Patent US4933558A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4933558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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X-ray sensitive area detection device
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1989-01-31
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Granted: 1990-06-12
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Expires: 2009-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A radiation sensitive area detection device is disclosed which comprises a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a pattern of incoming X-rays, UV, or other radiation falling on the film and capable of fluorescing in response to stimulation by a light source in a manner directly proportional to the stored radiation pattern; a light source capable of projecting light or other appropriate electromagnetic wave on the film so as to cause it to fluoresce; means, such as a lens, to focus the fluoresced light coming from the phosphor-containing film after light stimulation; and at least one charged coupled detector or other detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the pattern of fluoresced light coming from the phosphor-containing film. The device of the present invention will be able to generate superior X-ray images of high resolution from a crystal or other sample, and will be particularly advantageous in that instantaneous near real time images of rapidly deteriorating samples can be obtained. Further, the device can be made compact and sturdy, thus capable of carrying out X-ray or other radiation imaging under a variety of conditions, including those experienced in space.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel C. Carter
- 👤 William K. Witherow
- 👤 Marc L. Pusey
- 👤 Vaughn H. Yost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:54
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K4/00; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2012; G01T1/2014; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A radiation sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X-ray, UV, or other radiation source comprising: a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by the pattern of incoming radiation falling on the film after deflection or transmission through a sample, and capable of fluorescing in response to a stimulation of said film by light or other electromagnetic wave, said fluorescence from said film being directly proportional to the stored image formed by the incoming radiation; a light source capable of projecting light or other electromagnetic wave upon said phosphor-containing film so as to cause said film to fluoresce in direct proportion to the image formed by the pattern of incoming radiation stored by the film; means for focusing the fluoresced light produced by the phosphor-containing film in response to the stimulation of said film by the light source so that said fluoresced light can be received by a detecting element, said focusing means selected from the group consisting of a lens, an optical fiber bundle in the shape of a half of an hourglass, and a combination of the above; and at least one detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the fluoresced light produced by the phosphor-containing film in response to the stimulation of said film by a light source so as to allow detection of the image formed by the pattern of incoming radiation falling on said film after deflection or transmission through a sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A radiation sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X-ray, UV, or other radiation source comprising: a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by the pattern of incoming radiation falling on the film after deflection or transmission through a sample, and capable of fluorescing in response to a stimulation of said film by light or other electromagnetic wave, said fluorescence from said film being directly proportional to the stored image formed by the incoming radiation; a light source capable of projecting light or other electromagnetic wave upon said phosphor-containing film so as to cause said film to fluoresce in direct proportion to the image formed by the pattern of incoming radiation stored by the film; means for focusing the fluoresced light produced by the phosphor-containing film in response to the stimulation of said film by the light source so that said fluoresced light can be received by a detecting element, said focusing means selected from the group consisting of a lens, an optical fiber bundle in the shape of a half of an hourglass, and a combination of the above; and at least one detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the fluoresced light produced by the phosphor-containing film in response to the stimulation of said film by a light source so as to allow detection of the image formed by the pattern of incoming radiation falling on said film after deflection or transmission through a sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the detecting element comprises a charged coupled detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source is capable of projecting light at a wavelength of approximately 1060 nm onto said phosphor-containing film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film contains a barium fluorohalide phosphor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A detection device according to claim 4 wherein the phosphor is selected from the group consisting of BaFBr:Eu 2+ and BaFC1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film contains a phosphor selected from the group consisting of lanthanum-based compounds and sodium iodide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film fluoresces light at a wavelength of approximately 560 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film fluoresces light at a wavelength of approximately 400 nm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source and the detecting element are positioned on opposite sides of the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A detection device according to claim 9 further comprising a window positioned between the radiation source and the phosphor-containing film, said window being transparent to X-rays and UV radiation and opaque to visible and infrared light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A detection device according to claim 10 wherein the window is comprised of beryllium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source and the detecting element are positioned on the same side of the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A detection device according to claim 12 wherein the phosphor-containing film is situated on a window transparent to X-rays and UV radiation and opaque to visible and infrared light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source is projected directly upon the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source is projected upon the phosphor-containing film by means of a mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A detection device according to claim 15 wherein the mirror reflects infrared light and is transparent to visible light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A detection device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one band-pass filter positioned in front of the charged coupled detecting element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A detection device according to claim 17 wherein the band-pass filter is comprised of glass, plastic, or other transparent material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A detection device according to claim 16 wherein the band-pass filter allows transmission of light at wavelengths from about 400 to about 600 nm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source comprises light projected upon the phosphor-containing film by means of a fiber optic sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein an array comprising a plurality of detecting elements is employed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detection device according to claim 21 wherein an array comprising five detecting elements is employed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A detection device according to claim 12 wherein the light source comprises light projected upon the phosphor-containing film by means of a first fiber optic sheet, wherein the focusing means comprises a second fiber optic sheet extending from the phosphor-containing film to at least one detecting element, and wherein the angle between the first and second fiber optic sheets is from about 10 to about 30 degrees.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source comprises light injected through a single optical fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the light source comprises light injected through an etched surface of a fiber optics sheet.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of obtaining an image of the diffraction pattern caused by directing radiation through a sample comprising the steps of: (a) directing radiation through a sample so that a radiation diffraction pattern from the sample falls upon a phosphor-containing film capable of retaining the image of the diffraction pattern and capable of fluorescing in response to a stimulation by light or other electromagnetic wave; (b) illuminating the phosphor-containing film with a suitable source of light or other electromagnetic wave so that fluorescence of the image retained by the phosphor-containing film will occur; and (c) using a focusing means selected from the group consisting of a lens, an optical fiber bundle in the shape of a half of an hourglass, and a combination of the above to focus the fluoresced light from the phosphor-containing film onto a detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the fluoresced light so as to allow detection of the radiation-produced image falling on the film after radiation is directed through the sample.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of obtaining an image of the diffraction pattern caused by directing radiation through a sample comprising the steps of: (a) directing radiation through a sample so that a radiation diffraction pattern from the sample falls upon a phosphor-containing film capable of retaining the image of the diffraction pattern and capable of fluorescing in response to a stimulation by light or other electromagnetic wave; (b) illuminating the phosphor-containing film with a suitable source of light or other electromagnetic wave so that fluorescence of the image retained by the phosphor-containing film will occur; and (c) using a focusing means selected from the group consisting of a lens, an optical fiber bundle in the shape of a half of an hourglass, and a combination of the above to focus the fluoresced light from the phosphor-containing film onto a detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the fluoresced light so as to allow detection of the radiation-produced image falling on the film after radiation is directed through the sample.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the radiation directed through the sample is X-ray or UV radiation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the sample is a crystal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the light or other electromagnetic wave used to illuminate the phosphor-containing film has a wavelength of approximately 1060 nm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the phosphor-containing film contains a barium fluorohalide phosphor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the light source illuminating the phosphor-containing film and the detecting element receiving the fluoresced light from the film are positioned on opposite sides of the film.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the radiation directed onto the phosphor-containing film is directed through a window transparent to the radiation and opaque to visible and infrared light before arriving at the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the light source and the detecting element are positioned on the same side of the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein a charged coupled detector is used as the detecting element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the source of light illuminating the phosphor-containing film is projected upon the film by means of a mirror.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the light is projected upon the film by means of a mirror which reflects infrared light and is transparent to visible light.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the light illuminating the phosphor-containing film is projected onto the film through a fiber optic sheet.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the light illuminating the phosphor-containing film is projected onto the film through a single optical fiber.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein the light illuminating the phosphor-containing film is projected onto the film through an etched surface of a fiber optic sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-06-11 | 1993-12-11 | 1994-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-11 | 1998-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-11 | 2001-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |