Patents Examined by Anastasia S. Midkiff
  • Patent number: 7286642
    Abstract: A maximum tube voltage value setting module 240a, a warming-up module 240b, a limit tube voltage control module 240c, a limit tube current control module 240d and a focus grid electrode control module 240e of an operation program 240 which respectively correspond to different maximum tube voltage values are stored in storage sections 32a-e of an X-ray tube control apparatus 3. When the maximum tube voltage value of an X-ray tube 1 is changed, an extraction section 34 extracts each module of the operation program 240 which corresponds to the maximum tube voltage value after being changed from the storage sections 32a-e. A communications section 36 sends the operation program 240 comprised of each extracted module to an X-ray tube controller 2 and overwrites it in a memory section 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Ishikawa, Takane Yokoi, Tsutomu Nakamura, Yutaka Ochiai, Kinji Takase
  • Patent number: 7283615
    Abstract: A fluoroscope includes an x-ray generator, an x-ray tube for focusing the x-rays onto an area of a patient being imaged, and a fluoroscope monitor with a display screen for viewing the image captured by the fluoroscope. An on-demand multiple step fluoroscope control assembly includes a foot control and a head control. The foot control is operatively connected to the fluoroscope and adapted for being manually actuated by a foot of an operator. The foot control defines a first step activator for controlling activation of the x-ray generator. The head control is operatively connected to the fluoroscope and adapted for being automatically actuated when the operator views the display screen. The head control defines a second step activator for controlling activation of the x-ray generator. Upon simultaneous employment of the first and second step activators, the foot control and the head control cooperate to activate the x-ray generator and output radiation to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Brent Morehead
  • Patent number: 7283609
    Abstract: A CT detector includes a pixel having a single photodiode and multiple charge storage devices that are alternately stored and read out. The photodiode is a frontlit diode with a pair of capacitors that alternately store charge generated during data acquisition. Multiple pixels are connected to a single readout amplifier. Charge is continuously acquired from each photodiode and stored on the charge storage devices, but such readout is from a single charge storage device at a time. As such, each charge storage device is read out independently, but the charge storage devices are connected to a common readout channel or port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George E. Possin, Jonathan D. Short, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 7283613
    Abstract: A method of measuring a momentum transfer spectrum of elastically scattered X-ray quanta which emanate from a scatter voxel inside an object to be examined is described. A scatter voxel emits X-radiation in an X-direction and has a primary collimator which allows through only primary radiation aimed at a single isocentre at the origin of a Cartesian coordinates system. The X-ray quanta are emitted at an angle of scatter (?) with a constant Z-component (?z). The method includes simultaneous recording of the energy spectrum of scatter quanta from the scatter voxel at different angles of scatter (?) with a spatially-resolving and energy-resolving detector in the Y-Z plane, determining the momentum transfer from the geometric data of the radioscopy unit for different angles of scatter (?), and combining respective diffraction profiles belonging to different angles of scatter (?) to produce a total-diffraction profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: GE Homeland Protection, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
  • Patent number: 7278784
    Abstract: A dental X-ray system includes a radiation source used to produce X-rays and disposed in an X-ray head. The system has an electronic sensor used to detect X-rays. The sensor can be detachably connected to a central unit of the X-ray system by a plug-in connection. The electronic control system for the sensor is integrated into a plug connected thereto by an external connection cable and is associated with the sensor, thereby enabling a simple exchange between two sensors. The system can include several sensors that can be operated parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: Alexander Hack, Uwe Zeller, Klaus Weber
  • Patent number: 7274767
    Abstract: In one example, a radiation scanning system and method rotates a cargo conveyance after removal from a ship for proper orientation with respect to a scanning source and detector, for scanning. A movable carriage may be provided on a crane system, to rotate the cargo conveyance. A rotating flywheel on the carriage rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cargo conveyance, to counterbalance angular momentum generated by the rotating conveyance, to avoid or minimize twisting of the carriage. Feedback is provided to control the rotation of the flywheel. Once the cargo conveyance is in the predetermined position, the conveyance is moved between the radiation source and detector for scanning by a vertically extending radiation beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Clayton, Paul Bjorkholm
  • Patent number: 7266175
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the correlation between the factors of treatment plan efficiency and dosimetric fitness to optimize the radiation therapy, or radiotherapy plan, include providing user control of the segment count, user control of total monitor units, and selection of an optimization algorithm as a method of controlling treatment efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: NOMOS Corporation
    Inventor: Merle Romesberg
  • Patent number: 7263164
    Abstract: A system includes acquisition of a first image of a first radiation field, at least a portion of the first radiation field comprising radiation attenuated by a device, and the first image including a representation of first scatter radiation generated during acquisition of the first image, acquisition of a second image of a second radiation field, at least a portion of the second radiation field comprising radiation attenuated by a volume corresponding to the device, and the second image including a representation of second scatter radiation generated during acquisition of the second image, and modification of the second image based on the first image to compensate for the second scatter radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad A. Ghelmansarai, Johannes Stahl, Dieter Manthey
  • Patent number: 7263170
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is provided having a radiation source for providing radiation for treating a patient, including treating skin cancer, wherein the radiation source features a filtering device that changes its filtering characteristic for filtering the radiation for treating the patient in response to a control signal. The filtering device includes two filters and a radiation blocker circumferentially arranged on a cylindrical member. The filtering characteristic is changed by rotating the filtering device in response to the control signal. The filtering device includes a driving unit for rotating the filtering device in response to the control signal in order to change its filtering characteristic, such as a motor with a gearing arrangement for coupling to a corresponding gearing arrangement on the filtering device. In this embodiment, the means for providing the radiation, i.e. the x-ray tube, is arranged inside the filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Anthony J. Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 7263159
    Abstract: The present invention provides a partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker and a method for using such a marker for radiographic examination. The marker and the disclosed method may be employed for the examination of tissue structures of various densities. The radiographic density and thickness of the marker are selected so that when the marker and an underlying tissue structure are exposed to x-ray radiation of a specified energy, the marker casts a legible shadow without obscuring anatomical detail present in the underlying tissue structure. The invention also provides a system of partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque markers for use in the method of radiographic examination taught by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Beekley Corporation
    Inventor: Donald G. Russell
  • Patent number: 7257197
    Abstract: A stackable rack may comprise: at least two rails, a cross-section of each rail having a shape resembling a staircase, first step portion of which represents a first surface upon which a reflector can be disposed; and a second step portion of which represents a second surface which can support another rail. A method of making a narrow band x-ray filter may comprise: providing a substrate; and stacking one or more reflection units in succession upon the substrate, each reflection unit including a rack (such as mentioned above) and a reflector held by the rack. An apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam may include such a filter. An apparatus to make an x-ray image of a subject may include: the apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam, e.g., as set forth above, and an x-ray detector arranged to receive the narrow band x-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Monochromatic X-Ray Filter Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Min Cho
  • Patent number: 7257191
    Abstract: A medical examination and treatment system comprises a radiation source that emits particle radiation, an X-ray emitter located on one side of a target volume and diametrically opposite to the radiation source, and a detector located between the target volume and the radiation source. The target volume is positioned to be exposed to the particle radiation. A radiation direction of the X-ray emitter is oriented opposite to a radiation direction of the particle radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andres Sommer
  • Patent number: 7253561
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma display panel including a first substrate and a second substrate provided with a predetermined gap therebetween, and disposed substantially parallel to each other; a plurality of address electrodes formed on the first substrate; a first dielectric layer formed on a front surface of the first substrate, covering the address electrodes; a plurality of barrier ribs mounted on the first dielectric layer with a predetermined height to provide a discharge space; a phosphor layer formed within the discharge space; a plurality of discharge sustain electrodes provided on a front surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, and disposed generally perpendicular to the address electrodes; a second dielectric layer formed on the front surface of the second substrate, covering the discharge sustain electrodes; and a passivation layer coated on the second dielectric layer, comprising MgO and dopant elements Si and Fe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Dong Kim, Eun-Gi Heo, Young-Cheul Kang
  • Patent number: 7254216
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a computed tomographic imaging system includes first and second endplates at opposite ends of the filter assembly. Also provided is a first moveable subassembly that includes at least a first x-ray filter and which is configured to move along an axis perpendicular to the first endplate between the first the second endplates. A second moveable subassembly is also provided that includes at least a second x-ray filter. The second moveable subassembly is configured to move along an axis perpendicular to the second endplate between the first and second endplates. The first moveable subassembly and the second moveable subassembly are independently movable to provide at least a small bowtie x-ray filter, a large bowtie x-ray filter, a medium bowtie x-ray filter, a flat filter, and a closed position for a radiation source positioned in a fixed position relative to the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lijo Joseph Thandiackal, Todd Everett Schueneman
  • Patent number: 7245072
    Abstract: A light source includes an LED that emits excitation light, a polymeric multilayer reflector that reflects the excitation light and transmits visible light, and a layer of phosphor material spaced apart from the LED. The phosphor material emits visible light when illuminated with the excitation light. The polymeric multilayer reflector reflects excitation light onto the phosphor material. The layer of phosphor material is disposed between the LED and the polymeric multilayer reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 7239684
    Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus includes an irradiation head section, an X-ray source section and a sensor array section. The irradiation head section irradiates therapeutic radiation to a therapeutic field of a target substance. The X-ray source section irradiates diagnostic X-rays to the therapeutic field of the target subject. The sensor array section detects the diagnostic X-rays which have transmitted the target subject, and outputs diagnostic X-ray image data based on the detected diagnostic X-rays. The sensor array section moves in conjunction with movement of the irradiation head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hara, Makoto Akatsu, Noriyuki Kawata
  • Patent number: 7236562
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for assembly of Computed Tomography (CT) Detector electronic circuits. A thermally conductive adhesive is dispensed on a first side of a first circuit board, the first circuit board having a plurality of ball grid arrays and a plurality of thermal sensors attached to the first side of the first circuit board. The thermally conductive adhesive is also dispensed on a first side of a second circuit board, the second circuit board having a plurality of ball grid arrays and a plurality of thermal sensors attached to the first side of the second circuit board. A first heat sink is mounted to the first side of the first circuit board. A second heat sink mounted to the first side of the second circuit board. The adhesive is cured on the first and the second circuit boards. The first circuit board is attached to the second circuit board, wherein the second side of the first circuit board is adjacent to the second side of the second circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashutosh Joshi, Joe James Lacey, Mark A Kappel, Mayank Gupta
  • Patent number: 7233646
    Abstract: In a method and a computer for generating a schedule for the implementation of examinations with an x-ray apparatus, in particular an x-ray computed tomography apparatus, a particularly exact schedule is generated by calculating an occupation duration for each patient using a load calculator that is present in the x-ray apparatus and to generate a schedule based on the calculated occupation duration, also taking into account a wait time for each examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sven Skaberna
  • Patent number: 7230382
    Abstract: A lamp with a reflector comprises a high pressure discharge lamp and a reflector. The reflector has a first opening and a second opening. Clearance between a sealing portion of the high pressure discharge lamp and the second opening is substantially filled. The sealing portion includes a first glass portion extending from a luminous bulb and a second glass portion provided in the inside of the first glass portion, and the sealing portion has a portion to which a compressive stress is applied. Moreover, when the sealing portion is disposed to extend in a substantially horizontal direction, a portion of the reflector is formed with an air inlet for introducing an air flow striking against an upper portion of the luminous bulb 1 and then coming into a lower portion of the luminous bulb 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Horiuchi, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Shinichiro Hataoka, Tsuyoshi Ichibakase, Tomoyuki Seki, Takashi Tsutatani
  • Patent number: 7227923
    Abstract: A method for Computed Tomography (CT) imaging is provided. The method comprises rotating a gantry at a substantially slow rotation speed about a volume of interest. The gantry comprises a combination of X-ray source points. The X-ray source points comprise one or more discrete emission points and an arc of discrete or continuous X-ray source points. The method then comprises obtaining projection data from the combination of X-ray source points and performing a suitable reconstruction based on the projection data obtained from the combination of X-ray source points, to generate one or more reconstructed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Samit Kumar Basu, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man