Patents Examined by Eliza Osenbaugh-Stewar
  • Patent number: 9251987
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to electron emitters for use in conjunction with X-ray devices. In one embodiment, the emitter features a round emission area capable of emitting electrons when heated, wherein the round emission area comprises at least one of a gap, a channel, or a combination thereof that separates a first portion of the round emission area from a second portion of the round emission area and permits thermal expansion of the first portion and the second portion within the at least one gap or channel without permitting the first portion and the second portion to touch one another. The two electrically conductive legs coupled to the surface at respective locations outside the round emission area and that are capable of supplying current to the round emission area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xi Zhang, Carey Shawn Rogers, Ethan James Westcot, Mark Alan Frontera, Vance Scott Robinson, Yun Zou
  • Patent number: 9251996
    Abstract: In a charged particle beam device that performs observation of a sample under a gas environment in atmospheric pressure or pressure substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure, a diaphragm that separates an atmospheric pressure space, in which the sample is placed, and a vacuum space in an interior of an electron optical lens barrel is made very thin in order to allow an electron beam to transmit therethrough and damaged with a high possibility. Although at the time of replacing the diaphragm, it is necessary to adjust a position of a diaphragm, it is impossible to easily perform the adjustment of the position of the diaphragm by a conventional method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kawanishi, Yusuke Ominami, Masahiko Ajima, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9226719
    Abstract: An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus according to embodiments includes: a table on which an examinee lies down; a table driving unit configured to move the table upward and downward; an imaging device configured to take a side image of the examinee by irradiating a side of the examinee on the table with X-rays and detecting X-rays transmitted through the examinee; and a controller configured to control the table driving unit so that the table driving unit moves the table upward or downward to make a center position of the examinee on the table in a thickness direction of the examinee coincide with a center position of the side image in an upward-downward moving direction of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 9224586
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for portable mass spectrometry are disclosed. The apparatuses comprise at least one source of ionized analyte, at least one frequency scanning subsystem, at least one detector, and optionally at least one vacuum pump, and are portable. In some embodiments, the apparatuses comprise multiple sources of ionized analyte and/or are configured to obtain mass spectra of a large analyte, such as analyte with an m/z ratio of at least 105, or analyte with a molecular weight of at least 105 Da, as well as mass spectra of small molecule analyte. In some embodiments, the methods comprise obtaining mass spectra with a portable apparatus described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Chung-Hsuan Chen, Jung-Lee Lin, Ming-Lee Chu
  • Patent number: 9220922
    Abstract: Clearance check devices, systems, and methods that can be used to indicate whether a proposed treatment plan will cause a collision between a patient/couch and a medical device, such as a linac, are described herein. Some devices and/or systems include an adjustable clearance member to account for the rotation of the medical device and a rotatable frame segment to account for the rotation of the patient or couch. Others include a frame segment that has an inner surface defining an arc that has a radius that is substantially equal to or less than an orbital radius of a centermost portion of a medical equipment component. Still others are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Scott & White Healthcare (SWH)
    Inventors: Andrew Morrow, Brian Massingill
  • Patent number: 9218942
    Abstract: A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a shot division unit configured to divide a figure defined in layout data into a plurality of shot figures each having a size which can be irradiated by one shot of a charged particle beam, a shot data generating unit configured to generate each shot data for each shot figure of the plurality of shot figures, where a number of times of generating the each shot data equals a number of times of multiple writing of the each shot figure of the plurality of shot figures, such that multiplicity of the multiple writing is variable per the each shot figure, and a writing unit configured to perform the multiple writing of the each shot figure onto a target workpiece, in accordance with the number of times of the each shot data generated for the each shot figure, using a charged particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hironobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9214328
    Abstract: A Time of Flight mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein a fifth order spatial focusing device is provided. The device which may comprise an additional stage in the source region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer is arranged to introduce a non-zero fifth order spatial focusing term so that the combined effect of first, third and fifth order spatial focusing terms results in a reduction in the spread of ion arrival times ?T of ions arriving at the ion detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: John Brian Hoyes, David J. Langridge, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Patent number: 9213107
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies relating to an ion induced impact ionization detector and uses thereof. In certain implementations, the detector can include a dielectric layer having one or more wells. An anode layer defining apertures to accommodate the openings of the wells can be disposed on one side of the dielectric layer, and a cathode such as a solid resistive cathode can be disposed on the other side so as to provide an electric field in each of the wells. Various design parameters such as well dimensions and operating parameters such as pressure and high voltage are disclosed. In certain implementations, such an ion detector can be coupled to a low pressure gas volume to detect ionization products such as positive ions. Such a system can be configured to provide single ion counting capability. Various example applications where the ion detector can be implemented are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Vladimir Bashkirov, Reinhard W. Schulte
  • Patent number: 9207208
    Abstract: An asymmetric waveform pulse generator comprises a metallic oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) bridge circuit, which includes a plurality of MOSFETs for inverting high voltage DC voltage to asymmetric waveform pulses. The asymmetric waveform pulse generator further comprises a pulse-width modulating (PWM) circuit for generating PWM signals, and a plurality of isolation driving circuits corresponding to the plurality of MOSFETs, for controlling switching on/off of the plurality of MOSFETs in the MOSFET bridge circuit based on the PWM signals generated by the PWM circuit. Each of the isolation driving circuits comprises an isolation transformer for isolating the MOSFET bridge circuit from the PWM circuit. A FAIMS ion detector employing the asymmetric waveform pulse generator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    Inventors: Qishui Zhong, Hui Li, Dajin Chen, Baihua Li
  • Patent number: 9190242
    Abstract: A particle beam device and a sample receptacle apparatus, which has a sample holder, are disclosed. The sample holder is arranged in a movable fashion along at least a first axis and along at least a second axis. Furthermore, the sample holder is arranged in a rotatable fashion about a first axis of rotation and about a second axis of rotation. A first sample holding device is arranged relative to the sample holder in a rotatable fashion about a third axis of rotation, in which the third axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are at least in part arranged laterally offset with respect to one another. Furthermore, a control apparatus is provided, in which the first sample holding device is rotatable about the third axis of rotation into an analysis position and/or treating position using the control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss NTS GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Biberger, Ralph Pulwey
  • Patent number: 9177750
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ion source device and a method for providing the ion source. An exemplary ion source device can include an arc chamber, a filament, a reflector, a slit outlet, a source gas inlet, and/or a cleaning gas inlet. The filament can be configured to generate thermo-electrons in the arc chamber. The reflector can be configured to reflect the thermo-electrons back to the arc chamber. The slit outlet can be configured to exit a gaseous material out of the arc chamber. The source gas inlet and the cleaning gas inlet can be located on a same sidewall of the arc chamber configured to respectively introduce an ion source gas and an inert cleaning gas into the arc chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lulei Wu, Leon Shan, Chunrong Dong
  • Patent number: 9165746
    Abstract: An electron beam drift detection device and a method for detecting electron beam drift are provided in which the method includes placing a predetermined characteristic identification pattern on a surface of a workpiece; emitting an electron beam, and focusing and deflecting the electron beam such that the focused and deflected electron beam scans the surface of the workpiece and the characteristic identification pattern; detecting backscattered electrons and secondary electrons; and receiving detection signals and performing an image process on the detection signals to obtain an electronic image of the characteristic identification pattern, and measuring a drift degree by comparing the electronic image with the predetermined shape of the characteristic identification pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jia-Yush Yen, Yung-Yaw Chen, Yi-Hung Kuo, Cheng-Ju Wu
  • Patent number: 9135701
    Abstract: A method of image processing, including: (a) calculating at least one pixel color feature (PCF) value for each pixel in a color medical image to generate a set of PCF data; and (b) filtering the PCF data with at least one spatial adaptive bandpass filter (ABPF) to sort the pixels into physiologically significant regions; wherein the at least one PCF value for at least one pixel depends on at least 2 color components of the medical image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: DVP Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Rami Guissin, Eitan Lavi
  • Patent number: 9128054
    Abstract: A detection apparatus and method for an ion migration spectrum include acquiring an ion migration spectrum of pure carrier gas and an ion migration spectrum of carrier gas containing a test substance sample and performing differential process on the ion migration spectrum of the pure carrier gas and the ion migration spectrum of the carrier gas containing the test substance sample to acquire a differential spectrum. The value of a characteristic peak of the differential spectrum represents properties of the sample of substances. The method avoids interferences on the migration spectrum from interference sources of the apparatus itself, thereby improving detection sensitivity and accuracy of the ion migration spectrum, and migration spectrum shift caused by variations in the environmental conditions can be found and corrected through the differential process on the migration spectrum of the pure carrier gas, thereby achieving self-stableness and self-correction of the ion migration spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ming Ruan, Peng Jiao, Yingrong Jian, Yangtian Zhang, Jin Lin, Hua Peng
  • Patent number: 9119278
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light system and method includes a drive laser, a chamber including an extreme ultraviolet light collector and a target material dispenser including an adjustable target material outlet capable of outputting multiple portions of target material along a target material path. Also included: a drive laser steering device, a detection system including at least one detector and a controller coupled to the target material dispenser, the detector system and the drive laser steering device. The controller includes logic for detecting a location of the first portion of target material from the first light reflected from the first portion of target material and logic for adjusting the target material dispenser outlet to output a subsequent portion of target material to a waist of the focused drive laser. A system and a method for optimizing an extreme ultraviolet light output is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Chrobak, William N. Partlo, Igor V Fomenkov, Alexander I. Ershov, James H. Crouch
  • Patent number: 9111715
    Abstract: A multi-element electrostatic chicane energy filter, with the addition of electrostatic quadrupole and hexapole excitations to the dipole elements. A charged particle energy filter according to the present invention with a combination of dipole, quadrupole, and hexapole elements capable of producing a line focus at an aperture reduces space-charge effects and aperture damage. A preferred embodiment allows the filter to act as a conjugate blanking system. The energy filter is capable of narrowing the energy spread to result in a smaller beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: N. William Parker, Wesley Hughes
  • Patent number: 9111657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a charged particle optical device for manipulating a trajectory of multiple beamlets of charged particles. Said charged particle optical device comprising an electromagnetic deflector comprising a planar substrate having an upper side and a lower side of said substrate, and an even thickness. The substrate comprises: a through opening for passing said beamlets there through, wherein said through opening debouches in the upper and lower side of said substrate; a first and a second coil, wherein each of said coils preferably is a substantially helical coil and comprises conducting upper leads arranged at the upper side, conducting lower leads arranged at the lower side, and vias extending through said substrate and which conductively connect one of said upper leads with one of said lower leads for forming said coil; wherein said first and second coils are arranged on either side of the through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: MAPPER LITHOGRAPHY IP B.V.
    Inventors: Sohail Chatoor, Joost Witteveen, Alon Rosenthal, Johan Joost Koning
  • Patent number: 9111740
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an Electron Transfer Dissociation device comprising an ion guide. A control system determines the degree of fragmentation and charge reduction of precursor ions within the ion guide and varies the speed at which ions are transmitted through the ion guide in order to optimize the fragmentation and charge reduction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery Mark Brown, Martin Raymond Green
  • Patent number: 9105440
    Abstract: An apparatus of plural charged particle beams with multi-axis magnetic lens is provided to perform multi-functions of observing a specimen surface, such as high-throughput inspection and high-resolution review of interested features thereof and charge-up control for enhancing image contrast and image resolution. In the apparatus, two or more sub-columns are formed and each of the sub-columns performs one of the multi-functions. Basically the sub-columns take normal illumination to get high image resolutions, but one or more may take oblique illuminations to get high image contrasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: HERMES MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Zhongwei Chen, Weiming Ren, Xuerang Hu, Xuedong Liu
  • Patent number: 9099286
    Abstract: Mass spectrometers and methods for measuring information about samples using mass spectrometry are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: 908 Devices Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Brown, Kevin J. Knopp, Evgeny Krylov, Scott Miller