X-ray grid-detector apparatus
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJohn M. Boone, Stephen M. Lane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid grid-detector apparatus for x-ray systems wherein a microchannel plate structure has an air-interspaced grid portion and a phosphor/optical fluid-filled grid portion. The grids are defined by multiple adjacent channels separated by lead-glass septa. X-rays entering the air-interspaced grid portion at an angle of impingement upon the septa are attenuated, while non-impinging x-rays pass through to the phosphor/fluid filled portion. X-ray energy is converted to luminescent energy in the phosphor/fluid filled portion and the resultant beams of light are directed out of the phosphor/optical fluid filled portion to an imaging device.
Claims28
A grid-detector apparatus for x-ray imaging, comprising a plurality of adjacent channels separated by walls comprising glass containing a material of an atomic number capable of attenuating x-rays, said walls having a thickness ranging from approximately 5 .mu.m to approximately 800 .mu.m, said channels having a width ranging from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 200 .mu.m, said channels having first and second adjacent sections, said first sections configured to allow passage of x-rays therethrough, said second sections including means for converting x-ray energy into luminescent energy.
A grid-detector apparatus for x-ray imaging, comprising a grid of adjacent channels separated by walls comprising glass containing a material of an atomic number capable of attenuating x-rays, said walls having a thickness ranging from approximately 5 .mu.m to approximately 800 .mu.m, said channels having a width ranging from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 200 .mu.m, said channels having first sections configured for passage of x-rays therethrough, said channels having second sections adjacent to said first sections, said second sections containing scintillating material.
A grid-detector apparatus for x-ray imaging, comprising a structure defining a plurality of channels separated by walls comprising glass containing a material of an atomic number capable of attenuating x-rays, said walls having a thickness ranging from approximately 5 .mu.m to approximately 800 .mu.m, said channels having a width ranging from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 200 .mu.m, said structure having first and second sides, said channels having first sections configured for passage of x-rays therethrough, said channels having second sections adjacent to said first sections, said second sections including energy converting means for converting x-ray energy entering said channels from said first side of said grid into luminescent energy and directing said luminescent energy toward said second side of said structure.
A grid-detector apparatus for x-ray imaging, comprising:
- (a) an air interspaced grid;
- and
- (b) a light emitting grid positioned adjacent to said air interspaced grid, said light emitting grid comprising a plurality of cells, said cells including means for converting x-ray energy into luminescent energy;
- (c) said air interspaced grid comprising a first wall structure defining a plurality of open spaces therein;
- (d) said light emitting grid comprising a second wall structure defining said cells therein;
- (e) said first and second wall structures comprising glass containing a material of an atomic number capable of attenuating x-rays;
- (f) said first and second wall structures having a wall thickness ranging from approximately 5 .mu.m to approximately 800 .mu.m, said open spaces and said cells having a width ranging from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 200 .mu.m.
A grid-detector apparatus for x-ray imaging, comprising:
- (a) an air interspaced grid;
- and
- (b) a light emitting grid positioned adjacent to said air interspaced grid, said light emitting grid having first and second sides, said light emitting grid comprising a plurality of cells, said cells including energy converting means for converting x-ray energy into luminescent energy and directing said luminescent energy toward said second side of said light emitting grid;
- (c) said air interspaced grid comprising a first wall structure defining a plurality of open spaces therein;
- (d) said light emitting grid comprising a second wall structure defining said cells therein;
- (e) said first and second wall structures comprising glass containing a material of an atomic number capable of attenuating x-rays;
- (f) said first and second wall structures having a wall thickness ranging from approximately 5 .mu.m to approximately 800 .mu.m, said open spaces and said cells having a width ranging from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 200 .mu.m.
A grid-detector apparatus for x-ray imaging, comprising:
- a first microchannel plate having a plurality of air-filled channels;
- (b) a second microchannel plate, said second microchannel plate have first and second sides, said first side positioned adjacent to said first microchannel plate, said second microchannel plate having a plurality of phosphor-filled cells;
- (c) a reflective membrane layer positioned between said first and second microchannel plates;
- and
- (d) a non-reflective membrane layer positioned adjacent said second side of said second microchannel plate;
- (e) said first microchannel plate comprising a first wall structure defining said air-filled channels therein;
- (f) said second microchannel plate comprising a second wall structure defining said phosphor-filled cells therein;
- (g) said first and second wall structures comprising glass containing a material of an atomic number capable of attenuating x-rays;
- (h) said first and second wall structures having walls having a thickness ranging from approximately 5 .mu.m to approximately 800 .mu.m, said air-filled cells and said phosphor-filled cells having a width ranging from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 200 .mu.m.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.