Patents by Inventor Hiromichi Tonami

Hiromichi Tonami has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230072626
    Abstract: A wire rope inspection method performs second differential processing on a positive component or a negative component of a first-order differential waveform. Then, the positive component of the second-order differential waveform and an absolute value of the negative component of the second-order differential waveform are added in a state in which portions of the second-order differential waveform indicating the abnormal portion of the wire rope are shifted to overlap with each other. Then, the abnormal portion of the wire rope is determined based on the generated composite waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Hiromichi TONAMI
  • Patent number: 10267926
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation detector 1 which is high in radiation detection sensitivity and is capable of preventing a loss of fluorescence by integrating scintillator crystals C and reflection plates rx and ry without using a permeable material. According to the present invention, the adhesive sheets Sa and Sb are adhered to the ends of scintillator crystals C arranged in a matrix in the height direction. The scintillator crystals C are integrated by the adhesive sheets Sa and Sb. According to the present invention, there is no need to form a scintillator 2 by securing the scintillator crystals C and the reflection plates ry by an adhesive. Therefore, an adhesive before curing does not enter gaps between the scintillator crystal C and the reflection plate ry, and therefore the gap forms an air layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 10036815
    Abstract: In this radiation detector, a scintillator block (3) and a light guide (5) are optically coupled such that surfaces of side peripheral portions (25) face surfaces of scintillator crystals, among scintillator crystals configuring the scintillator block (3), which are positioned at side edge portions. Accordingly, scintillator light generated at the side edge portions of the scintillator block (3) becomes incident on the side peripheral portions (25) more reliably. As a result, a radiation detector (1) according to the present invention is capable of achieving high resolution in DOI detection. Furthermore, resin curing is used to integrally form the side peripheral portions (25) comprising a plurality of blocks, and thus a complex assembly step during production of the light guide (5) does not need to be performed. Accordingly, production of the light guide (5) is facilitated, and thus low production costs of the radiation detector according to the present invention can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 9910161
    Abstract: A radiation detector for a PET-MR apparatus, has a fastening-strength and a high cooling efficiency relative to a photoelectric conversion element. A holding member 31 holds a side-periphery and a bottom of a light detector 7 by a connection element 31a, and is strongly fastened by a connection base 27 and a gimlet hole 31b and a screw 33. A light shielding film 35 is a thin-film and adheres and covers an outer-periphery and the side-periphery of the holding member 31. The radiation detector has a robust fastening-strength, so that a locational shift of the scintillator block 3 is prevented. As a result, the radiation detector can detect ?-ray data accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Masafumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 9638808
    Abstract: A radiation detector that allows accurate discrimination of generating positions of fluorescence in a height direction generated in scintillation counter crystals. Specifically, the radiation detector includes scintillation counter crystals whose faces are rough surfaces. This allows suppression of unexpected partial reflection of fluorescence between adjacent scintillation counter crystals, leading to ideal spread of the fluorescence generated in a scintillator. Consequently, a radiation detector that allows accurate discrimination of the generating positions of fluorescence is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 9507031
    Abstract: A radiation detector according to this invention has a first reflector frame and a second reflector frame. Each of scintillation counter crystals is inserted in a direction through the first reflector frame and the second reflector frame, whereby two or more scintillation counter crystals are arranged in a first direction and a second direction to form a scintillation counter crystal layer. A position of the first reflector frame provided, in the scintillation counter crystal layer differs from a position of the second reflector frame provided in the scintillation counter crystal layer. With such construction, the radiation detector may be provided of significantly suppressed manufacturing costs without reducing spatial resolution and detecting sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda, Junichi Ohi
  • Publication number: 20160282484
    Abstract: In this radiation detector, a scintillator block (3) and a light guide (5) are optically coupled such that surfaces of side peripheral portions (25) face surfaces of scintillator crystals, among scintillator crystals configuring the scintillator block (3), which are positioned at side edge portions. Accordingly, scintillator light generated at the side edge portions of the scintillator block (3) becomes incident on the side peripheral portions (25) more reliably. As a result, a radiation detector (1) according to the present invention is capable of achieving high resolution in DOI detection. Furthermore, resin curing is used to integrally form the side peripheral portions (25) comprising a plurality of blocks, and thus a complex assembly step during production of the light guide (5) does not need to be performed. Accordingly, production of the light guide (5) is facilitated, and thus low production costs of the radiation detector according to the present invention can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi TONAMI, Tomoaki TSUDA
  • Publication number: 20160252628
    Abstract: A radiation detector that allows accurate discrimination of generating positions of fluorescence in a height direction generated in scintillation counter crystals. Specifically, the radiation detector includes scintillation counter crystals whose faces are rough surfaces. This allows suppression of unexpected partial reflection of fluorescence between adjacent scintillation counter crystals, leading to ideal spread of the fluorescence generated in a scintillator. Consequently, a radiation detector that allows accurate discrimination of the generating positions of fluorescence is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi TONAMI, Tomoaki TSUDA
  • Publication number: 20150285923
    Abstract: In a radiation detector, gap portions and opening portions are filled with a high-viscosity adhesive agent to prevent inclusion of air bubbles in a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer. The result is that scintillator light is not scattered by air bubbles, making it possible to obtain more accurate imaging information. Moreover, since the inclusion of air bubbles is prevented, it is possible to avoid weakening of the optical couplings in the radiation detector. Consequently, the optical couplings do not become weakened in the radiation detector that includes an SiPM element that is provided with gap portions. Because the SiPM element is not affected by the strong magnetic fields that are produced by the MR device, the radiation detector can be used in a PET-MR. This enables the achievement of a PET-MR having a radiation detector wherein the optical coupling is more secure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromichi TONAMI
  • Patent number: 9081105
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes two reflecting plate lattices that are combined into a single reflecting plate lattice. The use of such a structure simplifies the manufacturing of a scintillator. The radiation detector reduces the number of reflecting plate lattices that are stacked when manufacturing the scintillator, enabling the scintillator to be manufactured easily. Moreover, the number of reflecting plate lattices to be manufactured is reduced, reducing commensurately the number of components required for manufacturing the scintillator. The scintillator may be manufactured more easily and an inexpensive radiation detector may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 9024263
    Abstract: Disclosed is radiation tomography apparatus for smaller animals including a radiation source for emitting radiation; a radiation detecting device for detecting radiation; a rotary device for rotating the radiation source; and a holder provided between the radiation source and the radiation detecting device that has two or more spaces for placing a subject. The holder includes space discriminating members for each of the spaces. Each of the space discriminating members has a unique sectional shape when cut along a plane where an imaginary circle exists. Here, the imaginary circle is a locus of rotation of the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami
  • Publication number: 20140346363
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes two reflecting plate lattices that are combined into a single reflecting plate lattice. The use of such a structure simplifies the manufacturing of a scintillator. The radiation detector reduces the number of reflecting plate lattices that are stacked when manufacturing the scintillator, enabling the scintillator to be manufactured easily. Moreover, the number of reflecting plate lattices to be manufactured is reduced, reducing commensurately the number of components required for manufacturing the scintillator. The scintillator may be manufactured more easily and an inexpensive radiation detector may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi TONAMI, Tomoaki TSUDA
  • Patent number: 8869388
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus in this invention includes a step of fixing a detector array to a holding member by adjusting relative positions of the detector array and the holding member the base by spacing a scintillator apart from a base through contact of the scintillator of the detector array to a supporting device. Such configuration may realize provision of radiation tomography apparatus with higher spatial resolution by manufacturing a group of detectors having the scintillators of suppressed deviation in arrangement and being arranged regularly upon arranging radiation detectors for forming the group of detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Masafumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 8712715
    Abstract: Correction by moire elimination is carried out with high precision in an environment where relative misalignment among the focal point, the grid, and the X-ray flat panel detector may occur. A part of each of two signal regions of interest is masked by an X-ray plate, and an operation value Rf=(Sx?Sy)/(Sx+Sy) is defined for signal values Sx and Sy obtained from the masked portions. By associating the operation value Rf with the relative position relationship, the relative position relationship is obtained from the operation value Rf, and a correction parameter for the relationship is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami
  • Patent number: 8581197
    Abstract: Radiation tomography apparatus of this invention has a shield that shields entering of radiation flying from outside of the gantry. The shield is formed of shielding pieces. Consequently, there is no need for manufacturing the shield in a large and expensive furnace. Accordingly, the radiation tomography apparatus may be provided that is easily manufactured and achieves suppressed cost. Moreover, with the radiation tomography apparatus of this invention, maintenance may be performed through removal of the shielding pieces without removing the entire shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Masafumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 8497480
    Abstract: In order to provide a particle radiotherapy apparatus with high sensitivity for detecting annihilation radiation pairs, an elliptic detector ring of a particle radiotherapy apparatus according to this invention makes rotating movement relative to a top board. Specifically, with rotation about a base axis of a first ring and a second ring, the elliptic detector ring makes rotating movement in a state of being tilted relative to the first ring. Incidentally, the elliptic detector ring cannot be disposed in a position to interfere with travel of this particle beam. According to the construction of this invention, the elliptic detector ring is tilted relative to the top board, and besides makes rotating movement relative to the top board. Since the elliptic detector ring can be moved away from the particle beam by rotating the elliptic detector ring, it is possible to provide the particle radiotherapy apparatus which can detect annihilation radiation while emitting the particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami
  • Patent number: 8448327
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention includes a first spacer joining step of joining a spacer to a radiation detector, and a second spacer joining step of joining both the radiation detectors to each other via the spacer such that clearance between adjacent scintillators corresponds to integral multiples of an arrangement pitch of scintillation counter crystal. Accordingly, the scintillators provided in the radiation tomography apparatus of this invention are arranged more regularly, which achieves enhanced spatial resolution of the radiation tomography apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami
  • Patent number: 8449796
    Abstract: According to a method of manufacturing a light guide of this invention, a shaping member is provided that covers a molding frame. In a releasing step, when the shaping member is lifted up in a direction apart from the molding frame, the light guide is lifted and pulled out from an aperture of the molding frame accordingly. As a result, there is no need to pull out the light guide by conventionally providing a pressing plug on a bottom of the molding frame and pressing the plug in a direction. In addition, there is no need to perform a grinding process to the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20130108016
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus for breast examination, comprising: a detector ring having detectors for detecting radiation being arranged in an arc shape; and a shield plate for absorbing radiation that is provided as to cover a side face of the detector ring perpendicular to a central axis of the detector ring, the shield plate having a thick portion that is thick in a central axis direction and a thin portion that is thin in the central axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromichi TONAMI
  • Patent number: 8418348
    Abstract: Problems Solved The information solves the problem of how to provide a structure and a manufacturing method that can inexpensively and stably obtain a scattered X-ray eliminating grid wherein air serves as an intermediate substance even as X-ray absorbing substance parts are accurately positioned and held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami