Plural Or Composite Luminophor Patents (Class 250/367)
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Patent number: 8466421Abstract: A radiation detector includes a conversion element that converts an incoming radiation beam into electrical signals, which in turn can be used to generate data about the radiation beam. The conversion element may include, for example, a scintillator that converts the radiation beam into light, and a sensor that generates the signals in response to the light. The conversion element can be used in different schemes or data collection modes. For instance, the conversion element can be oriented normal to the radiation beam or transverse to the radiation beam. In either of these orientations, for example, the detector can be used in an integrating mode or in a counting mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc.Inventors: Gary Virshup, Edward Seppi, James Clayton, Edward G Shapiro
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Publication number: 20130112885Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] A phoswich radiation detector, which can easily discriminate between detection signals on gamma rays and thermal neutrons, and which can selectively acquire signals on thermal neutrons, is provided. [Means to Solve the Problems] In a phoswich radiation detector having two scintillators and discriminating between thermal neutrons and gamma rays, the detector comprises a scintillator for detecting thermal neutrons, such as LiCaAlF6:Eu, which has a light yield of more than 1500 photons/neutron, and a scintillator for detecting gamma rays, which has a permeable end on a shorter wavelength than the light emission wavelength of the thermal neutron scintillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicants: HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, TOKUYAMA CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromitsu Takahashi, Mitsuo Yonetani, Masayuki Matsuoka, Yasushi Fukazawa, Noriaki Kawaguchi, Kentaro Fukuda, Toshihisa Suyama, Akira Yoshikawa, Takayuki Yanagida, Yui Yokota, Yutaka Fujimoto
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Publication number: 20130105698Abstract: A method for locally resolved measurement of a radiation distribution (24) produced using a lithography mask (16) comprises providing a radiation converter (31, 131) having an at least two-dimensional arrangement of converter elements (32, 132) which can respectively be put in an active and a passive state, and are configured to convert incoming radiation in respect of its wavelength in the active state. The method further includes: manipulating the radiation converter (31, 131) several times such that respectively only a fraction of the converter elements (32, 132) adopts the active state, irradiating the radiation converter (31, 131) with the radiation distribution (24) after every manipulation of the radiation converter (31, 131) so that the active converter elements (32, 132) emit wavelength-converted measuring radiation (34), recording respective places of origin (54) of the measuring radiation at every irradiation with the radiation distribution (24).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventor: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
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Publication number: 20130099125Abstract: A thermal neutron monitor includes at least one neutron scintillator sheet interposed between light guides. Scintillation light emitted in opposite transverse directions is captured by the light guides and conveyed to a common detector. The sandwiched geometry of the monitor avoids the need to provide multiple detectors and permits construction of a relatively inexpensive, compact monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Lee GRODZINS
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Patent number: 8405035Abstract: Phoswich scintillator detectors, related devices and methods, as well as evaporation-based methods and structures for fabricating phoswich scintillators.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.Inventor: Vivek Nagarkar
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Patent number: 8399843Abstract: In one aspect a scintillation array includes a transparent material between portions of adjacent scintillation pixels. The transparent material can allow light to pass from one scintillation pixel to an adjacent scintillation pixel. The resulting image provides information regarding the depth at which a scintillation event occurs. Another aspect regards a scintillation array that includes reflector strips separating portions of adjacent scintillation pixels. Other spaces between portions of scintillation pixels need not include reflector strips and may be filled with other reflective material.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Vladimir Solovyev, Renee Gaspar, Brian Bacon
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Patent number: 8384037Abstract: A method, disclosure relates to for improving detection of true coincidence events and differentiating them from events detected from scattered and random gamma photons, comprises receiving electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of photo detectors that was generated by a scintillating crystal impacted by a gamma photon, and processing data received at a subset of the plurality of photo detectors that are closer to a scintillating crystal, thereby improving a timing coincidence window for detecting a coincidence event.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Mehmet Aykac, Mark Musrock, Carlyle L. Reynolds
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Patent number: 8373132Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector and a method for producing such a detector, wherein the detector comprises a stack of the scintillator elements and photodiode arrays. The PDAs extend with electrical leads into a rigid body filling a border volume lateral of the scintillator elements, wherein said leads end in a contact surface of the border volume. Moreover, a redistribution layer is disposed on the contact surface, wherein electrical lines of the redistribution layer contact the leads of the PDAs.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Oliver Muelhens, Roger Steadman Booker, Christoph Herrmann
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Patent number: 8373130Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes an array of scintillator pixels (102) in optical communication with a photosensor. The scintillator pixels (102) include a hygroscopic scintillator (104) and one or more hermetic covers (106a, 106b). A desiccant (124) may be disposed between a hermetic cover (106a) and the scintillator (104) or between the hermetic covers (106a, 106b).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Cornelis R. Ronda, Guenter Zeitler, Herbert Schreinemacher
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Publication number: 20130026377Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radiation detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first scintillator layer, a second scintillator layer, and a sensor panel that detects light emitted by the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer. The method comprises preparing a sensor unit having the sensor panel and the first scintillator layer which includes a set of columnar crystals formed on the sensor panel, and a scintillator panel having a scintillator substrate and the second scintillator layer which includes a set of columnar crystals formed on the scintillator substrate, and fixing the scintillator panel to the sensor panel such that the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer face each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoaki Ichimura, Satoshi Okada, Kazumi Nagano, Keiichi Nomura, Yohei Ishida, Yoshito Sasaki
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Patent number: 8350218Abstract: In nuclear imaging, solid state photo multipliers (48) are replacing traditional photomultiplier tubes. One current problem with solid state photomultipliers, is that they are difficult to manufacture in the size in which a typical scintillator is manufactured. Resultantly, the photomultipliers have a smaller light receiving face (50) than a light emitting face (46) of the scintillators (44). The present application contemplates inserting a reflective material (52) between the solid state photomultipliers (48). Instead of being wasted, light that initially misses the photomultiplier (48) is reflected back by the reflective material (52) and eventually back to the radiation receiving face (50) of the photomultiplier (48).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Andreas Thon, Torsten Solf
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Patent number: 8344328Abstract: A position detector includes a photodetector having photodetecting elements; and a scintillator crystal having uniaxial optical anisotropy. The scintillator crystal is continuous in a uniaxial direction, is disposed on the photodetector such that the uniaxial direction is not perpendicular to the normal to a photodetecting surface, and has a length at least three times the pitch of the photodetecting elements. The uniaxial anisotropy allows at least 4% of scintillation light emitted from a region farthest above the photodetecting surface to reach the photodetecting elements, and allows from 4% to 35% of scintillation light emitted from a region closest to the photodetecting surface to reach the photodetecting elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Den, Tatsuya Saito, Nobuhiro Yasui, Ryoko Horie
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Publication number: 20120326043Abstract: A neutron detection apparatus can include a neutron sensor and a photosensor optically coupled to the neutron sensor. In an embodiment, the photosensor includes a box-and-line photomultiplier, and in another embodiment, the photosensor includes a box-and-grid photomultiplier. The neutron detection apparatus provide unexpectedly better pulse shape analysis, pulse shape discrimination, or both. In a particular embodiment, the neutron may also be configured to detect gamma rays.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Artan Duraj
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Patent number: 8338790Abstract: A radiation-sensitive detector includes a photosensor elements (122) and a scintillator (116) optically coupled to the photosensor element (122). The scintillator (116) includes a powdered scintillator and a resin mixed with the powdered scintillator. The refractive index mismatch between the powdered scintillator and the resin is less than 7%. In one non-limiting instance, the composite scintillator material may be used to form fiber optic leaves arranged as a high-resolution detector array in conventional or spectral CT.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Cornelis R. Ronda
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Publication number: 20120321042Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method that offer an alternative for a refraction contrast method. A first scintillator and a second scintillator are used, the first scintillator generating first fluorescent light when X-rays separated by the separating element are incident thereon, and a second scintillator generating second fluorescent light when X-rays separated by the separating element are incident thereon. The second scintillator has a fluorescence emission intensity gradient such that an amount of emitted fluorescent light changes in accordance with a change in a position at which the X-rays are incident.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masatoshi Watanabe, Taihei Mukaide, Kazuhiro Takada, Kazunori Fukuda
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Publication number: 20120312994Abstract: A scintillation detector includes: a photodetector; a scintillating material configured to emit light in response to exposure to ionization particles; an optically transparent material having a light absorption coefficient that is less than a light absorption coefficient of the scintillating material, the optically transparent material optically coupled to a surface of the scintillating material and configured to transmit the emitted light; and a reflective material at least partially surrounding the scintillating material and the optically transparent material, the reflective material configured to reflect the emitted light and direct the emitted light toward the photodetector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Anton Nikitin, Loren Patrick Roberts, Nikolay N. Velker, Alexandr A. Vinokurov
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Publication number: 20120312999Abstract: Provided is a radiation detecting element, including: needle crystal scintillators and a protruding pattern in which: one end of the needle crystal scintillators is in contact with of upper surfaces of the multiple protrusions; a gap corresponding to a gap between the multiple protrusions is provided between portions of the needle crystal scintillators in contact with the upper surfaces of the multiple protrusions; and a number of the needle crystal scintillators in contact with one of the upper surfaces is 5 or less. Conventionally, since the needle crystals exhibit a state of a polycrystalline film in an early stage of vapor deposition, and light also spreads in a horizontal direction, the light received by a photodetector portion and the spatial resolution was lower than ideal values. The present invention enables the deviating region to be the ideal state in an early stage of growth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Oike, Nobuhiro Yasui, Toru Den, Yoshihiro Ohashi, Ryoko Horie
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Patent number: 8324581Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a radiation detector which includes a plurality of radiation detector modules arranged adjacent to one another with in each case one scintillation element with a radiation inlet surface aligned transversely with respect to a main direction of a radiation, and light detector arrangements arranged transversely with respect to the radiation inlet surfaces of the scintillation elements. In the process of at least one embodiment, one light detector arrangement is arranged between two scintillation elements and has two light inlet surfaces which point away from one another, of which one is associated with a first scintillation element and one is associated with a second scintillation element. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to a light detector arrangement, a production method for a radiation detector according to at least one embodiment of the invention and/or an imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ludwig Danzer, Jan Wrege
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Patent number: 8319185Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes a scintillator (102), a wavelength shifter (112), and a photodetector (110). The scintillator (102) produces scintillation photons of a first relatively short wavelength, for example in the ultraviolet or deep ultraviolet. The photodetector is sensitive to photons in the visible portion of the spectrum. The wavelength shifter reduces a spectral mismatch between the scintillator (102) and the photodetector (110).Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Cornelis R. Ronda
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Publication number: 20120292519Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus can include a radiation sensor having a corresponding radiation sensing region, and a photosensor that is optically couple to the radiation sensor. The radiation sensing region can include optical fibers. In an embodiment, some or all of the optical fibers can be coated. The coating can include a phosphorescent material. In an embodiment, the optical fibers can be arranged in a manner such that optical substrates have substantially no bends.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventors: John M. Frank, Eric E. Mattmann
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Publication number: 20120292517Abstract: A radiation therapy system including a linear accelerator configured to emit a beam of radiation and a dosimeter configured to detect in real-time the beam of radiation emitted by the linear accelerator. The dosimeter includes at least one linear array of scintillating fibers configured to capture radiation from the beam at a plurality of independent angular orientations, and a detection system coupled to the at least one linear array, the detection system configured to detect the beam of radiation by measuring an output of the scintillating fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYInventor: Enrique Wilmar Izaguirre
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Patent number: 8294108Abstract: In a scintillator of a radiation detector according to this invention, first reflectors provided in first scintillation counter crystal layer adjacent to one another have gaps wider than first reflectors provided in second scintillation counter crystal layer such that an overall width of the first reflectors in the first scintillation counter crystal layer in an arranging direction is identical to an overall width of the first reflectors in the second scintillation counter crystal layer in an arranging direction. Such construction improves spatial resolution at a side end of the scintillator.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
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Patent number: 8274056Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment includes a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
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Patent number: 8269177Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a PET image of a tissue using a PET scanner that includes scintillation crystals and detectors. A first crystal group including a first subset of crystals is formed, and a second crystal group including a second subset of the crystals is formed. The crystals in the first crystal group are different from crystals in the second crystal group A first beam striking one or more crystals of the first crystal group is converted to a first electrical signal, while a second beam striking one or more crystals of the second crystal group is converted to a second electrical signal, wherein the second beam is scattered from the first beam. The second electrical signal is corrected using a correction factor derived from at least one of a first and second timing relationships to compensate for energy in the second signal scattered from the first signal. An image of the tissue is created using the corrected second electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chang Lyong Kim, David McDaniel, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Patent number: 8269176Abstract: A gamma camera (8, 180) includes at least one radiation detector head (10, 12, 210, 212). At least one such radiation detector head (10, 12, 210, 212) includes a plurality of capacitive elements (60, 260, 76, 276) disposed over at least a radiation sensitive portion (50) of the radiation detector head. A proximity sensor monitor (62) is coupled with the plurality of capacitive elements to detect proximity of a subject to the radiation detector head based on a measured electrical characteristic of the capacitive elements. A collision sensor monitor (64) is coupled with the plurality of capacitive elements to detect conductive electric current flowing between spaced apart parallel conductive plates (66, 67) of the capacitive element responsive to mechanical deformation of the spacing between the plates.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Raymond C. D'Ambrosio, Ronald J. Asjes, Hugo Bertelsen, George De Fockert, Michael J. Petrillo, Alexey Korzuchin, Steven Rubio, Scott D. Heavner, Pierre L. Patino, Adrianus P. Rommers
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Patent number: 8258483Abstract: Disclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for detecting particles, such as radiation or charged particles. One exemplary embodiment disclosed herein is particle detector comprising an optical fiber with a first end and second end opposite the first end. The optical fiber of this embodiment further comprises a doped region at the first end and a non-doped region adjacent to the doped region. The doped region of the optical fiber is configured to scintillate upon interaction with a target particle, thereby generating one or more photons that propagate through the optical fiber and to the second end. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used in a variety of applications, including associated particle imaging and cold neutron scattering.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Lynn A. Boatner, John T. Mihalczo
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Publication number: 20120217408Abstract: The present specification discloses an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. More particularly, a first enclosure has two adjacent walls, each with interior surfaces, a first end and a second end. The first ends of the two adjacent walls are connected at an angle to form an interior and the second ends of the two adjacent walls are connected to a semi-circular housing. At least one substrate, positioned on each of the interior surfaces of the adjacent walls, has an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light. A photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the semi-circular housing, has an active area responsive to the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Peter Ryge, Ronald Hughes, Andreas F. Kotowski
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Publication number: 20120211661Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a scintillator panel containing a first support having thereon a phosphor layer, and a protective layer on the phosphor layer, the method comprising the steps of (1) dividing a first scintillator panel comprising the first support having thereon the phosphor layer into a plurality of second scintillator panels; (2) providing an adsorbing member between a side of the first support of each of the plurality of the second scintillator panels and a side of a second support; and allowing to adsorb the plurality of the second scintillator panels onto the second support; (3) forming a protective layer on a whole surface of the plurality of the second scintillator panels except a portion of the second scintillator panels which is contacted with the adsorbing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.Inventors: Keiko ITAYA, Tadashi ARIMOTO
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Patent number: 8247778Abstract: A scintillator array and method for making the same are provided. The array comprises a bi-layer reflector further comprising a conformal smoothing layer and a mirror layer. The bi-layer reflector does not comprise an intervening reducing agent or adhesion layer and/or comprises aluminum. Further, the mirror layer may be deposited via gas phase metallization, allowing application to tightly confined spaces. A detector array comprising the scintillator array is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Paul McEvoy, James Wilson Rose, Andrea Jeanne Howard, Michael James Palleschi, Jonathan David Short
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Publication number: 20120205530Abstract: According to one aspect, a fluence monitoring detector for use with a multileaf collimator on a radiotherapy machine having an x-ray radiation source. The fluence monitoring detector includes a plurality of scintillating optical fibers, each scintillating optical fiber configured to generate a light output at each end thereof in response to incident radiation pattern thereon from the radiation source and multileaf collimator, a plurality of collection optical fibers coupled to the opposing ends of the scintillating optical fibers and operable to collect the light output coming from both ends of each scintillating optical fiber, and a photo-detector coupled to the collection optical fibers and operable to converts optical energy transmitted by the collection optical fibers to electric signals for determining actual radiation pattern information.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Luc Beaulieu, Luc Gingras, Mathieu Goulet
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Publication number: 20120205544Abstract: A radiological image detection apparatus, includes: two scintillators that convert irradiated radiation into lights; and a photodetector arranged between two scintillators, that detects the lights converted by two scintillators as an electric signal; in which: an activator density in the scintillator arranged at least on a radiation incident side out of two scintillators in vicinity of the photodetector is relatively higher than an activator density in the scintillator on an opposite side to a photodetector side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventors: Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA, Yasuhisa KANEKO, Naoto IWAKIRI
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Patent number: 8242454Abstract: A scintillation array and methods of making and using are provided. The array may be a flexible array that can be arranged into two or more flexible configurations. The array may be positioned around a portion of an object so that the array pixels are equidistant from the center or surface of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Louis Perna
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Patent number: 8243874Abstract: A computed tomography system includes a radiation sensitive detector element (100) which provides outputs (DL, DH) indicative of the radiation detected in at least first and second energies or energy ranges. Energy resolving photon counters (26) further classify the detector signals according to their respective energies. Correctors (24) correct the classified signals, and a combiner (30) combines the signals according to a combination function to generate outputs (EL, EH) indicative of radiation detected in at least first and second energies or energy ranges.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Raz Carmi
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Patent number: 8183533Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
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Patent number: 8153984Abstract: A security marker material comprising emissive particles selected from at least two groups with different size distributions and the size distributions satisfy the formula: [(x?z)2/(Sx2 +Sz2)]1/2 >1 wherein x and z are the volume-weighted mean equivalent-spherical diameters of the two particle distributions and Sx and Sz are the standard deviations of the same two distributions. The emissive materials are placed in or on an item. The emissive materials are excited with electromagnetic radiation in one or more specified spectral bands. The electromagnetic radiation is detected in one or more spectral bands from the emissive materials in an image-wise fashion. The attributes of the image are analyzed and characterized and are compared to authentication criteria to determine the authenticity of the marked item.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Myra T. Olm, Thomas D. Pawlik, Erwin L. Allmann
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Publication number: 20120080599Abstract: An apparatus for detecting neutron radiation includes a first section with a high neutron absorption capability and a second section with a low neutron absorption capability. The second section includes a gamma ray scintillator having an inorganic material with an attenuation length of less than 10 cm for gamma rays of 5 MeV energy. The material of the first section releases the energy deployed in the first section by neutron capture mainly via gamma radiation. A substantial portion of the first section is covered by the second section. An evaluation device determines the amount of light detected by a light detector for one scintillation event, and the amount is in a known relation to the energy deployed by gamma radiation in the second section. The evaluation device classifies detected radiation as neutrons when the measured total gamma energy Esum is above 2,614 MeV.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Guntram Pausch, Claus Michael Herbach, Jürgen Stein
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Publication number: 20120074326Abstract: An apparatus for detecting neutron radiation includes a gamma ray scintillator having an inorganic material with an attenuation length Lg of less than 10 cm for gamma rays of 5 MeV energy to provide for high gamma ray stopping power for energetic gamma rays within the -gamma ray scintillator. The gamma ray scintillator includes components with a product of neutron capture cross section and concentration leading to an absorption length Ln for thermal neutrons which is larger than 0.5 cm but smaller than five times the attenuation length Lg for 5 MeV gammas, the gamma ray scintillator having a diameter or edge length of at least 50% of Lg. The apparatus includes an evaluation device to determine the amount of light, detected by a light detector for one scintillation event The evaluation device classifies detected radiation as neutrons when the measured total gamma energy Esum is above 2,614 MeV.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Guntram Pausch, Claus Michael Herbach, Jürgen Stein
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Patent number: 8115173Abstract: A phoswich device for determining depth of interaction (DOI) includes a wavelength shifting layer between first and second scintillators of different scintillation materials and having different decay time characteristics. The wavelength shifting layer allows a true phoswich device to be constructed where the emission wavelength of one scintillator is in the peak excitation band of the other scintillator, by shifting the scintillation light outside of this excitation band to prevent scintillation light of one scintillator from exciting a response in the other scintillator, thus enabling unique identification of the location of a gamma photon scintillation event. The phoswich device is particularly applicable to positron emission tomography (PET) applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Lars A. Eriksson, Charles L. Melcher, Ronald Grazioso
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Patent number: 8115174Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
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Patent number: 8115175Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
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Publication number: 20120032087Abstract: A light collecting optical fiber improves light injection efficiency into the optical fiber. The light collecting optical fiber is equipped with a plurality of optical waveguide portions and light collecting portions between the adjacent optical waveguides. The optical waveguide portion includes a core and a cladding layer surrounding the core and constitutes an optical fiber. The light collecting portion is formed in a shape bulging out in radial direction from the optical waveguide portion and is constituted so that it injects external light to the optical waveguide portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: WIRED JAPAN CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroshi Sugihara
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Patent number: 8101919Abstract: The intrinsic background of a gamma ray spectrometer is significantly reduced by surrounding the scintillator with a second scintillator. This second (external) scintillator surrounds the first scintillator and has an opening of approximately the same diameter as the smaller central scintillator in the forward direction. The second scintillator is selected to have a higher atomic number, and thus has a larger probability for a Compton scattering interaction than within the inner region. Scattering events that are essentially simultaneous in coincidence to the first and second scintillators, from an electronics perspective, are precluded electronically from the data stream. Thus, only gamma-rays that are wholly contained in the smaller central scintillator are used for analytic purposes.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Norman W. Madden, Frederick S. Goulding, Stephen J. Asztalos
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Publication number: 20110303852Abstract: A scintillator device includes a polymeric polymer matrix, a neutron sensing particulate material dispersed within the polymer matrix, and a scintillating particulate material dispersed within the polymer matrix. In an embodiment, the neutron sensing particulate material has an average characteristic length of not greater than about 3 microns. The scintillating particulate material has an average characteristic length of at least about 16 microns. In another embodiment, a ratio of the average characteristic length of the scintillating particulate material to the average characteristic length of the neutron sensing particulate material is at least about 55. In a further embodiment, an energy deposited in the scintillating particulate material by a positively charged particle is at least about 1.25 MeV.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Peter R. Menge
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Publication number: 20110291014Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Kusner
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Patent number: 8067742Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation includes at least two scintillation crystals at angular offsets and directed toward a common plane of detection, photodetectors adjacent to each of the scintillation crystals for converting the light response of the scintillation crystals into distinct electrical signals, and a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal. The digital processing system monitors a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to a selected set of radioisotopes, and uses one or more of the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for a detected radioisotope in the plane of detection. Another scintillation crystal directed outside of the common plane of detection may be used for three-dimensional detection. Related methods for detection and location of gamma ray sources are discussed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Space Micro Inc.Inventors: James H Winso, Michael D Fennell
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Patent number: 8049177Abstract: A radiation image detection apparatus comprising a scintillator, which is configured to include columnar crystals and converts radiation into light when the radiation is irradiated thereon, and an optical detector, which converts the light, emitted from the scintillator into an electrical signal, the scintillator and the optical detector being arranged on a support such that the radiation is incident on the optical detector and the scintillator in this order, wherein a columnar crystal area is present at a radiation-incident side of the scintillator, and a non-columnar crystal area is present at a side of the scintillator opposite to the radiation-incident side; and a method for manufacturing the radiation image detection apparatus are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Keiichiro Sato, Makoto Kitada, Kei Miura
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Patent number: 8030617Abstract: A detector assembly for detecting radiation with angular resolution comprises at least one detector element, which comprises a front face and a rear face, a first detector material and a second detector material between the front face and the rear face, a space between the front face and the rear face of the detector element being filled by a plurality of regions of the first detector material and at least one region of the second detector material and each region connecting the front face to the rear face of the detector element; and radiation incident on the detector element through the front face being collimated by means of the detector materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum Fur Schwerionenforschung GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Enghardt, Gerhard Kraft, Thomas Wuerschig
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Publication number: 20110204243Abstract: The present invention provides a gamma-neutron detector based on mixtures of thermal neutron absorbers that produce heavy-particle emission following thermal capture. The detector consists of one or more thin screens embedded in transparent hydrogenous light guides, which also serve as a neutron moderator. The emitted particles interact with the scintillator screen and produce a high light output, which is collected by the light guides into a photomultiplier tube and produces a signal from which the neutrons are counted. Simultaneous gamma-ray detection is provided by replacing the light guide material with a plastic scintillator. The plastic scintillator serves as the gamma-ray detector, moderator and light guide. The neutrons and gamma-ray events are separated employing Pulse-Shape Discrimination (PSD). The detector can be used in several scanning configurations including portal, drive-through, drive-by, handheld and backpack, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Edward James Morton
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Patent number: 8003949Abstract: The present invention is a detection system and method for using the detection system in radiant energy imaging systems. In particular, the present invention is an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. And more particularly, the present invention is a detection system for detecting electromagnetic radiation having an enclosure having four adjacent walls, connected to each other at an angle and forming a rectangle and interior portion of the enclosure, a front side area and a back side area formed from the four adjacent walls and located at each end of the enclosure, at least two screens, that further include an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light, and a photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the enclosure, having an active area responsive to the light.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.Inventors: Peter Ryge, Ronald J. Hughes, Steven J. Gray
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Publication number: 20110192981Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a scintillating member including a polymer matrix, a first scintillating material, and a second scintillating material different from the first scintillating material and at least one photosensor coupled to the scintillating member. The radiation detection system can be configured to receive particular radiation at the scintillating member, generate a first light from the first scintillating material and a second light from the second scintillating material in response to receiving the particular radiation, receive the first and second lights at the at least one photosensor, generate a signal at the photosensor, and determine a total effective energy of the particular radiation based at least in part on the signal. Practical applications of the radiation detection system can include identifying a particular isotope present within an object, identifying a particular type of radiation emitted by the object, or locating a source of radiation within the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Rongfu Li, Anne B. Hardy