US4145609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scintillator for a gamma ray camera
Assignee: Hitachi Healthcare Manufacturing Ltd
•
Filing: 1976-11-22
•
Granted: 1979-03-20
•
Expires: 1996-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A scintillator for a gamma ray camera constituted by a crystal of NaI (Tl) having a surface roughness of less than 400 grit and a thickness of less than approximately 9 mm.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsumi Takami
- 👤 Ken Ueda
- 👤 Fumio Kawaguchi
- 👤 Teruichi Tomura
- 👤 Kenji Ishimatsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
In a scintillator for Anger type camera apparatus having a scintillating crystal structure for producing light rays; and means for directing said light rays toward a photomultiplier; the improvement comprising said scintillating crystal having a thickness of 9 mm or less and upper and lower surfaces being roughly polished.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a scintillator for Anger type camera apparatus having a scintillating crystal structure for producing light rays; and means for directing said light rays toward a photomultiplier; the improvement comprising said scintillating crystal having a thickness of 9 mm or less and upper and lower surfaces being roughly polished.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scintillator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are polished to a roughness of 400 to 120 grits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a scintillation camera including a plurality of photomultipliers, an improved scintillator of the type having a scintillation crystal with a surface disposed in facing relationship to said photomultipliers, wherein the improvement comprises means for providing a predetermined trapezoidal light distribution function curve for each luminescent point in said crystal relative to one of said photomultipliers directly facing said luminescent point, such that improved resolution of said camera is achieved, wherein said means include said crystal having a thickness no greater than 9mm, and at least the surface of said crystal facing said photomultipliers is roughly polished.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a scintillation camera including a plurality of photomultipliers, an improved scintillator of the type having a scintillation crystal with a surface disposed in facing relationship to said photomultipliers, wherein the improvement comprises means for providing a predetermined trapezoidal light distribution function curve for each luminescent point in said crystal relative to one of said photomultipliers directly facing said luminescent point, such that improved resolution of said camera is achieved, wherein said means include said crystal having a thickness no greater than 9mm, and at least the surface of said crystal facing said photomultipliers is roughly polished.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved scintillator according to claim 3 wherein said surface is polished to a roughness of 400 grits and below, and wherein the surface of said crystal opposite to said photomultipliers is also roughly polished to the same extent, and said surfaces have a maximum surface roughness of 120 grits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved scintillator according to claim 3, wherein the surface of said crystal opposite to said photomultipliers is also roughly polished.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improved scintillator according to claim 3, further comprising means for optically guiding light from said luminescent point to said photomultipliers, wherein said means is interposed between said photomultipliers and said surface of said crystal.
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) | 1982-03-19 | 1982-09-18 | 1983-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-19 | 1986-09-18 | 1987-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-19 | 1990-09-18 | 1991-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |