain switching gate is in on-state, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further the application describes an X-ray system comprising a detector according to the invention, wherein the system is adapted for gain selection, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device (11) for radiation detection, which comprises a substrate region (1) of a substrate semiconductor material, such as silicon, and a detection region (3) at a surface of the semiconductor device (11), in which detection region (3) charge carriers of a first conductivity type, such as electrons, are generated and detected upon incidence of electromagnetic radiation (L) on the semiconductor device (11). The semiconductor device (11) further comprises a barrier region (2,5,14) of a barrier semiconductor material or an isolation material, which barrier region (2,5,14) is an obstacle between the substrate region (1) and the detection region (3) for charge carriers that are generated in the substrate region (1) by penetration of ionizing radiation (X), such as X-rays, into the substrate region (1).

Abstract: A tiled detector assembly (1000) and a method for making a tiled radiation detector (1000) is described. The innovative feature of this method is that the xyz misalignment of the detector tiles (304, 304?), the origin of various image artifacts, can be significantly reduced by accurate sizing and alignment of the detector tiles (304, 304?). Consequently, image quality, yield and reliability of as-produced tiled radiation detectors are considerably improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body with a semiconductor image sensor comprising a two-dimensional matrix of picture elements, each picture element comprising a radiation-sensitive element coupled to MOS field effect transistors for reading the radiation-sensitive elements, wherein a semiconductor region is sunken in the surface of the body having the same conductivity type as the body and having an increased doping concentration, the semiconductor region being disposed between the radiation-sensitive elements of neighboring picture elements.

Abstract: An x-ray detector and its pixel circuit are described, that allow to cover a large dynamic range with automatic selection of the sensitivity setting in each pixel, thus providing improved signal to noise ratio with all exposure levels. X-ray detectors are required to cover a large dynamic range. The largest exposure determines the required pixel capacitance. However, a large pixel capacitance gives a bad signal to noise ratio with small exposures e.g. in the dark parts of the image. This invention disclosure describes several approaches to provide automatic sensitivity selection in the pixels. This ensures that low signals are stored in a small capacitor or read out with a high sensitivity with corresponding good signal to noise ratio, while larger signals are stored in larger capacitors or are read out with lower sensitivity so that no information is lost.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising comprises a matrix of pixels, at least one data conductor connected to several pixels of the matrix, organized row-wise and successively transporting signals delivered by respectively the pixels of the row and an electronic current generator supplying several pixels, each of the pixels comprising: a transistor delivering at the node of the pixel, the signal delivered by the pixel considered and wherein can flow a bias current from the current generator, and a first electronic switch connecting the node of the pixel to the data conductor associated with this pixel as a function of a selection signal of the pixel. Each of the pixels comprises a second electronic switch, distinct from the first electronic switch, joined to the node of the pixel, the current arising from the generator to be made to flow in the transistor as a function of the selection signal for the pixel.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detector used for imaging comprises a plurality of pixels, each of which converts the electromagnetic radiation to which it is subjected into an electrical signal. Each pixel comprises a plurality of photosensitive elements each converting the radiation received by the photosensitive element into an elementary electrical signal and selection means that select from the elementary electrical signals generated by the photosensitive elements so as to form the electrical output signal of the pixel depending on a gain range chosen for the detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a light-sensitive device comprising a matrix of light-sensitive points arranged into lines and columns. The invention can essentially but not exclusively be used in light-sensitive devices used for detecting X-ray images. The method includes a step (E2) of acquiring an image during which each light-sensitive point can accumulate a charge, and a step (E3) of reading said image. The reading step (E3) comprises a preliminary sub-step (E31) of converting the charges accumulated at the different light-sensitive points into analog signals representative of said charges, and a sub-step (E32) of processing the analog signals in order to obtain a digital image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for recharging a battery of a portable ionizing-radiation sensor resting on a recharging base. The sensor includes, on one or more accessible faces, a plurality of electrical-contact areas connected to the battery that powers the sensor. The recharging base comprises a device for mobilizing one or more mobile contacts. The mobile contacts are connected to a power source. The mobile contacts mechanically enter the body (i.e., housing) of the recharging base and mechanically protrude from the body of the recharging base through one or more openings made in the body of the recharging base. The mobile contacts are electrically in contact with the plurality of electrical-contact areas of the sensor if one or more of the plurality of electrical-contact areas are positioned facing the openings when the mobile contacts protrude from the recharging base. An embodiment of the invention may be used for X-ray or Gamma-ray medical imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a radiation detector comprising a photosensitive sensor assembly (1, 4), a scintillator (6) that converts the radiation into radiation to which the photosensitive sensor assembly (1, 4) is sensitive, the scintillator (6) being fastened by adhesive bonding to the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising a substrate (4) and several attached sensors (1), the sensors (1) each having two faces (11, 12), a first face (11) of which is bonded to the substrate (4) and a second face (12) of which is bonded to the scintillator (6). The method consists in linking the following operations: the sensors (1) are deposited via their second face (12) on an adhesive film (13); and the sensors (1) are bonded via their first face (11) to the substrate (4).

Abstract: A method for correcting an image obtained by a matrix of photosensitive points finds particular utility when the matrix is subjected to an electromagnetic disturbance. The method of correction comprises a first step of row-by-row reading of the matrix. The signals read during a first reading of each row represent the charges accumulated subsequent to exposure of the matrix to luminous radiation and make it possible to form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. The signals read during a second reading represent the charges accumulated in the absence of exposure and form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. In a second step of the method, a signal corresponding substantially to the signal which would have been formed at the time of the first reading in the absence of exposure is determined. In a third step, the signal is subtracted column by column from the signal.

Abstract: A solid-state radiation detector comprises a photosensitive sensor associated with a radiation converter or scintillator. The fields of application of this type of detector are notably radiology: radiography, fluoroscopy and mammography, but also nondestructive testing. The detector comprises a rigid entrance window passed through by the first radiation upstream of the scintillator, the scintillator being placed between the sensor and the entrance window, the sensor comprising a substrate and photosensitive elements placed on the substrate. According to the invention, the entrance window is shaped so as to closely fit the form of the scintillator and is fixed in a moisture-tight manner on the substrate of the sensor.

Abstract: A synchronization method for a wireless link between a base station and a mobile cassette of an X-ray system is provided. The base station includes an X-ray generator and the cassette includes an X-ray detector. According to the invention, the method includes steps for the exchange of messages between the base station and the cassette, the exchanges initiating timers in the base station and the cassette, a radiation sequence and an image sequence being executed at the end of the respective timers. The invention makes it possible to subject a patient to a dose of X-rays only if said dose can be perceived and recorded by the X-ray detector, the radiation sequence being executed after the exchanges of messages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing images arising from a photosensitive detector of the type in particular made by techniques of depositing semiconductor materials. The method consists in correcting an image acquired (INPUT(T)) by the detector by a gain image (Gain(T)). According to the invention, an image for correcting drifting gain in terms of temperature (C(T1), C(T2)) as a function of a temperature (T) measured by the detector during the acquisition of the image (INPUT(T)) is applied to the image acquired. The invention also relates to a photosensitive detector in which the means for correcting drifting gain in terms of temperature are included, independently of the gain image (Gain(T)).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a radiation detector comprising a photosensitive sensor assembly (1, 4), a scintillator (6) that converts the radiation into radiation to which the photosensitive sensor assembly (1, 4) is sensitive, the scintillator (6) being fastened by adhesive bonding to the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising a substrate (4) and several attached sensors (1), the sensors (1) each having two faces (11, 12), a first face (11) of which is bonded to the substrate (4) and a second face (12) of which is bonded to the scintillator (6). The method consists in linking the following operations: the sensors (1) are deposited via their second face (12) on an adhesive film (13); and the sensors (1) are bonded via their first face (11) to the substrate (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixed antenna. The antenna comprises a wire-plate antenna and a PIFA antenna, a first antenna being connectable to an electric generator and the second antenna being coupled to the first by capacitive coupling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of driving a photosensitive device comprising a matrix of photosensitive pixels distributed at the intersections of rows and columns of the matrix. The invention relates more particularly to the control of such devices used for the detection of radiological images. The method consists in subjecting the matrix to an image cycle that includes a reset phase prior to an image acquisition phase. The rows of the matrix are distributed in several groups, and during the reset phase, the method consists in resetting all the rows in any one group simultaneously and in resetting each group of rows in succession.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital radiology system and a method of implementing the radiology system. The radiology system includes a mobile cassette and a fixed base station, the cassette including an X-ray image acquisition device to which the cassette is exposed, the system also including a communication interface between the cassette and the base station to enable transfer data such as the image between the cassette and the base station. The communication interface includes a removable wired link and a wireless link, both capable of transferring data and the system includes a circuit to deactivate the wireless link as soon as the wired link is set up. The method includes setting up as a priority a data interchange over the wireless link and switching the exchange over to the wired link as soon as the latter is set up.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antitheft device for a wireless portable device designed to be in contact with a docking device including a lockable attachment apparatus for attaching the portable device to the docking device. The antitheft device according to the invention comprises an electromechanical system commanding the unlocking of the lockable attachment apparatus based on an electric signal. The electric signal is disabled by a command supplied by a user interface unit. The invention is notably used as an antitheft device for a wireless, portable X-ray sensor associated with a docking station.