Siemens Healthcare Gmbh

Siemens Healthineers Ag

Edgar Goederer

Bjoern Kreisler

Martin Hupfer

Martin Petersilka

Martin Groepl

Thomas Suttorp

Steffen Kappler

Thorsten Ergler

Michael Hosemann

Kurt Stadlthanner

Miguel Labayen De Inza

Christian Schroeter

Peter Sievers

Christoph Polster

A photon-counting X-ray detector is for acquiring an X-ray image data set of an object penetrated by X-ray radiation. The detector includes a converter element, designed to convert incident X-ray radiation into an electrical signal; and a matrix with a plurality of pixel elements. At least a partial number of the plurality of pixel elements receive a signal input and at least one configurable counter is coupled to the at least a partial number of the plurality of pixel elements, for signaling. Further, the at least one configurable counter is designed to count either a pixel count signal, based on a signal directly received in each respective pixel element, or a coincidence count signal, based on the signal received directly in the respective pixel element and on a coincident signal of at least one further pixel element.

Photon-counting X-ray detector and method for operating a photon-counting X-ray detector

A method is for generating an X-ray image dataset via an X-ray detector having a converter element and a multiplicity of pixel elements. In an embodiment, the method includes first counting of at least one quantity of count signals dependent upon the incident X-ray radiation in each pixel element of the multiplicity of pixel elements; second counting of at least one quantity of coincidence count signals in each pixel element of the subset of pixel elements with at least one further pixel element of the multiplicity of pixel elements; and generating an X-ray image dataset based upon the at least one quantity of count signals counted in each pixel element of the multiplicity of pixel elements and upon the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals counted in each pixel element of the subset of pixel elements.

Method for generating an x-ray image dataset

A photon-counting X-ray detector includes a converter element constructed to convert incident X-rays into electrical signals in dependence on a deposition of energy in the converter element, and an evaluation device. The evaluation device includes a pulse-generator to generate and output an electrical pulse based upon an electrical signal fed from the converter element; a differentiator to generate a differentiated signal of the electrical pulse output by the pulse-generator; and a first comparator to compare the generated differentiated signal with a first threshold value and, based upon the comparison, to output a binary output signal for a period for which the threshold value is exceeded.

Photon-counting X-ray detector, medical imaging device and method for generating an X-ray image data set

An X-ray detector includes a converter element for converting X-rays into electric signals; and a plurality of pixel elements. In an embodiment, each pixel element includes a first signal processing stage for processing respective electric signals with at least one signal amplifier and at least one comparator for providing a digital pixel signal. The signal outputs of the first signal processing stage of at least one group of pixel elements are coupled via signal technology to a common second signal processing stage including a multiplicity of digital logic elements. The common second signal processing stage includes a configurable switching matrix for interconnecting at least one partial number of the multiplicity of digital logic elements with the respective signal outputs of the first signal processing stage, so that, following a configuration of the switching matrix, a processing chain can be provided for the digital processing of the digital pixel signals.

Method for generating an X-ray image dataset

A method and an X-ray detector are for correcting a spatially resolved photon scan of the X-ray detector. In an embodiment, the X-ray detector includes processing circuitry configured to: generate, from an incident X-ray photon, a signal contribution in a first electrical signal in a spatially resolved manner, a reference value being defined by an absence of X-ray photons; resolve, in relation to the reference value, positive signal contributions of the first electrical signal and negative signal contributions of the first electrical signal; and provide the positive signal contributions resolved and the negative signal contributions resolved for further processing.

Method for correcting a spatially resolved photon scan of an X-ray detector

An X-ray detector includes a stack arrangement with a scattered radiation grid and a planar converter element including a first surface and a second surface. The converter element includes a first electrode embodied on the first surface and a pixelated second electrode with two adjacent first electrode elements. The two adjacent first electrode elements include a first width and a first length and the two adjacent first electrode elements are embodied the second surface opposite the first surface. The scattered radiation grid includes a grid wall with a thickness along the boundary between the two adjacent first electrode elements. The grid wall is arranged to be substantially perpendicular on the first surface and, in a projection, substantially parallel to the direction of incidence of the radiation and to the surface normal of the first surface. The grid wall at least partially overlaps the two adjacent first electrode elements.

X-ray detector with an arrangement of a pixelated second electrode and a scattered radiation grid

An X-ray detector includes an N-channel digital-analogue converter controllable with K+L bits. In an embodiment, the digital-analogue converter includes a first voltage source to provide a plurality of first voltage values at tapping points; and a switch unit with N switch matrices, 2inputs of the switch matrices being electrically conductively connected to 2tapping points of the first voltage source. The digital-analogue converter also includes a second voltage source including N subunits. The X-ray detector further includes a discriminator unit including N comparators, at least one input of the comparators being electrically conductively connected to the associated output of the switch matrix and/or to the associated output of the subunit, so that the associated first voltage value and the associated second voltage value are associable with each comparator. A signal of an output of a pre-amplifier, and the associated first and second voltage values are comparable in the comparator.

Digital-analogue converter for multi-threshold counters with partitioning of the bits between resistor ladder and comparator

A radiation detector is disclosed. The radiation detector includes a sensor unit having a plurality of sensor elements for generating a sensor signal; an evaluation unit having a plurality of evaluation elements for evaluating and converting the sensor signal into an output signal; and a signal processing unit directly following the evaluation unit for processing the output signal, each evaluation element being connected to an associated sensor element via a respective electrical interconnect element including an interconnect capacitance and an individual length. The interconnect capacitances are different and as a result lead to different signal properties being exhibited by the output signals. At least some of the evaluation elements including an additional actuating element, the actuating elements of different evaluation elements being different from one another and being chosen such that the different signal properties of the output signals are aligned.

Radiation detector and method for operating a radiation detector

An x-ray detector includes a substrate including an electrically conductive connection between a read-out contact in the region of the top side of the substrate and an input of a pre-amplifier in an active layer of an integrated circuit. A first electrically conductive connection is provided between the read-out contact and a second electrically conductive connection. A surface of a first light protection is relatively larger than a surface of a light-permeable region of the first light protection. The second electrically conductive connection is provided within a second projection of the surface of the light-permeable region along the surface normal and below the second light protection. A third electrically conductive connection between the second electrically conductive connection and the pre-amplifier is provided below the second light protection. The input of the pre-amplifier is protected against direct incidence of light.

X-ray detector having a capacitance-optimized light-tight pad structure

A counting X-ray detector for converting X-ray radiation into electrical signal pulses is disclosed. The counting X-ray detector includes, in a stacked arrangement, an illumination layer, a converter element and an evaluation unit. The illumination layer is designed to illuminate the converter element. The evaluation unit includes a measuring device for ascertaining an electrical direct current component in the converter element and a counting device for ascertaining from the signal pulses a number or an energy of events. A measuring electrode is formed on the converter element and an electrically conducting connection is formed between the measuring electrode and the measuring device.

Ascertaining an electrical direct current component in the converter element

An X-ray detector is disclosed, including a detection unit to generate a detection signal for incident X-ray radiation; a signal analysis module to determine a set of count rates for incident X-ray radiation based upon the detection signal and signal analysis parameters for X-ray radiation; and a switchover control unit for switching between first signal analysis parameters and second signal analysis parameters. When an amount of X-ray radiation is incident on the detection module, a first set of count rates is generated for a first time interval based upon first signal analysis parameters and a second set of count rates is generated for a second time interval based upon second signal analysis parameters, different from the first signal analysis parameters. An X-ray imaging system including the detector; a method for determining count rates for X-ray radiation; and a method for calibrating signal analysis parameters are also disclosed.

Detection of X-ray radiation

A direct-conversion counting x-ray detector includes an analog front end. The analog front end is one-stage. The one stage includes a preamplifier and a pulse shaping unit.

Growing community of inventors

Forchheim, Germany

Edgar Goederer