Patents Examined by Bernard E. Souw
  • Patent number: 8901519
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a process for adjusting the range of an ion beam, in particular for irradiation in tumor therapy. For this purpose, first the reference position of a target volume to be irradiated is determined. Subsequently, the range of an ion beam is configured such that said beam is adjusted to the reference position of the target volume, in such a manner that the Bragg peak, i.e. the maximal energy loss and thereby the maximal damage occurs in the region of the target volume which is to be destroyed. In the case that it has been determined that the reference position has been altered by a movement of the target volume, the ion beam is then deflected from the beam axis such that the ion beam is directed to various regions of a range modulator, in order that the ion beam experience a correspondingly adjusted energy loss in passing through the range modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Schardt, Christoph Bert, Nami Saito, Bernhard Franczak, Chaudhri Naved, Pleskac Radek
  • Patent number: 8903045
    Abstract: A variable-geometry backscatter inspection system has a radiation detector array including one or more backscatter radiation detectors. The position of a second backscatter radiation detector is variable with respect to the position of a first backscatter radiation detector, so that the size of the detector array may be varied by moving the second radiation detector into or out of a predefined alignment with the first radiation detector. The system may include a movable base, and at least one of the detectors is movable with respect to the base. Methods of inspecting an object include forming a detector array by moving a second radiation detector into a predefined alignment with a first radiation detector, illuminating the object with a pencil beam of penetrating radiation, and detecting backscattered radiation with the detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Schubert, William Randall Cason
  • Patent number: 8899831
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes an image acquisition controller for controlling operation of more than one electronic cassette. For signal communication between the image acquisition controller and the electronic cassettes, each electronic cassette may be connected to a communication cable. These communication cables are connected to a switching hub that intermediates communication between the electronic cassettes and the image acquisition controller. The radiographic apparatus includes multiple power supplies corresponding in number to the electronic cassettes. Each electronic cassette may be connected to one power supply through a power cable separately from the communication cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Yoshida, Yusuke Kitagawa, Katsumi Shimada, Noriaki Ida
  • Patent number: 8899834
    Abstract: Systems and methods for braking and releasing one or more pivot joints used in an X-ray positioning device are described. The systems and methods use a support arm that extends between a main assembly of the x-ray positioning device and an X-ray imaging assembly with an X-ray source and an X-ray detector that are disposed nearly opposite to each other. The support arm includes one or more pivot joints (such as horizontal, lateral, and/or orbital pivot joints) that allow the imaging assembly to move with respect to the main assembly. The pivot joints can each be connected to an automated braking system that is capable of selectively locking and unlocking a corresponding pivot joint, as indicated by a user-controlled switching mechanism. The braking systems containing multiple pivot joints can be individually controlled by separate switching mechanisms or simultaneously controlled by a single switching mechanism. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Ellis Barker, John Matthew Simmons
  • Patent number: 8894280
    Abstract: Embodiments of radiographic imaging systems and/or methods can operate a digital radiography detector in a multiple modes, where characteristics such as an exposure integration time and dark images (e.g., number timing integration time, etc.) for first and second modes are different. The digital radiography detector can be coupled to a memory that can store a first set of one or more calibration maps for the first mode and a second set of one or more calibration maps for the second mode and a processor. In one embodiment, the processor can form a first calibration-corrected exposure image by modifying a first exposure image from the first mode using the first set of calibration maps and a second calibration-corrected exposure image by modifying a second exposure image from the second mode using the second set of calibration maps in combination with calibration maps for the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Karin Topfer, John W. DeHority
  • Patent number: 8895943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lithography system comprising a plurality of lithography system units. Each lithography system unit comprises a lithography apparatus arranged in a vacuum chamber for patterning a substrate; a load lock system for transferring substrates into and out of the vacuum chamber; and a door for enabling entry into the vacuum chamber for servicing purposes. The load lock system and the door of each lithography system unit are provided at the same side and face a free area at a side of the lithography system, in particular the service area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mapper Lithography IP B.V.
    Inventors: Guido De Boer, Hendrik Jan De Jong, Vincent Sylvester Kuiper, Erwin Slot
  • Patent number: 8895923
    Abstract: A system for performing sample probing. The system including an topography microscope configured to receive three-dimensional coordinates for a sample based on at least three fiducial marks; receive the sample mounted in a holder; and navigate to at least a location on the sample based on the at least three fiducial marks and the three-dimensional coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: DCG Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Ukraintsev, Richard Stallcup, Sergiy Pryadkin, Mike Berkmyre, John Sanders
  • Patent number: 8893428
    Abstract: An insect trap is described. The insect trap includes a container that has solid walls defining a substantially rectangular or spherical closed space. The container has a hole. The container has at least two parallel walls in the rectangular embodiment. The two parallel walls or the spherical walls are at least partially covered with a reflective surface on the inside of the container. A semiochemical or an odorant is situated in said container. A permeable flap covers the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Technology S.G., L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 8895916
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a cargo container can be monitored at appropriate time intervals to determine that no controlled substances have been shipped with the cargo in the container. The monitoring utilizes reactive species produced from an atmospheric analyzer to ionize analyte molecules present in the container which are then analyzed by an appropriate spectroscopy system. In an embodiment of the invention, a sorbent surface can be used to absorb, adsorb or condense analyte molecules within the container whereafter the sorbent surface can be interrogated with the reactive species to generate analyte species characteristic of the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ionsense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D Musselman
  • Patent number: 8890062
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for analyzing samples of molecules. The apparatus comprises a mass analysis system including a differential mobility spectrometer, which includes at least three filter electrodes defining two ion flow paths where the filter electrodes generate electric fields for passing through selected portions of the sample ions based on the mobility characteristics of the sample ions. The differential mobility spectrometer also includes a voltage source that provides DC and RF voltages to at least one of the filter electrodes to generate the electric field, a first and a second ion inlet that receive sample ions, and an ion outlet that outputs the selected portion of the sample ions. A mass spectrometer receives some or all of the selected portion of the sample ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: DH Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: John Lawrence Campbell, Yves LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8890061
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of reverse T3 in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing reverse T3 in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of reverse T3 in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Fred Banks, Peter P. Chou, Noriya M. Matt
  • Patent number: 8887311
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope that facilitates the optical axis adjustment operation at the time of initial cantilever installation and at the time of cantilever replacement. During the optical axis adjustment operation, markers are displayed on the video camera image at the cantilever and laser light center of luminance locations, and the markers, which follow the movement of the laser light location, are visually monitored and superposed. Furthermore, optical axis adjustment for a new cantilever is performed using marker location coordinate data stored after the initial optical axis adjustment. Moreover, by setting the target location coordinates, the direction of movement of laser light and the distance to the target location can be ascertained numerically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Kaori Kirishima
  • Patent number: 8884608
    Abstract: The present disclosure is discloses the development of a new device, system, and method that combines advantages of magnetic resonance and atomic force microscopy technologies, and the utility of the new device, system, and method for a wide range of biomedical and clinical researchers. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device for micro-scale spectroscopy is disclosed. The micro-scale spectroscopy device includes a beam having a distal end, a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, where the beam is attached to an anchor at the proximal end and further includes a tip extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface at or near the distal end, and a coil having at least one turn mounted to the top surface of the beam at or near the distal end opposite the tip, where the coil is capable of both transmitting and sensing electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Corey P. Neu, Babak Ziaie, Teimour Maleki-Jafarabadi, Charilaos Mousoulis
  • Patent number: 8872144
    Abstract: Focus of a laser beam on a target in a Laser Produced Plasma (LPP) Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light source is maintained by focusing reflected light from the target illuminated by a laser source, sampling the focused reflected light in a plurality of planes at different optical path lengths, and comparing the image sizes of the focused reflected light at the plurality of planes to determine a correction signal to correct the focus of the laser source. In an embodiment, the focused reflected light is split into a two optical paths of differing optical path lengths, with each optical path directed to a sensing device at an imaging plane. Since each of the optical paths is of a different length, the images of the target taken by the sensing device at the imaging plane will be of different sizes. By comparing the relative sizes of the target images from the optical paths, a correction signal is produced to correct the focus of the laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Igor V. Fomenkov
  • Patent number: 8872130
    Abstract: A water purification system is described herein. The water purification system comprises a container configured to hold a liquid; an ultraviolet light source configured to irradiate liquid within the container; a reflector configured to reflect light from the ultraviolet light source into the container; a trough adaptor having a first end and a second end and configured to channel a liquid from the first end to the second end while exposing the liquid to light from the ultraviolet light source; and wherein the reflector is configured to reflect light from the ultraviolet light source both onto the trough adaptor and into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Meridian Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan R. Matthews, Kurt A. Kuhlmann
  • Patent number: 8872195
    Abstract: A light emitting device package including a package body including a plurality of first ceramic layers, at least one electrode pattern placed on the package body, at least one light emitting device electrically connected to the electrode pattern, and a heat dissipation member disposed in the package body to thermally come into contact with the light emitting device, wherein the heat dissipation member is provided with an expanded portion at a region corresponding to a boundary of different first ceramic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Mok Kim, Bo Hee Kang, Ha Na Kim, Hiroshi Kodaira, Yuichiro Tanda, Satoshi Ozeki
  • Patent number: 8866077
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer having a multi-stage differential pumping system with an ion lens provided in a partition wall separating a second intermediate vacuum chamber and a third intermediate vacuum chamber, the incircle radii of ion guides and the size of the opening of the ion lens are determined so that the circumferential edge of the opening is located outside the circumferential surface of a virtual tubular body straightly connecting the incircle at the rear edge of the second ion guide in the front stage and the incircle at the front edge of the third ion guide in the rear stage. Although the ion lens is located in between, the radio-frequency electric field created by the second ion guide can be effectively connected to the radio-frequency electric field created by the third ion guide through the opening of the ion lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Okumura, Manabu Ueda
  • Patent number: 8859955
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a sample is disclosed comprising transmitting a first population of ions through a mass spectrometer and switching a state or mode of the mass spectrometer to produce a second population of ions. A sequential stream of mass spectra is acquired asynchronously with respect to switching the state or mode of the mass spectrometer. The stream of mass spectral data is then post-processed to produce mass spectra corresponding predominantly to the first and second population of ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventor: Martin Raymond Green
  • Patent number: 8853654
    Abstract: A shield structure for electron beam sterilization equipment. The shield structure satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (I) an outer diameter D4 of an internal circumferential shield S4 is larger than an outer diameter D5 of an internal circumferential shield S5, and (II) an internal circumferential shield ST2 of a circular path LT2 downstream of an entrance trap zone Z1 connected to an outer-surface sterilization zone Z2 has an outer diameter DT2 that is larger than an outer diameter D1 of an internal circumferential shield S1 of a circular path L1 upstream of the outer-surface sterilization zone Z2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Takayasu Yokobayashi, Satoshi Ogawa, Toru Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8853613
    Abstract: A magnetic field coil arrangement for a magneto-optical trap comprises a first transparent substrate having a first surface, a second transparent substrate having a second surface opposite from the first surface, one or more side walls coupled between the first and second transparent substrates, a first set of magnetic field coils on the first surface of the first transparent substrate, and a second set of magnetic field coils on the second surface of the second transparent substrate. The second set of magnetic field coils in an offset alignment with the first set of magnetic field coils. The first and second sets of magnetic field coils are configured to produce a magnetic field distribution that mimics a quadrupole magnetic field distribution in a central location between the first and second transparent substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Compton, Chad Fertig