US5168160A — Method and apparatus for acquiring an electrical …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 186 words

A method for acquiring an electrical signal representing a radiogram, using an X-ray image capture element comprising: a first, electrically conductive, backing layer; a second, photoconductive layer responsive to both actinic and X-ray radiation extending substantially over said backing layer; a third, dielectric layer substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, the dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface extending substantially over and in contact with said photoconductive layer; and a plurality of discrete conductive microplates substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, said microplates on said front surface, each of said microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element; the method comprising: (a) preventing actinic radiation from impinging on said element; (b) applying an electric potential difference between said plurality of discrete conductive microplates and said backing layer; (c) impinging imagewise modulated X-ray radiation for a first time period onto the element; (d) after the first time period, stopping the applying step; and (e) sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 186 words

A method for acquiring an electrical signal representing a radiogram, using an X-ray image capture element comprising: a first, electrically conductive, backing layer; a second, photoconductive layer responsive to both actinic and X-ray radiation extending substantially over said backing layer; a third, dielectric layer substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, the dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface extending substantially over and in contact with said photoconductive layer; and a plurality of discrete conductive microplates substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, said microplates on said front surface, each of said microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element; the method comprising: (a) preventing actinic radiation from impinging on said element; (b) applying an electric potential difference between said plurality of discrete conductive microplates and said backing layer; (c) impinging imagewise modulated X-ray radiation for a first time period onto the element; (d) after the first time period, stopping the applying step; and (e) sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the element further comprises a charge barrier layer extending between the electrical backing layer and the photoconductive layer.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 1, further comprising between steps (d) and (e), exposing the element to uniform actinic radiation for a second time period.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein step (e) is performed by contacting the microplates, one at a time, with a signal probe connected to at least one signal detector while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the detector is adapted to produce analog output signals proportional to the charge stored between each microcapacitor comprising one of the microplates and the backing layer.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein step (e) is performed by accessing each of the microplates through means for switchably connecting the microplates to a common detector while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 6, wherein the switching occurs using semiconductor switches.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 6, wherein the switching occurs using photoelectric switches.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 142 words

Apparatus for acquiring an electrical signal representative of a radiogram, comprising: (a) an element having: a first, electrically conductive, backing layer; a second, photoconductive layer responsive to both actinic and X-ray radiation extending substantially over said backing layer; a third, dielectric layer substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, the dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface extending substantially over and in contact with said photoconductive layer; and a plurality of discrete conductive microplates substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, said microplates on said front surface, each of said microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element; (b) means for exposing the microplates to actinic radiation; and (c) means for sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 142 words

Apparatus for acquiring an electrical signal representative of a radiogram, comprising: (a) an element having: a first, electrically conductive, backing layer; a second, photoconductive layer responsive to both actinic and X-ray radiation extending substantially over said backing layer; a third, dielectric layer substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, the dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface extending substantially over and in contact with said photoconductive layer; and a plurality of discrete conductive microplates substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, said microplates on said front surface, each of said microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element; (b) means for exposing the microplates to actinic radiation; and (c) means for sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for flooding the microplates with actinic radiation.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sensing means comprises at least one detector and means for contacting the microplates, one at a time, the contacting means connected to the at least one detector.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one detector is adapted to produce analog output signals proportional to the charge stored between each micro-capacitor comprising one of the microplates and the backing layer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sensing means comprises a detector and means for accessing each of the microplates through means for sequentially switching such microplates onto the detector.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the switching means comprises semiconductor switches.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the switching means comprises photoconductor switches.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 191 words

A method for producing a radiogram using an X-ray image capture element comprising: a first, electrically conductive, backing layer; a second, photoconductive layer responsive to both actinic and X-ray radiation extending substantially over said backing layer; a third, dielectric layer substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, the dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface extending substantially over and in contact with said photoconductive layer; and a plurality of discrete conductive microplates substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, said microplates on said front surface, each of said microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element, the method comprising: preventing actinic radiation from impinging on said element; (b) applying an electric potential difference between said plurality of discrete conductive microplates and said backing layer; (c) impinging imagewise modulated X-ray radiation for a first time period onto the element; (d) after the first time period, stopping the applying step; (e) sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation; and (f) forming and displaying a radiograph from the sensed signals.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 191 words

A method for producing a radiogram using an X-ray image capture element comprising: a first, electrically conductive, backing layer; a second, photoconductive layer responsive to both actinic and X-ray radiation extending substantially over said backing layer; a third, dielectric layer substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, the dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface extending substantially over and in contact with said photoconductive layer; and a plurality of discrete conductive microplates substantially transparent to both actinic and X-ray radiation, said microplates on said front surface, each of said microplates having dimensions coextensive with a minimum resolvable picture element, the method comprising: preventing actinic radiation from impinging on said element; (b) applying an electric potential difference between said plurality of discrete conductive microplates and said backing layer; (c) impinging imagewise modulated X-ray radiation for a first time period onto the element; (d) after the first time period, stopping the applying step; (e) sequentially sensing a discrete electrical signal proportional to an electric charge associated with each of the microplates while exposing the microplates to actinic radiation; and (f) forming and displaying a radiograph from the sensed signals.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 16, further comprising: prior to step (f), converting the sensed signals from analog to digital signals.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 16, further comprising: storing the sensed signals in a memory.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-12-01	1996-06-01	1996-12-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-12-01	2000-06-01	2000-12-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-12-01	2004-06-01	2004-12-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for acquiring an electrical signal representing a radiographic image

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