Dose Or Dose Rate Measurement Patents (Class 250/370.07)
  • Publication number: 20100006764
    Abstract: A dynamic radiation monitor having a detector coupled to a computer to determine at any given location, the amount of time a person has before a pre-selected maximum permissible radiation exposure is received. The device dynamically calculates and outputs the user's permissible stay time for a given area based on a personalized maximum permissible dose, and adjusts in real time the output based on elapsed time and changing exposure rate. The device also provides the user audio and visual feedback such as varying background colors for different stay time ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Jerrold T. Bushberg
  • Publication number: 20090321650
    Abstract: A radiation detection blanket for use in surveying a broad or irregular area of interest for radiation emissions. Small radiation detectors are affixed to the fabric and distributed relative to its surface area. The detector materials may be of the OSL, TLD, or ERD variety, or may be a combination of OSL, TLD and ERD. Detector materials having varying thicknesses of high Z coatings may be clustered together in the blanket fabric to yield a gamma radiation spectrum. Use of a converter material on the detector material allows the blanket to detect neutron radiation. The blanket includes specialized transmission means for allowing the detector materials to be read individually, by passing the reader along a surface or along an edge of the blanket. A composite radiation measurement is obtained upon reading the individual detectors, allowing determination of the radiation distribution within the object being surveyed by the blanket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Steven P. Kadner, Markku J. Koskelo, Robert Craig Yoder
  • Patent number: 7615753
    Abstract: A device for measuring exposure to radiations including at least a component for detecting photons including at least a component for detecting photons or particles associated with at least one circuit for acquiring and counting detection events. The response curve of the number of counted events versus the number of photons or particles sensed by each detection component is a monotonous increasing curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Patrick Audebert, Jean-Pierre Rostaing
  • Patent number: 7608831
    Abstract: A radioactivity dose calibrator system measures the quantity of radioactive material contained in a sample-vial or syringe without removing the vial or syringe from its primary radiation shield. The system comprises a first radiation detector, a second radiation detector, a transportable, shielded radioactive material sample-holder, a signal-processing circuit and a video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventors: James F Lamb, Lewis Carroll
  • Publication number: 20090250618
    Abstract: A dosimeter comprising an ionizing radiation detector array is used to generally encompass a three dimensional geometric shape such as that employed as a phantom in radiation dosimetry measurements. The ionizing radiation detector array may include passive or active detectors. The active detectors in the array may comprise diodes, ionization chambers, luminescent sensors or amorphous silicon. The three dimensional geometric shape may comprise a shape defined by a closed directrix, wherein each of a plurality of detectors within the ionizing detector array is within an envelope defined by a generatrix of the directrix. The closed directrix may be an open or closed cylinder, or a structure having a cross section described by a polygon. The plurality of detectors may only be positioned on or at least proximate the envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Sun Nuclear Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090250602
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power cords or lead wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20090252292
    Abstract: A method of determining a patient dose during or prior to therapy from an external radiation beam includes determining a dose distribution from a patient plan as delivered in a QA phantom at each appropriate beam angle and comparing the dose distribution determined from measurements or calculations to a corresponding treatment planning system (TPS) dose modeled distribution in the QA phantom and providing a correction distribution when applied to the TPS dose modeled distribution results in the dose distribution determined. The correction distribution may optionally be interpolated to non-measured points for each beam angle and geometrically projected toward the source of radiation through a volume that equals a dose volume of the TPS for a patient beam for each beam angle. The correction distribution is applied to the TPS patient dose volume for each beam angle for providing a corrected dose distribution in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: SUN NUCEAR, CORP.
    Inventors: William E. Simon, Benjamin E. Nelms
  • Publication number: 20090236510
    Abstract: A radiation dosimetry apparatus and method use a scintillating optical fiber array for detecting dose levels. The scintillating optical fiber detectors generate optical energy in response to a predetermined type of radiation, and are coupled to collection optical fibers that transmit the optical energy to a photo-detector for conversion to an electrical signal. The detectors may be embedded in one or more modular, water-equivalent phantom slabs. A repeatable connector couples the collection fibers to the photo-detector, maintaining the fiber ends in a predetermined spatial relationship. The detector fibers may be distributed as desired in a three-dimensional detection space, and may be oriented with their longitudinal axes at different orientations relative to a transmission axis of an incident radiation beam. A calibration method uses two measurements in two spectral windows, one with irradiation of the scintillator at a known dose and one with only irradiation of the collection fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
    Inventors: Frederic Lacroix, Luc Beaulieu, Sam Beddar, Mathieu Guillot, Luc Gingras, Louis Archambault
  • Patent number: 7582875
    Abstract: A monolithic active pixel dosimeter, provided with at least a sensing cell, having at least a junction sensing element. The junction sensing element includes a sensing region, having a first type of conductivity, and a charge collecting region, contiguous to the sensing region and having a second type of conductivity. The sensing cell further includes an ohmic region at least partially overlapping and extending laterally outside the charge collecting region, and an annular insulating region, abutting the ohmic region, so as to form an insulating junction surrounding both the ohmic region and the charge collection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignees: Universitaet Karlsruhe., Akademia Gomiczo-Hutnicza, Université Louis Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institute of Electron Technology, Fondazione per Adroterapia Oncologica - Tera, Universite' de Geneve, Instytut Fizyki Jadrowej Im H Niewodniczanskiego
    Inventors: Massimo Caccia, Leopoldo Conte, Mario Alemi, Chiara Cappellini, Antonello Luigi Airoldi, Carla Bianchi, Raffaele Novario, Wim De Boer, Eugene Grigoriev, Halina Niemiec, Wojciech Kucewicz, Francesco Cannillo, Gilles Clauss, Claude Colledani, Grzegorz Deptuch, Wojciech Dulinski, Piotr Grabiec, Jacek Marczewski, Krzysztof Domanski, Bohdan Jaroszewicz, Krzysztof Kucharski, Laura Badano, Omella Ferrando, Georg Popowski, Agnieszka Zalewska, Adam Czermak
  • Publication number: 20090212226
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for space charge dosimeters for extremely low power measurements of radiation in shipping containers. A method includes insitu polling a suite of passive integrating ionizing radiation sensors including reading-out dosimetric data from a first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and a second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor, where the first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor remain situated where the dosimetric data was integrated while reading-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Charles L. Britton, JR., Mark A. Buckner, Gregory R. Hanson, William L. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20090200476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosimetry device for verification of quality of a radiation beam in standard and conformal radiation therapy, and for IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) applications. The device includes an active area comprising individual radiation detectors. The active area comprises a limited number of lines of radiation detectors, and a number of extra radiation detectors dedicated to the energy measurement of electrons or photons. It also comprises a build-up plate with energy degraders. The energy degraders are located upstream from the extra radiation detectors in the path of the radiation beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Caterina Brusasco, Flavio Marchetto
  • Publication number: 20090189082
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an implantable apparatus comprising a solid state electronic circuit and a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect an exposure of the solid state electronic circuit to ionizing radiation, and generate an indication of a non-single-event-upset (non-SEU) effect to the solid state electronic circuit from the exposure to ionizing radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, William J. Linder, Scott R. Stubbs, Keith R. Maile
  • Patent number: 7557353
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7554090
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dose-guided radiotherapy for a patient (P) having an identified radiotherapy target utilizes a radiation detecting array (R) of radiation-sensitive dosimeters for the real-time remote measurement of radiotherapy at the radiation detecting array (R). The radiation detecting array is positioned within the patient's (P) body along the treatment path before or after the identified radiotherapy target or the device may be positioned beyond the patient (P) to measure transit dose. A radiation source (A) for emitting radiation for radiotherapy along a treatment path through the patient (P) to the identified radiotherapy target is utilized. The method includes generating a predicted dose pattern of radiation at the placed radiation detecting array (R). The predicted dose pattern assumes an on-target radiation source (A) emitting the radiotherapy beam along the treatment path through the patient (P) to the identified radiotherapy target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services, The United States of America as represent by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: C. Norman Coleman, Robert Miller, Rosemary Altemus, Holly Ning, Alan Lee Huston, Brian L. Justus, Paul Falkenstein
  • Publication number: 20090146068
    Abstract: A personal X-ray dosimeter system, comprising a portable detector (100) and a reader device (114). The portable detector (100) comprises an array (104) of programmed non-volatile memory elements (102) and a scintillator element (106) for converting a portion of X-radiation incident thereon to UV radiation. As a result of exposure to X-radiation (112) not converted to UV radiation, some of the memory elements (102) will have the charge on their floating gates, thereby causing a corresponding shift in threshold voltage (VT). After some exposure time, the reader device (114) reads from the detector (100) data representative of the number of VT shifted memory elements (102), and determines therefrom using predetermined calibration curves, the radiation dose (122) to which the user has been exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventor: Prabhat Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20090140154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration dosimeter (2) and a method for determining the daily vibrational loading of persons who are exposed to mechanical oscillations at their place of work due to the operation of a work means and in particular of a manually operated electronic tool (4, 6). What is provided is that the dosimeter (2) comprises a determination device (12, 18) for determining the effective daily operating duration of the work means (4, 6), a computer device (22) for calculating a daily work time until a specified trigger value or exposition limit value of the vibrational loading is reached from a work-means-typical vibration value and the trigger value or exposition limit value, and a comparison device (24) for comparing the determined effective daily operating duration of the work means with the calculated daily work time until the specified trigger value is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Markus Roth, Andreas Strasser
  • Patent number: 7538329
    Abstract: The presently claimed and disclosed inventions relate, in general, to methods of radiation dosimetry and imaging using scintillation luminescence. More particularly, materials having a scintillation luminescence response to radiation that varies with total radiation dose received can be used for dosimetry monitoring, including, but not limited to nanoparticles for in vivo, real-time dosimetry. Energy-transfer nanocomposite materials as well as methods of making and using such materials in various applications including, but not limited to, in vivo radiation dosimetry and imaging, are disclosed. More particularly, the presently claimed and disclosed inventions relate to nanoparticle scintillation luminescence particles encapsulated in hosts of the general formula BaFX and BaFX:Eu2+ where X=Cl, Br and I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Nomadics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Shaopeng Wang, Sarah Westcott, Jun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090127468
    Abstract: A method of spectrometric photon dosimetry for integrally and nuclide-specifically determining a gamma dose rate for X-ray and gamma radiation. The method includes measuring a spectrum in at least one energy group or at least one interval group. The pulse height distribution is with a spectrometer and a pulse height analyzer. The number of channels of the spectrometer is such that a map of the pulse height distribution at a requisite resolution over an energy can be made. The measured pulse height distribution is converted into a photon spectrum using a deconvolution procedure that uses response functions having the same energy resolution as the pulse height distribution. The dose spectrum is calculated using dose conversion factors that are energy-dependent and related to the mean energy of a respective corresponding energy interval. The integral dose or dose rate is determined by summing the dose spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Georg Fehrenbacher
  • Publication number: 20090127469
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Steven R. Widener, John Carroll
  • Publication number: 20090121144
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Steven R. Widener, John Carroll, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7504636
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus for use in noisy environments in which radiation detection and external noise generate interaction event pulses. A first interaction pulse initiates a following time interval during which the effect of received interaction event pulses is minimized. For example, the interaction event pulses produced by noise are not counted if they occur during the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: XRF Corporation
    Inventor: Larry K. Baxter
  • Publication number: 20090057562
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the dose, the dose rate and/or the composition of radiation is disclosed. In the method, a detector means is exposed to a radiation environment, the detector means comprising an array of radiation sensing detector elements. The detector means is switched in a sensitive state for the duration of a sensitive time period, and during said sensitive time period, an interaction pattern generated by individual radiation quanta interacting with one or more of the detector elements is recorded. The duration of the sensitive time period can be precisely adapted to the intensity of the radiation that has to be recorded. The interaction pattern is analyzed to distinguish individual radiation quanta received during the sensitive time period, and a radiation category is assigned to each of the distinguished radiation quanta based on its corresponding interaction pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: CERN-European Organization for Nuclear Research, Czech Technical University of Prague
    Inventors: Erik Henricus M. HEIJNE, Stanislav Pospisil
  • Publication number: 20090050814
    Abstract: A radiation sensor and a method for making the radiation sensor are described. An ionizing radiation sensitive area is formed in a radiation insensitive or hardened die. When the sensitive area is impacted by ionizing radiation, properties of the sensitive area change. For example, the changed property may be charge density, threshold voltage, leakage current, and/or resistance. Circuitry for measuring these property changes is located in a radiation hardened area of the die. As a result, a radiation sensor may be fabricated on a single die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: James D. Seefeldt, Jeffrey J. Kriz
  • Patent number: 7495224
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Widener, John Carroll
  • Patent number: 7491942
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Steven R. Widener, John Carroll, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7465937
    Abstract: A dosimeter for detecting high-energy neutron radiation having a neutron converter and a detection element is proposed which is characterized by the neutron converter comprising metal atoms which convert the energy of the neutrons into protons, alpha particles and other charged nuclei in a suitable energy range so that they are detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung mbH
    Inventor: Georg Fehrenbacher
  • Patent number: 7456405
    Abstract: A radiation measuring instrument implements an energy ratio technique that utilizes a ratio between a measured radiation count rate and a detected radiation dose rate to determine if an alarm should be signalled to an operator of the device of this invention. The radiation measuring instrument uses an “inorganic” scintillation or radiation detection material, such as a Thallium doped sodium iodide (NaI(TI)) material, which operates in relatively compact or small sizes to detect radiation. The radiation measuring instrument also uses a ratio of two measured parameters to detect gamma radiation from artificial (hidden) radioactive material where the parameters include (i.) a total number of counted or detected gamma particles and (ii.) a measured, detected, or otherwise derived gamma dose rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Iwatschenko-Borho, Norbert Trost, Ralf Pijahn
  • Publication number: 20080272305
    Abstract: In a radiation detector, a response is approximated as a primary delay system, and when a time constant T indicating the characteristic of the response is known, a final response value N0 is forecasted from dose rates or counting rates N1 and N2 of two points in the initial or middle stage of response. When the time constant T is unknown, the final response value N0 is forecasted from dose rates or counting rates N1, N2, and N3 of three points in the initial or middle stage of response. Simultaneously, a time constant is obtained and the soundness of the radiation detector is also evaluated. Thereby, a dose rate in an existence field of radiation or a counting rate in an existence field of radioactive materials is quickly and accurately forecasted, whereby the measurement time is shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicants: National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Amano & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shirakawa, Hiro Amano
  • Publication number: 20080128629
    Abstract: A method, device and system for monitoring ionizing radiation. The method including: collecting an ionizing radiation induced charge collected by the depletion region of a diode formed in a silicon layer below an oxide layer buried below a surface of a silicon substrate; and coupling a cathode of the diode to a precharged node of a clocked logic circuit such that the ionizing radiation induced charge collected by a depletion region of the diode will discharge the precharged node and change an output state of the clocked logic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Wagdi William Abadeer, Ethan Harrison Cannon, Dennis Thomas Cox, William Robert Tonti
  • Publication number: 20080121807
    Abstract: A radiation detector of the ?E-E type is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Giuseppina Valvo, Piero Giorgio Fallica, Stefano Agosteo, Alberto Fazzi
  • Patent number: 7378954
    Abstract: A safety indicator monitors environment conditions detrimental to humans e.g., hazardous gases, air pollutants, low oxygen, radiation levels of EMF or RF and microwave, temperature, humidity and air pressure retaining a three month history to upload to a PC via infra red data interface or phone link. Contaminants are analyzed and compared to stored profiles to determine its classification and notify user of an adversity by stored voice messages from, via alarm tones and associated flashing LED, via vibrator for silent operation or via LCD. Environmental radiation sources are monitored and auto-scaled. Instantaneous radiation exposure level and exposure duration data are stored for later readout as a detector and dosimeter. Scans for EMF allow detection with auto scaling of radiation levels and exposure durations are stored for subsequent readout. Electronic bugs can be found with a high sensitivity EMF range setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Barry Myron Wendt
  • Patent number: 7375339
    Abstract: A method, device and system for monitoring ionizing radiation. The method including: collecting an ionizing radiation induced charge collected by the depletion region of a diode formed in a silicon layer below an oxide layer buried below a surface of a silicon substrate; and coupling a cathode of the diode to a precharged node of a clocked logic circuit such that the ionizing radiation induced charge collected by a depletion region of the diode will discharge the precharged node and change an output state of the clocked logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi William Abadeer, Ethan Harrison Cannon, Dennis Thomas Cox, William Robert Tonti
  • Patent number: 7372942
    Abstract: A dosimeter is provided on or adjacent to a circuit board deployed in a radiation environment. The dosimeter may be read or output a value or values indicating radiation dosage over a period of time. The radiation dosage associated with the circuit board may be used for determining disposition of the circuit board, such as whether to reuse the circuit board as a spare part or otherwise dispose of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas William Raymond, Carlos E. Medina
  • Publication number: 20080061245
    Abstract: A dosimetry device for charged particle radiation that can be exclusive of cables and connectors between substrates is provided. A plurality of first electrodes are formed on one surface of a printed circuit board, a second electrode substrate having a second electrode opposing each of the plurality of first electrodes through an ionized space is provided, and a signal processing circuit is provided on the other surface opposing the surface of the printed circuit board. The signal processing circuit includes at least one amplifying circuit, a plurality of integrating capacitors corresponding to the amplifying circuit for integrating charge at each corresponding one of the first electrodes, and at least one selector switch that switchably connects each of the integrating capacitors to the amplifying circuit. The printed circuit board may be a multi-layer printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7342231
    Abstract: Pulse shape analysis determines if two radiations are in coincidence. A transducer is provided that, when it absorbs the first radiation produces an output pulse that is characterized by a shorter time constant and whose area is nominally proportional to the energy of the absorbed first radiation and, when it absorbs the second radiation produces an output pulse that is characterized by a longer time constant and whose area is nominally proportional to the energy of the absorbed second radiation. When radiation is absorbed, the output pulse is detected and two integrals are formed, the first over a time period representative of the first time constant and the second over a time period representative of the second time constant. The values of the two integrals are examined to determine whether the first radiation, the second radiation, or both were absorbed in the transducer, the latter condition defining a coincident event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventors: William K. Warburton, Hui Tan, Wolfgang Hennig
  • Publication number: 20080001094
    Abstract: An array-based C-MOS sensor device is provided with a facility for on the basis of non-destructive cell readout generating a radiation dose-sensing signal. In particular, the facility is arranged for accessing a subset of multiple distributed C-MOS cells across the array and feeding by such accessed cells an algorithmic means for therein generating an overall feedback dose control signalization and/or an overall trigger signalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Alouisius Wilhelmus Marinus Korthout, Willem Johan De Haan, Adrianus Johannes Mierop
  • Patent number: 7265358
    Abstract: A device intended to reduce the risks of overexposure to harmful solar radiation. The device includes a detection arrangement, including at least one sensor sensitive to solar radiation, in particular UV. In addition, an arrangement is linked to the detection arrangement to generate a signal representing the quantity of radiation received by the detection means. An attachment arrangement is provided to attach the device to the head of a subject, such that the sensor(s) is (are) oriented in a substantially perpendicular manner to the vertical plane of the subject when the latter is active in the sun. The device is preferably configured in the form of a cap, with the detection arrangement arranged on a first visor intended to be positioned over the back of the individual's neck. The cap also preferably includes a second visor located opposite the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Michel Fontaine
  • Patent number: 7254214
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging device is equipped with a solid state detector, for recording image information by being irradiated with X-rays that bear image information and for outputting image signals that represent the recorded image information, and an X-ray dosage detector for detecting the dosage of irradiated X-rays. The X-ray dosage detector is provided between an X-ray source and the solid state detector, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the X-ray dosage, without being influenced by the solid state detector. In addition, the X-ray dosage detector is equipped with a photoconductive layer. Therefore, the X-ray dosage detector can be made thinner than conventional X-ray dosage detectors, which are constituted by a fluorescent plate, a light collecting field, a light transmitting plate, and a light shielding plate. Accordingly, decreases in resolution of images detected by the solid state detector can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Shoji
  • Patent number: 7238949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conductor crossover for a semiconductor detector, particularly for a drift detector for conducting X-ray spectroscopy. The conductor crossover comprises at least two doped semiconductor electrodes (2), which are placed inside a semiconductor substrate (1), at least one connecting conductor (M), which is guided over the semiconductor electrodes (2), and a first insulating layer (Ox). An intermediate electrode (L) is situated between the connecting conductor (M) and the first insulation layer (Ox). Said intermediate electrode overlaps the area of the semiconductor substrate (1) between the semiconductor electrodes (2) and is electrically insulated from the connecting conductor (M) by at least one additional insulation layer (I). The invention also relates to a drift detector equipped with a conductor crossover of this type and to a detector arrangement for conducting X-ray spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Lothar Struder, Gerhard Lutz, Rainer Richter
  • Patent number: 7231018
    Abstract: According to a radiation imaging apparatus, any separate AEC sensor need not be prepared. Additionally, the apparatus main body can be made compact. To accomplish this, the radiation imaging apparatus has a first optical conversion element that converts incident radiation into an electrical signal, and generates image information on the basis of the electrical signal output from the first optical conversion element. Below a portion that is aligned to the gap between the first optical conversion elements, a plurality of second optical conversion elements which detect the incident amount of the radiation from the gap are formed. Exposure control for the radiation or control of the optical conversion elements is executed on the basis of the detection result by the second optical conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiko Morii, Masakazu Morishita, Osamu Tsujii, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 7227152
    Abstract: A device to measure a radiation dose, in particular an x-ray radiation dose, which absorbs radiation and provides an absorption-conditional output signal representing a measurement for the dose, has at least one absorption structure disposed on a foil-like carrier, made from thin-film layers disposed on top of one another that form at least one thin-film diode structure that supplies the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Brabec, Martin Hoheisel
  • Patent number: 7223979
    Abstract: An improved radiation dosimeter device in an improved radiation dosimeter system provides a DC analog output voltage that is proportional to the total ionizing dose accumulated as a function of time at the location of the dosimeter in a host spacecraft, so as to operate in a system bus voltage range common to spacecraft systems with the output being compatible with conventional spacecraft analog inputs, while the total dose is measured precisely by continually monitoring the energy deposited in a silicon test mass accumulating charge including charge contribution prior to radiation threshold detection for improved measurement of the total accumulated charge with the dosimeters being daisy-chained and distributed about the spacecraft for providing a spacecraft dose profile about the spacecraft using the improved radiation dosimeter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Crain, Jr., Dan J. Mabry, John Bernard Blake, Norman Katz
  • Patent number: 7217930
    Abstract: A dose detector includes a semiconductor radiation detector; a dose counter; and a check counter. The dose detector detects that the semiconductor radiation detector is outputting white noise even in a radiation shielded area and judges that the semiconductor radiation detector is working in a normal manner when dose count data from the dose counter is smaller than predetermined dose boundary data and check count data from the check counter is greater than predetermined lower limit checking data. The dose detector and a dosimeter provided with the dose detector are simple in structure and capable of checking a status of the semiconductor radiation detector safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Kobayashi, Kei Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7208743
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument which uses an individual semi-conductive detector with special coverings as an essential sensor, and a method whereby the amplitude information of the signals from said semi-conductive detector are used to determine a person's dose in mixed neutron/photon-fields. Said instrument is highly sensitive and has a low energy dependency. It is possible for the dose to be read directly, and to emit a warning if the dose limit is exceeded. The inventive method enables a compact person's dose meter, which is immune to interference, to be produced with low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, vertreten durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, dieses wiederum vertreten durch den Präsidenten der Physikalisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt
    Inventors: Marlies Luszik-Bhadra, Wilfried Wendt
  • Patent number: 7203278
    Abstract: A radiation exposure recording device and radiography method are disclosed, where the radiation exposure recording device includes a radiation exposure recording medium, a housing that at least partly surrounds the radiation exposure recording medium, and a first detector that detects a radiation exposure. An output signal produced in response to the detecting of the radiation exposure can be provided, and the detection of and output of a signal in response to the radiation exposure is entirely automatic and independent of any manual processing of the radiation exposure recording device. Further, the radiography method includes providing a first radiation exposure recording medium, providing a first radiation exposure detector, and sensing an exposure of radiation at the first radiation exposure detector. Also disclosed is a circuit that can be retrofitted to existing radiography cassettes for detecting when the cassettes are exposed to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gary J. Wendt, Walter W. Peppler
  • Patent number: 7197404
    Abstract: The present system and method for simulating particles and waves is useful for calculations involving nuclear and full spectrum radiation transport, quantum particle transport, plasma transport and charged particle transport. The invention provides a mechanism for creating accurate invariants for embedding in general three-dimensional problems and describes means by which a series of simple single collision interaction finite elements can be extended to formulate a complex multi-collision finite element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Andrew Holland
  • Patent number: 7157715
    Abstract: An improved radiation dosimeter device in an improved radiation dosimeter system provides a DC analog output voltage that is proportional to the total ionizing dose accumulated as a function of time at the location of the dosimeter in a host spacecraft, so as to operate in a system bus voltage range common to spacecraft systems with the output being compatible with conventional spacecraft analog inputs, while the total dose is measured precisely by continually monitoring the energy deposited in a silicon test mass accumulating charge including charge contribution prior to radiation threshold detection for improved measurement of the total accumulated charge with the dosimeters being daisy-chained and distributed about the spacecraft for providing a spacecraft dose profile about the spacecraft using the improved radiation dosimeter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Crain, Jr., Dan J. Mabry, John Bernard Blake, Norman Katz
  • Patent number: 7115872
    Abstract: A radiation detector for dirty bomb and lost radioactive source detection applications is enclosed in a small pager-style housing made of impact resistant ABS plastic and epoxy binder composite which is relatively transparent to alpha, beta, gamma, fast neutron, and x-ray radiation, while also being optically opaque and providing a protective enclosure for the radiation detector components disposed inside the housing. The detector combines indirect radiation detection using a scintillator and photodiode and direct radiation detection by placing the photodiode and a high gain amplifier in the path of radiation. Semiconductors in these components generate an electrical signal from high energy radiation, whereby an alarm indicates the presence of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: John William Bordynuik
  • Patent number: 7075090
    Abstract: A radiological imaging apparatus and method allows an operator to select between moving-picture imaging and still-picture imaging modes using the same apparatus so to provide radiological imaging having a picture quality equal to that of conventional radiological film imaging techniques but with a smaller, lighter and more compact equipment configuration. The apparatus employs photoelectric converters arranged in a two-dimensional matrix array for converting radiation into electrical signals, a read-out circuit for reading the signal output from the photoelectric converters, variable gain amplifiers upstream of an analog multiplexer and a buffer amplifier downstream of the multiplexer for outputting serially converted signals. The method involves setting the moving-picture mode gain Gf so as to be greater than the still-picture mode gain Gs, in order to obtain sharper images without exposing the subject to unnecessarily high levels of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadao Endo
  • Patent number: 7053377
    Abstract: A dosimetry system having a solid-state dosimeter with one or more solid-state detectors for detecting radiation and an electrometer module with a circuit adapted to receive electrical impulses from the solid-state detectors, convert the impulses into a count and provide such count to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Capintec, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Russell