Patents Examined by Joseph A. Hynds
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Patent number: 4918713Abstract: The radiation image in a radiation imaging system is improved by extracting a scatter distribution and subtracting the scatter distribution from the radiation image. The scatter distribution is extracted from the radiation image by an adaptive filter using a scatter-glare point spread function. The scatter-glare point spread function is obtained by measurements of the radiation system.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1987Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Michitaka Honda
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Patent number: 4905269Abstract: An energy detecting cassette for detection of electromagnetic energy (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc), sound energy, and other detectable forms of energy used for examination of the interior of objects consists of a flat box for holding an image fixing medium having an edge wall portion contoured to fit the surface of an object adjacent or next to the portion of the object to be subjected to detectable energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1988Date of Patent: February 27, 1990Inventor: Richard A. Mosby
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Patent number: 4905268Abstract: A radiographic apparatus (10) includes an x-ray tube (16), an off-focal radiation collimator (20), a shutter (22), and a primary beam defining collimator (24) between the x-ray tube and patient receiving region (14). The off-focal collimator is mounted within a collar (48) which surrounds an x-ray port (36) of the x-ray tube. The tube port is sealed from the atmosphere by an aluminum window (46). A plate (62) of a radiation blocking material is rotatably mounted by a bearing (70) within the collar closely adjacent the aluminum window. By rotating the moveable plate, aperture or radiation passing slots or portions (62, 64) of different sizes are selectively brought into alignment between a focal spot (34) of the x-ray tube and a radiation passing region or slot (52) of a stationary plate (50) at the distal end of the collar. The aligned slots block the passage of off-focal radiation. Moreover, rotating slots of different sizes into alignment changes the size or angle of the x-ray fan beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1988Date of Patent: February 27, 1990Assignee: Picker International, Inc.Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Robert E. Levar
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Patent number: 4893323Abstract: A combination portable x-ray table and stretcher immobilizes an emergency patient from time of pick-up through x-ray examination without further movement or manipulation of the patient relative to the table/stretcher, thus reducing the risk of further injury. The table/stretcher has a flat rigid low x-ray attenuation (1 mm aluminum equivalent or less) top support on which the patient is placed. The top is spaced apart from a base by a pair of side supports. The device also has an open interior space or channel accessed from openings at each end in which x-ray film cassettes can be positioned under the patient without touching the patient. Transparent side supports allow visual observation of film placement for accurate positioning.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1988Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Inventor: Charles F. Cook, III
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Patent number: 4891830Abstract: X-ray lithography which has been applied, for instance, to reproduction of a pattern for integrated electronic circuit wherein the proximity method is prevailed with use of a transmissive patterned mask. But this conventional method is defective for instance, in difficulty of dimensional reduction from an original pattern. In contrast, the disclosed invention overcomes such defect by introducing an X-ray reflective mask element, instead of conventional type of transmission. The reflective mask element is comprised of a crystalline substrate to reflect incident X-ray according to the Bragg's diffraction rule, which was worked out of a crystalline body having outwardly curved lattice surfaces, wherein the substrate face is formed to have an inclination against the lattice surfaces so that reflection at center of the substrate face will converge to a point on normal line assumed at the same center.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1987Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Kenji Iwahashi
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Patent number: 4891829Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for producing tomographic images of an object irradiated by a beam of collimated radiation transmitted in a plurality of rays through a set of coplanar sections of an object as viewed from a plurality of angles about a rotation axis. The apparatus includes an imaging electro-optic detector to record the transmitted radiation, wherein the electro-optic detector alters the image format, the format alteration being focused; means to determine and align the projected position of the rotation axis on the electro-optic detector; means to align the object with respect to the rotation axis; means to determine and assure spatial uniformity of detector response; means to reduce signal dependent backgrounds; means to determine the projection coefficients from the transmitted radiation with respect to one or more reference calibration exposures; and means to compute a reconstructed image of the object's attenuation coefficients.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1986Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Harry W. Deckman, Brian P. Flannery
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Patent number: 4890309Abstract: The mask includes an attenuator which passes a fraction of the incident electromagnetic radiation and phase shifts the radiation relative to the radiation passing through open features of the mask by approximately an odd multiple of .pi. radians. This phase shifting of light passing through the attenuator by .pi. radians reduces the edge blurring that results from diffraction effects. The present invention steepens the slope of the intensity profile at the edges of features in x-ray lithographic replication relative to the slope obtained with a conventional x-ray mask. The steeper slope is a highly significant advantage because it permits improved linewidth control.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1987Date of Patent: December 26, 1989Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Henry I. Smith, Erik H. Anderson, Mark L. Schattenburg
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Patent number: 4890312Abstract: A piezo-electric attenuation tongue system for slit radiography equipment comprises a number of tongues placed next to each other. The tongue system is manufactured by slitting a plate of piezoelectric material from one of the edges but leaving unslit a strip of the plate along the opposite edge.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1986Date of Patent: December 26, 1989Assignee: B. V. Optische Industrie "De Oude Delft"Inventor: Simon Duinker
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Patent number: 4890311Abstract: Biopsy assembly for use in an x-ray examination apparatus having an x-radiator with a focus from which a ray pyramid emanates, and a radiation receiver arranged residing opposite the x-radiator for producing an x-ray picture of an examination subject situated between the two, the biopsy assembly determining a paracentesis point of a biopsy needle pertaining to a diagnostically relelvant region imaged on the x-ray picture and situated inside the examination subject and positioning the biopsy needle relative thereto. The biopsy assembly includes a guide element having a channel for the biopsy needle with a diameter essentially corresponding to that of the biopsy needle, and a positioning system for adjusting the guide element relative to the region of the examination subject such that the longitudinal axis of the channel of the guide element always proceeds through the focus of the x-radiator.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1988Date of Patent: December 26, 1989Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Edmund Saffer
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Patent number: 4887285Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the share of different chemical elements in a layer of an examination zone. The Compton scattered radiation and the Rayleigh scattered radiation are separately determined and the variation of the differential scatter coefficients derived from the measurement values is influenced by the shares of the various chemical elements contained in the individual pixels. Therefore, the share of these chemical elements can be determined therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1987Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Harding, Josef-Maria Kosanetzky
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Patent number: 4887287Abstract: For transport on rough terrain as well as on the floor of a hospital, a mobile X-ray diagnostic apparatus has exchangeable wheels which are adapted to the relevant surface. When the apparatus is transported on an uneven and soft surface, wide wheels having a large diameter can be used, while in hospital conditions narrow wheels having a small diameter can be used. In order to render the X-ray diagnostic apparatus suitable for transport on different surfaces in a simple operation, the wheels can be readily exchanged without using tools; a towbar is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1988Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Johannes I. M. Cobben
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Patent number: 4884288Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the moisture content of a substance irradiated by a fast neutron and gamma ray source wherein a fast neutron moderator is positioned in the path of the fast neutrons and gamm rays transmitted through the substance. A unitary thick Li glass or LiI glass detector is positioned behind or surrounded by the fast neutron moderator and detects both slow neutrons and gamma rays. Simplified counting circuitry utilizing a single channel analyser determines the intensities of the detected slow neutrons and gamma rays enabling the moisture content of the substance.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1986Date of Patent: November 28, 1989Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationInventor: Brian D. Sowerby
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Patent number: 4884293Abstract: An X-ray photographing apparatus includes first and second systems for photographing an object from different directions. A first arm of the first system supports a first X-ray tube thereon and is arranged to be rotatable. A second arm of the second system supports a second X-ray tube thereon and is arranged to be rotatable. When at least one of the arms is rotated, interference between the arms is prevented by an interference preventing device. The device has a storing section storing data relating to relative positions between the arms when at least one of the arms is rotated while an iso-center, i.e., the crossing point of X-ray beams emitted from the X-ray tubes coincides with the rotational centers of the arms.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1989Date of Patent: November 28, 1989Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Katsuhiko Koyama
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Patent number: 4881251Abstract: A computed tomograph apparatus for obtaining tomograms of a subject under examination comprises a supporting table for supporting the subject, and on which a tomogram image pick-up area is defined. The apparatus further comprises an X-ray source for radiating X-rays onto the image pick-up area. X-rays emitted from the X-ray source proceed along a slice plane intersecting with the image pick-up area. A principal detector is provided within the slice plane, and detects X-rays transmitted linearly.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1987Date of Patent: November 14, 1989Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kyojiro Nambu, Toshihiro Rifu
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Patent number: 4879735Abstract: An improved X-ray baggage inspection device having an input port with a baffle pivotally suspended from an upper edge to substantially occlude an upper selected region of the input port, leaving an open space adjacent to a baggage conveyor having a configuration suited for the passage of briefcase type baggage horizontally disposed upon the conveyor, but which will pivot inward in response to all types of baggage having a height exceeding a preselected distance between the conveyor and the lower edge of the baffle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1988Date of Patent: November 7, 1989Inventor: Robert W. Owens
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Patent number: 4875225Abstract: An x-ray video system for the transillumination of an examination subject has an x-ray system which generates a transillumination image of a patient using an x-ray beam having a central ray, a diaphragm for gating the x-ray beam which has a number of plates, each moveable relative to the central ray, a signal generator associated with each plate which generates a signal corresponding to the position of the associated plate relative to the central ray, a mixer for combining the plate position signals with the transillumination image, and a display which generates the transillumination image with the position signals mixed therewith in the form of marks on the transillumination image.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1988Date of Patent: October 17, 1989Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Hunold
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Patent number: 4875228Abstract: An improved gantry for an examination apparatus, such as an x-ray apparatus comprising a source of x-rays and a detector of fluoresced photons, is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in a vehicle such that the examination can be carried out at locations convenient to the patients. The apparatus comprises a vertical standard and first and second carriages. The first carriage is movable along the vertical standard and carries a horizontal arm. The horizontal arm carries the second carriage, which moves along the horizontal arm in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the standard. A transverse arm carrying the x-ray apparatus is carried by the second carriage and moves with respect thereto in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, so that three directions of motion along orthogonal axes are thus provided. Additionally, the second carriage is rotatable about the horizontal arm providing a first direction of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1988Date of Patent: October 17, 1989Assignee: Davru Manufacturing Ltd.Inventor: David Archer
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Patent number: 4873709Abstract: An X-ray generator includes a vacuum vessel; a cathode disposed in the vacuum vessel for emitting an electron beam; a plurality of stators constituting an electric motor and disposed within the vacuum vessel for generating rotating magnetic fields; a drum-shaped anode adapted to rotate upon reception of the rotating magnetic fields generated from the stators and radiate an X-ray upon reception of the electron beam emitted from the cathode, the drum-shaped anode having a circumferentially extending narrow groove formed at the position where the electron beam from the cathode is focused; a plurality of rotary fins mounted on the drum-shaped anode for dissipating the heat generated in the groove upon radiation of an X-ray; and a plurality of fixed fins mounted within the vacuum vessel in opposed relation to the rotary fins and adapted to receive the heat transferred from the rotary fins and dissipate the heat to the outside of the vacuum vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1988Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Assignees: Meitec Corporation, Shuzo HattoriInventors: Shuzo Hattori, Takashi Tagawa, Motomu Asano
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Patent number: 4872191Abstract: A dynamic focusing device is provided for an X-ray scanner, the device comprising at least one detector module located in a position to receive, be illuminated by, and respond to X-ray. A source of X-rays is movable toward or away from the detector module. The module comprises a plurality of crystals each having a scintillation surface located in a common plane, with a plurality of septa separating the crystals. The septa have a height which is upstanding above the surfaces of the crystals far enough to reduce lateral X-ray scatter and to cast a shadow upon the surfaces of the crystals responsive to an illumination thereof from said X-ray source. The invention dynamically positions the detector module relative to the distance between the detector module and the source of X-rays in order to reduce substantially to a minimum any shadow in the X-rays cast by the septa upon the surfaces of the crystals.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1987Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Assignee: Bio-Imaging Research, Inc.Inventor: Richard T. Bernardi
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Patent number: 4872193Abstract: A lithotripsy workstation which can also be used for X-ray examination includes an X-ray device (5, 6) which is pivotable about a horizontal axis (7), and a shock wave generator (18) which is pivotable about an inclined axis (17) which intersects the horizontal axis. The focal point of the shock wave generator (18) coincides with this point of intersection, even when the shock wave generator is pivoted to the left or to the right to a position which is suitable for crushing a calculus in the left-hand kidney or the right-hand kidney.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1988Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Manfred Elff, Wilfried G. Pfeiffer, Horst-Hartwig Schwieker, Dieter H. C. Christiansen