Abstract: Various approaches are discussed for using four-side buttable CMOS tiles to fabricate detector panels, including large-area detector panels. Fabrication may utilize pads and interconnect structures formed on the top or bottom of the CMOS tiles. Electrical connection and readout may utilize readout and digitization circuitry provided on the CMOS tiles themselves such that readout of groups or sub-arrays of pixels occurs at the tile level, while tiles are then readout at the detector level such that readout operations are tiered or multi-level.

Abstract: An x-ray detector comprises: a housing, including a cover removably fastened on a flange of a flanged base and forming a semi-hermetic seal therebetween, the flanged base including a bottom surface and the flange surrounding a perimeter of the bottom surface; and an x-ray imager positioned on the bottom surface, the x-ray imager including a scintillator and an image sensor, wherein the seal semi-hermetically encloses the x-ray imager in the housing, and is positioned nonadjacently to surfaces in contact with the x-ray imager. In this way, a simpler and less costly seal for a digital x-ray panel can be provide; furthermore, the seal is reusable and resealable, facilitating repair and refurbishment of the device.

Abstract: Various approaches are discussed for using four-side buttable CMOS tiles to fabricate detector panels, including large-area detector panels. Fabrication may utilize pads and interconnect structures formed on the top or bottom of the CMOS tiles. Electrical connection and readout may utilize readout and digitization circuitry provided on the CMOS tiles themselves such that readout of groups or sub-arrays of pixels occurs at the tile level, while tiles are then readout at the detector level such that readout operations are tiered or multi-level.

Abstract: An x-ray detector comprises: a housing, including a cover removably fastened on a flange of a flanged base and forming a semi-hermetic seal therebetween, the flanged base including a bottom surface and the flange surrounding a perimeter of the bottom surface; and an x-ray imager positioned on the bottom surface, the x-ray imager including a scintillator and an image sensor, wherein the seal semi-hermetically encloses the x-ray imager in the housing, and is positioned nonadjacently to surfaces in contact with the x-ray imager. In this way, a simpler and less costly seal for a digital x-ray panel can be provide; furthermore, the seal is reusable and resealable, facilitating repair and refurbishment of the device.

Abstract: Various approaches are discussed for using four-side buttable CMOS tiles to fabricate detector panels, including large-area detector panels. Fabrication may utilize pads and interconnect structures formed on the top or bottom of the CMOS tiles. Electrical connection and readout may utilize readout and digitization circuitry provided on the CMOS tiles themselves such that readout of groups or sub-arrays of pixels occurs at the tile level, while tiles are then readout at the detector level such that readout operations are tiered or multi-level.

Abstract: Various approaches are discussed for using four-side buttable CMOS tiles to fabricate detector panels, including large-area detector panels. Fabrication may utilize pads and interconnect structures formed on the top or bottom of the CMOS tiles. Electrical connection and readout may utilize readout and digitization circuitry provided on the CMOS tiles themselves such that readout of groups or sub-arrays of pixels occurs at the tile level, while tiles are then readout at the detector level such that readout operations are tiered or multi-level.

Abstract: An X-ray detector has a layered structure that includes a substrate, a TFT array disposed on the substrate, a photodiode layer disposed on the TFT array, and a scintillator layer disposed on the photodiode layer. The scintillator layer comprises a particle-in-binder composite that contains a continuous parylene matrix having dispersed therein a plurality of particles that include a scintillator material that emits light in response to the absorption of X-rays.

Abstract: A flat panel X-ray detector that comprises an X-ray panel and a scintillator layer disposed on a first surface of the X-ray panel, is disclosed herein. The flat panel X-ray detector further comprises a hermetic cover that covers the scintillator layer. The hermetic cover comprises a top surface and at least one sidewall extending away from the top surface. The flat panel X-ray detector further comprises a solder seal disposed between the hermetic cover and the X-ray panel. A rim of the sidewall is substantially embedded within the solder seal such that the rim does not directly contact the X-ray panel. A method for fabricating a flat panel X-ray detector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flat panel X-ray detector that comprises an X-ray panel and a scintillator layer disposed on a first surface of the X-ray panel, is disclosed herein. The flat panel X-ray detector further comprises a hermetic cover that covers the scintillator layer. The hermetic cover comprises a top surface and at least one sidewall extending away from the top surface. The flat panel X-ray detector further comprises a solder seal disposed between the hermetic cover and the X-ray panel. A rim of the sidewall is substantially embedded within the solder seal such that the rim does not directly contact the X-ray panel. A method for fabricating a flat panel X-ray detector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computed radiography reading system and method. The system includes an exposed computed radiography plate, a two-dimensional pixelized array, and a heating element. The heating element conducts heat to the computed radiography plate and the computed radiography plate releases entrained light signals to the two-dimensional pixelized array in response to the conducted heat.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including an x-ray detector unit that includes an anti-scatter grid free of at least one of a top cover and a bottom cover, a flat panel x-ray detector having an x-ray conversion layer, and an integrated anti-scatter grid assembly configured to provide structural support to the anti-scatter grid and to provide mechanical protection to the flat panel x-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid is configured to absorb a plurality of scattered x-rays impinging on the anti-scatter grid while substantially allowing un-scattered x-rays to pass through the anti-scatter grid. The x-ray conversion layer is configured to convert an x-ray into visible light or an electronic signal. The flat panel x-ray detector is fixed relative to the anti-scatter grid such that the anti-scatter grid remains stationary relative to the flat panel x-ray detector during operation of the x-ray detector.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-scatter X-ray grid device, and the X-ray grid device made therefrom, includes providing a substrate made of a material substantially non-absorbent of X-rays that includes channels therein; applying a layer, also of a substantially non-absorbent of X-rays material, onto a sidewall(s) of the channels, wherein the layer comprises a second material; and then applying a material substantially absorbent of X-rays into a portion of the channels, so as to define a plurality of X-ray absorbing elements. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-scatter X-ray grid device, and the X-ray grid device made therefrom, includes providing a substrate made of a material substantially non-absorbent of X-rays that includes channels therein; applying a layer, also of a substantially non-absorbent of X-rays material, onto a sidewall(s) of the channels, wherein the layer comprises a second material; and then applying a material substantially absorbent of X-rays into a portion of the channels, so as to define a plurality of X-ray absorbing elements. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The inspection system includes at least one source configured to emit a beam of radiation onto an object. The inspection system also includes at least two area detectors having different characteristics configured to receive a reflected beam of radiation from the object and output a plurality of image data streams corresponding to the different characteristics, wherein the at least two area detectors disposed in at least one of a cascaded arrangement or separated by a pre-determined distance along a direction parallel or perpendicular to a scan direction of the object.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including an x-ray detector unit that includes an anti-scatter grid free of at least one of a top cover and a bottom cover, a flat panel x-ray detector having an x-ray conversion layer, and an integrated anti-scatter grid assembly configured to provide structural support to the anti-scatter grid and to provide mechanical protection to the flat panel x-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid is configured to absorb a plurality of scattered x-rays impinging on the anti-scatter grid while substantially allowing un-scattered x-rays to pass through the anti-scatter grid. The x-ray conversion layer is configured to convert an x-ray into visible light or an electronic signal. The flat panel x-ray detector is fixed relative to the anti-scatter grid such that the anti-scatter grid remains stationary relative to the flat panel x-ray detector during operation of the x-ray detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.

Abstract: A radiation detector assembly, in some aspects, includes a detector substrate and a detector matrix array disposed on the detector substrate. A scintillator material is disposed on the detector matrix array and a moisture resistant layer is disposed on the scintillator material. The moisture resistant layer includes a plurality of sub-layers. The assembly also includes a protective cover disposed over the detector substrate and the moisture resistant layer, and an adhesive material disposed between the detector substrate and the cover. The adhesive material in some configurations is disposed so that it is not in contact with the moisture resistant layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray detector assembly and a fabrication method, where the X-ray detector assembly includes a scintillator material disposed on a detector matrix array disposed on a detector substrate; and an encapsulating coating disposed on the scintillator material. The encapsulating coating includes a combination of a mono-chloro-poly-para-xylylene layer and a poly-para-xylylene layer. In one embodiment, a poly-para-xylylene layer is disposed over the scintillator material and a mono-chloro-poly-para-xylylene layer is disposed over the poly-para-xylylene layer.

Abstract: A method for brewing beverages in a machine, which comprises: (a) providing a machine comprising a clamp which is adapted to hold a beverage brewing sachet and a liquid injector tube for injecting liquid into a sachet held in the clamp, wherein the injector tube has a tip and an outlet hole in said tip; (b) providing a beverage brewing sachet containing a beverage brewing ingredient and having at least one side wall region formed of flexible film; (c) inserting the sachet into the clamp; (d) piercing the flexible film in the side wall region of the sachet with the liquid injector tube; and (e) injecting liquid into the sachet through the injector tube to brew the beverage in the sachet, wherein, following step (d), a flap of the flexible film material extends inwardly from said side wall and over the outlet hole of the injector to form a valve that allows liquid to flow into the sachet from the injector tube, but that blocks or restricts the flow of liquid or solid materials into the injector tube from inside

Abstract: A radiation detector assembly, in some aspects, includes a detector substrate and a detector matrix array disposed on the detector substrate. A scintillator material is disposed on the detector matrix array and a moisture resistant layer is disposed on the scintillator material. The moisture resistant layer includes a plurality of sub-layers. The assembly also includes a protective cover disposed over the detector substrate and the moisture resistant layer, and an adhesive material disposed between the detector substrate and the cover. The adhesive material in some configurations is disposed so that it is not in contact with the moisture resistant layer.