초록

An x-ray imaging system includes a praseodymium (Pr) doped gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) scintillator and a detector array positioned adjacent to the scintillator. The scintillator is particularly suited for x-ray imaging applications in which fast scan times are desired.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An x-ray imaging system, comprising: a scintillator comprising gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) doped with a praseodymium (Pr) concentration of greater than about 0.5 mole percent; and not more than 2.5 mole percent; and a detector array positioned adjacent to the scintillator. 2. The x-ray i

1. An x-ray imaging system, comprising: a scintillator comprising gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) doped with a praseodymium (Pr) concentration of greater than about 0.5 mole percent; and not more than 2.5 mole percent; and a detector array positioned adjacent to the scintillator. 2. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a coating weight in the range of 30 mg/cm2to 150 mg/cm2. 3. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a particle size in the range 7-10 um. 4. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1, wherein the detector array comprises an array of amorphous silicon photodetector cells. 5. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a coating weight in the range of 30 mg/cm2to 150 mg/cm2,and a particle size in the range 7-10 μm. 6. An x-ray imaging system, comprising: an x-ray source comprising a linear accelerator; and an x-ray imager positioned to intercept x-ray radiation produced by the x-ray source and passing through a patient, the x-ray imager comprising: a scintillator comprising gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) doped with a praseodymium (Pr) concentration of greater than about 0.5 mole percent and not more than 2.5 mole percent; and a detector array positioned adjacent to the scintillator. 7. The x-ray imaging system of claim 6, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a coating weight in the range of 30 mg/cm2to 150 mg/cm2. 8. The x-ray imaging system of claim 6, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a particle size in the range 7-10 μm. 9. The x-ray imaging system of claim 6, wherein the detector array comprises an array of amorphous silicon photodetector cells. 10. The x-ray imaging system of claim 6, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a coating weight in the range of 30 mg/cm2to 150 mg/cm2,and a particle size in the range 7-10 μm. 11. The x-ray imaging system of claim 6, wherein the x-ray beam source is configured to produce a pulsed x-ray beam with an energy in the range of 1 kV to 25 MV. 12. An x-ray imaging method, comprising: producing an x-ray beam with a linear accelerator; and intercepting x-ray radiation passing through a patient with an x-ray imager comprising: a scintillator comprising gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) doped with a praseodymium (Pr) concentration of greater than about 0.5 mole percent and not more than 2.5 mole percent; and a detector array positioned adjacent to the scintillator. 13. The x-ray imaging method of claim 12, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a coating weight in the range of 30 mg/cm2to 150 mg/cm2. 14. The x-ray imaging method of claim 12, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a particle size in the range 7-10 μm. 15. The x-ray imaging method of claim 12, wherein the detector array comprises an array of amorphous silicon photodetector cells. 16. The x-ray imaging method of claim 12, wherein the scintillator comprises Gd2O2S:Pr with a coating weight in the range of 30 mg/cm2to 150 mg/cm2,and a particle size in the range 7-10 μm. 17. The x-ray imaging method of claim 12, wherein the x-ray beam is produced in pulses each having an energy in the range of 1 kV to 25 MV.