Structured detectors and detector systems for radiation imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A detector module comprising:
- at least first and second layers comprising a first layer of scintillator rods and a second continuous scintillator layer, layer of scintillator rods or a pixel structured scintillator layer, respectively, configured to generate optical signals in response to ionizing radiation, wherein the scintillator rods extend in a longitudinal direction and the second continuous, scintillator rod or pixel structured scintillator layer extends transversely thereto;
a light sharing region defined between the first and second layers, wherein the optical signals are transmitted between the first layer of scintillator rods and the second continuous, scintillator rod or pixel structured scintillator layer; and
a plurality of photodetector elements configured to convert the optical signals into output characterizing the radiation;
wherein the first and second layers are formed of a unitary scintillator element having a first major surface of the first layer and a second major surface of the second layer, with a thickness of the unitary scintillator element defined between the first and second major surfaces.
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Abstract
Detector module designs for radiographic imaging include first and second layers of scintillator rods or pixel arrays oriented in first and second directions. The first and second directions are transversely oriented to define a light sharing region between the first and second layers. Encoding features may be disposed in, on or between the first and second layers, and configured to modulate propagation of optical signals therealong or therebetween.
42 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A detector module comprising:
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at least first and second layers comprising a first layer of scintillator rods and a second continuous scintillator layer, layer of scintillator rods or a pixel structured scintillator layer, respectively, configured to generate optical signals in response to ionizing radiation, wherein the scintillator rods extend in a longitudinal direction and the second continuous, scintillator rod or pixel structured scintillator layer extends transversely thereto; a light sharing region defined between the first and second layers, wherein the optical signals are transmitted between the first layer of scintillator rods and the second continuous, scintillator rod or pixel structured scintillator layer; and a plurality of photodetector elements configured to convert the optical signals into output characterizing the radiation; wherein the first and second layers are formed of a unitary scintillator element having a first major surface of the first layer and a second major surface of the second layer, with a thickness of the unitary scintillator element defined between the first and second major surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A detector module comprising:
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a first layer of elongate scintillator elements, each extending in a longitudinal direction along the first layer; a second layer of pixel structured scintillator elements extending in first and second transverse directions along the second layer; at least one intermediate layer disposed between the first and second layers; and a plurality of photodetectors configured to generate output characterizing optical signals generated by the scintillator elements in response to radiation interacting in one or both of the first and second layers; wherein one or more of the first and second layers are formed of a unitary scintillator material and further comprising a plurality of dividers formed in the unitary scintillator material, the dividers defining the scintillator elements therein. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A detector module comprising:
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at least first and second layers of crossed scintillator rods configured to generate optical signals in response to ionizing radiation, the crossed scintillator rods extending in first and second transverse directions in the first and second layers, respectively; a light sharing region defined between the first and second layers, wherein the optical signals are transmitted between the respective crossed scintillator rods; a plurality of photodetector elements configured to convert the optical signals into output characterizing the radiation; and an encoding pattern applied to one or both of the first and second layers of scintillator rods, or between the scintillator rods, the encoding pattern configured to modulate propagation of the optical signals along one or both layers of scintillator rods, or between the first and second layers of scintillator rods; wherein the first and second layers of scintillator rods are defined in a unitary scintillator element having the light sharing region defined therein, with a thickness of the unitary scintillator element defined between a first major surface of the first layer and a second major surface of the second layer. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A detector module comprising:
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first and second layers of scintillator elements configured to generate optical signals in response to ionizing radiation, wherein the first and second layers are defined in a unitary scintillator element; a light sharing region defined in the unitary scintillator element between the first and second layers, wherein the optical signals are transmitted between the respective scintillator elements; a plurality of photodetector elements configured to convert the optical signals into output characterizing the radiation; and a plurality of dividers extending in one or both of first and second directions in one or both of the first and second layers, respectively, the dividers defining the respective scintillator elements therein. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification