Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a medical imaging detector by the use of triggering signals, environmental condition data, and/or determination of a variable time interval triggering event that is unique for each power consumption state. Systems and methods are provided for managing power and temperature of a device, after receiving a request for a function to be performed by the device determining an “on” trigger component, an “off” trigger component, associated circuits for performing the received function, providing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “on” trigger component, and removing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “off” trigger component. Further, an instruction is described for determining and displaying a variable time interval that is indicative of a time to change from one state to a desired state.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multi-tile detector and a process for assembling the multi-tile detector using a flexible structure and intermediate electrical connections. The present technique minimizes edge gaps between adjacent detector tiles by coupling the detector tiles to the flexible structure and then flexing the flexible structure to close the edge gaps. Intermediate electrical connections, such as interlayer solder bumps, also may be used to minimize visible artifacts associated with tiling of the detector tiles. The present technique also may use a plurality of soldering materials having different melting temperatures to facilitate multiple soldering steps that are nondestructive of previous soldering steps.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multi-tile detector and a process for assembling the multi-tile detector using a flexible structure and intermediate electrical connections. The present technique minimizes edge gaps between adjacent detector tiles by coupling the detector tiles to the flexible structure and then flexing the flexible structure to close the edge gaps. Intermediate electrical connections, such as interlayer solder bumps, also may be used to minimize visible artifacts associated with tiling of the detector tiles. The present technique also may use a plurality of soldering materials having different melting temperatures to facilitate multiple soldering steps that are nondestructive of previous soldering steps.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a reference display receives reference information and displays the reference information from a digital image detector, wherein the reference display is in close proximity to the digital image detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided by which a mammography imaging system offers X-ray and ultrasound imaging that allows sharing of common hardware such as the computer and display. Small regions of interest are imaged with X-ray at higher image quality by using a second sensor with higher DQE than the full-field sensor can obtain. In some embodiments a specialized chamber is provided for securing the anatomy to a fixed location, ultrasound image data is collected along with ultrasound probe location and orientation data from sensors on a handheld probe from which data images can be viewed directly, or used to reconstruct tomographic images of any desired cross-section, or used for various “3-D” image visualization methods. An imaging schedule defined by location and orientation of an ultrasound probe is used to generate a three-dimensional ultrasound image.

Abstract: An electronic assembly having a first layer and a second layer is disclosed. The first layer has a first interface surface and a plurality of cavities formed in the first interface surface. The second layer has a second interface surface and a plurality of projections disposed at the second interface surface, where the plurality of projections are aligned with and disposed at the plurality of cavities. An electrically conductive connecting material is disposed at the plurality of cavities such that the connecting material connects the plurality of projections to the respective plurality of cavities.

Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a glass layer curved according to a pre-selected radius of curvature, a photoreceptor formed on the glass layer, and a backing layer curved according to the pre-selected radius of curvature. The backing layer supports the glass layer.

Abstract: An electronic assembly having a first layer and a second layer is disclosed. The first layer has a first interface surface and a plurality of cavities formed in the first interface surface. The second layer has a second interface surface and a plurality of projections disposed at the second interface surface, where the plurality of projections are aligned with and disposed at the plurality of cavities. An electrically conductive connecting material is disposed at the plurality of cavities such that the connecting material connects the plurality of projections to the respective plurality of cavities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a medical imaging detector by the use of triggering signals, environmental condition data, and/or determination of a variable time interval triggering event that is unique for each power consumption state. Systems and methods are provided for managing power and temperature of a device, after receiving a request for a function to be performed by the device determining an “on” trigger component, an “off” trigger component, associated circuits for performing the received function, providing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “on” trigger component, and removing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “off” trigger component. Further, an instruction is described for determining and displaying a variable time interval that is indicative of a time to change from one state to a desired state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a medical imaging detector by the use of triggering signals, environmental condition data, and/or determination of a variable time interval triggering event that is unique for each power consumption state. Systems and methods are provided for managing power and temperature of a device, after receiving a request for a function to be performed by the device determining an “on” trigger component, an “off” trigger component, associated circuits for performing the received function, providing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “on” trigger component, and removing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “off” trigger component. Further, an instruction is described for determining and displaying a variable time interval that is indicative of a time to change from one state to a desired state.

Abstract: A method for coupling an X-ray image detector to an X-ray image receptor is provided. The method includes providing at least two image detectors. The two image detectors each have at least one inner edge for substantial inner edge contact between the at least two image detectors to form a detector array. The two image detectors each have at least one outer edge to form an outside perimeter of the detector array. The method further includes coupling an area proximate the outside perimeter of the detector array to the image receptor.

Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a glass layer curved according to a pre-selected radius of curvature, a photoreceptor formed on the glass layer, and a backing layer curved according to the pre-selected radius of curvature. The backing layer supports the glass layer.

Abstract: A method for coupling an X-ray image detector to an X-ray image receptor is provided. The method includes providing at least two image detectors. The two image detectors each have at least one inner edge for substantial inner edge contact between the at least two image detectors to form a detector array. The two image detectors each have at least one outer edge to form an outside perimeter of the detector array. The method further includes coupling an area proximate the outside perimeter of the detector array to the image receptor.

Abstract: An x-ray detector is provided to acquire an image. The x-ray detector comprises detector elements that store a charge representative of an x-ray level. The detector elements are arranged in rows and columns. Scan lines are arranged in rows or columns and connect to the detector elements. First and second sets of sensing circuits read the charge from the detector elements. A first set of data lines connects to the first set of sensing circuits and a second set of data lines connects to the second set of sensing circuits. At least one of the data lines from the first set of data lines is interspersed with the second set of data lines.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system that utilizes the leakage, or dark current, of a detector panel's photodiodes to provide more accurate data about the temperature and spatial distribution of temperature of the X-ray detector panel. Offset images are taken at known temperatures and recorded for each photodiode at two or more known temperatures. A temperature versus offset image value curve is the created for each photodiode. A second offset image value is determined immediately prior to or immediately after X-ray acquisition to determine the temperature of the detector panel at the time of X-ray acquisition. A coupled closed-loop cooling system utilizes the determined temperature to maintain the detector panel within a preferred temperature range.

Abstract: An x-ray detector is provided to acquire an image. The x-ray detector comprises detector elements that store a charge representative of an x-ray level. The detector elements are arranged in rows and columns. Scan lines are arranged in rows or columns and connect to the detector elements. First and second sets of sensing circuits read the charge from the detector elements. A first set of data lines connects to the first set of sensing circuits and a second set of data lines connects to the second set of sensing circuits. At least one of the data lines from the first set of data lines is interspersed with the second set of data lines.

Abstract: An improved design for a solid state X-ray detector that decreases the amount of moisture diffusion that occurs through seals used to attach a cover to a glass substrate panel, thereby protecting the scintillator from moisture damage. In one embodiment, a second hermetic or semi-hermetic seal is introduced between the scintillator and the outside environment to increase the path moisture must travel to reach the scintillator. In another embodiment, a metal frame, preferably a Kovar® frame, is hermetically or semi-hermetically sealed to the cover and glass substrate panel, thereby decreasing the amount of moisture diffusion through the semi-hermetic seal as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multi-tile detector and a process for assembling the multi-tile detector using a flexible structure and intermediate electrical connections. The present technique minimizes edge gaps between adjacent detector tiles by coupling the detector tiles to the flexible structure and then flexing the flexible structure to close the edge gaps. Intermediate electrical connections, such as interlayer solder bumps, also may be used to minimize visible artifacts associated with tiling of the detector tiles. The present technique also may use a plurality of soldering materials having different melting temperatures to facilitate multiple soldering steps that are nondestructive of previous soldering steps.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system that utilizes the leakage, or dark current, of a detector panel's photodiodes to provide more accurate data about the temperature and spatial distribution of temperature of the X-ray detector panel. Offset images are taken at known temperatures and recorded for each photodiode at two or more known temperatures. A temperature versus offset image value curve is the created for each photodiode. A second offset image value is determined immediately prior to or immediately after X-ray acquisition to determine the temperature of the detector panel at the time of X-ray acquisition. A coupled closed-loop cooling system utilizes the determined temperature to maintain the detector panel within a preferred temperature range.

Abstract: An improved design for a solid state X-ray detector that decreases the amount of moisture diffusion that occurs through seals used to attach a cover to a glass panel substrate, thereby protecting the scintillator from moisture damage. In one embodiment, a second hermetic or semi-hermetic seal is introduced between the scintillator and the outside environment to increase the path moisture must travel to reach the scintillator. In another embodiment, a metal frame, preferably a Kovar® frame, is hermetically or semi-hermetically sealed to the cover and glass panel substrate, thereby decreasing the amount of moisture diffusion through the semi-hermetic seal of the prior art.