公开(公告)号：US06700948B2

公开(公告)日：2004-03-02

申请号：US09735008

申请日：2000-12-12

申请人： David M. Hoffman

发明人： David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： G01N2300

CPC分类号： A61B6/032 ,  A61B6/4085

摘要： One aspect of the present invention is a detector array for a computed tomographic imaging system having a z-direction corresponding to an image slice thickness direction and that is arc-shaped in a direction transverse to the z-direction. The detector array has a plurality of detector modules configured so that the detector array has active regions of differing thicknesses. This detector array embodiment provides an optimized detector array for certain imaging situations, for example, in cardiac imaging applications in which increased coverage is required only in a relatively small central portion of a field of view.

摘要翻译： 本发明的一个方面是用于计算机断层成像系统的检测器阵列，其具有对应于图像切片厚度方向的z方向，并且在横向于z方向的方向上呈弧形。 检测器阵列具有多个检测器模块，其被配置成使得检测器阵列具有不同厚度的有源区。该检测器阵列实施例为某些成像情况提供了优化的检测器阵列，例如在仅需要增加覆盖的心脏成像应用中 在视场的相对小的中央部分。

公开(公告)号：US06480563B2

公开(公告)日：2002-11-12

申请号：US09681067

申请日：2000-12-19

申请人： David M. Hoffman ,  Haochuan Jiang

发明人： David M. Hoffman ,  Haochuan Jiang

IPC分类号： A61B600

CPC分类号： C30B30/04

摘要： The present invention discloses a method of aligning scintillator crystalline structures for computed tomography imaging and a system of use. Crystal seeds are deposited inside a glass melt and are then grown to form a plurality of layer crystallites. While growing the crystallites, a field is applied to align each crystallite structure in a uniform orientation. As a result, the crystallites are configured to reduce light scattering and improve the overall efficiency of the CT system. A CT system is disclosed implementing a scintillator array having a plurality of scintillators, each scintillator being formed of a plurality of uniformly aligned crystallites. Each crystallite includes a receiving surface and an exiting surface configured perpendicular to an x-ray beam. Further, the receiving surface and the exiting surface are connected by a plurality of surface walls arranged parallel to the x-ray beam.

摘要翻译： 本发明公开了一种用于计算层析成像的闪烁体晶体结构和使用系统的对准方法。 将晶体种子沉积在玻璃熔体内，然后生长以形成多个层微晶。 在生长微晶的同时，施加一个场以使均匀取向的每个微晶结构对准。 结果，微晶被配置为减少光散射并提高CT系统的整体效率。 公开了一种实现具有多个闪烁体的闪烁体阵列的CT系统，每个闪烁体由多个均匀排列的微晶形成。 每个微晶包括接收表面和垂直于x射线束配置的出射表面。 此外，接收表面和出射表面通过平行于x射线束布置的多个表面壁连接。

公开(公告)号：US06480562B2

公开(公告)日：2002-11-12

申请号：US09681047

申请日：2000-12-05

申请人： Haochuan Jiang ,  David M. Hoffman

发明人： Haochuan Jiang ,  David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： A61B600

CPC分类号： A61B6/5205 ,  A61B6/032 ,  G01V5/005

摘要： The present invention provides a detector for a multi-slice CT system. The detector includes a scintillator for receiving and converting high frequency electromagnetic energy directly to electrons. The detector is further configured to directly conduct the electrons. The detector comprises a compound formed of scintillator bulk and a conducting material capable of converting high frequency energy to electrons as well as conduct electrons. The CT system also provides for a gantry having an output for projecting high frequency electromagnetic energy toward the detector and a data acquisition system for receiving electrons directly from the detector. A method to provide imaging electrons to a CT system is also provided.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于多层CT系统的检测器。 检测器包括用于接收并将高频电磁能量直接转换成电子的闪烁器。 检测器还被配置为直接导电。 检测器包括由闪烁器本体形成的化合物和能够将高频能转换成电子以及导电的导电材料。 CT系统还提供具有用于向检测器投射高频电磁能的输出的台架，以及用于从检测器直接接收电子的数据采集系统。 还提供了向CT系统提供成像电子的方法。

公开(公告)号：US06437338B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-20

申请号：US09407350

申请日：1999-09-29

申请人： David M. Hoffman

发明人： David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： H01J4014

CPC分类号： H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/32 ,  H04N5/3415 ,  H04N5/3456

摘要： An x-ray detector includes a two-dimensional array of detector elements that is segmented into regions. The detector elements in each region may be separately gated, or may be gated in blocks of elements to read out data onto a common data line to a region pre-amplifier. A scan sequencer operates the gate control lines to perform a scan in which the spatial resolution of the data read out from each region of the detector array may be separately selected to optimize the x-ray detector for particular clinical applications.

摘要翻译： X射线检测器包括被分割成区域的检测器元件的二维阵列。 每个区域中的检测器元件可以单独门控，或者可以在元件块中选通以将数据读出到公共数据线到区域前置放大器。 扫描定序器操作栅极控制线以执行扫描，其中可以分别选择从检测器阵列的每个区域读出的数据的空间分辨率以优化用于特定临床应用的x射线检测器。

公开(公告)号：US5799057A

公开(公告)日：1998-08-25

申请号：US773083

申请日：1996-12-26

申请人： David M. Hoffman ,  Michael Thomas Mruzek ,  August O. Englert

发明人： David M. Hoffman ,  Michael Thomas Mruzek ,  August O. Englert

IPC分类号： G01T1/20 ,  A61B6/03 ,  A61B6/06 ,  G01N23/04 ,  G01T7/00 ,  G21K1/00

CPC分类号： A61B6/032 ,  A61B6/06 ,  A61B6/4291 ,  G01N23/046 ,  G01N2223/419

摘要： The present invention, in one form, is a scatter collimator for a computed tomography system including an x-ray source. The scatter collimator is positioned between a detector array and an object to be imaged. The scatter collimator includes a housing, a plurality of attenuating blades and a plurality of attenuating wires. The blades and wires are mounted to the housing, and oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Particularly, the blades and wires form a two-dimensional shielding grid. The blades also are oriented so that they are radially and focally aligned with the x-ray source. A detector element of the detector array is secured to the housing so that the blades and wires are between the detector element and the x-ray source. The detector element, in one form, includes a scintillation element which is coated with a light-retaining material.

公开(公告)号：US4764679A

公开(公告)日：1988-08-16

申请号：US895725

申请日：1986-08-12

申请人： David L. McDaniel ,  Paul R. Granfors ,  David M. Hoffman

发明人： David L. McDaniel ,  Paul R. Granfors ,  David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： A61B6/00 ,  G01T1/185 ,  H01J47/02 ,  H01J47/00

CPC分类号： H01J47/02

摘要： Quantum detection efficiency and spatial resolution in a kinestatic charge detector are improved by utilization of an x-ray transmissive device positioned within a collection volume of a kinestatic charge detector x-ray detection chamber for displacing the charge carrier generating medium within predetermined areas of the chamber. Within the chamber, quantum detection efficiency and spatial resolution are affected by distortion in electric field lines existing between a high voltage anode and a relatively low voltage collector electrode. The distorted field lines cause charge carriers generated in the medium by impinging radiation to impact on either the walls of the chamber or to follow non-linear paths between the point of creation and the collection electrode. By displacing the medium in the chamber in areas having the greatest electric field distortion, the quantum detection efficiency and spatial resolution are improved. In one embodiment an x-ray transmissive device is placed in the chamber adjacent an x-ray emitting window and has a portion extending partially into the space between the anode and collector electrode. In another embodiment, an additional device is positioned in the chamber adjacent a rear wall thereof for displacing the medium in the rear portion of the chamber.

摘要翻译： 通过利用位于感性电荷检测器x射线检测室的收集体积内的x射线透射装置来改善活性电荷检测器中的量子检测效率和空间分辨率，用于将电荷载体产生介质置于腔室的预定区域内 。 在室内，量子检测效率和空间分辨率受到存在于高压阳极和相对低压集电极之间的电场线的失真的影响。 畸变的场线引起在介质中产生的电荷载体，通过冲击辐射来冲击室的壁或者沿着创建点和收集电极之间的非线性路径。 通过在具有最大电场失真的区域中移动腔室中的介质，提高了量子检测效率和空间分辨率。 在一个实施例中，x射线透射装置被放置在邻近X射线发射窗口的腔室中，并且具有部分地延伸到阳极和集电极之间的空间的部分。 在另一个实施例中，附加装置邻近其后壁定位在腔室中，用于移动腔室后部的介质。

公开(公告)号：US07778382B2

公开(公告)日：2010-08-17

申请号：US11465472

申请日：2006-08-18

申请人： David M. Hoffman

发明人： David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： H05G1/02 ,  H01J35/06 ,  G21K3/00

CPC分类号： A61B6/032 ,  A61B6/027 ,  A61B6/4007 ,  A61B6/4021 ,  A61B6/4035 ,  A61B6/4241 ,  A61B6/482 ,  H01J35/06 ,  H01J2235/068

摘要： An x-ray source (32) for performing energy discrimination within an imaging system (10) includes a cathode-emitting device (82) for emitting electrons and an anode (81) that has a target (80) whereupon the electrons impinge to generate an x-ray beam (93) with multiple x-ray quantity energy peaks (116 and 120). A method of performing energy discrimination in the imaging system (10) includes emitting the electrons. The x-ray beam (93) with the x-ray quantity energy peaks (116 and 120) is generated. The x-ray beam (93) is directed through an object (44) and is thereafter received. An x-ray image having multiple energy differentiable characteristics is generated in response to the x-ray beam (93) as received.

摘要翻译： 用于在成像系统（10）内执行能量鉴别的x射线源（32）包括用于发射电子的阴极发射器件（82）和具有靶（80）的阳极（81），因此电子撞击以产生 具有多个X射线量能量峰值（116和120）的x射线束（93）。 在成像系统（10）中执行能量鉴别的方法包括发射电子。 产生具有x射线量能量峰值（116和120）的x射线束（93）。 x射线束（93）被引导通过物体（44），然后被接收。 响应于所接收的x射线束（93）产生具有多个能量可微特性的X射线图像。

公开(公告)号：US07769127B2

公开(公告)日：2010-08-03

申请号：US11533611

申请日：2006-09-20

申请人： David M. Hoffman

发明人： David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： A61B6/03

CPC分类号： G21K1/025

摘要： Cast collimators for use in CT imaging systems are described, as are methods of making them. Such collimators may comprise pre-patient collimators, pre-patient filter/collimator assemblies, and/or post-patient collimators. The filters and/or collimators may be made of any suitable high-density, high atomic number material such as lead, a lead alloy, tantalum, tungsten, tungsten suspended in an epoxy matrix, tungsten suspended in a slurry, or the like. Embodiments of these collimators comprise specially-designed channels and vanes that allow them to be precision cast to the necessary degree of accuracy. These channels and vanes are preferably tapered. These collimators and filter/collimator assemblies help minimize the x-ray dose to the patient by minimizing the scattered radiation creation mechanism and by collimating out much of the scattered radiation that would otherwise be subjected to the patient. These collimators may be cast as either single piece structures, or multiple pieces that can be operatively connected together.

摘要翻译： 描述了用于CT成像系统的投射准直仪，以及制作它们的方法。 这种准直器可以包括患者前准直仪，患者前过滤器/准直器组件和/或患者后准直仪。 过滤器和/或准直器可以由任何合适的高密度，高原子序数的材料制成，例如铅，铅合金，钽，钨，悬浮在环氧基体中的钨，悬浮在浆液中的钨等。 这些准直器的实施例包括专门设计的通道和叶片，使得它们能够精确地铸造到必要的精度。 这些通道和叶片优选是锥形的。 这些准直器和过滤器/准直器组件通过最小化散射辐射产生机制并且通过准直许多否则将经受患者的散射辐射来帮助使患者的x射线剂量最小化。 这些准直器可以被铸造为单件结构，或者可以可操作地连接在一起的多个件。

公开(公告)号：US20080304618A1

公开(公告)日：2008-12-11

申请号：US12194072

申请日：2008-08-19

申请人： David M. Hoffman ,  James LeBlanc ,  John Tkaczyk ,  Robert F. Senzig ,  Yanfeng Du

发明人： David M. Hoffman ,  James LeBlanc ,  John Tkaczyk ,  Robert F. Senzig ,  Yanfeng Du

IPC分类号： A61B6/00

CPC分类号： G01T1/2928 ,  A61B6/032 ,  A61B6/4241 ,  A61B6/5205

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 公开了能够鉴别和直接转换的CT检测器。 检测器包括多层半导体材料，其中层具有变化的厚度。 检测器被构造成在x射线穿透方向上分段，以便优化计数率性能以及避免饱和。 检测器还包括可变像素间距和灵活的像素分组，以进一步提高计数率性能。

公开(公告)号：US20080170661A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-17

申请号：US11839783

申请日：2007-08-16

申请人： Christopher D. Unger ,  David M. Hoffman ,  Vivek Bhatt

发明人： Christopher D. Unger ,  David M. Hoffman ,  Vivek Bhatt

IPC分类号： G01N23/04

CPC分类号： G01T1/2018 ,  A61B6/027 ,  A61B6/06 ,  A61B6/4233 ,  A61B6/4291 ,  A61B6/588 ,  G01N23/04 ,  G01N23/20

摘要： The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及用于执行诊断放射学的诊断X射线装置，系统或装置以及配置这种诊断X射线装置，系统或装置的方法。 更具体地，本发明涉及用于形成具有增强的对比度的物体的至少一个图像的诊断系统。 该系统包括适于产生成像光束的光束源和适于从成像光束形成至少一个光束部分并适于对物体成像的掩蔽部件。 该系统还包括平板检测器，该平板检测器定位在至少一个光束部分穿过物体的路径中，并适于形成物体的至少一个图像。