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 invention pertains to an imaging device and to a process for controlling the device. The device comprises a power supply (1), matrix means allowing an image to be emitted or sensed, the matrix of the matrix imaging means being scanned at a scanning frequency, the power supply (1) converting a DC input voltage (Dce) into at least one DC output voltage (DCs) allowing the powering of the matrix imaging means (2). The power supply (1) is of chopped type and chops the DC input voltage (Dce) at a chopping frequency dependent on the scanning frequency. In the process for controlling the imaging device described above, a useful image is preceded by an offset image and a correction dependent on the offset image is applied to the useful image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state X-ray detector comprising a photosensitive sensor associated with a radiation converter, known as a scintillator, transforming the X-rays into a radiation to which the sensor is sensitive, and an entry window through which the X-rays pass upstream of the scintillator. The entry window is mounted on the scintillator, without being fixed to the scintillator, and the entry window and the sensor are fixed by a water vapor-tight seal. The scintillator consists of a support, distinct from the sensor, and a scintillating substance. The application areas of this type of detector are notably radiology (radiography, fluoroscopy and mammography), but equally, non-destructive testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive device comprising a matrix of photosensitive pixels, in particular of the type produced by techniques for depositing semiconductor materials. The invention relates more particularly (but not exclusively) to the driving of such devices used for detecting radiological images. It also relates to a method of driving the photosensitive device. The photosensitive device includes means for adjusting the amplitude of the bias, allowing separate adjustment of the amplitude of the bias of the photosensitive pixels (P1 to P9; P401 to P409). The method of driving the photosensitive device consists, in the calibration phase, in adjusting the amplitude of the bias of each of the photodetector elements (Dp) separately from one another, so as to bring the output saturation levels of the two photosensitive pixels into maximum coincidence.

Abstract: A method of driving a photosensitive device including a matrix of photosensitive pixels of the type produced in particular by techniques for depositing semiconductor materials. The method may be particularly directed to the driving of such devices used for radiological image detection. The method subjects the photosensitive pixel during a read phase to a cycle of successive images including a useful image preceded by at least one offset image taken at an initial instant. A correction is applied to the useful image, the correction being based on the offset image taken at the initial instant and based on the time separating the useful image from the offset image taken at the initial instant.

Abstract: A process for controlling a photosensitive device including at least one photosensitive point with a photodiode connected to a switching element. The process submits the photosensitive point to successive imaging cycles. Between a first imaging cycle and a second imaging cycle, the process produces a holding phase terminating at the start of the second imaging cycle. During this holding phase, whose duration is equal to several equal time intervals that are as short as possible, the photosensitive point is exposed to an optical flash at the start of each time interval. Between successive optical flashes, the photodiode is reverse biased. The junction region between the photodiode and the switching element has substantially the same potential at the end of each time interval.

Abstract: A process for correcting noise level of an image detector including photosensitive points arranged in rows and in columns. Within each row, the points are distributed into detector points and into corrector points. The detector points deliver a measurement value dependent on a luminous cue to which they are exposed. The corrector points deliver a dark value serving in the correction of the measurement values. Within at least one row, the detector points are distributed into at least two groups and the measurement values are corrected with a first or a second correction value depending on the group from which they originate. Such a process may find application to digitized-image detectors.

Abstract: A method and device for temperature compensation of an image detector including photosensitive spots sensitive to ambient temperature, each connected to a row conductor and a column conductor. The photosensitive spots are connected by their conductors to a read circuit. The photosensitive spots are divided into detecting photosensitive spots to be exposed to light information corresponding to the image to be detected, the read circuits associated with these photosensitive spots each delivering a measurement voltage representative of the image to be detected, and into blind photosensitive spots protected from the light information, the read circuits associated with these blind photosensitive spots each delivering a dark voltage serving for temperature compensation.

Abstract: A solid state photosensitive detector including a solid state photosensitive sensor associated with a converter designed to convert radiation to be detected into radiation to which the photosensitive sensor is sensitive. The photosensitive sensor includes one or more photosensitive elements connected to conductors and a passivation layer covering the photosensitive elements and the conductors to protect them. Between the passivation layer and the converter, a barrier is provided that is impermeable to at least one chemical species that is corrosive for the sensor, capable of being released by the converter during at least one chemical reaction. Such a detector may find particular application to radiation detectors for medical radiology.

Abstract: A circuit for reading charges injected at an input of the circuit including a read MOS transistor having first and second electrodes corresponding to a drain-source pair and for reading charges having a first polarity that are injected at the input of the circuit. The read MOS transistor is controlled by a control voltage that varies in a manner substantially inversely proportional to an input voltage of the circuit.

Abstract: A photosensitive device comprises: photosensitive cells located at the intersection of at least one addressing conductor and one read conductor, a cell comprising a photosensitive diode connected to a read conductor and to at least one diode having a switching function connected to an addressing conductor, these diodes having a common point; addressing means connected to at least one addressing conductor; charge-reading means connected to at least one read conductor.

Abstract: A circuit for the reading of charges injected at its input comprises a read MOS transistor, the type of which conditions the polarity of the charges that the read circuit is capable of reading without getting blocked, and an integration capacitor mounted between a first electrode of the drain-source pair of the read MOS transistor and a reference potential. The input of the circuit is at the second electrode of the drain-source pair of the read MOS transistor. The injected charges must cross the read MOS transistor to be integrated by the capacitor. The read MOS transistor is controlled by a control voltage that varies in a manner that is substantially inversely proportional to the input voltage.