Methods Patents (Class 250/371)
  • Patent number: 8089049
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes a plurality of image capturing apparatus having different specifications for capturing a radiation image of a subject, a plurality of processors having specifications corresponding to the specifications of the image capturing apparatus, for controlling the image capturing apparatus and processing radiation image information acquired from the image capturing apparatus, and a supply apparatus for supplying image capturing instruction information for the image capturing apparatus to one of the processors, which is selected depending on the specifications of the image capturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino, Naoki Mochizuki, Daiki Harada, Hiroshi Fukuda, Eiichi Kito, Kazuharu Ueta
  • Publication number: 20110317812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method obtain an image of an object from a first radiation source in the presence of a second radiation source. The first radiation source is directed at a first side of the object while the second radiation source is directed at the second side of the object. At least one portion of the radiation is detected at the second side of the object. A first signal is produced based on the at least one portion of detected radiation. The first signal has a first radiation component and a second radiation component. At least one other portion of radiation at the second side of the object is filtered and then detected. A second signal is produced based on the detected filtered radiation. The second signal has at least one of a filtered first radiation component and a filtered second radiation component. Then a third signal is produced from the first and second signals. The third signal is a representation of a first radiation component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Mohamad Khairul Islam, Bernhard Dieter Norrlinger, Jason R. Smale, Robert K. Heaton, David A. Jaffray
  • Publication number: 20110303853
    Abstract: An X-ray detector and a method of detecting an X-ray image. The method includes: during an offset adjustment, sequentially outputting first gate signals to a plurality of gate lines for turning on the switching devices; during an offset read out, sequentially outputting second gate signals to the plurality of gate lines for turning on the switching devices after a first window time; and during the offset read out, reading electrical signals output by the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Kwan-Wook Jung
  • Publication number: 20110297838
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the correction of charge loss in a radiation detector. In one embodiment, correction factors for charge loss may be determined based on depth of interaction and lateral position within a radiation detector of a charge creating event. The correction factors may be applied to subsequently measured signals to correct for the occurrence of charge loss in the measured signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kristen Ann Wangerin, Wen Li, Yanfeng Du, Floribertus Heukensfeldt Jansen
  • Publication number: 20110291017
    Abstract: A PET scanner (10) includes a ring of detector modules (16) encircling an imaging region (18). Each of the detector modules includes one or more sensor avalanche photodiodes (APDs) (34) that are biased in a breakdown region in a Geiger mode. The sensor APDs (34) output pulses in response to light from a scintillator corresponding to incident photons. A reference APD (36) also biased in a breakdown region in a Geiger mode is optically shielded from light and outputs a voltage that is measured by an analog to digital converter (44). Based on the measurement, a bias control feedback loop (42) directs a variable voltage generator (48) to adjust a bias voltage applied to the APDs (34, 36) such that a difference (86) between a voltage of a break-down pulse (68) and a preselected logic voltage level (70) is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Frach
  • Publication number: 20110272590
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for effectively detecting and locating explosive substances within remote targets, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The detection apparatus includes a neutron beam generator, a pixilated gamma ray detector, data collection modules and sensors, and a detection processing module. The neutron beam generator includes a fast neutron source, a neutron moderator to slow some or all of the fast neutrons to thermal energies, a partially enclosing neutron shield, and a rotatable neutron shield surrounding the generated neutrons. The neutron shield has an aperture to form a neutron beam directed at a remote target. If the remote target contains explosive substances, gamma rays radiate isotropically from the remote target when it is bombarded by the neutrons. A portion of these gamma rays are intercepted and detected by a plurality of discrete gamma sensing elements contained in the gamma ray detector, which is spaced apart from the neutron source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: BOSS PHYSICAL SCIENCES LLC
    Inventor: Wayne B. Norris
  • Patent number: 8049178
    Abstract: High rate radiation detectors are disclosed herein. The detectors include a detector material disposed inside the container, the detector material containing cadmium, tellurium, and zinc, a first dopant containing at least one of aluminum, chlorine, and indium, and a second dopant containing a rare earth metal. The first dopant has a concentration of about 500 to about 20,000 atomic parts per billion, and the second dopant has a concentration of about 200 to about 20,000 atomic parts per billion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kelvin Lynn, Kelly Jones, Guido Ciampi
  • Patent number: 8050385
    Abstract: Photon counting detectors may suffer from pulse sharing effects and fluorescence photon generation, which may lead to a degradation of the measured signals. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a detector unit is provided which is adapted for performing a coincidence detection and correction by comparing detection events of neighbouring cells, thereby providing for a coincidence identification followed by an individual coincidence correction. In order to reduce the number of coincidence detection and corresponding units per detector unit, a specific detector cell geometry may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Roland Proksa
  • Publication number: 20110260070
    Abstract: This invention provides a radiation dosimeter and new method of operation which comprise two types of the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) circuits allowing to amplify the threshold voltage changes due to radiation and provide temperature compensation. The first type dosimeter is a radiation integrated circuit (RADIC) which includes two radiation field-effect transistors (RADFET) and two MOSFETs, integrated into the same substrate. The second type of radiation circuit includes two RADFETs, integrated into the same substrate, and two resistors. The amplification of the threshold voltage change is achieved by using amplification principles of an MOSFET inverter. In both cases, under the ionizing irradiation, the gate of first RADFET is forward biased and the gate of second RADFET is biased off. In the reading mode the amplified differential threshold voltage change is measured. The increased radiation sensitivity allows to measure of the milli-rad doses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicants: John Theologian Community Inc.
    Inventor: Volodymyr Polishchuk
  • Publication number: 20110240868
    Abstract: The application describes an X-ray detector for use in a medical equipment, wherein the detector comprises an unit for transforming X-ray radiation into electrical charge, a first capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, wherein the first capacitor is electrically connected to the unit for transforming, a second capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, and a first gain switching gate, wherein the second capacitor is electrically connected with the unit for transforming if the first gain switching gate is in on-state, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further the application describes an X-ray system comprising a detector according to the invention, wherein the system is adapted for gain selection, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Walter Ruetten, Rainer Kiewitt, Olaf Wischhusen
  • Publication number: 20110204245
    Abstract: A photonic radiation detection device includes a collimator, a detector, means for localization in the detection plane defining on the one hand the partitioning of the detection plane in physical or virtual pixels of transversal dimensions smaller than those of the collimator channels, and associating on the other hand one of said pixels to each photon interaction. The detection device has at least in one previously selected acquisition configuration, a degree of pixelation in the detection plane greater than 1 and a collimator-detector distance (c) greater than one tenth of the septal height (h) of the collimator. A method for dimensioning such a device 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: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Charlotte Robert, Guillaume Montemont, Véronique Rebuffel
  • Publication number: 20110204248
    Abstract: Provided between a bias power supply and a radiation detector are a noise filter and a bias voltage transmitting circuit. In a state where the bias voltage is applied, the noise filter circuit operates. In a state where the bias voltage is switched on and off, the bias voltage transmitting circuit and the noise filter circuit operate. In a state where the bias voltage is switched on and off, the bias voltage transmitting circuit operates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki SEINO, Yuichiro UENO, Takafumi ISHITSU
  • Publication number: 20110198508
    Abstract: For noise correction in connection with a flat-panel x-ray detector, noise signals of a dark reference area are checked for deviations exceeding a specified threshold which, if any are present, will be taken into consideration separately for calculating the correction factor derived from the noise signal. Image artifacts due, for example, to high-contrast objects such as, for instance, cardiac pacemakers or metallic implants, in the x-ray image will be avoided through this measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Burkhard Groh, Volker Heer, Mathias Hömig, Bernhard Sandkamp
  • Publication number: 20110168903
    Abstract: A particle beam sensor comprising: scattering means providing a surface for intercepting obliquely a path of a particle beam thereby to permit a scattering of particles from the particle beam by the scattering means; sensor means responsive to receipt of one or more said scattered particles to generate a sensor signal; aperture mask means arranged between the scattering means and the sensor means to present to the scattering means a screen opaque to said scattered particles and having at least one aperture through which an unobstructed view of the scattering means is provided to the sensor means, the aperture (s) thereby permitting selection of all of those particles scattered by the scattering means which may be used to form at the sensor means an image representative of at least a part of a foot print cast by the particle beam upon the scattering means. By scattering particles from a sectional area of a particle beam, scattered beam particles can be used more efficiently compared to existing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Nicholas Roberts Kyele, Roelof Gozewijn Van Silfhout
  • Publication number: 20110163241
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting X-rays and a driving method of the X-ray detecting apparatus. The driving method includes sampling a first data voltage corresponding to a rheobase voltage and a bias voltage, the rheobase voltage being generated by a current from a photodiode, sampling a second data voltage corresponding to the bias voltage after resetting the rheobase voltage, and resetting the rheobase voltage from the time that the sampling of the second data voltage is finished to the time that a corresponding frame is finished. An image delay generated when an X-ray motion picture is displayed may be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kwan-Wook Jung
  • Publication number: 20110155918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, James William Hugg, Ira Blevis, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20110147599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering noise in pixelated photon counting image detectors are provided. One method includes obtaining image information including event count information for a pixelated solid-state photon counting radiation detector and obtaining a count-rate threshold. The method further includes filtering the event count information based on the count-rate threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Yariv Grobshtein, Ruben Brenner, Lana Volokh, Jean-Paul Bouhnik
  • Publication number: 20110127438
    Abstract: A system for determining an amount of radiation includes a dosimeter configured to receive the amount of radiation, the dosimeter comprising a circuit having a resonant frequency, such that the resonant frequency of the circuit changes according to the amount of radiation received by the dosimeter, the dosimeter further configured to absorb RF energy at the resonant frequency of the circuit; a radio frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit the RF energy at the resonant frequency to the dosimeter; and a receiver configured to determine the resonant frequency of the dosimeter based on the absorbed RF energy, wherein the amount of radiation is determined based on the resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, JR., Michael S. Gordon, Steven J. Koester, Conal E. Murray, Kenneth P. Rodbell, Stephen M. Rossnagel, Robert L. Wisnieff, Jeng-bang Yau
  • Publication number: 20110108735
    Abstract: An x-ray detector and its pixel circuit are described, that allow to cover a large dynamic range with automatic selection of the sensitivity setting in each pixel, thus providing improved signal to noise ratio with all exposure levels. X-ray detectors are required to cover a large dynamic range. The largest exposure determines the required pixel capacitance. However, a large pixel capacitance gives a bad signal to noise ratio with small exposures e.g. in the dark parts of the image. This invention disclosure describes several approaches to provide automatic sensitivity selection in the pixels. This ensures that low signals are stored in a small capacitor or read out with a high sensitivity with corresponding good signal to noise ratio, while larger signals are stored in larger capacitors or are read out with lower sensitivity so that no information is lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Koninklijke Phillips Electroncis N.V.
    Inventors: Walter Ruetten, Lex Alving, Thomas Frederik Buss, Tiemen Poorter, Peter Bas Anton Wolfs
  • Patent number: 7932500
    Abstract: A radiation image detection method including the steps of: detecting from a radiation image detector including multitudes of pixels disposed two-dimensionally, each having a TFT switch, an analog image signal of each pixel flowing out through each data line by sequentially switching ON the TFT switches connected to each scanning line on a scanning line-by-scanning line basis; detecting an analog leak level flowing out through each data line with the TFT switches connected to each of the scanning lines being switched OFF each time before switching ON the TFT switches on a scanning line-by-scanning line basis when converting the detected analog image signal to a digital image signal and outputting; and correcting the analog image signal before being converted to the digital image signal based on the leak level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Iwakiri
  • Publication number: 20110089329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector for measuring characteristics of an energetic particle beam generated by a radiation source, the detector including means to vary the incoming particle beam energy; a plurality of sensors arranged in parallel; and processing means capable of processing signals coming from said sensors in correlation with said energy variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Yves Jongen, Martin Arnold, Yves Claereboudt, Damien Prieels
  • Publication number: 20110089331
    Abstract: Neutron detection cells and corresponding methods of detecting charged particles that make efficient use of silicon area are set forth. Three types of circuit cells/arrays are described: state latching circuits, glitch generating cells, and charge loss circuits. An array of these cells, used in conjunction with a neutron conversion film, increases the area that is sensitive to a strike by a charged particle over that of an array of SRAM cells. The result is a neutron detection cell that uses less power, costs less, and is more suitable for mass production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Honywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Andrew Randazzo, Bradley J. Larsen, Paul S. Fechner
  • Publication number: 20110079728
    Abstract: A radiation detector is disclosed. The detector has an entrance opening etched through a low-resistivity volume of silicon, a sensitive volume of high-resistivity silicon for converting the radiation particles into detectable charges, and a passivation layer between the low and high-resistivity silicon layers. The detector also has electrodes built in the form of vertical channels for collecting the charges generated in the sensitive volume, and read-out electronics for generating signals based on the collected charges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicants: FinPhys Oy, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
    Inventors: Francisco Garcia, Risto Orava, Manuel Lozano, Giulio Pellegrini
  • Publication number: 20110077799
    Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle incorporates a structure having an integral scintillating material for a radiation detector and detection electronics connected to the radiation detector for measurement of the scintillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James G. Barnes, Thomas R. Austin
  • Publication number: 20110049378
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: a radiation detector configured to be detachable with respect to a patient platform and detect radiation transmitted through an object in one of a moving image capturing mode and a still image capturing mode; a detection unit configured to detect a shift timing of an image capturing mode; a cooling mechanism configured to cool the radiation detector in one of a first cooling mode and a second cooling mode having a higher cooling capacity than the first cooling mode; and a control unit configured to switch the cooling modes of the cooling mechanism based on detection by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Omura
  • Publication number: 20110036987
    Abstract: A dosimeter and an associated method for detecting radiation are provided. A dosimeter includes a complementary pair of transistors, such as a first transistor that is doped in accordance with a first conductivity type, such as an n-doped metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and a second transistor that is doped in accordance with a second conductivity type, different than the first conductivity type, such as a p-doped MOSFET. The first and second transistors may be configured to generate respective outputs that shift in opposite directions in response to radiation. The dosimeter may also include a circuit element configured to determine a measure of the radiation based upon a difference between the respective outputs of the first and second transistors. The circuit element may include an amplifier configured to amplify the difference between the respective outputs of the first and second transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William G. Bartholet, Dorina L. Hester
  • Publication number: 20110024641
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a detector, having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, for performing first and second radiography operations, a bias light source, and a control unit that controls the operation of the detector and the bias light source. In the first radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a first radiation field corresponding to some of the pixels is output. In the second radiography operation, image data corresponding to radiation in a second radiation field larger than the first radiation field is output. In accordance with a change from the first radiation field to the second radiation field, the operation of the bias light source is controlled so that the irradiation with the bias light is performed during a period between the first and second radiography operations at a bias-light integral dose determined based on radiation integral dose information in the first radiography operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Masayoshi Akiyama, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Sho Sato
  • Publication number: 20110017917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a given subject. A positioner provides for relative motion of each beam vis-à-vis the subject in a motion, the vertical component of which is one-way. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20110006195
    Abstract: A high-energy radiation detector apparatus, comprising a high-energy radiation detector substrate and a plurality of charge collection electrodes operatively coupled to first and second opposing sides of the detector substrate is disclosed. Charge collection circuitry is associated with the plurality of charge collection electrodes for collecting charge induced on the charge collection electrodes by a high energy radiation photon interaction event caused by high-energy radiation incident on the detector substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Radiation Watch Limited
    Inventors: David Prendergast, Michael Anderson, Russell Morgan
  • Publication number: 20100327171
    Abstract: The present invention provides an innovative solid-state neutron detector that exhibits superior neutron-sensitivities. One embodiment of the present invention includes a Gadolinium-oxide (Gd2O3)-based neutron detector that is highly sensitive to the presence of neutrons, and experiences significant changes in film conductivity, capacitance or both as a result of thermal neutron exposure thereby providing for detection of nuclear radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Joshua A. Robinson, Douglas E. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20100329421
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, signals coming from a number of pixels or sub-pixels are compared and those signals from pixels or sub-pixels, which are substantially brighter than the other pixels in the comparison, are excluded from contributing to the output signal, to suppress direct detection events in X-ray detectors. For this an X-ray detector apparatus (101) can comprise: —an array (102) of pixel arrangements (303), —each pixel arrangement (303) comprising at least one radiation collection device (311) for converting incident radiation into a collection device signal, —switching arrangements (313, 324, 314, 142; 313, 315, 314, 352, 142; 313, 315, 314; 361) for providing to respectively one output element (141) a signal derived from the collection device signals of a plurality of radiation collection devices (311) of at least one pixel arrangement (303).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Walter Ruetten, Tiemen Poorter, Rainer Kiewitt
  • Publication number: 20100294946
    Abstract: A method of operating a radiation-detecting device includes charging a first charge storage region of a charge storage structure to place a first charge value at the first charge storage region, and charging a second charge storage region of the charge storage structure to place a second charge value at the second charge storage region. The method further includes conducting a first read operation to determine a change in the first charge value at the first charge storage region at a first time after charging the first charge storage region, and determining a first radiation flux value for an environment containing the charge storage structure based on the change in the first charge value at the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventor: Michael McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7829871
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus such as a sheet beam based testing apparatus has an electron-optical system for irradiating an object under testing with a primary electron beam from an electron beam source, and projecting an image of a secondary electron beam emitted by the irradiation of the primary electron beam, and a detector for detecting the secondary electron beam image projected by the electron-optical system; specifically, the electron beam apparatus comprises beam generating means 2004 for irradiating an electron beam having a particular width, a primary electron-optical system 2001 for leading the beam to reach the surface of a substrate 2006 under testing, a secondary electron-optical system 2002 for trapping secondary electrons generated from the substrate 2006 and introducing them into an image processing system 2015, a stage 2003 for transportably holding the substrate 2006 with a continuous degree of freedom equal to at least one, a testing chamber for the substrate 2006, a substrate transport mech
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Nobuharu Noji, Tohru Satake, Toshifumi Kimba, Hirosi Sobukawa, Tsutomu Karimata, Shin Oowada, Shoji Yoshikawa, Mutsumi Saito
  • Publication number: 20100270472
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a local minimum identifier (408) that identifies a local minimum between overlapping pulses in a signal, wherein the pulses have amplitudes that are indicative of the energy of successively detected photons from a multi-energetic radiation beam by a radiation sensitive detector, and a pulse pile-up error corrector (232) that corrects, based on the local minimum, for a pulse pile-up energy-discrimination error when energy-discriminating the pulses using at least two thresholds corresponding to different energy levels. This technique may reduce spectral error when counting photons at a high count rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Roand Proksa, Jens-Peter Schlomka, Ewald Roessl, Tuvia Liran, Aviv Marks
  • Publication number: 20100270471
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector comprises a scintillator and a photodiode optically coupled to the scintillator. The radiation detector also includes a bias voltage source electrically coupled to the photodiode, a first detector operatively electrically coupled to the photodiode for generating a signal indicative of a level of a charge at an output of the photodiode, and a second detector operatively electrically coupled to the bias voltage source for generating a signal indicative of an amount of current flowing through the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Roscoe E. Marrs, Norman W. Madden
  • Publication number: 20100264316
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mirror array having a plurality of mirrors and a control system. The plurality of mirrors is capable of receiving a signal for an image. The control system is capable of controlling a first portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a first portion of the signal to a detector. The control system is also capable of controlling a second portion of the plurality of mirrors in the mirror array to direct a second portion of the signal away from the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Delaney, JR., David Arthur Whelan
  • Patent number: 7807977
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, row-correlated noise of a digital X-ray detector is monitored during idle operation of the digital X-ray detector and the magnitude of the row-correlated noise is compared to a visible threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ping Xue, James Zhengshe Liu, Chuande Liu, Scott William Petrick, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Publication number: 20100243910
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing system includes an image capturing apparatus for applying radiation to a subject, a radiation detecting apparatus for detecting radiation transmitted through the subject, a power feeder for supplying electric power contactlessly to a contactless power receiver of the radiation detecting apparatus, a feeding-state determining unit for determining whether power-feeding by the power feeder is being performed or not, and a signal generator for generating an image-capturing inhibition signal for inhibiting radiographic image-capturing by the image capturing apparatus if the feeding-state determining unit judges that the power-feeding is being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Tsubota, Masato Hattori, Yutaka Yoshida, Yasunori Ohta, Naoyuki Nishino
  • Publication number: 20100224787
    Abstract: A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation, with a diode structure acting absorbingly for the electromagnetic radiation and having a diode, and an ascertainer for ascertaining a measurement value for the absorbed electromagnetic radiation by means of at least two current/voltage measurements at the diode for different pairs of a diode current and a diode voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Juergen Huppertz, Bedrich Hosticka, Daniel Wuerfel
  • Publication number: 20100219342
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. In various embodiments, a potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Chen Xu, Gennadiy Agranov, Igor Karasev
  • Publication number: 20100200763
    Abstract: A family of photodetectors includes at least first and second members. In one embodiment, the family includes members having different pixel sizes. In another, the family includes members having the same pixel size. The detection efficiency of the detectors is optimized to provide a desired energy resolution at one or more energies of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Thon, Thomas Frach
  • Publication number: 20100193697
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for evaluating the operation of pixelated detectors are provided. The method includes obtaining data values for each of a plurality of pixels of a pixelated detector and determining a data consistency metric for each of the plurality of detector pixels. The method further includes identifying, using the determined data consistency metric, any detector pixels that exceed an acceptance criterion as noisy pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Girish Bal, Floribertus Heukensfeldt Jansen, Osnat Zak, Gideon Berlad, Yaron Hefetz, Sergei Dolinsky, Brian D. Yanoff, John Eric Tkaczyk, Yanfeng Du, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar, Evren Asma, Qian Hua
  • Publication number: 20100193695
    Abstract: Radiation dosimeters that are based on carbon materials such as carbon powder, carbon fibers, carbon nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes are developed. The dosimeter may contain a singular element or multiple sensing elements that are arrayed in 1-D, 2-D and 3-D formations. Each sensing element is made up of two electrodes with carbon materials deposited between the electrodes. The sensing elements may be deposited on flexible substrates to create flexible dosimeters. In addition, the carbon sensing materials may be deposited onto transparent substrates to achieve a transparent dosimeter. Transparent and/or flexible dosimeters can be fabricated with the carbon materials. The sensing elements are connected to external power sources. As the elements are exposed to radiation beams, the change in resistivity or conductance of the carbon materials is measured by current detection circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: John T.W. Yeow, Jiazhi Ma
  • Patent number: 7741611
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes at least one multiple channel pixelated detector driven via a plurality of pixelated anode electrodes and at least one planar cathode electrode. Each detector is configured to reduce the number of active pixelated anode electrodes until a rate of events detected via at least one corresponding planar cathode electrode exceeds a preset threshold above a background count rate within a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yanfeng Du, Naresh Kesavan Rao, Brian David Yanoff, Wen Li
  • Publication number: 20100148079
    Abstract: A radiation detector of the ?E-E type is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics. S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe VALVO, Piero Giorgio Fallica, Stefano Agosteo, Alberto Fazzi
  • Publication number: 20100140491
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an x-ray source (112) that generates transmission radiation that traverses an examination region (108) and a detector (116) that includes a photo-converter (204) that detects the radiation and generates a signal indicative thereof. The photo-converter (204) includes a light receiving region (260) on a back side (264). The light receiving region receives light indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes read-out electronics (240) within a front side (228), which is located opposite the back side (264). The read-out electronics (240) process a photo-current indicative of the received light to generate the signal indicative of the detected radiation. The photo-converter (204) further includes a photodiode (208, 212, 232) disposed between the light receiving region (260) and the read-out electronics (240). The photodiode (212) produces the photo-current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: Christoph Herrmann, Rainer Kiewtt, Michael Overdick
  • Publication number: 20100121811
    Abstract: A method of identifying radioactive components in a source comprising (a) obtaining a gamma-ray spectrum from the source; (b) identifying peaks in the gamma-ray spectrum; (c) determining an array of peak energies and peak intensities from the identified peaks; (d) identifying an initial source component based on a comparison of the peak energies with a database of spectral data for radioactive isotopes of interest; (e) estimating a contribution of the initial source component to the peak intensities; (f) modifying the array of peak energies and peak intensities by subtracting the estimated contribution of the initial source component; and (g) identifying a further source component based on a comparison of the modified array of peak energies with the database of spectral data. Thus a method for identifying radioactive components in a source is provided which does not rely on comparing template spectra with an observed spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: David Ramsden, Matthew Dallimore, Grant Crossingham
  • Publication number: 20100116999
    Abstract: New sensors, pixel detectors and different embodiments of multi-channel integrated circuit are disclosed. The new high energy and spatial resolution sensors use solid state detectors. Each channel or pixel of the readout chip employs low noise preamplifier at its input followed by other circuitry. The different embodiments of the sensors, detectors and the integrated circuit are designed to produce high energy and/or spatial resolution two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging for different applications. Some of these applications may require fast data acquisition, some others may need ultra high energy resolution, and a separate portion may require very high contrast. The embodiments described herein addresses these issues and also other issues that may be useful in two and three dimensional medical and industrial imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: NOVA R&D, INC.
    Inventors: Tümay Tümer, Martin Clajus
  • Publication number: 20100108898
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations field-effect-transistor (FET) leakage from a pixel array panel of a digital X-ray detector is reduced by acquiring an image and an offset image from the pixel array panel of the digital X-ray detector while a negative voltage of the pixel array panel is at a higher level than a negative voltage of a threshold state of the pixel array panel of the digital X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fengchao Zhang, Donald Langler, James Zhengshe Liu, Ping Xue, Ching-Yeu Wei
  • Publication number: 20100096556
    Abstract: A miniaturized floating gate (FG) MOSFET radiation sensor system is disclosed, The sensor preferably comprises a matched pair of sensor and reference FGMOSFETs wherein the sensor FGMOSFET has a larger area floating gate with an extension over a field oxide layer, for accumulation of charge and increased sensitivity. Elimination of a conventional control gate and injector gate reduces capacitance, and increases sensitivity, and allows for fabrication using standard low cost CMOS technology. A sensor system may be provided with integrated signal processing electronics, for monitoring a change in differential channel current ID, indicative of radiation dose, and an integrated negative bias generator for automatic pre-charging from a low voltage power source. Optionally, the system may be coupled to a wireless transmitter. A compact wireless sensor System on Package solution is presented, suitable for dosimetry for radiotherapy or other biomedical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Muhammad ARSALAN, Atif SHAMIM, Nicholas Garry TARR, Langis ROY