Plural Electric Signalling Means Patents (Class 250/366)
  • Patent number: 10509134
    Abstract: A Compton camera system and method for detecting gamma radiation, comprising a gamma radiation source, at least one fast scintillator plate P1 of which the rise time to peak light is less than 1 ns, having a thickness greater than or equal to 5 mm, equipped with an array of segmented photodetectors (5) and a dedicated fast-reading microelectronic means. The system is characterised in that it is capable of measuring the spatial and temporal coordinates (X, Y, Z, T) and energy E at at least two successive positions of a gamma photon when said photon undergoes Compton scattering at a first point A before being absorbed at a second point B, by recognising circles of non-scattered photons corresponding to each scintillation interaction. The system has a module for estimating a valid Compton event. The detection system has two scintillator plates P1 and P2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Alain Iltis
  • Patent number: 10502844
    Abstract: An imaging method and device are described for improving the performance of a gamma camera by optimizing a figure of merit that depends upon cost, efficiency, and spatial resolution. In a modular gamma camera comprising a tiled array of gamma detector modules, the performance figure of merit can be optimized by sparsely placing gamma detector modules within the gamma camera, optimizing collimation, and providing means for detector and/or collimator motion. Sparse gamma cameras can be constructed as flat or curved panels, and elliptical or circular rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLC
    Inventors: James W. Hugg, Brian W. Harris
  • Patent number: 10478158
    Abstract: The invention concerns a preoperative probe (2) for guiding an ablation tool, comprising a sensing head (21), said sensing head including: at least one optic fiber (2121, 2123) for receiving and guiding a signal emitted, by radioactive tracers and/or fluorescent molecules in a tissue zone, to an analyzing equipment (32), fixing means (2112) for mounting the head (21) on the ablation tool (1), such that the ablation tool is capable of extracting a portion of tissue in the tissue zone emitting the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)
    Inventors: Laurent Menard, Sébastien Bonzom, Yves Charon, Marie-Alix Duval, Françoise Lefebvre, Stéphane Palfi, Laurent Pinot, Rainer Siebert, Stéphanie Pitre
  • Patent number: 10473815
    Abstract: A time-delayed enlarged three-dimensional (3D) gravitational wave detection system may include a three optical fibers along three axes (X, Y, and Z-axis); and a laser signal source operatively linked with the three optical fibers; wherein structures of the three optical fibers are identical, and are adapted to pick up space/lengths changed caused by gravitational waves. And, the laser signal source includes a narrow linewidth laser to generate laser lights, an electro-optic modulator (EOM) connected with the narrow linewidth laser to modulate the phase of laser light, and a RF signal source connected to the EOM to provide ultra-stable RF signal to the EOM. In one embodiment, said narrow linewidth laser is adapted for carrying the ultra-stable RF signal, and said ultra-stable RF source is used for detecting length changes caused by the gravitational waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew Xianyi Huang
  • Patent number: 10466369
    Abstract: An energy-resolved X-ray image detector includes a scintillation crystal layer, a photon detector layer and an optical layer. The scintillation crystal layer includes a plurality of scintillation crystals. The photon detector layer includes a plurality of photon detector elements. The optical layer is disposed between the scintillation crystal layer and the photon detector layer. The optical layer includes a plurality of optical elements having different light transmittances. The scintillation crystal is used for converting the X-ray beams into scintillation lights, and, when each scintillation light injects the corresponding optical elements, the light transmittances of the optical elements determine whether the scintillation lights can pass through the respective optical elements. The photon detection element then detects the scintillation lights passing through the corresponding optical elements to discriminate the energy of the X-ray beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ning Wu, Hsin-Chin Liang
  • Patent number: 10459095
    Abstract: Provided is a flat-plate PET imaging device with a window (11), comprising: a first flat plate (10) formed of a plurality of PET detectors arranged in sequence into a plate shape and provided with at least one window (11); a second flat plate (20) formed of a plurality of PET detectors arranged in sequence into a plate shape and parallel to the first flat plate (10) and the second flat plate (20) are fixed. By arranging a window (11) on the flat-plate PET, a space is provided for other operations, such as radiotherapy, while ensuing the real-time positioning and scanning effects, thereby actually achieving real-time diagnosis as well as positioning and navigation without affecting the therapeutic procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: RAYCAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (SU ZHOU)
    Inventors: Bingxuan Li, Peng Xiao, Yanbin Guo, Qingguo Xie
  • Patent number: 10451746
    Abstract: A method of operation of a scintillator detector includes a scintillator and a photodetector is described, together with a device embodying the method. The method includes the steps of: periodically producing a light pulse; impinging at least some of the light from a successive plurality of such light pulses onto a light-receptive part of the photodetector; measuring the electrical response of the photodetector; processing the electrical response of the photodetector to determine a pulse height and a variance of pulse height; numerically processing the pulse height and variance of pulse height so determined to obtain at least a first data item characteristic of the response of the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Kromek Limited
    Inventor: Edward Marsden
  • Patent number: 10399887
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture a coherent bundle of scintillating fibers is disclosed. A method includes providing a collimated bundle having a glass preform with capillaries therethrough known in the industry as a glass capillary array, and infusing the glass capillary array with a scintillating polymer or a polymer matrix containing scintillating nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: BROWN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Theodore F. Morse, Rajiv Gupta, Avilash Cramer, Christopher Bull, Paul Waltz, Angus Kingon
  • Patent number: 10371834
    Abstract: The invention provides novel Compton camera detector designs and systems for enhanced radiographic imaging with integrated detector systems which incorporate Compton and nuclear medicine imaging, PET imaging and x-ray CT imaging capabilities. Compton camera detector designs employ one or more layers of detector modules comprised of edge-on or face-on detectors or a combination of edge-on and face-on detectors which may employ gas, scintillator, semiconductor, low temperature (such as Ge and superconductor) and structured detectors. Detectors may implement tracking capabilities and may operate in a non-coincidence or coincidence detection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Minnesota Imaging and Engineering LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Patent number: 10373367
    Abstract: A method for rendering a three-dimensional (3D) image and an image outputting device that is configured to perform the method are provided. The method includes: loading a 3D screen; calculating a ray density of each region of the loaded 3D screen in order to generate a rendering map; rendering the 3D screen by using the rendering map; and outputting the rendered 3D screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-bum Kim, Jong-pil Park, Sang-jun Ahn
  • Patent number: 10365384
    Abstract: A ray detector is disclosed, which includes a ray conversion layer for converting a ray incident on the ray detector into visible light, a photoelectric conversion layer for receiving the visible light and converting it into a charge signal, a pixel array having a plurality of pixels for detecting the charge signal, and a substrate below the photoelectric conversion layer, at least for directly or indirectly carrying the photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion layer is made from a two-dimensional semiconductor material. Due to the high carrier mobility of the two-dimensional semiconductor material, it is possible to enable the external signal processing system to detect the charge signal more easily, so that a ray source with low energy can be used for ray detection. Therefore, a ray detector with high sensitivity can be provided, which may reduce the usage cost and be advantageous to saving energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Feng Jiang
  • Patent number: 10361240
    Abstract: This invention relates to an X-ray sensor having flexible properties and to a method of manufacturing the same. This X-ray sensor includes an array substrate including a semiconductor layer having a light-receiving element; a scintillator panel bonded to the array substrate and including a scintillator layer; a first polymer layer attached to an outer surface of the array substrate by a first adhesive layer; a second polymer layer attached to an outer surface of the scintillator panel by a second adhesive layer; and a third adhesive layer disposed between the array substrate and the scintillator panel so as to attach the array substrate and the scintillator panel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: Rayence Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyn Heo, Ho Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 10354437
    Abstract: Current real-time rendering techniques of virtual representations of jewelry with gemstones do not address the shimmer and sparkle of real gemstones. Embodiments of the present invention use real-time rendering methods and systems that enable flash scintillation and fiery scintillation on the facets of virtual representations of gemstones as they are manipulated online by the customer. A 3D representation of a gemstone is displayed. In response to user input corresponding to the manipulation of the displayed 3D representation of the gemstone, scintillations at facets of the 3D representation of the gemstone are determined. The scintillations are determined by loading a scintillation factor from a look-up table corresponding to an angle of incidence of a light source to a facet of the gemstone. The determined scintillations at the facets of the gemstone are displayed for the user in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DASSAULT SYSTEMES
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Grimaud
  • Patent number: 10336465
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting ice crystals and volcanic ash in concentrations capable of causing power loss in aircraft jet engines. These hazard conditions are inferred from the detection of ice crystals or ash in air recently lifted from the lower atmosphere by convective updrafts. The detection systems can comprise subsystems for detecting air recently lifted from the lower troposphere by measuring radon activity along the aircrafts' flight track, as well as subsystems for detecting ice crystals or volcanic ash around the aircraft via multispectral measurements. The detection of ice crystals in air recently lifted from the lower troposphere indicates that the ice crystals are likely present in large concentration. The detection of volcanic ash in air recently lifted from lower atmosphere also indicates that volcanic ash is likely present in high concentration. These are hazards conditions that could cause power loss, jet engine flameout, and even damage jet engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventor: Nilton O. Rennó
  • Patent number: 10338234
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing device includes: a sensor substrate having one surface on which a plurality of light-receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged; and a scintillator substrate that is arranged on the side of the light-receiving elements of the sensor substrate, wherein a region having no interface between insulating layers that differ in refractive index is formed between the scintillator substrate and incident planes of the light-receiving elements of the sensor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maeda, Kenji Okajima, Tetsuo Nishi, Yasuhito Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 10330915
    Abstract: Borehole inspection device for inspecting a borehole in a workpiece has a measuring head which includes an endoscope and is insertable into the borehole to be inspected and movable relative to the borehole in different axial positions. Borehole inspection device has an imaging optics with a panoramic view for imaging the inner surface of the borehole, and the imaging optics is in image transmission connection with a digital image recorder. Device has a memory for storing the images recorded in different axial positions of the measuring head, and an evaluation apparatus for evaluating the images stored in the memory. In order to obtain surface depth information about the inner surface of the borehole, the evaluation apparatus is configured for evaluating images recorded at different viewing angles of the imaging optics with regard to the particular surface location, using a 3D reconstruction method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Industrial Metrology Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Rudolf
  • Patent number: 10322454
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high melting point metal based object includes providing pure high melting point metal based powder, fabricating a green object from the powder, by way of a laser sintering technique, providing infiltration treatment to the green object, and providing heating pressure treatment to the green object. The temperature to the green object is controlled to the re-sintering point of the green object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rui Guo, Zhixue Peng, Yanmin Li, Wen Tan, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
  • Patent number: 10310103
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for improving the energy resolution of a gamma ray detector comprising a monolithic scintillator and a photodetector segmented during a scintillation event characterized by the following steps:—detecting the time of arrival of the first photons on said photodetector;—counting, during a period T, which is between 2 and 6 times a transfer time (Te), the number and location of the first detected non-scattered photons;—determining the diameter and the position of a disk defined by a set of first non-scattered photons;—determining the position (X, Y) of a scintillation event from the location of said first detected non-scattered photons;—counting the number of the first detected non-scattered photons inside said disk during a period Td greater than a decay time (T) of the scintillator;—defining the energy of a gamma photon, said energy being proportional to the number of non-scattered photons counted inside the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Alain Iltis
  • Patent number: 10302771
    Abstract: A PET detecting module may include a scintillator array configured to receive a radiation ray and generate optical signals in response to the received radiation ray. The scintillator array may have a plurality of rows of scintillators arranged in a first direction and a plurality of columns of scintillators arranged in a second direction. A first group of light guides may be arranged on a top surface of the scintillator array along the first direction. The light guide count of the first group of light guides may be less than the row count of the plurality of rows of scintillators. A second group of light guides may be arranged on a bottom surface of the scintillator array. The light guide count of the second group of light guides may be less than the column count of the plurality of columns of scintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ze Chen
  • Patent number: 10302776
    Abstract: A scintillator panel that converts radiation into scintillation light includes a substrate that includes a principal surface, a scintillator layer that is disposed on the principal surface, and a reflective layer that is disposed on the scintillator layer and reflects the scintillation light. The scintillator layer includes a plurality of scintillator portions which are arranged with a predetermined pitch on the principal surface. Each scintillator portion includes a side face that extends in a direction crossing the principal surface. The reflective layer includes a plurality of metal particles with a foil shape extending along the side faces and is disposed so as to cover the side faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Shintaro Toyama, Yutaka Kusuyama, Masanori Yamashita, Hirotake Osawa, Hidenori Jonishi
  • Patent number: 10302774
    Abstract: A detector assembly for a CT imaging system is provided. The detector assembly including a scintillator block including a plurality of pixels, each pixel configured to receive x-ray beams travelling in a transmission direction, a plurality of photodiodes, and a light guide coupled between the scintillator block and the plurality of photodiodes, the light guide including a plurality of light pipes, each light pipe configured to guide light emitted from a pixel of the plurality of pixels into an associated photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes, wherein each pixel has a first cross-sectional area that is substantially perpendicular to the transmission direction, wherein each photodiode has a second cross-sectional area that is substantially perpendicular to the transmission direction, and wherein the first cross-sectional area is different from the second cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Lee Bures, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Patent number: 10288937
    Abstract: A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, William Sauway Law, Sean Bailey, Ann Torres, Efrain Alcorta, Perry Anderson
  • Patent number: 10288748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection module (22) for the detection of ionizing radiation emitted by a radiation source (20) comprising a scintillator element (24) for emitting scintillation photons in response to incident ionizing radiation, a first photosensitive element (32a) optically coupled to the scintillator element (24) for capturing scintillation photons (30) and a flexible substrate (34) for supporting the first photosensitive element (32a). The present invention also relates to an imaging device (10) that comprises such a detection module (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Roger Steadman Booker
  • Patent number: 10281591
    Abstract: A ceramic scintillator array of an embodiment includes: a plurality of scintillator segments each composed of a sintered compact of a rare earth oxysulfide phosphor; a first reflective layer interposed between the scintillator segments adjacent to each other; and a second reflective layer arranged on a side of surfaces, on which an X-ray is incident, of the plurality of scintillator segments. A difference in dimension between an end portion of a surface of the second reflective layer and a most convex portion of the surface of the second reflective layer is 30 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Kondo, Kazumitsu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 10261200
    Abstract: A device configured to detect particles from a radioactive source can localize the source in two dimension, such as the azimuthal and polar angles of the source. Embodiments of the device may comprise a hollow cylindrical or tubular array of “side” detector panels, plus a “central” detector positioned within the array, with no shield or collimator. The various side detector counting rates can indicate the azimuthal angle of the source, while the polar angle can be determined by a ratio of the side detector data divided by the central detector data. Embodiments of the directional detector device can provide greatly improved inspections, thereby detecting clandestine nuclear and radiological weapons, or other sources that are to be localized, rapidly and precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: David Edward Newman
  • Patent number: 10263128
    Abstract: A photodetector includes a structure that converts ultraviolet light into visible light; and a photodetection element that detects the visible light converted by the structure, wherein the structure is provided on the photodetection element and protrudes in a predetermined shape on a side opposite to the photodetection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Honam Kwon, Ikuo Fujiwara, Keita Sasaki, Yuki Nobusa, Kazuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10247645
    Abstract: A system for tracking one or more subjects for collecting airborne contaminants. The system includes one or more subjects configured to collect air contaminants. Each of the one or more subjects includes an identification tag encoded with identification information identifying the each subject. The system further includes an identification reader configured to decode the identification information encoded within the identification tag of a scanned one of the one or more identification tags. A computer receives and stores the decoded identification information in a record in a database. The computer may also receive and stored an identification code for a user who scanned the scanned identification tag in the record in the database. Additional records in the database are created each time the identification tag of one of the one or more subjects is scanned. The one or more subjects are thereby tracked as they collect airborne contaminants and are incubated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Veltek Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosario S. Calio, Mark A. Phillips, John Joyce
  • Patent number: 10228474
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and a computer program are provided. The apparatus includes: an array of pixels, configured to detect radiation, provided on a flexible substrate; a conductive shape memory material coupled to the flexible substrate; and drive circuitry configured to apply a current to the conductive shape memory material in order to change a shape of the conductive shape memory material and the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Helena Pohjonen
  • Patent number: 10228471
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an imaging radiation detection module with novel configuration of the scintillator sensor allowing for simultaneous optimization of the two key parameters: detection efficiency and spatial resolution, that typically cannot be achieved. The disclosed device is also improving response uniformity across the whole detector module, and especially in the edge regions. This is achieved by constructing the scintillation modules as hybrid structures with continuous (also referred to as monolithic) scintillator plate(s) and pixelated scintillator array(s) that are optically coupled to each other and to the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: General Equipment for Medical Imaging S.A., West Virginia University, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Bruker BioSpin AG
    Inventors: Jose Maria Benlloch Baviera, Antonio Javier Gonzalez Martinez, Stan Majewski
  • Patent number: 10215865
    Abstract: A hybrid arrangement of more than one electron energy conversion mechanism in an electron detector is arranged such that an image can be acquired from both energy converters so that selected high-illumination parts of the electron beam can be imaged with an indirectly coupled scintillator detector and the remainder of the image acquired with the highsensitivity/direct electron portion of the detector without readjustments in the beam position or mechanical positioning of the detector parts. Further, a mechanism is described to allow dynamically switchable or simultaneous linear and counted signal processing from each pixel on the detector so that high-illumination areas can be acquired linearly without severe dose rate limitation of counting and lowillumination regions can be acquired with counting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GATAN, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Jozef Gubbens, Paul Mooney, Matthew Lent
  • Patent number: 10209373
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a photodetector includes a first photoelectric conversion element, a second photoelectric conversion element, and an absorption layer. The first photoelectric conversion element includes a first photoelectric conversion layer for converting energy of radiation into electric charges. The second photoelectric conversion element includes a second photoelectric conversion layer for converting energy of radiation into electric charges. The absorption layer is arranged between the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element to absorb radiation having energy equal to or lower than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi, Rei Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10204961
    Abstract: The present application discloses a photodetector substrate comprising an array of a plurality of first electrodes; an array of a plurality of second electrodes, and an insulating block. The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrode are alternately arranged along a first direction, the plurality of first electrodes are disposed spaced apart from the plurality of second electrodes on a same layer; and the insulating block spaces apart at least a pair of adjacent first electrode and second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 10193093
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The intermediate layer includes an organic semiconductor region and a plurality of particles. The organic semiconductor region including a portion provided around the particles. A diameter is not less than 1 nanometer and not more than 20 nanometers for at least a portion of the particles. A first bandgap energy of the plurality of particles is larger than a second bandgap energy of the organic semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Isao Takasu, Atsushi Wada, Satomi Taguchi, Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10168288
    Abstract: A radiography imaging system for generating images of a pipe assembly includes a radiation source for emitting rays. The pipe assembly includes at least one of a pipe, tubing, and a weld. The radiation source includes a radioactive isotope having an activity level within a range between about 1 Curie and about 40 Curies. The radiation source is positioned adjacent a portion of the pipe assembly. A detector is positioned opposite the radiation source. The portion of the pipe assembly is positioned between the radiation source and the detector such that the rays interact with the portion of the pipe assembly and strike the detector. The detector includes an imaging plate that is activated by illumination with the rays with an exposure within a range between about 0.5 Curie-minute and about 5 Curie-minutes of radiation. The imaging plate has a thickness within a range between about 5 mm and about 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Tamas Gschwendtner, George Gibson Chalmers, Donald Seton Farquhar, Antonio Luigi Ibba
  • Patent number: 10156134
    Abstract: A method for detecting a subsurface anomaly at a near-surface depth, comprises positioning an electromagnetic sensor configured to measure a component of a planetary electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic sensor is suspended just above a ground-air barrier and does not contact a ground surface; selecting an electromagnetic frequency by calculating a function of properties of the ground that include relative permittivity, relative permeability, and resistivity; moving the electromagnetic sensor over the surface of the ground; repeatedly measuring intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field at the frequency to obtain a set of measurements; and comparing at least a first measurement in the set of measurements to at least a second measurement in the set of measurements to identify a change in the intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field that is indicative of a presence of a subsurface anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Terra Response LLC
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Franz A. Pertl, Roy S. Nutter, Andrew D. Lowery
  • Patent number: 10156640
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus including a scintillator layer configured to convert radiation into light; a light sensor layer including a plurality of light sensors configured to detect light emitted from the scintillator layer; and a reflection layer configured to reflect light emitted from the scintillator layer. The scintillator layer is arranged between the light sensor layer and the reflection layer. The following condition is satisfied: 0.375?(100?x)/(100?y(%))<3.75 where the average conversion efficiency in a region of 25% of the thickness of the scintillator layer from a reflection layer side is set to 100 as a reference, x is the average conversion efficiency in a region of 25% of the thickness of the scintillator layer from a light sensor layer side, and y (%) is the reflectance of the reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Den, Yoshinori Shibutani
  • Patent number: 10115765
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an X-ray flat-panel detector and a method for preparing the same, and a white insulating material. The X-ray flat-panel detector includes: a thin-film transistor substrate; an insulating reflection layer, which is provided on the thin-film transistor substrate and has a reflection function, wherein the insulating reflection layer is provided with a contact hole through which a source electrode of the thin-film transistor substrate is exposed; a pixel electrode, which is provided on the insulating reflection layer, wherein the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the source electrode of the thin-film transistor substrate via the contact hole; a photodiode, which covers the pixel electrode; an electrode, which is provided on the photodiode; and an X-ray conversion layer, which is provided on the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jincheng Gao, Zhanfeng Cao, Qi Yao, Zhengliang Li, Xiaolong He, Bin Zhang, Xiangchun Kong, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10088580
    Abstract: Detector designs and systems for enhanced radiographic imaging with integrated detector systems incorporate one or more of Compton and nuclear medicine imaging, PET imaging and x-ray CT imaging capabilities. Detector designs employ one or more layers of detector modules comprised of edge-on or face-on detectors or a combination of edge-on and face-on detectors which may employ gas, scintillator, semiconductor, low temperature (such as Ge and superconductor) and structured detectors. Detectors may implement tracking capabilities and may operate in a non-coincidence or coincidence detection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MINNESOTA IMAGING AND ENGINEERING LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Patent number: 10090341
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises a photodetecting section, an unnecessary carrier capture section, and a vertical shift register. The unnecessary carrier capture section has carrier capture regions arranged in a region between the photodetecting section and the vertical shift register for respective rows. Each of the carrier capture regions includes a transistor and a photodiode. The transistor has one terminal connected to the photodiode and the other terminal connected to a charge elimination line. The charge elimination line is short-circuited to a reference potential line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuki Fujita, Ryuji Kyushima, Harumichi Mori
  • Patent number: 10064587
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable storage mediums for determining response lines for reconstructing images are provided. An example imaging method includes: receiving single event signals in a detector module and associated with a single event, determining a crystal in the detector module and corresponding to a maximum single event signal of the single event signals, determining an actual energy weighting factor of the crystal, determining an actual depth position corresponding to the actual energy weighting factor of the crystal according to associations between depth positions of the crystal and respective reference energy weighting factors for the crystal, as an acting position in the detector module for the single event, determining a response line of a coincidence event according to respective acting positions in the detector module for two single events constituting the coincidence event, the two single events including the single event, and reconstructing an image according to the response line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Shenyang Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guodong Liang, Guocheng Wu, Nan Li, Jian Zhao
  • Patent number: 10056513
    Abstract: A method and apparatus, the method comprising: forming first electrode portions on a substrate; providing a sheet of two dimensional material overlaying at least part of the first electrode portions; forming second electrode portions on a superstrate; positioning the superstrate overlaying the substrate so that the second electrode portions are aligned with the first electrode portions; and laminating the substrate and the superstrate together so that the sheet of two dimensional material is positioned between the aligned first electrode portions and the second electrode portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mark Allen, Richard White, Piers Andrew
  • Patent number: 10045752
    Abstract: Described here is a method for performing phase contrast imaging using an array of independently controllable x-ray sources. The array of x-ray sources can be controlled to produce a distinct spatial pattern of x-ray radiation and thus can be used to encode phase contrast signals without the need for a coded aperture. The lack of coded aperture increases the flexibility of the imaging method. For instance, because a fixed, coded aperture is not required, the angular resolution of the imaging technique can be increased as compared to coded-aperture imaging. Moreover, the lack of a radioopaque coded aperture increases the photon flux that reaches the subject, thereby increasing the attainable signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rajiv Gupta, Luis Fernando Velasquez-Garcia, Richard Lanza, Berthold K P Horn, Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande
  • Patent number: 10001569
    Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector assembly is provided. The PET detector assembly includes a plate having a first side and an opposite second side, the plate being fabricated from a thermally conductive material. The PET detector assembly also includes multiple PET detector units coupled to the first side of the plate. The PET detector assembly further includes a readout electronics section coupled to the second side of the plate, wherein, during operation, the readout electronics section generates heat that is transferred to the plate. The plate comprises a heat pipe disposed within the plate and configured to extract the heat from the plate and to transfer the heat away from the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary Vernon McBroom, Adam Clark Nathan
  • Patent number: 9995829
    Abstract: When detecting scintillation events in a nuclear imaging system, time-stamping and energy-gating processing is incorporated into autonomous detection modules (ADM) (14) to reduce downstream processing. Each ADM (14) is removably coupled to a detector fixture (13), and comprises a scintillation crystal array (66) and associated light detect or (s) (64), such as a silicon photomultiplier or the like. The light detector(s) (64) is coupled to a processing module (62) in or on the ADM (14), which performs the energy gating and time-stamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Degenhardt, Thomas Frach, Gordian Prescher
  • Patent number: 9980686
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a detector array (110) that detects radiation traversing an examination region. The detector array includes at least a set of non-spectral detectors (112) that detects a first sub-portion of the radiation traversing the examination region and generates first signals indicative thereof. The detector array further includes at least a set of spectral detectors (114) that detects a second sub-portion of the radiation traversing the examination region and generates second signals indicative thereof. The imaging system further includes a reconstructor (120) that processes the first and second signals, generating volumetric image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Roland Proksa
  • Patent number: 9971040
    Abstract: A portable detection apparatus can include a housing, a first detector for detecting ionizing radiation from a first subject and a second detector within the housing for the detecting the background radiation. A shield within the housing can surround the first and second detectors and define a shield aperture around the first and second detectors for radiation from the subject to enter the housing. A radiation blocking member can substantially block at least a portion of the ionizing radiation from reaching the second detector, whereby radiation detected by the second detector comprises substantially only the background radiation. A processor module can be connected to the first and second detectors for determining the amount of ionizing radiation detected by the first detector attributable to secondary radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited/ Énergie Atomique du Canada Limitée
    Inventors: Xiongxin Dai, Liqian Li, Guy Jonkmans, Aaron Ho
  • Patent number: 9972655
    Abstract: An imaging device capable of obtaining image data with a small amount of X-ray irradiation is provided. The imaging device obtains an image using X-rays and includes a scintillator and a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix and overlapping with the scintillator. The use of a transistor with an extremely small off-state current in the pixel circuits enables leakage of electrical charges from a charge accumulation portion to be reduced as much as possible, and an accumulation operation to be performed substantially at the same time in all of the pixel circuits. The accumulation operation is synchronized with X-ray irradiation, so that the amount of X-ray irradiation can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Takayuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9971042
    Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a scintillator panel which is capable of imaging at a low dose while suppressing the contrast deterioration caused by scattered radiation, and further has improved luminance and MTF. [Solving Means] A scintillator panel having a scintillator layer for converting radiation into light, characterized in that the scintillator layer is in direct contact on a photoelectric conversion element and includes a reflecting layer and a scattered radiation diffusing layer on a radiation incident side of the scintillator layer, the scattered radiation diffusing layer is present closer to the radiation incident side than the reflecting layer, and the scattered radiation diffusing layer has an X-ray transmittance of 99.5% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nagata, Kei Isoda
  • Patent number: 9968323
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray detector, a data-acquisition module and a reconstruction module. In the X-ray detector, a plurality of X-ray detection elements are arranged in a channel direction and a column direction. The data-acquisition module includes a plurality of data-acquisition circuits and a plurality of output modules. A plurality of systems of at least the data-acquisition circuits among the X-ray detection elements and the data-acquisition circuits are disposed in parallel per element of the X-ray detection elements in a center vicinity. Each of the output modules outputs digital data obtained via the data-acquisition circuits. The reconstruction module reconstructs a medical image, based on the output digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9970746
    Abstract: Techniques for fiber optic light sensing and communication are provided. Specifically, systems and methods to provide diffusive optical fiber sensors and communication devices and methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Jiayin Ma, Martin Walter John Burmeister