# US 10,120,082 B2 · Ascertaining an electrical direct current component in the converter element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,120,082 B2 - Document ID: US10120082B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/440,298 - Filed: 2017-02-23 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-07 - Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH - Applicants: Siemens Healthcare GmbH - Inventors: Thorsten Ergler; Edgar Goederer; Michael Hosemann; Kurt Stadlthanner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120082B2 ## CPC - G01T 1/18: with counting-tube arrangements, e.g. with Geiger counters (tubes H01J47/08; {with alarm provision G01T7/125}) - A61B 6/4241: {using energy resolving detectors, e.g. photon counting} - G01T 1/244: {Auxiliary details, e.g. casings, cooling, damping or insulation against damage by, e.g. heat, pressure or the like} - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detector module having a plurality of counting X-ray detectors arranged in a stacked arrangement, for converting X-ray radiation into signal pulses, the detector module comprising: a controller; and each of the plurality of counting x-ray detectors having an illumination layer; a converter element, the illumination layer being designed to illuminate the converter element; an evaluation unit; a measuring device to ascertain electrical direct current components as signal pulses in the converter element when illuminated, the evaluation unit including a counting device to ascertain from the signal pulses, a number or an energy of events, wherein the controller receives the signal pulses from the measuring device and is configured to control illumination emitted from the illumination layer such that a direct current component induced in the plurality of converter elements is the same. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The X-ray detector of claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit includes the measuring device, a measuring electrode formed on the converter element, and an electrically conducting connection formed between the measuring electrode and the measuring device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The X-ray detector of claim 2, wherein the measuring electrode is enclosed by a guard ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The X-ray detector of claim 3, wherein the guard ring or the detector element designed for ascertainment is screened from directly incident X-ray radiation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The X-ray detector of claim 2, wherein the measuring electrode is an electrode of a detector element designed to ascertain the direct current component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The X-ray detector of claim 5, wherein the guard ring or the detector element designed for ascertainment is screened from directly incident X-ray radiation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The X-ray detector of claim 2, wherein the measuring electrode is formed in combination with a counting electrode, and wherein the counting electrode is connected to the counting device in an electrically conducting manner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The X-ray detector of claim 7, wherein with regard to the combination of measuring electrode and counting electrode, at least one of the counting device and the measuring device is selectable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The X-ray detector of claim 2, wherein a direct current component, induced through the converter element by the illumination, is ascertainable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The X-ray detector of claim 9, wherein the measuring electrode is enclosed by a guard ring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The X-ray of claim 2, wherein a direct current component through the converter element is ascertainable while the converter element is exposed to the X-ray radiation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The X-ray detector of claim 11, wherein the measuring electrode is an electrode of a detector element designed to ascertain the direct current component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The X-ray detector of claim 2, further comprising, in the stacked arrangement, at least one of a heating unit and a cooling unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) A detector module comprising the X-ray detector of claim 2. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The X-ray detector of claim 1, wherein a direct current component, induced through the converter element by the illumination, is ascertainable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The X-ray of claim 1, wherein a direct current component through the converter element is ascertainable while the converter element is exposed to the X-ray radiation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The X-ray detector of claim 1, further comprising, in the stacked arrangement, at least one of a heating unit and a cooling unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A detector module comprising the X-ray detector of claim 1. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A system, comprising: the detector module of claim 18; and a control system, wherein the direct current component is an input signal to the control system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A medical apparatus, comprising: the detector module of claim 18. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A system, comprising: the X-ray detector of claim 1; and a control system, wherein the direct current component is an input signal to the control system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the input signal is not affected by incident X-ray radiation. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A medical apparatus, comprising: the system of claim 21. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) A medical apparatus, comprising: the X-ray detector of claim 1. ### Claim 25 A method for stabilizing a state of a plurality of converter elements of an X-ray detector or of a detector module, comprising: illuminating the plurality of converter elements by a first luminous energy, emitted by an illumination layer of the X-ray detector or detector module; ascertaining a direct current component in the plurality of converter elements when illuminated; and adjusting at least one of a second luminous energy of an illumination and a temperature of a heating element as a function of the ascertained direct current component such that the direct current component is the same in the plurality of converter elements based on the direct current component. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the ascertaining of the direct current component in the converter element is performed by a measuring electrode formed on the converter element and by a measuring device in an evaluation unit. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the method is iterative. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the ascertaining of the direct current component in the converter element is performed by a voltage supply for applying a voltage to the converter element. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, wherein the method is iterative. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the method is iterative. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising: correcting a count rate of a number or an energy of events as a function of the ascertained direct current component.