High performance CT reflector for a scintillator array and method for making same
First Claim
1. A high performance reflector system for use on scintillator elements contained in a scintillator array of a computed tomograph imaging system, the scintillator elements having a reflective material coupled along its surfaces defined within the gaps between scintillator elements, the reflective material comprising:
- a smoothening layer;
a metallic reflective layer applied to said smoothening layer layer; and
a top layer applied to said metallic reflective layer, said top layer providing an environmental barrier to said metallic reflective layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for fabricating a high performance reflective material for use on scintillator elements in a computed tomograph (CT) imaging device. Adjacent scintillator elements are separated by gaps filled with a reflective coating layer. In one embodiment, the reflective coating layer consists of a surface level coating layer, an adhesion layer, a metallic reflective layer, and a top layer consisting of either a barrier coating layer or a polymeric encapsulant, or both. In another embodiment, the metallic reflective coating layer is applied to the scintillator element via an electroless metal deposition process utilizing a reducing agent and a metal complex. The CT reflectors formed by either embodiment have improved light output, minimized cross talk, higher geometric efficiency, and decreased performance degradation as compared with current CT reflectors that utilize organic binders and titanium dioxide fillers is achieved.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A high performance reflector system for use on scintillator elements contained in a scintillator array of a computed tomograph imaging system, the scintillator elements having a reflective material coupled along its surfaces defined within the gaps between scintillator elements, the reflective material comprising:
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a smoothening layer;
a metallic reflective layer applied to said smoothening layer layer; and
a top layer applied to said metallic reflective layer, said top layer providing an environmental barrier to said metallic reflective layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for forming a high performance reflector for a scintillator array used in a computed tomograph imaging system, the high performance reflector having a plurality of scintillator elements formed in an array, the method comprising:
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applying a smoothening coating to a top surface and to each of four adjacent side surfaces of each of said plurality of scintillator elements;
optionally etching said smoothening layer;
optionally applying an adhesion layer to said smoothening layer;
applying a metallic reflective layer to said adhesion layer; and
applying a top layer to said metallic reflective layer, said top layer providing an environmental barrier to said metallic reflective layer. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A scintillator for use in a computed tomograph application comprising:
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a plurality of scintillator elements formed into an array, each of said plurality of scintillator elements having a top surface and four adjacent side surfaces;
a smoothening layer applied to said top surface and to each of said four adjacent side surfaces; and
a metallic reflective coating applied to said smoothening layer, said metallic reflective coating formed from a reducing agent and a metal complex. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for forming a high performance reflector for a scintillator array used in a computed tomograph imaging system, the scintillator array having a plurality of scintillator elements, the method comprising:
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applying a smoothening coating to a top surface and to each of four adjacent side surfaces of each of said plurality of scintillator elements;
applying a reducing agent to said smoothening coating;
degassing said reducing agent;
applying a metal complex solution to said reducing agent layer to form a metal reflecting layer; and
washing and drying said metal reflecting layer. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification