Radiographic Analysis Patents (Class 250/390.02)
  • Patent number: 11822027
    Abstract: A neutron position detector according to an embodiment includes a tubular enclosure used as a cathode, an anode located at an axial center inside the enclosure, and a gas that includes a 3He gas and an additive gas and is sealed inside the enclosure. The additive gas includes nitrogen as a quenching gas, and argon as a gas that reduces the ranges of reaction products as neutron and 3He gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: CANON ELECTRON TUBES & DEVICES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Ishizawa, Noriyuki Hikida
  • Patent number: 11520067
    Abstract: A nuclear radiation monitoring apparatus comprising: communication circuitry configured to receive nuclear radiation data generated by a nuclear radiation detector, the nuclear radiation data being indicative of nuclear radiation emitted from each of a plurality of portions of an object and detected by the nuclear radiation detector; classification circuitry configured to classify the detected nuclear radiation using the nuclear radiation data; intensity determination circuitry configured to determine a value of an intensity parameter indicative of an intensity of the classified nuclear radiation for each portion of the object using the nuclear radiation data; visualisation data generation circuitry configured to generate visualisation data indicative of the classification of the classified nuclear radiation and, for each portion of the object, visualisation data indicative of the portion of the object and the determined intensity parameter value of the portion of the object; and display output circuitry conf
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Symetrica Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Robert Price
  • Patent number: 11169285
    Abstract: A device for measuring the energy of neutrons incident in a first direction is provided. The device comprises a gas between a cathode and an anode, the anode comprising a matrix array of electron detectors, the first direction being orthogonal to the anode-cathode direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Daniel Santos, Olivier Guillaudin, Nadine Sauzet
  • Patent number: 10585159
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Mojix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Sadr, Scott Stephens, Christopher Richard Jones
  • Patent number: 10534064
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mojix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Sadr, Scott Stephens, Christopher Richard Jones
  • Patent number: 10126441
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a neutron position detector includes a gas including a 3He gas and an additive gas. The gas has a gas composition being set so that a total of ranges of a proton and a tritium in the gas is 2.0 to 2.7 mm. The partial pressures are in an extent surrounded by a first gas composition point of the 3He gas of 5 atm and the additive gas of 1.6 atm, a second gas composition point of the 3He gas of 5 atm and the additive gas of 2.3 atm, a third gas composition point of the 3He gas of 20 atm and the additive gas of 0.6 atm, and a fourth gas composition point of the 3He gas of 20 atm and the additive gas of 1.3 atm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Hikida, Kiyofumi Ookawa, Kazuya Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 9508460
    Abstract: A neutron beam diffraction material treatment system utilizes a neutron beam source configured to produce a first neutron beam having a first direction and second neutron beam source configured to produce a second neutron beam having a second direction. The neutron beam diffraction material treatment system can direct the first and second neutron beams to intersect with each other in or on a work-piece and thereby treat the work piece by neutron diffraction. One or more of the neutron beams may be configured to move to change the location of the intersecting point within the work-piece and/or the work-piece may be configured to move. The first and second neutron beams may be configured with a magnetic coil configured around the neutron beam and between the neutron beam source and the work-piece. The magnetic coil may be used to contain the neutron beams and reduce the scattering of neutron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Michelle Corning
  • Patent number: 9170340
    Abstract: A directional neutron detector has an ion chamber formed in a dielectric material; a signal electrode and a ground electrode formed in the ion chamber; a neutron absorbing material filling the ion chamber; readout circuitry which is electrically coupled to the signal and ground electrodes; and a signal processor electrically coupled to the readout circuitry. The ion chamber has a pair of substantially planar electrode surfaces. The chamber pressure of the neutron absorbing material is selected such that the reaction particle ion trail length for neutrons absorbed by the neutron absorbing material is equal to or less than the distance between the electrode surfaces. The signal processor is adapted to determine a path angle for each absorbed neutron based on the rise time of the corresponding pulse in a time-varying detector signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Derzon, Paul C. Galambos, Ronald F. Renzi
  • Patent number: 8912499
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radioactive ray detecting apparatus includes: a scintillator that produces visible light from a radioactive ray; a light detecting portion including a light receiving element that generates an electrical signal on a basis of intensity of visible light; a first board; a first electrical connection unit that electrically connects the light detecting portion and a first surface of the first board to each other; a second board disposed to face the first board; a second electrical connection that electrically connects a first surface of the second board and a second surface of the first board being opposite from the first surface of the first board to each other; and a data acquisition device that processes an electrical signal transmitted from the light detecting portion through the first electrical connection unit, the first board, the second electrical connection unit, and the second board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Asagiri, Takayuki Yamazaki, Michito Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8901482
    Abstract: At least one of conditions including that power is applied to a radiation detector, that a predetermined time period has elapsed from the application of power, and that the radiation detector is connected is detected. When at least one of the conditions is detected, determination is made as to whether or not calibration information of the currently used radiation detector is appropriate. If a negative determination is made, control is exerted to enable calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Harada, Futoshi Yoshida, Yasunori Ohta, Yuusuke Kitagawa, Takeshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8841627
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object by means of photoneutron transmission is provided. The method determines the position of the photoneutron rays based on the position of a neutron collimator, to overcome the problem of incapability of imaging due to loss of position information of the photoneutrons during moderation thereof. The method also images the object by arranging detector module arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Yuanjing Li, Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Bin Wu, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 8831324
    Abstract: A surgical method and workflow to improve the efficiency of a surgical procedure by intraoperatively acquiring a digital radiographic image, processing the digital radiographic image, and using information based on the radiographic image to make adjustments during the surgical procedure. A checklist of parameters may be displayed so that the surgeon can confirm all considerations have been made for the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Brad L. Penenberg
  • Publication number: 20140151569
    Abstract: A method and a device examine a sample with radiation emitted from a radiation source, which is directed to the sample carried by a sample holder via a beam-forming unit and detected by a detector and evaluated in an evaluating unit. Prior to the examination of the sample, at least one of the following components, including the radiation source, beam-forming unit, sample holder, detector, and a primary beam stop, are oriented and/or positioned in terms of spatial location in relation to at least one of the other components and/or in relation to a predefined fixed point and/or in relation to the optical path with a control unit via actuating drives. The radiation intensity measured by the detector, in a predefined detector range, and/or a value derived therefrom is used for establishing a control variable conferred from the control unit to the actuating drives assigned to the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ANTON PAAR GMBH
    Inventors: HEIMO SCHNABLEGGER, JOSEF GAUTSCH, WOLFGANG GIGERL
  • Patent number: 8610080
    Abstract: A method for determining the spectral and spatial distribution of a braking photon flow along at least one direction in space (x, y, z), characterized in that the method comprises measuring the neutrons resulting from the impact of the braking photons (ph) on at least one conversion target which is moved in the direction (x, y, z) in space. The invention can be used for X-rays, medical imaging, tomography, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Abdallah Lyoussi, Emmanuel Payan, Alain Mariani
  • Patent number: 8586939
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for performing neutron radiography. For example, in one exemplary method, an object is interrogated with a plurality of neutrons. The plurality of neutrons includes a first portion of neutrons generated from a first neutron source and a second portion of neutrons generated from a second neutron source. Further, at least some of the first portion and the second portion are generated during a same time period. In the exemplary method, one or more neutrons from the first portion and one or more neutrons from the second portion are detected, and an image of the object is generated based at least in part on the detected neutrons from the first portion and the detected neutrons from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Philip R. Bingham, Paul A. Hausladen, Seth M. McConchie, John T. Mihalczo, James A. Mullens
  • Patent number: 8581203
    Abstract: A method of operating a radiation-detecting device includes charging a first charge storage region of a charge storage structure to place a first charge value at the first charge storage region, and charging a second charge storage region of the charge storage structure to place a second charge value at the second charge storage region. The method further includes conducting a first read operation to determine a change in the first charge value at the first charge storage region at a first time after charging the first charge storage region, and determining a first radiation flux value for an environment containing the charge storage structure based on the change in the first charge value at the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Michael McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20130264486
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for performing combined neutron and gamma ray radiography. For example, one exemplary system comprises: a neutron source; a set of alpha particle detectors configured to detect alpha particles associated with neutrons generated by the neutron source; neutron detectors positioned to detect at least some of the neutrons generated by the neutron source; a gamma ray source; a set of verification gamma ray detectors configured to detect verification gamma rays associated with gamma rays generated by the gamma ray source; a set of gamma ray detectors configured to detect gamma rays generated by the gamma ray source; and an interrogation region located between the neutron source, the gamma ray source, the neutron detectors, and the gamma ray detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: UT-Battelle, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130206985
    Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging an object using backscattered radiation are described. The imaging system comprises both a radiation source for irradiating an object that is rotationally movable about the object, and a detector for detecting backscattered radiation from the object that can be disposed on substantially the same side of the object as the source and which can be rotationally movable about the object. The detector can be separated into multiple detector segments with each segment having a single line of sight projection through the object and so detects radiation along that line of sight. Thus, each detector segment can isolate the desired component of the backscattered radiation. By moving independently of each other about the object, the source and detector can collect multiple images of the object at different angles of rotation and generate a three dimensional reconstruction of the object. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: D. Clark Turner, Ross Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20130056643
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for material discrimination. The systems and methods include a single source that generates both neutrons and photons, and a single imaging array with a common detector that detects the neutrons and the photons generated from the single source. The systems and methods allow for a determination of the contents, and/or the effective atomic number (“Z”) of the contents, of an object without physical inspection of the interior of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vitaliy Ziskin, David Perticone
  • Publication number: 20130026383
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object by means of photoneutron transmission is provided, which comprises the steps of: collimating the photoneutron rays passing through the object by means of a neutron collimator so as to determine the position information of the photoneutron rays based on the position of the neutron collimator; detecting the collimated photoneutron ray beams by means of a detector module, wherein the detector module includes a neutron moderator and at least one thermal neutron detector located within the neutron moderator, wherein the neutron moderator converts the photoneutrons into thermal neutrons, and wherein the thermal neutron detector measures the thermal neutrons so as to obtain attenuation information of the photoneutron ray beams upon passing through the object; and integrating the position information and the attenuation information so as to form an image of the corresponding part of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuanjing Li, Yigang Yang, Tiezhu Li, Qinjian Zhang, Bin Wu, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 8358731
    Abstract: A system for detecting and classifying small amounts of explosives and other controlled substances while rejecting confounders, including a source/detector array formed of a plurality of sources and a plurality of detectors, a signal processor coupled to the source/detector array for processing data received from the detectors, a classifier coupled to the signal processor for classifying data received from the signal processor according to a plurality of algorithms, a maximal rejection classifier coupled to the classifier; and a declarative decision module coupled to the maximal rejection classifier for rendering an accurate decision regarding the contents of the object is provided. The apparatus includes an enclosure, a shield layer disposed within the enclosure, a cavity disposed within the shield layer, a plurality of neutron sources and a detection array disposed within the cavity, and a transport mechanism for moving objects through the cavity past the sources and detection array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: FAJ International Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Jestice
  • Publication number: 20120313001
    Abstract: Provided are an image synthesizing device and an image synthesizing method wherein a subject is less affected by beam absorption. A diffraction beam intensity and a front diffraction beam intensity actually detected are included in the influence of absorption on a subject (Sa). Yet, assuming that said beams have the attenuation rate which is caused by said beams being absorbed when passing through a subject, the angle of refraction ?0 of the beam when passing through the subject (Sa) is obtained using the diffraction beam intensity and the front diffraction beam intensity which are not affected by attenuation, and which are represented by the aforementioned attenuation rate, front diffraction beam intensity, and diffraction beam intensity; a synthesized image of the subject (Sa) is obtained by means of said angle of refraction ?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Masami Ando, Naoki Sunaguchi, Daisuke Shimao, Tetsuya Yuasa
  • Patent number: 8330116
    Abstract: This application relates to radiation detection, and more particularly, to a method and device for the remote detection and localization of nuclear materials in an unknown background. A method and apparatus for long range neutron and gamma ray detection and imaging is disclosed wherein a panel of thin walled tube detectors are rotated to enhance detection performance. The method and apparatus have particular applicability to portable monitoring and homeland security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Proportional Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Lacy
  • Publication number: 20120256094
    Abstract: A dual-particle imaging system of the present teachings provide for standoff, passive detection of special nuclear material. In some embodiments, the system comprises three detector planes that together are capable of imaging both photons and fast neutrons. The ability of the system to detect fast neutrons makes it more difficult to effectively shield a threat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: SARA POZZI, Shaun Clarke, Marek Flaska, Alexis Poitrasson-Riviere, Kyle Polack, Kiyotaka Ide
  • Patent number: 8238633
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of clipping a diagnostic region while retaining the pixel information of the original radiographic image even when the subject is imaged aslant. The image processing apparatus applies trimming processing to a radiographic image acquired by an imaging apparatus for acquiring a radiographic image of a subject and includes an image rotation unit for rotating the radiographic image so that the subject is aligned with a given direction to produce a display image, a diagnostic region designation unit for designating a first diagnostic region clipped with a diagnostic region designation frame represented by a rectangle for the display image, and a trimming processing unit for calculating a second diagnostic region in the radiographic image from a rotation amount of the display image and diagnostic region information representing the first diagnostic region and applying trimming processing to the radiographic image to clip the second diagnostic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Ida, Hirofumi Sawada, Akiko Kanagawa, Daiki Harada, Satomi Yamada, Minoru Takami, Yasunori Ohta, Naoki Mochizuki, Ryo Ono
  • Patent number: 7973286
    Abstract: A detector having a thin film of boron nitride (BN) such as cubic BN, and method, system and array utilizing same are provided. Solid-state p-i-n, deep depletion p-n and Schottky diode detector devices based on a thin film of semiconducting cubic BN are provided. Miniaturized solid-state detectors based on cubic boron nitride have a broad range of applications, both civilian and military.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Roy Clarke, Codrin N. Cionca
  • Publication number: 20100288932
    Abstract: A device (26) is used which includes a sealed neutron tube, equipped with alpha particle and gamma radiation detectors; the tube is placed in a given position (P1); steps are performed in which neutrons are sent towards the object (24), and in which data provided by the detectors is acquired and processed in order to obtain a three-dimensional mapping of the object. According to the invention, at least one displacement of the device is performed around the object so as to place it in another position (P2, P3, P4), the steps are repeated, each mapping is geometrically correctly so that that it may be updated relative to the set of all mappings, and these are combined together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SOC. ANONYME D'ETUDES ET REALISATIONS NUCLEAIRES
    Inventors: Corinne GROISELLE, Jean-Luc Dumont, Philippe Le Tourneur
  • Patent number: 7835559
    Abstract: A system for determining image intensity of a radiograph includes an illuminator for providing lighting to the radiograph, an image reference standard having a predetermined color, a digital imaging device for obtaining a digital image of the radiograph and the image reference standard, a computer for receiving and storing the digital image and for executing programs, and an image analysis program being executed on the computer for providing a first image intensity value of a target area in the radiograph and a second image intensity value of the image reference standard and for computing a normalized image intensity value of the target area using the first and second image intensity values. In one embodiment, the image reference standard is an image reference standard of a black color or a white color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: David J. Schurman, Robert Lane Smith
  • Publication number: 20100254514
    Abstract: A radiation detecting apparatus includes a collimator and a detector, the collimator having a material for blocking radiation and a region that is a sector of an annulus or multiple regions in a configuration in the shape of a sector of an annulus for allowing transmission of the radiation. The detector is spaced a distance from the collimator such that when a radiation source and sample crystal material are positioned at suitable positions, the radiation is collimated by the collimator and contacts the sample a predetermined distance from the detector at multiple of locations corresponding to the region or regions of the collimator. The Bragg diffracted radiation from the crystal material at two or more and preferably all of the locations overlap at the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: Nottingham Trent University, Cranfield University
    Inventors: Paul Evans, Keith Rogers
  • Patent number: 7714309
    Abstract: A phantom for heavy ion radiation therapy provides characterization of an ion beam that may enter but not exit from the phantom. The phantom may include multiple materials and multiple spatially dispersed ion detectors to obtain signals that may be fit to known beam curves to accurately characterize the location and other parameters of Bragg peak of a given ion beam within a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Mackie, Ryan T. Flynn, Michael William Kissick, Jihad H. Al-Sadah, David C. Westerly, Patrick M. Hill
  • Patent number: 7505544
    Abstract: A system for detecting and classifying small amounts of explosives and other controlled substances while rejecting confounders, including a source/detector array formed of a plurality of sources and a plurality of detectors, a signal processor coupled to the source/detector array for processing data received from the detectors, a classifier coupled to the signal processor for classifying data received from the signal processor according to a plurality of algorithms, a maximal rejection classifier coupled to the classifier; and a declarative decision module coupled to the maximal rejection classifier for rendering an accurate decision regarding the contents of the object is provided. The apparatus includes an enclosure, a shield layer disposed within the enclosure, a cavity disposed within the shield layer, a plurality of neutron sources and a detection array disposed within the cavity, and a transport mechanism for moving objects through the cavity past the sources and detection array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: FAJ International Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron L. Jestice
  • Patent number: 7460639
    Abstract: This invention relates to an inspection method and system that radiographs containers, vehicles and train carriages without having to break seals, open containers or physical control. The inspection method consists of an autonomous mobile scanning unit, installed on a chassis that has a remote controlled drive, steering and brakes and another autonomous mobile unit referred as “source robot”, that moves synchronized with the scanning unit and whose drive, steering and braking are also remotely controlled. The two units are moving synchronized with low, constant speed, electronically controlled, framing the object that is to be inspected, in a protected perimeter where the access is managed by an automated traffic management subsystem. The system is made out of autonomous mobile scanning units, managed by a third mobile unit which is towable, that is a remote control centre. The system also includes an automated traffic management subsystem and an exclusion area protection subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. MB Telecom Ltd.-S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mircea Tudor, Constantin Sima, Gheorghe Tudor, Rasvan Ionescu, Cristian Grechi, Emilian Mieilica, Eduard Serban, Adrian Bîzgan, Adrian Duralia, Florin Oancea, Petre Ghita, Sergiu Semenescu
  • Publication number: 20080135773
    Abstract: A method for processing transmission data from neutron and gamma-ray radiation to form an image, the neutron and gamma-ray radiation having traversed through an object and representing a measure of neutron attenuation and gamma-ray attenuation introduced by the object, comprising forming a neutron mass attenuation matrix ‘n’ and gamma-ray mass attenuation matrix ‘g’ from the measure of neutron attenuation and gamma-ray attenuation respectively; calculating a composition matrix R whose elements Rij are defined as a function of elements nij from ‘n’ and the corresponding elements gij from ‘g’, R representing an average composition of material between a source which generated the radiation and a point (i,j); calculating a density matrix X whose elements Xij are defined as a function of the elements nij from ‘n’ and the corresponding elements gij from ‘g’, X representing an approximate amount of material between the radiation source and the point (i,j); calculating a quality matrix Q as a function of the elements
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH OR
    Inventors: James Richard Tickner, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 7386155
    Abstract: A method for transforming visual preference terminology into a set of fundamental image-quality attributes, and using these attributes to produce a display ready radiographic image that meets the desired appearance. The visual preference terminology can be specified in a hierarchical structure providing a flexible and configurable interface to a radiographic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Foos, Mary E. Couwenhoven, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 7298818
    Abstract: Methodologies for non-destructively inspecting and characterizing micro-structural features in a thermal barrier coating (TBC) on a component, wherein the micro-structural features define pores and cracks, if any, in the TBC. The micro-structural features having characteristics at least in part based on a type of process used for developing the TBC and affected by operational thermal loads to which a TBC is exposed. In one embodiment, the method allows detecting micro-structural features in a TBC, wherein the detecting of the micro-structural features is based on energy transmitted through the TBC, such as may be performed with a micro-feature detection system 20. The transmitted energy is processed to generate data representative of the micro-structural features, such as may be generated by a controller 26. The data representative of the micro-structural features is processed (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Subramanian, Anand A. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 7298876
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing testing a computer aided diagnosis (CAD)-based system comprising receiving radiological image of a patient acquired using at least one piece of radiological equipment at least partially controlled by a technologist, the patient being controlled by the technologies relative to the radiological equipment in acquiring said radiological image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: R2 Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Marshall, Keith W. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7157719
    Abstract: A neutron imaging apparatus for obtaining an image of the general shape of a neutron emitting source and a bearing of the source relative to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a chamber comprising a gas with a high probability of interacting with low energy neutrons, releasing collision products that maintain the neutron momentum, and generating ionization particles. The chamber comprises an electrode for providing an electronic signal indicative of the impact location of ionization particles on the electrode and a field to drift the ionization particles to the electrode. A readout indicates the location and time of impact of each ionization particle on the electrode; a memory stores a plurality of the electronic signals; and a computer receives and analyzes the signals and impact times and indicates the location of the source of neutrons by using back projection algorithms to calculate three-dimensional vectors indicative of the neutron path directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Charles Jeffrey Martoff
  • Patent number: 7049603
    Abstract: A neutron imaging method for obtaining an image of the general shape of a neutron emitting source and a bearing of the source relative to an apparatus comprising a chamber comprising a gas with a high probability of interacting with low energy neutrons, releasing collision products that maintain the neutron momentum, and generating ionization particles. The chamber comprises an electrode for providing an electronic signal indicative of the impact location of ionization particles on the electrode and a field to drift the ionization particles to the electrode. A readout indicates the location and time of impact of each ionization particle on the electrode; a memory stores a plurality of the electronic signals; and a computer receives and analyzes the signals and impact times and indicates the location of the source of neutrons by using back projection algorithms to calculate three-dimensional vectors indicative of the neutron path directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Charles Jeffrey Martoff
  • Patent number: 6954546
    Abstract: Plural images photographed with an X-ray photographing system are consecutively input and plural photographing images of optional sizes are arranged in an output area. When the plural photographing images can not be arranged in the output area as a result of the arrangement, marginal portions of the photographing images are deleted on the basis of widths of photographing image arranging areas or a width of a runover image and the images are arranged once again. On the basis of a final arrangement result, the images are output to a laser imager or the like for printout on a film or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsukasa Sako
  • Patent number: 6556698
    Abstract: A method and system is described which facilitates the proper association of radiographic film with a patient information. The invention maintains information for each patient to be examined in the current day and generates a unique identifying ID code for each patient to be examined. Before examining a patient, the current patient's unique identifier is imaged on an unexposed radiographic film. After the patient is examined and the film is exposed, the film is developed and digitized. Patient information is retrieved and associated with the digitized medical images by analyzing the digital image data in order to determine the patient's unique identifier. In this manner, the invention ensures the proper association of patient information with exposed radiographic film. Once properly associated, the digital image data and the patient information can be communicated to a Picture Archiving and Communication System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Francesco Diano, Giovanni Venturi