Scintillator Through-Hole Interconnect for Multi-Energy CT
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-energy CT detector arrays with horizontally arranged detectors, the flex or circuitry required to route signals from photodetectors between scintillators attenuates X-ray photons, reducing dose efficiency and increasing complexity and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-energy detector array with a stacked tile configuration, featuring an upper and lower scintillator layer, where the lower scintillator layer includes a through-hole interconnect in its wall, allowing electrical signals to be routed directly from the upper photosensor to the processing electronics without the need for flex circuitry above the scintillators, thereby avoiding attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flex circuitry is used to route signals from photodetectors between scintillators, then signal routing is achieved, but X-ray photons are attenuated and dose efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful flex circuitry that causes X-ray attenuation is extracted and removed from the detection path. Instead, electrical interconnects are integrated directly into the scintillator structure, taking out the problematic external routing element and replacing it with an intrinsic solution that does not interfere with X-ray transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal routing function is merged with the scintillator structure itself. Electrical interconnects are formed as integral parts of the scintillator material or structure, combining the light-guiding and electrical-conduction functions into a single integrated component, thereby eliminating the need for separate flex circuitry.
2Ease of operation
If flex circuitry is used to route signals from photodetectors between scintillators, then signal routing is achieved, but device complexity and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The signal routing function is merged with the scintillator structure itself. Electrical interconnects are formed as integral parts of the scintillator material or structure, combining the light-guiding and electrical-conduction functions into a single integrated component, thereby eliminating the need for separate flex circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The scintillator structure is given multiple functions: it not only converts X-rays to light but also provides integrated electrical interconnects for signal routing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components for signal transmission.
3Ease of operation
If flex circuitry is used to route signals from photodetectors between scintillators, then signal routing is achieved, but reliability is reduced due to additional attenuating components
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful flex circuitry that causes X-ray attenuation is extracted and removed from the detection path. Instead, electrical interconnects are integrated directly into the scintillator structure, taking out the problematic external routing element and replacing it with an intrinsic solution that does not interfere with X-ray transmission.
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 enhances dose efficiency, reduces complexity and assembly costs, and improves reliability by eliminating the need for attenuating circuitry, while maintaining effective image generation across different energy levels.
Implementation Method 1
The scintillator material produces light photons in response to absorbing X-ray photons
Implementation Method 2
converting, with the lower scintillator layer, the second energy X-ray photons to second light photons
Implementation Method 3
detecting, with the upper photosensor, the first light photons and producing a first electrical signal indicative thereof
Implementation Method 4
detecting, with the lower photosensor, the second light photons and producing a second electrical signal indicative thereof
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~10
AI summary
A scintillator layer (206) includes a plurality of scintillator pixels (337), walls of non-scintillation material (336) surrounding each of the plurality of scintillator pixels, and at least one electrically conductive interconnect (224) for a pixel, wherein the at least one electrically conductive interconnect extends within a wall of the pixel along an entire depth of the wall. A multi-energy detector array (114) includes a detector tile (116) with an upper scintillator layer (202), an upper photosensor (204) optically coupled to the upper scintillator layer, a lower scintillator layer (206) electrically coupled to the upper photosensor, and a lower photodetector (208) optically and electrically coupled to the lower scintillator layer. The lower scintillator layer includes at least one scintillator pixel (337) surrounded by at least one wall of non-scintillation material (336), and the wall includes at least one electrically conductive interconnect (224) that extends from a top edge of the wall to a bottom edge of the wall.