Diagnostic and therapeutic detector system for imaging with low and high energy X-rays and electrons

• US 20020149305A1
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anders Brahme, Mats Danielsson
• Original Assignee: Anders Brahme, Mats Danielsson
• Inventors: Brahme, Anders, Danielsson, Mats
• Application Number:
  US10/166,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149305A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/105CM
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1054 using a portal imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/185 with ionisation chamber arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 47/02 Ionisation chambers

Abstract

A detector unit for detecting photons in the energy range 1 keV to 100 MeV, includes at least two converter layers adapted to interact with incident X-ray photons and to cause electrons to be emitted therefrom, at least one amplifier adapted to interact with the electrons emitted from the converters and adapted to produce a multiplicity of secondary electrons and photons representing a signal proportional to the incident fluence of X-ray photons, a connector connecting the detector to an electric field generator providing an electric drift field for secondary electrons in the detector, and a sensor device arranged to receive the signal and provide an input to electronic signal processor.

Claims

1. A system for X-ray therapy and diagnosis, comprising

at least one source of X-rays;

collimators for said X-rays for providing a defined amount of radiation to a patient; and

a detector for photons in the energy range 1 keV-100 MeV, said detector comprising a stack of amplifiers and converters.

2. A system for X-ray control of transport devices such as bags, containers, trucks trailers, comprising

at least one source of X-rays;

collimators for said X-rays for providing a defined amount of radiation to an object to be examined;

a detector for photons in the energy range 1 keV-100 MeV, said detector comprising a stack of amplifiers and converters; and

a place of location for said transport device to position said device between said source of X-rays and said detector.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising

a scanning unit enabling scanning of said X-rays over an area on said device;

and

an X-Y movement generating device coupled to said detector for enabling movement of said detector in correspondence with said scanning.

4. A method for performing X-ray therapy, comprising the following steps:

selectively providing an X-ray beam in the energy range 1 keV-100 MeV;

providing a detector responsive to said X-ray beam over the entire energy range;

directing an X-ray beam of diagnostic or therapeutic energy towards a patient;

selectively detecting diagnostic or therapeutic radiation as needed using the same detector in order to get optimal information from each modality.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, comprising making a first detection of diagnostic energy X-rays, for generating an image representative of the position of the patient;

in response to position information obtained form said image, immediately adjusting the position of the patient if needed; and

exposing the patient to therapeutic radiation.

6. A charge collection device, comprising

a multilayer printed circuit board having a multiplicity of chargeable pads distributed over the surface of the board;

and

separate electrical connections connected to each pad and drawn between the layers of said multilayer board to the edges thereof.

7. The charge collection device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said pads are of metal.

8. The charge collection device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said board comprises 2-20 layers.

9. The charge collection device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising electronic read-out devices coupled to said electrical connections, said read-out devices being mounted at the edges of said printed circuit board.

10. The charge collection device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pads are of a metal selected from the group good charge collectors consisting of Cu, Au and Al.

11. A detector unit for detecting photons in the energy range 1 keV to 100 MeV, comprising

a housing having walls, a top cover and a bottom and enclosing a gas;

a plurality of integrated converter and amplifier structures arranged in a stack in said housing;

a charge collection device arranged at the bottom of the housing;

connection means comprising a variable resistor chain coupled in series across the entire detector, connectable to an external voltage source;

electronic read out devices coupled to said charge collection device for providing an input to a control unit;

wherein

said integrated converter and amplifier structures each comprise a central metal layer on both sides of which there is provided an insulating layer, and wherein the respective insulating layers each are provided with a metal film, wherein the central metal layer is thicker than each insulating layer, and wherein each insulating layer is thicker than each metal film, and wherein said composite dipole layered structure is perforated with holes;

said holes having an entrance opening for electrons and an exit opening wherein said exit opening is wider than said entrance opening.