Radiation Detector Module Two-Stage Substrate Stacking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of rows in multi-slice radiation detectors for CT scanners leads to difficulties in extracting analog signals from photodiodes, and integrating scintillators, photodiodes, and AD conversion chips on the same substrate results in a larger substrate size, making it challenging to install CT apparatuses in limited spaces while maintaining wide-range imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage structure is implemented with a detector substrate loaded with a scintillator, photodiode, and AD conversion chips, and a control substrate that supplies power and controls the AD conversion unit, connected via stacking connectors and a support structure, allowing for increased row numbers without elongating the radiation detector in the body-axis direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the scintillator, photodiode, and AFE are loaded on the same substrate and power supply and control functions are added to that substrate, then the substrate integrates multiple functions, but the size of the substrate is increased, resulting in an increased length of the radiation detector in the body-axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the substrate system into two separate substrates: a detector substrate that carries the scintillator, photodiode, and AFE, and a control substrate that provides power supply and control functions. These two substrates are connected through stacking connectors, enabling functional segmentation that reduces the area required on each individual substrate while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar single-substrate layout to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. By stacking the detector substrate and control substrate vertically and connecting them through stacking connectors, the design utilizes the Z-axis dimension to accommodate multiple functions without increasing the in-plane area, thereby reducing the detector length in the body-axis direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the row number of the multi-slice type radiation detector is increased to enable wide-range imaging, then imaging capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to take an analog signal out of the photodiode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function by placing AD conversion chips on the detector substrate close to the photodiodes. This segmentation allows analog signals to be converted to digital signals locally at each row, enabling independent signal processing for each detector row and facilitating the extraction and processing of signals from a high number of rows without increasing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the row number of the radiation detector is increased, then wide-range imaging is enabled, but the substrate size increases making it difficult to install CT apparatus in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detector into multiple independent rows with individual photodiodes and AFE units for each row. This segmentation allows the detector to cover a wide detection area by increasing the number of rows without requiring a proportionally larger continuous substrate, as each row can be independently configured and connected through the stacking connector architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
By adopting a stacked substrate configuration, the patent enables the detector to achieve a large effective detection area through vertical stacking rather than horizontal expansion. The stacking connectors enable multiple substrate layers to be connected in the vertical direction, allowing wide-range imaging capability while maintaining a compact footprint that facilitates installation in limited spaces.
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
This configuration enables the suppression of radiation detector length in the body-axis direction while allowing for a higher row number, facilitating the installation of CT scanners in constrained spaces and maintaining efficient imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator which converts X-rays which are incident upon the scintillator from the front-face side to light
Implementation Method 2
a photodiode which converts the light which is converted from the X-rays to an analog signal
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a radiation detector module, a radiation detector, and a radiographic imaging apparatus which make it possible to increase the row number while suppressing a length in a body-axis direction. The radiation detector module includes a detector substrate on which a scintillator, a photodiode, and AD conversion chips are loaded, and a control substrate which supplies power to the detector substrate and controls the operation of an AD conversion unit (AFE) of each AD conversion chip of the detector substrate. The plurality of radiation detector modules configure a radiation detector which suppresses the length in the body-axis direction by connecting together the two substrates so as to form a two-stage structure by stacking connectors.