US4090081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scintillator for gamma ray camera
Assignee: Hitachi Healthcare Manufacturing Ltd
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Filing: 1976-07-28
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Granted: 1978-05-16
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Expires: 1996-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A scintillator for a gamma ray camera includes a pair of crystals mechanically pressed together. The surfaces of the crystals are roughened so as to form a photo-diffuser for the light generated as a result of scintillation.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsumi Takami
- 👤 Ken Ueda
- 👤 Fumio Kawaguchi
- 👤 Teruichi Tomura
- 👤 Kenji Ishimatsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
In a scintillator for an Anger type camera apparatus having a scintillating crystal structure for producing light rays; and means for coupling said light rays toward a photomultiplier; the improvement wherein said scintillating crystal structure includes a photodiffuser for forming a substantially trapezoidal light distribution characteristic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a scintillator for an Anger type camera apparatus having a scintillating crystal structure for producing light rays; and means for coupling said light rays toward a photomultiplier; the improvement wherein said scintillating crystal structure includes a photodiffuser for forming a substantially trapezoidal light distribution characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said scintillating crystal structure is formed of a plurality of crystals having adjacent roughly polished contacting surfaces forming said photo-diffuser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of said crystal structure lies in a range of 10 to 15 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said contacting surfaces of said crystals are mechanically pressed together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said crystals are mechanically pressed together by way of an elastic material joining the edges of said crystals together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said contacting surfaces of said crystals are adhesively joined together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said adhesive is silicon oil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said adhesive is epoxy resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of crystals includes a crystal which produces light in response to the impingement of gamma rays thereon, the thickness of said crystal being in a range from 0.5 to 6 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of said crystal lies in a range from 2 to 6 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said scintillating crystal structure is formed of at least one crystal being a plate-like member having a first major surface facing toward said photomultiplier through said coupling means and a second major surface facing toward a perfect diffusion reflector, both of said first and second major surfaces being roughened to form said photo-diffuser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The improvement according to claim 11, wherein two of said plate-like crystal members are assembled with the first roughened major surface of a first of said two crystal members being optically coupled with said coupling means, the second roughened major surface of a second of said two crystal members being optically coupled to said perfect reflector, and the second roughened major surface of said first crystal member contacting the first roughened major surface of said second crystal member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 12, wherein the thickness of the assembled two crystal members is from 10 to 15 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement according to claim 11, wherein said plate-like crystal member produces light in response to impingement of gamma rays thereon, said crystal member having a thickness of 0.5 to 6 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 14, wherein said thickness of said plate-like crystal member is from 2 to 6 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a scintillator apparatus including a scintillating crystal structure for producing light rays and means for coupling said light rays toward a photomultiplier, the improvement comprising said scintillating crystal structure including at least one crystal being a plate-like member having a first major surface facing toward said photomultiplier through said coupling means and a second major surface facing toward a perfect diffusion reflector, both of said first and second major surfaces being roughened to form a light diffuser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a scintillator apparatus including a scintillating crystal structure for producing light rays and means for coupling said light rays toward a photomultiplier, the improvement comprising said scintillating crystal structure including at least one crystal being a plate-like member having a first major surface facing toward said photomultiplier through said coupling means and a second major surface facing toward a perfect diffusion reflector, both of said first and second major surfaces being roughened to form a light diffuser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
The improvement according to claim 16, wherein two of said plate-like crystal members are assembled with the first roughened major surface of a first of said two crystal members being optically coupled with said coupling means, the second roughened major surface of a second of said two crystal members being optically coupled to said perfect reflector, and the second roughened major surface of said first crystal member contacting the first roughened major surface of said second crystal member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 17, wherein the thickness of the assembled two crystal members is from 10 to 15 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement according to claim 16, wherein said plate-like crystal member produces light in response to impingement of gamma rays thereon, said crystal member having a thickness of 0.5 to 6 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 19, wherein said thickness of said plate-like crystal member is from 2 to 6 mm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-15 | 1981-11-14 | 1982-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-15 | 1985-11-14 | 1986-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-15 | 1989-11-14 | 1990-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |