Optical Erasure Light Guide for Uniform X-Ray Detector Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray detectors face issues with non-uniform light distribution and slow response times due to the size and design of light-emitting diode (LED) light generators, leading to ghost images and artifacts, especially in medical imaging applications where detectors are large and moving.
Innovation Solution
A digital solid-state radiation detector with a light guide that distributes light laterally across the photosensitive matrix, reducing the size and number of light sources, and incorporating diffusing texturing or microbubbles for uniform illumination, allowing for high-frequency operation and reduced artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a matrix of light-emitting diodes is used as the light generator, then the photosensitive elements can be optically erased, but the light distribution becomes non-uniform and ghost images appear due to air gap variations
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the photosensitive sensor. The light guide receives light from the light source and distributes it uniformly across the entire sensor surface, eliminating the non-uniform distribution and ghost images caused by direct LED illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical array of individual light-emitting diodes with an optical system using a light guide. This substitution transforms the mechanical/electrical system into an optical system that achieves more uniform light distribution through optical principles rather than mechanical arrangement.
2Reliability
If conventional light generators are used, then optical erasure is achieved, but the response time is slow due to high resistance and charge/discharge capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as a mediator that decouples the light source from the sensor, allowing for optimized electrical characteristics. The light guide's optical properties enable fast response times while the electrical characteristics (resistance and charge/discharge capacity) are improved through the new architectural design.
3Area of stationary object
If the detector dimensions are increased to cover large areas, then more photosensitive elements are needed, but the light generator size and complexity increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes light uniformly across the entire sensor area, structurally supports the sensor assembly, and provides a scalable design that works for both small and large detector dimensions without increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light distribution from point-source individual LEDs to a continuous uniform distribution through the light guide. This parameter change allows the system to scale to large detector areas while maintaining uniform illumination and reducing overall system complexity.
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 provides a uniformly distributed flash of light for pixel reset, reducing ghost images and artifacts, enabling high-frequency operation with improved image quality and reduced risk of deformation and shock damage.
Implementation Method 1
the light generator comprises: a light guide comprising a front face facing the front of the detector, a rear face opposite the front face and at least one lateral face extending between the front face and the rear face, and at least one light source arranged on the lateral periphery of the light guide where the light generator is configured so that said at least one light source injects light through at least one of the faces of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
said light guide being configured to distribute the light coming from said at least one light source over the entire matrix of photosensitive elements
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 that can be used by appropriate circuits
Implementation Method 4
a radiation converter, also called a scintillator screen, which contains a layer of a scintillating substance. This substance has the property, when excited by such radiation, of emitting radiation of a longer wavelength, for example visible or near-visible light
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a solid-state digital detector (10) of incident radiation (100), the detector (10) comprising a photosensitive sensor (30) and a light generator (40), the photosensitive sensor (30) comprising photosensitive elements (31) arranged in an array, the light generator (40) being intended to optically erase the photosensitive elements (31), wherein the light generator (40) comprises: - a light guide (42) comprising a front face facing the front of the detector (10), a rear face opposite the front face and at least one lateral face extending between the front face and the rear face, and - at least one light source (41) disposed on the lateral periphery of the light guide (42) and wherein the light generator (40) is configured so that said at least one light source (41) injects light through at least one of the faces of the light guide (42),said light guide (42) being configured to distribute the light from said at least one light source (41) over the entire array of photosensitive elements (31).