580results about "Image-conversion/image-amplification tubes" patented technology

A digital detector of a digital imaging system is provided. In one embodiment, a digital detector includes a detector array disposed in a housing and configured to generate image data based on received radiation. The digital detector may also include a battery configured to be disposed within a receptacle of the housing and to supply operating power to the detector array. In one embodiment, the battery or the detector may provide for wireless data communication. In certain embodiments, a tethered plug configured to be disposed within the receptacle may be provided. In one such embodiment, the tether may be rotatable relative to the plug. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.

Homogeneous assays for determining quantitatively the extent of a specific binding reaction can be carried out effectively on very dilute solutions using measurements of fluorescence if a fluorescence measurement scheme that is capable of rejecting short-lived background fluorescence is employed and if the fluorescent group being measured has the following properties: a. the group being measured must be a rare earth metal chelate complex combination; b. the chelate must be water-soluble; c. the complex combination must also be stable in extremely dilute aqueous solutions, that is, the measured chelate must have at least one ligand having a metal-to-ligand binding constant of at least about 1013M-1 or greater and it must have a fluorescent emission that is long-lived compared to the longest decay lifetime of ambient substances and have a half life of from 0.01 to 50 msec.

A digital, flat panel, two-dimensional x-ray detector moves reliably, safely and conveniently to a variety of positions for different x-ray protocols for a standing, sitting or recumbent patient. The system makes it practical to use the same detector for a number or protocols that otherwise may require different equipment, and takes advantage of desirable characteristics of flat panel digital detectors while alleviating the effects of less desirable characteristics such as high cost, weight and fragility of such detectors.

A fusion night vision system having image intensification and thermal imaging capabilities includes an edge detection filter circuit to aid in acquiring and identifying targets. An outline of the thermal image is generated and combined with the image intensification image without obscuration of the image intensification image. The fusion night vision system may also include a parallax compensation circuit to overcome parallax problems as a result of the image intensification channel being spaced from the thermal channel. The fusion night vision system may also include a control circuit configured to maintain a perceived brightness through an eyepiece over a mix of image intensification information and thermal information. The fusion night vision system may incorporate a targeting mode that allows an operator to acquire a target without having the scene saturated by a laser pointer. The night vision system may also include a detector, an image combiner for forming a fused image from the detector and a display, and a camera aligned with image combiner for recording scene information processed by the first detector.

An X-ray inspection system and methodology is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, an X-ray source that exposes an item under inspection to X-ray radiation and at least one X-ray detector that detects X-ray radiation modified by the item. The X-ray source and X-ray detector may be movable in any of first and second dimensions. The X-ray source may also be moved in a third dimension to zoom in and out on regions of interest in the item order inspection. The system further comprises a controller that controls movement of the X-ray source and X-ray detector, independently of each other, in any of collinear and different directions, to provide a plurality of X-ray views of the item at varying examination angles of the X-ray radiation. A processor coupled to the controller may be configured to receive and process detection information from the X-ray detector and to provide processed information to an operator interface. The operator interface may also receive instructions from an operator input and provide the instructions to the controller.

An electronic x-ray imaging sensor that flexibly fits within a patient's mouth includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The flexible portion includes an array of detection devices, and the rigid portion includes complementary circuitry for controlling and / or obtaining image data from the array. The flexible portion may be detachable from the rigid portion, which allows the flexible portion to be disposable while the detachable portion is reusable.

Methods and means for measuring and adjusting the gain of a photomultiplier tube (PMT), or other photo-detector with electron multiplication gain, for the purpose of achieving accurate light measurement, such as in a luminescent radiation dosimeter reader. With a PMT illuminated by a light emitting diode or other light source, the PMT output signal is measured in two modes, signal integration and photon pulse counting. The measured PMT gain is calculated as the ratio of the integrated signal to the photon pulse count. The PMT high voltage may be adjusted to cause the measured PMT gain to correspond to an established calibration gain value, or the data from the PMT may be adjusted to compensate the deviation of the measured PMT gain from the calibration gain value. The light source may be a controllable light source that can be adjusted to provide a specific photon count rate output as measured by the PMT. This invention provides for maintaining light measurement calibration without requiring temperature stabilization or a fixed light source.

A low-light viewing device includes a housing, having mounted thereto: a lens, an electronic camera for receiving light focused by the lens and for providing an output signal; a display for receiving the output signal and displaying an image detected by the camera; a controller for controlling the camera and the display, and a user interface for operating the controller. The lens may be a fixed focus lens having an F number of less than about 1, and a T number of less than about 1.5. The display may have a resolution at least as great as the resolution of the camera. The device may have a processor programmed to provide control signals to the camera and display depending on a selected light environment.

A fusion vision system has a first sensor configured to detect scene information in a first range of wavelengths, a second sensor configured to detect scene information in a second range of wavelengths, and a processor configured to resize one of a first and a second image to improve viewability of the fused scene.

An electron sensing device includes a cathode for providing a source of electrons, and an anode disposed opposite to the cathode for receiving electrons emitted from the cathode. The anode includes a textured surface for reducing halo in the output signal of the electron sensing device. The textured surface may include either pits or inverted pyramids.

A low-photon flux image-intensified electronic camera comprises a gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) photocathode in a high vacuum tube assembly behind a hermetic front seal to receive image photons. Such is cooled by a Peltier device to −20° C. to 0° C., and followed by a dual microchannel plate. The microchannels in each plate are oppositely longitudinally tilted away from the concentric to restrict positive ions that would otherwise contribute to the generation high brightness “scintillation” noise events at the output of the image. A phosphor-coated output fiberoptic conducts intensified light to an image sensor device. This too is chilled and produces a camera signal output. A high voltage power supply connected to the dual microchannel plate provides for gain control and photocathode gating and shuttering. A fiberoptic taper is used at the output of the image intensifier vacuum tube as a minifier between the internal output fiberoptic and the image sensor.

An electron sensing device for receiving electrons from an output surface of an electron gain device has a silicon die including an active surface area for positioning below the output surface of an electron gain device. The silicon die also includes a silicon step formed below and surrounding the active surface area, and a first array of bond pads formed on the silicon step for providing output signals from the silicon die. When the electron sensing device is positioned below the electron gain device, a tight vertical clearance is formed between the output surface of the electron gain device and the active surface area of the electron sensing device.

An electronic cassette type of radiation detection apparatus having a sensor array including a plurality of sensors for detecting incident radiation has a connecting portion to which detachable additional function modules are connected. A selection unit is provided for changing a radiographing mode from a still image radiographing mode and a moving image radiographing mode into a selectable state in response to a connection of at least one of the additional function modules changes.

Plural electronic or optical images are provided in a streak optical system, as for instance by use of plural slits instead of the conventional single slit, to obtain a third, fourth, etc. dimension—rather than only the conventional two, namely range or time and azimuth. Such additional dimension or dimensions are thereby incorporated into the optical information that is to be streaked and thereby time resolved. The added dimensions may take any of an extremely broad range of forms, including wave-length, polarization state, or one or more spatial dimensions—or indeed virtually any optical parameter that can be impressed upon a probe beam. Resulting capabilities remarkably include several new forms of lidar spectroscopy, fluorescence analysis, polarimetry, spectropolarimetry, and combinations of these, as well as a gigahertz wavefront sensor.

An electronic cassette accommodating a sensor for converting radiation into an electric signal. A cable with a specific length is connected to a side surface of the electronic cassette. A connector that is connectable with a wireless communication unit or an external power source is provided at an end of the cable.

A housing for microelectronic devices requiring an internal vacuum for operation, e.g., an image detector, is formed by tape casting and incorporates leads between interior and exterior of the housing where the leads are disposed on a facing surface of green tape layers. Adjacent green tape layers having corresponding apertures therein are stacked on a first closure member to form a resulting cavity and increased electrical isolation or channel sub-structures are achievable by forming adjacent layers with aperture dimension which vary non-monotonically. After assembly of the device within the cavity, a second closure member is sealed against an open face of the package in a vacuum environment to produce a vacuum sealed device.

In a mammography method and a mammography apparatus to generate x-ray images of a breast, a support unit is positioned between the breasts. In the support unit two x-ray detectors are arranged with acquisition surfaces that are flat and parallel to one another. The acquisition surfaces face away from one another and respectively toward one of the breasts. At least one x-ray image of each breast is acquired while both breasts are simultaneously pressed against the support unit.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which the presence of a portable detector in a parking mechanism of mobile digital radiography system is used to change the operating mode of the portable detector and a mobile X-Ray system. An existing mobile digital X-Ray imaging system may be retrofitted with parking sensor mechanism for determining the proximity of the portable detector to the mobile digital radiography system. Also provided is a method for controlling a mobile digital imaging system having a mobile X-Ray base and having a parking mechanism for holding a detachable detector. Upon detecting the presence of the detachable detector in the parking mechanism a control signal is generated to alter the speed of the mobile unit and the power consumption status of the detachable detector.

The night vision camera system includes a light, a night vision camera, and a linkage. The night vision camera is attached to the light such that the light and camera maintain a fixed orientation with respect to each other. The light is attached to the linkage and is configured to manipulate the light and night vision camera concurrently. The linkage is attached to the vehicle and extends into the vehicle interior where a handle is provided allowing the user to aim the light and night vision camera from the interior of the vehicle.

An intensified solid-state imaging sensor includes a photo cathode for converting light from an image into electrons, an electron multiplying device for receiving electrons from the photo cathode, and a solid-state image sensor including a plurality of pixels for receiving the electrons from the electron multiplying device through a plurality of channels of the electron multiplying device. The solid-state image sensor generates an intensified image signal from the electrons received from the electron multiplying device. The plurality of channels are arranged in a plurality of channel patterns, and the plurality of pixels are arranged in a plurality of pixel patterns. Each of the plurality of channel patterns is mapped to a respective one of the plurality of pixel patterns such that electron signals from each of the plurality of channel patterns is substantially received by the single respective one of the plurality of pixel patterns.

Disclosed is a radiographic image capturing system, in which a portable-type radiographic image detecting device provided with a wireless communication section is included, and a correlation established between the FPD and the console can be easily changed. The system further includes a plurality of controlling terminal devices, each of which displays a radiation image; a communication information attaching section to attach communication information to the radiation image data; an access point that is correlated with corresponding one of the controlling terminal devices, and transfers the radiation image data, which is received by the wireless communication section in the wireless communication mode within a predetermined area of a radiographing room, into the network; and a correlation controlling section that correlates the radiographic image detecting device with the corresponding one of the controlling terminal devices so as to establish a correlation establishment between them, based on the communication information.

A voltage divider network in combination with a voltage multiplier circuit voltage biases the electrodes of a photomultiplier tubes or related device. The circuit exploits the several voltage levels produced at successive stages of a voltage multiplier circuit in order to optimize the voltage divider network with respect to power consumption, current draw from the power supply, operating stability, and linear operation of the photomultiplier tube.

A surgical imaging system includes spaced-apart first and second x-ray sources mounted above a patient support surface. An x-ray detector mounted below the patient support surface generates first x-ray images based upon x-rays from the first x-ray source and second x-ray images based upon x-rays from the second x-ray source. These first and second x-ray images are used to generate a stereofluoroscopic image via a stereo display for a surgeon performing image-guided surgery. The stereofluoroscopic imaging system may be used in conjunction with robotic surgery. A surgical robot operatively controls a surgical tool in an area between the first x-ray source and the x-ray detector, and between the second x-ray source and the x-ray detector. The system may optionally include a first video camera mounted proximate the first x-ray source and a second video camera mounted proximate the second x-ray source. The stereo display selectively displays the first and second video images or the first and second x-ray image, and dissolves between the sources to correlate an outer view with the fluoroscopic view.

The present invention relates to an electron multiplier including a structure which effectively prevents an electric field from leaking to the front side of an MCP due to a voltage applied to the MCP, facilitates an operation of attaching / detaching the MCP, and prevents the MCP from being damaged and so forth during the operation. The electron multiplier includes an MCP as electron multiplying means, and an outer electric field shield member for accommodating the MCP. The electric field shield cap includes a body portion surrounding at least a side face of the MCP. The electron multiplier further includes a structure by which, while the MCP is held by the outer electric field shield member and an inner electric field shield member accommodated in the outer electric field shield member, the outer electric field shield member is attached to a base of the electron multiplier so as to facilitate the operation of attaching / detaching the MCP.

An electronic cassette for radiographic imaging includes a radiation imaging detector for detecting X-rays from an object and creating an X-ray image of the object. A battery supplies the radiation imaging detector with power. A power receiver wirelessly receives power from a wireless power transmission apparatus for charging the battery. A housing is formed from an electrical conductor, for containing the radiation imaging detector and the power receiver. A path opening is formed in the housing, and disposed between the power receiver and the wireless power transmission apparatus. A cover device is formed from a material having electrical insulating property and thermal conductivity, for closing the path opening, and conducting heat of the power receiver to the housing for dissipation. Preferably, the cover device contains synthetic resin. Also, a profile line of the path opening is at least partially curved.

Automatic control method and system for EBCCD sensor. The invention relates to a novel protective method of operating the Electron Bombarded Charge Coupled Device (EBCCD), a recently developed, high sensitivity, low noise, and expensive focal plane array sensor. In particular, the invention provides a method for operation that automatically controls the EBCCD gain at a very high rate. This allows i) for sensor damage protection from too much light, ii) for extension of sensor service life by reducing gain in periods of non-use, and iii) for automatic gain adjustment to rapidly compensate for variations in scene brightness.

An imaging system is provided. In one embodiment, an imaging system includes a radiation source and a digital detector. The imaging system may also include first and second structures, each configured to receive the digital detector. Further, the imaging system may include system control circuitry configured to control exposure of the digital detector by the radiation source and to acquire image data from the digital detector. Additionally, the digital detector may be configured to communicate its location to the system control circuitry based on receipt of the digital detector by the first or second receiving structures. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.

An x-ray grid alignment circuit for coupling an x-ray grid to a detector includes a marker configured to be mounted to the x-ray grid, a sensor configured to be mounted to the detector, the sensor generating an alignment signal based on a position of the marker, and an alignment module configured to receive the alignment signal from the sensor and utilize the alignment signal to determine if the x-ray grid is coupled to a detecting face of the detector. A detector assembly including the x-ray grid alignment circuit and a method of coupling an x-ray grid to a detector are also provided.

An x-ray detector is provided for use in imaging systems. The x-ray detector includes a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays. The detector subsystem includes an imaging panel, a support layer and a low density core disposed between the imaging panel and the support layer.

An advanced image intensifier assembly provides enhanced functionality. A grounded photocathode provides shielding from electromagnetic interference, improving the ability to work in multiple light conditions. Bi-directional wireless communication and non-volatile storage allow critical information to be permanently stored and read wirelessly at a scanning station, easing in identification of units. Because bi-directional communication components can be embedded within an image intensifier assembly, existing end-user night vision devices can be upgraded by simply replacing the image intensifier assembly. For enhanced safety, a programmable shutdown capability is provided. This renders the device inoperative in the absence of continuous input, either wireless or manual, from an authorized operator, thus rendering the device useless if captured by enemy combatants. Finally, direct 1-volt operation enables the device to be powered by, for example, a single AA battery.