Patent US6069361A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6069361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Imaging resolution of X-ray digital sensors
Assignee: Carestream Health Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-31
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2017-10-31
Abstract
Abstract An improved solid-state detector for use in a digital X-Ray imaging system. The detector includes two or more silicon CCDs that are sandwiched together with phosphor screens or layers between them in order to improve the overall sensitivity of the detector to X-rays. In order to improve the resolution of the device, the CCDs are offset relative to one another so that the pixels of one cover the nonsensing portions of the other. The phosphorescent screen is combined with an opaque mask containing holes corresponding to positions of the pixels in the CCDs. This arrangement improves image quality by preventing light resulting from an X-ray striking the phosphorescent screen in a particular location from "bleeding" and exposing adjacent pixels. One such screen is placed on each side of the phosphorescent layer with holes aligned with the corresponding CCD, or the screen can be affixed directly to the CCD prior to assembly of the device, or "spots" of the phosphorescent material can be applied directly to the CCDs over each pixel.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger B. Rubinstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A solid state X-ray detector comprising: a first pixellated array sensor sensitive to a first predetermined bandwidth; a second pixellated array sensor sensitive to a second predetermined bandwidth arranged such that the pixels of the second sensor are facing the pixels of the first sensor; and at least one phosphorescent layer sensitive to X-rays and emitting light within the first predetermined bandwidth and the second predetermined bandwidth sandwiched in between the sensors; wherein the first and second bandwidths are different, there are at least two phosphorescent layers with an opaque mask sandwiched between them, such that there is first phosphorescent layer emitting the first bandwidth, and a second phosphorescent layer emitting the second bandwidth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A solid state X-ray detector comprising: a first pixellated array sensor sensitive to a first predetermined bandwidth; a second pixellated array sensor sensitive to a second predetermined bandwidth arranged such that the pixels of the second sensor are facing the pixels of the first sensor; and at least one phosphorescent layer sensitive to X-rays and emitting light within the first predetermined bandwidth and the second predetermined bandwidth sandwiched in between the sensors; wherein the first and second bandwidths are different, there are at least two phosphorescent layers with an opaque mask sandwiched between them, such that there is first phosphorescent layer emitting the first bandwidth, and a second phosphorescent layer emitting the second bandwidth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The X-ray detector of claim 1 wherein the first and second pixellated sensors have arrays offset with respect to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The X-ray detector of claim 2 wherein the offset is essentially x/2, y/2 where x represents the distance between two adjacent pixels on the first sensor along the x axis and y represents the distance between two adjacent pixels on the first sensor along the y axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The X-ray detector of claim 1 further comprising at least one mask adjacent to at least one of the sensors, the mask being opaque to the light emitted by the phosphorescent layer and having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with pixels in the sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The X-ray detector of claim 1 wherein the phosphorescent layer emitting to the first predetermined bandwidth or the second predetermined bandwidth is applied to the sensor in a phosphor dot pattern that is aligned with at least the pixels of either the first or second sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The X-ray detector of claim 1 wherein the first and second pixellated layers are offset with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A solid state X-ray detector comprising: a plurality of pixellated arrays each sensitive to a bandwidth selected for the pixellated array wherein the bandwidths are different, a phosphorescent dot pattern applied to at least one of the pixellated arrays and aligned with the pixels of that pixellated array, the dot pattern being sensitive to X-rays and emitting light in response to X-rays within the bandwidth of the sensor to which it is applied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A solid state X-ray detector comprising: a plurality of pixellated arrays each sensitive to a bandwidth selected for the pixellated array wherein the bandwidths are different, a phosphorescent dot pattern applied to at least one of the pixellated arrays and aligned with the pixels of that pixellated array, the dot pattern being sensitive to X-rays and emitting light in response to X-rays within the bandwidth of the sensor to which it is applied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The X-ray detector of claim 7 wherein at least two of the pixellated sensors are offset with respect to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The X-ray detector of claim 8 wherein the offset is essentially ##EQU2## where x represents the distance between two adjacent pixels along the x axis on the first pixellated array, y represents the distance between two adjacent pixels along the y axis on the first pixellated array, n equals the total number of pixellated arrays in the sensor, and s equals the current pixellated array being offset.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The X-ray detector of claim 1 further comprising at least one mask adjacent to at least one of the sensors, the mask being opaque to the light emitted by the phosphorescent layer and having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with pixels in the sensor to which it is adjacent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
A solid state X-ray detector comprising: a plurality of pixellated array sensors each sensitive to bandwidth selected for the sensor wherein the bandwidths are different, a phosphorescent layer applied to at least one of the sensors and aligned with the pixels of that sensor, the phosphorescent layer being sensitive to X-rays and emitting light in response to X-rays within the bandwidth of the sensor to which it is applied.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
A solid state X-ray detector comprising: a plurality of pixellated array sensors each sensitive to bandwidth selected for the sensor wherein the bandwidths are different, a phosphorescent layer applied to at least one of the sensors and aligned with the pixels of that sensor, the phosphorescent layer being sensitive to X-rays and emitting light in response to X-rays within the bandwidth of the sensor to which it is applied.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The X-ray detector of claim 11 wherein at least two of the pixellated sensors are offset with respect to each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The X-ray detector of claim 11 wherein the offset is essentially ##EQU3## where x represents the distance between two adjacent pixels along the x axis on the first pixellated array, y represents the distance between two adjacent pixels along the y axis on the first pixellated array, n equals the total number of pixellated arrays in the sensor, and s equals the current pixellated array being offset.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The X-ray detector of claim 11 further comprising at least one mask adjacent to at least one of the sensors, the mask being opaque to the light emitted by the phosphorescent layer and having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with pixels in the sensor to which it is adjacent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |