Apparatus, imaging device and method for counting X-ray photons
    1.
    发明授权
    Apparatus, imaging device and method for counting X-ray photons 有权
    用于计数X射线光子的装置,成像装置和方法

    公开(公告)号:US08237128B2

    公开(公告)日:2012-08-07

    申请号:US12518299

    申请日:2007-12-11

    IPC分类号: G01T1/24

    CPC分类号: G01T1/17 G01T1/2928

    摘要: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for counting X-ray photons (12, 14). The apparatus (10) comprises a sensor (16) adapted to convert a photon (12, 14) into a charge pulse, a processing element (18) adapted to convert the charge pulse (51) into an electrical pulse (53) and a first discriminator (20) adapted to compare the electrical pulse (53) against a first threshold (TH1) and to output an event (55) if the first threshold (TH1) is exceeded. A first counter (22) counts these events (55), unless counting is inhibited by a first gating element (24). The first gating element (24) is activated when the first discriminator (20) outputs the event (55), and it is deactivated, when the processing of a photon (12, 14) is found to be complete or about to be completed by a measurement or by the knowledge about the time that it takes to process a photon (12, 14) in the processing element (18). By activating and deactivating the first counter (22) pile-up events, i.e. pile-up of multiple electrical pulses (53), can be addressed. The invention also relates to a corresponding imaging device and a corresponding method.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种用于计数X射线光子(12,14)的装置(10)。 所述设备(10)包括适于将光子(12,14)转换为充电脉冲的传感器(16),适于将所述充电脉冲(51)转换成电脉冲(53)的处理元件(18) 适于比较电脉冲(53)与第一阈值(TH1)并且如果超过第一阈值(TH1)则输出事件(55)的第一鉴别器(20)。 第一计数器(22)对这些事件(55)进行计数,除非由第一选通元件(24)抑制计数。 当第一鉴别器(20)输出事件(55)时,第一选通元件(24)被激活,并且当发现光子(12,14)的处理完成或将要由 测量或通过关于在处理元件(18)中处理光子(12,14)所需的时间的知识。 通过激活和去激活第一计数器(22)堆积事件,即堆叠多个电脉冲(53),可以被解决。 本发明还涉及相应的成像装置和相应的方法。

    SINGLE PHOTON RADIATION DETECTOR
    2.
    发明申请
    SINGLE PHOTON RADIATION DETECTOR 有权
    单光子辐射探测器

    公开(公告)号:US20110017918A1

    公开(公告)日:2011-01-27

    申请号:US12933147

    申请日:2009-03-12

    IPC分类号: G01T1/20

    CPC分类号: G01T1/2018 G01T1/17

    摘要: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) that is particularly suited for energy resolved single X-ray photon detection in a CT scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the detector (100) comprises an array of scintillator elements (S k) in which incident X-ray photons (X) are converted into bursts of optical photons (hn). Pixels (P k) associated to the scintillator elements (S k) determine the numbers of optical photons they receive within predetermined acquisition intervals. These numbers can then be digitally processed to detect single X-ray photons (X) and to determine their energy. The pixels may particularly be realized by avalanche photodiodes with associated digital electronic circuits for data processing.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种特别适用于CT扫描仪中能量分辨的单次X射线光子检测的辐射检测器(100)。 在优选实施例中,检测器(100)包括闪烁体元件(S k)的阵列,其中入射的X射线光子(X)被转换成光子光子(hn)的脉冲串。 与闪烁体元件(S k)相关联的像素(P k)确定它们在预定采集间隔内接收的光子数。 然后可以对这些数字进行数字处理以检测单个X射线光子(X)并确定其能量。 像素可以特别由具有用于数据处理的相关数字电子电路的雪崩光电二极管实现。

    RADIATION DETECTOR WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRODES ON A SENSITIVE LAYER
    3.
    发明申请
    RADIATION DETECTOR WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRODES ON A SENSITIVE LAYER 有权
    辐射探测器与敏感层上的多个电极

    公开(公告)号:US20100187429A1

    公开(公告)日:2010-07-29

    申请号:US12514595

    申请日:2007-11-12

    IPC分类号: G01T1/24

    CPC分类号: G01T1/2928

    摘要: The invention relates to a radiation detector (200), particularly an X-ray detector, which comprises at least one sensitive layer (212) for the conversion of incident photons (X) into electrical signals. A two-dimensional array of electrodes (213) is located on the front side of the sensitive layer (212), while its back side carries a counter-electrode (211). The size of the electrodes (213) may vary in radiation direction (y) for adapting the counting workload of the electrodes. Moreover, the position of the electrodes (213) with respect to the radiation direction (y) provides information about the energy of the detected photons (X).

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种辐射探测器(200),特别是一种X射线检测器,其包括用于将入射光子(X)转换成电信号的至少一个敏感层(212)。 电极(213)的二维阵列位于敏感层(212)的前侧,而其背面承载对电极(211)。 电极(213)的尺寸可以在辐射方向(y)上变化,以适应电极的计数工作量。 此外,电极(213)相对于辐射方向(y)的位置提供关于检测到的光子(X)的能量的信息。

    Radiation detector with several conversion layers
    4.
    发明授权
    Radiation detector with several conversion layers 有权
    具有多个转换层的辐射检测器

    公开(公告)号:US08513613B2

    公开(公告)日:2013-08-20

    申请号:US12675798

    申请日:2008-09-05

    IPC分类号: H01L27/146 G01T1/20

    CPC分类号: G01T1/249 G01T1/20 G01T1/242

    摘要: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100), particularly for X-rays (X) and for γ-rays, which comprises a combination of (a) at least one primary conversion layer (101a-101f) with a low attenuation coefficient for the photons and (b) at least one secondary conversion layer (102) with a high attenuation coefficient for the photons. In preferred embodiments, the primary conversion layer (101a-101f) may be realized by a silicon layer coupled to associated energy-resolving counting electronics (111a-111f, 121). The secondary conversion layer (102) may be realized for example by CZT or GOS coupled to energy-resolving counting electronics or integrating electronics. Using primary conversion layers with low stopping power allows to build a stacked radiation detector (100) for spectral CT in which the counting rates of the layers are limited to feasible values without requiring unrealistic thin layers.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种辐射检测器(100),特别是用于X射线(X)和用于γ射线的辐射探测器(100),其包括以下组合:(a)至少一个具有低衰减系数的初级转换层(101a-101f) 光子和(b)对于光子具有高衰减系数的至少一个次级转换层(102)。 在优选实施例中,主转换层(101a-101f)可以通过耦合到相关联的能量分解计数电子器件(111a-111f,121)的硅层来实现。 次级转换层(102)可以例如通过耦合到能量分辨计数电子器件或集成电子器件的CZT或GOS来实现。 使用具有低停止功率的初级转换层允许构建用于光谱CT的堆叠辐射检测器(100),其中层的计数速率被限制为可行值,而不需要不切实际的薄层。

    RADIATION DETECTOR WITH SEVERAL CONVERSION LAYERS
    5.
    发明申请
    RADIATION DETECTOR WITH SEVERAL CONVERSION LAYERS 有权
    具有几个转换层的辐射探测器

    公开(公告)号:US20100213381A1

    公开(公告)日:2010-08-26

    申请号:US12675798

    申请日:2008-09-05

    IPC分类号: G01T1/24

    CPC分类号: G01T1/249 G01T1/20 G01T1/242

    摘要: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100), particularly for X-rays (X) and for y-rays, which comprises a combination of (a) at least one primary conversion layer (101a-101f) with a low attenuation coefficient for the photons and (b) at least one secondary conversion layer (102) with a high attenuation coefficient for the photons. In preferred embodiments, the primary conversion layer (101a-101f) may be realized by a silicon layer coupled to associated energy-resolving counting electronics (111a-111f, 121). The secondary conversion layer (102) may be realized for example by CZT or GOS coupled to energy-resolving counting electronics or integrating electronics. Using primary conversion layers with low stopping power allows to build a stacked radiation detector (100) for spectral CT in which the counting rates of the layers are limited to feasible values without requiring unrealistic thin layers.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种辐射检测器(100),特别是用于X射线(X)和用于y射线的辐射检测器(100),其包括以下组合:(a)至少一个具有低衰减系数的初级转换层(101a-101f) 光子和(b)对于光子具有高衰减系数的至少一个次级转换层(102)。 在优选实施例中,主转换层(101a-101f)可以通过耦合到相关联的能量分解计数电子器件(111a-111f,121)的硅层来实现。 次级转换层(102)可以例如通过耦合到能量分辨计数电子器件或集成电子器件的CZT或GOS来实现。 使用具有低停止功率的初级转换层允许构建用于光谱CT的堆叠辐射检测器(100),其中层的计数速率被限制为可行值,而不需要不切实际的薄层。

    APPARATUS, IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COUNTING X-RAY PHOTONS
    6.
    发明申请
    APPARATUS, IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COUNTING X-RAY PHOTONS 审中-公开
    装置,成像装置和计算X射线光子的方法

    公开(公告)号:US20100111248A1

    公开(公告)日:2010-05-06

    申请号:US12528632

    申请日:2008-02-22

    IPC分类号: G21K1/10

    CPC分类号: G01T1/17 G01T1/2985

    摘要: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for counting X-rayphotons (12, 14), in particular photons in a computer tomograph. The events from a first photon-sensitive element (20) are recorded in a first integrator (24), and the events coming from a second photon-sensitive element (22) are counted in a second integrator (26). A first summing unit (28) is provided for summing the values from the first and second integrators (24, 26) and a result signal to obtain a sum, wherein the result signal is obtained from a feedback device (30) being provided with the sum. It is there possible to reduce a total information density generated by the impinging photons (12, 14), so that a data stream with a reduced information density (or reduced data rate) is present at an output (34). The invention also relates to a corresponding imaging device (16) based on the detection of X-rayphotons (12, 14), in particular for medical use and to a method for counting X-rayphotons (12, 14), in particular photons in a computer tomograph.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及用于计算X射线光子(12,14)的设备(10),特别是计算机断层摄影机中的光子。 来自第一光敏元件(20)的事件被记录在第一积分器(24)中,并且来自第二光敏元件(22)的事件在第二积分器(26)中被计数。 提供第一求和单元(28),用于对来自第一和第二积分器(24,26)的值和结果信号求和以获得和,其中结果信号从反馈设备(30)获得,该反馈设备(30)被提供有 和。 可以减少由入射光子(12,14)产生的总信息密度,使得在输出端(34)存在具有降低的信息密度(或降低的数据速率)的数据流。 本发明还涉及基于X射线光子(12,14)的检测,特别是医疗用途的相应的成像装置(16),以及用于计数X射线光子(12,14)的方法,特别是用于计数X射线光子 一台电脑断层扫描仪。

    APPARATUS, IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COUNTING X-RAY PHOTONS
    7.
    发明申请
    APPARATUS, IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COUNTING X-RAY PHOTONS 有权
    装置,成像装置和计算X射线光子的方法

    公开(公告)号:US20100020924A1

    公开(公告)日:2010-01-28

    申请号:US12518299

    申请日:2007-12-11

    IPC分类号: G21K1/12

    CPC分类号: G01T1/17 G01T1/2928

    摘要: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for counting X-ray photons (12, 14). The apparatus (10) comprises a sensor (16) adapted to convert a photon (12, 14) into a charge pulse, a processing element (18) adapted to convert the charge pulse (51) into an electrical pulse (53) and a first discriminator (20) adapted to compare the electrical pulse (53) against a first threshold (TH1) and to output an event (55) if the first threshold (TH1) is exceeded. A first counter (22) counts these events (55), unless counting is inhibited by a first gating element (24). The first gating element (24) is activated when the first discriminator (20) outputs the event (55), and it is deactivated, when the processing of a photon (12, 14) is found to be complete or about to be completed by a measurement or by the knowledge about the time that it takes to process a photon (12, 14) in the processing element (18). By activating and deactivating the first counter (22) pile-up events, i.e. pile-up of multiple electrical pulses (53), can be addressed. The invention also relates to a corresponding imaging device and a corresponding method.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种用于计数X射线光子(12,14)的装置(10)。 所述设备(10)包括适于将光子(12,14)转换为充电脉冲的传感器(16),适于将所述充电脉冲(51)转换成电脉冲(53)的处理元件(18) 适于比较电脉冲(53)与第一阈值(TH1)并且如果超过第一阈值(TH1)则输出事件(55)的第一鉴别器(20)。 第一计数器(22)对这些事件(55)进行计数,除非由第一选通元件(24)抑制计数。 当第一鉴别器(20)输出事件(55)时,第一选通元件(24)被激活,并且当发现光子(12,14)的处理完成或将要由 测量或通过关于在处理元件(18)中处理光子(12,14)所需的时间的知识。 通过激活和去激活第一计数器(22)堆积事件,即堆叠多个电脉冲(53),可以被解决。 本发明还涉及相应的成像装置和相应的方法。

    ENERGY-RESOLVING DETECTION SYSTEM AND IMAGING SYSTEM
    8.
    发明申请
    ENERGY-RESOLVING DETECTION SYSTEM AND IMAGING SYSTEM 审中-公开
    能量分辨率检测系统和成像系统

    公开(公告)号:US20100012845A1

    公开(公告)日:2010-01-21

    申请号:US12520221

    申请日:2007-12-17

    IPC分类号: G01T1/36 G01T1/20 G01T1/24

    CPC分类号: G01T1/2928 G01T1/362

    摘要: The invention relates to an energy-resolving detection system for detecting radiation (4). The energy-resolving detection system comprises a first layer (21) for absorbing a part of the radiation (4) and a radiation quanta counting unit comprising a second layer (26) for counting radiation quanta of the radiation (4). A read-out unit (29) is coupled with the radiation quanta counting unit for reading out the radiation quanta counting unit. The first layer (21) and second layer (26) are arranged such that the radiation (4), which is incident on the detection system and which reaches the second layer (26), has passed the first layer (21).

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种用于检测辐射的能量分辨检测系统(4)。 能量分辨检测系统包括用于吸收辐射(4)的一部分的第一层(21)和包括用于计数辐射(4)的辐射量的第二层(26)的辐射量子计数单元。 读出单元(29)与辐射量子计数单元耦合,用于读出辐射量子计数单元。 第一层(21)和第二层(26)被布置成使得入射到检测系统上并到达第二层(26)的辐射(4)已经通过第一层(21)。

    Single photon radiation detector
    9.
    发明授权
    Single photon radiation detector 有权
    单光子辐射探测器

    公开(公告)号:US08723132B2

    公开(公告)日:2014-05-13

    申请号:US12933147

    申请日:2009-03-12

    IPC分类号: G01T1/208

    CPC分类号: G01T1/2018 G01T1/17

    摘要: The invention relates to a radiation detector that is particularly suited for energy resolved single X-ray photon detection in a CT scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the detector has an array of scintillator elements in which incident X-ray photons are converted into bursts of optical photons. Pixels associated to the scintillator elements determine the numbers of optical photons they receive within predetermined acquisition intervals. These numbers can then be digitally processed to detect single X-ray photons and to determine their energy. The pixels may particularly be realized by avalanche photodiodes with associated digital electronic circuits for data processing.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及一种特别适用于CT扫描仪中的能量分辨单X射线光子检测的辐射探测器。 在优选实施例中,检测器具有闪烁体元件阵列,其中入射的X射线光子被转换成光子光子的脉冲串。 与闪烁体元件相关联的像素确定它们在预定采集间隔内接收的光子的数量。 然后可以对这些数字进行数字处理,以检测单个X射线光子并确定其能量。 像素可以特别由具有用于数据处理的相关数字电子电路的雪崩光电二极管实现。