X-ray system and method for sampling image data

• US 8,576,986 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Liu, James Zhengshe, Granfors, Paul Richard, Kump, Kenneth Scott, Xue, Ping, Langler, Donald Fayette, Kost, Brian John
• Primary Examiner(s): Midkiff, Anastasia
• Application Number:
  US13/011,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20120189100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 378 4- 20, 378/62, 378/91, 378/96, 378/98, 378/98.8, 378/114, 378/204, 378/210, 378/901, 250/580, 250/584, 250/587, 250/370.01, 250/370.08, 250/370.09
• US Class Current: 378/98.8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4283 characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4464 the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4494 Means for identifying the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/566 involving communication between diagnostic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/24 with semiconductor detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/247 Detector read-out circuitry for processing gain or off-set correction H04N

Abstract

An X-ray imaging method includes in a digital X-ray detector including an array of discrete picture elements each including a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements. The method also includes preparing for acquisition of X-ray image data by sampling data from the discrete picture elements while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage. The method further includes receiving X-ray radiation on the detector from a source. The method yet further includes sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging method, comprising:

in a digital X-ray detector comprising an array of discrete picture elements each comprising a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements;

preparing for acquisition of X-ray image data by sampling data from the discrete picture elements while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage;

receiving X-ray radiation on the detector from a source; and

sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising storing sampled data prior to receipt of the X-ray radiation for use in reconstruction of a user-viewable image from the X-ray image data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second voltages maintain the transistors in a non-conductive state.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second voltage is applied to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled during receipt of X-ray radiation by the detector.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising terminating sampling of X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements and re-applying the first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements after termination of receipt of X-ray radiation by the detector.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage.

7. An X-ray imaging method, comprising:

in a digital X-ray detector comprising an array of discrete picture elements each comprising a photodiode and a transistor, applying a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements prior to receipt of X-ray radiation;

sampling data from the discrete picture elements during receipt of X-ray radiation while applying a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising resuming application of the first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements after termination of receipt of the X-ray radiation.

9. The method of claim 7, comprising sampling X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising storing sampled data prior to the receipt of the X-ray radiation for use in reconstruction of a user-viewable image from the X-ray image data.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second voltages maintain the transistors in a non-conductive state.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage.

13. An X-ray imaging system comprising:

a digital X-ray detector comprising an array of discrete picture elements each comprising a photodiode and a transistor; and

detector control circuitry configured to apply a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements, to apply a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled in preparation for acquisition of X-ray image data, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage, and to sample data from the discrete picture elements during receipt of X-ray radiation while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to resume application of the first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements after termination of the receipt of the X-ray radiation.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to sample X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to store sampled data prior to the receipt of the X-ray radiation for use in reconstruction of a user-viewable image from the X-ray image data.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second voltages maintain the transistors in a non-conductive state.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the detector comprises the detector control circuitry.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to reduce transistor leakage.

21. A digital X-ray detector comprising:

an array of discrete picture elements each comprising a photodiode and a transistor; and

detector control circuitry configured to apply a first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements, to apply a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements, to apply a second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled in preparation for acquisition of X-ray image data, the second voltage being more negative than the first voltage, and to sample data from the discrete picture elements during receipt of X-ray radiation while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to resume application of the first voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements after termination of the receipt of the X-ray radiation.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to sample X-ray image data from the discrete picture elements while applying the second voltage to the transistors of the discrete picture elements not then being sampled.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to store sampled data prior to the receipt of the X-ray radiation for use in reconstruction of a user-viewable image from the X-ray image data.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the first and second voltages maintain the transistors in a non-conductive state.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the detector control circuitry is configured to reduce transistor leakage.