Abstract: A balloon brachytherapy applicator has either a single or double chambers, with the capability of “blistering” outwardly at a specified area on one side of the balloon. This is useful to move sensitive tissue farther away from a radiation source within a source guide inside the balloon. In one case a secondary compartment is formed on the primary balloon, and is separately inflatable so as to allow blistering as desired when needed. In another form the balloon comprises a single chamber but with a “window” or area in which the balloon wall is elastic, or substantially more elastic than the main balloon wall, so that inflation of the balloon up to a certain point forms a substantially regular balloon shape, and the addition of further pressure will blister out the elastic area to increase the distance between the shaft and the sensitive tissue in a desired orientation of the balloon.

Abstract: A radiation sensor array is carried on a flexible sheet of film, for placement on the skin of a patient adjacent to a brachytherapy location beneath the skin. With the array approximately centered on a position where radiation source to skin distance is estimated to be minimum, the array of sensors is used to monitor radiation dose received at the skin. With a controller connected to the array and preferably also to the radiation source in the applicator, the radiation dose received at all skin points of interest can be monitored, a point of maximum dose and a projected approach to limit dose can be calculated, and in response the system can warn the operator or control a brachytherapy procedure so as to discontinue radiation or control the radiation level or source position in real time. The system can also include percutaneous sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of lesions or imperfections in or near exposed anatomic surfaces using low-level ionizing radiation includes a substantially transparent applicator to administer radiation from an energy source to a surface area with the lesion. The applicator is positioned over the lesion to be treated, a treatment plan is created to achieve the desired therapeutic effect to the lesion, and execution of the treatment plan is executed by the energy source. Verification of the treatment to plan and safety methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An applicator for brachytherapy radiation avoids over-radiation in the distal axial direction from a source positioned in the applicator, by attenuating distal axial radiation which tends to over-radiate, causing a “hot spot” in tissue in the axial direction, when the radiation travels through air space in the lumen.

Abstract: Attenuating masks for selective attenuation of radiation, particularly from an x-ray source in brachytherapy, employ materials having atomic number in a specific range, so as to attenuate radiation dose intensity generally proportionally through a range of distance from the source. Some preferred attenuation materials are silver and molybdenum. A set of small masks can be provided for a particular design of catheter that holds a radiation source, each mask having a size and shape to define a different solid angle of masking, so that in a brachytherapy procedure, sensitive tissue such as bone or skin can be protected by proper selection of and positioning of the attenuating mask, to reduce the dose intensity to that tissue.

Abstract: A balloon brachytherapy applicator has either a single or double chambers, with the capability of “blistering” outwardly at a specified area on one side of the balloon. This is useful to move sensitive tissue, such as skin or bone, farther away from a radiation source within a source guide inside the balloon. In one case a secondary balloon or secondary compartment is formed on the primary balloon, and is separately inflatable so as to allow blistering as desired when needed.

Abstract: A brachytherapy applicator and method of use involve source guides that assume a desired curving, non-linear configuration. A flexible source catheter follows the shape of the source guides when inserted therein. Radiation dose received in various tissue areas can be better controlled using the invention, and the ratio of cavity surface dose to prescription depth dose can be lowered. With sequential manipulation of the source via movement of the catheter, the applicator can deliver radiotherapy to a treatment plan with local variation to prevent overdose, through either stepped or continuous movement of the source. Source guides can be fixed in position and arranged in bowed configuration around a generally central balloon axis, either attached to the balloon wall or not, and the series of off-center guides can be used to shape the dose delivered.

Abstract: A method of treatment for lesions or imperfections in or near exposed anatomic surfaces such as skin using low-level ionizing radiation includes, in one embodiment, acquisition by computer of the location and geometry of the anatomic region to be treated, creation of a treatment plan by a therapist to achieve the desired therapeutic effect within the region, and execution of the treatment plan by the energy source. Verification of the treatment to plan and safety methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible, lightweight radiation absorbing sheet or shield includes heavy metal particles in one layer and mid-atomic number particles in another layer, the layer that will adjacent to the patient. The shield is particularly intended for protection of the wearer and others from radiation emanating from a therapeutic source positioned within the patient's body. With the disclosed multi-layer shield construction, backscattered radiation off the heavy metal particle layer, affecting the patient's adjacent tissue, is minimized.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing the characteristics of a thin film is provided. The current invention extends the capability of IR sensors to measure thin films through configuring a plurality of detection channels with appropriately chosen filters. With the multichannel infrared sensor, the characteristic signature of interference fringes can be detected simultaneously with, or instead, of absorption-based measurements.

Abstract: The calibration of a laser caliber is described. The laser caliber uses first and second sensors to determine the distance to different sides of a sheet. A third sensor is used to determine the distance between the first and second sensors. The calibration of the first, second, and third sensors is done by positioning a test object onto the platform sensed by the third sensor. The platform is moved to multiple positions in order to calibrate the first, second and third sensors. Since the displacement of the platform moves the distance to the target of the first, second and third sensors the same amount, the sensors can be accurately calibrated for a number of different positions of the test object. A very accurate calibrating displacement measuring device such as an LVDT can be used.

Abstract: Preferential optical splitters are used in a multichannel wavelength measurement device. The optical splitters preferentially provide light at a certain wavelength to a detector. Preferentially providing light to the detectors allows for increased optical efficiencies.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing the characteristics of a thin film is provided. The current invention extends the capability of IR sensors to measure thin films through configuring a plurality of detection channels with appropriately chosen filters. With the multichannel infrared sensor, the characteristic signature of interference fringes can be detected simultaneously with, or instead, of absorption-based measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus is taught for draining static electrical charges build-up on a traveling web of dielectric material. The apparatus includes discharge means comprised of a metal member having one end formed into at least one needle point projection. The discharge means is connected to ground potential and mounted in close proximity to the traveling web. Responsive to concentrated static electrical charges the discharge means causes ionization of the gasses surrounding the discharge means, thereby draining the static electrical charges to the ground potential through the discharge means. The apparatus further includes means for sensing and reading the magnitude of static electrical charges drawn from the web of dielectric material and for applying the sensed information as digital signals to a manufacturing controller. The manufacturing controller uses the information to control manufacturing parameters that minimize the generation of static electrical charges during the manufacture of the dielectric material.

Abstract: Preferential optical splitters are used in a multichannel wavelength measurement device. The optical splitters preferentially provide light at a certain wavelength to a detector. Preferentially providing light to the detectors allows for increased optical efficiencies.

Abstract: The calibration of a laser caliber is described. The laser caliber uses first and second sensors to determine the distance to different sides of a sheet. A third sensor is used to determine the distance between the first and second sensors. The calibration of the first, second, and third sensors is done by positioning a test object onto the platform sensed by the third sensor. The platform is moved to multiple positions in order to calibrate the first, second and third sensors. Since the displacement of the platform moves the distance to the target of the first, second and third sensors the same amount, the sensors can be accurately calibrated for a number of different positions of the test object. A very accurate calibrating displacement measuring device such as an LVDT can be used.

Abstract: An apparatus is taught for draining static electrical charges build-up on a traveling web of dielectric material. The apparatus includes discharge means comprised of a metal member having one end formed into at least one needle point projection. The discharge means is connected to ground potential and mounted in close proximity to the traveling web. Responsive to concentrated static electrical charges the discharge means causes ionization of the gasses surrounding the discharge means, thereby draining the static electrical charges to the ground potential through the discharge means. The apparatus further includes means for sensing and reading the magnitude of static electrical charges drawn from the web of dielectric material and for applying the sensed information as digital signals to a manufacturing controller. The manufacturing controller uses the information to control manufacturing parameters that minimize the generation of static electrical charges during the manufacture of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position detector, in combination with dynamic z and/or flutter sensors, provides dynamic misalignment detection and correction of a measuring head, thereby allowing accurate determinations to be made of properties of a sheet material, such as basis weight.

Abstract: A nuclear gauge (7) for making measurements of traveling webs (11) in continuous sheet-making processes includes an enclosure (20), an encapsulated nuclear source (28), and a wheel-like member (10) mounted in the enclosure means for carrying the encapsulated nuclear source between two angularly-displaced positions. The first of the angularly-displaced positions is the position whereat the encapsulated nuclear source makes measurements of a web that travels past the gauge, and the second position is the location whereat the encapsulated nuclear source faces a sidewall of the enclosure means at a location remote from the first position. The nuclear gauge also has an aperture (16) which is formed through the enclosure for providing a window through which the encapsuled nuclear source, when located in the first position, can emit radiation onto a web that travels past the window.

Abstract: A nuclear gauge for making measurements of traveling webs in continuous sheet-making processes includes an enclosure, an encapsulated nuclear source, and a wheel-like member mounted in the enclosure means for carrying the encapsulated nuclear source between two angularly-displaced positions. The first of the angularly-displaced positions is the position where the encapsulated nuclear source makes measurements of a web that travels past the gauge and the second position is the location where the encapsulated nuclear source faces a sidewall of the enclosure means at a location remote from the first position. The nuclear gauge also has an aperture which is formed through the enclosure for providing a window through which the encapsuled nuclear source, when located in the first position, can emit radiation onto a web that travels past the window.