Shielding Patents (Class 378/203)
  • Patent number: 11937957
    Abstract: Apparatuses (devices, systems) and methods for shielding (protecting) surroundings around periphery of regions of interest located inside objects (e.g., patients) from radiation emitted by X-ray systems towards the objects. Apparatus includes: at least one radiation shield assembly including a support base connectable to an X-ray system radiation source or detector, and a plurality of radiation shield segments sequentially positioned relative to the support base, thereby forming a contiguous radiopaque screen configured for spanning around the region of interest periphery with a radiopaque screen edge opposing the object. Radiation shield segments are individually, actively controllable to extend or contract to selected lengths with respective free ends in directions away from or towards the support base(s), for locally changing contour of the radiopaque screen edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Radiaction Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Yifat, Amir Belson, Amichay Gross
  • Patent number: 11547375
    Abstract: Apparatuses (devices, systems) and methods for shielding (protecting) surroundings around periphery of regions of interest located inside objects (e.g., patients) from radiation emitted by X-ray systems towards the objects. Apparatus includes: at least one radiation shield assembly including a support base connectable to an X-ray system radiation source or detector, and a plurality of radiation shield segments sequentially positioned relative to the support base, thereby forming a contiguous radiopaque screen configured for spanning around the region of interest periphery with a radiopaque screen edge opposing the object. Radiation shield segments are individually, actively controllable to extend or contract to selected lengths with respective free ends in directions away from or towards the support base(s), for locally changing contour of the radiopaque screen edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Yifat, Amir Belson, Amichay Gross
  • Patent number: 11504872
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a food processing apparatus with a scanner with a scanning unit for determining properties of a food product, in particular a food bar, with at least two substantially parallel separately drivable conveyor tracks for supplying the food products to the scanner, and with a control unit for controlling the drive of the conveyor tracks. According to the disclosure, the control unit is adapted to separately control the drive of the conveyor tracks to convey at least one food product of a first conveyor track and at least one food product of a further conveyor track sequentially through a scanning area of the scanner. The disclosure further relates to a method for scanning food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Ingo Rother
  • Patent number: 11266360
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for collision avoidance in an x-ray imaging system. In one example, an x-ray system includes a moveable arm comprising an x-ray source arranged at a first end and an x-ray detector arranged at a second end, an ultrasonic sensor positioned on the movable arm, the x-ray source, or the x-ray detector, and a sterile drape configured to be positioned over at least a portion of the movable arm, the x-ray source, and/or the x-ray detector, the sterile drape including an adhesive pad configured to contact a front face of the ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Francois Kotian
  • Patent number: 11076819
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Radiaction Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James J. Leary
  • Patent number: 11029441
    Abstract: Scanning systems may include a stator, a rotor supporting at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector rotatable with the rotor, and a motivator operatively connected to the rotor. The stator, the rotor, the at least one radiation source, and the at least one radiation detector may be located within a housing. A conveyor system may extend through the housing and the rotor. A shielding system including a series of independently movable energy shields sized, shaped, and positioned to at least partially occlude a pathway along which the conveyor system extends may extend from an entrance to the housing, through the rotor, to an exit from the housing. A control system may be configured to cause the shielding system to automatically and dynamically move individual energy shields in response to advancement of one or more objects supported on the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Weed, Patrick Splinter
  • Patent number: 10966307
    Abstract: An X-ray source arrangement (10) for generating X-ray radiation (102), a method for operating the X-ray source arrangement (10), and an X-ray imaging apparatus (100) are provided. The X-ray source arrangement (10) comprises an X-ray tube (22), a converter arrangement (16) with an inverter (18) and a resonant converter (20) for providing a source voltage to the X-ray tube (22), a pre-controller (12), and a modulator (14). The pre-controller (12) is configured for determining a reference duty ratio (r, 26) of the resonant converter (20) as a continuous function of time based on a mathematical model of the resonant converter (20), and for providing a control signal (13) correlating with the reference duty ratio (r, 26) to the modulator (14). The modulator (14) is configured for determining a switching signal (15) based on the control signal (13), and for providing the switching signal (15) to the inverter (18) of the converter arrangement (16) for actuating the inverter (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Woywode, Tobias Barth, Albrecht Gensior, Jens Weber
  • Patent number: 10709395
    Abstract: A radiation system (50), comprising a patient support platform (3). An X-ray radiation source (2a, 2b, 2c) is positioned beneath the patient support platform and enclosed by fixed radiation shielding. An X-ray radiation detector (22) is positioned above the patient support platform. A detector X-ray radiation shield (1, 11) comprising shield extension (7) is arranged on either side of the patient support platform, which extend from the X-ray radiation 5 detector to the fixed radiation shielding. The shield extensions are able to be moved relative to the source radiation shield to allow access to a patient on the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Herman Stegehuis, Heidrun Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 10698124
    Abstract: Devices and methods of testing leaking rays are provided. In one aspect, a device includes a first rotary arm configured to rotate around a first rotary axis, a second rotary arm rotatably connected with the first rotary arm and configured to rotate around a second rotary axis, a probe mounted on a rotating end of the second rotary arm and configured to measure a numerical value of leaking rays at each position at which the probe stays, a mounting base rotatably connected with the second rotary arm and configured to mount a ray source component, a first driving unit configured to drive the first rotary arm to rotate around the first rotary axis, and a second driving unit configured to drive the second rotary arm to rotate around the second rotary axis, the first rotary axis being perpendicular to the second rotary axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Neusoft Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuangxue Li, Yiming Zhu, Jun Yu
  • Patent number: 10512146
    Abstract: An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a central frame having internal passages to supply a cooling fluid directly to the casing without the need for an external dedicated heat exchanger. The cooling fluid flowing through the passages in the easing can thermally contact the dielectric coolant within the casing to cool the tube coolant during operation of the x-ray tube. The casing is formed in an additive manufacturing process to allow for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages to reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing can additionally be formed from a metal matrix including a metal with high x-ray attenuation and a filler metal. The metal matrix eliminates the need for a separate x-ray attenuation layer within the casing, further reducing the size, number of parts and assembly complexity of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Andrew J. Desrosiers, Matthew Karesh
  • Patent number: 10504633
    Abstract: A diaphragm for restricting a cross section of an electron beam of an X-ray tube includes a base body made of a first material, which has a first cylindrical or conical diaphragm aperture, and an additional body made of a second material, which has a second cylindrical or conical diaphragm aperture. The additional body in the installed state is arranged on the side near the electron source, wherein the atomic number of the first material is greater than the atomic number of the second material. The diameters of the diaphragm apertures at the end far from the electron source are not smaller than at the end near the electron source, and the second diaphragm aperture at its end far from the electron source lies completely inside the first diaphragm aperture at its end near the electron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: YXLON International GmbH
    Inventor: André Schu
  • Patent number: 10390419
    Abstract: An accelerator comprising at least one accelerator cavity, an electron gun, at least one cavity cooler configured to at least partially encircle the accelerator cavity, a cooling connector, an intermediate conduction layer formed between the at least one cavity cooler and the at least one accelerator cavity configured to facilitate thermal conductivity between the cavity cooler and the accelerator cavity, a mechanical support connected to the accelerator cavity via at least one endplate and configured for stabilizing the accelerator cavity, and a refrigeration source for providing refrigerant via the cooling connector to the at least one cavity cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Fermi Research Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Kephart
  • Patent number: 10244996
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Radiaction Ltd
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James J. Leary
  • Patent number: 9997266
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a protective device including a sliding door and a housing, together forming a closed space, wherein, a guide rail is provided on the housing, and the sliding door is slidable along the guide rail to open or close the closed space. In addition, embodiments of the present invention also provide a laser Raman safety inspection apparatus including the abovementioned protective device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Shixin Zhang, Lin Yang, Hongqiu Wang, Yumin Yi, Huacheng Feng, Jianhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9970888
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a core sample from a wellbore, where the analysis takes place in the field and proximate the wellbore. The system includes trailers adjacent one another and on a drilling pad, so that real time analysis of the core sample can occur after being extracted from the wellbore. One of the trailers can include a scanning unit for scanning the core sample and obtaining information within the core sample. Other trailers can include units that further analyze the core sample, such as by grinding, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning the core material nano-structure. The core sample scanning involves a computed tomography (CT) scan, where a length of core sample is analyzed in the scanning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GE ENERGY OILFIELD TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Szudajski, John Boot
  • Patent number: 9824783
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a radiation shielding apparatus that includes a shielding box unit into which a radiation generating device is inserted, a locking unit disposed on an outside of the shielding box unit, an operation display unit disposed on the outside of the shielding box unit to display a locked state of the locking unit, and a control unit for controlling an operation of each of the radiation generating device and the operation display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES
    Inventors: Kyeong Ja Kim, Seung Ryeol Lee, Yi Re Choi, Eung Seok Yi
  • Patent number: 9370331
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: RADIACTION LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James J. Leary
  • Patent number: 9048064
    Abstract: Cathode assembly for a long throw length x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, a cathode assembly for an x-ray tube includes an electron emitter, an acceleration region, and a drift region. The electron emitter includes a curved emitting surface configured to emit an electron beam having a y-dimension that is greater than an x-dimension at the electron emitter. The acceleration region is defined adjacent to the electron emitter. The acceleration region is configured such that when the electron beam propagates within the acceleration region, the electron beam accelerates in a z-direction substantially normal to a midpoint of the curved emitting surface. The drift region is defined between the acceleration region and an anode. The drift region is configured such that the combined lengths of the drift region and the acceleration region are sufficient for the y-dimension to be less than the x-dimension at the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Russell Boye, Colton Bridger Woodman, Todd S. Parker
  • Patent number: 9041531
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a radiation safety system comprising radiation emitting medical equipment; a radiation safety system controller connected to the radiation emitting medical equipment through a first communication means configured to determine a number of people within a radiation room housing the radiation emitting medical equipment and prevent the radiation emitting medical equipment from performing radiation emitting functions if the radiation safety system controller determines that more people than a maximum allowed number of people are presently in the radiation room; and a scanner connected to the radiation safety controller through a second communication means configured to detect people in the radiation room and communicate to the radiation safety system controller that a person has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Maitland M. DeLand
  • Patent number: 8998487
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source; a housing configured to accommodate the X-ray source; and a plurality of supporting legs each connected to the housing via a movable connecting portion and configured to support the housing, wherein each of the supporting legs can change, by the movable connecting portion, a support angle made by a ground plane and the supporting leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Watanabe, Hiroyuki Tokuda, Hitomi Ogasawara, Takashi Ogura, Jun Murata
  • Publication number: 20150078515
    Abstract: A system attenuates scatter radiation during a radiological procedure. The radiological procedure using a radiation machine including an emitter, a receiver, a base, and a table for a patient. The base is supported by a floor. The system includes a barrier formed of a radiation attenuation material and positioned over an area on the floor. The barrier is comprised of an elastomeric material and disposed beneath the table. The barrier on the floor can reduce substantial amounts of scatter radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cadwalader, William Paul Radtke
  • Patent number: 8899832
    Abstract: A mobile patient positioning stand having vertical rails allowing a shield to be manually moved up and down to different heights based on the height of anatomy of the patient desired to be imaged. The shield may be positioned at a shield height for a certain height of anatomy of a patient so that markers on the shield identify multiple image areas within the total image area. After the shield is positioned, an image detector and a source of radiation may be vertically positioned to provide images at the multiple image areas. Vertical positioning of the detector may be determined by the markers or by equal height detector alignment markers on the shield. The multiple image areas may be connected by aligning stitching markers in the images, that may be on the shield. This aligning may be done by an automated computer software process that recognizes the stitching markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Fabrizio
  • Patent number: 8876380
    Abstract: An apparatus, including a transparent panel, which is configured to protect an operator positioned on a first side of the panel from X-ray radiation applied to a patient on a second side of the panel during a medical procedure, while permitting the operator to view the patient through the panel. The apparatus also includes a display device, which is coupled to present information on the transparent panel responsively to the medical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Liron Shmuel Mizrahi, Roy Urman, Ronen Krupnik
  • Publication number: 20140153700
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Radguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James L. Leary
  • Patent number: 8540425
    Abstract: A CT scanning system having a patient table and a gantry comprising an x-ray source configured to irradiate an x-ray beam while at least partly rotating about an object being arranged on the patient table in order to be scanned. The gantry comprises an x-ray detector configured to receive x-rays penetrating through the object to be scanned and is further configured to provide output signals representative of the received x-rays. The system further comprises an x-ray cabinet comprising x-ray shielding material. The x-ray cabinet fully surrounds the gantry and the patient table. The patient table is configured to be fully inserted in the x-ray cabinet. The x-ray cabinet has an end part with a patient opening allowing the introduction of a patient into the x-ray cabinet through said opening. The system comprises a closure part for providing an x-ray shielding closure of the patient opening at the first end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GNI APS
    Inventor: Gorm Nielsen Groot
  • Patent number: 8520800
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for radiation resistant medical imaging. A scanning beam x-ray source and x-ray detector are used. A detector shield is utilized to shield the x-ray detector from radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Patrick Wilfley, Edward Gerald Solomon, Joseph Anthony Heanue
  • Patent number: 8517607
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray generation device including an X-ray tube and a high-voltage generation unit arranged inside a housing and also having insulating oil filled in the housing, which uses no lead and is small in size, thereby achieving a reduction in manufacturing cost, and which also has high cooling performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Job Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8487287
    Abstract: A system for attenuating a primary radiation beam applied to a target area on a patient for generating an image of the target area during radiological examination includes a barrier formed of a radiation attenuation material and positionable over the target area to partially attenuate the primary radiation beam before the primary radiation beam reaches the target area. The barrier is configured to substantially extend around an entire periphery of the patient. The system also includes a buffer positionable between the barrier and the patient for offsetting the barrier from the patient. The buffer includes at least one flexible bag configured to retain a fluid. The at least one flexible bag is configured to improve the clarity of the image generated during the radiological examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cadwalader, William W. Orrison
  • Patent number: 8439564
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Radguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James L. Leary
  • Patent number: 8391440
    Abstract: A curtain assembly includes at least one curtain including at least one slat. The at least one curtain is configured to be rotatably coupled to a housing of a scanning system having a radiation source and a detector. The at least one curtain is further configured to facilitate drawing an object into the scanning system housing while substantially preventing radiation emitted from the radiation source from exiting the housing through the at least one curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Leslie Hills, Nicholas Bantle Masson
  • Patent number: 8338810
    Abstract: In a mammography system with a radiation protection wall, a production method for a radiation protection wall, and a method to operate a mammography system, the radiation protection wall has a further function in addition to the radiation protection. The radiation protection wall additionally serves to present a user interface of a control program to control the mammography apparatus, and can still display the images acquired by the mammography apparatus. The display region of the radiation protection wall is provided in the upper region of said radiation protection wall and can be fashioned as a touchscreen in order to control the mammography apparatus with the detected touch signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mathias Hoernig
  • Patent number: 8330132
    Abstract: An energy modulator for use with a particle source that provides a beam of particles includes a first block moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the first block is at the second position, it is in a path of the beam, and a second block moveable relative to the first block, wherein the second block and the first block are offset from each other in a direction of the beam, wherein the first block has a first energy absorption characteristic, and the second block has a second energy absorption characteristic that is different from the first energy absorption characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Guertin, Marcel Marc
  • Patent number: 8286637
    Abstract: A surgical radiological C-arm imaging unit drape configured to provide a sterile outer surface about an end portion of a C-arm imaging unit and method of providing a sterile surface about an end of a C-arm imaging unit is provided. The drape includes a flexible enclosure having an upper wall with a pair of sidewalls and a rear side extending downwardly from the upper wall. The upper wall and the side walls are extendible between expanded and collapsed positions. When in the expanded position, a pocket sized for receipt of the end portion of the imaging unit beneath the upper wall is formed. The upper wall has a sterile outer surface configured to face away from and overlie the end portion of the imaging unit to maintain sterility in a sterile zone above an operating table. When in the collapsed position, the sterile outer surface shielded from external contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Serge Kaska
  • Publication number: 20120106715
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Radguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James J. Leary
  • Patent number: 8113713
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Radguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James J. Leary
  • Patent number: 8083407
    Abstract: A shielding device (20) for optical and/or electronic apparatuses (16) is described, wherein said apparatuses may cooperate with incident electromagnetic radiation (X1, X2), in particular for space telescopes, the shielding device including: at least a filter (24, 26) provided for interacting with said incident electromagnetic radiation (X1, X2), for selectively filtering said radiation; and a support structure (22) for the filter. The support structure (22) is an inflatable structure, which is able to achieve an operating stand-by configuration, in which it is substantially folded together, and an active operating configuration, in which it extends along the longitudinal extension axis (ZZ), and is essentially completely unfolded. Furthermore, the filter (24, 26) includes a filter body, which is provided in order to be transversely positioned with respect to said longitudinal extension axis, when the support structure reaches its active operating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Thales Alenia Space Italia SpA
    Inventors: Primo Attina, Enrico Domenico Bertuccio, Luciana Bonino
  • Patent number: 8057097
    Abstract: An anatomical imaging system including a scanner having an opening for receiving a patient, a transport mechanism mounted to the base of the scanner, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a movement mechanism for moving the scanner, relative to the patient, and a radiation-protective curtain pivotally connected to the scanner so as to cover at least one side of the opening in the scanner during scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: NeuroLogica Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Eric Bailey, Lidia Nemirovsky
  • Patent number: 8042549
    Abstract: A collapsible sterile drape designed to encase the non-sterile portion of a radiological unit is provided. The sterile radiological drape is designed to expand to encompass the radiological unit as it rotates into and is move through the sterile field for imaging during surgery, and then to collapse to protect the sterile portion of the drape when the radiological unit is removed from the surgical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Serge Kaska
  • Patent number: 7976218
    Abstract: A modular x-ray source for an imaging system includes a structure forming a cavity and having a first wall and a second wall, at least one target positioned on the first wall within the cavity and configured to receive a first electron beam at a first spot position and a second electron beam at a second spot position, and a shielding material positioned on the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Vermilyea, Yang Cao, Louis Paul Inzinna, Dennis M. Jacobs, Xi Zhang, Yun Zou
  • Publication number: 20110103555
    Abstract: An X-ray shield for a horizontal X-ray procedure table includes a horizontal support bar for attachment thereto a first depending X-ray opaque curtain and a second support bar, the second support bar being moveably attached to the horizontal support bar to enable movement of the second support bar in both horizontal and vertical directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: KENEX (ELECTRO-MEDICAL) LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenneth Charles Hunt
  • Patent number: 7905660
    Abstract: A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Xoran Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Predrag Sukovic, Neal Clinthorne, Miodrag Rakic, James A. Bertolina, Joseph Webster Stayman
  • Patent number: 7891872
    Abstract: A safety housing (1) for an X-ray apparatus, comprises a working chamber (2) which can accommodate X-ray apparatus protection elements (3a-3c, 5a, 5b; 21), in particular lead-containing walls and/or lead glass panes, which are impermeable to X-rays and which surround the working chamber (2) and at least one door (6a, 6b) for opening and closing an access (4) to the working chamber (2) of the safety housing (1), wherein the door (6a, 6b) has at least one door protection element (5a, 5b; 21), in particular a lead glass pane, which is impermeable to X-ray radiation, wherein the at least one door protection element (5a, 5b; 21) can completely cover the access to the working chamber (2), and wherein the door (6a, 6b) can be pivoted about an axis S relative to a main frame (9) of the safety housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bruker AXS GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Kuhnmuench
  • Patent number: 7869572
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a vacuum chamber, a cathode positioned within the vacuum chamber and configured to emit electrons, and an anode positioned within the vacuum chamber to receive the electrons emitted from the cathode and configured to generate a beam of x-rays from the electrons. The x-ray tube further includes a window positioned to pass the beam of x-rays therethrough, an electron collector structure having an aperture formed therein to allow passage of x-rays therethrough, and a layer attached to the electron collector structure and configured to at least partially absorb or reduce diffraction of x-rays that contact the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Robert Allen, Brian Lounsberry, James J. VanBogart
  • Patent number: 7850366
    Abstract: A sheet 1 for shielding soft X-rays comprises a first outer sheet, an interlayer sheet, and a second outer sheet. In the first outer sheet a port for supplying ionized air is formed. In the interlayer sheet a passage for the ionized air, which passage communicates with the port for supplying the ionized air, is formed. In the second outer sheet a port for discharging the ionized air, which port communicates with the passage for the ionized air, is formed. The sheets 2, 3, and 4 are stacked and adhered so that the sheet 1 has one or more portions 9 for transmitting the ionized air, which portions connect the port for supplying the ionized air, the passage for the ionized air, and the port for discharging the ionized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: Kondoh Industries, Ltd., Cambridge Filter Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshirou Kisakibaru
  • Patent number: 7792245
    Abstract: Breast imaging using any one of a mammography system, a tomosynthesis system, or a fused system that selectively takes either or both of mammography images and tomosynthesis images, further uses a patient shield that moves closer to and further away from the patient's chest and head, between (1) an access position that facilitates the technologist's access to adjust the patient's breast while the breast is being compressed and (b) a protective position in which the shield helps protect the patient from collision with moving components and from x-ray exposure of tissue other than the tissue that is to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgia Hitzke, Kathleen Pickett, Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Ken Defreitas, Tom Farbizio, John Girgenti, Tim Stango
  • Patent number: 7783010
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radiation source in one example comprises selecting at least one of a target, a collimator, or target shielding consisting essentially of at least one isotope having a neutron production threshold greater than a peak acceleration energy of the source, and assembling the source including the selected material. A simulation may be used to assist in design a radiation source meeting neutron production requirements and optionally other requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clayton
  • Patent number: 7767990
    Abstract: A radiation attenuation system for attenuating radiation during lateral radiographic imaging of an object is provided. The system includes a first radiation attenuating barrier that is substantially conformable to the object and configured to at least partially cover the object. The first radiation attenuating barrier has a fenestration area defining at least one opening. The system further includes a second radiation attenuating barrier coupled to the first radiation attenuation barrier. The second radiation attenuating barrier is selectively movable between a collapsed position and a generally upright position relative to the first radiation attenuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cadwalader, William W. Orrison
  • Patent number: 7758241
    Abstract: A shielding system which can be applied to a radiation therapy system and/or diagnostic system includes a scatter shield configured to absorb scattered radiation from a patient, a source shield to absorb unwanted radiation from the radiation source, and an anti-reflective beam dump configured to absorb radiation that is transmitted through a patient. The radiation therapy and/or diagnostic system includes a radiation source positioned in the source shield, and a patient support positioned in the scatter shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Alan P. Sliski, Jason Koshnitsky
  • Patent number: 7744278
    Abstract: An x-ray device is provided. The x-ray device includes an x-ray emitter, an image receiver arranged in a radiation direction at a distance from the x-ray emitter, a patient support disposed between the x-ray emitter and the image receiver, a relative position of the x-ray emitter and the image receiver being adjustable with respect to the patient support in at least one spatial direction, and a scattered ray protection device, which can be fixed in a fixed relative position with respect to the image receiver and/or the x-ray emitter as a reference object using a coupling unit the scattered ray protection device being entrained with the reference object when the reference object is adjusted with respect to the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kerstin Barkow, Franz Beimler
  • Patent number: RE44036
    Abstract: A high voltage insulator and radiation shield made of barium sulfate composite having a polymer matrix and barium sulfate therein. The device may be made by casting. By means of use of various combinations of barium sulfate, other radiologically resistant materials, polymers, and third components, the physical, radiological and electrical properties of the finished products may be tailored to achieve desired properties. In addition, the invention teaches that radiation shielding, insulators, and combined radiation shield/insulators may be fashioned from the composite. A wide range of production methods may be employed, including but not limited to liquid resin casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Stuart J. McCord