Abstract: An apparatus for sampling and detecting a pathogen in air comprising a first air sampling module, a second module for the isolation of viral RNA and a third module for amplification and detection of the viral RNA; thanks to the integration between the modules the apparatus is compact and portable and can be used for in situ sampling of air in closed environments such as ambulances or hospital rooms, air in the external environment and air exhaled by patients.

Abstract: An Y-ray detector apparatus comprises an array of detector pixels arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays. The pixels in each sub-array share a common dose sensing output provided to a dose sensing output conductor which extends to a periphery of the pixel array. The dose sensing output conductor for one sub-array of pixels passes through the area occupied by another sub-array of pixels, which can lead to unwanted cross talk. The invention provides a plurality of additional screening electrodes, with a screening electrode substantially adjacent the dose sensing output conductor for each sub-array of pixels. These screening electrodes reduce cross talk between the dose sensing output and other pixel electrodes. In another arrangement, each pixel further comprises a pixel electrode for each pixel formed at an upper region of the array, and the dose sensing output conductors are formed at a lower region of the array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector for an X-ray apparatus, which detector comprises a substrate (1) of amorphous or preferably crystalline silicon with an array (2) of sensor element (3) disposed thereon. Integrated electronic modules (4) having analog-digital converters disposed thereon are mounted on one edge (5) of the substrate (1) by flip-chip contacting or the like and are connected by way of signal leads (6) to the sensor elements. The modules (4) and/or the substrate can additionally comprise amplifiers and multiplexers for processing the sensor signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector and a method for the production of consecutive X-ray images. This involves the generation in the detector by X-radiation during an exposure interval (Texp) of a current flow (I(t)) which is integrated (Qdk*, Qsig*, Qac*) in a memory capacity and read out in a subsequent readout phase (Trd). In order to minimize the influence of slowly decaying residual currents (Iac), the current (I(t)) is integrated only during the exposure interval (Texp). By this means, disturbing artifacts due to residual signals from earlier photographs are minimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector element (1) for gamma radiation, which is particularly suitable for use in a PEF apparatus. The detector element (1) consists of two or more different conversion units (11, 12), which react to the absorption of a gamma quantum (y) with light emissions (?1, ?2) of different spectral composition. A photodetector arrangement (30) may therefore discriminate between the sites of origin of the light emissions by means of their spectral characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a large-area sensor arrangement, notably a flat dynamic X-ray detector (FDXD). The light-sensitive and/or X-ray-sensitive sensors (pixels) of the sensor arrangement are arranged in a planar distribution on a substrate (1), thus forming a sensitive layer (20). On the top surface of the layer (20) there is provided a contact point (23) for each sensor, which contact point is connected to an integrated circuit (6) via one or more connection layers (30, 40). A multi-layer, very compact construction is thus obtained in which the electronic evaluation circuitry (6) is arranged in a planar fashion and parallel to the sensors (20). Preferably, a respective evaluation circuit in the circuit (6) is associated with each sensor, resulting in very short paths and also in a reduction of noise.

Abstract: An Y-ray detector apparatus comprises an array of detector pixels arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays. The pixels in each sub-array share a common dose sensing output provided to a dose sensing output conductor which extends to a periphery of the pixel array. The dose sensing output conductor for one sub-array of pixels passes through the area occupied by another sub-array of pixels, which can lead to unwanted cross talk. The invention provides a plurality of additional screening electrodes, with a screening electrode substantially adjacent the dose sensing output conductor for each sub-array of pixels. These screening electrodes reduce cross talk between the dose sensing output and other pixel electrodes. In another arrangement, each pixel further comprises a pixel electrode for each pixel formed at an upper region of the array, and the dose sensing output conductors are formed at a lower regon of the array.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement which includes a radiation source (1) and a radiation sensor device (3) for forming image signals (Bn), the radiation sensor device (3) being associated with a read-out circuit arrangement (4) for the amplification/processing of image signals (Bn) read out, there also being provided at least one dosimeter (42) which is arranged to measure a radiation dose. The invention also relates to an X-ray examination apparatus and to a method for the processing of X-ray images. In order to realize an arrangement and a method whereby a high image quality can be achieved for the acquired images, it is proposed to apply a dose signal (Dn), produced by at least one dosimeter (42), to at least the read-out circuit arrangement (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an addressing circuit for an array arrangement (100) of electronic units (101), which may be, for example, pixels of an X-ray detector. Every pixel (101) is connected to a spatially adjacent shift register (110), the shift registers (110) being connected in turn column-wise in series and also being connected to a common clock line (111,114). A trigger signal fed via an external trigger line (113) is passed by the shift registers (110) from row to row for every clock signal on the clock lines (111,114). In this process, triggered shift registers (110) activate the associate pixels (101) so that they can be read out via read-out lines (105) that extend column-wise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector element for x-radiation, which can be used in particular in a flat dynamic x-ray detector (FDXD). In the detector element, a directly converting conversion layer (2) is arranged between an electrode layer (2) and a matrix of pixel electrodes (4), there also being a photoconductive separating layer (3) between the pixel electrodes (4) and the conversion layer (2). In the unilluminated state, the separating layer (3) acts as an electrical barrier for free charge carriers of the conversion layer (2), which have been produced by x-radiation and migrate in the electric field between the electrodes (1, 4). After readout of the charge transfers in the pixel electrodes (4), the separating layer (3) can be rendered conductive by illumination with reset light from a diode arrangement (6), so that charge accumulations at its interface can flow away.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector for an X-ray apparatus, which detector comprises a substrate (1) of amorphous or preferably crystalline silicon with an array (2) of sensor element (3) disposed thereon. Integrated electronic modules (4) having analog-digital converters disposed thereon are mounted on one edge (5) of the substrate (1) by flip-chip contacting or the like and are connected by way of signal leads (6) to the sensor elements. The modules (4) and/or the substrate can additionally comprise amplifiers and multiplexers for processing the sensor signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an array of sensor elements, wherein the sensor elements are provided to detect electromagnetic radiation such as X-radiation or light, and in doing so to generate a charge signal corresponding to the intensity of the radiation. A sensor element further comprises means enabling the incoming dose of radiation to be determined. In the array, the sensor elements form groups, so that the outputs of all sensor elements of a group are coupled. This on the one hand enables a determination of the dose in these areas, and on the other hand enables images to be formed with a lower resolution in a simple manner, by the combining of output signals from several sensor elements. Furthermore, the sensor elements of one group are preferably arranged “isolated” in such a way that they are surrounded by sensor elements of other groups. Such an array can be used, for example, in an X-ray diagnostic facility or in an optical image recording system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector element for x-radiation, which can be used in particular in a flat dynamic x-ray detector (PDXD). In the detector element, a directly converting conversion layer (2) is arranged between an electrode layer (2) and a matrix of pixel electrodes (4), there also being a photoconductive separating layer (3) between the pixel electrodes (4) and the conversion layer (2). In the unilluminated state, the separating layer (3) acts as an electrical barrier for free charge carriers of the conversion layer (2), which have been produced by x-radiation and migrate in the electric field between the electrodes (1, 4). After readout of the charge transfers in the pixel electrodes (4), the separating layer (3) can be rendered conductive by illumination with reset light from a diode arrangement (6), so that charge accumulations at its interface can flow away.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector element (1) for gamma radiation, which is particularly suitable for use in a PEF apparatus. The detector element (1) consists of two or more different conversion units (11, 12), which react to the absorption of a gamma quantum (y) with light emissions (?1, ?2) of different spectral composition. A photodetector arrangement (30) may therefore discriminate between the sites of origin of the light emissions by means of their spectral characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector and a method for the production of consecutive X-ray images. This involves the generation in the detector by X-radiation during an exposure interval (Texp) of a current flow (I(t)) which is integrated (Qdk*, Qsig*, Qae*) in a memory capacity and read out in a subsequent readout phase (Trd). In order to minimize the influence of slowly decaying residual currents (Iae), the current (I(t)) is integrated only during the exposure interval (Texp). By this means, disturbing artifacts due to residual signals from earlier photographs are minimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to an array of sensor elements, wherein the sensor elements are provided to detect electromagnetic radiation such as X-radiation or light, and in doing so to generate a charge signal corresponding to the intensity of the radiation. A sensor element further comprises means enabling the incoming dose of radiation to be determined. In the array, the sensor elements form groups, so that the outputs of all sensor elements of a group are coupled. This on the one hand enables a determination of the dose in these areas, and on the other hand enables images to be formed with a lower resolution in a simple manner, by the combining of output signals from several sensor elements. Furthermore, the sensor elements of one group are preferably arranged “isolated” in such a way that they are surrounded by sensor elements of other groups. Such an array can be used, for example, in an X-ray diagnostic facility or in an optical image recording system.

Abstract: An X-ray detector apparatus has an array of pixels arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays (40). The pixels in each sub-array (40) share a common output (42). The detector is operable in two modes, a dose sensing mode in which a switching arrangement (50) is turned off and charge flow in response to incident radiation is partially coupled through an off-capacitance of the switching arrangement (50) to the output, and a read out mode in which the switching arrangement is turned on to allow charge to flow between the charge storage element and the output (42) for measurement as a detection signal. The switching arrangement (50) is turned on by first and second control signals to enable a single pixel within the sub-array (40) to be selected. Thus, the resolution of normal read out is per-pixel whereas the resolution of dose sensing is per-sub-array.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement which includes a radiation source (1) and a radiation sensor device (3) for forming image signals (Bn), the radiation sensor device (3) being associated with a read-out circuit arrangement (4) for the amplification/processing of image signals (Bn) read out, there also being provided at least one dosimeter (42) which is arranged to measure a radiation dose. The invention also relates to an X-ray examination apparatus and to a method for the processing of X-ray images. In order to realize an arrangement and a method whereby a high image quality can be achieved for the acquired images, it is proposed to apply a dose signal (Dn), produced by at least one dosimeter (42), to at least the read-out circuit arrangement (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement which comprises electrical elements which include sensors for electromagnetic radiation such as light or X-rays or are constructed so as to emit or change light. At least one element of the arrangement is provided with a switching unit which evaluates the signal patterns of at least two control inputs of the element and compares them with at least one activation pattern. The element is activated in the case of correspondence. At least two elements of the arrangement have at least one identical activation pattern. The control inputs of the elements are preferably coupled to a control lead bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of sensor elements in which the sensor elements are arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays or light, and to generate in response thereto a charge signal which corresponds to the radiation intensity. Furthermore, a sensor element includes means which enable determination of the incident radiation dose. The sensor elements in the arrangement form groups so that the outputs of all sensor elements of a group are coupled and the sensor elements of a group are preferably arranged so as to neighbor one another. This on the one hand enables determination of the dose in these zones while on the other hand images of lower resolution can be formed simply by combining output signals of a plurality of sensor elements. An arrangement of this kind can be used, for example, in an X-ray diagnostic device or in an optical image acquisition system.