US5594253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid luminescent device for imaging of ionizing and penetrating radiation
Assignee: COLLIMATED HOLES Inc
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Filing: 1996-05-20
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2016-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A hybrid luminescent device for converting ionizing and penetrating radiation energy such as x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, ions, electrons, and the like into visible light for imaging applications. The hybrid luminescent device includes a phosphor screen disposed on an entrance face fiber optics scintillator which, in turn, may be removably coupled to a camera or like recording media. The hybrid luminescent device of the present invention is capable of providing enhanced radiation absorption efficiency, higher spatial resolution and enhanced brightness or luminescence output over that which is achievable by the phosphor screen and/or fiber optics scintillator when used separately as an intensifying screen for imaging of ionizing and/or penetrating radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford Bueno
- 👤 Robert A. Betz
- 👤 Mark H. Ellisman
- 👤 Gary G. Y. Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A hybrid luminescent device for converting penetrating or ionizing radiation into light that can be detected by an electronic or film recording medium and which provides high luminescence output, high radiation absorption efficiency and high spatial resolution irrespective of radiation energy levels, the hybrid luminescent device comprising: a) a fiber optics scintillator including an entrance face and an exit face, said exit face is adapted for coupling to a light detection device for image recordation, said fiber optics scintillator formed from a non-crystalline amorphous substance and characterized as having: i) a first radiation absorption efficiency; ii) a first brightness value; iii) a first spatial resolution value; b) a phosphor layer disposed on said entrance face of said fiber optics scintillator, said phosphor layer characterized as having: i) a second radiation absorption efficiency lower than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a second brightness value higher than the first brightness value of said fiber optics scintillator; iii) a second spatial resolution value lower than the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator; and wherein c) the hybrid luminescent device exhibits: i) a third radiation absorption efficiency higher than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a third brightness value higher than a combined total of the first and second brightness values of said fiber optics scintillator and phosphor layer, respectively; and iii) a third spatial resolution value about that of the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A hybrid luminescent device for converting penetrating or ionizing radiation into light that can be detected by an electronic or film recording medium and which provides high luminescence output, high radiation absorption efficiency and high spatial resolution irrespective of radiation energy levels, the hybrid luminescent device comprising: a) a fiber optics scintillator including an entrance face and an exit face, said exit face is adapted for coupling to a light detection device for image recordation, said fiber optics scintillator formed from a non-crystalline amorphous substance and characterized as having: i) a first radiation absorption efficiency; ii) a first brightness value; iii) a first spatial resolution value; b) a phosphor layer disposed on said entrance face of said fiber optics scintillator, said phosphor layer characterized as having: i) a second radiation absorption efficiency lower than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a second brightness value higher than the first brightness value of said fiber optics scintillator; iii) a second spatial resolution value lower than the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator; and wherein c) the hybrid luminescent device exhibits: i) a third radiation absorption efficiency higher than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a third brightness value higher than a combined total of the first and second brightness values of said fiber optics scintillator and phosphor layer, respectively; and iii) a third spatial resolution value about that of the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said phosphor layer comprises a gadolinium oxysulfide rare earth material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated borate glass material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the radiation to be converted is x-ray radiation and wherein the hybrid luminescent device provides a radiation absorption efficiency in a range from about 90% to about 100% and a spatial resolution of at least 5 lp/mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated silicate glass material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein the radiation to be converted is x-ray radiation and wherein the hybrid luminescent device provides a radiation absorption efficiency in a range from about 90% to about 100% and a spatial resolution of at least 5 lp/mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises cerium-activated, lithium enriched luminescent glass material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein the radiation to be converted is x-ray radiation and wherein the hybrid luminescent device provides a radiation absorption efficiency in a range from about 90% to about 100% and a spatial resolution of at least 5 lp/mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said phosphor layer comprises a zinc-cadmium sulfide, silver- and copper-doped ((ZnCd)S:Ag,Cu) phosphor material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated borate glass material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the radiation to be converted is x-ray radiation and wherein the hybrid luminescent device provides a radiation absorption efficiency in a range from about 90% to about 100% and a spatial resolution of at least 5 lp/mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated silicate glass material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein the radiation to be converted is x-ray radiation and wherein the hybrid luminescent device provides a radiation absorption efficiency in a range from about 90% to about 100% and a spatial resolution of at least 5 lp/mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises cerium-activated, lithium enriched luminescent glass material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein the radiation to be converted is x-ray radiation and wherein the hybrid luminescent device provides a radiation absorption efficiency in a range from about 90% to about 100% and a spatial resolution of at least 10 lp/mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said phosphor layer comprises a zinc-cadmium sulfide, silver-doped ((ZnCd)S:Ag) phosphor material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated borate glass material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein the radiation to be converted is electron radiation in a range of about 100-400 keV.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated silicate glass material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 19 wherein the radiation to be converted is electron radiation in a range of about 100-400 keV.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises cerium-activated, lithium enriched luminescent glass material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 21 wherein the radiation to be converted is electron radiation in a range of about 100-400 keV.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
239 words
A hybrid luminescent device for converting penetrating or ionizing radiation into light that can be detected by an electronic or film recording medium and which provides high luminescence output, high radiation absorption efficiency and high spatial resolution irrespective of radiation energy levels, the hybrid luminescent device comprising: a) a fiber optics scintillator including an entrance face and an exit face, said exit face is adapted for coupling to a light detection device for image recordation, said fiber optics scintillator formed from a non-crystalline amorphous substance and characterized as having: i) a first radiation absorption efficiency; ii) a first brightness value; iii) a first spatial resolution value; b) a phosphor layer disposed on said entrance face of said fiber optics scintillator, said phosphor layer characterized as having: i) a second radiation absorption efficiency lower than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a second brightness value; iii) a second spatial resolution value lower than the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator; and wherein: c) the hybrid luminescent device exhibits: i) a third radiation absorption efficiency higher than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a third brightness value higher than a highest one of the first and second brightness values of said fiber optics scintillator and phosphor layer, respectively; and iii) a third spatial resolution value about that of the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
239 words
A hybrid luminescent device for converting penetrating or ionizing radiation into light that can be detected by an electronic or film recording medium and which provides high luminescence output, high radiation absorption efficiency and high spatial resolution irrespective of radiation energy levels, the hybrid luminescent device comprising: a) a fiber optics scintillator including an entrance face and an exit face, said exit face is adapted for coupling to a light detection device for image recordation, said fiber optics scintillator formed from a non-crystalline amorphous substance and characterized as having: i) a first radiation absorption efficiency; ii) a first brightness value; iii) a first spatial resolution value; b) a phosphor layer disposed on said entrance face of said fiber optics scintillator, said phosphor layer characterized as having: i) a second radiation absorption efficiency lower than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a second brightness value; iii) a second spatial resolution value lower than the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator; and wherein: c) the hybrid luminescent device exhibits: i) a third radiation absorption efficiency higher than the first radiation absorption efficiency of said fiber optics scintillator; ii) a third brightness value higher than a highest one of the first and second brightness values of said fiber optics scintillator and phosphor layer, respectively; and iii) a third spatial resolution value about that of the first spatial resolution value of said fiber optics scintillator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said phosphor layer comprises a gadolinium oxysulfide rare earth material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated borate glass material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated silicate glass material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises cerium-activated, lithium enriched luminescent glass material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said phosphor layer comprises a zinc-cadmium sulfide, silver- and copper-doped ((ZnCd)S:Ag,Cu) phosphor material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 28 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated borate glass material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 28 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated silicate glass material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 28 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises cerium-activated, lithium enriched luminescent glass material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 23 wherein said phosphor layer comprises a zinc-cadmium sulfide, silver-doped ((ZnCd)S:Ag) phosphor material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 32 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated borate glass material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 32 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises luminescent terbium-activated silicate glass material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 32 wherein said fiber optics scintillator comprises cerium-activated, lithium enriched luminescent glass material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |