IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,495,227
Granted Patent B2
US 7,495,227 · App. 11/775,454 · Granted Feb 24, 2009

Digital x-ray detectors

Assignee: General Electric Company
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,495,227
App. No.
11/775,454
Filed
Jul 10, 2007
Granted
Feb 24, 2009
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2884
USPC
250/370.09
Abstract

An x-ray detector is provided for use in imaging systems. The x-ray detector includes a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays. The detector subsystem includes an imaging panel, a support layer and a low density core disposed between the imaging panel and the support layer.

Claims (33)

1. An x-ray detector, comprising:

a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays, the detector subsystem comprising an imaging panel, a support layer and a low density core disposed between the imaging panel and the support layer wherein the low density core is directly bonded to the imaging panel and the support layer.

2. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the detector subsystem is disposed within an enclosure.

3. The x-ray detector of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the enclosure comprises a material having low x-ray attenuation characteristics.

4. The x-ray detector of claim 2 , wherein the enclosure comprises at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, a composite material, a composite material in combination with low density cores, or a combination thereof.

5. The x-ray detector of claim 2 , wherein the enclosure comprises a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material or a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material in combination with foam cores.

6. The x-ray detector of claim 2 , further comprising one or more layers compressible material disposed on one or more portions of an inner surface of the enclosure to hold the detector subsystem.

7. The x-ray detector of claim 6 , wherein the compressible material have a generally low x-ray attenuation characteristic.

8. The x-ray detector of claim 6 , wherein the compressible material comprises a foam, a rubber, an elastomer, or a foam rubber.

9. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the detector subsystem further comprises readout electronics.

10. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises at least one of a metal, a plastic, a composite material, or a combination thereof.

11. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material.

12. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the low density core comprises at least one of a low density rigid foam, a low density rigid sheet, a low density semi-rigid sheet, or a combination thereof.

13. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the imaging panel comprises a two-dimensional flat panel substrate and the low density core is bonded to the two-dimensional flat panel substrate using an adhesive.

14. The x-ray detector of claim 13 , wherein the two-dimensional flat panel substrate comprises a glass substrate.

15. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , wherein the low density core is sandwiched between the imaging panel and the support layer.

16. The x-ray detector of claim 1 , further comprising one or more layers of impact absorbing material disposed between two or more components of the x-ray detector, wherein the components comprises the imaging panel, readout electronics and an enclosure.

17. The x-ray detector of claim 16 , wherein the impact absorbing material comprises a rubber, a foam rubber, a polyurethane, or a PVC.

18. An x-ray detector, comprising:

a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays, the detector subsystem comprising:

an imaging panel comprising a two-dimensional flat panel substrate;

a low density core disposed over a support layer and bonded to the two-dimensional flat panel substrate such that the low density core is sandwiched between the two-dimensional flat panel substrate and the support layer.

19. The x-ray detector of claim 18 , wherein the detector subsystem is disposed within an enclosure.

20. The x-ray detector of claim 19 , further comprising one or more layers of compressible material disposed on one or more portions of the inner surface of the enclosure to hold the detector subsystem.

21. The x-ray detector of claim 18 , further comprising one or more layers of impact absorbing material disposed between different components of the x-ray detector.

22. An x-ray detector, comprising:

a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays, the detector subsystem comprising an integrated imaging panel and panel support having a two-dimensional flat panel substrate bonded to a low density core disposed over a support layer such that the low density core is sandwiched between the two-dimensional flat panel substrate and the support layer.

23. A method of manufacturing an x-ray detector, the method comprising:

fabricating an imaging panel with an integral panel support by bonding the imaging panel on a low density core disposed over a support layer;

assembling a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays, the detector subsystem comprising the imaging panel and associated electronics; and

disposing the detector subsystem within an enclosure.

24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising disposing one or more layers of compressible material on one or more portions of the inner surface of the enclosure to hold the detector subsystem.

25. The method of claim 23 , further comprising disposing one or more layers of impact absorbing material between different components of the x-ray detector.

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded May 8, 2025
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
Reel/Frame 071225/0218 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2007
From: HENNESSY, WILLIAM ANDREW; VAFI, HABIB (NMN); CASTLEBERRY, DONALD EARL; UTSCHIG, MICHAEL JOHN; BALASUBRAMANIAM, MAHADEVAN (NMN); JIANG, JIE (NMN); GAIKWAD, VIRENDRA VILAS; ACHUTHAN, AJIT (NMN); YAN, LE (NMN)
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019538/0426 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090014659A1 · Jan 15, 2009