US4267452A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Radioactivity distribution detection system and crystal detector assembly
Assignee: Philips Nuclear Medicine Inc
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Filing: 1979-07-30
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Granted: 1981-05-12
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Expires: 1999-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A crystal detector array, particularly for a high resolution radioactivity distribution detection system, with a plurality of crystal assemblies that are disposed in rows and columns and define a sensing array. Each crystal assembly is provided with four sensing heads. Each head is a quadrant of the crystal assembly and is identified by a unique address location in the array. A plurality of detectors are superimposed on the sensing array. Certain ones of the detectors are in registration with one sensing head of four crystal assemblies in adjacent rows and columns. Radioactive events emitted from a subject under diagnosis activate selected ones of the sensing heads. Light signals generated by the activated heads are detected by the detectors and processed to provide a presentation of radioactivity distribution within the subject under diagnosis.
Inventors
- 👤 Johan A. Govaert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1644
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A detector comprising a unitary body that is formed with a pair of intersecting perpendicular slots that extend inwardly from one end of said body to form four sensing heads in said body at said one end, each of said sensing heads positioned in one quadrant of said body, an opposite end of said body being cut away to form four elevated exit windows, one of each said exit windows in one of each said quadrants, one of each said sensing heads in registration with one of each said exit windows in one of each said quadrants.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A detector comprising a unitary body that is formed with a pair of intersecting perpendicular slots that extend inwardly from one end of said body to form four sensing heads in said body at said one end, each of said sensing heads positioned in one quadrant of said body, an opposite end of said body being cut away to form four elevated exit windows, one of each said exit windows in one of each said quadrants, one of each said sensing heads in registration with one of each said exit windows in one of each said quadrants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector as claimed in claim 1 including a reflective material disposed within said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The detector as claimed in claim 2 wherein said body is composed of a scintillation material and each said sensing head defines a scintillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A detector assembly comprising: (a) a housing having opened ends; (b) a unitary body composed of a scintillation material disposed within said housing, said body formed with inwardly extending, perpendicular slots which divide one end of said body into four sensing heads, a portion of an opposite end of said body cut away to form four exit windows at said opposite end of said body, one of each said sensing heads in registration with one of each said exit windows in one quadrant of said body, each said sensing head defining a scintillator; and (c) a reflective material disposed within said slots, in said cut away portion of said body between said exit windows, and in the space between said housing and said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
A detector assembly comprising: (a) a housing having opened ends; (b) a unitary body composed of a scintillation material disposed within said housing, said body formed with inwardly extending, perpendicular slots which divide one end of said body into four sensing heads, a portion of an opposite end of said body cut away to form four exit windows at said opposite end of said body, one of each said sensing heads in registration with one of each said exit windows in one quadrant of said body, each said sensing head defining a scintillator; and (c) a reflective material disposed within said slots, in said cut away portion of said body between said exit windows, and in the space between said housing and said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The detector assembly as claimed in claim 4 including a metallic stratum superposed on said sensing heads and an epoxy stratum superposed on said metallic stratum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
A detector array comprising: (a) a plurality of housings arranged in an array; (b) a body composed of a scintillation material captively held within each of said housings, each said body formed with longitudinally extending slots which divide one end of said body into equal quadrants, each of said quadrants defining a scintillator, four exit windows formed in each said quadrant at an opposite end of said body, one of each said exit windows in registration with one of each said scintillators: and (c) a plurality of detectors superposed on said exit windows, certain ones of said detectors superposed equally on four exit windows of four adjacent housings, said certain ones of said detectors superposed on only one exit window of each of said adjacent housings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A detector array comprising: (a) a plurality of housings arranged in an array; (b) a body composed of a scintillation material captively held within each of said housings, each said body formed with longitudinally extending slots which divide one end of said body into equal quadrants, each of said quadrants defining a scintillator, four exit windows formed in each said quadrant at an opposite end of said body, one of each said exit windows in registration with one of each said scintillators: and (c) a plurality of detectors superposed on said exit windows, certain ones of said detectors superposed equally on four exit windows of four adjacent housings, said certain ones of said detectors superposed on only one exit window of each of said adjacent housings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The detector array as claimed in claim 6 including a reflective material disposed between said body and housing, in said slots, and between said exit windows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector array as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said detectors is a photomultiplier tube.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for presenting a representation of radioactivity distribution within a specimen, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of housings arranged in an array of rows and columns; (b) a unitary body composed of a scintillation material captively held within each of said housings, each said body formed with longitudinally extending slots which divide one end of said body into equal quadrants, each of said quadrants defining a scintillator, four exit windows formed in each said quadrant at an opposite end of said body, one of each said exit windows in registration with one of each said scintillators in one of each said quadrants, said scintillators defining an array of rows and columns for sensing radioactive events within the specimen; (c) a plurality of dectors superposed on said exit windows, certain ones of said detectors superposed equally on four exit windows of four adjacent housings, said certain ones of said detectors superposed on only one exit window of each of said adjacent housings; (d) decode means connected to said detectors for decoding signals generated by said detectors, said decode means generating data signals defining address locations of said sensors, each said scintillator having a unique address location; (e) processing means connected to said decode means for accumulating sensed events at each of said address locations; and (f) display means connected to said processing means for presenting a representation of radioactivity distribution within the specimen.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for presenting a representation of radioactivity distribution within a specimen, said system comprising: (a) a plurality of housings arranged in an array of rows and columns; (b) a unitary body composed of a scintillation material captively held within each of said housings, each said body formed with longitudinally extending slots which divide one end of said body into equal quadrants, each of said quadrants defining a scintillator, four exit windows formed in each said quadrant at an opposite end of said body, one of each said exit windows in registration with one of each said scintillators in one of each said quadrants, said scintillators defining an array of rows and columns for sensing radioactive events within the specimen; (c) a plurality of dectors superposed on said exit windows, certain ones of said detectors superposed equally on four exit windows of four adjacent housings, said certain ones of said detectors superposed on only one exit window of each of said adjacent housings; (d) decode means connected to said detectors for decoding signals generated by said detectors, said decode means generating data signals defining address locations of said sensors, each said scintillator having a unique address location; (e) processing means connected to said decode means for accumulating sensed events at each of said address locations; and (f) display means connected to said processing means for presenting a representation of radioactivity distribution within the specimen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system as claimed in claim 9 including a reflective material disposed in said slots, between said housing and body received therein, and between said exit windows, each of said scintillators activated and generating a light signal in response to detection of a radioactive event within the specimen, said light signal generated by said activated scintillator in one of said bodies being shared by said detectors superposed on adjacent scintillators in said one body.
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) | 1984-05-11 | 1984-11-10 | 1985-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-11 | 1988-11-10 | 1989-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-11 | 1992-11-10 | 1993-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |