US5148029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improved seal scintillation camera module and method of making it
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-23
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2011-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A scintillation crystal module of the type having a crystal housed in a backcap which is closed off by a glass window and sealed by an internal seal located between the window and the backcap is modified to include an external seal. The external seal is of moisture-impervious material and is attached to the outer surface of the backcap and the window and bridges over the boundary therebetween. The external seal may be made of an epoxy polyamid or a blocked urethane epoxy copolymer. The outer surface of the module may be sandblasted before the external seal is attached to the module, as by casting the adhesive in a suitable mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis E. Persyk
- 👤 Ivan Jazbec
- 👤 Albrecht H. Enders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1644; G01T1/20; G01T1/2002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A scintillation crystal module for use in a scintillation camera and being of a type in which a crystal is contained in backcap closed off by a glass window and in which an internal seal fills a gap between the window and the backcap, the scintillation crystal module comprising an external seal of moisture-impervious material attached to the outer surface of the module on the backcap and window and bridging across the seal-filled gap therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A scintillation crystal module for use in a scintillation camera and being of a type in which a crystal is contained in backcap closed off by a glass window and in which an internal seal fills a gap between the window and the backcap, the scintillation crystal module comprising an external seal of moisture-impervious material attached to the outer surface of the module on the backcap and window and bridging across the seal-filled gap therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The scintillation crystal module of claim 1, wherein said external seal is an elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The scintillation crystal module of claim 2, wherein said external seal is a blocked urethane epoxy copolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The scintillation crystal module of claim 1, wherein said external seal is an epoxy polyamid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improved seal for a scintillation crystal module of the type in which a crystal is contained within a backcap closed off by a glass window, the seal comprising: an internal seal filling a gap between the window and an inside surface of the backcap; and an external seal of moisture-impervious material attached to the outer surfaces of the backcap and the window and bridging across the seal-filled gap therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improved seal for a scintillation crystal module of the type in which a crystal is contained within a backcap closed off by a glass window, the seal comprising: an internal seal filling a gap between the window and an inside surface of the backcap; and an external seal of moisture-impervious material attached to the outer surfaces of the backcap and the window and bridging across the seal-filled gap therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved seal for a scintillation crystal module which employs an internal gap-filling seal for sealing a crystal in a moisture-free environment, said improved seal comprising an external seal of moisture-impervious material, attached to the outside of the module for bridging over the seal-filled gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved seal for a scintillation crystal module which employs an internal gap-filling seal for sealing a crystal in a moisture-free environment, said improved seal comprising an external seal of moisture-impervious material, attached to the outside of the module for bridging over the seal-filled gap.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of making an improved seal for a scintillation crystal module of the type which includes a crystal housed in a backcap closed off by a glass window and in which an internal seal fills the gap between the window and the backcap, said method comprising: roughening and ablating the outside of the backcap and the window on both sides of the gap; and attaching an external layer of moisture-impervious material to the roughened and ablated areas, thereby bridging across the seal-filled gap and providing an external seal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of making an improved seal for a scintillation crystal module of the type which includes a crystal housed in a backcap closed off by a glass window and in which an internal seal fills the gap between the window and the backcap, said method comprising: roughening and ablating the outside of the backcap and the window on both sides of the gap; and attaching an external layer of moisture-impervious material to the roughened and ablated areas, thereby bridging across the seal-filled gap and providing an external seal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said roughening and ablating step is carried out by sandblasting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said attaching step includes casting the layer in a mold.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for improving the structural integrity of a scintillation crystal module which employs an internal seal for sealing a scintillation crystal in a moisture-free environment, comprising the steps of: roughening and ablating an outer surface of the module adjacent and on both sides of the internal seal; and attaching an external layer of moisture-impervious material to the roughened and ablated surface across the internal seal, thereby providing an external seal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for improving the structural integrity of a scintillation crystal module which employs an internal seal for sealing a scintillation crystal in a moisture-free environment, comprising the steps of: roughening and ablating an outer surface of the module adjacent and on both sides of the internal seal; and attaching an external layer of moisture-impervious material to the roughened and ablated surface across the internal seal, thereby providing an external seal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said roughening and ablating step includes sandblasting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said attaching step includes casting the layer in a mold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
86 words
A scintillation crystal assembly for use in a scintillation camera and including a scintillation crystal module in which a crystal is contained in a backcap closed off by a glass window and in which an internal seal fills a gap between the window and the backcap, the scintillation crystal assembly comprising a flange and an external seal of moisture-impervious material attached to the outer surfaces of the backcap and window and bridging across the seal-filled gap therebetween, the external seal securing the module to the flange.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
A scintillation crystal assembly for use in a scintillation camera and including a scintillation crystal module in which a crystal is contained in a backcap closed off by a glass window and in which an internal seal fills a gap between the window and the backcap, the scintillation crystal assembly comprising a flange and an external seal of moisture-impervious material attached to the outer surfaces of the backcap and window and bridging across the seal-filled gap therebetween, the external seal securing the module to the flange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3919557A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |