Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a sensor design in a computed tomography (CT) detector of a medical imaging system. In one embodiment, a detector array may include a post-patient collimator assembly arranged between a detector array and an x-ray source, the collimator assembly having a plurality of collimator plates aligned substantially parallel with a radial direction of an imaging system, a plurality of imaging sensors located in the detector array, and a plurality of non-imaging sensors located in the detector array. In another embodiment, a method may include correcting an imaging sensor signal based on a signal output from a non-imaging sensor.

Abstract: A photon counting detector includes a plurality of detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module includes a semiconductor substrate. Each detector sub-module also includes a plurality of active pixels configured to act as detector elements disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Each detector sub-module further includes a plurality of traces extending from the plurality of active pixels to readout circuitry. Each active pixel of the plurality of active pixels is coupled to a respective trace of the plurality of traces. Each active pixel includes an amplification stage configured to generate an output signal based on a current pulse output generated by the active pixel. The photon counting detector also includes the readout circuitry configured to directly read out the output signals from the plurality of active pixels, wherein the readout circuitry is separate from the plurality of detector sub-modules.

Abstract: An X-ray detector for a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The X-ray detector includes a plurality of detector modules. Each detector module of the plurality of detector modules includes a scintillator layer configured to convert X-ray photons into lower energy light photons. Each detector module of the plurality of detector modules also includes a light imager layer configured to convert the light photons into electrons, wherein the light imager layer includes a light imager panel comprising an array of photodiodes. Each detector module of the plurality of detector modules further includes a readout device that converts the electrons into digitized pixel values, wherein each photodiode of the array of photodiodes is coupled to a respective dedicated readout channel of the readout device via a respective dedicated data line, and the readout device is configured to continuously directly readout the electrons from the array of photodiodes.

Abstract: A phase-contrast imaging detector includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a detection material that generates a measurable parameter in response to X-ray photons. Each pixel also includes a plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The sub-pixel resolution readout structures are in an alternating pattern with a spacing therebetween that is larger than a frequency of a phase-contrast interference pattern but small enough to enable charge sharing between adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures when an X-ray photon hits between the adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The phase-contrast imaging detector also includes readout circuitry configured to read out signals from the plurality of sub-pixel readout structures. The plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures includes two or more electrodes having alternating arms that form an interleaved comb structure.

Abstract: A phase-contrast imaging detector includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a detection material that generates a measurable parameter in response to X-ray photons. Each pixel also includes a plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The sub-pixel resolution readout structures are in an alternating pattern with a spacing therebetween that is larger than a frequency of a phase-contrast interference pattern but small enough to enable charge sharing between adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures when an X-ray photon hits between the adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The phase-contrast imaging detector also includes readout circuitry configured to read out signals from the plurality of sub-pixel readout structures. The plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures includes two or more electrodes having alternating arms that form an interleaved comb structure.

Abstract: There is provided an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and a collimator assembly in the X-ray path between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The X-ray detector comprises a plurality of detector modules arranged side-by-side and adapted to be oriented towards the X-ray source, the detector modules being arranged side-by-side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of incoming X-rays. The collimator assembly is based on a plurality of spaced collimator plates arranged side-by-side in a direction coinciding with the direction of the detector modules. The collimator assembly further comprises a physically stabilizing lateral support structure arranged in a lateral plane extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of incoming X-rays.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is provided. The X-ray detector includes multiple detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module includes a semiconductor layer and multiple detector elements. A plurality of detector elements is disposed on the semiconductor layer. Wiring traces extending from the plurality of detector elements to readout circuitry, where each detector element is coupled to a respective wiring trace. One or more of the wiring traces extend over one or more detector elements of the plurality of detector elements. Processing circuitry is configured to perform coincidence detection to determine which detector element of the plurality of detector elements is associated with a location of an X-ray hit when the X-ray coincidently hits one of the detector elements of the plurality of detector elements and one or more of the wiring traces coupled to respective detector elements of the plurality of detector elements.

Abstract: A phase-contrast imaging detector includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a detection material that generates a measurable parameter in response to X-ray photons. Each pixel also includes a plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The sub-pixel resolution readout structures are in an alternating pattern with a spacing therebetween that is larger than a frequency of a phase-contrast interference pattern but small enough to enable charge sharing between adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures when an X-ray photon hits between the adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The phase-contrast imaging detector also includes readout circuitry configured to read out signals from the plurality of sub-pixel readout structures. The plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures includes two or more electrodes having alternating arms that form an interleaved comb structure.

Abstract: A method for estimating motion of an X-ray focal spot is provided. The acts of the method include acquiring image data by causing X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray focal spot of an X-ray source toward a radiation detector comprising multiple channels, wherein a subset of the channels each have a collimator blade positioned above the respective channel. The acts of the method also include independently estimating X-ray focal spot motion in an X-direction for the X-ray focal spot relative to an isocenter of the radiation detector and in a Y-direction along a direction of the X-rays for the X-ray focal spot relative to the isocenter based on respective channel gains for a first channel and a second channel of the subset of the channels.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is provided. The X-ray detector includes multiple detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module includes a semiconductor layer and multiple detector elements. A plurality of detector elements is disposed on the semiconductor layer. Wiring traces extending from the plurality of detector elements to readout circuitry, where each detector element is coupled to a respective wiring trace. The wiring traces are routed within a gap between adjacent detector elements of the plurality of detector elements. Processing circuitry is configured to perform coincidence detection to determine which detector element of the plurality of detector elements is associated with a location of an X-ray hit when the X-ray coincidently hits one of the detector elements of the plurality of detector elements and one or more of the wiring traces coupled to respective detector elements of the plurality of detector elements.

Abstract: A method for estimating motion of an X-ray focal spot is provided. The acts of the method include acquiring image data by causing X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray focal spot of an X-ray source toward a radiation detector comprising multiple channels, wherein a subset of the channels each have a collimator blade positioned above the respective channel. The acts of the method also include independently estimating X-ray focal spot motion in an X-direction for the X-ray focal spot relative to an isocenter of the radiation detector and in a Y-direction along a direction of the X-rays for the X-ray focal spot relative to the isocenter based on respective channel gains for a first channel and a second channel of the subset of the channels.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is provided. The X-ray detector includes multiple detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module includes a semiconductor layer and multiple detector elements. A plurality of detector elements is disposed on the semiconductor layer. Wiring traces extending from the plurality of detector elements to readout circuitry, where each detector element is coupled to a respective wiring trace. The wiring traces are routed within a gap between adjacent detector elements of the plurality of detector elements. Processing circuitry is configured to perform coincidence detection to determine which detector element of the plurality of detector elements is associated with a location of an X-ray hit when the X-ray coincidently hits one of the detector elements of the plurality of detector elements and one or more of the wiring traces coupled to respective detector elements of the plurality of detector elements.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is provided. The X-ray detector includes multiple detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module includes a semiconductor layer and multiple detector elements. A first detector element of the multiple detector elements includes a first electrode disposed on a first doped implant and a second detector element of the multiple detector elements includes a second electrode disposed on a second doped implant. The first and second detector elements are disposed on the semiconductor layer adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween. Each detector sub-module also includes wiring traces extending from one or more detector elements of the multiple detector elements to readout circuitry. The wiring traces are routed within the gap between the first and second electrodes. The first doped implant extends underneath a portion of the wiring traces is configured to shield the wiring traces from electrical activity occurring underneath due to absorption of an X-ray.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is provided. The X-ray detector includes multiple detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module includes a semiconductor layer and multiple detector elements. A first detector element of the multiple detector elements includes a first electrode disposed on a first doped implant and a second detector element of the multiple detector elements includes a second electrode disposed on a second doped implant. The first and second detector elements are disposed on the semiconductor layer adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween. Each detector sub-module also includes wiring traces extending from one or more detector elements of the multiple detector elements to readout circuitry. The wiring traces are routed within the gap between the first and second electrodes. The first doped implant extends underneath a portion of the wiring traces is configured to shield the wiring traces from electrical activity occurring underneath due to absorption of an X-ray.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fabrication and use of a phase-contrast imaging detector that includes sub-pixel resolution electrodes or photodiodes spaced to correspond to a phase-contrast interference pattern. A system using such a detector may employ fewer gratings than are typically used in a phase-contrast imaging system, with certain functionality typically provided by a detector-side analyzer grating being performed by sub-pixel resolution structures (e.g., electrodes or photodiodes) of the detector. Measurements acquired using the detector may be used to determine offset, amplitude, and phase of a phase-contrast interference pattern without multiple acquisitions at different phase steps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of X-ray detector cassettes that may be abutted or overlapped to form a detector assembly suitable for imaging objects that are too large to image using a single X-ray detector cassette. Such a detector assembly may be customized in terms of the size and/or shape of the field-of-view (FOV). In certain embodiments the radiation-sensitive electronics (e.g., readout electronics) are positioned to the side of the X-ray detecting components (e.g., scintillator, TFT array, and so forth), allowing the cassette to be thin relative to other detector devices and allowing the electronics to remain outside the X-ray beam path.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed may be used to detect and correct channel gain errors resulting from X-ray focal spot mis-alignment during the course of a scan. One benefit of the present invention relative to conventional techniques is that additional hardware is not required for detection of focal spot drift. Instead, the static mis-alignment of each blade is taken into account as part of estimating and correcting X-ray focal spot drift or mis-alignment. In this manner, the risk of image artefacts due to focal spot motion is reduced and the need for costly hardware solutions to detect focal spot motion is avoided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fabrication and use of a phase-contrast imaging detector that includes sub-pixel resolution electrodes or photodiodes spaced to correspond to a phase-contrast interference pattern. A system using such a detector may employ fewer gratings than are typically used in a phase-contrast imaging system, with certain functionality typically provided by a detector-side analyzer grating being performed by sub-pixel resolution structures (e.g., electrodes or photodiodes) of the detector. Measurements acquired using the detector may be used to determine offset, amplitude, and phase of a phase-contrast interference pattern without multiple acquisitions at different phase steps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of X-ray detector cassettes that may be abutted or overlapped to form a detector assembly suitable for imaging objects that are too large to image using a single X-ray detector cassette. Such a detector assembly may be customized in terms of the size and/or shape of the field-of-view (FOV). In certain embodiments the radiation-sensitive electronics (e.g., readout electronics) are positioned to the side of the X-ray detecting components (e.g., scintillator, TFT array, and so forth), allowing the cassette to be thin relative to other detector devices and allowing the electronics to remain outside the X-ray beam path.

Abstract: There is provided an x-ray detector having a number of x-ray detector sub-modules. Each detector sub-module is an edge-on detector sub-module having an array of detector elements extending in at least two directions, wherein one of the directions has a component in the direction of incoming x-rays. The detector sub-modules are stacked one after the other and/or arranged side-by-side. For at least part of the detector sub-modules, the detector sub-modules are arranged for providing a gap between adjacent detector sub-modules, where at least part of the gap is not directed linearly towards the x-ray focal point of an x-ray source.