Diagnostic and therapeutic detector system for imaging with low and high energy X-rays and electrons

Abstract

A detector unit for detecting photons in the energy range 1 keV to 100 MeV, includes at least two converter layers adapted to interact with incident X-ray photons and to cause electrons to be emitted therefrom, at least one amplifier adapted to interact with the electrons emitted from the converters and adapted to produce a multiplicity of secondary electrons and photons representing a signal proportional to the incident fluence of X-ray photons, a connector connecting the detector to an electric field generator providing an electric drift field for secondary electrons in the detector, and a sensor device arranged to receive the signal and provide an input to electronic signal processor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for X-ray therapy and diagnosis, comprising 
 at least one source of X-rays;    collimators for said X-rays for providing a defined amount of radiation to a patient; and    a detector for photons in the energy range 1 keV-100 MeV, said detector comprising a stack of amplifiers and converters.    
     
     
         2 . A system for X-ray control of transport devices such as bags, containers, trucks trailers, comprising 
 at least one source of X-rays;    collimators for said X-rays for providing a defined amount of radiation to an object to be examined;    a detector for photons in the energy range 1 keV-100 MeV, said detector comprising a stack of amplifiers and converters; and    a place of location for said transport device to position said device between said source of X-rays and said detector.    
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising 
 a scanning unit enabling scanning of said X-rays over an area on said device; and    an X-Y movement generating device coupled to said detector for enabling movement of said detector in correspondence with said scanning.    
     
     
         4 . A method for performing X-ray therapy, comprising the following steps: 
 selectively providing an X-ray beam in the energy range 1 keV-100 MeV;    providing a detector responsive to said X-ray beam over the entire energy range;    directing an X-ray beam of diagnostic or therapeutic energy towards a patient;    selectively detecting diagnostic or therapeutic radiation as needed using the same detector in order to get optimal information from each modality.    
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising making a first detection of diagnostic energy X-rays, for generating an image representative of the position of the patient; 
 in response to position information obtained form said image, immediately adjusting the position of the patient if needed; and    exposing the patient to therapeutic radiation.    
     
     
         6 . A charge collection device, comprising 
 a multilayer printed circuit board having a multiplicity of chargeable pads distributed over the surface of the board; and    separate electrical connections connected to each pad and drawn between the layers of said multilayer board to the edges thereof.    
     
     
         7 . The charge collection device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said pads are of metal.  
     
     
         8 . The charge collection device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said board comprises 2-20 layers.  
     
     
         9 . The charge collection device as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising electronic read-out devices coupled to said electrical connections, said read-out devices being mounted at the edges of said printed circuit board.  
     
     
         10 . The charge collection device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the pads are of a metal selected from the group good charge collectors consisting of Cu, Au and Al.  
     
     
         11 . A detector unit for detecting photons in the energy range 1 keV to 100 MeV, comprising 
 a housing having walls, a top cover and a bottom and enclosing a gas;    a plurality of integrated converter and amplifier structures arranged in a stack in said housing;    a charge collection device arranged at the bottom of the housing;    connection means comprising a variable resistor chain coupled in series across the entire detector, connectable to an external voltage source;    electronic read out devices coupled to said charge collection device for providing an input to a control unit; wherein 
 said integrated converter and amplifier structures each comprise a central metal layer on both sides of which there is provided an insulating layer, and wherein the respective insulating layers each are provided with a metal film, wherein the central metal layer is thicker than each insulating layer, and wherein each insulating layer is thicker than each metal film, and wherein said composite dipole layered structure is perforated with holes; said holes having an entrance opening for electrons and an exit opening wherein said exit opening is wider than said entrance opening.