US7822173B2 — Smart radiation detector module

Claim 1

Independent Claim 152 words

In a computed tomography apparatus including an x-ray source, a plurality of x-radiation sensitive detector modules and a reconstructor which generates volume space data indicative of x-radiation detected by the detector modules, the detector modules comprising: an x-radiation sensitive detector array which generates electrical signals in response to x-radiation detected thereby; a memory which contains both a first parameter indicative of a first measured performance characteristic of the detector module and a second parameter indicative of a second measured characteristic of the detector module; circuitry in operative communication with the memory which corrects the electrical signals as a function of the first parameter so as to generate corrected detector signals; and a communication interface, in operative communication with the memory, configured to communicate the second parameter to a device external to the detector module, wherein the device is configured to correct the corrected detector signals as a function of the second parameter.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 152 words

In a computed tomography apparatus including an x-ray source, a plurality of x-radiation sensitive detector modules and a reconstructor which generates volume space data indicative of x-radiation detected by the detector modules, the detector modules comprising: an x-radiation sensitive detector array which generates electrical signals in response to x-radiation detected thereby; a memory which contains both a first parameter indicative of a first measured performance characteristic of the detector module and a second parameter indicative of a second measured characteristic of the detector module; circuitry in operative communication with the memory which corrects the electrical signals as a function of the first parameter so as to generate corrected detector signals; and a communication interface, in operative communication with the memory, configured to communicate the second parameter to a device external to the detector module, wherein the device is configured to correct the corrected detector signals as a function of the second parameter.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector array includes a plurality of detector pixels and wherein the first parameter includes a parameter indicative of a measured performance characteristic of individual pixels in the array.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the parameter identifies inoperative pixels.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the circuitry uses a temporally corresponding signal from a pixel in the neighborhood of an inoperative pixel to correct for the inoperative pixel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the measured performance characteristic is crosstalk between pixels in the array.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first performance characteristic is measured prior to installation of the detector module in the computed tomography apparatus.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the detector module includes a component, wherein the first parameter is indicative of a measured performance characteristic of the component, and wherein the performance characteristic of the component is measured prior to installation of the component in the detector module.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector module includes a communication interface in operative communication with the memory and adapted to receive data indicative of a measured performance characteristic from a source external to the detector module.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector module includes a computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computer processor, cause the computer processor to carry out a method which includes using the first parameter to correct the electrical signals.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 122 words

An x-ray detector module for use in an imaging apparatus, the detector module comprising: a plurality of x-ray sensitive detector pixels which generate signals in response to detected x-rays; a memory which contains first and second data indicative of the performance of the detector pixels; signal correction circuitry in operative communication with the memory and the detector pixels, wherein the signal correction circuitry corrects the detector pixel signals as a function of the first data so as to generate corrected signals; a communication interface, in operative communication with the memory, configured to communicate the second parameter to a device external to the detector module, wherein the device is configured to correct the corrected detector signals as a function of the second parameter.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 122 words

An x-ray detector module for use in an imaging apparatus, the detector module comprising: a plurality of x-ray sensitive detector pixels which generate signals in response to detected x-rays; a memory which contains first and second data indicative of the performance of the detector pixels; signal correction circuitry in operative communication with the memory and the detector pixels, wherein the signal correction circuitry corrects the detector pixel signals as a function of the first data so as to generate corrected signals; a communication interface, in operative communication with the memory, configured to communicate the second parameter to a device external to the detector module, wherein the device is configured to correct the corrected detector signals as a function of the second parameter.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

The detector module of claim 10 wherein the first data includes data indicative of a first performance characteristic which is determined prior to installation of the detector module in the imaging apparatus.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The detector module of claim 11 wherein the second data includes data indicative of a second performance characteristic which is determined subsequent to installation of the detector module in the imaging apparatus.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The detector module of claim 12 wherein the second performance characteristic is detector offset.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 51 words

The detector module of claim 11 wherein the first data includes data indicative of a plurality of performance characteristics which are determined prior to installation of the detector module in the imaging apparatus, and wherein the performance characteristics include at least one of afterglow, crosstalk, linearity, offset, and pixel operative status.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

The detector module of claim 10 wherein the signal correction circuitry includes digital circuitry.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the signal correction circuitry and the memory are disposed in single ASIC.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The detector module of claim 10 wherein the detector pixels include back contact photodiodes.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2013-10-25	2014-04-26	2014-10-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2017-10-25	2018-04-26	2018-10-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2021-10-25	2022-04-26	2022-10-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Smart radiation detector module

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