Patents by Inventor Paul Leblans

Paul Leblans 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).

  • Patent number: 10993686
    Abstract: A phase contrast imaging (PCI) method in which, instead of using an analyzer grid, detector pixels are grouped and only a part of the total pixels are used to calculate a phase contrast image. In second, third, etc. steps, the pixels which were not used in the previous recalculation are used additionally to recalculate second, third, etc. phase contrast images. Finally the different phase contrast images are fused to result in a full image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AGFA NV
    Inventors: Rainer Nebosis, Paul Leblans
  • 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: 20200129135
    Abstract: A phase contrast imaging (PCI) method in which, instead of using an analyzer grid, detector pixels are grouped and only a part of the total pixels are used to calculate a phase contrast image. In second, third, etc. steps, the pixels which were not used in the previous recalculation are used additionally to recalculate second, third, etc. phase contrast images. Finally the different phase contrast images are fused to result in a full image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Rainer NEBOSIS, Paul LEBLANS
  • Publication number: 20190343592
    Abstract: A protective bag dispensing system for a mobile x-ray apparatus includes a back panel element mountable against an external and operator-accessible side of a cart, the back panel element having dimensions which exceed the size of a protective bag being dispensed, a front panel element joined to the back panel element at the bottom side of both panels forming a cavity for supporting and accommodating an X-ray detector during the bagging process, a bag holder for hanging down a stack of multiple protective bags or feeding bags one by one into the cavity, the protective bags individually and removably attached from their top sides allowing an individual bag to be removed from the stack or roll while inserting the X-ray detector into the first available protective bag, the protective bags exceeding the size of the mobile x-ray detector being bagged, and the back panel element includes at least two segments arranged in a hinged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Sabina ELEN, Rainer NEBOSIS, Naser ELIAN, Paul LEBLANS
  • Patent number: 10067243
    Abstract: A scintillator includes CsBrxI(1-x) doped with Europium (CsBrxI(1-x):Eu) wherein x<0.5, and is obtained by annealing CsBrxI(1-x):Eu material at a temperature from 50° C. to 280° C. The EPR spectrum of the obtained scintillator measured at room temperature at a frequency of 34 GHz shows a maximum signal height at a magnetic field of 1200 mT, and the signal height at 1090 mT and 1140 mT does not exceed 40%, wherein the normalized signal height percentage at 1200 mT is calculated to be 100%. The scintillator is useful in a high energy radiation detection and radiography imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AGFA HEALTHCARE NV
    Inventors: Ilse Mans, Sabina Elen, Paul Leblans, Luc Struye, Freddy Callens, Henk Vrielinck
  • Patent number: 9831007
    Abstract: A radiographic flat panel detector includes a layer configuration in the order given: a) a radiation transparent substrate; and b) a scintillator layer applied by vapor deposition on the radiation transparent substrate; and c) an imaging array between the scintillator layer and a second substrate, characterized in that the radiation transparent substrate has on a side a layer including magnetisable particles and a method for producing the radiographic flat panel detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: AGFA HEALTHCARE NV
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Luc Struye, Ilse Mans, Sabina Elen
  • Publication number: 20170168167
    Abstract: A scintillator includes CsBrxI(1-x) doped with Europium (CsBrxI(1-x):Eu) wherein x<0.5, and is obtained by annealing CsBrxI(1-x):Eu material at a temperature from 50° C. to 280° C. The EPR spectrum of the obtained scintillator measured at room temperature at a frequency of 34 GHz shows a maximum signal height at a magnetic field of 1200 mT, and the signal height at 1090 mT and 1140 mT does not exceed 40%, wherein the normalized signal height percentage at 1200 mT is calculated to be 100%. The scintillator is useful in a high energy radiation detection and radiography imaging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Ilse MANS, Sabina ELEN, Paul LEBLANS, Luc STRUYE, Freddy CALLENS, Henk VRIELINCK
  • Publication number: 20170040078
    Abstract: A radiographic flat panel detector includes a layer configuration in the order given: a) a radiation transparent substrate; and b) a scintillator layer applied by means of vapour deposition on the radiation transparent substrate; and c) an imaging array between the scintillator layer and a second substrate, characterised in that the radiation transparent substrate has on a side a layer including magnetizable particles and a method for producing the radiographic flat panel detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Paul LEBLANS, Luc STRUYE, Ilse MANS, Sabina ELEN
  • 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: 20160051706
    Abstract: A process for producing a complex of a lanthanide or similar compound with a macrocyclic ligand, wherein the ratio of macrocyclic ligand in free form in relation to the lanthanide or similar compound is equal or more than 0.002% mol/mol, includes the steps of a) measuring the moisture content in a sample of the macrocyclic ligand; and b) mixing an amount G of the lanthanide with an amount X3 of the macrocyclic ligand with the proviso that X3=LG+Lf+M, wherein LG is the amount of macrocyclic ligand necessary for complexing the amount G of lanthanide or similar compound, Lf is an excess amount of the macrocyclic ligand, and M is the amount of moisture present in the amount X3 of the macrocyclic ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Diederik BUFFEL, Paul LEBLANS, Jan VENNEMAN
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8452069
    Abstract: Method of eliminating the effect of afterglow on a radiation image read out of a photostimulable phosphor screen. For each pixel the amount of afterglow generated by previously scanned pixels in the same line of pixels is determined and subtracted from the digital signal representation of that pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa HealthCare NV
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Paul Leblans, Dirk Vandenbroucke
  • Publication number: 20100226557
    Abstract: Method of eliminating the effect of afterglow on a radiation image read out of a photostimulable phosphor screen. For each pixel the amount of afterglow generated by previously scanned pixels in the same line of pixels is determined and subtracted from the digital signal representation of that pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Agfa HealthCare NV
    Inventors: Luc Struye, Paul Leblans, Dirk Vandenbroucke
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7501155
    Abstract: In a method for coating a phosphor or a scintillator layer onto a flexible substrate, within a sealed zone maintained under vacuum conditions, by the step of vapor deposition, said phosphor or scintillator layer is, continuously or discontinuously, deposited onto said substrate, and said substrate is deformed at least before, during or after said step of vapor deposition, in order to provide the manufacturer, by a process of exceptionally high yield, with large deposited phosphor or a scintillator sheets having constant speed and image quality properties, further offering availability of all formats as desired for screens, plates or panels ready-for-use in a scanning apparatus in computed radiography, screen/film radiography and direct radiography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: AGFA Healthcare
    Inventors: Johan Lamotte, Guido Verreyken, Paul Leblans
  • 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: 20080292060
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging cassette having a cover side and a tube side is suitable for use in radiotherapy applications, if comprising, in admixture with storage phosphor particles in the phosphor layer of a loaded radiation image storage phosphor plate, metal or metal compound particles in form of powder, dispersed in a binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Leblans, Roland Mueller, Wolfgang Kemp
  • 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