Photon Counting Detector Using Optical Connector for Multi-Modality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photon counting detectors are not capable of detecting a wide range of electromagnetic waves, including X-rays, gamma rays, and faint fluorescent light, due to technical difficulties in balancing resolution levels, counting rates, and energy ranges across various diagnostic modalities, leading to high production costs and limited versatility.
Innovation Solution
A photon counting detector with a columnar-body array, optical connector, and avalanche photodiode clusters that adjust light spread and count photons across multiple energy ranges, enabling detection of X-rays, gamma rays, and fluorescent light using a common structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detectors are used for gamma ray detection, then detection capability for gamma rays is achieved, but detection resolution for X-rays and faint fluorescent light is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a scintillator material that can detect multiple types of radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, and fluorescent light) with a single detector structure. The scintillator converts different types of incident radiation into visible light, which is then detected by photodetectors, enabling one detector to perform multiple diagnostic modalities without requiring separate specialized detectors for each modality.
2Measurement precision
If detector structure is optimized for high resolution X-ray detection, then detection resolution is improved, but production cost increases due to specialized materials and structures
Solution Approach 1:
By using a universal scintillator-based detection structure that can handle multiple radiation types, the patent eliminates the need for separate specialized detectors for each diagnostic modality. This reduces production costs by standardizing the detector design while maintaining high resolution performance across X-ray, gamma ray, and fluorescent light detection through the inherent properties of the scintillator material.
3Measurement precision
If photon counting is implemented for X-ray detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but technical difficulty and processing complexity become very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scintillator as an intermediary that converts high-energy X-rays and gamma rays into visible light photons, which can then be counted by photodetectors. This intermediary conversion process simplifies the photon counting task by transforming difficult-to-detect high-energy radiation into easily countable visible light, reducing signal processing complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
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 detector achieves higher structural versatility and accuracy in detecting electromagnetic waves across various modalities, reducing production costs and enhancing diagnostic capabilities by optimizing light reception and processing.
Implementation Method 1
In such scintillators, scintillation light (pulsed light) is generated by being excited by the incident gamma rays
Implementation Method 2
The one or more photomultiplier convert light pulses to electrical signals
Implementation Method 3
a group of avalanche photodiode (APD) clusters
Data Source
AI summary
A photon counting detector is provided for electrometric waves having a wide wavelength range, such as X-rays, gamma rays, and excited weak fluorescence, by use of a common detecting structure. The detector includes an optical connecting part opposed to an emission surface of a columnar-body array and can adjust a spreading range of light emitted from an emission end face of each of a plurality of columnar bodies. The detector also includes a group of APD (avalanche photodiode) clusters opposed to the emission surface via the optical connecting part. In the group of APD clusters, N×N (N is a positive integer of 2 or more) APDs each having a light receiving face are arranged two-dimensionally and the output signals from the N×N APDs are combined by a wired logical addition circuit so as to form an APD cluster serving as one pixel. A plurality of such clusters are arranged two-dimensionally.