US5786599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhanced spatial resolution scintillation detectors
Assignee: University of Michigan (System)
•
Filing: 1996-10-30
•
Granted: 1998-07-28
•
Expires: 2016-10-30
Abstract
Abstract Spatial resolution in imaging-type scintillation detectors, such as gamma ray cameras used in nuclear medicine, is improved by providing an array of multi-faceted corner-cube reflectors on the back surface of the scintillator crystal. The reflectors modify the light spread function of the scintillator in accordance with any number of different applications, by appropriate adjustment of the orientation angle between facets.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Leslie Rogers
- 👤 Neal H. Clinthorne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A scintillator, which interacts with invisible radiation particles to produce visible scintillation events, comprising: a first planar surface for coupling to scintillation detector means for detecting said scintillation events; and a second surface opposite said planar surface having an array of discrete reflector elements formed thereon for reflecting light rays from said visible scintillation events back toward said planar surface so as to reduce the light spread function of said scintillator, wherein said discrete reflector elements are integrally formed of the same material as said scintillator in said second surface of said scintillator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A scintillator, which interacts with invisible radiation particles to produce visible scintillation events, comprising: a first planar surface for coupling to scintillation detector means for detecting said scintillation events; and a second surface opposite said planar surface having an array of discrete reflector elements formed thereon for reflecting light rays from said visible scintillation events back toward said planar surface so as to reduce the light spread function of said scintillator, wherein said discrete reflector elements are integrally formed of the same material as said scintillator in said second surface of said scintillator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A scintillator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said discrete reflector elements are multi-faceted polygons having facets oriented at 90 degrees to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scintillator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said facets are oriented at angles less than 90 degrees to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scintillator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said array of discrete reflector elements covers the entire area of said second surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scintillator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillator is a crystal material formed of CsI.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scintillator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillator is a crystal material formed of NaI.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for increasing spatial resolution of a scintillator which interacts with invisible radiation to produce radiation at visible wavelengths, comprising the steps of: providing a scintillator for interaction with invisible radiation; and forming an array of discrete reflector elements in a first surface of said scintillator opposite to a second surface which is to be coupled to photodetector means for detecting said visible radiation, for reflecting visible radiation incident thereon back toward said photodetector means; wherein said forming step comprises the step of forming in said first surface multi-faceted polygons as said discrete reflector elements, and orienting said facets with respect to each other at angles determined as a function of the energy of radiation intended to interact with said scintillator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for increasing spatial resolution of a scintillator which interacts with invisible radiation to produce radiation at visible wavelengths, comprising the steps of: providing a scintillator for interaction with invisible radiation; and forming an array of discrete reflector elements in a first surface of said scintillator opposite to a second surface which is to be coupled to photodetector means for detecting said visible radiation, for reflecting visible radiation incident thereon back toward said photodetector means; wherein said forming step comprises the step of forming in said first surface multi-faceted polygons as said discrete reflector elements, and orienting said facets with respect to each other at angles determined as a function of the energy of radiation intended to interact with said scintillator.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for increasing spatial resolution of a scintillator which interacts with invisible radiation to produce radiation at visible wavelengths, comprising the steps of: providing a scintillator for interaction with invisible radiation; and forming an array of discrete reflector elements in a first surface of said scintillator opposite to a second surface which is to be coupled to photodetector means for detecting said visible radiation, for reflecting visible radiation incident thereon back toward said photodetector means, wherein said discrete reflector elements are integrally formed of the same material as said scintillator in the second surface of said scintillator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for increasing spatial resolution of a scintillator which interacts with invisible radiation to produce radiation at visible wavelengths, comprising the steps of: providing a scintillator for interaction with invisible radiation; and forming an array of discrete reflector elements in a first surface of said scintillator opposite to a second surface which is to be coupled to photodetector means for detecting said visible radiation, for reflecting visible radiation incident thereon back toward said photodetector means, wherein said discrete reflector elements are integrally formed of the same material as said scintillator in the second surface of said scintillator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said discrete reflector elements are multi-faceted polygons having facets oriented at 90 degrees to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said facets are oriented at angles less than 90 degrees to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said facets are oriented at angles greater than 90 degrees to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said array of discrete reflector elements covers the entire area of said second surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said scintillator is a crystal material formed of CsI.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said scintillator is a crystal material formed of NaI.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3994835A
Cited
DE2544356A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-27 | 2002-01-26 | 2002-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-27 | 2006-01-26 | 2006-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | 2010-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |