US4338521A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular radiation detector array and module
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1980-05-09
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Granted: 1982-07-06
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Expires: 2000-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A modular radiation detector array which allows improved spatial resolution and facilitates installation and replacement for repair. Each module includes two detachably assembled portions with one portion including a plurality of spaced plates for collimating radiation. The second portion includes a printed circuit board, a semiconductor diode array chip mounted on the printed circuit board, and a plurality of scintillator crystals mounted on the semiconductor chip with each crystal overlying a diode. Signals from the diodes are applied to signal processing means by a cable which is readily connected to and disconnected from the diode array.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Howard Shaw
- 👤 Charles C. Morehouse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2018; G01T1/20182; A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/44; A61B6/4411; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1644; G01T1/20185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A modular detector array for use in detecting radiation in tomographic apparatus and the like comprising a plurality of detector modules, each of said modules comprising a first portion including a plurality of photodiodes and a plurality of scintillator crystals with each of said scintillator crystals cooperatively arranged with one of said photodiodes whereby radiation received by a scintillator crystal generates photons in said scintillator crystal which are transferred to one of said photodiodes, and a second portion including a collimator for directing collimated radiation to a scintillator crystal, said first portion and said second portion being detachably assembled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A modular detector array for use in detecting radiation in tomographic apparatus and the like comprising a plurality of detector modules, each of said modules comprising a first portion including a plurality of photodiodes and a plurality of scintillator crystals with each of said scintillator crystals cooperatively arranged with one of said photodiodes whereby radiation received by a scintillator crystal generates photons in said scintillator crystal which are transferred to one of said photodiodes, and a second portion including a collimator for directing collimated radiation to a scintillator crystal, said first portion and said second portion being detachably assembled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 1 and further including means for attaching said plurality of detector modules to said tomographic apparatus for detecting a divergent beam of radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 2 and further including a cover for enclosing said plurality of modules when attached to said tomographic apparatus and means for selectively transmitting a fan shaped beam of radiation to said plurality of detectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 3 wherein said means for transmitting a fan shaped beam comprises a pair of spaced radiation shields with said fan shaped beam being defined by the spacing of said radiation shields.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 4 wherein said cover includes an optically opaque wall over said pair of spaced radiation shields.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart plates and support means on opposing ends of said plates for maintaining said plates in spaced alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 6 wherein adjacent plates define a collimated path for directing radiation to a scintillator crystal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 1 wherein said first portion further includes a printed circuit board, means attaching said plurality of photodiodes to said printed circuit board, an electrical connector mounted on said printed circuit board, and means electrically interconnecting said plurality of photodiodes to said connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 8 wherein said printed circuit board has a plurality of alignment holes and said first portion further includes a support having a plurality of pins, said support receiving said printed circuit board with said pins engaging said alignment holes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 9 wherein said second portion includes a plurality of holes for mating with pins of said first portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 1 or 9 and further including means for attaching said plurality of detector modules to said tomographic apparatus for detecting a divergent beam of radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 11 and further including a cover for enclosing said plurality of modules when attached to a tomographic apparatus and means for selectively transmitting a fan shaped beam of radiation to said plurality of detectors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 12 wherein said means for selectively transmitting a fan shaped beam comprises a pair of spaced radiation shields whereby said fan shaped beam is defined by the spacing of said radiation shields.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular detector array as defined by claim 13 wherein said cover includes an optically opaque wall over said pair of spaced radiation shields.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
A detector module for use in a modular detector array comprising a first portion including a plurality of photodiodes and a plurality of scintillator crystals with each of said scintillator crystals cooperatively arranged with one of said photodiodes whereby radiation received by a scintillator crystal generates photons in said generator crystal which is transmitted to one of said photodiodes, and a second portion including a collimator for directing collimated radiation to each of said plurality of scintillator crystals, said first portion and said second portion being detachably assembled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
A detector module for use in a modular detector array comprising a first portion including a plurality of photodiodes and a plurality of scintillator crystals with each of said scintillator crystals cooperatively arranged with one of said photodiodes whereby radiation received by a scintillator crystal generates photons in said generator crystal which is transmitted to one of said photodiodes, and a second portion including a collimator for directing collimated radiation to each of said plurality of scintillator crystals, said first portion and said second portion being detachably assembled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A detector module as defined by claim 15 wherein said second portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart plates and support means on opposing ends of said plates for maintaining said plates in spaced alignment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A detector module as defined by claim 15 or 16 wherein said first portion further includes a printed circuit board, means attaching said plurality of photodiodes to said printed circuit board, an electrical connector mounted on said printed circuit board, and means electrically interconnecting said plurality of photodiodes to said connector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A detector module as defined by claim 17 wherein said printed circuit board has a plurality of alignment holes and said first portion further includes a support having a plurality of pins, said support receiving said printed circuit board with said pins engaging said alignment holes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detector module as defined by claim 18 wherein said second portion includes a plurality of holes for mating with pins of said first portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-05 | 1986-01-04 | 1986-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-05 | 1990-01-04 | 1990-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-05 | 1994-01-04 | 1994-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |