Patents Examined by Chih-Cheng G Kao
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Patent number: 8113711Abstract: A shoulder joint is provided. The shoulder joint includes a main support, a fold-out arm, first and second carriages arranged on the main support, and a first coupling that is operable to couple the first and second carriages together. The fold-out arm is attached by a pin to the second carriage, and the first carriage is connected to the fold-out arm in such a way that when the first and second carriages are operable to move towards each other, the fold-out arm is folded out by pivoting around the pin. The first coupling is operable to couple the first and second carriages together when the fold-out arm is folded out, and the first and second carriages are operable to move jointly in at least one direction when coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Franz Beimler, Michael Kleber, Marianne Köferl, Joachim Trummer, Dieter Wöhrl
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Patent number: 8011830Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement are described. The method includes using an X-ray beam to generate an XPS signal from a sample and normalizing the XPS signal with a measured or estimated flux of the X-ray beam. The system includes an X-ray source for generating an X-ray beam and a sample holder for positioning a sample in a pathway of the X-ray beam. A detector is included for collecting an XPS signal generated by bombarding the sample with the X-ray beam. Also included are a flux detector for determining a measured or estimated flux of the X-ray beam and a computing system for normalizing the XPS signal with the measured or estimated flux of the X-ray beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Revera IncorporatedInventors: Bruno W. Schueler, David A. Reed, Bruce H. Newcome, Jeffrey A. Moore
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Patent number: 8011828Abstract: A shoulder joint is provided. The shoulder joint includes a main support; a fold-out arm including an upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm operable to pivot about a pin and the lower arm operable to pivot on a spindle on one end of the upper arm; and a first wheel attached to the pin, and a second wheel attached to the spindle. The upper arm and the lower arm are mechanically linked via the two wheels in such a way that rotation of the upper arm about the pin cause rotation of the second wheel and the lower arm relative to the upper arm, resulting in a bending or straightening of the arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Franz Beimler, Michael Kleber, Marianne Köferl, Joachim Trummer, Dieter Wöhrl
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Patent number: 8009796Abstract: An x-ray CT system that generates tomographic phase contrast or dark field exposures, has at least one grating interferometer with three grating structures arranged in series in the radiation direction, with a modular design of the second and third grating structures. The distance between the first grating structure of the x-ray source and the second grating structure (fashioned as a phase grating) of the respective grating/detector modules is adapted, depending on the fan angle, corresponding to a period of the grating structure of the x-ray source projected onto the grating detector module at a respective fan angle (?i).Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Paul Scherrer InstitutInventors: Stefan Popescu, Christian David, Tilman Donath, Eckhard Hempel, Martin Hoheisel, Franz Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 8005191Abstract: There is disclosed herein a field emission x-ray apparatus comprising: a housing including proximal and distal housing ends; a probe including proximal and distal probe ends, wherein the proximal probe end is attach to the distal housing end and the distal probe end is sealingly closed by a cathode, and wherein the apparatus further includes an anode having proximal and distal anode ends with the distal anode end being separated from the cathode by a gap and the proximal anode end being attached to a heat sink; wherein said the further includes an outer probe surface and wherein the outer probe surface comprises a conductive probe surface coating.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Minnesota Medical Physics LLCInventors: Ali Jaafar, Victor I. Chornenky
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Patent number: 8005185Abstract: In a method to determine phase and/or amplitude between interfering, adjacent x-ray beams in a detector pixel in a Talbot interferometer for projective and tomographical x-ray phase contrast imaging and/or x-ray dark field imaging, after an irradiation of the examination subject with at least two coherent or quasi-coherent x-rays, an interference of the at least two coherent or quasi-coherent x-rays with the aid of an irradiated phase grating is generated, and the variation of multiple intensity measurements in temporal succession after an analysis grating is determined in relation to known displacements of one of the gratings or of an x-ray source fashioned like a grating, positioned upstream in the beam path, relative to one of the gratings.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Popescu
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Patent number: 7995707Abstract: An X-ray imaging inspection system for bags and packages. Transmission imaging is performed using a fan beam and a segmented detector, while scatter imaging is performed with a scanned pencil beam, with both beams active simultaneously. Cross-talk between the beams is mitigated by a combination of shielding, scatter detector design, positioning and orientation, and image processing. Image processing subtracts the measured radiation scattered from the transmission beam into the scatter detectors, reducing cross-talk.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Peter J. Rothschild, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Aaron D. Pailes
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Patent number: 7995708Abstract: In one example, an assembly comprises a hub and a shaft. The hub defines an axis of rotation and includes first and second flanges that at least partly define a substantially cylindrical hub opening. The shaft is connected to the hub and includes a first end and a shaft cavity. The first end is received within the hub opening. The shaft cavity is formed in the first end and includes a bottom having a substantially curved transition area.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregory C. Andrews, Ricky Smith, Santosh Ramachandran
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Patent number: 7988358Abstract: The X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus of this invention includes a slide arm for supporting an X-ray tube, a middle slider for holding the support arm to be movable in directions along an irradiation axis of the X-ray source, and a strut for holding the middle slider to be movable the directions along the irradiation axis. Thus, compared with an amount of stroke of the X-ray tube, an amount of movement of each of the middle slider and the support arm can be small, and each of the strut, middle slider and support arm can be shortened to reduce apparatus height. Therefore, the amount of stroke of the X-ray source can be secured appropriately, while inhibiting an increase in installation space.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Koji Yoshida, Takuji Shishikura
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Patent number: 7991119Abstract: An electronic cassette in a radiographic image capturing system includes a radiation detector for detecting radiation applied from an image capturing apparatus and transmitted through a patient, a contactless power receiver for receiving electric power supplied contactlessly from a power feeder and supplying the electric power to a battery, an A/D converter for performing an A/D conversion to convert analog radiographic image information generated based on the radiation applied to the radiation detector into digital radiographic image information, an end-of-A/D-conversion determining unit for determining whether the A/D conversion is finished or not, and a charging controller for stopping the power feeder from supplying electric power contactlessly after the image capturing apparatus has started capturing images until the end-of-A/D-conversion determining unit judges that the A/D conversion is finished.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Yutaka Yoshida, Yasunori Ohta, Keiji Tsubota, Naoyuki Nishino, Masato Hattori
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Patent number: 7978821Abstract: A device for measuring crystal orientation with an x-ray source using the Laue method and includes an apparatus for mapping a polycrystalline surface having a grain orientation. The apparatus including an x-ray source creating an x-ray beam, the beam having polychromatic photons, the beam collimated to a point on the polycrystalline surface. A two-dimensional x-ray detector with an aperture, the x-ray beam passing through the aperture, the detector detecting and collecting polychromatic photons diffracted from the polycrystalline surface and onto the detector. A means for moving the polycrystalline surface with respect to the x-ray source to collect a plurality of diffracted x-rays which define a Laue pattern. A data processing means to collect Laue patterns of the polycrystalline surface based upon the plurality of diffracted x-rays, the Laue patterns identifying a plurality of crystallographic orientations and a plurality of grain surface areas on the polycrystalline surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Michael G. Glavicic, Pamela A. Kobryn
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Patent number: 7974380Abstract: An integrated fluidic circuit includes a substrate layer and a first structure coupled to the substrate layer and including a plurality of channels. The first structure is configured to provide for flow of one or more materials through the plurality of channels. The integrated fluidic circuit also includes a second structure coupled to the substrate layer. The second structure includes a plurality of control channels configured to receive an actuation pressure. The integrated fluidic circuit is characterized by a thickness of less than 1.5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Brian Fowler, Andrew May
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Patent number: 7974384Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a vacuum enclosure, a shaft having a first end and a second end, a flange attached to the first end of the shaft, the flange having an outer perimeter, and a ferrofluid seal assembly having an inner bore, the inner bore having an outer perimeter smaller than the outer perimeter of the flange. The shaft is inserted through the bore of the ferrofluid seal assembly such that the ferrofluid seal assembly is positioned between the first end of the shaft and the second end of the shaft and such that the first end extends into the vacuum enclosure, and the ferrofluid seal is configured to fluidically seal the vacuum enclosure from an environment into which the second end of the shaft extends.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edwin L. Legall, Mark Alan Frontera, Michael Scott Hebert
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Patent number: 7974383Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame, an anode for generating x-rays disposed within the frame, a cathode disposed within the frame, where the cathode is configured to selectively emit an electron beam toward the anode, and at least one heating element disposed within the frame and configured to heat a portion of the anode.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ryan Paul August
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Patent number: 7963697Abstract: A gain correction and calibration technique for digital imaging systems is provided. In one embodiment, a method may include acquiring a plurality of dark images via a digital detector of an X-ray system. Acquiring the plurality of dark images may include acquiring data from a plurality of data channels of the digital detector during an analog test mode of the digital detector in which calibration voltages are applied to the data channels. The method may also include calibrating a channel gain map of the detector based on the plurality of dark images. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Zhengshe Liu, John Lamberty, Ping Xue, Donald Langler
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Patent number: 7957507Abstract: An apparatus and method to deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy by irradiating a treatment volume with rotation of the radiation beam. The system includes a collimation device comprising a two-dimensional array of pivoting attenuating leaves, which are temporarily placed into the radiation beam path as the gantry rotates around the patient. The leaves are independently movable between a first position and a second position. The radiation beam intensity is modulated by controlling the time that each leaf is present to attenuate the beam.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Inventor: Patrick F. Cadman
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Patent number: 7953208Abstract: A collimator device has at least one masking device that is adjustable between two end positions for collimation of a beam fan in an x-ray CT device, wherein the x-ray fan is schematically not masked in a first end position. The x-ray beam is more than half-masked in a second end position of the masking device. In a method for operation of such a collimator device as well as an x-ray CT device for examination of a subject having an x-ray source, a collimator device, and a control device for regulation of the aperture width of the masking device, an x-ray detector is arranged opposite the x-ray source and the collimator device and that detects the x-rays modified due to the intervening examination subject; and an image construction device reconstructs an image of the examination subject therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ulrich Kuehn, Heiko Wolf
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Patent number: 7953206Abstract: In a radiographic image detection apparatus that can perform long-size radiography on a region of a patient that is larger than the detection range of a radiographic image detector, inclination of a radiographic image is corrected at high speed. The inclination angle of the radiographic image detector at each position Z within the movement range of the radiographic image detector is stored in a yawing table. When the inclination of the radiographic image is corrected, the inclination angle of the radiographic image detector is extracted from the yawing table based on the position at which each of the radiographic images is obtained, and the inclination angle of the radiographic image is corrected.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Satoru Oogami
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Patent number: 7953203Abstract: A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, other disorders or tissues of a body are treated with the dose of radiation. In some embodiments, the target tissues are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the target tissues inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the target tissues within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial marker is used to identify the location of the target tissues. In some embodiments, an eye is held with force and in alignment with the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gertner, Steven D. Hansen, Erik Chell
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Patent number: 7949093Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for measuring the concentration of sulfur contained in a sample (S), by irradiating the sample (S) with primary X-rays from an X-ray tube (11), monochromating fluorescent X-rays emitted from the sample (S) with a spectroscopic device, and detecting monochromated fluorescent X-rays with an X-ray detector. The spectrometer includes the X-ray tube (11) having a target with an element including chromium, an X-ray filter (13) disposed on a path of travel of X-rays between the X-ray tube (11) and the sample (S) and having a predetermined transmittance for Cr—K? line from the X-ray tube (11) and made of a material which is an element of which absorption edges do not exist between energies of S—K? line and Cr—K? line, and a proportional counter (18) having a detector gas containing a neon gas or a helium gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Rigaku Industrial CorporationInventors: Yoshiyuki Kataoka, Hisayuki Kohno, Noboru Yamashita, Makoto Doi