EP0109204A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for a modular detector mount in a computed tomography scanner
Assignee: Philips Nuclear Medicine Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-19
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-10-19
Abstract
Abstract In a computed tomography scanner, method and apparatus for mounting a plurality of detectors (98) in a position to measure x-radiation intensity from an x-ray source (40). The apparatus includes a module (50) for mounting a number of closely spaced detectors (98) in a circular array about a patient aperture (18). Each module (50) supports sixty closely spaced detectors (98) so that the entire array of 1200 detectors requires twenty such modules. In addition to the detectors, each module supports electronics (96, 94) for converting an analog signal from the detectors into a sequence of pulses where the pulse repetition rate is related to the x-ray intensity impinging on a detector. The modules can be readily removed from a stationary scanner gantry for service or replacement. When in place, the modules define a passageway (112) through which cool air is routed to cool the detectors (98) and thereby reduce their noise.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney A. Mattson
- 👤 Carl Brunnett
- 👤 David Flugan
- 👤 John M. Manring
- 👤 Anton Z. Zupancic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/44; A61B6/4488; A61B6/02; A61B6/03; A61B6/032; A61B6/42; A61B6/4275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A module(50) for mounting a plurality of detectors (98) used for sensing x-radiation intensity from a moving x-ray source (40) in a computed tomography scanner (10) of the stationary detector type, characterised in that the module (50) comprises: a substrate (94) having a plurality of closely spaced sockets into which said plurality of detectors(98) can be positioned, said substrate (94) being curved to form a segment of a circle; a plurality of circuit boards (96) mounted to said substrate (94), said circuit boards (96) having circuitry for receiving an analog output from said detectors (98); connector means (69, 72) for coupling the digital output from the circuit boards (96) and transmitting said output to means for reconstructing an image from the outputs from all such circuit boards (96); and means (60) for mounting said substrate (94) to a scanner frame (52) so that multiple numbers of said substrate when so mounted form a portion of a circle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A module(50) for mounting a plurality of detectors (98) used for sensing x-radiation intensity from a moving x-ray source (40) in a computed tomography scanner (10) of the stationary detector type, characterised in that the module (50) comprises: a substrate (94) having a plurality of closely spaced sockets into which said plurality of detectors(98) can be positioned, said substrate (94) being curved to form a segment of a circle; a plurality of circuit boards (96) mounted to said substrate (94), said circuit boards (96) having circuitry for receiving an analog output from said detectors (98); connector means (69, 72) for coupling the digital output from the circuit boards (96) and transmitting said output to means for reconstructing an image from the outputs from all such circuit boards (96); and means (60) for mounting said substrate (94) to a scanner frame (52) so that multiple numbers of said substrate when so mounted form a portion of a circle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A module according to Claim 1 wherein each substrate (94) encompasses an arc of about 18° so that twenty of said modules (50) when mounted to said frame (52) completely encircle a patient aperture (18) through which a patient can be positioned for computed tomography scanning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A module according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 which furthermore defines an air passageway (112) so that when two such modules abut each other a flowpath for air around a patient aperture is created.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A module according to any preceding Claim wherein each detector (98) comprises a scintillation crystal (210) positioned next to a photodiode (212), both of which are packaged in a container (216) for shielding visible light from the detector(98).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A module according to any preceding Claim which further comprises circuitry mounted to said substrate (94) for powering the circuits mounted to each of said circuit boards(96).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A module according to any preceding Claim where each circuit board(96) supports the electronics for converting the analog output from one detector (98) into pulses which can be counted to determine x-ray intensity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
216 words
A detector module (50) for use in a computed tomography scanner, characterised in that the module (50) comprises: a) a housing and frame structure (74, 76, 78, 80); b) a group of radiation detectors (98) carried by the structure(74, 76, 78, 80) and positioned in an arc such that when in use each detector has substantially the same source to detector relationship as.others of the detectors; c) electrical connectors (68, 70, 72) carried by the structure (74, 76, 78, 80) and adapted to mate with complemental connectors when positioned on the scanner; d) electrical signal conduction means (96, 94) carried by the structure and coupling each of the detectors to a corresponding connector for transmitting detector outputs to said complemental connectors; e) the structure including at least one module locating surface, each engagable with a corresponding and complemental scanner surface to locate the module spatially with respect to other parts of the scanner; f) the structure also having a spaced pair of locating surfaces (62, 64) for locating the module relative to a contiguous pair of modules, each such locating surface being complemental with at least one surface of a contiguous module; and, g) the structure including at least one attachment mechanism (60) for coactingly engaging complementary attachment mechanisms forming a part of another scanner portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
216 words
A detector module (50) for use in a computed tomography scanner, characterised in that the module (50) comprises: a) a housing and frame structure (74, 76, 78, 80); b) a group of radiation detectors (98) carried by the structure(74, 76, 78, 80) and positioned in an arc such that when in use each detector has substantially the same source to detector relationship as.others of the detectors; c) electrical connectors (68, 70, 72) carried by the structure (74, 76, 78, 80) and adapted to mate with complemental connectors when positioned on the scanner; d) electrical signal conduction means (96, 94) carried by the structure and coupling each of the detectors to a corresponding connector for transmitting detector outputs to said complemental connectors; e) the structure including at least one module locating surface, each engagable with a corresponding and complemental scanner surface to locate the module spatially with respect to other parts of the scanner; f) the structure also having a spaced pair of locating surfaces (62, 64) for locating the module relative to a contiguous pair of modules, each such locating surface being complemental with at least one surface of a contiguous module; and, g) the structure including at least one attachment mechanism (60) for coactingly engaging complementary attachment mechanisms forming a part of another scanner portion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for sensing x-radiation intensity in computed tomography characterised by the steps of: mounting a plurality of x-radiation detectors (98) in closely spaced fashion onto a curved substrate (94); coupling each detector (98) to circuitry (96) for converting.analog outputs from said detector (98) into a digital output; mounting said circuitry (96) to said curved substrate (94); mounting a plurality of said substrates (94) to a fixed support (52) in abutting fashion to form a circular array of detectors located along at least a segment of a circle; and irradiating said array with x-radiation from a number of positions to thereby measure x-radiation intensity of a subject placed along the axis of said segment of a circle of said array.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for sensing x-radiation intensity in computed tomography characterised by the steps of: mounting a plurality of x-radiation detectors (98) in closely spaced fashion onto a curved substrate (94); coupling each detector (98) to circuitry (96) for converting.analog outputs from said detector (98) into a digital output; mounting said circuitry (96) to said curved substrate (94); mounting a plurality of said substrates (94) to a fixed support (52) in abutting fashion to form a circular array of detectors located along at least a segment of a circle; and irradiating said array with x-radiation from a number of positions to thereby measure x-radiation intensity of a subject placed along the axis of said segment of a circle of said array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
An x-radiation detector comprising a photodiode (212) and a scintillation crystal (210) optically coupled to said photodiode, characterised in that two pin connectors (178) are coupled to said photodiode (212) for routing signals from an anode and cathode of said photodiode, a base (214) supports said photodiode (212) and defines a throughpath for said pins (178), an optical bonding agent is fixed to said base, said crystal is covered with reflective paint to shield the photodiode (212) from ambient light and a metallic shield (216) covers said base and said bonding agent to electrically shield said detector (98).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
An x-radiation detector comprising a photodiode (212) and a scintillation crystal (210) optically coupled to said photodiode, characterised in that two pin connectors (178) are coupled to said photodiode (212) for routing signals from an anode and cathode of said photodiode, a base (214) supports said photodiode (212) and defines a throughpath for said pins (178), an optical bonding agent is fixed to said base, said crystal is covered with reflective paint to shield the photodiode (212) from ambient light and a metallic shield (216) covers said base and said bonding agent to electrically shield said detector (98).
Claim 14
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of fabricating an x-radiation detector characterised by the steps of: mounting a photodiode (212) to a base (214) through which pins (178) extend to transmit signals from a cathode and an anode; optically coupling a scintillation crystal (210) to said photodiode (212) with a clear adhesive and painting exterior surfaces of said crystal with a reflective paint; shielding said photodiode (212) by affixing an opaque tape to said base (214) and said crystal (210) to prevent light from reaching said photodiode; and electrically shielding said photodiode (212) by encapsulating said base (214) and crystal in a case (216) of low radiation absorbency.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of fabricating an x-radiation detector characterised by the steps of: mounting a photodiode (212) to a base (214) through which pins (178) extend to transmit signals from a cathode and an anode; optically coupling a scintillation crystal (210) to said photodiode (212) with a clear adhesive and painting exterior surfaces of said crystal with a reflective paint; shielding said photodiode (212) by affixing an opaque tape to said base (214) and said crystal (210) to prevent light from reaching said photodiode; and electrically shielding said photodiode (212) by encapsulating said base (214) and crystal in a case (216) of low radiation absorbency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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