公开(公告)号：US06907101B2

公开(公告)日：2005-06-14

申请号：US10248929

申请日：2003-03-03

申请人： David M. Hoffman

发明人： David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： G01T1/20 ,  A61B6/03 ,  A61B6/08 ,  G01N23/00 ,  G01T1/29 ,  G21K1/12 ,  H04N5/32 ,  H05G1/64

CPC分类号： G01T1/2002 ,  G01T1/2985

摘要： The present invention is directed to an improved CT detector scintillator to photodiode optical coupling. The CT detector utilizes a controlled air gap between the photodiode array and the scintillator array together with an anti-reflective layer on the scintillator array. To improve the absorption of light at the photodiode array, the photodiode array includes a textured light reception surface. By incorporating a textured layer with the photodiode array, the light collection efficiency of the photodiodes is improved. The textured layer may extend along an x- and/or z-axis and the texturing may be in different forms. For example, the textured layer may include a series of pyramidally-shaped protrusions.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及一种改进的CT检测器闪烁体到光电二极管光耦合。 CT检测器利用光电二极管阵列和闪烁体阵列之间的受控空气间隙以及闪烁体阵列上的抗反射层。 为了改善在光电二极管阵列处的光的吸收，光电二极管阵列包括纹理的光接收表面。 通过结合具有光电二极管阵列的纹理层，光电二极管的光收集效率提高。 纹理化层可以沿x轴和/或z轴延伸，并且纹理化可以是不同的形式。 例如，纹理化层可以包括一系列棱锥形突起。

公开(公告)号：US06859514B2

公开(公告)日：2005-02-22

申请号：US10249092

申请日：2003-03-14

申请人： David M. Hoffman

发明人： David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： A61B6/03 ,  G01T1/20 ,  A61B6/00 ,  G01T1/24

CPC分类号： G01T1/2018 ,  A61B6/032 ,  A61B6/4411

摘要： The present invention is directed to a CT detector array having uniform cross-talk. Discontinuities in cross-talk between adjacent CT detectors of a CT detector array are minimized by increasing the cross-talk at the boundaries of adjacent CT detectors. Discontinuities throughout a CT detector contribute to artifact presence in a final reconstructed image, therefore, it is preferred that cross-talk throughout the CT detector array be relatively uniform. Reducing the width of reflector material between adjacent CT detectors increases the cross-talk between the CT detectors. This increase in cross-talk offsets the reduced cross-talk that typically occurs between scintillators, optical epoxy layers, and photodiodes at the CT detector interface. Cross-talk may also be increased by reducing the amount of chrome deposited in the reflector between CT detectors or reducing the levels of titanium oxide typically used in reflector layers.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及具有均匀串扰的CT检测器阵列。 CT检测器阵列的相邻CT检测器之间的串扰不连续性通过增加相邻CT检测器边界处的串扰来最小化。 CT检测器中的不连续性有助于最终重构图像中的伪像存在，因此，优选的是，整个CT检测器阵列中的串扰相对均匀。 减少相邻CT检测器之间的反射器材料的宽度增加了CT检测器之间的串扰。 串扰的这种增加抵消了在CT检测器接口处的闪烁体，光学环氧树脂层和光电二极管之间通常发生的减少的串扰。 串扰也可以通过减少沉积在CT检测器之间的反射器中的铬的量来减少通常用于反射器层中的氧化钛的水平而增加。

公开(公告)号：US06704391B2

公开(公告)日：2004-03-09

申请号：US10063235

申请日：2002-04-02

申请人： David M. Hoffman ,  Haochuan Jiang

发明人： David M. Hoffman ,  Haochuan Jiang

IPC分类号： H05G164

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：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：US4491732A

公开(公告)日：1985-01-01

申请号：US411419

申请日：1982-08-25

申请人： Dennis H. Pritzkow ,  Neil W. Loomis ,  Thomas M. Golner ,  David M. Hoffman

发明人： Dennis H. Pritzkow ,  Neil W. Loomis ,  Thomas M. Golner ,  David M. Hoffman

IPC分类号： G01T1/164 ,  G01T1/20

CPC分类号： G01T1/2018 ,  G01T1/1644

摘要： In a modular solid state detector of the type including a scintillator and diodes for converting x-ray flux to a measurable electrical signal, the diodes are mounted out of the path of incident x-radiation to minimize noise and to limit degradation. The resulting configuration reduces efficiency because the active diode area is limited and the length of the light path between the scintillator and diode is increased. In order to compensate for that reduction in efficiency, optical potting material is used to join the scintillator to the diodes in order to minimize light attenuation between those elements. In addition, the outer surface of the cured optical potting material is coated with a thin specular layer of silver to keep the light within the optical potting material and thus most efficiently reflected from the scintillator to the diode.

摘要翻译： 在包括用于将x射线通量转换成可测量电信号的闪烁体和二极管的模块化固态检测器中，二极管被安装在入射x辐射的路径之外，以使噪声最小化并限制退化。 所产生的配置降低了效率，因为有源二极管面积是有限的，并且闪烁体和二极管之间的光路长度增加。 为了补偿效率的降低，使用光封装材料将闪烁体连接到二极管，以便使这些元件之间的光衰减最小化。 此外，固化的光封装材料的外表面涂覆有薄的镜面银层，以将光保持在光封装材料内，从而最有效地从闪烁体反射到二极管。