RADIOGRAPHIC DETECTOR
A flexible digital radiographic detector with a flexible multi-layered core including a two-dimensional array of photo-sensitive cells, a flexible enclosure enveloping the multi-layered core to facilitate conforming the radiographic detector to a curved surface. A shaped flexible sleeve can receive the digital radiographic detector to conform the detector against a surface of a preselected structure.
1 . A flexible digital radiographic detector comprising:
a flexible multi-layered core comprising a two-dimensional array of photo-sensitive cells; and
a flexible enclosure enveloping the multi-layered core to facilitate conforming the radiographic detector onto a curved surface.
2 . The detector of claim 1 , further comprising a shaped flexible sleeve configured to receive the digital radiographic detector wherein the flexible sleeve is shaped to conform against a surface of a preselected structure to be radiographically imaged.
3 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible enclosure comprises a polyimide, PET or mylar based material.
4 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible enclosure comprises an environmetally protective material selected from the group consisting of a flame retardant material, electrically insulating material, polyetherimide, FR4, or a metalized film.
5 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core comprises a thickness between about 500 microns and 2 mm.
6 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core comprises a substrate made from polyimide, PET, polyethylene, FR4, mylar, or a conductor.
7 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible enclosure is configured on its interior surface to slidably engage the flexible multi-layered core.
8 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible enclosure comprises adhesive or a high friction material on at least one interior surface that faces the flexible multi-layered core.
9 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core comprises a sensor array layer, a substrate and a slip plane between the sensor array layer and the substrate to facilitate a slidable engagement therebetween.
10 . The detector of claim 9 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core further comprises a scintillator layer and a slip plane between the scintillator layer and the sensor array layer to facilitate a slidable engagement therebetween.
11 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core comprises a scintillator layer, a sensor array layer and a slip plane between the scintillator layer and the sensor array layer to facilitate a slidable engagement therebetween.
12 . The detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core comprises a sensor array layer, a substrate and an adhesive layer between the sensor array layer and the substrate.
13 . The detector of claim 12 , wherein the flexible multi-layered core further comprises a scintillator layer and an adhesive layer between the scintillator layer and the sensor array layer.
14 . The detector of claim 2 , wherein the shaped flexible sleeve comprises a repositionable adhesive to temporarily hold the flexible digital radiographic detector against the surface of the preselected structure to be radiographically imaged.
15 . A flexible digital radiographic detector comprising:
a photosensor array layer;
a scintillator layer over the photosensor array layer;
an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the photosensor array layer; and
a flexible bag enclosing the photosensor array layer and the scintillator layer.
16 . The detector of claim 15 , wherein the flexible bag encloses the photosensor array layer, the scintillator layer and the integrated circuit.
17 . The detector of claim 15 , further comprising a shaped flexible sleeve configured to receive the digital radiographic detector wherein the flexible sleeve is shaped to conform against a surface of a preselected structure to be radiographically imaged.
18 . The detector of claim 17 , wherein the shaped flexible sleeve comprises a repositionable adhesive to temporarily hold the flexible digital radiographic detector against the surface of the preselected structure to be radiographically imaged.
19 . The detector of claim 15 , further comprising a slip plane between the photosensor array layer and the scintillator layer to facilitate a slidable engagement therebetween.
20 . The detector of claim 15 , further comprising a substrate layer on a side of the photosensor array layer opposite the scintillator layer.