Patents by Inventor Randall P. Luhta

Randall P. Luhta has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10591616
    Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector includes a photodiode array with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array is part of the photo detector. A scintillator array includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector also includes readout electronics, which are also part of the photo detector. Electrical traces interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo
  • Publication number: 20150177390
    Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector includes a photodiode array with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array is part of the photo detector. A scintillator array includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector also includes readout electronics, which are also part of the photo detector. Electrical traces interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Rodney A. MATTSON, Randall P. LUHTA, Marc A. CHAPPO
  • Patent number: 9000382
    Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector (120) includes a photodiode array (122) with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array (122) is part of the photo detector (120). A scintillator array (126) includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector (120) also includes readout electronics (124), which are also part of the photo detector (120). Electrical traces (512) interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo
  • Patent number: 8766199
    Abstract: A detector tile (116) of an imaging system (100) includes a photosensor array (204) and electronics (208) electrically coupled to the photosensor array (204), wherein the electronics includes a dose determiner (402) that determines a deposited dose for the detector tile (116) and generates a signal indicative thereof. In one non-limiting instance, this signal is utilized to correct parameters such as gain and thermal coefficients, which may vary with radiation dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Marc A. Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Rodney A. Mattson
  • Patent number: 8735832
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes a scintillator array (202), a photosensor array (204) optically coupled to the scintillator array (202), a current-to-frequency (I/F) converter (314), and logic (312). The I/F converter (314) includes an integrator (302) and a comparator (310), and converts, during a current integration period, charge output by the photosensor array (204) into a digital signal having a frequency indicative of the charge. The logic (312) sets a gain of the integrator (302) for a next integration period based on the digital signal for the current integration period. In one instance, the gain is increased for the next integration period, relative to the gain for the current integration period, which allows for reducing an amount of bias current injected at an input of the I/F converter (314) to generate a measurable signal in the absence of radiation, which may reduce noise such as shot noise, flicker noise, and/or other noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Marc A. Chappo, Randall P. Luhta
  • Patent number: 8710448
    Abstract: A radiation detector module (22) particularly well suited for use in computed tomography (CT) applications includes a scintillator (200), a photodetector array (202), and signal processing electronics (205). The photodetector array (202) includes a semiconductor substrate (208) having a plurality of photodetectors and metalization (210) fabricated on non-illuminated side of the substrate (208). The metalization routes electrical signals between the photodetectors and the signal processing electronics (205) and between the signal processing electronics (205) and an electrical connector (209).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo, Brian E. Harwood, Rodney A. Mattson, Chris J. Vrettos
  • Publication number: 20130292575
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array and a scintillator array of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter, an integrator offset voltage signal determiner, and a logic unit, wherein the determiner induces an electrical current via an offset voltage, the A/D converter measures the current, and the logic unit calculates a resistance of the photosensor array based on the reference voltage and the measured current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Marc CHAPPO, Randall P. LUHTA, Christopher J. VRETTOS, Brian E. HARWOOD
  • Patent number: 8563941
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array and a scintillator array of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter, an integrator offset voltage signal determiner, and a logic unit, wherein the determiner induces an electrical current via an offset voltage, the A/D converter measures the current, and the logic unit calculates a resistance of the photosensor array based on the reference voltage and the measured current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Christopher J. Vrettos, Brian E. Harwood
  • Patent number: 8532251
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation source (108) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region (106) and a detection system (114) that detects radiation that traverses the examination region (106) and generates a signal indicative thereof. The detection system (114) includes a first detector array (1141-114N) and a second detector array (1141-114N). The first and second detector arrays (1141-114N) are separately distinct detector arrays and at least one of the detector arrays (1141-114N) is moveable with respect to the radiation beam. A reconstructor (116) reconstructs the signal and generates volumetric image data indicative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo, Brian E. Harwood, Rodney A. Mattson, Chris John Vrettos
  • Patent number: 8525122
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics (208) with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array (204) and a scintillator array (202) of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter (302) that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit (308) that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter (302), an integrator offset voltage signal determiner (318), and a logic unit (308), wherein the determiner (318) induces an electrical current via an offset voltage, the A/D converter (302) measures the current, and the logic unit (308) calculates a resistance of the photosensor array (204) based on the reference voltage and the measured current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Christopher J. Vrettos, Brian E. Harwood
  • Patent number: 8525119
    Abstract: A radiation sensitive detector array includes a plurality of detector modules (118) extending along a z-axis direction and aligned along an x-axis direction with respect to the imaging system (100). At least one of the detector modules (118) includes a module backbone (124) and at least one detector tile (122). The at least one detector tile (122) is coupled to the module backbone (124) through a non-threaded fastener (142). The at least one detector tile (122) includes a two-dimensional detector (126) and a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (128) that is focused at a focal spot (112) of an imaging system (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N. V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Rodney A. Mattson, Brian E. Harwood
  • Patent number: 8405040
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes a radiation sensitive region having first and second opposing sides. One of the first or second sides senses impinging radiation. The detector further includes electronics located on the other of the first or second sides of the radiation sensitive region. The electronics includes a thermal controller that regulates a temperature of the imaging detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo, Roland Proksa, Douglas B. McKnight
  • Publication number: 20120313000
    Abstract: A detector tile (116) of an imaging system (100) includes a photosensor array (204) and electronics (208) electrically coupled to the photosensor array (204), wherein the electronics includes a dose determiner (402) that determines a deposited dose for the detector tile (116) and generates a signal indicative thereof. In one non-limiting instance, this signal is utilized to correct parameters such as gain and thermal coefficients, which may vary with radiation dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Marc A. Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Rodney A. Mattson
  • Patent number: 8331529
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an x-ray source (112) having a focal spot that emits radiation that traverses an examination region (108). The position of the focal spot along a longitudinal direction is a function of a temperature of one or more x-ray source components. The system further includes a detector (120) that detects the radiation and a collimator (116), disposed between the x-ray source (112) and the examination region (108), that collimates that radiation along the longitudinal direction. A focal spot position estimator (132) dynamically computes an estimated position of the focal spot along the longitudinal direction based on the temperature of one or more x-ray source components. A collimator positioner (128) positions the collimator (116) along the longitudinal direction based on the estimated focal spot position prior to performing a scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Lester Miller, Janardhan K. Kamath, Randall P. Luhta
  • Publication number: 20120097856
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes a scintillator array (202), a photosensor array (204) optically coupled to the scintillator array (202), a current-to-frequency (I/F) converter (314), and logic (312). The I/F converter (314) includes an integrator (302) and a comparator (310), and converts, during a current integration period, charge output by the photosensor array (204) into a digital signal having a frequency indicative of the charge. The logic (312) sets a gain of the integrator (302) for a next integration period based on the digital signal for the current integration period. In one instance, the gain is increased for the next integration period, relative to the gain for the current integration period, which allows for reducing an amount of bias current injected at an input of the I/F converter (314) to generate a measurable signal in the absence of radiation, which may reduce noise such as shot noise, flicker noise, and/or other noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Marc A. Chappo, Randall P. Luhta
  • Publication number: 20120057670
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation source (108) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region (106) and a detection system (114) that detects radiation that traverses the examination region (106) and generates a signal indicative thereof. The detection system (114) includes a first detector array (1141-114N) and a second detector array (1141-114N). The first and second detector arrays (1141-114N) are separately distinct detector arrays and at least one of the detector arrays (1141-114N) is moveable with respect to the radiation beam. A reconstructor (116) reconstructs the signal and generates volumetric image data indicative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo, Brian E. Harwood, Rodney A. Mattson, Chris John Vrettos
  • Publication number: 20120049074
    Abstract: A radiation sensitive detector array includes a plurality of detector modules (118) extending along a z-axis direction and aligned along an x-axis direction with respect to the imaging system (100). At least one of the detector modules (118) includes a module backbone (124) and at least one detector tile (122). The at least one detector tile (122) is coupled to the module backbone (124) through a non-threaded fastener (142). The at least one detector tile (122) includes a two-dimensional detector (126) and a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (128) that is focused at a focal spot (112) of an imaging system (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Randall P. Luhta, Rodney A. Mattson, Brian E. Harwood
  • Publication number: 20120001076
    Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array and a scintillator array of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter, an integrator offset voltage signal determiner, and a logic unit, wherein the determiner induces an electrical current via an off-set voltage, the A/D converter measures the current, and the logic unit calculates a resistance of the photosensor array based on the reference voltage and the measured current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Chappo, Randall P. Luhta, Christopher J. Vrettos, Brian E. Harwood
  • Publication number: 20110210256
    Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector (120) includes a photodiode array (122) with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array (122) is part of the photo detector (120). A scintillator array (126) includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector (120) also includes readout electronics (124), which are also part of the photo detector (120). Electrical traces (512) interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics (124).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo
  • Patent number: 7983385
    Abstract: A computed tomography system (100) includes an x-ray source (112) that rotates about an examination region (108) and translates along a longitudinal axis (120). The x-ray source (112) remains at a first location on the longitudinal axis (120) while rotating about the examination region (108), accelerates to a scanning speed and performs a fly-by scan of a region of interest (220) in which at least one hundred and eighty degrees plus a fan angle of data is acquired. At least one detector (124) detects x-rays radiated by the x-ray source (112) that traverses the examination region (108) and generates signals indicative thereof. A reconstructor (132) reconstructs the signals to generate volumetric image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Heuscher, Randall P. Luhta, Steven J. Utrup