Quantum-counting radiography
US4794257A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 1984 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05G1/26
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A radiation quantum-counting method and apparatus for producing high resolution radiographic images capable of discriminating soft tissue cancer having a lcm size. The high resolution image is generated by a plurality of radiation sensitive elements, each element including a semiconductor material having a pair of electrodes mounted on opposite faces thereof. Each element is highly sensitive and produces a rapid pulse count since the thickness of the semiconductor material is substantially 0.1-0.5 mm, and the semiconductor material has an effective atomic number greater than 30 and an energy band gap greater than 1.3 eV. As a plurality of radiation quanta emanate from the radiation source, they are received by the plurality of radiation sensitive elements which detect individual radiation quantum and produce a pulse signal for each detected quantum. Coupled to each radiation sensitive element is a pulse amplifier for amplifying the pulse signals. The amplified pulse signals are counted and used to produce radiographic image signals containing details of image gradation. The pulse count may also be stored in a memory and used to provide two-dimensional information when combined with…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.