Digital radiographic detector with bonded phosphor layer

• US 8,399,842 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carestream Dental Technology Topco Limited
• Original Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Inventors: Jagannathan, Seshadri, Hansen, Marcia K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sung, Christine
• Application Number:
  US12/862,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20110133093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 250/366
• US Class Current: 250/366
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/20 with scintillation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/20185 Coupling means between the photodiode and the scintillator, e.g. optical couplings using adhesives with wavelength-shifting fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 4/00 Conversion screens for the conversion of the spatial distribution of X-rays or particle radiation into visible images, e.g. fluoroscopic screens photographic processes using X-ray intensifiers G03C5/17; discharge tubes comprising luminescent screens H01J1/62; cathode ray tubes for X-ray conversion with optical output H01J31/50

Abstract

A digital radiographic detector having a radiation sensing element with a particulate material dispersed within a binder composition, wherein the binder composition includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the particulate material, upon receiving radiation of a first energy level, is excitable to emit radiation of a second energy level, either spontaneously or in response to a stimulating energy of a third energy level. There is an array of photosensors, each photosensor in the array energizable to provide an output signal indicative of the level of emitted radiation of the second energy level that is received. The radiation sensing element bonds directly to, and in optical contact with, either the array of photosensors or an array of optical fibers that guide light to the array of photosensors.

Claims

1. A digital radiographic detector comprising:

a radiation sensing element comprising a particulate material dispersed within a binder composition, wherein the binder composition comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the particulate material, upon receiving radiation of a first energy level, is excitable to emit radiation of a second energy level, either spontaneously or in response to a stimulating energy of a third energy level; and

an array of photosensors wherein each photosensor in the array is energizable to provide an output signal indicative of the level of emitted radiation of the second energy level that is received,

wherein the radiation sensing element is configured to be permanently bonded to either the array of photosensors or an array of optical fibers that guide light to the array of photosensors using the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the binder composition.

2. The digital radiographic detector of claim 1 wherein the binder comprises an acrylic polymer.

3. The digital radiographic detector of claim 1 wherein the radiation sensing element further comprises a substrate.

4. The digital radiographic detector of claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises a carbon black-containing layer.

5. The digital radiographic detector of claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises a white reflective layer.

6. The digital radiographic detector of claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises a polyester support.

7. The digital radiographic detector of claim 1 wherein the particulate material is taken from the group consisting of Lutetium oxysulfide, Gadolinium oxysulfide, terbium and gadolinium oxide phosphors, and Gd₂S₂O:

Tb.

8. The digital radiographic detector of claim 1 wherein the radiation sensing element is bonded directly to, and in optical contact with either the array of photosensors or the array of optical fibers using a combination of heat and pressure.

9. The digital radiographic detector of claim 1 wherein the photosensors include charge-coupled devices or CMOS sensors.

10. The digital radiographic detector of claim 1 wherein the stimulating energy of the third energy level is optical, thermal, or electrical energy.

11. A digital radiographic detector comprising:

a radiation sensing element comprising a particulate material dispersed within a binder composition, the binder composition comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the particulate material is excitable to emit light corresponding to a level of incident radiation, either spontaneously or upon receiving a stimulating energy;

an array of photosensors, each photosensor in the array to provide an output signal indicative of the level of emitted light received; and

an array of optical fibers disposed to guide light emitted from the radiation sensing element toward photosensors in the array of photosensors,

the radiation sensing element is configured to permanently bond in optical contact to the array of optical fibers.

12. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the binder comprises an acrylic polymer.

13. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the radiation sensing element further comprises a substrate.

14. The digital radiographic detector of claim 13 wherein the substrate comprises a carbon black-containing layer.

15. The digital radiographic detector of claim 13 wherein the substrate comprises a white reflective layer.

16. The digital radiographic detector of claim 13 wherein the substrate comprises a polyester support.

17. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the particulate material is taken from the group consisting of Lutetium oxysulfide, Gadolinium oxysulfide, terbium and gadolinium oxide phosphors, and Gd₂S₂O:

Tb.

18. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the radiation sensing element is bonded to the array of optical fibers using a combination of heat and pressure.

19. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the photosensors are taken from the group consisting of charge-coupled devices and CMOS sensors.

20. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the stimulating energy is optical, thermal, or electrical energy.

21. The digital radiographic detector of claim 11 wherein the particulate material is a photostimulable storage phosphor of BaFX:

Eu²⁺ type.