Hybrid dosimetry and imaging system
Some embodiments include a system, comprising a hybrid imaging device comprising: a first scintillator; a first detector sensors configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the first scintillator; a second scintillator; a second detector sensors configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the second scintillator; and a control logic coupled to the first detector layer and the second detector layer; wherein: a material of the first scintillator is different from a material of the second scintillator; the first detector overlaps the second detector; and the control logic is configured to generate dose data in response to the first detector and image data in response to the second detector.
1. A system, comprising a hybrid imaging device comprising:
a first scintillator;
a first detector including first detector pixels configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the first scintillator;
a second scintillator;
a second detector including second detector pixels configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the second scintillator; and
a control logic coupled to the first detector pixels and the second detector pixels;
wherein:
a material of the first scintillator is different from a material of the second scintillator;
the first detector pixels overlap the second detector pixels; and
the control logic is configured to generate dose data in response to the first detector and image data in response to the second detector.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the material of the first scintillator comprises a water-equivalent material.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the water-equivalent material comprises a polymer.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the material of the first scintillator has a thickness of less than 10 millimeters (mm).
5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the material of the second scintillator comprises a non-water-equivalent material.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hybrid imaging device further comprises:
a support structure disposed between the first detector and the second detector.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing;
wherein the first scintillator, the first detector, the second scintillator, the second detector, and the control logic are enclosed in the housing.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein a detective quantum efficiency of the first scintillator and the first detector is less than 2%.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first scintillator comprises a homogenous and/or laminar structure.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hybrid imaging device further comprises:
a first readout circuit coupled to the first detector; and
a second readout circuit coupled to the second detector.
11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an x-ray source configured to generate an x-ray beam with photons having an energy greater than 1 megaelectronvolt (MeV);
wherein the first scintillator is disposed such that the x-ray beam passes through the first scintillator before passing through the second scintillator.
12. A method, comprising:
converting a part of incoming photons into first converted photons with a first scintillator;
passing remaining photons of the incoming photons to a second scintillator;
converting a part of the remaining photons into second converted photons with the second scintillator;
generating dose data in response to the first converted photons; and
generating image data in response to the second converted photons.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a material of the first scintillator comprises a water-equivalent material.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the water-equivalent material comprises a polymer.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein a material of the second scintillator comprises a non-water-equivalent material.
16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
generating an absolute-dose calibration-curve;
wherein generating the dose data in response to the first converted photons comprises generating the dose data in response to the absolute-dose calibration-curve.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
simultaneously generating the dose data in response to the first converted photons and generating the image data in response to the second converted photons.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the incoming photons comprise an x-ray beam having an energy greater than 1 megaelectronvolt (MeV).
19. A system, comprising:
means for converting a part of incoming photons into first converted photons and passing remaining photons of the incoming photons;
means for converting a part of the remaining photons into second converted photons;
means for generating dose data in response to the first converted photons; and
means for generating image data in response to the second converted photons.
20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising:
means for generating an x-ray beam including the incoming photons having an energy greater than 1 megaelectronvolt (MeV).