With Solid-state Image Detector Patents (Class 378/98.8)
  • Patent number: 7728303
    Abstract: Wiring substrates 11 and 12 are positioned on a fixed base 10 in a manner such that there is a step between the wiring substrates, and radiation imaging elements 2 and 3, respectively having scintillators 25 and 35 deposited on photosensitive portions 21 and 31, are respectively mounted on the wiring substrates 11 and 12. The radiation imaging element 2 is positioned so that its setting surface protrudes beyond a radiation incident surface of the radiation imaging element 3, and the photosensitive portion 21 of the radiation imaging element 2 and the photosensitive portion 31 of the radiation imaging element 3 are juxtaposed to a degree to which the portions do not overlap. The photosensitive portion 21 of the radiation imaging element 2 extends close to an edge at the radiation imaging element 3 side and the scintillator 25 of substantially uniform thickness is formed up to this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Harumichi Mori, Masahiko Honda, Ryuji Kyushima, Kazuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 7724869
    Abstract: Disclosed is a detector array comprising a first linear array for detecting a first ray and a second ray which penetrate through a first plurality of parts of the inspected object to acquire first values and second values for the first plurality of parts, wherein the second ray is alternately emitted with the first ray; and a second linear array arranged parallel to the first linear array for detecting the first ray and the second ray which penetrate through a second plurality of parts of the inspected object to acquire third values and fourth values for the second plurality of parts, wherein the first plurality of parts is partly identical to the second plurality of parts. With the detector array, the efficiency and material discrimination accuracy can be improved in the scanning inspection of the inspected object by use of alternate dual-energy rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Xuewu Wang, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Huaqiang Zhong, Qingjun Zhang, Shuqing Zhao
  • Patent number: 7712959
    Abstract: A radiation detecting cassette is disposed in a desired position between a bed and a patient in an operating room. After a detector-side connector and a bed-side connector are connected to each other by a cable, an image capturing apparatus captures and records radiation image information of the patient in a radiation detector. The recorded radiation image information is transmitted from a transceiver of the bed to a console by way of wireless communications, then processed by the console, and transmitted to a display device, which displays a radiation image based on the supplied radiation image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Eiichi Kito, Takuya Yoshimi, Takeshi Kuwabara, Kazuharu Ueta, Makoto Iriuchijima, Yasunori Ohta
  • Patent number: 7711090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, to an X-ray apparatus for performing the method and to a detector arrangement intended for the latter, for producing X-ray images containing a reduced proportion of scattered radiation. The X-ray radiation is detected in this case by a detector arrangement comprising two X-ray detectors, there being provided in the first X-ray detector openings through which the second X-ray detector is able to detect scattered radiation and primary radiation by separate detector elements. The signals given by the second X-ray detector are used to determine the proportion of scattered radiation that is contained in the image produced by the first X-ray detector and to largely free the first image of the proportion of scattered radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Schweizer, Michael Overdick
  • Publication number: 20100104071
    Abstract: An innovative readout circuit for a pixel detector, for example a solid-state X-ray pixel array, The invention includes a bank of successive approximation ADCs with a DAC in a feedback path. The integral non-linearity of the DACs and of the ADC is reduced to very low levels by providing a common resistive ladder for all the channels. In this way, the conversion law is sensibly the same for all the ADC, thus avoiding stripes or artefacts on the acquired image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ADVANCED SILICON SA
    Inventor: Olivier Nys
  • Patent number: 7706505
    Abstract: A wireless X-ray fluoroscopic imaging system is provided. The system includes an X-ray generation unit configured to perform X-ray exposure for each frame of imaging; a sensor unit configured to output image data; and an image processing unit configured to designate the exposure, wherein the sensor unit includes a first counter configured to be reset and resume counting in response to a beacon signal, and a unit configured to save a readout trigger offset for readout, and starts the readout when a counter value of the first counter matches the readout trigger offset, and the image processing unit includes a second counter configured to be reset and resume counting in response to the beacon signal, and a unit configured to save an exposure trigger offset for the exposure, and starts the exposure when a counter value of the second counter matches the exposure trigger offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirohide Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 7697659
    Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Hoffman, John Eric Tkaczyk, James W. LeBlanc, Yanfeng Du, Robert F. Senzig
  • Publication number: 20100080355
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for acquiring a high speed dual-energy image pair using a pixilated digital detector. A single pixilated digital detector acquires and encodes two separate images in effectively one image, eliminating the need to read out a first image prior to acquiring a second image. The encoded information is then utilized to obtain two distinct dual-energy images which may be decomposed to form bone and soft-tissue only images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: John Yorkston, David H. Foos, Xiaohui Wang
  • Patent number: 7688944
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging a subject includes a clock that generates a clock signal and a radiation source that directs photons through the subject in response to the clock signal. A detector system is included that detects the photons and a memory module records a time of detection of the photons by the detector system with respect to the clock signal. The system includes a processor that calculates a time of flight (TOF) of the photons from the radiation source to the detector system and compares the TOF to a reference TOF to determine a delay in the TOF attributable to the photons passing trough the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventor: Erik Leo Ritman
  • Patent number: 7688947
    Abstract: A method for reducing gain and lag signals associated with trapped charges is described. Data is collected from a detector. A forward bias voltage is temporarily applied to the detector between collecting the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Petrov Mollov, Carlo Alberto Tognina, Roberto Totaro
  • Patent number: 7684545
    Abstract: The system includes a conductive window, a spectrum changing layer, a fiber optic bundle, a camera sensor, and a power supply. The spectrum changing layer is excited by the x-rays and emits a different wavelength of light, such as visible light. The fiber optic bundle receives the visible light from the spectrum changing material and transmits the visible light to the camera sensor. The camera sensor detects the light emitted from the spectrum changing layer and converts the information to electronic signals. The camera sensor is cooled by a cooling device, as such thermal conduction may cool the fiber optic bundle. To avoid condensation, current may flow through the conductive window thereby heating the conductive window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rigaku Innovative Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Damento, Hugh F. Garvey
  • Patent number: 7676024
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: an imaging unit 7, an X-ray detecting unit 90, outputting, upon irradiation of X-rays, an X-ray detection signal over the irradiation period; an operation controlling unit 13, generating a trigger indicating an imaging start timing based on the X-ray detection signal and using the trigger to perform operation controlling of the imaging unit 7; and a signal cable L1, containing, within a tube 11, one or a plurality of each of a detection signal line L11, transmitting the X-ray detection signal, a controlling signal line L12, transmitting a controlling signal for drive control of the imaging unit 7, and an image signal line L13, transmitting image signals, resulting from imaging by the imaging unit 7, and in the signal cable L1, the detection signal line L11 is disposed at an inner central portion of the tube 11 and the other signal lines are disposed so as to surround the detection signal line L11. The occurrence of malfunctions in the X-ray imaging apparatus is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Taoka, Kazuhisa Miyaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100054417
    Abstract: There is provided a portable radiographic imaging apparatus including: an image output unit which detects a radiation which penetrates an object to be imaged and is irradiated on a surface to be irradiated of a casing, and outputs data of a radiographic image which represents a distribution of an amount of irradiated radiation; a first storage unit which stores the data of the radiographic image output from the image output unit; a display unit which displays an image; and a display control unit which allows the display unit to display a previously captured radiographic image which is associated with a current imaging, before the object to be imaged is imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoyuki NISHINO, Yasunori OHTA
  • Patent number: 7668294
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acquiring images in a biplane angiography system. The system and method allows synchronization of the image zoom format settings for the x-ray images acquired from the two planes of the biplane angiography system thus allowing the user to adjust the image zoom format setting for only one image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Soroosh Kargar, Weng Lei
  • Patent number: 7664228
    Abstract: A detector panel incorporates an X-ray detector, an electronic circuit for interface, and a battery for power supply, and also includes a measurement device for measuring the remaining power of the battery, and a determination device for determining if the operation is executable, based on the comparison between the remaining power of the battery and the threshold defined in accordance with the required power for operating the X-ray detector and the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Fan Yi
  • Patent number: 7659517
    Abstract: An apparatus for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes an interconnect, a detector to detect radiation and a switch coupled between the interconnect and the detector to charge the interconnect in response to the radiation while the switch is in an open-circuit state. The apparatus also includes control circuitry coupled to the interconnect to detect the charge on the interconnect and to generate a signal indicating presence of the radiation in response to the charge. A method for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes coupling a switch between an interconnect and a detector, then charging an interconnect with that switch in response to radiation incident upon the switch while the switch is in an open-circuit state. Next, the charge on the interconnect is monitored and a signal is generated indicating the presence of the radiation in response to that charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Danny Scheffer
  • Patent number: 7659518
    Abstract: A light or radiation image pickup apparatus comprises a first arithmetic unit 50 for calculating a first arithmetic value by subtracting a first offset signal from a main signal, a second arithmetic unit 51 for calculating a second arithmetic value which is a difference between a second offset signal and the first offset signal, and a correcting unit 52 for correcting the first arithmetic value calculated by the first arithmetic unit 50, by using the second arithmetic value calculated by the second arithmetic unit 51 and corresponding to a period of the same length as a period from the first offset signal to the main signal used in the operation in the first arithmetic unit 50. The first arithmetic value is corrected to remove noise components due to leakage of charge signals accumulated during the period from the first offset signal to the main signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Adachi
  • Patent number: 7660390
    Abstract: An x-ray diagnostics method is specified, in particular for use in angiography and cardiology, by means of which a particularly good image quality can be achieved in an easily manageable manner for the patient (P) and the medical personnel, at the same time as a comparatively low radiation exposure. Furthermore, a specific x-ray device (1) for implementing the method comprising an x-ray emitter (2), an x-ray detector (3) and a control unit (10) is specified to control the x-ray emitter (2). In this way the control unit (10) is allocated an operating element (15), by means of which a control parameter (S) characterizing the image quality, the detector input dose or the contrast noise ratio can be continuously varied, as a function of which a number of recording parameters (U,I,t,F) are set by means of the control device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Michael Maschke
  • Patent number: 7655157
    Abstract: This invention provides novel cadmium tungstate scintillator materials that show improved radiation hardness. In particular, it was discovered that doping of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) with trivalent metal ions or monovalent metal ions is particularly effective in improving radiation hardness of the scintillator material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Shifan Cheng, Yi-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 7657001
    Abstract: A method for at least reducing the occurrence of differential ghosting in an X-ray image acquired in respect of a subject, wherein a deghost scan is performed at least once daily so as to generate an underlying strong homogeneous ghost so that further differential (non-homogeneous) ghosting during subsequent scans is minimised. The deghost scan comprises acquiring an ‘air’ image, when no subject is present between the X-ray source (4) and detector (5), as a relatively high detector dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter George Van De Haar
  • Patent number: 7643607
    Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a non-pixelated scintillator array for a CT detector as well as an apparatus and method of manufacturing same. The scintillator array is comprised of a number of ceramic fibers or single crystal fibers that are aligned in parallel with respect to one another. As a result, the pack has very high dose efficiency. Furthermore, each fiber is designed to direct light out to a photodiode with very low scattering loss. The fiber size (cross-sectional diameter) may be controlled such that smaller fibers may be fabricated for higher resolution applications. Moreover, because the fiber size can be controlled to be consistent throughout the scintillator array and the fibers are aligned in parallel with one another, the scintillator array, as a whole, also is uniform. Therefore, precise alignment with the photodiode array or the collimator assembly is not necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Haochuan Jiang, David M. Hoffman, James S. Vartuli
  • Patent number: 7639783
    Abstract: An X-ray detector is formed with a geometry in the form of a spherical polygon, including an entrance window, a grid and an anode. The spherical polygonal entrance window and the grid form a spherical polygonal drift region between them. The electric field in this region is radial and eliminates parallax broadening. A spherical polygonal amplification region between a resistive anode on an insulating support and the grid allows very high gas amplification and good protection against spark discharges. A readout electrode on the back side of the anode insulator detects induced charges and protects the readout electronics against sparks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bruker AXS, Inc.
    Inventors: Yacouba Diawara, Bruce L. Becker, Roger D. Durst, Menyhert Kocsis
  • Patent number: 7634061
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nova R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Tümay O. Tümer, Martin Clajus
  • Patent number: 7634060
    Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Hoffman, James W. LeBlanc, John Eric Tkaczyk, Robert F. Senzig, Yanfeng Du
  • Patent number: 7634048
    Abstract: A radiological imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises an image pickup device and a medical examinee holding device that is provided with a bed. The image pickup device includes a large number of radiation detectors and radiation detector support plates. A large number of radiation detectors are mounted around the circumference of a through-hole and arranged in the axial direction of the through-hole. The radiation detectors are arranged in three layers formed radially with respect to the center of the through-hole and mounted on the lateral surfaces of the radiation detector support plates. Since the radiation detectors are not only arranged in the axial direction and circumferential direction of the through-hole but also arrayed in the radial direction, it is possible to obtain accurate information about a ?-ray arrival position in the radial direction of the through-hole (the positional information about a radiation detector from which a ?-ray image pickup signal is output).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Takashi Okazaki, Yuuichirou Ueno, Kikuo Umegaki, Kensuke Amemiya, Kazuhiro Takeuchi, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Kazuma Yokoi, Norihito Yanagita
  • Patent number: 7630010
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus provided with a plurality of image sensing elements each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections and an adding circuit adapted to add signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion sections to obtain a one-pixel signal, wherein the adding circuit adds the signals such that the one-pixel signals obtained by the addition are arranged at equal intervals in an area extending over the plurality of image sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Yuki, Noriyuki Kaifu, Kazuaki Tashiro, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 7627086
    Abstract: A detector arrangement (10) for detecting and transferring detector signals to a processing unit is described. This detector arrangement is provided in particular for use in a computer tomograph for high-resolution detection of X-rays, the processing unit being in the form of a central processing unit or buffer memory (Z) on a rotatable portion of a gantry (1). To transfer the detector signals with the minimum number of contacts or plug-in connectors also in the case of a high-resolution detector arrangement (10), this comprises at least one detector module having a plurality of individual detector elements as well as an electrical unit having an electro-optical transducer for processing the signals of the detector elements and for generating optical detector module output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.v.
    Inventor: Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Patent number: 7620143
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical mask for a CT detector is disclosed. In some embodiments, the mask is intercalated between a photodiode array and a scintillator array forming the CT detector. In some embodiments, the optical mask may extend along one or more axes and differentially absorbs and/or reflects light emitted from the scintillators at edges of photodiodes forming the diode array, with less absorption or reflection at edges of tiled die forming the diode array than in central portions of each of the die. Through selective absorption and/or reflection, transference of light photons from a scintillator to the photodiode corresponding to a neighboring scintillator is spatially modified, at least partially compensating for spatial differences in crosstalk signals between adjacent pairs of photodiode/scintillator cell elements. This reduction in differential crosstalk reduces artifacts in a reconstructing data descriptive of internal portions of a subject, which improves diagnostic value of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Faisal Saeed
  • Publication number: 20090272909
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmitting path transmitting the output electric signal, and a read out circuit performing a sampling and holding operation for holding the electric signal read out through the transmitting path, and performing a reset operation for reset of the transmitting path, and includes a control unit for controlling an outputting drive circuit and a read out circuit so as to perform row by row the sampling and holding operation after a start of the output operation, to perform the reset operation after the sampling and holding operation, and to perform a termination of the output operation after the reset operation. This can provide an imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging apparatus that can reduce a frame time without reducing an S/N ratio of an image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7613274
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system includes an x-ray source that emits a beam of x-ray energy toward an object to be imaged and an energy discriminating (ED) detector that receives the x-ray energy emitted by the x-ray energy source. The ED detector includes a first layer having a first thickness, wherein the first layer comprises a semiconductor configurable to operate in at least an integrating mode and a second layer having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and configured to receive x-rays that pass through the first layer. The system further includes a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the ED detector and a computer that is operably connected to the DAS. The computer is programmed to identify saturated data in the second layer and substitute the saturated data with non-saturated data from a corresponding pixel in the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Jonathan D. Short, Yanfeng Du, Wen Li, Xiaoye Wu
  • Patent number: 7613277
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is capable of taking a moving picture by acquisition by a reading circuit of a plurality of radiation image signals on the basis of a plurality of successive times of irradiation of a radiation detector with radiation rays. The radiation detector has a two-dimensional array of pixels. In a period between a start of an n-th time of irradiation with radiation rays and a start of an (n+1)-th time of irradiation with radiation rays, where n is a natural number, a controller switches an operation status of an analog-to-digital converter that converts electric signals read by the reading circuit into digital signals so that power consumption of the analog-to-digital converter is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7606347
    Abstract: A CT detector includes a first detector configured to convert radiographic energy to electrical signals representative of energy sensitive radiographic data and a second detector configured to convert radiographic energy to electrical signals representative of energy sensitive radiographic data and positioned to receive x-rays that pass through the first detector. A logic controller is electrically connected to the first detector and the second detector and is configured to receive a logic output signal from the second detector indicative of an amount of a saturation level of the first detector, compare the logic output signal to a threshold value, and output, based on the comparison, electrical signals from the first detector, the second detector, or a combination thereof to an image chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Jonathan D. Short, James Wilson Rose, Xiaoye Wu, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Patent number: 7606346
    Abstract: A detector module for a CT imaging system is provided. The detector module includes a sensor element to convert x-rays to electrical signals. The sensor element is coupled to a data acquisition system (DAS) via an interconnect system, the DAS comprised of an electronic substrate and an integrated circuit. The interconnect system couples the sensor element, electronic substrate, and integrated circuit by way of a contact pad interconnect together with a wire bond interconnect or an additional contact pad interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Jonathan D. Short, Yanfeng Du, James Wilson Rose, Charles G. Woychik
  • Patent number: 7601961
    Abstract: An Y-ray detector apparatus comprises an array of detector pixels arranged into a plurality of sub-arrays. The pixels in each sub-array share a common dose sensing output provided to a dose sensing output conductor which extends to a periphery of the pixel array. The dose sensing output conductor for one sub-array of pixels passes through the area occupied by another sub-array of pixels, which can lead to unwanted cross talk. The invention provides a plurality of additional screening electrodes, with a screening electrode substantially adjacent the dose sensing output conductor for each sub-array of pixels. These screening electrodes reduce cross talk between the dose sensing output and other pixel electrodes. In another arrangement, each pixel further comprises a pixel electrode for each pixel formed at an upper region of the array, and the dose sensing output conductors are formed at a lower region of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Anthony Roy Franklin, Martin John Powell, Michael Overdick, Augusto Nascetti, Walter Ruetten, Tiemen Poorter, Lex Alving
  • Patent number: 7599538
    Abstract: A method and systems for capturing digital intra-oral images, while automatically determining a location of an intra-oral sensor placed within a mouth of a patient, is disclosed. A spatial frame-of-reference is established with respect to teeth within the mouth of the patient. An intra-oral digital imaging sensor is placed within the mouth of the patient adjacent to at least one tooth within the mouth that is to be imaged using the intra-oral sensor. Spatial location information is automatically generated such that the spatial location information defines how the intra-oral sensor is placed with respect to the spatial frame-of-reference. A digital image of the at least one tooth is acquired using the intra-oral sensor and the spatial location information is automatically associated with the acquired digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Apteryx, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Crucs
  • Publication number: 20090245465
    Abstract: In a method of driving an x-ray detector having a switching device connected to a light detecting pixel comprising a photodiode which detects an x-ray emitted from an x-ray generator and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the x-ray, the method includes: receiving an x-ray with the photodiode during an x-ray detecting period to generate the electrical signal corresponding to the x-ray; turning on the switching device using a gate signal during a first gate turn-on period to transmit the electrical signal to an external component; providing a light to the photodiode during a first flash period of an offset control period; and turning on the switching device during a second gate turn-on period of the offset control period during which the light is not provided to the photodiode to maintain an electric potential at a coupling node disposed between the photodiode and the switching device at a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwan-Wook JUNG, Kyung-Sang GOO, Dae-Ho CHOO
  • Patent number: 7593507
    Abstract: When a cassette transceiver starts to transmit radiation image information to a console transceiver, the cassette transceiver transmits a test radio wave, and the console transceiver calculates a minimum transmission radio-field intensity of said cassette transceiver which is required to receive the radiation image information from a received intensity of said test radio wave, and transmits a command radio wave representing the calculated minimum transmission radio-field intensity as a command to said cassette transceiver. The cassette transceiver is thus capable of transmitting the radiation image information at the commanded minimum transmission radio-field intensity. The consumption of electric power for transmitting the radiation image information from the cassette transceiver to the console transceiver is thus minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 7593508
    Abstract: A radiography system comprising a detector for detecting radiation generated by a radiation generation device, and a detector controller for initializing the detector at a predetermined timing, and controlling the detector, and taking a radiation image on the basis of the radiation detected by the detector wherein the detector controller comprises storage for acquiring and storing a time period from when initialization of the detector starts until a radiation irradiation request signal is received and instructions for, when the radiation irradiation request signal is received during an initialization process of the detector, instructing to execute a wait process for the stored time period after the initialization process, and upon completion of the wait process, a radiography permission signal is sent to the radiation generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7589325
    Abstract: In order to extend the field of application of counting x-ray detectors, a method is disclosed for recording a digital x-ray image and a counting x-ray detector. The counting x-ray detector includes pixel readout units arranged in the matrix being to detect and count x-ray quanta and/or charge pulses generated by x-ray quanta. Further, an item of temporal information is assigned to the charge pulses and/or the x-ray quanta as they are being counted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 7589774
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus including an X-ray image sensing unit having a non-destructive read function, adapted to sense an object image, and a subtractor adapted to sequentially output as a corrected value a difference between a plurality of frames sequentially read out non-destructively from the X-ray image sensing unit and a frame read out before the plurality of frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kaifu, Kazuaki Tashiro, Osamu Yuki
  • Publication number: 20090220044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiographic device and method of servoing an X-ray source (800) in a radiography device comprising a MOS-type image sensor (810) with pixels provided with separate read and refreshment commands, respectively, in which, during a radiography operation, read commands of a plurality of image sensor pixels are called repeatedly, while maintaining a source of X-rays power-supplied, so as to establish, in response to each reading, at least one image acquisition characteristic, and in which the emission of X-rays is interrupted when the image acquisition characteristic corresponds to a preset image acquisition characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: KODAK TROPHY
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Inglese, Sylvie Marie Gisèle Bothorel, Alain Paul Lemaire, Alain Boucly
  • Patent number: 7583790
    Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Hoffman, James Walter LeBlanc, John Eric Tkaczyk, Robert F. Senzig, Yanfeng Du
  • Patent number: 7575374
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes a detection section including photoelectric conversion elements that detect radiation that has been transmitted through a subject. The apparatus has a substantially rectangular detection surface; and a housing that contains the detection section. The housing has a handle in an area along a longer side of the detection surface when viewed along a direction normal to the detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Watanabe, Makoto Saito, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7573979
    Abstract: When a signal S2 with a pulse width corresponding to an entire X-ray irradiation period is input, a pulse P3 (signal S5) with a predetermined pulse width is output at an input timing of the signal S2, and when a new signal S2 is input during output of the pulse P3, the pulse P3, being output, is extendingly output further for the above pulse width from the input timing of the signal S2. Then in a state in which either or both of the signal S2 and the pulse P3 are being input, a pulse P4 (signal S6), with a pulse width corresponding to a period of the input, is output at a start timing of the input period, and when the pulse P4 is input, the imaging unit 7 is controlled to start imaging based on a start timing of the pulse P4. An X-ray imaging apparatus that can appropriately detect an imaging start timing and can perform taking of a good X-ray image while preventing malfunctions due to noise is thereby realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Taoka, Kazuhisa Miyaguchi
  • Patent number: 7573038
    Abstract: A radiation image pickup apparatus which selectively executes a first reading operation driving a detection unit irradiated with the radiation to read a first signal value, a second reading operation driving the detection unit without being irradiated with any radiations before the first reading operation to read a second signal value, and a third reading operation driving the detection unit without being irradiated with any radiations after the first reading operation to read a third signal value, and subtracts a signal value produced by the processing of the second signal value and the third signal value from the first signal value, thereby reducing an offset component and random noises without lowering a frame rate and its control method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20090196398
    Abstract: A radiation image radiographing system using a combination of a plurality of consoles and a radiographic image detecting apparatus characterized by enhanced image verification efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Hiromu Ohara
  • Patent number: 7567649
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructive examination of structures. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a transmitter and a conformable sensor. The transmitter is capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation through a first side of a structure. The conformable sensor is capable of detecting the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Morteza Safai, Gary Ernest Georgeson
  • Patent number: 7566169
    Abstract: A transportable flat X-ray detector includes a housing with a grip and an active surface with a scintillator layer and semiconductor layer including a multiplicity of pixel elements arranged in a matrix. Further, gripping elements such as gripping holes, depressions, pits or gripping troughs are provided in the housing at the edge of the flat X-ray detector, outside the active surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Jakob, Thomas Schmitt, Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 7567646
    Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes at least first (202) and second (204) scintillators which absorb radiation and generate light at respective first (212) and second (214) wavelengths. The detector also includes at least first (206) and second (208) photodetectors. The first photodetector (206) is substantially non-responsive to light of the wavelength (212) generated by the second scintillator (204). Detectors having three or more scintillators and photodetectors may also be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Oded Buchinsky
  • Patent number: 7564940
    Abstract: A radiation detector for a computed tomography scanner includes a plurality of radiation detector modules. Each detector module includes an anti-scatter module, at least one radiation absorbing mask and a detector subassembly module. The anti-scatter module includes radiation absorbing anti-scatter plates. The detector subassembly module includes a substrate and an array of detector elements. The radiation absorbing mask is a photoetched grid, formed of a radiation absorbing material and is positioned between the anti-scatter module and the detector elements of array. The strip of the grid, that is parallel to the anti-scatter plates, is wider than each anti-scatter plate. The detector module is aligned with a spatial focus by inserting the alignment pins into the alignment openings of the radiation absorbing mask and the alignment openings of the detector subassembly module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, William C. Brunnett