Luminescent Device Patents (Class 250/483.1)
  • Patent number: 7608201
    Abstract: Inorganic scintillator material of formula AnLnpX(3p+n) in which has a very low nuclear background noise and is particularly suitable as a detector scintillator for coating weight or thickness measurements, in the fields of nuclear medicine, physics, chemistry and oil exploration, and for the detection of dangerous or illicit materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Cristaux et Detecteurs
    Inventor: Alain Iltis
  • Patent number: 7605380
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation image conversion panel comprising on a support a vapor-deposited photostimulable phosphor layer containing an alkali metal halide phosphor, wherein the surface element composition of the alkali metal halide phosphor exhibits a ratio of alkali metal to halide of 1.0 to 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiko Maeda, Tetsuo Shima
  • Publication number: 20090237641
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring or determining spin characteristics of a moving object such as a golf ball (1) is disclosed. The object includes one or more detectable marks (2) or object features. Event characteristics associated with the entry, passage or exit of the marks (2) or object features are detected or recorded at a reference or boundary. Marks are physically effected by heating a region on the surface of the object to a detectably different temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Francis Mooney
  • Publication number: 20090230325
    Abstract: Methods of measuring the SFA and sPLA2 activities in a mammalian subject are provided. The methods include: providing a substrate comprising a fluorescently labeled carboxylic acid and a negatively charged phospholipid in an organic solvent such as ethanol, mixing the substrate with phospholipase A2 and a biological sample from the subject, and detecting the fluorescence intensity change to determine the SFA and sPLA2 activity in the sample. A decrease in SFA activity in the test sample as compared to the SFA activity in the control sample indicates that the subject has developed or is about to develop inflammation. An increase in sPLA2 activity in the test sample as compared to the sPLA2 activity in the control sample indicates that the subject has developed or is about to develop inflammation. Further disclosed is a kit for practicing the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Francis H.C. Tsao, Keith C. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7582473
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing bacteria is described that includes an analyte sample preparing section for preparing an analyte sample from a specimen; a detector for detecting optical information from each particle in the analyte sample; and a controller for detecting non-fermentative bacteria on the basis of the detected optical information. A method for analyzing bacteria is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7576336
    Abstract: A radiation image detector comprising: a scintillator panel comprising a radiation transmitting substrate having thereon a phosphor layer having a columnar crystal structure produced with a vapor deposition method; a protection cover provided at a side of the radiation transmitting substrate opposite the phosphor layer, provided that incident radiation enters through the protection cover; and a flat light-receiving element provided at a side of the radiation transmitting substrate opposite the protection cover, the flat light-receiving element comprising a plurality of light-receiving pixels arranged in a two-dimensional form and capable of converting light emitted from the scintillator panel to electricity, wherein the radiation image detector satisfies the following Formula (1): W(g)<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Yasushi Nakano
  • Patent number: 7576335
    Abstract: An object is to provide that a moisture resistance property is maintained, and reduction of sharpness is further avoided. Disclosed is a scintillator plate possessing a support and provided thereon a phosphor layer, and further a protective film provided on the phosphor layer to protect the phosphor layer, wherein an arithmetical mean slope angle ?a of surface roughness of the protective film is 0.01-0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Shinji Kudo
  • Publication number: 20090184259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of decomposition of a test sample into constituents thereof. The method proceeds by optically imaging the test sample to obtain a corresponding unknown time-domain resolved signal and decomposes the unknown time-domain resolved signal by comparing the unknown time-domain resolved signal with time-domain resolved reference signals. Furthermore, the method allows the determination of the presence or absence of constituents. Relative quantities may also be determined if sample material properties are known or taken into account. Lifetime decay of the constituents may also be estimated by handling effect of light diffusion in the test sample as time decay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: ART, ADVANCED RESEARCH TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Guobin Ma, Mario Khayat
  • Publication number: 20090173891
    Abstract: A fluorescence detection system in which at least one of a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged on the light-receiving surface of a photodetector serves as a excitation-light detection section for receiving a light component having a wavelength of the excitation light, and at least one of the remaining light-receiving elements serves as a fluorescence detection section for receiving a light component having a wavelength of the fluorescence. A fluorescence-intensity correction section is operable to perform a calculation of dividing a detection signal from the fluorescence detection section by a detection signal from the excitation-light detection section, and output the calculated value as a measurement value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryutaro ODA
  • Patent number: 7554087
    Abstract: A scintillator plate comprising: (i) a radiation transmissive substrate; (ii) a light absorbing layer formed on the substrate, the light absorbing layer absorbing light of a prescribed wavelength range; and (iii) a scintillator layer formed on the light absorbing layer, the scintillator layer converting radiation to the light having a wavelength absorbable to the light absorbing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Kondo, Yasushi Nagata, Mitsuru Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7547895
    Abstract: An adaptable imaging assembly is provided. The adaptable imaging assembly includes a free-standing phosphor film configured to receive incident radiation and to emit corresponding optical signals. An electronic device is coupled to the free-standing phosphor film. The electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from the free-standing phosphor film and to generate an imaging signal. A free-standing phosphor film is also provided and includes x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder. A method for inspecting a component is also provided and includes exposing the component and a free-standing phosphor film to radiation, generating corresponding optical signals with the free standing phosphor film, receiving the optical signals with an electronic device coupled to the free-standing phosphor film and generating an imaging signal using the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkatesan Manivannan, Clifford Bueno, Stephen Jude Duclos, Stanley John Stoklosa, Douglas Albagli, Paul Alan Mc Connelee
  • Publication number: 20090140169
    Abstract: A method for three-dimensional microdissection for the separation of defined structures in the sub-millimeter range by means of cold laser ablation or by means of multi-photon absorption, whereby exposure of the structures to be separated is performed using directional information in all spatial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: MMI GmbH Molecular Machines & Industries
    Inventor: Stefan Niehren
  • Publication number: 20090140153
    Abstract: The invention concerns an ionizing radiation detector comprising a housing containing: a scintillator material, an avalanche photodiode in contact with the scintillator material via optical coupling, a preamplifier. This detector is compact, portable, and very robust. It detects X-rays or gamma rays with excellent resolution, which can be less than 3% at 662 keV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CRISTAUX ET DETECTEURS
    Inventors: Jeremy Flamanc, Guillaume Gautier
  • Publication number: 20090140168
    Abstract: With a device for measuring the fluorescent light or scattered light emitted by microscopically small particles or cells (12), with a flow-through cuvette (8) through which the luminescent particles or cells (12) are guided, whereby the flow-through cuvette (8) has a transparent window (3), and with a photodetector (2), which records the light emitted by the luminescent particles or cells (12), and with an optical element that guides the light emerging from the window (3) to the photodetector (2), the invention suggests that the optical element is embodied as a cylinder (4, 9) with a cylindrical reflecting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: FIRMA CYTECS GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Goehde
  • Patent number: 7541589
    Abstract: A scintillator composition is described, including a matrix material and an activator. The matrix material includes at least one lanthanide halide compound. The matrix can also include at least one alkali metal, and in some embodiments, at least one alkaline earth metal. The composition also includes a praseodymium activator for the matrix. Radiation detectors that include the scintillators are disclosed. A method for detecting high-energy radiation with a radiation detector is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alok Mani Srivastava, Steven Jude Duclos, Lucas Lemar Clarke, Holly Ann Comanzo, Qun Deng
  • Patent number: 7531817
    Abstract: An objective is to provide a scintillator panel by which a converted light signal can be efficiently transmitted to suitably realize an FPD exhibiting a high radiation-to-light conversion efficiency. Also provided is a scintillator panel possessing a substrate and provided thereon, a phosphor layer possessing columnar crystals made of cesium iodide, wherein a columnar crystal tip angle is 40-80°. Further, the above-described phosphor is preferably formed via vacuum evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nagata, Masashi Kondo, Mitsuru Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7531349
    Abstract: A standoff bioagent-detection apparatus and method use a direct ultraviolet source to detect bioagents. In some embodiments, a standoff bioagent-detection apparatus and method use laser-induced fluorescence to determine the presence of a biological agent having an aromatic-protein shell, such as Tryptophan. In some embodiments, multi-wavelength differential laser-induced fluorescence helps reduce false alarm caused by naturally occurring interferants. In some embodiments, a full range of ultraviolet wavelengths is initially simultaneously generated to fluoresce Tryptophan to determine if an ambient level is excessive. When the ambient level is excessive, individual ultraviolet wavelengths may be generated in differential pairs and the detected fluorescence levels may be correlated with atmospheric absorption levels for Tryptophan to determine if a bioagent is highly likely to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James G. Shepard, Kalin Spariosu
  • Publication number: 20090114843
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting slow neutrons by monitoring Lyman alpha radiation produced by the 3He(n,tp) nuclear reaction induced by neutrons incident on a gas cell containing 3He or a mixture of 3He and other atoms and/or molecules. Such a method and/or apparatus includes the use of, for example, liquid 3He and 4He mixtures as a scintillation counter for the sensitive detection of neutrons using Lyman alpha radiation produced by the 3He(n,tp) reaction. The radiation can be detected with high efficiency with an appropriate photo-detector, or alternatively, it can be converted to radiation at longer wavelength by absorption in scintillation materials, with the radiation channeled to a photodetector. Because of the simplicity of the system and the fact that the radiation production mechanisms can be measured and/or calculated independently, the method and/or apparatus also has the potential for service as a calculable absolute detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Alan Keith Thompson, Charles W. Clark, Michael A. Coplan
  • Publication number: 20090114845
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method which can measure one or more analyte species at the same time, with high sensitivity. Also, the present invention relates to a strip which can measure one or more analyte species at the same time, with high sensitivity and a package in which the strip is integrated with a laser-induced surface fluorescence detector. The present invention can quantify multiple analytes with a minimum detection limit of pg/ml. Therefore, the present invention provides an advantage capable of quantifying a plurality of analytes at the same time using a simple lateral flow assay strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Boditechmed Inc.
    Inventors: Kie-Bong NAHM, Eui-Yeol CHOI, Dong-Seok JEONG, Jin-Ha JUNG, Joung-Dae MOON, Young-Min KIM, Keun-Woo LEE, Jae-Soon AHN, Young-Eui JEONG, Sang-Yeol PARK, Hyun-Mi KIM, Byung-Ryong LEE
  • Publication number: 20090116007
    Abstract: A nanofluidic channel fabricated in fused silica with an approximately 500 nm square cross section was used to isolate, detect and identify individual quantum dot conjugates. The channel enables the rapid detection of every fluorescent entity in solution. A laser of selected wavelength was used to excite multiple species of quantum dots and organic molecules, and the emission spectra were resolved without significant signal rejection. Quantum dots were then conjugated with organic molecules and detected to demonstrate efficient multicolor detection. PCH was used to analyze coincident detection and to characterize the degree of binding. The use of a small fluidic channel to detect quantum dots as fluorescent labels was shown to be an efficient technique for multiplexed single molecule studies. Detection of single molecule binding events has a variety of applications including high throughput immunoassays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Samuel M. Stavis, Joshua B. Edel, Kevan T. Samiee, Harold G. Craighead
  • Publication number: 20090101844
    Abstract: For a radiation image converting panel according to the present invention, a converting portion that converts a radiation image to an optical image is formed on a support for which a dielectric multilayer film is formed on a metal reflector, and the dielectric multilayer film includes at least a first dielectric layer that is in contact with the metal reflector and a second dielectric layer that is formed on the first dielectric layer and has a higher refractive index than that of the first dielectric film layer to light emitted by the converting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Yasushi Ohbayashi
  • Publication number: 20090101841
    Abstract: A method composition and system respond to ionizing, radiation to adjust biological activity. In some approaches the ionizing radiation is X-ray or extreme ultraviolet radiation that produces luminescent responses that induce biologically active responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 7498164
    Abstract: An instrument is provided that can monitor nucleic acid sequence amplifications reactions, for example, PCR amplification of DNA and DNA fragments. The instrument includes a multi-notch filter disposed along one or both of an excitation beam path and an emission beam path. Methods are also provided for monitoring nucleic acid sequence amplifications using an instrument that includes a multi-notch filter disposed along a beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark F. Oldham, Eugene F. Young
  • Patent number: 7491949
    Abstract: The radiation image conversion panel includes a substrate and a phosphor layer of columnar crystals formed on the substrate by vapor-phase deposition, with a column diameter distribution of the columnar crystals having two or more peaks. The process for producing a radiation image conversion panel prepares a substrate on which two or more types of projections different in diameter are formed and satisfies Expression “0.4R?r?0.8R” where R is a diameter of a largest projection and r is a diameter of any one of the remainder in the two or more types of projections, thereby making a surface of the substrate uneven and forms a phosphor layer on the uneven surface of the substrate by vapor-phase deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Isoda
  • Patent number: 7493001
    Abstract: A detector module, in at least one embodiment, is disclosed for x-radiation or gamma radiation that includes one or more optical waveguide sections that are arranged next to one another in order to form one or more detector rows and are optically interconnected in serial fashion. The waveguide sections include one or more converter materials for converting incident x-radiation or gamma radiation into optical radiation and are designed in such a way that optical radiation of different wavelength is generated in respectively neighboring regions along the waveguide sections upon incidence of x-radiation or gamma radiation. The present detector module, in at least one embodiment, can be implemented cost effectively with a high number of detector rows, and is of very low weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Popescu
  • Patent number: 7482602
    Abstract: A scintillator plate for radiation comprising a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer comprising CsI and two or more activators ach having a melting point different from a melting point of CsI, wherein each content of the two or more activators is 0.01% or more based on CsI; and the scintillator plate is produced by forming the phosphor layer on the substrate via a vacuum evaporation method using a source material comprising CsI and two or more activators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Yasushi Nakano, Mika Sakai
  • Publication number: 20090001285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation image conversion panel comprising on a support a vapor-deposited photostimulable phosphor layer containing an alkali metal halide phosphor, wherein the surface element composition of the alkali metal halide phosphor exhibits a ratio of alkali metal to halide of 1.0 to 1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Keiko MAEDA, Tetsuo SHIMA
  • Publication number: 20080302978
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting zones damageable by laser flow including a step of measuring thermoluminescence of the surface to be treated to locate said zones at risk, followed by a step of thermal conditioning of zones thus located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventor: Philippe Bouchut
  • Patent number: 7449698
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for analysing and authenticating a luminescent tag are provided wherein a luminescence is triggered in the tag and relative light intensities emitted thereby measured within at least two luminescence bands. The measured intensities are compared with at least one reference tag representative of relative intensities emitted by an authentic tag to determine whether the luminescent tag corresponds with any of the at least one reference tag. If the measured intensities match the representative intensities, the luminescent tag is authenticated. A computer program to be implemented by the apparatus and system is also disclosed. Further, a method and system for verifying the authenticity of one or plural objects are disclosed, wherein each of the objects is to be associated with a respective tag. The respective tags are coded to emit light, when triggered, within at least two luminescence bands at respective predetermined relative light intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: American Dye Source, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Nguyen, Duc-Huy Giang, My T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080272314
    Abstract: An Ag film as a light-reflecting film is formed on one surface of an a-C substrate of a scintillator panel. The entire surface of the Ag film is covered with an SiN film for protecting the Ag film. A scintillator having a columnar structure, which converts an incident radiation into visible light, is formed on the surface of the SiN film. The scintillator is covered with a polyparaxylylene film together with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Takuya Homme, Toshio Takabayshi, Hiroto Sato, Takaharu Suzuki, Yoshio Natsume
  • Patent number: 7427733
    Abstract: A gated optical image intensifier 10 is provided with multiple intensifying channels 20, 22, 24, 26 each supplied with radiation via a respective optical channel of an optical splitter. The separate intensifying channels are subject to gating by a sequence of time spaced gating signals generated by an electronic gating signal generator. The multi-channel gated optical image intensifier has particular utility in the field of fluorescence lifetime imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan David Hares, Paul Michael William French
  • Publication number: 20080213919
    Abstract: Functionalized fluorescent nanocrystal compositions and methods for making and using these compositions are disclosed. The compositions are fluorescent nanocrystals coated with at least one material. The coating material has chemical compounds or ligands with functional groups or moieties with conjugated electrons and moieties for imparting solubility to coated fluorescent nanocrystals in aqueous solutions. The coating material provides for functionalized fluorescent nanocrystal compositions which are water soluble, chemically stable, and emit light with a high quantum yield and/or luminescence efficiency when excited with light. The coating material may also have chemical compounds or ligands with moieties for bonding to target molecules and cells as well as moieties for cross-linking the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: INVITROGEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Imad Naasani
  • Publication number: 20080210885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescent ceramic having the general formula Gd2O2S doped with M, whereby M represents at least one element selected form the group Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Yb, Dy, Sm and/or Ho, whereby said fluorescent ceramic comprises a single phase in its volume; to a method for manufacturing a fluorescent ceramic using single-axis hot pressing; a detector for detecting ionizing radiation and to a use of said detector for detecting ionizing radiation. The method for manufacture of a fluorescent ceramic material using a single-axis hot pressing, comprises the steps: a) selecting a pigment powder of Gd2O2S doped with M, and M represents at least one element selected from the group of Eu, Tb, Yb, Dy, Sm, Ho, Ce and/or Pr, whereby the grain size of said powder used for hot-pressing is of 1 ?m, and said hot-pressing is carried out at—a temperature of 1000° C. to 1400° C.; and/or—a pressure of 100 Mpa to 300 MPa; air annealing at a temperature of 700° C. to 1200° for a time period of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Ludmila Bolyasnikova, Vladimir Demidenko, Elena Gorokhova, Olga Ovsyannikova, Olga Khristich, Herfried Wieczorek, Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Gunter Zeitler
  • Patent number: 7417237
    Abstract: The radiographic image conversion panel for mammography includes a phosphor layer formed on a rectangular substrate having first and second pairs of two parallel sides, and sealed with a moisture-proof protective film. The phosphor layer is positioned on the substrate such that a distance from at least one side of the first pair to an adjacent end of the phosphor layer is shorter than a critical bonding length being a shortest bonding length long enough to provide a predetermined level of moisture-proof effect and distances from two sides of the second pair to adjacent ends of the phosphor layer are not shorter than the critical length. A seal bonding layer is formed in areas of the second distance, and on a side surface having the at least one side or on the side surface and a rear surface of the substrate. The phosphor layer may be formed in a recess formed in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Hosoi
  • Publication number: 20080185535
    Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) system for imaging an object is provided. The system includes a radiation source, a storage phosphor screen, an illumination source and a two dimensional imager. The radiation source is configured to irradiate the storage phosphor screen, and the storage phosphor screen is configured to store the radiation energy. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen. The two dimensional (2D) imager is configured to capture a two dimensional image from the storage phosphor screen using the stimulated emission photons. A method of reading a storage phosphor screen is also provided. The method includes illuminating at least a sub-area of the storage phosphor screen using an illumination source to stimulate emission of photons from the storage phosphor screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Clifford Bueno, Nelson Raymond Corby, Kenneth Gordon Herd
  • Patent number: 7408177
    Abstract: An Ag film as a light-reflecting film is formed on one surface of an a-C substrate of a scintillator panel. The entire surface of the Ag film is covered with an SiN film for protecting the Ag film. A scintillator having a columnar structure, which converts an incident radiation into visible light, is formed on the surface of the SiN film. The scintillator is covered with a polyparaxylylene film together with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Takuya Homme, Toshio Takabayashi, Hiroto Sato, Takaharu Suzuki, Yoshio Natsume
  • Publication number: 20080149852
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a scintillator panel comprising the sequential steps of: forming an electroconductive metal reflection layer on a polymer film substrate; forming a protective layer on the electroconductive metal reflection layer; cutting the polymer film substrate having thereon the electroconductive metal reflection layer and the protective layer into a prescribed size; forming a scintillator layer by a vacuum evaporation method on the protective layer of the polymer film substrate cut in the prescribed size to prepare a scintillator sheet; and sealing the scintillator sheet with sealing films provided above and below the scintillator sheet to prepare the scintillator panel, wherein static electricity is removed from the polymer film substrate through a cut surface of the electroconductive metal reflection layer when the scintillator layer is vacuum evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Mitsuru Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7388212
    Abstract: A method of producing a phosphor plate comprising the step of vapor depositing a phosphor raw material on a substrate to form a phosphor layer on the substrate in a vacuum container of a vapor deposition apparatus, wherein the vapor deposition is carried out in an atmosphere of a fluorinated solvent gas having a partial pressure of 5×10?4 to 5×10?1 Pa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Yasushi Nakano, Masashi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7387891
    Abstract: An optical instrument is provided for simultaneously illuminating two or more spaced-apart reaction regions with an excitation beam generated by a light source. A collimating lens can be disposed along a beam path between the light source and the reaction regions to form bundles of collimated excitation beams, wherein each bundle corresponds to a respective reaction region. Methods of analysis using the optical instrument are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Boege, Mark F. Oldham, Eugene F. Young
  • Publication number: 20080121817
    Abstract: An LuAP scintillation detector and a method for improving the light output and uniformity of an LuAP scintillator crystal is provided, wherein the method includes disposing the scintillator crystal in a predetermined environment at a threshold temperature to generate an initial scintillator crystal, annealing the initial scintillator crystal in the predetermined environment at the threshold temperature to create an annealed scintillator crystal and cooling the annealed scintillator crystal in the predetermined environment to a final temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arthur J. Becker, Yanqi Wang, Bradley A. Roscoe, John Simonetti
  • Publication number: 20080116381
    Abstract: A scintillator panel comprising: a radiation-transparent substrate; and a phosphor layer provided on the substrate, the phosphor layer emitting light when irradiated with a radiation, wherein at least one edge of the substrate and at least one edge of the phosphor layer are arranged on a same plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Masashi KONDO, Takehiko Shoji, Mitsuru Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7375349
    Abstract: In a radiation-image conversion panel, a fluorescent layer containing a phosphor and a protective layer are formed on a support in this order. The protective layer has a water-vapor transmission rate of 1 g/m2/24 h or lower at 40° C. and a reflectance of 3% or lower at a wavelength of light emitted from the phosphor. In addition, the protective layer may be obtained by attaching a removable film to a thin transparent film so as to produce a laminated film, forming a vapor-barrier layer on an exposed surface of the thin transparent film by vacuum deposition so as to produce a moisture-resistant film, placing the moisture-resistant film on the fluorescent layer, and removing the removable film from the moisture-resistant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Kubota, Atsunori Takasu, Takeo Kido
  • Patent number: 7375334
    Abstract: Compact, OSL-based devices for long-term, unattended radiation detection and spectroscopy are provided. In addition, a method for extracting spectroscopic information from these devices is taught. The devices can comprise OSL pixels and at least one radiation filter surrounding at least a portion of the OSL pixels. The filter can modulate an incident radiation flux. The devices can further comprise a light source and a detector, both proximally located to the OSL pixels, as well as a power source and a wireless communication device, each operably connected to the light source and the detector. Power consumption of the device ranges from ultra-low to zero. The OSL pixels can retain data regarding incident radiation events as trapped charges. The data can be extracted wirelessly or manually. The method for extracting spectroscopic data comprises optically stimulating the exposed OSL pixels, detecting a readout luminescence, and reconstructing an incident-energy spectrum from the luminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Leon Eric Smith, Steven D. Miller, Theodore W. Bowyer
  • Patent number: 7372045
    Abstract: An object is to provide a scintillator plate exhibiting even sharpness, and further exhibiting enhanced sharpness by use of CsI crystals. Disclosed is a scintillator plate for radiation comprising a support and provided thereon a phosphor layer emitting light caused upon exposure to radiation, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a plurality of phosphor columnar crystals, and any two phosphor columnar crystal diameters represented by a and b (a?b) satisfy the following inequality of 1.0?a/b<1.5. Further disclosed is a scintillator plate for radiation comprising a support and provided thereon a phosphor layer emitting light caused upon exposure to radiation, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a phosphor made from cesium iodide (CsI) as a base material and an activator, and a most dominant growth direction in the phosphor is (n 0 0) plane (where n=1, 2 or 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Kondo, Takehiko Shoji
  • Publication number: 20080105832
    Abstract: An objective is to provide a radiation image conversion panel exhibiting no generation of cracks in a phosphor layer, easy cutting, improved image and excellent productivity, and also to provide a manufacturing method and a cassette thereof. Disclosed is a radiation image conversion panel possessing a support and provided thereon, a phosphor layer possessing phosphor having a columnar crystal structure, wherein a region in which no phosphor layer is provided on a surface of the support is within 0.5 mm from an edge of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi ARIMOTO, Takafumi YANAGITA, Yoshihiro GOROUYA
  • Publication number: 20080099694
    Abstract: A scintillator panel comprising a substrate having thereon a reflective layer and a scintillator layer, wherein a light absorbing layer having a maximum absorption wavelength of 560 to 650 nm is provided between the reflective layer and the scintillator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Takehiko SHOJI, Yasushi Nagata
  • Publication number: 20080093559
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of a scintillator system which comprises an Anti-Scatter-Grid (20) and an arrangement of scintillator cells. In a first processing step, a rectangular pattern of slots (11, 12) is cut into the top surface of a scintillator crystal (10). An Anti-Scatter-Grid (20) is then inserted with one end into said slots and fixed there with a glue. Finally, the top layer (thickness d) is separated from the scintillator crystal (10) yielding the desired scintillator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Dorscheid, Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Patent number: 7358506
    Abstract: An improved method of forming an X-ray conversion screen is described. The method uses a mold to mold a scintillating material layer including cavities in the scintillating material layer. By repeated moldings, the phosphor layer is built up. The cavities may be filled with a pixel cell separating material or coated with a reflective material such as a sputtered metal to optically isolate each pixel. Various methods for minimizing Swank noise are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventor: Jurgen H. Daniel
  • Publication number: 20080054181
    Abstract: A scintillator plate comprising: (i) a radiation transmissive substrate; (ii) a light absorbing layer formed on the substrate, the light absorbing layer absorbing light of a prescribed wavelength range; and (iii) a scintillator layer formed on the light absorbing layer, the scintillator layer converting radiation to the light having a wavelength absorbable to the light absorbing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Masashi Kondo, Yasushi Nagata, Mitsuru Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20080023648
    Abstract: Disclosed is a scintillator plate comprising on a substrate a phosphor layer formed by a process of vapor deposition, wherein a thallium compound having a melting point within ±70° C. of that of CsI and CsI are deposited on a substrate to form a thallium-activated phosphor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Mika Sakai, Takehiko Shoji