Detector modules for imaging systems and methods of manufacturing
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJohn Eric Tkaczyk, Kevin Matthew Durocher, James Rose, Haochuan Jiang, Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Vladimir Lobastov, Daniel David Harrison
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Abstract
Detector modules for an imaging system and methods of manufacturing are provided. One detector module includes a substrate, a direct conversion sensor material coupled to the substrate and a flexible interconnect electrically coupled to the direct conversion sensor material and configured to provide readout of electrical signals generated by the direct conversion sensor material. The detector module also includes at least one illumination source for illuminating the direct conversion sensor material.
Claims20
A detector module comprising:
- a substrate;
- a direct conversion sensor material coupled to the substrate;
- a flexible interconnect electrically coupled to the direct conversion sensor material and configured to provide readout of electrical signals generated by the direct conversion sensor material;
- and
- at least one illumination source for illuminating the direct conversion sensor material, wherein the illumination source is one of coupled or embedded in the substrate.
An imaging system comprising:
- an x-ray source for generating x-rays;
- a detector module for detecting x-rays generated by the x-ray source after passing through an object, the detector module having detector elements formed from a direct conversion sensor material and having at least one illumination source for illuminating the direct conversion sensor material, the direct conversion sensor material generating analog electrical signals in response to received x-rays, the detector module converting the analog signals to digital signals, wherein the illumination source is pulsed to mimic absorbed x-rays or gamma-rays received by the direct conversion sensor material;
- and
- a processor for reconstructing an image of the object using the digital signals.
A method for manufacturing a detector module, the method comprising:
- coupling a direct conversion sensor material to at least one of processing or communication circuitry;
- providing at least one illumination source at a perimeter sidewall area of the direct conversion sensor material to illuminate the direct conversion sensor material;
- and
- providing at least one of a support or thermal stabilization coupled to the direct conversion sensor material to form the detector module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.