X-ray detector intermediate unit for signal homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray detectors face signal drift and inhomogeneities due to mechanical stresses and voltage differences, particularly at the interfaces between converter and evaluation units, leading to signal amplification or attenuation and image artifacts in medical imaging.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray detector design featuring a converter element, an intermediate unit, and a stack arrangement of evaluation units, where the intermediate unit reduces mechanical stresses and homogenizes electrical signals by acting as an interposer between the converter and evaluation units, using electrically conductive connections and a filling material to stabilize the structure and minimize drift inhomogeneities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the converter element is directly connected to evaluation units without an intermediate unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but mechanical stresses cause signal drift and inhomogeneities at the interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate unit is introduced between the converter element and the evaluation units to act as a mediator. This intermediate unit has the same areal extension as the converter element and provides a stable interface that reduces mechanical stresses and voltage differences, thereby minimizing signal drift and inhomogeneities without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If evaluation units are directly mounted on the converter element, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but mechanical stresses lead to signal amplification or attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate unit serves as a stable mounting platform for evaluation units, distributing mechanical stresses evenly across the converter element interface. This mediator structure maintains signal accuracy by reducing stress-induced signal amplification or attenuation while preserving manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward stacking and bonding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate unit modifies the mechanical and electrical parameters at the interface between the converter element and evaluation units. By changing the structural configuration and material properties at this critical interface, the system reduces voltage differences and mechanical stresses that would otherwise cause signal inhomogeneities and measurement errors.
3Power
If the converter element and evaluation units are in direct contact, then the electrical connection is more direct, but voltage differences cause drift behavior at crossing points
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate unit acts as an electrical mediator that maintains efficient signal transmission while stabilizing voltage levels. It provides a controlled electrical interface that reduces voltage differences between adjacent evaluation units and the converter element, thereby minimizing drift behavior at crossing points and improving signal stability without significantly impeding electrical connection efficiency.
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 homogeneous signal registration along the converter element's flat extent, reducing mechanical stresses and signal drift, thereby improving image quality and reducing artifacts in medical imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
The X-rays or the photons can be converted into electrical pulses in direct-converting X-ray detectors using a suitable converter material
Implementation Method 2
In a first stage, the X-ray or gamma quanta are absorbed in a scintillator element and converted into optically visible light. This effect is called luminescence
Implementation Method 3
The light excited by luminescence is then converted in a second stage into an electrical signal by a first photodiode optically coupled to the scintillator element
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
The invention relates to an X-ray detector (1) comprising a converter element (3), an intermediate unit (5, 5') and a plurality of evaluation units (7) associated with the converter element (3), wherein the plurality of evaluation units (7) is arranged in an evaluation plane (8), the converter element (3), the intermediate unit (5, 5') and the evaluation plane (8) are arranged in a stacked arrangement, and the converter element (3) and the plurality of evaluation units (7) are electrically connected by means of electrically conductive connections (21, 23).