The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 23, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 20, 1997
Scott T Huth, Norton, OH (US);
Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc., Worcester, MA (US);
Abstract
A scintillation crystal module having an epoxy seal which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is substantially the same as the backcap of the gamma camera. Among the suitable epoxy systems, the CTE of the epoxy could be modified somewhat by choosing a different catalyst or by adjusting the resin:catalyst ratio. The presently preferred epoxy system is a STYCAST.RTM. 2850 FT system available from W. R. Grace & Co. Using 'catalyst 9' or 'catalyst 11' from that system, a CTE of approximately 17.33.times.10.sup.-6 to approximately 19.4.times.10.sup.-6 in/in.degree. F. can be easily achieved. It has been discovered through analysis using FEA that an epoxy with a CTE in the range of 9.0 to 20.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in.degree. F. provides satisfactory results in preventing seal separation during .+-.40.degree. F. temperature cycles. A method of making a scintillation crystal module includes the preparation of an epoxy seal having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is substantially the same as the backcap of the module, and assembling the seal, backcap, glass, and crystal in a conventional manner.