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Patent US6115448A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6115448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photodiode array for a scalable multislice scanning computed tomography system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 2000-09-05
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A high density semiconductor array for a scalable multislice computed tomography system is described. In one embodiment, the semiconductor array includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged in rows and columns. A scintillator array is optically coupled to the semiconductor array. Each photodiode creates a low level analog output signal representative of the light output of each scintillator. The semiconductor array enables selection of the number of slices of data to be electrically transmitted for each rotation of the CT system.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/52; A61B6/5205; A61B6/02; A61B6/03; A61B6/032; G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/04; G01N23/046; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2018; G01T1/20182; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2985; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/40; G01N2223/419
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A high density semiconductor array for a multislice computed tomograph machine, said array comprising: a plurality of photodiodes configured as a photodiode array having electrical outputs; and a scintillator array optically coupled to said photodiode array; and a switch electrically coupled to said photodiode array outputs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A high density semiconductor array for a multislice computed tomograph machine, said array comprising: a plurality of photodiodes configured as a photodiode array having electrical outputs; and a scintillator array optically coupled to said photodiode array; and a switch electrically coupled to said photodiode array outputs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scintillator array and said photodiode array are 16×16 arrays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A multislice detector for a computed tomograph machine, said detector comprising: a detector housing; a plurality of detector modules coupled to said detector housing, said detector modules selectively configurable to generate outputs in accordance with a preselected number of slices and slice thickness and to operate in a plurality of slice modes; a collimator array adjacent said detector modules; and a backplane electrically coupled to outputs of said detector modules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A multislice detector for a computed tomograph machine, said detector comprising: a detector housing; a plurality of detector modules coupled to said detector housing, said detector modules selectively configurable to generate outputs in accordance with a preselected number of slices and slice thickness and to operate in a plurality of slice modes; a collimator array adjacent said detector modules; and a backplane electrically coupled to outputs of said detector modules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 3 wherein said switch comprises a plurality of field effect transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said field effect transistors are wire bonded to one of said photodiode outputs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 3 wherein said switch comprises an array of field effect transistors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 3 wherein said photodiode array and said switch are on a substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a decoder coupled to said switch, said decoder configured to control operation of said switch to combine said photodiode array outputs in accordance with a preselected number of slices and slice thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A high density semiconductor array in accordance with claim 8 wherein said decoder controls said switch to selectively operate in a plurality of slice modes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
A detector module for a computed tomograph machine, said detector module comprising: a high density semiconductor array comprising a plurality of photodiodes and having outputs; a scintillator array optically coupled to said high density semiconductor array; at least one flexible cable electrically connected at one end to outputs of said high density semiconductor array; and a switch electrically coupled between said high density semiconductor array outputs and said at least one flexible electrical cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A detector module for a computed tomograph machine, said detector module comprising: a high density semiconductor array comprising a plurality of photodiodes and having outputs; a scintillator array optically coupled to said high density semiconductor array; at least one flexible cable electrically connected at one end to outputs of said high density semiconductor array; and a switch electrically coupled between said high density semiconductor array outputs and said at least one flexible electrical cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A detector module in accordance with claim 10 wherein said switch is wire bonded to said high density semiconductor array and said at least one flexible cable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A detector module in accordance with claim 10 wherein said switch comprises a plurality of field effect transistors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A detector module in accordance with claim 12 wherein said at least one flexible electrical cable comprises a plurality of electrical wires, and each of said field effect transistors electrically connected to one of said electrical wires.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A detector module in accordance with claim 10 wherein said high density semiconductor array and said scintillator arrays are 16×16 arrays.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A multislice detector for a computed tomograph machine, said detector comprising: a detector housing; a plurality of detector modules coupled to said detector housing, said detector modules selectively configurable to generate outputs in accordance with a preselected number of slices and slice thickness; and a collimator array adjacent said detector modules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A multislice detector for a computed tomograph machine, said detector comprising: a detector housing; a plurality of detector modules coupled to said detector housing, said detector modules selectively configurable to generate outputs in accordance with a preselected number of slices and slice thickness; and a collimator array adjacent said detector modules.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 15 further comprising a backplane electrically coupled to outputs of said detector modules.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 16 wherein each said detector module comprises at least one flexible electrical cable, wherein each of said electrical cables is electrically coupled between each of said detector modules and said backplane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 17 further comprising at least one elastomeric connector electrically connecting one end of each of said electrical cables to said backplane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 18 wherein said backplane comprises a plurality of inputs, wherein one end of each of said flexible cables and each input of said backplane comprise a connection pad, and wherein said connection pads are configured to electrically couple to said elastomeric connector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 19 wherein said elastomeric connector comprises a plurality of silver impregnated silicone layer conductors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 19 wherein said elastomeric connector comprises a plurality of gold plated brass or nickel conductors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 15 wherein said detector modules operate in a plurality of slice modes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 22 wherein one of said slice modes is a four slice mode, and for said four slice mode, a selected slice thickness comprises at least one row.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 3 wherein one of said slice modes is a four slice mode, and for said four slice mode, a selected slice thickness comprises at least one row.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 3 wherein each said detector module comprises at least one flexible electrical cable, wherein each of said electrical cables is electrically coupled between each of said detector modules and said backplane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 25 further comprising at least one elastomeric connector electrically connecting one end of each of said electrical cables to said backplane.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 26 wherein said backplane comprises a plurality of inputs, wherein one end of each of said flexible cables and each input of said backplane comprise a connection pad, and wherein said connection pads are configured to electrically couple to said elastomeric connector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 16 wherein said detector modules comprise high density semiconductor arrays each having a plurality of photodiodes configured as an array and a scintillator array optically coupled to said photodiode array.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 28 wherein said photodiode array has photodiode array outputs, and said high density semiconductor array further comprises a switch electrically coupled to said photodiode array outputs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 29 wherein said switch comprises a plurality of field effect transistors.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
A multislice detector in accordance with claim 28 further comprising a decoder coupled to said switch, said decoder configured to control operation of said switch to combine said photodiode array outputs in accordance with a preselected number of slice and slice thicknesses.
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) | 2003-09-05 | 2004-03-06 | 2004-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-05 | 2008-03-06 | 2008-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-05 | 2012-03-06 | 2012-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |