1. A CT detector comprising:
an array of scintillators configured to convert received x-rays to light;
an array of light detection elements in operable association with the array of scintillators and configured to output electrical signals in response to light detected from the array of scintillators, the array of light detection elements including a textured layer to receive the light emitted by the array of scintillators; and
an air gap disposed between the array of scintillators and the array of light detection elements.
2. The CT detector of claim 1 further comprising an anti-reflective layer coupled to the array of scintillators.
3. The CT detector of claim 1 wherein the textured layer includes a series of pyramidal protrusions extending along a top surface of the array of light detection elements.
4. The CT detector of claim 1 wherein the array of scintillators are two-dimensionally arranged.
5. The CT detector of claim 1 wherein the array of light detection elements are two-dimensionally arranged.
6. The CT detector of claim 1 incorporated into a medical imaging scanner.
7. A CT detector for an imaging system, the CT detector formed by:
arranging a plurality of light detection elements in an array, the light detection elements having a non-planar light detection surface;
arranging a plurality of scintillators in an array;
affixing at least one anti-reflective layer to the array of scintillators; and
coupling the arrays to one another such that a uniform air gap extends therebetween.
8. The CT detector of claim 7 further formed by texturing a top surface of the array of light detection elements such that the top surface is non-planar.
9. The CT detector of claim 8 further formed by creating a series of pyramidally-shaped protrusions in the top surface.
10. The CT detector of claim 9 further formed by creating the series of pyramidally-shaped protrusions along an entire width and length of the top surface.
11. The CT detector of claim 7 further formed by arranging the arrays two-dimensionally along an x-z axis.
12. A CT system comprising:
a rotatable gantry having a bore centrally disposed therein;
a table movable fore and aft through the bore and configured to position a subject for CT data acquisition;
a high frequency electromagnetic energy projection source positioned within the rotatable gantry and configured to project high frequency electromagnetic energy toward the subject; and
a detector array disposed within the rotatable gantry and configured to detect high frequency electromagnetic energy projected by the projection source and impinged by the subject, the detector array including:
a scintillator array having an anti-reflective layer coupled thereto; and
a photodiode diode array coupled to the scintillator array such that a non-planar gap extends between the reflective layer and the photodiode array.
13. The CT system of claim 12 further comprising a DAS connected to the photodiode array and configured to receive electrical signals from the photodiode array indicative of the high frequency electromagnetic energy received by the detector array.
14. The CT system of claim 13 wherein the photodiode diode array includes a non-planar layer.
15. The CT system of claim 14 wherein the non-planar layer includes a series of protrusions extending along an entire length and width of the photodiode array.
16. The CT system of claim 15 wherein each of the protrusions is pyramidally-shaped.
17. The CT system of claim 12 wherein the detector array is two-dimensionally arranged.
18. The CT system of claim 12 incorporated into a medical imaging scanner.
19. The CT system of claim 12 incorporated into a parcel inspection apparatus.
20. A CT detector comprising:
a scintillator array of scintillators having a light output surface configured to emit light upon receipt of x-rays; and
a photodiode array of photosensitive elements configured to detect light emitted by the scintillator array and output electrical signals indicative of light detected, the photodiode array having a non-planar light detection surface.
21. The CT detector of claim 20 wherein the scintillator array includes an anti-reflective layer coupled to the light output surface.
22. The CT detector of claim 21 further comprising a uniform air gap disposed between the anti-reflective layer and the non-planar light detection surface.
23. The CT detector of claim 20 wherein the non-planar light detection surface includes a series of pyramidally-shaped protrusions extending along an entire length and width thereof.
24. A CT detector comprising:
means for outputting light based on detected x-rays;
means for preventing light reflection coupled to the means for outputting;
means for detecting light output by the means for outputting and coupled to the means for preventing such that a non-uniform air gap extends therebetween.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A controlled release pharmaceutical formulation comprising a pellet core from which a low dose active substance freely soluble in water can be released in a controlled manner independently from pH thereby providing a lower biological variability.
2. A controlled release pharmaceutical formulation characterised in that it comprises a pellet core comprising at least one insoluble permeable polymer and at least one surfactant and optionally other excipients.
3. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 2 wherein said insoluble permeable polymer is selected from the group of acrylic polymers or alkylcelluloses or hydroxyalkylcelluloses or a combination thereof.
4. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 3 wherein said insoluble permeable polymer is a copolymer of ethylacrylate and methylmethacrylate in a ratio of 2:1, optionally being in the form of a 30% aqueous dispersion.
5. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of the pellet cores is from about 0.5 to about 1.25 mm.
6. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 1 wherein said pellet core is coated with a gastroresistant andor release controlling coating.
7. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 6 wherein the mass of the applied coating is from about 5 to about 10% relative to the mass of dried pellet cores.
8. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 7 wherein the mass of the applied coating is from about 5 to about 8% relative to the mass of dried pellet cores.
9. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 6 wherein the coating comprises at least one polymer soluble at pH values higher than about 5.5 and at least one polymer with a pH independent solubility.
10. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 9 wherein said polymer soluble at higher pH values is an anionic copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethylacrylate and said polymer with pH independent solubility is a copolymer of ethylacrylate and methylmethacrylate.
11. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 1 wherein the pellets are filled into capsules or sachets or compressed into tablets.
12. The pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 1 wherein the pellet cores are prepared by using the methods of extrusion and spheronization.
13. The pharmaceutical formulation according to any of the preceding claims wherein the freely soluble low-dose active substance is tamsulosin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
14. A process for the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises the following steps: preparation of the blend of the ingredients for the core, granulation, extrusion and spheronization, drying and optionally coating.
15. Use of the pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 13 for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.