Patent US4058727A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4058727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gamma camera with reflectivity mask
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1976-06-28
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Granted: 1977-11-15
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Expires: 1996-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A gamma camera with a plurality of photodetectors arranged for locating flashes of light produced by a scintillator in response to incident radiation. Masking material is arranged in a radially symmetric pattern on the front face of the scintillator about the axis of each photodetector to reduce the amount of internal reflection of optical photons induced by gamma ray photons.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl J. Stout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A radiographic camera comprising: a scintillator; a plurality of photodetectors positioned to face said scintillator; a plurality of nonreflective mask regions formed upon the front face of said scintillator opposite said photodetectors and positioned coaxially with respective ones of said photodetectors for decreasing the amount of internal reflection of optical photons generated within said scintillator, an individual one of said mask regions being in line with an axis of an individual one of said photodetectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A radiographic camera comprising: a scintillator; a plurality of photodetectors positioned to face said scintillator; a plurality of nonreflective mask regions formed upon the front face of said scintillator opposite said photodetectors and positioned coaxially with respective ones of said photodetectors for decreasing the amount of internal reflection of optical photons generated within said scintillator, an individual one of said mask regions being in line with an axis of an individual one of said photodetectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A camera according to claim 1 wherein said masked regions have axial symmetry about the axes of corrresponding ones of said photodetectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera according to claim 2 wherein said masked regions have greater opacity to optical photons than does the material of said scintillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera according to claim 3 further comprising resistive summing means for weighting and summing together the signals produced by individual ones of said photodetectors in response to radiation incident upon said scintillator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A camera according to claim 1 further comprising resistive summing means for weighting and combining individual ones of the signals produced by said photodetectors in response to radiation incident upon said scintillator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A camera according to claim 1 wherein said masked region has the form of an annulus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A camera according to claim 1 wherein said masked region has the form of a plurality of concentric annuli.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A camera according to claim 1 wherein said masked region has a pseudorandom distribution of coated spots, the density of said spots decreasing inversely with radial distance from an axis of one of said photodetectors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-14 | 1981-05-16 | 1981-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-14 | 1985-05-16 | 1985-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-14 | 1989-05-16 | 1989-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |