FLEXIBLE RADIATION DETECTORS
Radiation detectors including flexible components, such as flexible electronics boards and flexible covers, are disclosed. A radiation detector can include a flexible housing, an electronics board positioned in the flexible housing, and a sensor array at least partially overlapping the electronics board. The electronics board can include at least two rigid portions and a flexible portion coupled to the rigid portions. Each of the rigid portions can include active components.
1 . A radiation detector comprising:
a flexible housing;
an electronics board positioned in the flexible housing, the electronics board comprising at least two rigid portions and a flexible portion coupled to the rigid portions, each of the rigid portions comprising active components; and
a sensor array at least partially overlapping the electronics board.
2 . The radiation detector of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible cover.
3 . The radiation detector of claim 2 , wherein the flexible cover comprises a polymer.
4 . The radiation detector of claim 1 , further comprising a baseplate, the baseplate comprising one or more materials selected from carbon fiber, plastic materials, metal materials, fiberglass, or an epoxy resin.
5 . The radiation detector of claim 4 , wherein the baseplate is configured to provide the flexible housing with a desired level of stiffness.
6 . The radiation detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible housing comprises a plastic material.
7 . The radiation detector of claim 1 , further comprising a second flexible portion, wherein:
the first flexible portion extends in a first direction; and
the second flexible portion extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first portion.
8 . The radiation detector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion is defined by a flexible layer extending between the at least two rigid portions.
9 . A radiation detector comprising:
a first integrated circuit;
a second integrated circuit coupled to the first integrated circuit by a flexible connection;
a housing enclosing the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, and the flexible connection; and
a sensor array coupled to the first integrated circuit.
10 . The radiation detector of claim 9 , wherein the sensor array is disposed within the housing.
11 . The radiation detector of claim 9 , wherein the sensor array at least partially overlaps at least one of the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit, or the flexible connection.
12 . The radiation detector of claim 9 , wherein the sensor array is disposed outside of the housing.
13 . The radiation detector of claim 9 , wherein:
the first integrated circuit is formed on a first rigid portion of an electronics board;
the second integrated circuit is formed on a second rigid portion of the electronics board; and
the flexible connection is a flexible portion of the electronics board extending between the first rigid portion and the second rigid portion.
14 . The radiation detector of claim 9 , further comprising a cover coupled to the housing, the cover and the housing defining an enclosure in which the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit are disposed.
15 . The radiation detector of claim 14 , wherein the cover comprises polyethylene terephthalate or polyimide.
16 . An imaging system comprising:
an x-ray source; and
an x-ray detector comprising:
an electronics housing comprising:
an electronics board, the electronics board comprising a flex between two rigid portions, the rigid portions comprising active components; and
a sensor array coupled to the electronics housing, the sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors disposed outside of a periphery of the electronics housing.
17 . The imaging system of claim 16 , wherein:
the flex is a first flex extending in a first direction;
the electronics board further comprises a second flex; and
the second flex extends in a second direction parallel to the first direction.
18 . The imaging system of claim 16 , wherein:
the flex is a first flex extending in a first direction;
the electronics board further comprises a second flex; and
the second flex extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
19 . The imaging system of claim 16 , wherein:
the electronics housing comprises a flexible cover coupled to a flexible housing portion; and
the flexible housing portion defines a back surface and sidewalls of the electronics housing.
20 . The imaging system of claim 16 , wherein the sensor array is a flexible sensor array configured to be wrapped around an object to be imaged.