Abstract: A radiotherapy delivery device is provided. The device includes a source of therapeutic radiation and a first detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of therapeutic radiation. The device also includes a source of imaging radiation and a second detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of imaging radiation. A collimator assembly is positioned relative to the second source of radiation to selectively control a shape of a radiation beam emitted by the second radiation source to selectively expose part or the whole of the second radiation detector. A reconstruction processor can be operatively coupled to the detector and configured to generate patient images based on radiation received by the second detector from the second source of radiation. The device is configured to move from one imaging geometry to another using all or part of the second detector.

Abstract: A radiotherapy delivery device is provided. The device includes a source of therapeutic radiation and a first detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of therapeutic radiation. The device also includes a source of imaging radiation and a second detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of imaging radiation. A collimator assembly is positioned relative to the second source of radiation to selectively control a shape of a radiation beam emitted by the second radiation source to selectively expose part or the whole of the second radiation detector. A reconstruction processor can be operatively coupled to the detector and configured to generate patient images based on radiation received by the second detector from the second source of radiation. The device is configured to move from one imaging geometry to another using all or part of the second detector.

Abstract: Formation techniques are utilized to increase the space or distance between floating gates of a memory array of floating gate transistors. In at least some embodiments, floating gates are first formed over the substrate and then portions of the floating gates are removed to increase the spacing between the floating gates. An interlayer dielectric layer is then formed over the substrate and a control gate layer is formed thereover.

Abstract: A method for measuring an alignment of a detector is described. The method includes determining, by a processor, the alignment of the detector with respect to a collimated radiation beam. The determination of the alignment is based on a plurality of signals from a first cell of the detector and a second cell of the detector, and is independent of a shape of the collimated radiation beam.

Abstract: Formation techniques are utilized to increase the space or distance between floating gates of a memory array of floating gate transistors. In at least some embodiments, floating gates are first formed over the substrate and then portions of the floating gates are removed to increase the spacing between the floating gates. An interlayer dielectric layer is then formed over the substrate and a control gate layer is formed thereover.

Abstract: A method for determining tracking control parameters for positioning an x-ray beam of a computed tomography imaging system, the imaging system including a movable collimator positionable in steps and a detector array including a plurality of detector elements arranged in rows and channels, the rows extending from a detector A-side to a detector B-side. The method includes determining a detector A-side and a detector B-side target beam penumbra position, computing a plurality of Z-ratio curves corresponding to different detector rows and detector channels, and comparing the Z-ratio curves at the detector A-side and detector B-side target beam positions to determine the optimal Z-ratio curve and corresponding detector channels and rows for controlling the X-ray beam positioning.

Abstract: A method includes calculating a sum of all samples at each projection view of a scan of an object, determining a maximum value of the calculated sums, averaging a plurality of samples m at a projection view index k when the sum of all samples at index k is less than a predetermined percentage of the maximum value, comparing the average to a threshold t, determining the projection truncated when the average is greater than t, and determining the projection not truncated when the average is not greater than t.

Abstract: A method for measuring focal spot shape of a radiation beam from a radiation source includes collimating the radiation beam using a collimator having a well-defined edge, measuring an intensity profile of the collimated radiation beam, determining a function of the measured intensity profile, and determining a metric of the of the focal spot using the determined function of the measured intensity profile.

Abstract: A method for determining tracking control parameters for positioning an x-ray beam of a computed tomography imaging system, the imaging system including a movable collimator positionable in steps and a detector array including a plurality of detector elements arranged in rows and channels, the rows extending from a detector A-side to a detector B-side. The method includes determining a detector A-side and a detector B-side target beam penumbra position, computing a plurality of Z-ratio curves corresponding to different detector rows and detector channels, and comparing the Z-ratio curves at the detector A-side and detector B-side target beam positions to determine the optimal Z-ratio curve and corresponding detector channels and rows for controlling the X-ray beam positioning.

Abstract: A method for measuring table sag of a table may include utilizing images of an unloaded table and a loaded table, plotting pixel values for a range of pixels for each image within a particular column, identifying a pixel within each plot that has a highest pixel value, calculating a difference between the identified pixel row numbers, and converting the difference into a measurement of table sag. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for measuring table sag of a table may include instructions for causing a computer to implement the method. A computer for use in an imaging system may utilize digital images for the measurement of table sag and an imaging system may include such a computer.

Abstract: A minidrive pen with laser and illuminating function includes an upper and a lower pen barrel and an adapter, wherein a minidrive circuit board is configured within the upper pen barrel, and which is connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. Two orifices are defined in a bottom extremity of the lower pen barrel. Furthermore, a laser element, an illuminating element and a battery compartment are configured within the lower pen barrel. Switches are configured in a surface of the lower pen barrel. After disposing batteries in the battery compartment, the upper pen barrel and the lower pen barrel are joined together by means of the adapter. Furthermore, electric conduction is also effectuated by means of the adapter, thereby constituting a easy carrying of the minidrive, and simultaneously achieving effectiveness of a laser pointer and illumination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a Computed Tomography (CT) system are provided. The method includes performing a CT scan of an object having a substantially flat surface using the CT system. The method further includes determining an offset angle for the CT system based on an image of the substantially flat surface of the scanned object.

Abstract: Some configurations of the present invention provide a method for reconstructing an image of an object of a computed tomographic imaging system having a detector array and a radiation source, wherein an arc of the detector array is not concentric to a focal spot of the radiation source. The method includes scanning the object with the computed tomographic imaging system to obtain a fan beam dataset, rebinning the fan beam dataset into a set of parallel datasets; and reconstructing an image utilizing the set of parallel datasets.

Abstract: A transistor comprising a gate, a channel beneath the gate and separated from the gate by an insulator, a source adjacent to the channel on a first side of the gate, a drain adjacent to the channel on a second side of the gate, doped extension regions into the channel from the source and the drain that underlap the gate, and insulating spacers adjacent to sidewalls of the gate that overlap the extension regions. The insulating spacers may be used to align the doped extension regions, offset the extension regions from the gate, and reduce Miller capacitance and standby leakage current.

Abstract: A USB portable disk-pen includes a USB plug that is inserted to a computer at an upper pen shaft, and is joined as one body with a sheath. A printed circuit board is connected with one end of the sheath, penetrated into the sheath, and positioned along with the sheath in the upper pen shaft. The upper pen shaft is relative lighter in weight for not containing a refill, and is therefore steadier and less likely to wobble when being inserted to a computer, thereby preventing poor contact quality of the USB plug.

Abstract: A method of forming high performance logic transistors and high density flash transistors on a single substrate is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: forming a logic gate stack in a logic region on a substrate, forming a flash memory gate stack in a flash region on the substrate, depositing a hardmask layer over the logic gate stack and over the flash memory gate stack, patterning the hardmask in the logic region so that areas of hardmask remain where logic gates are desired, patterning the flash gate stack in the flash region to form flash memory gates, and etching the logic gate stack using the remaining hardmask as a mask to form logic gates.

Abstract: A multi-sector back-off logic algorithm for obtaining optimal slice-sensitive computed tomography (“CT”) profiles. The systems and methods of the present invention improving the temporal resolution of a CT system by checking for Z location errors between sectors and automatically backing-off to an alternative multi-sector algorithm when necessary (i.e., selecting an optimized maximum number of sectors to reconstruct), providing less Z location error. Based upon this Z location error, the systems and methods of the present invention also calculating the maximum number of sectors that should be used for reconstruction “on-the-fly” (i.e., on a per image basis across an entire series of images). These systems and methods utilizing the Recommended Protocol for Cardiac Reconstruction Algorithms.

Abstract: A method includes scanning an object in a first modality having a first field of view to obtain first modality data including fully sampled field of view data and partially sampled field of view data. The method also includes scanning the object in a second modality having a second field of view larger than the first field of view of obtain second modality data, and reconstructing an image of the object using the second modality data and the first modality partially sampled field of view data.

Abstract: A charged particle device is provided comprising a charged particle source configured to direct charged particles in the direction of a specimen under examination and an imaging device configured to convert charged particles to an image representing the specimen. The imaging device comprises a detector defining a pixel array. The detector is configured to generate electric charges for individual pixels of the pixel array such that the electric charges collectively define the image. The imaging device is configured such that a portion of the pixel array can be transitioned between a partially masked state and a substantially unmasked state.

Abstract: A multi-sector back-off logic algorithm for obtaining optimal slice-sensitive computed tomography (“CT”) profiles. The systems and methods of the present invention improving the temporal resolution of a CT system by checking for Z location errors between sectors and automatically backing-off to an alternative multi-sector algorithm when necessary (i.e., selecting an optimized maximum number of sectors to reconstruct), providing less Z location error. Based upon this Z location error, the systems and methods of the present invention also calculating the maximum number of sectors that should be used for reconstruction “on-the-fly” (i.e., on a per image basis across an entire series of images). These systems and methods utilizing the Recommended Protocol for Cardiac Reconstruction Algorithms.