US4810885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heated scintillator
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-30
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2006-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A scintillation crystal is heated. A temperature gradient is established across a scintillation crystal inside a scintillation camera system. The decay time of a scintillation flash is related to the temperature of the site at which the corresponding scintillation event takes place. By monitoring the decay time of detected scintillation flashes, as by differentiation, the depth of the scintillation event within the scintillation crystal is determined, thereby leading to improved spatial resolution and improved energy resolution.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis E. Persyk
- 👤 William White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1642; G01T1/1644; G01T1/20; G01T1/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A scintillation camera, comprising: a scintillation crystal having a surface which is exposed to incident radiation; and means for establishing a temperature gradient across a center domain of said crystal along a direction which is perpendicular to said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A scintillation camera, comprising: a scintillation crystal having a surface which is exposed to incident radiation; and means for establishing a temperature gradient across a center domain of said crystal along a direction which is perpendicular to said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A scintillation camera, comprising: a scintillation crystal having an input surface which is exposed to incident radiation; a plurality of photodetectors which are in optically communicative relationship with an output surface of the crystal, the input and output surfaces being parallel to each other; means for establishing a temperature gradient across the crystal along a direction which is perpendicular to said surfaces in a center domain of the crystal; and means for determining the decay times of pulses which are produced by the photodetectors in response to scintillation events in the scintillation crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A scintillation camera, comprising: a scintillation crystal having an input surface which is exposed to incident radiation; a plurality of photodetectors which are in optically communicative relationship with an output surface of the crystal, the input and output surfaces being parallel to each other; means for establishing a temperature gradient across the crystal along a direction which is perpendicular to said surfaces in a center domain of the crystal; and means for determining the decay times of pulses which are produced by the photodetectors in response to scintillation events in the scintillation crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The camera of claim 2, wherein the crystal is CsI(Na).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The camera of claim 2, wherein the crystal is NaI(Tl).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The camera of claim 2, wherein the crystal is BGO.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The camera of claim 2, wherein the temperature gradient is generally linear between approximately 80° and 20° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The camera of claim 2, wherein said determining means comprises a differentiation and normalization circuit which produces a normalized output representative of the slope of the pulse immediately adjacent its peak.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |