Abstract: A CT scanning system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, an x-ray tube, and a detector comprising an imaging area of pixels and a calibration area of pixels. The system further includes a pre-patient collimator positioned between the x-ray tube and the detector having first and second apertures that pass x-rays respectively to at least a portion of the imaging area of pixels, and to the calibration area of pixels, a motor configured to move the pre-patient collimator, and a computer programmed to determine a focal spot location using energy derived from x-rays that fall upon the calibration area of pixels, and issue commands to a motor to adjust a position of the pre-patient collimator based on the determination.

Abstract: A CT detector includes a base substrate, a photodiode array having a plurality of pixels, and the photodiode array is attached to the base substrate. A scintillator array is coupled to the photodiode array and includes a plurality of pixels that correspond with those of the photodiode. An anti-scatter grid (ASG) includes a base sheet, a top sheet, and a plurality of anti-scatter plates attached to the base sheet and the top sheet. The plurality of anti-scatter plates includes a first set of plates having a first thickness and a first length, and a second set of two plates each having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness and a second length that is greater than the first length, the two plates positioned respectively at bookend positions of the base sheet and top sheet.

Abstract: A CT detector includes a base substrate, a photodiode array having a plurality of pixels, and the photodiode array is attached to the base substrate. A scintillator array is coupled to the photodiode array and includes a plurality of pixels that correspond with those of the photodiode. An anti-scatter grid (ASG) includes a base sheet, a top sheet, and a plurality of anti-scatter plates attached to the base sheet and the top sheet. The plurality of anti-scatter plates includes a first set of plates having a first thickness and a first length, and a second set of two plates each having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness and a second length that is greater than the first length, the two plates positioned respectively at bookend positions of the base sheet and top sheet.

Abstract: A CT scanning system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, an x-ray tube, and a detector comprising an imaging area of pixels and a calibration area of pixels. The system further includes a pre-patient collimator positioned between the x-ray tube and the detector having first and second apertures that pass x-rays respectively to at least a portion of the imaging area of pixels, and to the calibration area of pixels, a motor configured to move the pre-patient collimator, and a computer programmed to determine a focal spot location using energy derived from x-rays that fall upon the calibration area of pixels, and issue commands to a motor to adjust a position of the pre-patient collimator based on the determination.

Abstract: Improved imaging systems are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for an improved image sensor assembly for an imaging system, the image sensor assembly having an integrated photodetector array and its associated data acquisition electronics fabricated on the same substrate. By integrating the electronics on the same substrate as the photodetector array, this thereby reduces fabrications costs, and reduces interconnect complexity. Since both the photodiode contacts and the associated electronics are on the same substrate/plane, this thereby substantially eliminates certain expensive/time-consuming processing techniques. Moreover, the co-location of the electronics next to or proximal to the photodetector array provides for a much finer resolution detector assembly since the interconnect bottleneck between the electronics and the photodetector array is substantially eliminated/reduced.

Abstract: CT detector modules are disclosed that include a module frame and a plurality of tileable detector sensors positioned on the module frame. Each of the tileable detector sensors includes an array of detector elements and a mounting structure directly or indirectly coupled to the detector elements to provide for a mounting and alignment of the detector sensor to the module frame. The mounting structure includes an alignment plate positioned generally opposite the array of detector elements, with the alignment plate having alignment pins forming a datum structure to align the detector sensor on the module frame and one or more threaded bosses configured to receive a fastener therein that secures the detector sensor to the module frame. The module frame includes keyed features that receive the alignment pins when the detector sensors are mounted on the module frame, so as to align the detector sensors on the module frame.

Abstract: An x-ray detector assembly is disclosed that includes a mounting substrate having a plurality of electrical contacts, the mounting substrate comprising one of an integrated circuit and a circuit board. The x-ray detector assembly also includes a first electrode patterned on a first portion of a top surface of the mounting substrate, wherein the first electrode is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical contacts. An organic photodiode layer is formed atop the first electrode and has a bottom surface electrically connected to the first electrode. A second electrode is coupled to a top surface of the organic photodiode layer and a scintillator is coupled to the second electrode.

Abstract: A detector module for a radiation detector in a radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The detector module includes a detecting element array including a plurality of detecting elements arranged in a matrix form in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, the detecting element array configured to allow radiation to penetrate through spaces defined between the detecting elements, an electronic circuit arranged on a radiation emission side of the detecting element array, and a radiation shielding body arranged on a radiation incident side of the detecting element array. The radiation shielding body includes a base material having radiation permeability and formed with a plurality of grooves extending in the first direction at respective positions corresponding to spaces between the detecting elements in the second direction, and a plurality of radiation shielding materials each inserted in a respective groove of the plurality of grooves.

Abstract: A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, the rotatable gantry having a detector mounting surface, an x-ray source attached to the gantry and configured to project an x-ray beam toward the object, a plurality of detector modules each mounted within one field-of-view (FOV) and mounted directly to the detector mounting surface of the rotatable gantry, a data acquisition system (DAS) configured to receive outputs from at least one of the plurality of detector modules, and a computer programmed to acquire projections of imaging data of the object from the DAS, and generate an image of the object using the imaging data.

Abstract: A collimator for an imaging system includes a first region comprising a first one-dimensional array of apertures along a channel direction, and a second region comprising a second one-dimensional array of apertures along the channel direction, wherein an aspect ratio of the apertures of the first region is greater than an aspect ratio of the second region.

Abstract: A detector module for a radiation detector in a radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The detector module includes a detecting element array including a plurality of detecting elements arranged in a matrix form in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, the detecting element array configured to allow radiation to penetrate through spaces defined between the detecting elements, an electronic circuit arranged on a radiation emission side of the detecting element array, and a radiation shielding body arranged on a radiation incident side of the detecting element array. The radiation shielding body includes a base material having radiation permeability and formed with a plurality of grooves extending in the first direction at respective positions corresponding to spaces between the detecting elements in the second direction, and a plurality of radiation shielding materials each inserted in a respective groove of the plurality of grooves.

Abstract: CT detector modules are disclosed that include a module frame and a plurality of tileable detector sensors positioned on the module frame. Each of the tileable detector sensors includes an array of detector elements and a mounting structure directly or indirectly coupled to the detector elements to provide for a mounting and alignment of the detector sensor to the module frame. The mounting structure includes an alignment plate positioned generally opposite the array of detector elements, with the alignment plate having alignment pins forming a datum structure to align the detector sensor on the module frame and one or more threaded bosses configured to receive a fastener therein that secures the detector sensor to the module frame. The module frame includes keyed features that receive the alignment pins when the detector sensors are mounted on the module frame, so as to align the detector sensors on the module frame.

Abstract: An x-ray detector assembly is disclosed that includes a mounting substrate having a plurality of electrical contacts, the mounting substrate comprising one of an integrated circuit and a circuit board. The x-ray detector assembly also includes a first electrode patterned on a first portion of a top surface of the mounting substrate, wherein the first electrode is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical contacts. An organic photodiode layer is formed atop the first electrode and has a bottom surface electrically connected to the first electrode. A second electrode is coupled to a top surface of the organic photodiode layer and a scintillator is coupled to the second electrode.

Abstract: A detector assembly for a CT imaging system includes a scintillator array comprising a plurality of scintillator cells, and configured to detect high frequency electromagnetic energy attenuated through an object, the scintillator array including a reflective material positioned around each of the plurality of scintillator cells to form reflector channels between each of the plurality of scintillator cells. The CT imaging system also includes a collimator positioned proximate the scintillator array and configured to filter the high frequency electromagnetic energy attenuated through the object prior to impinging on the scintillator array, the collimator comprising a plurality of collimator plates arranged to form a plurality of channels. The reflector channels in the scintillator array are formed to have a first thickness and the collimator plates of the collimator are formed to have a second thickness that is equal to or less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source configured to project an x-ray beam toward an object, a detector array, and a bowtie filter. The bowtie filter includes a first x-ray filtration region positioned to attenuate x-rays that pass through an isochannel of the detector array, a second x-ray filtration region positioned to attenuate x-rays that pass through channels of the detector array that are offcenter in a channel direction from the isochannel, and an x-ray attenuation material positionable to attenuate the x-rays that pass through the channels of the detector array that are offcenter in the channel direction from the isochannel. The CT system also includes a data acquisition system (DAS) connected to the detector array and configured to receive outputs from the detector array, and a computer programmed to acquire projections of imaging data of the object, and generate an image of the object using the imaging data.

Abstract: A source-side radiation detector (SSRD) includes a detector module assembly, and a monitoring lens coupled to the detector module assembly, the detector module assembly and the monitoring lens being positioned proximate to an x-ray source, the monitoring lens including a plurality of slits configured to receive x-rays therethrough from the x-ray source, the detector module assembly being configured detect the x-rays transmitted through the slits and to generate information to track a position of a focal spot of the x-ray source.

Abstract: An x-ray detector assembly includes a curved rail and a first plurality of x-ray attenuation plates attached to the curved rail, wherein the plates of the first plurality of x-ray attenuation plates are spaced apart from one another by a first pitch. A second plurality of x-ray attenuation plates are attached to the curved rail, wherein the plates of the second plurality of x-ray attenuation plates are spaced apart from the plates of the first plurality of x-ray attenuation plates by a second pitch greater than the first pitch. A first plurality of x-ray detector cells is also positioned adjacently to the first and second pluralities of x-ray attenuation plates and positioned in a linear arrangement with respect to each other.

Abstract: A direct-conversion X-ray detector includes one or more detector modules. The detector modules can include a substrate, one or more sensor tiles, and one or more photon-counting application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The substrate has a dielectric constant of less than about 3.5 and is capable of lithographic conductor patterning with feature sizes of about 5 um or less. The one or more X-ray direct conversion sensor tiles have an array of one or more electrodes electrically coupled to a first surface of the substrate. The one or more ASICs are electrically coupled to the substrate and disposed laterally along the substrate with respect to the one or more direct conversion sensor tiles. Conductive lines are spaced along the substrate and are configured to electrically couple the one or more X-ray direct conversion sensor tiles to the one or more ASICs.

Abstract: A collimator for an imaging system includes a first region comprising a first one-dimensional array of apertures along a channel direction, and a second region comprising a second one-dimensional array of apertures along the channel direction, wherein an aspect ratio of the apertures of the first region is greater than an aspect ratio of the second region.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation source configured to emit radiation from a first focal point, a plurality of radiation detecting elements disposed opposite to the radiation source and arranged in a channel direction, a plurality of collimator plates provided along the channel direction so as to separate the radiation detecting elements, the collimator plates including radiation absorption members at surfaces of at least one first collimator plate located on a first end side and at least one second collimator plate located on a second end side such that radiation shielding effects of the first and second collimator plates become substantially equivalent when the surfaces of the first and second collimator plates are located along a radial direction from a second focal point, and a data acquisition unit configured to acquire radiation projection data from the radiation detecting elements.