Radiographic detector including trap occupancy change monitor and feedback, imaging apparatus and methods using the same

摘要

Embodiments of radiographic imaging systems; digital radiography detectors and methods for using the same can monitor and/or control trap occupancy levels in photosensors of radiographic sensors (e.g., DR FPDs). In exemplary radiographic imaging apparatus embodiments, monitoring of trap occupancy or change in trap occupancy of the photosensor can determine whether an imaging array or detector panel has reached a stable operating point. In another embodiment, trap occupancy information can be used (a) to enable a generator (e.g., x-ray source) for a radiographic exposure and/or (b) to adjust to or to maintain a change in trap occupancy level at pre-determined set-point or to adjust to or maintain a change in trap occupancy level within a prescribed range (e.g., using clock signals and bias voltages applied to the photosensor).

主权项

1. A digital radiographic area detector comprising:
a plurality of pixels including electrically chargeable photosensors arranged over the area detector, where the plurality of pixels are configured to form an imaging array to capture radiographic images at the area detector; a bias control circuit providing a bias voltage across the photosensors to charge each photosensor; at least one sensor configured to provide a reading responsive to light delivered to each photosensor, the reading used for generating a captured radiographic image; and a photosensor trap occupancy change monitor coupled to at least one photosensor of the plurality of pixels to measure an amount of change over a preselected time interval in trap occupancy of the at least one photosensor of the plurality of pixels whereby the measured amount of change is a difference between sequential measurements of trap occupancy over the preselected time interval, to determine whether the measured amount of change over the preselected time interval in trap occupancy satisfies a preselected threshold amount, and to transmit a control signal only if the preselected threshold amount is satisfied.