US6087665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-layered scintillators for computed tomograph systems
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 2000-07-11
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A multi-layer scintillator having a first and a second layer of scintillation material. In one embodiment, the scintillator first layer has fast scintillation characteristics and the second layer has a higher transparency than the first layer. The two scintillating layers are bonded together so that a light signal is transferred from the first layer to the second layer and the second layer to a photodiode adjacent the second layer. The specific scintillating materials are selected to achieve the desired characteristics of the scintillator.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Hoffman
- 👤 Hui David He
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2985; A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/02; A61B6/03; A61B6/032; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/04; G01N23/046; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2008; G01T1/2018; G01T1/20182; G01T1/20188; G01T1/2019; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/40; G01N2223/419
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A scintillator for a computed tomograph machine, said scintillator comprising: a first layer of material having a fast scintillation characteristic; and a second layer of material other than an optical fiber having a higher transparency characteristic than said first layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
A scintillator for a computed tomograph machine, said scintillator comprising: a first layer of material having a fast scintillation characteristic; and a second layer of material other than an optical fiber having a higher transparency characteristic than said first layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first material layer comprises GOS.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first material layer has a thickness of about 0.5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second material layer comprises (YGd) 2 O 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scintillator is configured so that x-ray beams impinge on said first material layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first material layer is bonded to said second material layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first material layer is sintered to said second material layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first material layer is a film screen material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first layer is grown directly on top of said second layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A scintillator for a computed tomograph machine, said scintillator comprising: a first layer of material having a fast scintillation characteristic; and a second layer having a higher transparency characteristic than said first layer; wherein said first material layer is sintered to said second material layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A scintillator for a computed tomograph machine, said scintillator comprising: a first layer of material having a fast scintillation characteristic; and a second layer having a higher transparency characteristic than said first layer; wherein said first material layer is sintered to said second material layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A scintillator for a computed tomograph machine, said scintillator comprising: a first layer of material comprising GOS and having a fast scintillation characteristic; and a second layer consisting essentially of (YGd) 2 O 3 and having a higher transparency characteristic than said first layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A scintillator for a computed tomograph machine, said scintillator comprising: a first layer of material comprising GOS and having a fast scintillation characteristic; and a second layer consisting essentially of (YGd) 2 O 3 and having a higher transparency characteristic than said first layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scintillator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scintillator comprises additional layers of material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5391879A
Cited
US5594253A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-11 | 2004-01-10 | 2004-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-11 | 2008-01-10 | 2008-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-11 | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |