Patents Examined by Craig E. Church
  • Patent number: 6973159
    Abstract: A radiological imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an X-ray source for emitting an X-ray, a ?-ray detecting section for outputting a detection signal of a ?-ray, and an X-ray detecting section for outputting a detecting signal of an X-ray. The X-ray source moves around a bed for placing an examinee. The ?-ray detecting section has a plurality of radiation detectors aligned in the longitudinal direction of the bed and placed around the bed. The X-ray detecting section is positioned in a region formed between one end and the other end of the ?-ray detecting section in the longitudinal direction of the bed. The X-ray source is also positioned in the region. Since the X-ray detecting section is placed in the region, it is possible to accurately combine a PET image and an X-ray computed tomographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Amemiya, Yuuichirou Ueno, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Kikuo Umegaki, Shinichi Kojima, Norihito Yanagida, Kazuma Yokoi, Takashi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 6973161
    Abstract: A conveying section conveys an inspected object so as to cross the X-rays irradiated from an X-ray generating section. A first sensor module is disposed along a transmitting direction of the X-rays transmitted through the inspected object, and receives one portion of the X-rays transmitted through the inspected object, and outputs a first electric signal corresponding to a first X-ray energy amount. A second sensor module receives a remaining portion of the X-rays transmitted through the inspected object, and outputs a second electric signal corresponding to a second X-ray energy amount different from the first X-ray energy amount. Presence/absence of a foreign material mixed in the inspected object can be detected based on the first and second electric signals, which are output from the first and second sensor modules to the same inspected object at substantially the same detection time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Anritsu Industrial Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 6968043
    Abstract: There is disclosed an X-ray analyzer capable of precisely measuring a trace amount of cadmium contained in plastic. The analyzer has an X-ray filter assembly between an X-ray tube having an Rh target and a plastic sample. The filter assembly consists of first, second, and third X-ray filters which are made of zirconium, copper, and molybdenum, respectively. The first through third X-ray filters have thicknesses of about 100 ?m, 200 ?m, and 40 ?m, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignees: JEOL Ltd., JEOL Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Amemiya, Masato Ozeki
  • Patent number: 6968033
    Abstract: A compression device for a mammography unit includes a compression plate positionable in an x-ray field of the mammography unit, and a radiolucent foam pad removably attached to the compression plate that includes an impermeable exposed surface for contacting tissue disposed on the pad within the x-ray field. The pad includes an adhesive layer on the first surface, or a hook and eye fastener for removably attaching the pad to the compression plate. The pad is attached to the compression plate in the x-ray field of the mammography unit, a breast is compressed using the compression plate, a mammogram of the compressed breast is obtained, the pad producing no significant visual artifact on the mammogram, and thereafter the pad is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Biolucent, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 6968037
    Abstract: Multiple samples are prepared in slurry form and deposited through a funnel plate by a multiprobe liquid handler into an array of inserts situated in openings in a housing. Each insert has a recess that extends through the insert body and a filter disc situated in the recess to support the sample. The filter is held in place by an annular part which defines a channel providing access to the filter through the lower portion of the recess. A pressure differential is created across each of the filters by attaching a vacuum manifold to the bottom of the housing to simultaneously remove the liquid from each of the samples, leaving the samples in powder form. The housing is then placed in the X-ray diffractometer for sequential analysis of each of the samples, while the samples are situated in the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    Inventors: Victor W. Rosso, Glen Young, Joseph Nolfo, Imre M. Vit z, John J. Venit
  • Patent number: 6968041
    Abstract: An antiscatter device, such as a grid or collimator, is for absorption of secondary radiation which is scattered by an object. The antiscatter device includes an absorption structure with a plurality of elements. Two or more elements form a cell-like structure with a beam channel for primary radiation. Further, the elements and thus the cell-like structures are arranged and/or formed such that the absorption structure has a non-regular, aperiodic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Hoheisel, Hartmut Sklebitz
  • Patent number: 6965662
    Abstract: An x-ray laminography imaging system that utilizes a nonplanar anode target to enable objects that are oblique to the direction of projection of electron beams onto the target to be precisely imaged. Because many objects that laminography techniques are used to inspect are oblique or have portions that are oblique, the nonplanar anode target of the present invention enables enables spot patterns to be traced that are parallel to the plane of the object, regardless of whether it is oblique or orthogonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Eppler, Ronald K Kerschner
  • Patent number: 6961406
    Abstract: A diagnostic X-ray system includes an imaging system that generates image data sets from shots by subjecting a patient to X-ray exposure, a supporting mechanism that supports the imaging system movably with respect to the patient, a system controller that controls the imaging system and the supporting mechanism in such a manner that shots are repeated at each of a plurality of shot positions set discretely along the body axis of the patient, and an image processing apparatus that generates another image data set covering a range wider than the field of view of the imaging system from the image data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6954516
    Abstract: A method for obtaining data includes scanning an organ with an imaging system emitting X-rays and modulating the emitted X-rays with an organ specific bowtie addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jianying Li, John Michael Sabol, Thomas L. Toth
  • Patent number: 6954514
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector for converting electromagnetic radiation, notably X-rays, into electric charge carriers. The invention also relates to a method of operating an X-ray detector and to a method of manufacturing an X-ray detector. The invention furthermore relates to an X-ray examination apparatus which includes an X-ray detector. In order to reduce image artefacts caused by bright burn effects, it is proposed to add a heating device (7) to an X-ray detector (1) for converting electromagnetic radiation, notably X-rays, into electric charge carriers by means of a converter arrangement, which heating device in accordance with the invention is arranged to apply heat to the converter arrangement (2) during operation of the X-ray detector (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Aloys Wischmann, Herfried Karl Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6954515
    Abstract: A radiation source is disclosed comprising a source of charged particles that travel along a path. Target material lies along the path to generate radiation upon impact by the beam. A magnet is provided to deflect the beam prior to impacting the target. The magnet may generate a time-varying magnetic field or a constant magnetic field. A constant magnetic field may be varied spatially across the beam. The magnet may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In one example, deflection of the beam results in impact of the beam on the target along a plurality of axes. In another example, portions of the beam are differentially deflected. The source may thereby irradiate an object to be scanned with more uniform radiation. The charged particles may be electrons or protons and the radiation may be X-ray or gamma ray radiation, or neutrons. Scanning systems incorporating such sources, methods of generating radiation and methods of examining objects are disclosed, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.,
    Inventors: Paul Bjorkholm, James E. Clayton
  • Patent number: 6950496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining a sensor holder for holding an object, whereby the sensor holder carries a digital sensor of a dental X-ray unit. The inventive system comprises an input and display unit for interactively controlling the same, whereby a schema image can be displayed on the display unit. The system also comprises a processing unit that, based on the selected sensor holder, simulatively generates the schema image from which is apparent which area of the object is displayed when using the selected sensor holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Jürgen Zimmermann, Eriks Blaschka
  • Patent number: 6950495
    Abstract: Backscatter imaging using Hadamard transform masking includes an area x-ray source with alternating, masked, Hadamard transform patterns. The total backscatter signal from a target for each pair of corresponding masks is recorded. The difference in signal strengths for each pair of corresponding masks is a direct measurement of the Hadamard transform coefficient for that mask. An image of the target is formed by performing an inverse discrete Hadamard transform on the complete matrix of coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Nelson, William B. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6947517
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a scintillator array having an integrated air gap. By integrating an air gap within the reflector, light collection efficiency is improved while simultaneously lowering cross-talk between scintillators. That is, implementing a reflector without chromium oxide (Cr2O3) increases light reflectivity and an air gap lowers cross talk through the reflector. To further improve the reflectivity, the base reflector material may be coated with a low index material and a reflective material such as silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6947524
    Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 provided. The target assembly 16 includes a target plate element 18 having an impact surface 24, a target rear surface 30, an inner target bore 22, and an outer target circumference 38. The target plate element 18 defines a target plate depth 32 between the impact surface 24 and the target rear surface 30. The target rear surface 30 is formed such that the target plate depth 32 tapers from an increased target plate depth 34 at the inner target bore to a decreased target plate depth 36 at the outer target circumference 38. The target assembly 16 further includes a graphite base element 28 having a base upper surface 42 and a base rear surface 44. The base upper surface 42 is formed to mate with the target rear surface 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Steinlage, Liqin Wang
  • Patent number: 6945694
    Abstract: A dental x-ray apparatus (10) includes a tube head (11) formed from a cast zinc material. Structural components of tube head (11) include such component (20) formed from a plastic material impregnated with a high molecular weight substance, such as barium sulfite. X-ray apparatus 10 has a control panel (15) in close proximity to the tube head (11), and is preferably DC powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventors: Arkady Kantor, Roberto Molteni, Daniel P. Murphy, Todd R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6944263
    Abstract: The multiple view angle X-ray stereoscopic imaging method of the present invention comprises the steps of: first, establishing the angle and distance indexes for all the pixel columns of a series of projected image data acquired along circular or spiral trace based on the X-ray imaging system parameters and data acquisition parameters, and sorting and storing the indexes so as to be retrieved fast; then, calculating the angle and distance parameters of pixels in the stereogram to be combined according to the selected observation viewpoint, direction of sight line, and parallax effect, and thereby looking up the stored indexes and the corresponding image data and implementing image combination. The method of the present invention provides a multiple view angle X-ray stereoscopic imaging display which can designate the position of viewpoint and direction of sight line, and adjust the parallax effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yongshun Xiao, Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 6940947
    Abstract: An integrated bearing assembly is provided, comprising a bearing housing defining an axial cavity in which a shaft is disposed. The shaft is rotatably supported by at least two bearing sets. The axial cavity defines three regions, each having distinct diameters. A pair of first regions defines cavity diameters sufficient to receive the bearing sets. A pair of second regions defines cavity diameters such that a small gap is defined between the inner surface of the cavity and the shaft. The third region cooperates with the shaft to define a cylindrical volume containing a coolant. Wettable coatings are utilized in the cylindrical volume to allow free flow of, and maximum contact with, the coolant. Non-wettable coatings are provided in the second regions to contain the coolant. The second regions also function as bearing spacers, thus simplifying bearing assembly design, assembly, and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Humber, Steve G. Bandy, Clifford K. Nishimoto, Gary F. Virshup
  • Patent number: 6940941
    Abstract: An x-ray scanning imaging apparatus with a generally O-shaped gantry ring, which has a segment that fully or partially detaches (or “breaks”) from the ring to provide an opening through which the object to be imaged may enter interior of the ring in a radial direction. The segment can then be re-attached to enclose the object within the gantry. Once closed, the circular gantry housing remains orbitally fixed and carries an x-ray image-scanning device that can be rotated inside the gantry 360 degrees around the patient either continuously or in a step-wise fashion. The x-ray device is particularly useful for two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Breakaway Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: RE38910
    Abstract: A nuclear density gauge and test method is provided for measuring density material in a relatively thin zone beneath a surface of the material. The gauge comprises a gauge housing and a substantially planar base on said gauge housing adapted to be positioned on a surface of the material sample. A gamma radiation source having a characteristic primary energy and an activity of no more than 100 microcurie is mounted within the housing and cooperates with the base for emitting gamma radiation through the base and into an underlying material sample. An energy selective gamma radiation detector is mounted within the gauge housing and in laterally spaced apart relation from the gamma radiation source. The gamma radiation detector is operable for quantifying the energy level of the detected gamma radiation. Shielding is provided within the gauge housing between the source and the detector for preventing gamma radiation from passing directly from said source to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Troxler, W. Linus Dep