Patent ID: 7956331
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: G01T

Abstract:
1. A scintillation detector for detecting the position of gamma photon interactions, comprising: a plurality of substantially identical scintillation crystal bars arranged in a side-by-side relationship so as to define an array of conjunct scintillation crystal bar pairs, wherein each conjunct scintillation crystal bar pair is optically isolated from one another, and wherein each conjunct scintillation crystal bar pair is composed of two individual optically coupled scintillation crystal bars positioned in a side-by-side relationship, wherein each conjunct scintillation crystal bar pair includes (i) an optical interface layer positioned between and in contact with the two scintillation crystal bars for light sharing between one scintillation crystal bar and the other, and (ii) an opaque layer positioned between and in contact with the two scintillation crystal bars for restricting light sharing between one scintillation crystal bar and the other, wherein the optical interface layer and the opaque layer are contiguous with each other, wherein the optical interface layer and the opaque layer, in combination, of each conjunct scintillation crystal bar pair is substantially identical with the optical interface layer and the opaque layer, in combination, of each of the other conjunct scintillation crystal bar pairs, wherein each individual scintillation crystal bar includes proximal and distal ends, and wherein each proximal end includes an output window; and a solid-state semiconductor photodetector optically coupled to each output window of each individual scintillation crystal bar, wherein the solid-state semiconductor photodetector includes an array of discrete sensitive areas disposed across a top surface of a common substrate, and wherein each sensitive area contains an array of discrete micro-pixelated avalanche photodiodes, and wherein the output window of each scintillation crystal bar of the array of conjunct scintillation crystal bar pairs is optically coupled to each respective sensitive area of the array of discrete sensitive areas in a one-on-one relationship.