Patent US3233023A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4029964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detector construction for a scintillation camera
Assignee: GD Searle LLC
•
Filing: 1975-08-11
•
Granted: 1977-06-14
•
Expires: 1995-08-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved transducer construction for a scintillation camera in which a light conducting element is equipped with a layer of moisture impervious material. A scintillation crystal is thereafter positioned in optical communication with the moisture impervious layer and the remaining surfaces of the scintillation crystal are encompassed by a moisture shield. Affixing the moisture impervious layer to the light conducting element prior to attachment of the scintillation crystal reduces the requirement for mechanical strength in the moisture impervious layer and thereby allows a layer of reduced thickness to be utilized. Preferably, photodetectors are also positioned in optical communication with the light conducting element prior to positioning the scintillation crystal in contact with the impervious layer.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Ashe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1642; A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/42; A61B6/4208; A61B6/4258
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a scintillation camera for radioisotope imaging employing a laminar scintillation crystal, an array of photodetectors in optical communication with said scintillation crystal for generating electrical signals providing position information with regard to scintillations occurring in said scintillation crystal in response to incident gamma radiation wherein each photodetector views an overlapping portion of said scintillation crystal, a transparent light conducting element interposed between said scintillation crystal and said array of photodetectors, electrical circuitry connected to said photodetectors for receiving the aforesaid electrical signals from said photodetectors and for producing composite image signals, and an image representation means for receiving said image signals and depicting signals for a single detected radioactive event as positional coordinates of interaction of said event with the aforesaid crystal, the improvement comprising a laminar moisture-impermeable barrier less than one quarter inch in thickness interposed between said scintillation crystal and said light conducting element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a scintillation camera for radioisotope imaging employing a laminar scintillation crystal, an array of photodetectors in optical communication with said scintillation crystal for generating electrical signals providing position information with regard to scintillations occurring in said scintillation crystal in response to incident gamma radiation wherein each photodetector views an overlapping portion of said scintillation crystal, a transparent light conducting element interposed between said scintillation crystal and said array of photodetectors, electrical circuitry connected to said photodetectors for receiving the aforesaid electrical signals from said photodetectors and for producing composite image signals, and an image representation means for receiving said image signals and depicting signals for a single detected radioactive event as positional coordinates of interaction of said event with the aforesaid crystal, the improvement comprising a laminar moisture-impermeable barrier less than one quarter inch in thickness interposed between said scintillation crystal and said light conducting element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The scintillation camera of claim 1 wherein said laminar moisture-impermeable barrier is comprised of a glass sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The scintillation camera of claim 2 further comprising a layer of a thermally cured optical coupling compound providing an interface between said glass sheet and said transparent light conducting element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The scintillation camera of claim 3 wherein said optical coupling compound comprises silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The scintillation camera of claim 2 wherein said laminar moisture-impermeable barrier is comprised of a plastic layer bonded to said light conducting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The scintillation camera of claim 5 wherein said plastic layer is polyvinyl butral.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The scintillation camera of claim 5 wherein said plastic is polystyrene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a method of manufacturing a radiation transducer for a scintillation camera employing a hygroscopic scintillation crystal, the improvement comprising the steps of joining one surface of a transparent laminar bilateral moisture-impermeable sheet less than one quarter inch in thickness to a light conducting element of substantially greater thickness by means of a thermally sealable optical coupling compound, sealing said compound to provide a solid phase optical interface, and thereafter securing a planar scintillation crystal in contact with the other surface of said transparent sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a method of manufacturing a radiation transducer for a scintillation camera employing a hygroscopic scintillation crystal, the improvement comprising the steps of joining one surface of a transparent laminar bilateral moisture-impermeable sheet less than one quarter inch in thickness to a light conducting element of substantially greater thickness by means of a thermally sealable optical coupling compound, sealing said compound to provide a solid phase optical interface, and thereafter securing a planar scintillation crystal in contact with the other surface of said transparent sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of securing all required photodetectors in optical communication with said light conducting element prior to securing said planar scintillation crystal to said transparent sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a method of manufacturing a scintillation detector assembly for a gamma ray scintillation camera, the improvement comprising coupling a layer less than one quarter inch in thickness of a transparent moisture-impermeable material to a light guide adapted for positioning in contact with an array of photodetectors, and thereafter securing one surface of a crystal of thallium activated sodium iodide to said layer and encompassing the remaining surfaces of said sodium iodide crystal within a moisture proof shield.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a method of manufacturing a scintillation detector assembly for a gamma ray scintillation camera, the improvement comprising coupling a layer less than one quarter inch in thickness of a transparent moisture-impermeable material to a light guide adapted for positioning in contact with an array of photodetectors, and thereafter securing one surface of a crystal of thallium activated sodium iodide to said layer and encompassing the remaining surfaces of said sodium iodide crystal within a moisture proof shield.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method of manufacturing a radiation transducer for a scintillation camera employing a hygroscopic scintillation crystal, the improvement comprising the steps of applying in liquid form a thin coating of a plastic less than one quarter inch in thickness onto a planar surface of a laminar transparent light conducting element, curing said plastic to form a moisture-impermeable transparent layer bonded to said light conducting element, securing a planar scintillation crystal with one surface in contact with said transparent layer, and enveloping the remaining surfaces of said scintillation crystal in a moisture proof shield.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method of manufacturing a radiation transducer for a scintillation camera employing a hygroscopic scintillation crystal, the improvement comprising the steps of applying in liquid form a thin coating of a plastic less than one quarter inch in thickness onto a planar surface of a laminar transparent light conducting element, curing said plastic to form a moisture-impermeable transparent layer bonded to said light conducting element, securing a planar scintillation crystal with one surface in contact with said transparent layer, and enveloping the remaining surfaces of said scintillation crystal in a moisture proof shield.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said plastic is polyvinyl butral.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said plastic is polystyrene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3908128A
Cited
US3919556A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |