Quantum photodetectors, imaging apparatus and systems, and related methods
AssigneeQuantum Molecular Technologies, Inc.
InventorsIrving Weinberg, Valeri Saveliev
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A camera sub-module is provided for providing tomographic imaging of radiation emissions generated internally by a body. The camera sub-module includes a radiation-emitting layer having a radioactive source for emitting transmission emissions, and at least one radiation-detection layer for contemporaneously detecting and permitting differentiation between the transmission emissions and emissions generated internal to an imaged body administered with a positron-emitting radiotracer. Also provided herein are imaging systems, scanners, and other apparatus and methods.
Claims52
1-40. (canceled)
A quantum detector array, comprising:
- a substrate;
- avalanche sensor elements situated on the substrate, the avalanche sensor elements having radiation-sensitive areas for detecting radiation from a radiation-emission source;
- and
- quenching elements electrically interconnected to the avalanche sensor elements, the quenching elements positioned at least partially outside of the radiation-sensitive areas to leave at least portions of the radiation-sensitive areas available to detect the radiation without obstruction from the quenching elements.
A quantum detector-readout system, comprising:
- a quantum detector array, comprising
- a substrate;
- avalanche sensor elements situated on the substrate, the avalanche sensor elements having radiation-sensitive areas for detecting radiation from a radiation-emission source;
- and
- quenching elements electrically interconnected to the avalanche sensor elements, the quenching elements positioned at least partially outside of the radiation-sensitive areas to leave at least portions of the radiation-sensitive areas available to detect the radiation without obstruction from the quenching elements;
- and
- a read-out system electrically interconnected to the quantum detector array for processing signals received from the quantum detector array.
A quantum detector-readout system, comprising:
- a quantum detector array comprising a substrate and avalanche sensor elements situated on the substrate, the avalanche sensor elements having radiation-sensitive areas for detecting radiation from a radiation-emission source;
- and
- a discriminator electrically interconnected to the quantum detector array for distinguishing spontaneous independent breakdowns of the avalanche sensor detectors from coincident breakdowns of a plurality of the avalanche sensor elements.
A quantum detector-readout system, comprising:
- a quantum detector array comprising a substrate and avalanche sensor elements situated on the substrate, the avalanche sensor elements having radiation-sensitive areas for detecting radiation from a radiation-emission source and generating signals;
- and
- a discriminator electrically interconnected to the quantum detector array for receiving the signals from the quantum detector array and associating timing information with the signals.
A quantum detector-readout system, comprising:
- a radiation-emission source;
- a quantum detector array comprising a substrate and avalanche sensor elements situated on the substrate, the avalanche sensor elements having radiation-sensitive areas for detecting radiation from a radiation-emission source and for generating analog signals, wherein the analog signals are generated by spontaneous independent breakdowns of the avalanche sensor elements or coincident breakdowns of the plurality of the avalanche sensor elements;
- and
- an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signals to digital signals having a value representative of the number of the avalanche sensor elements undergoing coincident breakdown.
82-109. (canceled)
A camera sub-module for providing tomographic imaging of radiation emissions generated internally by a body, the camera sub-module comprising:
- a radiation-emitting layer having a radioactive source for emitting transmission emissions;
- and
- at least one radiation-detection layer for contemporaneously detecting and permitting differentiation between the transmission emissions and emissions generated internal to an imaged body administered with a positron-emitting radiotracer.
An imaging apparatus comprising:
- a first camera sub-module;
- and
- a second camera sub-module constructed and arranged relative to the first camera sub-module to permit contemporaneously detection of and differentiation between transmission emissions and internally-generated emissions.
A method of providing a tomographic image, comprising:
- administering a positron-emitting radiotracer to a body for producing positrons which interact with the body to generate emissions internally;
- directing transmission emissions through the body;
- and
- contemporaneously detecting and differentiating between the transmission emissions and the internally-generated emissions.
A quantum detector system, comprising:
- a plurality of radiation-sensitive scintillators for emitting photons in response to detected radiation, the scintillators comprising multiple crystals sintered together;
- and
- a meta-array of solid-state, quantum photosensors, each of the photosensors being operatively coupled to and paired with an associated one of the scintillators so that each one of the solid-state, quantum photosensors receives photons from only the associated one of the scintillators with which the solid-state, quantum photosensor is paired, and so that the photons emitted from each one of the scintillators are received only by the associated one of the solid-state, quantum photosensors with which the scintillator is paired.
A method of detecting radiation, comprising:
- detecting radiation with a plurality of radiation-sensitive scintillators and emitting photons in response to detected radiation, the scintillators comprising multiple crystals sintered together;
- operatively coupling and pairing each scintillator of the plurality of radiation-sensitive scintillators with an associated solid-state, quantum photosensor of a meta-array of solid-state, quantum photosensors, and
- transmitting the photons from the scintillator only to the associated solid-state, quantum photosensor with which the scintillator is paired.
An imaging apparatus for providing tomographic imaging of a body, comprising:
- a freely manipulable platform;
- at least one camera sub-module mounted on the manipulable platform;
- and
- at least one position sensor for identifying the positions of the camera sub-module.
A quantum detector system, comprising:
- a plurality of radiation-sensitive scintillators for emitting photons in response to detected radiation, the scintillators comprising multiple crystals sintered together;
- and
- a meta-array of solid-state, quantum photosensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.