Patents by Inventor Jean-Pierre Tahon

Jean-Pierre Tahon 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: 20200271796
    Abstract: A radiation dosimeter for measuring the dose of radiation applied during radiation therapy includes a substrate, a phosphor containing layer including a stimulable phosphor and a binder on a side of the substrate, the weight ratio of the binder to the phosphor in the phosphor containing layer is 10 or higher, a colorant, and optionally a layer in contact with the phosphor containing layer. The colorant provides a total light absorbance of the layers applied on the side of the substrate containing the phosphor containing layer of at least 0.04 at the stimulation wavelengths of the stimulable phosphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre TAHON, Paul LEBLANS, Dirk VANDENBROUCKE, Paul STERCKX, Jurgen JUNG
  • Publication number: 20160322411
    Abstract: A radiography flat panel detector and a method of producing the flat panel detector including, in a scintillating or photoconductive layer, an imaging array, -a substrate, and an X-ray absorbing layer including a chemical compound having a metal element with an atomic number of 20 or more and one or more non-metal elements. The X-ray absorbing layer has a dimensionless absorption exponent of greater than 0.5 for gamma ray emission of Am241 at about 60 keV, wherein AE(Am241 60 keV)=t*(k1e1+k2e2+k3e3+ . . . ) and AE(Am241 60 keV) represents the absorption exponent of the X-ray absorbing layer relative to the about 60 keV gamma ray emission of Am241; t represents the a thickness of the X-ray absorbing layer; e1, e2, e3, . . . represent concentrations of the elements in the X-ray absorbing layer; and k1,k2,k3 . . . represent mass attenuation coefficients of the elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Sabina ELEN, Luc STRUYE, Dirk VANDENBROUCKE, Jean-Pierre TAHON
  • Publication number: 20160322418
    Abstract: A radiography flat panel detector and a method of producing the flat panel detector that includes, in order, a scintillating or photoconductive layer, an imaging array, a first substrate, an X-ray shield including a second substrate, and an X-ray absorbing layer on a side of the second substrate, wherein the absorbing layer includes a binder and a chemical compound having a metal element with an atomic number of 20 or more and one or more non-metal elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Paul LEBLANS, Dirk VANDENBROUCKE, Jean-Pierre TAHON, Sabina ELEN
  • Patent number: 9326741
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the treatment of stimulable phosphors and/or screens for use in diagnosis, in particular medical radiography. The method comprises subjecting the stimulable phosphors and/or screens to an epoxide containing gaseous compound, promptly following their manufacture. By applying the method according to the invention yellowing of the stimulable phosphors and/or screens is prevented in a safe and efficient manner; thereby the disadvantages known as such resulting from such yellowing will not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Agfa Healthcare NV
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Jean-Pierre Tahon
  • Publication number: 20140186657
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the treatment of stimulable phosphors and/or screens for use in diagnosis, in particular medical radiography. The method comprises subjecting the stimulable phosphors and/or screens to an epoxide containing gaseous compound, promptly following their manufacture. By applying the method according to the invention yellowing of the stimulable phosphors and/or screens is prevented in a safe and efficient manner; thereby the disadvantages known as such resulting from such yellowing will not occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: AGFA HEALTHCARE NV
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Jean-Pierre Tahon
  • Publication number: 20090242836
    Abstract: In a method of preparing a phosphor or scintillator layer to become deposited on a support, a vapor depositing step is applied from a crucible unit by heating as phosphor precursor raw materials present in said crucible, a Cs(X,X?) matrix compound and an activator or dopant precursor compound, wherein said crucible unit comprises at least a bottom and surrounding side walls as a container for phosphor precursor raw materials present in said crucible in liquefied form after heating said crucible, and wherein said Cs(X,X?) matrix compound has a higher vapor pressure than said activator or dopant precursor compound, said method comprising a step of providing said activator or dopant compound in form of a precursor raw material represented by the formula CsxEuyX?(x+?y), wherein x, y and ? are integers, wherein x/y is more than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Jens Lenaerts, Laszlo Vincze, Geert Silversmit, Paul Leblans
  • Patent number: 7554101
    Abstract: In favor of adhesion between phosphor layer and support in a radiation image phosphor or scintillator panel comprising as an arrangement of layers, in consecutive order, a support, a precoat layer and a phosphor or scintillator layer having needle-shaped phosphor or scintillator crystals, said precoat layer comprises as a binder an organic cross-linkable monomer, oligomer, polymer or a mixture thereof and a pigment in a weight ratio of pigment to binder in the range from 1/10 to 10/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Agfa HealthCare
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Carlo Uyttendaele
  • Publication number: 20090162535
    Abstract: In a method of preparing a storage phosphor or a scintillator layer on a support by vapor depositing from a crucible unit in a vapor deposition apparatus, while heating as phosphor or scintillator precursor raw materials a matrix component and an activator component or a precursor component thereof, said crucible unit comprises a bottom and surrounding side walls as a container for the said phosphor or scintillator precursor raw materials present in said crucible, said crucible is provided with an internal lid with perforations (5) and said crucible unit further comprises a chimney as part of the said crucible unit and a slit allowing molten, liquefied phosphor or scintillator precursor raw materials to escape in vaporized form under reduced pressure from said crucible unit in order to become deposited as a phosphor or scintillator layer onto said support; and at least one heating means (1) in the chimney (2) is positioned under a heat shield with a slit (3) and a slot outlet (3?), covering thereby said cruci
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Paul Leblans
  • Publication number: 20090098280
    Abstract: A vapor deposition apparatus comprises as a vaporization assembly a container in form of a boat or crucible and a support for vapor depositing phosphor or scintillator material thereupon from raw materials present in said container, wherein said boat or crucible internally comprises an assembly of two perforated covers or lids, one of which is an outer lid (also called first lid) more close to the said support and the other cover is an inner lid (also called second lid) more close to the bottom of the said crucible; and wherein perforations present in said outer lid represent a total surface exceeding the total surface of perforations present in said inner lid more close to the bottom of the said crucible and wherein in said vapor deposition apparatus the said raw materials or the bottom of the said crucible cannot be directly seen through said perforations from any point of said support; thereby providing the manufacturing of a radiation image storage phosphor layer on a support or substrate, by a vapor depo
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Tahon
  • Publication number: 20090001287
    Abstract: In a photostimulable storage phosphor screen or panel wherein said screen comprises storage phosphor particles dispersed in a binder and wherein said particles have a particle size distribution having a d99 which is not more than 15 ?m, said d99 expressing a grain size limit above which not more than 1% by weight of phosphor powder particles is present in said phosphor powder, its structure noise parameter DQE2rel exceeds a value of 0.70 and a ratio of d99 (expressed in ?m) and DQE2rel is not more than 25:1, wherein DQE2rel is the ratio of the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 22 mR to the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 3 mR, as expressed in formula (I) DQE2rel=DQE2(22 mR))/DQE2(3 mR)??(I) which is representative for an amount of screen-structure noise produced by said screen or panel in the complete spatial frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Ilse Mans, Jean-Pierre Tahon, Ludo Neyens
  • Publication number: 20080290296
    Abstract: In favor of adhesion between phosphor layer and support in a radiation image phosphor or scintillator panel comprising as an arrangement of layers, in consecutive order, a support, a precoat layer and a phosphor or scintillator layer having needle-shaped phosphor or scintillator crystals, said precoat layer comprises as a binder an organic cross-linkable monomer, oligomer, polymer or a mixture thereof and a pigment in a weight ratio of pigment to binder in the range from 1/10 to 10/1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Carlo Uyttendaele
  • Patent number: 7446323
    Abstract: In a photostimulable storage phosphor screen or panel wherein said screen comprises storage phosphor particles dispersed in a binder and wherein said particles have a particle size distribution having a d99 which is not more than 15 ?m, said d99 expressing a grain size limit above which not more than 1% by weight of phosphor powder particles is present in said phosphor powder, its structure noise parameter DQE2rel exceeds a value of 0.70 and a ratio of d99 (expressed in ?m) and DQE2rel is not more than 25:1, wherein DQE2rel is the ratio of the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 22 mR to the DQE2 obtained at a dose of 3 mR, as expressed in formula (I) DQE2rel=DQE2(22 mR))/DQE2(3 mR)??(I) which is representative for an amount of screen-structure noise produced by said screen or panel in the complete spatial frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Ilse Mans, Jean-Pierre Tahon, Ludo Neyens
  • Publication number: 20080169432
    Abstract: In a method of annealing a storage phosphor screen comprising a photostimulable phosphor by adding energy in form of heat and/or radiation, said method is applied during a time and in relative humidity conditions such that said phosphor shows peaks in an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum measured at a frequency of 34 GHz, at flux densities of magnetic fields of 880 mT, 1380 mT and 1420 mT, wherein said peaks exceed normalized signal intensity percentages of at least 45% and even of at least 55%, wherein a central peak height in the said EPR-spectrum, measured at a magnetic flux density of 1220 mT, is calculated to have a normalized value of 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Frank Loncke, Henk Vrielinck, Freddy Callens
  • Patent number: 7357965
    Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a layer on a substrate, the layer comprising a polythiophene according to formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group or together represent a C1-C4 alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group; and (ii) mechanically rendering the layer liquid crystal aligning; a liquid crystal alignment layer obtainable by the above-mentioned method; a liquid crystal device incorporating the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer; a liquid crystal display comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer or the above-mentioned liquid crystal device; and the use of the polythiophene according to formula (I) for aligning liquid crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Tom Cloots, Roger Bäuerle
  • Patent number: 7351442
    Abstract: A method for producing CsX:Eu stimulable phosphors and screens or panels provided with said phosphors as powder phosphors or vapor deposited needle-shaped phosphors suitable for use in image forming methods for recording and reproducing images of objects made by high energy radiation, wherein said CsX:Eu stimulable phosphors are essentially free from oxygen in their crystal structure, and wherein X represents a halide selected from the group consisting of Br, Cl and combinations thereof, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of mixing CsX with a compound or combinations of precursor compounds having as a composition CsxEuyX?x+?y, wherein the ratio of x to y exceeds a value of 0.25, wherein ??2 and wherein X? is a halide selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I and combinations thereof; heating said mixture at a temperature above 450° C.; cooling said mixture, and optionally annealing and recovering said CsX:Eu phosphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Johan Lamotte, Paul Leblans
  • Patent number: 7338621
    Abstract: A method for preparing a composition containing between 0.08 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Roger Van den Bogaert
  • Publication number: 20080044560
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a radiation image storage phosphor layer on a support layer, wherein said method comprises a vapor depositing step of raw materials of an alkali metal halide salt and a lanthanide dopant salt or a combination thereof in order to ensure vapor deposition of a binderless storage phosphor layer from one or more resistance-heated crucible(s) in a vapor deposition apparatus, wherein one or more shutter(s) are positioned between said crucible(s) and said support, at the time said vapor depositing step starts while opening said shutter(s), a start temperature is measured on and registered by means of a thermocouple, positioned close to the support at the side of said support where vapor becomes deposited in order to form said binderless storage phosphor layer, of less than 300° C., but not less than 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Paul Leblans
  • Publication number: 20080044555
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a radiation image storage phosphor layer on a support layer, wherein said method comprises a vapor depositing step of raw materials of an alkali metal halide salt and a lanthanide dopant salt or a combination thereof in order to ensure vapor deposition of a binderless storage phosphor layer from one or more resistance-heated crucible(s) in a vapor deposition apparatus, wherein one or more shutters are positioned between said crucible(s) and said support, at the time said vapor depositing step starts while opening said shutter(s), a start temperature is measured on and registered by means of a thermocouple positioned close to the support at the back side of the support, opposite to the side of the support where vapor becomes deposited in order to form said binderless storage phosphor layer, of less than 250° C., but not less than 100° C., when an additional heating is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tahon, Paul Leblans
  • Publication number: 20080035867
    Abstract: In a method of reading a radiation image, stored in a CsBr:Eu type binderless needle-shaped photostimulable or storage phosphor screen after X-ray exposure of said screen, said method comprises the steps of: (1) erasing thermally stimulable energy by exposing said screen to infrared radiation in the wavelength range from 1000 nm to 1550 nm; (2) stimulating said phosphor screen by means of stimulating radiation in the range from 550 to 850 nm; (3) detecting light emitted by the phosphor screen upon stimulation and converting the detected light into a signal representation of said radiation image; (4) erasing said phosphor screen by exposing it to erasing light in the wavelength range of 300 nm to 1500 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Paul Leblans, Jean-Pierre Tahon
  • Publication number: 20080035857
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a radiation image storage phosphor plate, comprising in its phosphor layer a storage phosphor of the type having an alkali metal halide salt as a main component and a lanthanide as a dopant, the plate after having been manufactured is uniformly exposed, i.e., exposed with a constant intensity and with a homogeneous energy distribution over its whole surface area, in order to absorb an X-ray dose in the range from 1 to 10 Gy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Paul Leblans, Jean-Pierre Tahon