Solid state X-ray detector with improved spatial resolution
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A solid state x-ray detector comprising:
- a monolithic x-ray detecting element having a front and rear surface;
at least one electrode attached to the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element;
a plurality of electrodes attached to the rear surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element and electrically separated by gutter regions, wherein the electrodes define areas corresponding to pixels in a reconstructed image and the gutter regions define areas where charge carriers are able to migrate unpredictably toward one of a variety of areas corresponding to one of a variety of pixels in the reconstructed image; and
an x-ray blocking mask attached to the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element and having openings arranged opposite the plurality of electrodes on the rear surface and blocking elements arranged over the gutter regions to substantially block x-rays directed toward the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element from entering an area on the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element opposite the gutter regions.
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Abstract
A monolithic detector uses a grid to block x-rays from inter-pixel regions such as are believed to cause electrical noise in the pixel signals.
59 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A solid state x-ray detector comprising:
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a monolithic x-ray detecting element having a front and rear surface; at least one electrode attached to the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element; a plurality of electrodes attached to the rear surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element and electrically separated by gutter regions, wherein the electrodes define areas corresponding to pixels in a reconstructed image and the gutter regions define areas where charge carriers are able to migrate unpredictably toward one of a variety of areas corresponding to one of a variety of pixels in the reconstructed image; and an x-ray blocking mask attached to the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element and having openings arranged opposite the plurality of electrodes on the rear surface and blocking elements arranged over the gutter regions to substantially block x-rays directed toward the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element from entering an area on the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element opposite the gutter regions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A quantitative bone densitometry machine comprising:
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an x-ray source providing at least two energies of x-rays; a solid-state x-ray detector arranged opposite the x-ray source and having; 1) a monolithic element having a front surface and rear surface; 2) at least one electrode attached to the front surface of the monolithic element; 3) a plurality of electrodes attached to the rear surface of the monolithic element and electrically separated from one another by areas forming gutter regions; and 4) an x-ray blocking mask attached to the front surface of the monolithic element and having a respective plurality of openings, each opening arranged on the front surface of the monolithic element opposite a corresponding electrodes on the rear surface of the monolithic element, and having blocking elements arranged on the front surface of the monolithic element opposite the areas separating the plurality of electrodes from one another forming gutter regions to substantially block x-rays traveling a path leading to an area on the front surface of the monolithic element opposite the areas separating the plurality of electrodes from one another forming gutter regions; and measuring circuitry communicating with each of the plurality of electrodes to receive an electrical signal indicative of x-ray detection events and calculate a bone density measurement from the electrical signal by distinguishing the portions of the electrical signal corresponding to each of two energies of x-rays. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A solid-state x-ray detector comprising:
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a monolithic x-ray detecting element having a front surface and rear surface; at least one electrode positioned on the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element; a plurality of electrodes positioned on the rear surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element; a plurality of gutters electrically separating each of the plurality of electrodes positioned on the rear surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element; and an x-ray blocking mask arranged on the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element and having blocking elements arranged opposite the gutters to substantially block x-rays traveling a path that would cause the x-rays to intersect the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element in the area opposite the plurality of gutters, and wherein the blocking elements are separated by openings arranged on the front surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element to form passages leading directly through the monolithic x-ray detecting element to the plurality of electrodes positioned on the rear surface of the monolithic x-ray detecting element. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification