Abstract: In a method for automatically handling objects, the objects are held by means of an object gripper or the like and are subjected to a handling process, a transport process, or an assembly process in the held state. The position of at least one surface section of the held object relative to a contact surface of the object gripper or the like is monitored by means of at least one position sensor arranged at the object gripper or the like; and a warning signal or control signal is generated in the event of a change of the position during the handling process, the transport process, or the assembly process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer having a plurality of dispersive optical elements arranged such that electromagnetic radiation entering into the spectrometer is incident on the dispersive optical elements to be split spectrally there; the dispersive optical elements differ from one another with respect to their spatial positions and/or their spectral splitting capabilities; the dispersive optical elements are arranged such that the spectra generated by the respective dispersive optical elements by the splitting of the electromagnetic radiation extend in the same direction and are adjacent to one another transversely to this direction of the spectral splitting; and a detector resolving spatially in two dimensions and being located in the optical path of the split electromagnetic radiation for the detection of at least some respective part sections of the spectra.

Abstract: An oncology therapy method comprises implanting a radioactive seed (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in an oncology subject (S). In some embodiments the radioactive seed comprises a radioactive material (12, 32, 33, 42) including at least one radioisotope disposed in a biodegradable host (14, 24, 25, 44) configured to biodegrade over a therapy time period when implanted in the oncology subject. In some embodiments the radioactive seed is implanted in soft tissue of an oncology subject (S), and the radioactive seed comprises a radioactive material (12, 32, 33, 42) including at least one radioisotope disposed in a host material (14, 24, 25, 44) having softness comparable with or softer than the soft tissue into which the radioactive seed is implanted.

Abstract: A detector tile (116) of an imaging detector array (112) includes a scintillator array (202), a photosensor array (204), which includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels, optically coupled to the scintillator array (202), and a current-to-frequency (I/F) converter (302). The I/F converter (302) includes an integrator (304) that integrates charge output by a photosensitive pixel during an integration period and generates a signal indicative thereof and a comparator (310) that generates a pulse when the generated signal satisfies predetermined criteria during the integration period. A reset device (316) resets the integrator (304) in response to the comparator (310) generating a pulse. Circuitry (320, 324) samples the generated signal at a beginning of the integration period and/or at an end of the integration period and generates quantized digital data indicative thereof. Logic (322) estimates the charge at the input of the integrator (304) based on the generated digital data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved optoelectronic apparatus for optical gas analysis by means of which the interfering influence of the particles contained in the gas is reduced with regard to the intended measurement. For this purpose the optoelectronic apparatus in accordance with the invention has a light transmitter and a light receiver which define an optical measurement path including a measurement volume between one another. The received signals of the light receiver can be evaluated in an evaluation unit, to ultimately obtain the desired information therefrom, for example, the concentration of a specific gas content. In accordance with the invention an ionizer is further provided which is arranged upstream of the optical measurement path. The ionizer causes an ionization of the undesirable particles, i.e. e.g. the dust particles, smoke particles or such like aerosols so that the ionized particles can be deflected by electric fields or also magnetic fields by means of an ion acceleration apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an x-ray source (112) that generates transmission radiation that traverses an examination region (108) and a detector (116) that includes a photo-converter (204) that detects the radiation and generates a signal indicative thereof. The photo-converter (204) includes a light receiving region (260) on a back side (264).5The light receiving region receives light indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes read-out electronics (240) within a front side (228), which is located opposite the back side (264). The read-out electronics (240) process a photo-current indicative of the received light to generate the signal indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes a photodiode (208, 212, 232) 10disposed between the light receiving region (260) and the read-out electronics (240). The photodiode (212) produces the photo-current.

Abstract: An oncology therapy method comprises implanting a radioactive seed (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in an oncology subject (S). In some embodiments the radioactive seed comprises a radioactive material (12, 32, 33, 42) including at least one radioisotope disposed in a biodegradable host (14, 24, 25, 44) configured to biodegrade over a therapy time period when implanted in the oncology subject. In some embodiments the radioactive seed is implanted in soft tissue of an oncology subject (S), and the radioactive seed comprises a radioactive material (12, 32, 33, 42) including at least one radioisotope disposed in a host material (14, 24, 25, 44) having softness comparable with or softer than the soft tissue into which the radioactive seed is implanted.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved optoelectronic apparatus for optical gas analysis by means of which the interfering influence of the particles contained in the gas is reduced with regard to the intended measurement. For this purpose the optoelectronic apparatus in accordance with the invention has a light transmitter and a light receiver which define an optical measurement path including a measurement volume between one another. The received signals of the light receiver can be evaluated in an evaluation unit, to ultimately obtain the desired information therefrom, for example, the concentration of a specific gas content. In accordance with the invention an ionizer is further provided which is arranged upstream of the optical measurement path. The ionizer causes an ionization of the undesirable particles, i.e. e.g. the dust particles, smoke particles or such like aerosols so that the ionized particles can be deflected by electric fields or also magnetic fields by means of an ion acceleration apparatus.

Abstract: A detector tile (116) of an imaging detector array (112) includes a scintillator array (202), a photosensor array (204), which includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels, optically coupled to the scintillator array (202), and a current-to-frequency (I/F) converter (302). The I/F converter (302) includes an integrator (304) that integrates charge output by a photosensitive pixel during an integration period and generates a signal indicative thereof and a comparator (310) that generates a pulse when the generated signal satisfies predetermined criteria during the integration period. A reset device (316) resets the integrator (304) in response to the comparator (310) generating a pulse. Circuitry (320, 324) samples the generated signal at a beginning of the integration period and/or at an end of the integration period and generates quantized digital data indicative thereof. Logic (322) estimates the charge at the input of the integrator (304) based on the generated digital data.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an x-ray source (112) that generates transmission radiation that traverses an examination region (108) and a detector (116) that includes a photo-converter (204) that detects the radiation and generates a signal indicative thereof. The photo-converter (204) includes a light receiving region (260) on a back side (264). The light receiving region receives light indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes read-out electronics (240) within a front side (228), which is located opposite the back side (264). The read-out electronics (240) process a photo-current indicative of the received light to generate the signal indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes a photodiode (208, 212, 232) disposed between the light receiving region (260) and the read-out electronics (240). The photodiode (212) produces the photo-current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, to an X-ray apparatus for performing the method and to a detector arrangement intended for the latter, for producing X-ray images containing a reduced proportion of scattered radiation. The X-ray radiation is detected in this case by a detector arrangement comprising two X-ray detectors, there being provided in the first X-ray detector openings through which the second X-ray detector is able to detect scattered radiation and primary radiation by separate detector elements. The signals given by the second X-ray detector are used to determine the proportion of scattered radiation that is contained in the image produced by the first X-ray detector and to largely free the first image of the proportion of scattered radiation.

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: Electronics devices like X-ray detectors with an array of pixels are combined (binned) into binning blocks of m×n pixels. Available read-out lines of the device are all connected to different binning blocks, such that up to m binning blocks are addressed simultaneously in the vertical direction when m×n binning is used. In this case, the output signals from the m vertically arranged blocks are distributed over the m read-out columns present in the m×n locks. Row address lines together with diagonal address lines and a simple activation logic provide the required versatile addressing of the pixels.

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 method, to an X-ray apparatus for performing the method and to a detector arrangement intended for the latter, for producing X-ray images containing a reduced proportion of scattered radiation. The X-ray radiation is detected in this case by a detector arrangement comprising two X-ray detectors, there being provided in the first X-ray detector openings through which the second X-ray detector is able to detect scattered radiation and primary radiation by separate detector elements. The signals given by the second X-ray detector are used to determine the proportion of scattered radiation that is contained in the image produced by the first X-ray detector and to largely free the first image of the proportion of scattered radiation.

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 concerns an X-ray detector with a photo-sensitive detector layer (10) above which a scintillation layer (30) for the conversion of X-rays (X) into photons (v) is disposed. Photons (v) are reflected back into the scintillation layer (30) by a reflector (40) that is provided on the scintillation layer (30) for an improved signal gain and signal-to-noise ratio. The reflectivity of the reflector (40) can be externally controlled. This is achieved for example by a reflective layer (41, 42, 43) of E-Ink being disposed between two electrodes (44a, 44b). Thus the reflectivity can be decreased at sufficiently high X-ray doses in order to improve image sharpness and dynamic range of the detector.

Abstract: The invention concerns electronics devices like X-ray detectors with an array of pixels (303) that can be combined (binned) into binning blocks of m×n pixels. According to the invention the available read-out lines (325) of the device are all connected to different binning blocks in each read-out step, such that up to m binning blocks are addressed simultaneously in the verticle direction when m×n binning is used. In this case, the output signals from the m vertically arranged blocks are distributed over the m read-out columns present in the m×n blocks. In a preferred embodiment, row address lines (361) together with diagonal address lines (371) and a simple activation logic (372) guarantee the required versatile addressing of the pixels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector arrangement for the conversion of electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals. The detector arrangement includes sensitive areas (D1, D2, D3, D4), where each sensitive area corresponds to a respective electrical signal, and at least two of the sensitive areas mesh with one another in such a manner that non-overlapping envelopes (C1, C2, C3, C4) of the individual meshing sensitive areas also mesh with one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector (1) with an array (2) of sensor elements (21), wherein each row (i) of sensor elements is connected via an addressing line to an addressing unit (5), and wherein each column j) of sensor elements is connected via a read-out line to a read-out unit (3). In the read-out unit (3), sensor signals are preprocessed, for example amplified by amplifiers (31). The detector further comprises a control unit (6) which is adapted to set the gains of said amplifiers (31) for each column (j) and each row (i) individually. The values of the gains may particularly be derived from a priori knowledge, from previous images of the object, or from the image signals of rows that have already been read out.