X-ray Or Gamma-ray System Patents (Class 250/370.09)
  • Patent number: 8901936
    Abstract: A method for testing an array for a pixel circuit of an organic light emitting diode display, which includes a first transistor that transmits a driving current corresponding to a data signal to an organic light emitting diode according to a scan signal and at least one capacitor, uses an array test device having a control device and a driver. The method includes performing a first irradiation of electron beams to an exposed portion of a first electrode of the at least one capacitor before manufacturing of the organic light emitting diode is completed, calibrating the control device of the array test device based on secondary electrons output by the at least one capacitor, performing a second irradiation of electron beams to an anode of the pixel circuit, and detecting whether the first transistor is normally operated based on an output amount of secondary electrons output by the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang hai Jin, Jae-Beom Choi, Kwan-Wook Jung, June-Woo Lee, Hae-Yeon Lee, Jae-Hwan Oh, Seong-Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8899831
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes an image acquisition controller for controlling operation of more than one electronic cassette. For signal communication between the image acquisition controller and the electronic cassettes, each electronic cassette may be connected to a communication cable. These communication cables are connected to a switching hub that intermediates communication between the electronic cassettes and the image acquisition controller. The radiographic apparatus includes multiple power supplies corresponding in number to the electronic cassettes. Each electronic cassette may be connected to one power supply through a power cable separately from the communication cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Yoshida, Yusuke Kitagawa, Katsumi Shimada, Noriaki Ida
  • Patent number: 8901504
    Abstract: An image pickup unit including: an image pickup section including pixels, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion device; and a drive section performing a line-sequential readout drive and a line-sequential reset drive. The drive section intermittently performs the line-sequential reset drive multiple times during one frame period, to allow a non-overlap period to be provided at least in part of reset operation periods in an overlap period. The overlap period is a period during which a drive period of one of the multiple line-sequential reset drives and a drive period of one of the remaining multiple line-sequential reset drives are overlapped. The non-overlap period is a period during which each of the reset operations by the one of the multiple line-sequential drives is not overlapped with any of the reset operations by the one of the remaining multiple line-sequential reset drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michiru Senda, Shinji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8899834
    Abstract: Systems and methods for braking and releasing one or more pivot joints used in an X-ray positioning device are described. The systems and methods use a support arm that extends between a main assembly of the x-ray positioning device and an X-ray imaging assembly with an X-ray source and an X-ray detector that are disposed nearly opposite to each other. The support arm includes one or more pivot joints (such as horizontal, lateral, and/or orbital pivot joints) that allow the imaging assembly to move with respect to the main assembly. The pivot joints can each be connected to an automated braking system that is capable of selectively locking and unlocking a corresponding pivot joint, as indicated by a user-controlled switching mechanism. The braking systems containing multiple pivot joints can be individually controlled by separate switching mechanisms or simultaneously controlled by a single switching mechanism. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Ellis Barker, John Matthew Simmons
  • Patent number: 8903149
    Abstract: A system for communicating information about one or both of an object with a scanned surface and an object at least partially concealed by the scanned surface comprises a scanner and a projector. The scanner is adapted to scan the surface to obtain information that is unattainable through visual observation. The projector is adapted to project an image related to the obtained information onto the scanned surface. The projected image is a dynamic image that is mapped in substantially real-time to a location on the scanned surface from or through which the information is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Anritsu Company
    Inventor: Karam Noujeim
  • Patent number: 8901505
    Abstract: A cassette for radiographic imaging includes a radiological image recording medium that detects radiation, a base portion that supports the radiological image recording medium, and a case that accommodates the radiological image recording medium and the base portion. The case includes a front member and a back member. The front member includes a top plate part to which radiation is incident and a side wall part which is vertically formed around an entire circumference of the edges of the top plate part, where the top plate part and the side wall part are integrally formed by the same material. The back member is configured to close a bottom part opening of the front member. The base portion is fixed to the front member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takeyasu Kobayashi, Akihito Bettouyashiki
  • Patent number: 8890082
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correction of detected radiation data from a semiconductor device are described. The method comprising the steps of measuring a pulse energy reading from radiation incident at the semiconductor device; filtering the signal and determining the time that the filtered signal exceeds a predetermined threshold energy; if the determined time is within predetermined parameter(s) comprising at least a predetermined maximum, storing the pulse energy reading in a first, pulse energy data register; if the determined time is above a predetermined maximum, discarding the pulse energy reading and incrementing a count in a second, discard data register; repeating the above steps to acquire a dataset of pulse energy readings of a desired size in the first data register; and on completion of such acquisition; using the discard data register to supplement the dataset of pulse energy readings by numerically correcting discarded counts and adding back into the dataset of pulse energy readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kromek Limited
    Inventors: Paul Scott, Ian Radley
  • Patent number: 8885795
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes an image data detecting unit that detects, as radiographic image data, charge information corresponding to applied radiation; a control unit that determines that radiation has been applied if a read value of the detected charge information is equal to or greater than a threshold value and controls the image data detecting unit to acquire radiographic image data corresponding to radiation that has passed through a subject; and a changing unit that changes the threshold value in accordance with temperature data of the image data detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8884238
    Abstract: An X-Ray matrix imager includes a matrix, a plurality of gate line sets, and a plurality of data lines. The matrix includes a plurality of rows of pixels configured to accumulate charges in response to light or radiation. Each of the gate line sets includes a first gate line coupled to a first pixel among a first row of pixels of the matrix, and a second gate line coupled to a second pixel among the first row of pixels of the matrix, wherein the first pixel is adjacent to the second pixel. Each of the data lines is arranged to be coupled to the plurality of gate line sets for receiving charges accumulated on the first row of pixels. The X-Ray matrix imager is configured to operate based on multiple-gate-line driving scheme and shared-data-line driving scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pieter Gerhard Roos, Ivan P. Mollov, Richard E. Colbeth
  • Patent number: 8878137
    Abstract: An X-ray imager includes a photo detector, a pixel array, a scan line and a data line. The photo detector includes a plurality of X-ray sensitive particles that are configured to be electrically isolating and to generate charge carriers upon absorption of X-ray photons. In one example embodiment, the photo detector includes a layer of an electrically isolating material, within which the plurality of X-ray sensitive particles are distributed. The pixel array includes multiple pixels each defined by a space between a first surface and a second surface of the layer. The scan line is configured to activate a corresponding row of the pixels in the pixel array. The data line is configured to read data from a corresponding column of the pixels in the pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan P. Mollov
  • Publication number: 20140321609
    Abstract: A scintillator pack (2) and a CT X-ray detector array (1) comprising such scintillator pack (2) are proposed. The scintillator pack (2) comprises an array of scintillator pixels (3). At a bottom surface (31) of each scintillator pixel (3), an X-ray absorbing encapsulation (13) is provided. This encapsulation (13) comprises an electrically insulating highly X-ray absorbing material having an atomic number greater than 60 such as, for example, Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3). The X-ray absorbing encapsulation (13) is interposed between the scintillator pixels (3) and an electronic circuit (19). The electronic circuit (19) may be provided as an ASIC in CMOS technology and may therefore be sensitive to X-ray induced damage. The encapsulation (13) provides for good X-ray protection of such electronic circuit (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Simha Levene, Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen, Lev Gregorian, Antonius Wilhelmus Maria De Laat, Gerardus Franciscus Cornelis Maria Lijten, Rafael Goshen
  • Publication number: 20140319364
    Abstract: A photonic radiation detection device includes a collimator, a detector, and localization means for determining information relative to the localization of a photon interaction with the detector material. In at least one previously selected acquisition configuration, a degree of pixelation in the detection plane is greater than 1 and a collimator-detector distance (C) is greater than one tenth of the septal height (h) of the collimator where the septal height is a maximum dimension of the collimator in a direction orthogonal to the frontal detection plane. In one instance, the septal wall thickness (e) is one of about 0.1 or less than about 0.1 of the channel width (w). In another instance, the collimator-detector distance is greater than h/(2(w/e?1)). A dimensioning method includes, for at least one given spatial frequency, calculating and comparing merit indicator values for different acquisition configurations of a structural model of the detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives (Former name: (Former name: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Charlotte ROBERT, Guillaume MONTEMONT, Veronique REBUFFEL
  • Patent number: 8872115
    Abstract: A radiological image conversion panel 2 provided with a support 11 and a phosphor 18 which is formed on the support and contains a fluorescent material that emits fluorescence by radiation exposure. The phosphor includes a columnar section 34 formed by a group of columnar crystals which are obtained through columnar growth of crystals of the fluorescent material, and a non-columnar section 36. The columnar section and the non-columnar section are integrally formed to overlap in a crystal growth direction of the columnar crystals, and a porosity at the columnar section side of the non-columnar section is higher than a porosity at the support side of the non-columnar section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Kaneko, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Keiichirou Sato, Makoto Kitada, Kei Miura
  • Patent number: 8872117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for FTIR absorption spectroscopy, having an ATR sensor (5) and at least one ultrasonic transmitter (10) for generating an ultrasonic field in the manner of a standing wave. The ATR sensor (5) and the ultrasonic transmitter (10) are connected to a mounting (4) which is provided for attachment in a wall (2) or cover of a reactor (3) and which is set up to hold the ATR sensor (5) and the ultrasonic transmitter (10) so that they freely project into the interior of the reactor (3) in the mounted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Technische Universitaet Wien
    Inventors: Bernhard Lendl, Stefan Radel, Markus Brandstetter
  • Patent number: 8873713
    Abstract: A radiation detection device 80 according to an embodiment is a radiation detection device for a foreign substance inspection using a subtraction method, including a first radiation detector 32 and a second radiation detector 42 that detect radiation transmitted through a specimen S, a timing control section 50 that controls detection timings, and an image correction section 34, wherein a first pixel width Wb1 in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an image detection direction of each pixel of the first radiation detector 32 is smaller than a second pixel width Wb2 in the orthogonal direction of each pixel of the second radiation detector 42, the timing control section 50 synchronizes detection timings of the second radiation detector 42 to detection timings of the first radiation detector 32, and the image correction section 34 sums Wb2/Wb1 pixel data successive in an image from the first radiation detector 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Toshiyasu Suyama
  • Patent number: 8872120
    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: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Takayuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8873703
    Abstract: A CT scanner with scatter correction device and a method for scatter correction are provided. The method comprises positioning shields for shielding some of the CT detector elements from direct X ray radiation, while allowing scattered radiation to arrive at said shielded elements; measuring scatter signals from said shielded elements, indicative of scattered radiation intensity; and correcting for scatter by subtracting scatter intensity values estimated from said measured scatter signals from signals measured by unshielded detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Arineta Ltd.
    Inventors: David Ruimi, Olga Shapiro, Ehud Dafni
  • Patent number: 8872118
    Abstract: A radiographic image detecting apparatus and a radiographic image capturing system are provided. The radiographic image detecting apparatus includes photoelectric conversion elements for generating electric charge by emission of radiation, a bias line through which a bias voltage is supplied to the photoelectric conversion elements, a power supply for applying the bias voltage to the photoelectric conversion elements through the bias line, a current detector for detecting a bias current flowing through the bias line based on a voltage drop across a resistor inserted in the bias line, a first amplifying circuit, a second amplifying circuit connected to an output of the first amplifying circuit, and a controller for correcting the electric signal by increasing a gain of the second amplifying circuit depending on decrease in a sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion element, the decrease being caused by the voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Nishino, Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 8866097
    Abstract: A gamma ray detector apparatus comprises a solid state detector that includes a plurality of anode pixels and at least one cathode. The solid state detector is configured for receiving gamma rays during an interaction and inducing a signal in an anode pixel and in a cathode. An anode pixel readout circuit is coupled to the plurality of anode pixels and is configured to read out and process the induced signal in the anode pixel and provide triggering and addressing information. A waveform sampling circuit is coupled to the at least one cathode and configured to read out and process the induced signal in the cathode and determine energy of the interaction, timing of the interaction, and depth of interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Ling-Jian Meng
  • Patent number: 8866095
    Abstract: Provided is a radiographic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining more suitable radiological images by reducing the influence of noise generated at a current detecting section which detects current carried by applying radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kumiko Oguma
  • Patent number: 8866096
    Abstract: A radiographic image photographing system and its control device surely correlates radiographing order information with radiographic image data and facilitates radiographing work. A control section of a tag reader reads out inherent information stored in a tag in a radiation image detecting device. A control section of a radiographing operation apparatus receives the inherent information of the radiation image detecting device from the tag and stores it in a storing section. In response to an input from an input operation section, the control section correlates each piece of radiographing order information with a cassette ID of the radiation image detecting device and stores this correlation information in the storing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8866098
    Abstract: An object is to prevent occurrence of an insensitive zone to radiation in parallel arrangement of multiple units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kenzo Hayatsu, Mitsutoshi Sugiya, Keisuke Nagura, Shigeru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8866101
    Abstract: Binning readout reads out electric charge accumulated in pixels to signal lines in blocks of a plurality of adjoining pixel-rows. A correction image generator of a line defect corrector scales up an image size of a reference frame image RP outputted by the binning readout and corrects pixel values of the reference frame image RP, to produce a correction image RPC to be used for correction of a line defect occurring in an X-ray image XP. The scale-up is performed by applying row interpolation processing to the reference frame image RP. The correction of the pixel values is performed by multiplying the reference frame image RP after being subjected to the row interpolation processing by a correction coefficient. An adder adds the correction image RPC to the X-ray image XP, and produces an X-ray image XPC in which the line defect is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Keita Watanabe, Kentaro Noma, Yasufumi Oda
  • Publication number: 20140307850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector tile, a detector panel arrangement, an X-ray detector, an X-ray imaging system, and a method for providing a detector tile for a seamless detector surface with a continuous pixel array. In order to build a large area detector with reduced gap appearance, a detector tile (30) is provided having a flat primary substrate (32) and a surface layer (34) with a circuitry arrangement (36). The surface layer is arranged on a front side (38) of the primary substrate covering the primary substrate. The circuitry arrangement comprises a number of detector pixels (40) providing a pixel array (42), wherein at least one connection opening (44) is provided in the surface layer and the flat primary substrate at least at one edge of the detector tile, which connection opening is leading from the surface layer to the rear of the substrate for guiding electrical connection elements between the front side and the rear of the detector tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tiemen Poorter, Ronald Dekker, Vincent Adrianus Henneken, Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen
  • Patent number: 8859977
    Abstract: A wavefront measuring apparatus includes an optical element forming a periodic pattern by light, a detector having pixels to detect the light, and a computer computing, based on detection results of the detector, wavefront information at positions in a wavefront of the light transmitted through or reflected by a specimen. The detector detects a first periodic pattern formed by the light, and a second periodic pattern formed by the light and shifted in phase from the first periodic pattern. The computer computes the wavefront information at one of the positions by using a result detected in a first pixel of the pixels when detecting the first periodic pattern, a result detected in a second pixel of the pixels when detecting the first periodic pattern, the second pixel being positioned within three pixels from the first pixel, and a result detected in the first pixel when detecting the second periodic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Kondoh
  • Patent number: 8859978
    Abstract: A radiation image pickup device includes: an image pickup section having a plurality of pixels and generating an electric signal according to incident radiation, the plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element and one or a plurality of transistors of a predetermined amplifier circuit; and a correction section subjecting signal data of the electric signal obtained in the image pickup section to predetermined correction process. The correction section makes a comparison between measurement data obtained by measuring an input-output characteristic of the amplifier circuit in each of the plurality of pixels and initial data on the input-output characteristic, and performs the correction process by the pixel individually, by using a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michiru Senda, Tsutomu Tanaka, Tsutomu Harada
  • Patent number: 8853640
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detecting element that avoids the interline pitch of signal lines becoming narrower. Namely, the shape of pixels configuring the radiation detecting element is made hexagonal, and each of the pixels is arrayed in a honeycomb pattern. The position of the TFT switches in each of the pixels is disposed to the right side or the left side of the center of the pixels so as to be left-right direction different for each of the pixel rows, and common ground lines that fix storage capacitor lower electrodes of charge storage capacitors are configured laid out in substantially straight lines lower than pixel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8847138
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a detector having a plurality of conversion elements for converting radiation or light into an electric charge, a power supply unit that supplies a first voltage to the conversion element in a first imaging operation, and a control unit that controls the detector and the power supply unit. During a period between the first imaging operation and a second imaging operation, the control unit controls to perform a first inter-imaging operation in which a second voltage different from the first voltage is supplied to the conversion element, and, subsequently to the first inter-imaging operation, a second inter-imaging operation in which a third voltage different from the first and the second voltages is supplied to the conversion element. The absolute value of the difference between the third and the first voltages is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the second and the first voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eriko Sugawara, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Sho Sato, Atsushi Iwashita, Hideyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 8847386
    Abstract: An electrical contact for a detector, the electrical component, comprising a cadmium tellurium component, a first layer formed onto the cadmium tellurium component, wherein the first layer comprises indium and a contact agent being bonded directly or indirectly to the first layer to be in electrical contact with the first layer. The contact agent may be a stud bump or a conductive adhesive interconnect being bonded indirectly to the first layer via noble metal shielding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen, Rob Van Asselt, Gerard Kums
  • Patent number: 8847168
    Abstract: Large-scale X-ray detectors and methods of manufacturing the same are provided, the large-scale X-ray detectors include a photoconductor layer configured to generate electrical charges according to an incident X-ray using an entire area of the photoconductor layer, a common electrode on an upper surface of the photoconductor layer, a plurality of pixel electrodes, configured to convert the electrical charges into electrical signals, on a lower surface of the photoconductor layer and divided into a plurality of groups, and a plurality of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) each corresponding to one of the groups. Each ASIC is configured to process the electrical signals conveyed via the pixel electrodes in the corresponding group. The ASICs process the electrical signals so that seamless image information is collectively generated by the ASICs with respect to the entire area of the photoconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-il Kim, Jae-chul Park, Sang-wook Kim, Chang-jung Kim
  • Patent number: 8848872
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital radiography system which provides detachable and portable flat panel detectors (hereinafter, referred to as ‘electronic cassettes’) and transreceives data recorded in the electronic cassettes in on-line through a network. The digital radiography system includes bucky trays on which a plurality of portable electronic cassettes is detachably mounted, and a workstation connected with the bucky trays through communication to identify the plurality of portable electronic cassettes mounted on the bucky trays and to download pre-processing files of the identified electronic cassettes through the network or a portable storage device or to store files, generated by the plurality of electronic cassettes, in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Jong In Lee
  • Patent number: 8847169
    Abstract: The invention provides a CMOS CT detector design with high linearity, quantum-limited noise, good scalability, high fill factor with a single CMOS chip utilizing synchronous partial quantization. The CMOS CT detector includes a pixel array, digital column buses, analog column buses, column processing circuits, a shift register, a control signal generation circuit, and a reference generation circuit, and implements a synchronous partial quantization scheme with reset, integration and analog readout phases. Each pixel of the pixel array further includes a photodiode; an integration capacitor; an OPAMP; a reset switch; a comparator; a 1-bit dynamic random-access-memory (DRAM) cell; a circuit block for enabling subtraction of a substantially fixed amount of charge from the integrated photocharge if the integrated photovoltage increases beyond the reference voltage; an integration node; an analog buffer; and a switch coupled between the output of the DRAM cell and the digital column bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jie Yuan, Bing Liu
  • Publication number: 20140284488
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector includes a first detection unit including a first radiation entrance region which incoming radiation enters and in which first photoelectric conversion elements is arranged, and a second detection unit including a second radiation entrance region. The first detection unit detects an occurrence position of a first interaction and a track of recoil electron by using the first photoelectric conversion elements. The second detection unit detects an occurrence position of a second interaction resulting from the scattered radiation. A position of a radiation source is measured by the occurrence positions of the first and second interactions and the track of the recoil electron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoya Sanuki, Atsushi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20140284489
    Abstract: In radiation-sensitive detector devices, such as direct conversion detectors, charges are drifting within an externally applied electric field towards collecting electrodes (4), which are segmented (e.g. representing a pixel array). At the gaps between segments, electrical field lines can leave the detector, and charges drifting along those field lines can be trapped within the gap. This can be avoided by external electrodes (8) which push electric field lines back into the direct conversion material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Juergen Engel, Christoph Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8841624
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiographic image detector that maintains even resolution in 6 directions before and after 4 pixel binning processing. In the radiographic image detector, first TFT switches of each pixel are switched ON according to control signals from plural first scan lines, and charge signals according to accumulated charges are transmitted through data lines. For each pixel group configured by combinations of plural adjacent pixels, second TFT switches of the pixels configuring each of the pixel groups are switched ON according to control signals from plural second scan lines, and binning processing is performed in which 4 pixels worth of charges are read simultaneously and are combined, and charge signals according to the amount of the combined charges are transmitted through the data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Okada, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8841623
    Abstract: An X-ray detecting device includes: an X-ray receiving panel including a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of photodetecting pixels connected to the scan lines and the data lines; a scan driver, connected to the scan lines, for applying a scan signal for controlling outputs of data signals of the photodetecting pixels; and a data detector, connected to the data lines, for receiving the data signals output by the photodetecting pixels, reading the data signals, and controlling capacitance according to transmissivity of a subject. Detective quantum efficiency of the X-ray detecting device can be improved by adaptively controlling capacitance of an integrator according to measured transmissivity of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwan-Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 8834021
    Abstract: A digital X-ray detector includes a multi-functional panel support configured to support a digital detector array on a first side of the panel support and electronics on a second side of the panel support. The panel support includes a first enclosure and a rechargeable battery disposed within the first enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Habib Vafi
  • Patent number: 8835862
    Abstract: A radiation image photographing apparatus is provided with a bias source to apply a bias voltage via bias lines to radiation detecting elements arranged in a two dimensional form in regions divided by scanning lines and signal lines. The bias lines are connected to the radiation detecting elements with a ratio of one bias line to the radiation detecting elements arranged on one column in an extension direction of the signal line, and the bias lines are connected per a predetermined number of bias lines to either one of a plurality of connection lines. The bias voltage is applied from the bias source to the connection lines via the bias lines so that the bias voltage is applied to the radiation detecting elements via the bias lines connected to the connection lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideaki Tajima
  • Patent number: 8834022
    Abstract: A cassette carrier for containing a cassette incorporating a semiconductor radiation detector includes a rectangular recessed portion formed for containing the cassette with an irradiation surface exposed. The recessed portion is formed by a first frame that forms a side wall of one side thereof and includes a handle that a user holds, and a second frame forming a side wall of another side of the recessed portion. In the side wall formed by the first frame, an opening is provided in an opposite position opposing a connector unit of the cassette with the cassette attached to the recessed portion. The first frame has a space in communication with the opening, and connection/disconnection of an external cable to/from the connector unit is possible through the space with the cassette attached, and the space is large enough to contain an entire connector housing of the external.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 8829455
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging device that may detect irradiation states of radiation is provided. Pixels for radiation detection that are provided in a radiation detector of an electronic cassette are configured with characteristics thereof being alterable. The characteristics are set in accordance with the imaging conditions of a radiation image by a cassette control section of the electronic cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino, Naoto Iwakiri
  • Patent number: 8829454
    Abstract: A compact sensor module and methods for forming the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a sensor die is mounted on a sensor substrate. A processor die can be mounted on a flexible processor substrate. In some arrangements, a thermally insulating stiffener can be disposed between the sensor substrate and the flexible processor substrate. At least one end portion of the flexible processor substrate can be bent around an edge of the stiffener to electrically couple to the sensor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David Frank Bolognia
  • Patent number: 8829453
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray detection device, comprising: a semiconducting X-ray detecting member provided with first and second electrode contacts; first and second electric wires connected to the first and second electrode contacts, respectively; a dose adjusting element comprising tissue equivalent material, wherein the dose adjusting element is arranged such as to surround the detecting member with tissue equivalent material; and a shielding member configured to provide an electric shield for the detecting member and to protect the detecting member from being exposed to light. The invention is characterized in that the first electrode contact is positioned on the same side of the detecting member as the second electrode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: RTI Electronics AB
    Inventors: Tomas Bengtsson, Bjorn Cederquist, Lars Herrnsdorf
  • Publication number: 20140246598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation detection system for detecting X-ray and gamma rays featuring Cd1-xMgx Te in solid solution as a crystal semiconductor and electrical connection means. The crystal has a composition in the range of Cd0.99Mg0.01Te to Cd0.71Mg0.29Te and may be doped with indium or another Group III element, which may be suitable for use at room temperature as well as controlled temperatures. The present invention further provides a method for detecting X- or gamma ray radiation by (a) providing a solid solution Cd1-xMgxTe crystal in the composition range of Cd0.99Mg0.01Te to Cd0.71Mg0.29Te; (b) providing an electrical contact means for connecting the Cd1-xMgxTe crystal to an amplification, measurement, identification or imaging means; and (c) detecting the presence of the X- or gamma ray radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Robert D. Herpst, Vladimir Yakimovich
  • Patent number: 8824626
    Abstract: A detector circuit can include an integrator having an amplifier, a first feedback capacitor connected between an input and output of the amplifier, one or more additional feedback capacitors connected by at least one switch between the input and output of the amplifier, and a shunt capacitor connected to the output of the amplifier. The shunt capacitor can be selected to have a capacitance value greater than that of a minimum but less than that of a maximum feedback capacitance. The detector circuit can further include a sampling circuit having a sampling capacitor connected to the output of the integrator amplifier through at least one switch, wherein the sampling capacitor is separate from the shunt capacitor. A computed tomography imaging apparatus can include the detector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Coln, Paraic Brannick, Colin G. Lyden, Cathal Murphy
  • Patent number: 8822938
    Abstract: A detector is disclosed, in particular for X-radiation. The detector includes an array of photodiodes, each respectively corresponding to a pixel with regard to size of their photosensitive receiving surface. Each photodiode is subdivided in the same way into at least two sub-photodiodes. Further, each photodiode includes at least one electric switch such that only one or all the sub-photodiodes of the photodiode are connectable to an evaluation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Freund, Thomas Hilderscheid
  • Patent number: 8822937
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiographic-image detecting unit configured to detect radiation and convert the detected radiation to an image signal; a wireless transmission unit configured to wirelessly transmit the image signal to an external device; and a housing configured to cover the radiographic-image detecting unit and the wireless transmission unit, wherein a first side surface of the housing has a first opening for wireless transmission performed by the wireless transmission unit, and a second side surface of the housing adjoining the first side surface has a second opening for wireless transmission by the wireless transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 8822936
    Abstract: Detector for detection of particle radiation, particularly particle radiation having an energy in the range of 150 eV to 300 keV, comprising at least one detector element, said detector element comprising a semiconductor detector material, at least a set of line-shaped electrodes conductively connected to at least one surface of said semiconductor detector material, each set comprising a plurality of line-shaped electrodes extending in parallel, and signal processor communicating with said line-shaped electrodes, wherein, in each set, said line-shaped electrodes are distributed with a strip pitch of less than 3 ?m, and that the thickness of said semiconductor detector material is of less than two times the strip pitch of said line-shaped electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Ulrik Lund Olsen, Henning Friis Poulsen, Soren Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8822940
    Abstract: An X-ray detection panel includes a substrate, a sensor device formed over the substrate, a scintillating layer formed over the sensor device, an adhesion layer formed around the scintillating layer, and a protective film formed over the scintillating layer and the adhesion layer. The X-ray detection panel further includes a side sealing structure formed over a side surface of the adhesion layer, over a side surface of the protective film and over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Won Moon
  • Patent number: 8824635
    Abstract: Detector modules for an imaging system and methods of manufacturing are provided. One detector module includes a substrate, a direct conversion sensor material coupled to the substrate and a flexible interconnect electrically coupled to the direct conversion sensor material and configured to provide readout of electrical signals generated by the direct conversion sensor material. The detector module also includes at least one illumination source for illuminating the direct conversion sensor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Kevin Matthew Durocher, James Rose, Haochuan Jiang, Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Vladimir Lobastov, Daniel David Harrison
  • Patent number: 8818068
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to emitted radiation or light. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an initialization operation to initialize the conversion element during a period between the first image capturing operation and the second image capturing operation in accordance with switching from the first scanning area to the second scanning area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama, Sho Sato