E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Sterling Diagnostic Imaging, Inc.

Other

Direct Radiography Corp.

Direct Radiography Co.

Denny L Lee

Lothar S Jeromin

Lawrence K Cheung

Joseph Anthony Perrotto

John A Crowell

William Bindloss, Jr

Cornell L Williams

Eugene Francis Palecki

Kelly P Golden

Edward Neill Lawrence

Robert D Hay

A flat panel X-ray imager using an amorphous selenium detector which uses a dielectric layer within the X-ray conversion layer to form an interface between the X-ray conversion layer and the high voltage bias electrode. To accomplish the removal of trapped counter charges at the dielectric/selenium layer, a plurality of discrete or strip electrodes are provided in contact with the dielectric layer and which are electrically coupled into distinct groups. During X-ray exposure, a high bias voltage is applied to all groups of strip electrodes. Following X-ray exposure and image readout, the groups of strip electrodes are energized using a plurality of differently-phased energization signals to drive trapped counter charges toward 'gutter' strip electrodes at the sides of the detector. A second embodiment of the flat panel X-ray imager includes sandwiching the discrete electrodes in a dielectric layer applied against the selenium layer and including a continuous electrode on the opposite side of the dielectric layer. Application of a high voltage bias to the continuous electrode results in an electric field in the selenium layer that is smoothed during X-ray acquisition. Discrete electrode energization to drive trapped counter charges to the gutter electrodes occurs while the high voltage bias is present.

Direct conversion X-ray imaging device with strip electrodes

A flat panel X-ray imager using an amorphous selenium detector which uses a polymer grid structure within the X-ray conversion layer to form an interface between the X-ray conversion layer and the pixel electrodes. The grid structure provides an additional physical barrier between pixel electrodes that reduces electrical bridging due to crystallization of the amorphous selenium due to temperature increases while also reducing the delamination temperature by providing a good anchor to the selenium, as well as a 'cushion' for thermal expansion or contraction of the pixel electrodes. The grid can further include one or more grid electrodes for effecting avalanche-gain within the X-ray conversion layer while minimizing dark current entry into the selenium layer from the pixel electrode.

Flat panel X-ray imager with a grid structure

An image capture panel including a substrate with a plurality of radiation detection sensors, a plurality of conductors connected one to each radiation detection sensor, a plurality of amplifiers connected to the sensors all on the substrate, and a field electrode having an peripheral edge mounted above the radiation detection sensors and the conductors. A shielding electrode may surround the field electrode peripheral edge or may completely cover the field electrode with a dielectric layer in-between. A shielding electrode may instead surround or completely cover each amplifier. The shielding electrode may be biased to ground via a resistor, and may be constructed of a conductive paint, such as silver paint.

Direct radiographic imaging panel with shielding electrode

An X-ray image capture radiation detector for use in digital radiography is disclosed. The radiation detector has, in order, a dielectric substrate, a TFT transistor and a capacitor on the surface of the dielectric substrate, an insulating layer, a photoconductive layer over the insulating layer, a top dielectric layer, and a top conducting layer. The insulating layer prevents any direct charge transfer between the photoconductive layer and the capacitor.

Image capture element

A method for the elimination of residual image artifacts from prior image exposure in an x-ray image obtained by exposing an x-ray image detector which includes a photoconductor to imaging x-ray radiation, wherein the residual image artifacts are eliminated by a process which includes obtaining and averaging pre and post exposure image data from the detector and subtracting the averaged pre and post exposure data from the image exposure data.

Readout sequence for residual image elimination in a radiation detection

An image capture panel particularly useful in radiographic application is disclosed, in which the active image capture area of individual sensors having top and bottom charge collecting microplates arrayed in rows and columns is extended by providing an additional charge capture conductive strip over sensor areas which are not normally covered by a charge collecting microplate. The strip may be made integral with the top microplate or may be separate and electrically connected thereto at a single point.

Image capture device using a secondary electrode

A digital array for capturing a radiogram. The array includes a generally flat base on which there is mounted with a plurality of shock absorbing mounts a rigid support plate. A radiation electronic detection panel is mounted on the rigid plate in a way that the panel 'floats' over the base. Electronic circuitry associated with the radiation detection panel is connected thereto with flexible connectors. A cover, which is transparent to X-ray radiation and opaque to visible radiation, is attached to the base to form a light tight enclosure for the panel. The top cover inner surface opposite the front surface of the radiation detection panel, is spaced from the detection panel front surface, and the detection panel is also spaced from the side walls.

Digital array for radiographic imaging

An electronic cassette contains an X-ray image capturing panel comprising a solid state transistor array and storage capacitors on which is built a layered structure including a photoconductive layer. The storage capacitors capture electrical charges generated in the photoconductive layer by incident X-radiation and the image-wise charges are read out by the transistor array. The cassette contains an internal power supply and a built-in image storage medium among a plurality of electronic components to allow self-contained operation and temporary recording of digitized values which are representative of the pattern of incident X-radiation.

Electronic cassette for recording X-ray images

A radiation detection panel for X-ray imaging systems is made up of an assembly of radiation detector sensors arrayed in rows and columns. Each sensor includes a radiation detector connected to a charge storage capacitor. Each capacitor is connected to a diode. When proper biasing voltages are applied to the sensor, capacitor, and diode, the diode is reverse biased and radiation induced charges accumulate in the capacitor. When the biasing voltages are changed appropriately, the diode is forward biased and the stored charge flows from the capacitor to a detector. Both still and moving images may be displayed.

Direct radiographic imaging panel

A process and related apparatus for reducing noise due to addressing and switching the detection elements in a radiation detecting panel comprising an array of detection elements. Noise reduction is achieved in two steps, first by the use of a sample and hold circuit which compares a first signal indicative of switching noise held in a sample and hold circuit with a second signal which includes the switching noise and the desired data signal. The second step includes further reducing noise in the output signal present during readout of the detection elements by comparing the signal from certain elements in the array which have not been exposed to radiation with the signal from the exposed elements in the array to obtain an output with significantly reduced noise.

Method and apparatus for reducing noise in a radiation capture device

An image capture panel includes a plurality of sensors arrayed adjacent to a substrate layer of dielectric material, and a radiation sensitive layer disposed over the sensors. The radiation sensitive layer is exposed to a first substantially uniform pattern of light radiation for partially neutralizing residual electrical charges trapped within the image capture panel. The radiation sensitive layer is then exposed to a second substantially uniform pattern of light radiation sufficient to neutralize substantially all residual electrical charges trapped within the image capture panel.

Apparatus and method for eliminating residual charges in an image

An image capture panel includes a substrate layer of dielectric material having a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of sensors is arrayed in a matrix of rows and columns adjacent the top surface of the substrate layer. Each of the sensors has a switching device and a sensing element. A portion of the sensing element are really covers the switching device so as to be substantially coextensive therewith. Prefereably, the sensing element also extends over at least a part of the horizontal spacing and/or the vertical spacing which separates, respectively, each row of sensors and each column of sensors.

Image capture panel using a solid state device

Process and apparatus for reduced noise reception of frequency modulated electromagnetic signal transmissions employing at least three spatially displaced receiving channels. The received at least three signals are continuously sampled at a high frequency, and the sampled signals are compared to each other. As a result of this comparison one sampled signal is selected and used for the reconstruction of the original transmission. The process is repeated for each sampling.

Analog signal noise reduction process and apparatus

The present invention relates to an X-ray image capturing element comprising a panel having a layered structure, including a conductive layer comprising a plurality of discrete microplates having dimensions coextensive with an image pixel and a plurality of access electrodes and electronic components built on the panel, which allow access to the microplates for capturing and reading out a latent radiographic image captured in the panel in the form of stored electrical charges.

Method and apparatus for acquiring an X-ray image using a thin film

An X-ray image capture element includes a dielectric substrate layer having a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of transistors is arrayed adjacent the top surface of the dielectric layer. A plurality of charge storage capacitors is also arrayed adjacent the top surface of the dielectric layer, each capacitor having a conductive inner microplate connected to at least one of the transistors. Conductive address lines and sense lines are disposed adjacent the top surface of the dielectric layer for electronically activating the transistors and individually accessing each of the capacitors. A photoconductive layer is disposed over the transistors, address and sense lines, and a top conducting layer is disposed over the photoconductive layer opposite the dielectric layer. The image capture element also includes a plurality of charge barrier layers disposed adjacent, respectively, the top surface of each of the inner microplates, and a barrier dielectric layer disposed between and coextensive with the photoconductive layer and the top conducting layer.

Growing community of inventors

West Chester, PA, United States of America

Denny L Lee