Digital Detector Light Generator Electrode Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solid-state X-radiation detectors face issues with non-uniform light distribution during reinitialization, leading to inefficiencies and increased electrical consumption, particularly in large-area detectors where OLED layers with ITO electrodes suffer from brightness variations and 'Grid Effect' due to movement during medical imaging.

Innovation Solution

A digital detector design with a light generator featuring additional electrical conductors distributed on the electrode surface to enhance conductivity and uniformity, reducing luminosity drops and improving light homogeneity across the detector surface, and optionally using a transparent or semi-transparent electrode to maintain image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a light generator using OLED layer with ITO electrode is used for optical wiping, then the detector can be reinitialized, but the light distribution becomes non-uniform causing brightness variations and Grid Effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector reinitializationVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is segmented into multiple conductive zones by introducing additional electrical conductors that divide the continuous ITO electrode into separate regions. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of light emission in different areas, correcting the non-uniform brightness distribution and eliminating the Grid Effect while maintaining effective optical wiping across the entire detector surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the detector area is increased for large-area coverage, then more radiation can be detected, but the light homogeneity deteriorates due to OLED layer limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector areaVSAvoidlight homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The solution transitions from a single-layer OLED structure to a multi-layer configuration by adding additional electrical conductors that create vertical and horizontal conductive pathways. This dimensional expansion allows light to be distributed more uniformly across large areas by providing multiple routes for electrical current and light emission, overcoming the inherent limitations of planar OLED layers in large-area applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If additional electrical conductors are added to the electrode, then light homogeneity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight homogeneityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional electrical conductors are merged with the existing ITO electrode structure, combining multiple functions into a unified design. The conductors serve dual purposes: they provide electrical pathways for uniform light distribution and act as structural support elements. This merging approach improves light homogeneity while minimizing the increase in device complexity by integrating rather than adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves greater than 80% spatial light homogeneity and reduced electrical consumption, enabling efficient and uniform light distribution for large-area detectors, thus improving image quality and detector performance.

Implementation Method 1

a light generator (14) arranged downstream of the substrate (15) and suitable for emitting a flash of light for optically erasing the photosensitive elements (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a scintillator (12) making it possible to convert the X radiation (11) in visible radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 3

The light emitted by the radiation converter illuminates the photosensitive elements of the sensor which carry out a photoelectric conversion and deliver electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3066688B1Digital detector possessing a generator of light enabling optical wiping
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 TRIXELL S
  • EP3066688B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2a
  • EP3066688B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP3066688B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a solid-state radiation detector (10) including a photosensitive sensor (13) comprising photosensitive elements (16) organized into a matrix, and a generator (14) of light intended to optically wipe the photosensitive elements (16). According to the invention, the generator (14) of light comprises: a light-emitting layer (21) distributed over the surface of the sensor (13); at least one electrode (22, 23) continuously covering the light-emitting layer (21) and through which electrons are able to flow, the light emitted by the light-emitting layer (21) being able to pass through the electrode (22, 23); and additional electrical conductors (24, 36) making electrical contact with the electrode (22, 23), the additional electrical conductors (24, 36) forming branches extending over the surface of the electrode (22, 23), and being spatially distributed over the surface of the electrode (22, 23).