Flexible x-ray detector apparatus, system, and method of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017003401-A1
Application number	US-201514790915-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 2, 2015
Priority date	Jul 2, 2015
Publication date	Jan 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flexible x-ray detector and a method and system of using the same to acquire one or more x-ray images are disclosed. The flexible x-ray detector apparatus includes a curvature-fixing holder, which has a predetermined curvature. The curvature-fixing holder has a first end and a second end, which has a perimeter defining an internal slot or recess. The flexible detector is configured to be inserted into the recess of the curvature-fixing holder and follows the predetermined curvature of the recess. The flexible x-ray detector may further include a scintillator and a flexible substrate. A method of using a flexible x-ray detector apparatus as well as a system including one or more flexible x-ray detector apparatus are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An curved x-ray detector apparatus comprising:
a curvature-fixing holder of predetermined curvature, the holder having a first end and a second end and defining a recess that has substantially the same predetermined curvature as the holder; and a flexible x-ray detector comprising:
a scintillator; and
a flexible substrate,
wherein the flexible detector is configured to be inserted into the recess and follow the predetermined curvature of the recess.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible detector is removable from the curvature-fixing holder.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the curvature-fixing holder has a fixed curvature.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises readout electronics within at least one of the curvature-fixing holder and the flexible x-ray detector.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible x-ray detector further comprises a TFT array and readout electronics

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible x-ray detector is at least partially exposed from the curvature-fixing holder.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising an attachment covering at least a portion of the exposed flexible x-ray detector.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is located on at least one of the flexible x-ray detector and the curvature-fixing holder.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holder and flexible x-ray detector have complimenting components to guide the flexible x-ray detector along the curvature of the recess.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein one of the curvature-fixing holder and the flexible x-ray detector comprises a track and the other of the curvature fixing holder and the flexible x-ray detector comprises a protrusion that complements with the track.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holder is an adjustable holder configured to cover any portion of the detector.

12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the complimenting components are configured such that the detector and holder cannot be improperly oriented.

13 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the complimenting components are configured such that only one concave orientation and one convex orientation of the detector and holder are possible.

14 . An x-ray detector system comprising:
a plurality of curvature-fixing holders, each of a different, predetermined curvature, each holder having a first end and a second end, each holder defining a recess that has substantially the same predetermined curvature as the respective holder; and a flexible x-ray detector comprising:
a scintillator; and
a flexible substrate,
wherein the flexible detector is configured to be inserted into each recess and follow the predetermined curvature of each of the plurality of curvature-fixing holders.

15 . The x-ray detector system of claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of flexible x-ray detectors, wherein each detector of the plurality is configured to be inserted into the recess of at least one of the plurality of curvature-fixing holders.

16 . A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising:
providing the apparatus of claim 1 ; inserting the flexible x-ray detector into the holder; and using the x-ray detector.

17 . A method of using the system of claim 14 , the method comprising:
providing the system of claim 14 ; inserting the flexible x-ray detector into a first holder of the plurality of curvature-fixing holders; using the x-ray detector in the first holder; removing the flexible detector from the first holder; inserting the flexible x-ray detector into a second holder of the plurality of curvature-fixing holders; and using the x-ray detector in the second holder.

18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the curvature-fixing holder is adjustable to accommodate the size and shape of the flexible x-ray detector, so as to cover the entire flexible x-ray detector or any portion thereof.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of flexible x-ray detectors, wherein the curvature-fixing holder is adjustable to accommodate the size and shape of each of the plurality of flexible x-ray detectors, so as to cover each flexible x-ray detector completely or any portion thereof.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Konkle Nicholas
• Sabol John
• Nye Katelyn
• Schmitz Andrea
• Couture Aaron
• Kinsey Kevin

Classifications

• H05G1/02

  Constructional details · CPC title

• G01T1/203

  the detector being made of plastics · CPC title

• G01T1/2018 Primary

  Scintillation-photodiode combinations · CPC title

• G01T1/20188 Primary

  Auxiliary details, e.g. casings or cooling · CPC title

• A61B6/4283

  characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette · CPC title