With Container For Radioactive Source And Radiation Directing Or Selectable Shielding Patents (Class 250/496.1)
  • Publication number: 20080224072
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a small amount of a radioactive substance combination, including a one-part body, a mixing device integrated in the body and adapted to receive a small amount of chemical substances, and at least one receptacle integrated in the body and connected to the mixing device and adapted to hold a small amount of a chemical substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Isotopen Technologien Munchen AG
    Inventors: Julian Bernd Sonnenhol, Andreas Eursch, Mark Harfensteller, Michael Schilp, Oliver Buck, Lisa Maria Ehrenfried, Tuomo Nikula
  • Patent number: 7402825
    Abstract: A laser produced plasma (“LPP”) extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) light source and method of operating same is disclosed which may comprise an EUV plasma production chamber having a chamber wall; a drive laser entrance window in the chamber wall; a drive laser entrance enclosure intermediate the entrance window and a plasma initiation site within the chamber and comprising an entrance enclosure distal end opening; at least one aperture plate intermediate the distal opening and the entrance window comprising at least one drive laser passage aperture. The at least one aperture plate may comprise at least two aperture plates comprising a first aperture plate and a second aperture plate defining an aperture plate interim space. The at least one drive laser aperture passage may comprise at least two drive laser aperture passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney D. Simmons, John W. Viatella, Jerzy R. Hoffman, R. Kyle Webb, Alexander N. Bykanov, Oleh Khodykin
  • Patent number: 7233012
    Abstract: A flexible radiation source. The flexible radiation source has a layer of flexible material with at least one radionuclide dispersed therein to form a flexible, radioactive matrix. A layer of flexible nonradioactive material is also provided to which the flexible, radioactive matrix is permanently attached. The flexible radiation source can be folded or rolled from an extended or planar configuration to a folded or rolled configuration without causing the at least one radionuclide from becoming separated therefrom. The flexible matrix material is free from encapsulation by any rigid structure when in use. A storage and shielding container with a compact form factor is provided. The form factor of the storage and shielding container accommodates the flexible radiation source when the flexible radiation source is in its rolled or folded configuration, but does not accommodate the flexible radiation source when it is in fully extended or planar configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristiana E. Zyromski, Franklin B. Yeager, Joseph David Hathcock, Jeffrey James Kempton
  • Patent number: 7126142
    Abstract: A transmission source loading apparatus for an imaging system utilizing a transmission source is disclosed. The source loading apparatus comprises a storage container for storing the transmission source, and a translation device. The translation device is adapted for advancing the transmission source from the storage container into a holder device for use of the imaging system. A gantry for an imaging system utilizing a transmission source is also disclosed. The gantry includes a gantry housing, a detector ring, a holder device for rotating the transmission source in a rotation path associated with the detector ring, and a transmission source loading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Murray, Hani Ikram Noshi, Timithoy F. Hamers
  • Patent number: 7105846
    Abstract: After a syringe containing a radioactive sample therein and housed in a radiation shield case is mounted on a radioactive sample holder and set in a radioactive sample measuring apparatus, an upwardly projecting handle of the radioactive sample holder is depressed to cause a syringe holder base supported on second shafts to lower a flange of the syringe held by the syringe holder base, pulling the syringe out of the radiation shield case. Then, the amount of radioactivity of the radioactive sample contained in the syringe is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Anzai Medical Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenzo Eguchi
  • Patent number: 7023000
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for generating and collecting a secondary compound that includes daughter isotope, such as 68Ga, resulting from the decay of a parent isotope, such as 68Ge, present in a precursor compound. The apparatus includes a generator system comprising a collector vessel, a cold trap and a pump, that are operatively connected to sources for introducing a precursor compound and an eluant solution, and optionally purging gases and oxygen scavengers, into the generator system. In a generation mode a substantial portion of the precursor compound is maintained in or flows through the collector vessel while in recovery mode substantially all of the precursor compound is confined in the cold trap while the collector vessel is flushed with an eluant to remove the collected secondary compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Triumf
    Inventor: Alexander Zyuzin
  • Patent number: 6991927
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for irradiating a biological sample with far infrared (FIR) irradiation, including providing tunable FIR irradiation, removing X rays from the irradiation, and irradiating at least one biological sample with the tunable FIR irradiation, wherein at least a component of the biological sample undergoes at least one of a conformational change or a phase change in response to the irradiating. An FIR irradiation device is disclosed, including an FIR source producing an FIR irradiation having a tunable wavelength, the source being capable of continuous-wave output, and a filter receiving the irradiation from the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Vermont Photonics Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Michael R. Mross, Thomas H. Lowell, Robert Durant, Nigel Dyer, Lila M. Gierasch, Gerald H. Pollack
  • Patent number: 6982430
    Abstract: A radiation case having a radiation-proof door, and having a radiation-proof main section that has a back portion, a floor portion, a ceiling portion and side portions, vertical cavities formed in the back portion, the vertical cavities being a distance from a surface of a back wall of the back portion, radiation rods located in the vertical cavities, each radiation rod containing cobalt-60 pellet, the distance between the vertical cavities and the surface of the back wall of the back portion being less than a penetration distance for gamma rays coming out of each cobalt-60 pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Anthony M. Moscaritolo, James Claude King
  • Patent number: 6955739
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for adhering two substrates comprising: providing an adhesive film having a first surface and a second surface; irradiating the adhesive film with ultraviolet radiation to provide an activated adhesive film having a first activated surface and a second activated surface; cooling the activated adhesive film either while irradiating or immediately after irradiating the film; contacting the first activated surface with a first substrate; contacting the second activated surface with a second substrate; and applying heat and pressure to the first and second substrates to cure the activated adhesive film and to bond the substrates to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamaguchi, Tetsu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6927407
    Abstract: A radiation shielding arrangement for shielding high-energy neutron radiation and gamma radiation from high-energy particle accelerators or storage rings includes a shielding element made of water-containing material, for example with chemically bound water or water of crystallization, in particular gypsum. The water component of the material preferably makes up at least 5, 10 or 20 percent by weight. The hydrogen nuclei or protons contained therein moderate neutrons in a virtually ideal manner because of the almost identical mass and the maximum pulse transformation associated with this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Gesellschaft fur Schwerionenforschung mbH
    Inventors: Willi Brüchle, Georg Fehrenbacher, Torsten Radon, Frank Gutermuth
  • Patent number: 6927406
    Abstract: A multimodal source for imaging with at least one of a gamma camera, a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner and a single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner, and at least one of a computed tomography (CT) scanner, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and optical scanner. The multimodal source has radioactive material permanently incorporated into a matrix of material, at least one of a material that is a target for CT, MRI and optical scanning, and a container which holds the radioactive material and the CT, MRI and/or optical target material. The source can be formed into a variety of different shapes such as points, cylinders, rings, squares, sheets and anthropomorphic shapes. The material that is a target for gamma cameras, PET scanners and SPECT scanners and/or CT, MRI and/or optical scanners can be formed into shapes that mimic biological structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: ISO-Science Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristiana E. Zyromski
  • Patent number: 6897460
    Abstract: When an ultraviolet pasteurizer is used in a room free of a person, left and right light shield doors are opened to expose ultraviolet lamps outwardly. When an operation switch on a control panel is then turned on, an operation start timer is actuated, and the ultraviolet lamps are then energized to sterilize surrounding surfaces after elapse of 5 minutes. When the ultraviolet pasteurizer is used in a room occupied by a person, the left and right light shield doors are closed to direct the ultraviolet lamps inwardly until all light shield doors are brought into a substantially triangular prism. When the operation switch on the control panel is then turned on, the ultraviolet lamps and a fan are energized to draw external air from an air inlet. The drawn air passes through an inner radiation chamber defined inwardly of the light shield doors that have been combined into the substantially triangular prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Top
    Inventors: Susumu Kobayashi, Masaru Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 6891178
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the positional accuracy of leaves of a multileaf collimator for delivering doses of radiation to a particular spatial location for treatment purpose. The method could be implemented as routine quality assurance check of the multileaf collimator leaf positioning errors. The method includes producing a first field and producing a second field, which is different from the first field. A dosimeter means is included for measuring a radiation dose difference or ratio between the first field and the second field at at least one spatial location. The dose difference or ratio is then used to determine the positional accuracy of the leaves by comparing with a known relationship between leaf positional errors and relative dosimeter outputs. The method provides a more simplified, accurate, efficient and reliable method over currently used methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Lealand Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Lei Xing
  • Patent number: 6875377
    Abstract: A gamma radiation source comprising selenium-75 or a precursor therefore, wherein the selenium is provided in the form of one or more thermally stable compounds, alloys, or mixed metal phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: AEA Technology PLC
    Inventor: Mark Golder Shilton
  • Patent number: 6858855
    Abstract: A radiation shield sheet includes a raw utilizing sheet, which includes a plurality of fibers and a plurality of matrixes reinforced together to define a predetermined crossed structure having a plurality of trapping meshes formed between the fibers and matrixes respectively, and a shielding layer, which is made by a predetermined amount of radiation inadmissible material capable of attenuating an intensity of a predetermined electromagnetic radiation, coated on an exposure surface of the raw utilizing sheet, wherein a portion of the shielding layer is captured in the trapping meshes so as to securely bond the radiation shielding layer on the raw utilizing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ever Gonanza Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Shu Chen
  • Publication number: 20040256580
    Abstract: A flexible radiation source. The flexible radiation source has a layer of flexible material with at least one radionuclide dispersed therein to form a flexible, radioactive matrix. A layer of flexible nonradioactive material is also provided to which the flexible, radioactive matrix is permanently attached. The flexible radiation source can be folded or rolled from an extended or planar configuration to a folded or rolled configuration without causing the at least one radionuclide from becoming separated therefrom. The flexible matrix material is free from encapsulation by any rigid structure when in use. A storage and shielding container with a compact form factor is provided. The form factor of the storage and shielding container accommodates the flexible radiation source when the flexible radiation source is in its rolled or folded configuration, but does not accommodate the flexible radiation source when it is in fully extended or planar configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Kristiana E. Zyromski, Franklin B. Yeager, Joseph David Hathcock, Jeffrey James Kempton
  • Patent number: 6822249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radioactive electron emitting microchannel plate. More particularly, to a radioactive electron generating microchannel plate comprising (a) a pair of parallel substrates; (b) at least one radioactive material layer deposited on an inner surface of the substrates; and (c) at least one electron ray-amplifying layer deposited on the surface of the radioactive material layer. The emitted electron ray is amplified by penetrating into the cavity formed by a pair of parallel substrates and is further amplified by reflecting from the electron ray-amplifying layer. As the substrate in the microchannel plate, use can be made of a capillary tube or a thin plate. The microchannel plate of the present invention can be applied as an electron ray source in an electron ray-generating device, an image display device, and electron ray-etching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minsoo Lee, Hongsuk Chung, Jae Hyung Yoo, Hyun-Soo Park
  • Patent number: 6787779
    Abstract: An apparatus, which generates ionizing radiation, includes a column having a sandwich-like configuration. The column includes one or more tubes and a layer of a cured epoxy-resin mixture containing a heavy metal. The layer of epoxy-resin mixture adheres to the tube or, if the several tubes are provided, the layer adheres to the tubes. In this way, the layer defines a unit with the tube or tubes. The configuration of the apparatus provides a configuration, which is tight against exiting X-ray radiation, also in regions of breakouts and tube transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Leo Elektronenmikroskopie GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Tobias
  • Patent number: 6787786
    Abstract: The present invention relates to radiation sources and a method for producing radiation sources. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to radiation sources that can be used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment, such as flood sources. According to embodiments of the invention, the radiation source includes a outer housing that contains a substrate upon which a radioactive pattern is deposited. The radioactive deposit may be placed on the surface of the substrate in the form of a deposited solution and may be fixed to the surface of the substrate by, for example, a binding agent and/or a sealing layer. The deposited solution may also include a colorant to visually indicate the activity distribution of the radioactive deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: North American Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Kalas, L. Michael Cutrer, Jack Webb
  • Patent number: 6781114
    Abstract: A radiographic camera has a housing, having first and second ends, that encloses a conduit having a radiographic source. The conduit is in communication with a lock assembly at the back end of the camera and to a connector assembly at the front end of the camera. The radiographic camera can be held within a jacket that has a handle with a reinforcement structure. The conduit is surrounded by a radiation shield that has a shield end attached to an endplate having a port outlet. The connector assembly features a front plate having a hole aligned with the port outlet on the endplate. The front plate features an internal surface to which a rotor is rotatably attached. The rotor provides a first rotor hole that is aligned with the port outlet and includes a port shield for blocking the first rotor hole, and a second rotor hole that is alignable with the port outlet. The rotor may be rotated so that either the first or second rotor hole is aligned with the port outlet to shield or expose the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: AEA Technology QSA Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Grenier
  • Patent number: 6727510
    Abstract: A canister containing spent fuel assemblies is contained in a body of a transportation cask. A top opening of a vessel body of the canister is closed by a lid welded to the vessel body. A ring-shaped elastic tube is provided between the inner surface of the upper end portion of the body and the outer surface of the upper end portion of the vessel body. The tube seals the gap between these surfaces to prevent a fluid from getting into the gap between the surfaces through the top opening of the body. An inspection space for the insertion of a tester for detecting the welding state of the lid is defined between the inner surface of the upper end portion of the body and the outer surface of the upper end portion of the vessel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Matsunaga, Genji Abe, Koichi Ue, Koji Enami, Seiichi Wakayama, Etsuryo Kita, Shizuo Inoue
  • Patent number: 6718000
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of storing and transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the apparatus is a lid for a ventilated vertical overpack having a chamber for receiving spent nuclear fuel, the lid having ventilation ducts. In one aspect, the system comprises: a lid for a ventilated vertical overpack having a chamber for receiving spent nuclear fuel, the lid having ventilation ducts; and a ventilated vertical overpack having a cylindrical body including lower ventilation ducts, a bottom, and a chamber formed by the body and the bottom adapted for receiving a canister of spent nuclear fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Holtec International, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna P. Singh, Stephen Agace
  • Patent number: 6664555
    Abstract: A container for storing and transporting device containing radioactive materials used for medical procedures is disclosed. Such devices may include a radioactive shielding material which contains a portion of the radioactivity emitted by the radioactive material. The container has an upper portion and a lower portion, and at least one of the portions includes a radiation shielding material, such as lead, steel or other appropriate shielding materials. Devices containing radioactive material are placed within the container. The container secures the devices against lateral movement within the container. The radiation shielding material of the lower portion of the container may cooperate with the radiation shielding material of the device to contain more of the emitted radiation than is contained by the device alone. The container and the holder may be sterilizable to allow such devices to be transported and sterilized for medical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Theragenics Corporation
    Inventors: Jack C. White, Joseph J. Rodgers, Glenn A. Dill, Mary Christine Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6657214
    Abstract: A test system having a shielded enclosure and common air interface for testing the transmit and receive functionality of wireless communication devices such as mobile phones. A test system according to the present invention provides improved fault coverage by permitting robust testing of the entire signal path of a wireless device, including the antenna structure. In one embodiment of the invention, an RF-shielded enclosure having a test chamber is provided. The structure of the shielded enclosure blocks ambient RF energy from entering the test chamber and interfering with testing operations. The shielded enclosure may be lined with an RF absorbing material to improve test repeatability. A novel test antenna structure is disposed in the test chamber for wirelessly communicating test signals to a device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: EMC Test Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael D. Foegelle, Kefeng Liu, Zhong Chen, Bryan H. Sayler
  • Patent number: 6649921
    Abstract: Apparatus and method providing substantially two-dimensionally uniform irradiation of a planar target surface. An irradiation source is within an elliptical reflecting trough, on the major axis of the trough, and spaced from the focal axes of the trough. Edges of the trough define a first plane substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the trough. Reflectors extend substantially equal distances from the longitudinal edges and the ends of the trough to define a target surface plane substantially parallel with the first plane. A translucent reflector is a positioned on the major axis of the trough, outside the trough. The translucent reflector has a first planar portion lying in a plane substantially parallel with the target surface plane, and second and third planar portions extending from the edges of the first planar portion and angled toward the target surface plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Cekic, Boris Geller
  • Patent number: 6639235
    Abstract: An apparatus for altering the radiation intensity delivered from a radiation source has a plate member for holding a plurality of radiation modulating devices. A frame member is coupled to the radiation source for holding the plate member between the radiation source and a target area. The frame member allows the plate member to rotate within the frame member so different radiation modulating devices may be positioned between the radiation source and the target area to alter the radiation intensity delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Erdal M. Gurgoze
  • Patent number: 6627908
    Abstract: A radiation source assembly and a connector press used in producing such assemblies. In the radiation source assembly, each of the cap connector and the female connector is provided with internal round threads on its pigtail fitting hole, thus engaging with the large-diameter coil of the pigtail at the internal round threads through a thread engagement prior to a compression process of the press. The assembly also allows a person to know whether both ends of the pigtail fully reach desired points within the two connectors, thus securing a precise compressing target portion during a compression process of the press. The inserted lengths of the pigtail relative to the two connectors are maximize accomplishing a desired linearity of the assembly. In the assembly, a target biasing spring is provided on the capsule lid and allows the disc targets within the source capsule to effectively maintain a desired condition as point sources regardless of the number of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyon Soo Han, Woon Kap Cho, Soon Buk Hong, Kyeong Deuk Jang, Ul Jae Park
  • Patent number: 6614038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of checking the calculated [sic] irradiation control unit of an ion beam therapy system which comprises a raster scanning device arranged in a beam guidance system and having vertical deflection means and horizontal deflection means for the vertical and horizontal deflection of a treatment beam at right angles to its beam direction, so that the treatment beam is deflected by the raster scanning device onto an isocenter of the irradiation station and scans a specific area surrounding the isocenter, data sets and permanently stored data of a control computer, parameters of measuring sensors and desired current values of scanner magnets being checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung mbH
    Inventors: Holger Brand, Thomas Haberer, Klaus Poppensieker, Dieter Schardt, Bernd Voss
  • Patent number: 6614037
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electron beam irradiating apparatus including an electron beam source; an accelerating unit for accelerating electrons emitted from the electron beam source; a deflecting unit for deflecting a highly energized electron beam generated by the accelerating unit in a scanning direction; a vacuum vessel accommodating the electron beam source, the accelerating unit, and the deflecting unit in a vacuum environment; a window foil for ejecting the electron beam from the vacuum environment into a gas environment; a crosspiece for adhering to and supporting the window foil; and a cooling block for shielding the crosspiece from the electron beam in areas that the electron beam intersects the crosspiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Naito
  • Patent number: 6608318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mass spectrometer that includes an ionization source having a chamber for ionizing a fluid sample. The ionization chamber has surfaces to reduce the overall interaction with reactive samples. The inner surface walls of the ionization chamber may be formed from an inorganic conductive nitride or disulfide material or may be applied to a substrate as a coating. The invention also includes a method for reducing the interaction of a reactive analyte with the inner wall of the chamber by application or coating the inner wall of the chamber with an inert conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Perkins, Jeffrey T. Kernan
  • Publication number: 20030116722
    Abstract: An apparatus, which generates ionizing radiation, includes a column having a sandwich-like configuration. The column includes one or more tubes and a layer of a cured epoxy-resin mixture containing a heavy metal. The layer of epoxy-resin mixture adheres to the tube or, if the several tubes are provided, the layer adheres to the tubes. In this way, the layer defines a unit with the tube or tubes. The configuration of the apparatus provides a configuration, which is tight against exiting X-ray radiation, also in regions of breakouts and tube transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Tobias
  • Patent number: 6577697
    Abstract: A system and method for rapidly analyzing elemental abundances in rock or soil samples (14) under field conditions. The system uses a portable neutron source (12) to allow neutron activation analysis of elements having identifiable radioactive decay characteristics. A radiation detector (18) detects radiation released by the sample (14) and provides radiation testing results to an amplifier (26) for computing the concentration of trace elements in the sample with a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: English C. Pearcy, Mark S. Jarzemba, James R. Weldy
  • Patent number: 6531705
    Abstract: A container for storing and transporting device containing radioactive materials used for medical procedures is disclosed. Such devices may include a radioactive shielding material which contains a portion of the radioactivity emitted by the radioactive material. The container has an upper portion and a lower portion, and at least one of the portions includes a radiation shielding material, such as lead, steel or other appropriate shielding materials. Devices containing radioactive material are placed within the container. The container secures the devices against lateral movement within the container. The radiation shielding material of the lower portion of the container may cooperate with the radiation shielding material of the device to contain more of the emitted radiation than is contained by the device alone. The container and the holder may be sterilizable to allow such devices to be transported and sterilized for medical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Theragenics Corporation
    Inventors: Jack C. White, Joseph J. Rodgers, Glenn A. Dill, Mary Christine Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6501814
    Abstract: A dry radioactive substance storage facility stores spent fuel assemblies from nuclear power plants. The facility comprises a structure having a storage room storing storage tubes containing spent fuel assemblies. An air inlet duct defining an air inlet passage through which air is supplied into the storage room and a stack defining an air discharge passage through which air from the storage room is discharged outside are connected to the storage room. Radiation shielding members are disposed on the side of the air inlet duct and on the side of the stack, respectively, in the storage room to intercept radiation propagating toward the air inlet passage and the air discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Shimizu, Koichi Maki, Keiichiro Shibata, Masashi Oda, Naoki Kumagai, Hidetoshi Kanai
  • Patent number: 6489617
    Abstract: Disclosed is a is an improved flood source, and method of making the same, which emits an evenly distributed flow of energy from a gamma emitting radionuclide dispersed throughout the volume of the flood source. The flood source is formed by filling a bottom pan with a mix of epoxy resin with cobalt-57, preferably at 10 to 20 millicuries and then adding a hardener. The pan is secured to a flat, level surface to prevent the pan from warping and to act as a heat sink for removal of heat from the pan during the curing of the resin-hardener mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Darrell R. Fisher, David L. Alexander, Stanley Satz
  • Patent number: 6486482
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for irradiation of products by charged particles. The arrangement comprises a particle acceleration device and a radiation chamber, in which the products are irradiated from at least two sides, by that the particle beam is deflected with a scanning magnet and redeflected with redeflection magnets. The particle beam impinges on the products substantially parallel to the main normals of the surfaces of the products, which normals are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction that the radiation axis has immediately before the deflection. An absorption means comprising a particle stopper is arranged in the space between the pole pieces of the redeflection magnets. A transport device for double-sided irradiation transports the products, which during transport are fixed to the transport device, through the irradiation arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Scanditronix Medical AB
    Inventors: Bengt Anderberg, Mikael Lindholm
  • Patent number: 6407873
    Abstract: A safety shutter suitable for intercepting an energy beam. The safety shutter includes at least one shutter blade having a top end and a bottom end. At least one motor is coupled to the bottom end of the shutter blade such that the motor rotates the shutter blade from a closed position to an open position when energized. The shutter blade is coupled to at least one spring, wherein the spring rotates the shutter blade from the open position to the closed position when the motor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Electro-Optical Products Corp.
    Inventor: Israel Tuchman
  • Publication number: 20020070358
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal packaging machine has, between blank feeder and loader assemblies thereof, on the one hand, and an indexing mandrel spider upon which the cartons are bottom-closed and-sealed, on the other hand, another indexing spider upon which micro-organisms in the interior of the carton sleeve, particularly upon the inside surface thereof, are rendered non-viable. Each of the arms of this spider consists of a device and angle-form, carton sleeve guides distributed parallelly around the device at the corners of a square co-axial with the device and of a size fittingly to receive a carton sleeve. Each device includes an excimer UV-C-lamp which is water-cooled. The lamp includes an elongate support member in the form of a rod of which an inner end is fixed to the hub of the spider and of which the outer end may optionally have a mandrel cap fixed thereto. The mandrel cap contains conduits leading to a nozzle which is at the outer extremity of the device and is co-axial with the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Lars Aksel Thingelstad
  • Patent number: 6373068
    Abstract: An irradiation vessel is made from such material and in such form that it can also be used as administration vessel of a medicine contained therein, this medicine first being irradiated with neutrons in a nuclear reactor and subsequently being administered as radioactive medicine to a patient without the medicine having to be moved outside the vessel intermediately. To prevent additional handling operations, with the risk of contamination of the medicine, higher radiation doses to personnel and radioactive contamination of the environment when vessels are used in which the irradiation and administration take place separately, a vessel has been developed which allows a medicine to be irradiated and to be directly administered to the patient thereafter via an external carrier liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Academisch Ziekenhuis Utrecht
    Inventors: Johannes Franciscus Wilhelmus Nijsen, Alfred Dirk van het Schip, Bernard Antoni Zonnenberg
  • Patent number: 6274100
    Abstract: A process irradiator includes a heavily shielded, generally cylindrical, housing with a heavily shielded top. A radiation source includes source elements in several tubes extending from the top into a shielded storage cask below the center of the housing floor. A circular track concentrically positioned relative to the track guides a motor-driven carousel carrying a number of turntables which carry material to be irradiated, the turntables being rotatable on their axes. A heavy shielded door provides access to the turntables which are successively rotated on the carousel to a position adjacent the door opening. A lifting structure on the top includes two or more lifting devices which permit selective lifting of the source elements from the storage cask into the housing. Interlock controls prevent the door from opening and the carousel from rotating unless all source elements are stored in the storage cask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: J.L. Shepherd & Associated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Shepherd, Thomas J. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6259107
    Abstract: An apparatus includes providing an article having an oxidizable organic compound and an organoleptic compound; advancing the article toward a means for treating the article, the means for treating the article including a treating medium, and a means for applying the treating medium to the article; and applying the treating medium to a surface of the article so as to lower the amount of the organoleptic compound in the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Martin J. Ecoff, R. Karina Sylvia, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6191424
    Abstract: A production line irradiation apparatus used to sterilize medical equipment, food or agricultural and waste materials. The apparatus is compact in size and allows a continuous throughput of products to be irradiated, while preventing harmful radiation from escaping. The apparatus comprises: primary shield means for blocking radiation; secondary shield means for blocking radiation; an irradiation device; and conveyor means. The primary shield means further includes a central cavity therein and a channel extending therethrough which intersects the cavity and accommodates the conveyor means. The secondary shield means comprises a plurality of discrete open containers, the containers having front and rear walls, the walls being substantially the size of the channel opening. The walls of the primary and secondary shield means are of sufficient density to fully attenuate the radiation produced by the irradiation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: I-AX Technologies
    Inventors: Andrew J. Stirling, Gerald E. Hare