Light detection in a pixelated pet detector

US8350218B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• Andreas Thon · Aachen, DE
• Torsten Solf · Aachen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 8, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 15, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01T1/249
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In nuclear imaging, solid state photo multipliers (48) are replacing traditional photomultiplier tubes. One current problem with solid state photomultipliers, is that they are difficult to manufacture in the size in which a typical scintillator is manufactured. Resultantly, the photomultipliers have a smaller light receiving face (50) than a light emitting face (46) of the scintillators (44). The present application contemplates inserting a reflective material (52) between the solid state photomultipliers (48). Instead of being wasted, light that initially misses the photomultiplier (48) is reflected back by the reflective material (52) and eventually back to the radiation receiving face (50) of the photomultiplier (48).