Methods Patents (Class 250/362)
-
Publication number: 20130134311Abstract: In the nuclear medicine imaging apparatus according to the one embodiment, the ADC converts the output data of each of the photodetectors to digital data. The counting information collecting unit collects counting results from the digital data, and the counting information storage unit stores the counting result in association with the digital data. The coincidence counting information generating unit generates coincidence counting information. The image reconstructing unit reconstructs a PET image, based on the coincidence counting information. The time correction data stores a correction time for each of the photodetectors. The system controlling unit controls to correct the detection time of the gamma rays in the digital data associated with each piece of the counting information by use of the correction time, and to generate new coincidence counting information. The system controlling unit controls to reconstruct a new nuclear medicine image, based on the new coincidence counting information generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
-
Patent number: 8450692Abstract: An apparatus and method to increase the sensitivity at the edge of radiation detector blocks is disclosed herein. Reduced sensitivity can result from photons entering a first detector block, escaping, and scattering into an adjacent detector, thereby depositing energy into two detectors blocks. Energy lost into adjacent detector blocks can be compensated with energy detected in the adjacent detector block. This can be done, for example, by processing channels from multiple detector blocks with one Field Programmable Gated Array (FPGA) on one Event Process Module (EPM) board. This can enable summing energy of one detector block with energy from an adjacent detector block when the initial interaction occurs at the edge of the first detector block. This can result in a better estimate of the amount of energy associated with the initial photon being detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Stefan B. Siegel, Dongming Hu
-
Publication number: 20130126740Abstract: A system for assaying radiation includes a sample holder configured to hold a liquid scintillation solution. A photomultiplier receives light from the liquid scintillation solution and generates a signal reflective of the light. A control circuit biases the photomultiplier and receives the signal from the photomultiplier reflective of the light. A light impermeable casing surrounds the sample holder, photomultiplier, and control circuit. A method for assaying radiation includes placing a sample in a liquid scintillation solution, placing the liquid scintillation solution in a sample holder, and placing the sample holder inside a light impermeable casing. The method further includes positioning a photomultiplier inside the light impermeable casing and supplying power to a control circuit inside the light impermeable casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: David P. DiPrete, Tad Whiteside, Donald J. Pak, Cecilia C. DiPrete
-
Publication number: 20130126741Abstract: A scintillator composition is described. The scintillator composition includes a matrix material and an activator. The matrix material includes at least one alkali metal or thallium; at least one alkali metal, different than the previously selected alkali metal; at least one lanthanides; and at least two halogens. The activator is cerium. Further, radiation detectors, which include the scintillator composition and methods for detecting high-energy radiation are also described and form part of this disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: General Electric Company
-
Publication number: 20130131422Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating dose calibration information are provided. One method includes determining dose calibration information of a radiopharmaceutical at a dose calibrator. The method also includes automatically storing the dose calibration information in a memory. The method further includes communicating the stored dose calibration information to a host system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Joseph Vosniak, Alexander Ganin, Joan Hanson, Paul Kinahan, Andrew Strickland
-
Publication number: 20130119258Abstract: A method for the detection of X-ray quants is provided. The X-ray quants are generated in an X-ray tube and impact on a multi-pixel X-ray detector including a two-dimensional matrix of test-signal-generating pixels. The method includes assigning, by an evaluation unit, pixels that generate a test signal within a predetermined time interval and are located in a cohesive cluster including a plurality of pixels to an event cluster. The test signals are used to approximate a position, at which the X-ray quant has interacted with the multi-pixel X-ray detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Inventors: Reiner Franz Schulz, Kaiss Shanneik
-
Publication number: 20130112883Abstract: In one embodiment, the radiation image detector includes: a radiation sensor, which includes an image detection unit in which a plurality of pixels a reading circuit, which reads image signal information from a group of pixels that are connected to an arbitrary row select line to which a drive voltage is applied, and also reads noise signal information from pixels when the drive voltage is not applied to all the row select lines; and a noise correction circuit, which corrects the image signal information on the basis of the noise signal information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Inventor: Hiroshi AIDA
-
Publication number: 20130105698Abstract: A method for locally resolved measurement of a radiation distribution (24) produced using a lithography mask (16) comprises providing a radiation converter (31, 131) having an at least two-dimensional arrangement of converter elements (32, 132) which can respectively be put in an active and a passive state, and are configured to convert incoming radiation in respect of its wavelength in the active state. The method further includes: manipulating the radiation converter (31, 131) several times such that respectively only a fraction of the converter elements (32, 132) adopts the active state, irradiating the radiation converter (31, 131) with the radiation distribution (24) after every manipulation of the radiation converter (31, 131) so that the active converter elements (32, 132) emit wavelength-converted measuring radiation (34), recording respective places of origin (54) of the measuring radiation at every irradiation with the radiation distribution (24).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBHInventor: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
-
Publication number: 20130110320Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle incorporates a structure having an integral scintillating material for a radiation detector and detection electronics connected to the radiation detector for measurement of the scintillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventor: The Boeing Company
-
Patent number: 8431903Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for a fast thermo-optical characterization of particles. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a device to measure the stability of (bio)molecules, the interaction of molecules, in particular biomolecules, with, e.g. further (bio)molecules, particularly modified (bio)molecules, particles, beads, and/or the determination of the length/size (e.g. hydrodynamic radius) of individual (bio)molecules, particles, beads and/or the determination of length/size (e.g. hydrodynamic radius).Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Ludwig Maximilians Universitat MunichInventors: Stefan Duhr, Philipp Baaske
-
Patent number: 8431904Abstract: Improved processing electronic hardware are disclosed that facilitate the efficient processing of PET system data, while enhancing accuracy and compatibility of PET systems with other analytical methods (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging). Improvements include the use of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for summing, by row, column, and diagonal, the output signals from an array of photodetectors in the PET system.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Thomas K. Lewellen, Robert S. Miyaoka
-
Publication number: 20130099125Abstract: A thermal neutron monitor includes at least one neutron scintillator sheet interposed between light guides. Scintillation light emitted in opposite transverse directions is captured by the light guides and conveyed to a common detector. The sandwiched geometry of the monitor avoids the need to provide multiple detectors and permits construction of a relatively inexpensive, compact monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Lee GRODZINS
-
Patent number: 8428218Abstract: A dynamic tumor radiation treatment program for causing a computer to function. The program includes detecting an annihilation gamma ray with a gamma ray detector, storing the threshold of counting rate in a displacement threshold memory, computing the counting rate according to the detection signal of an annihilation gamma ray with a gamma ray counting rate computer, comparing the counting rate of annihilation gamma rays acquired from the gamma ray counting rate computer with the threshold of the counting rate acquired from the displacement threshold storage memory by means of a threshold comparator, judging whether or not the tumor is displaced out of the radiation irradiation spot by means of a tumor position judging unit, and making a control to stop radiation irradiation or outputting a stop command signal by means of an irradiation controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignees: National University Corporation Hokkaido University, Institute of National Colleges of Technology, JapanInventors: Junichi Kaneko, Fumiyuki Fujita, Hiroki Shirato, Eiji Takada
-
Publication number: 20130092841Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing three-dimensional imaging using backscattered photons generated from a positron-electron annihilation. The systems and methods are implemented using the pair of photons created from a positron-electron annihilation. The trajectory and emission time of one of the photons is detected near the annihilation event. Using this collected data, the trajectory of the second photon can be determined. The second photon is used as a probe photon and is directed towards a target for imaging. The interaction of the second probe photon with the target produces back scattered photons that can be detected and used to create a three-dimensional image of the target. The systems and methods described herein are particularly advantageous because they permit imaging with a system from a single side of the target, as opposed to requiring imaging equipment on both sides of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Inventors: Robert David Penny, John D. Valentine
-
Publication number: 20130087710Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for determining a time pickoff for both digital and analog photomultiplier circuits. Rather than basing time pickoff on the leading edge of a photomultiplier signal crossing a threshold or the first signal from a digital photomultiplier, a method for more accurate time calculations is disclosed. The system searches for peak values associated with the signal using differentiation, peak hold searching, and Gaussian distributions. Based on these calculations and comparisons, a more accurate time pickoff is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventor: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
-
Publication number: 20130087711Abstract: The present disclosure discloses rare earth metal halide scintillators compositions with reduced hygroscopicity. Compositions in specific implementations include three group of elements: Lanthanides, (La, Ce, Lu, Gd or V), elements in group 17 of the periodic table of elements (CI, Br and I) and elements of group 13 (B, AI, Ga, In, TI), and any combination of these elements. Examples of methods for making the compositions are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventor: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
-
Patent number: 8415629Abstract: A radiation-sensitive detector includes a photosensor layer with one or more photosensor dixels and a composite scintillator layer with one or more scintillator dixels optically coupled to the photosensor layer. The composite scintillator layer is formed from a mixture including a scintillator material having a first refractive index corresponding to a first wavelength and a photo-resist used in micro-electromechanical systems production, having a second refractive index corresponding to the first wavelength. The first and second refractive indices are substantially matched, and the composite scintillator layer produces light having the first wavelength and that is indicative of x-radiation detected thereby.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Cornelis R. Ronda
-
Patent number: 8410422Abstract: The invention is related to the adjustment of characteristics of a beam bundle of high-energy radiation emitted from a plasma, particularly for applications in semiconductor lithography. For acquiring and adjusting characteristics of a beam bundle of high-energy radiation emitted from a plasma and focused by means of collector optics, an intensity distribution of the radiation is acquired over the cross section of a convergent beam bundle in a measuring plane perpendicular to the optical axis in front of an intermediate focus of the collector optics, and intensity values are recorded in defined sectors for a quantity of reception regions of a measuring device which are aligned with different radii concentric to the optical axis, and measured quantities and control variables are determined from a comparison of the intensity values of different sectors for aligning the collector optics.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: XTREME technologies GmbHInventors: Denis Bolshukhin, Alexander Christian Keller, Max Christian Schuermann, Guido Schriever, Imtiaz Ahmad, Juergen Kleinschmidt
-
Publication number: 20130062526Abstract: A PET apparatus and a timing correction method of this invention select two target gamma-ray detectors which count coincidences, select a reference detector which is one detector out of the two selected gamma-ray detectors, select a gamma-ray detector different from the other, opposite detector, and when repeating the selection, make a time lag histogram concerning two gamma-ray detectors selected in the past a reference, and correct a time lag histogram concerning gamma-ray detectors selected this time based on the reference. By repeating an operation to make the corrected time lag histogram concerning the two gamma-ray detectors a new reference, an optimal time lag histogram can be obtained without repeating many measurements and computations.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoaki Tsuda, Masanobu Sato
-
Publication number: 20130062525Abstract: Using standard or āoff the shelfā cable to interconnect between the PET block detector and the detector circuit may save substantial costs given the number of PMTs in a PET system. Given space constraints, simple maintenance with reduced risk of disturbing cabling is desired, making ongoing use of standard cabling without adding further cabling desired. To implement digital gain control, a further communication is provided between the PET detector block and the detector circuit. Since the standard cable may not have additional wires for such communications and to reduce timing degradation, the PMT signals are combined, such as generating position and energy signals at the PET detector block. The four PMT signals are reduced to three signals without reduction in function, allowing a fourth twisted pair of wires in a CAT5 cable to be used for digital gain control.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventors: James Frank Caruba, Niraj K. Doshi, John W. Young, Nan Zhang
-
Patent number: 8395129Abstract: A pallet (10) for use with a gamma camera includes a rigid sheet (30) having a thickness (d) of less than six millimeters and a strength-enhancing curvature transverse to an axial direction (DA). At least a portion of an edge (32) of the rigid sheet has a bevel (B) with a length (x) along the sheet of at least about ten millimeters and a height (y) of at least about four-fifths of the sheet thickness. A protective covering (34) is disposed over the beveled edge. In a nuclear imaging method, a subject is disposed on the rigid sheet and a radiological image is acquired of at least a portion of the subject disposed on the sheet with at least one radiation detector head (8) positioned underneath or at an oblique angle below the subject. The bevel is effective to reduce or blur an edge artifact in the acquired image.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Jason S. Wiener, Merlene Robergeau, Jody L. Garrard, Raymond C. D'Ambrosio
-
Publication number: 20130056638Abstract: A three-dimensional position-sensitive radiation detector is provided which has a three-dimensional array of photodetectors disposed on the surface of a scintillator block and which is capable of three-dimensionally identifying the position of light emission at which radiation has been detected within the detector. The three-dimensional position-sensitive radiation detector includes: a scintillator block including a central portion which restricts the direction of diffusion of light so as to direct the light in three axial directions and which has an optically discontinuous region, and an outer portion which is disposed on the outside of the central portion and which does not restrict the direction of diffusion of light; and photodetectors disposed on at least two outer circumferential surfaces of the scintillator block.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicants: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K., NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCESInventors: Naoko Inadama, Hideo Murayama, Taiga Yamaya, Mitsuo Watanabe, Takahiro Moriya, Kenshi Fukumitsu, Tomohide Omura
-
Publication number: 20130056639Abstract: A method for improving timing response in light-sharing scintillation detectors is disclosed. The method includes detecting an event, by a plurality of photo sensors, from a scintillation crystal. The method then includes sampling and digitizing the photo sensor outputs by an analog-to-digital converter. Then the method includes correcting associated timing data, by a processor, for each of the photo sensor outputs based on a lookup table. The method then includes selectively time shifting the photo sensor outputs based on the lookup table to generate corrected photo sensor outputs. The method then includes summing the corrected photo sensor outputs by the processor. The method then includes generating an event time, by the processor, for the detected event based on the sum of the corrected photo sensor outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
-
Patent number: 8389940Abstract: The invention relates to a novel discriminating molecule family for neutron and gamma radiation, and to the preparation method thereof. Said molecules are also useful for detecting radiation (X, gamma, electrons, protons, ions), and thus for manufacturing radar, and industrial or medical dosimetry instruments.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Universite Louis Pasteur de StrasbourgInventors: Remi Barillon, Ezeddine Bouajila, Laurent Douce, Jean-Marc Jung, Louise Stuttge
-
Publication number: 20130043398Abstract: A system for assaying a radionuclide includes a liquid scintillation detector, an analyzer connected to the liquid scintillation detector, and a delay circuit connected to the analyzer. A gamma detector and a multi-channel analyzer are connected to the delay circuit and the gamma detector. The multi-channel analyzer produces a signal reflective of the radionuclide in the sample. A method for assaying a radionuclide includes selecting a sample, detecting alpha or beta emissions from the sample with a liquid scintillation detector, producing a first signal reflective of the alpha or beta emissions, and delaying the first signal a predetermined time. The method further includes detecting gamma emissions from the sample, producing a second signal reflective of the gamma emissions, and combining the delayed first signal with the second signal to produce a third signal reflective of the radionuclide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLCInventors: James R. Cadieux, George S. King, III, Glenn A. Fugate
-
Patent number: 8378307Abstract: An imaging system includes a scintillator array (202) and a digital photomultiplier array (204). A photon counting channel (212), an integrating channel (210), and a moment generating channel (214) process the output signal of the digital photomultiplier array (204). A reconstructor (122) spectrally resolves the first, the second and the third output signals. In one embodiment, a controller (232) activates the photon counting channel (212) to process the digital signal only if a radiation flux is below a predetermined threshold. An imaging system includes at least one direct conversion layer (302) and at least two scintillator layers (304) and corresponding photosensors (306). A photon counting channel (212) processes an output of the at least one direct conversion layer (302), and an integrating channel (210) and a moment generating channel (214) process respective outputs of the photosensors (306). A reconstructor (122) spectrally resolves the first, the second and the third output signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Christoph Herrmann, Roger Steadman, Walter Ruetten
-
Patent number: 8378306Abstract: PET signals are amplified in a hybrid PET/MR system. An amplifier structure is provided for operation in the magnetic field of the MR magnets. By filtering to remove signals at the MR frequency (e.g., about 123 MHz) as part of the amplification circuit, the amplification circuit may be positioned within the RF cabin, within the magnetic field, and even within a same housing as the MR magnets. MR interference may be reduced by staged amplification. The filtering may be bi-directional, such as using parallel and series traps. Digitization of the PET signals may be provided within the magnetic field with no or little interference with MR operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: James Frank Caruba, Roger E. Arseneau
-
Patent number: 8378305Abstract: When performing positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and image reconstruction, a primary PET system (10) with a primary PET detector array (12) is used to image a patient or subject, and a secondary PET detector array (14) is coupled to the system at specific input points to mitigate unnecessary duplication of system components. The primary system (10) provides PET data processing and reconstruction for the secondary array (14), in addition to the first array (12). An adjustable array (120) includes radially movable detectors (122) and stationary detectors (124) with different crystal resolutions. The movable detectors (122) are alternately positioned with the stationary detectors (124) at a first radius to form a large detector ring, or are positioned at a second, smaller radius without the stationary detectors (124) to form a small detector ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Daniel Gagnon, Douglas B. McKnight
-
Publication number: 20130037722Abstract: In imaging on the basis of list mode data of a list of radioactive count data detected by a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus for measuring radiation in a pulse mode, the processing from the measurement to imaging of radiation is accelerated substantially to the real time level by selecting the number of count data to be used for online imaging computations on the basis of the counting rate of radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCESInventors: Taiga Yamaya, Eiji Yoshida
-
Patent number: 8373130Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes an array of scintillator pixels (102) in optical communication with a photosensor. The scintillator pixels (102) include a hygroscopic scintillator (104) and one or more hermetic covers (106a, 106b). A desiccant (124) may be disposed between a hermetic cover (106a) and the scintillator (104) or between the hermetic covers (106a, 106b).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Cornelis R. Ronda, Guenter Zeitler, Herbert Schreinemacher
-
Publication number: 20130032721Abstract: Apparatuses, computer-readable mediums, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a positron emission tomography (āPETā) detector array is provided which includes a plurality of crystal elements arranged in a two-dimensional checkerboard configuration. In addition, there are empty spaces in the checkerboard configuration. In various embodiments, the empty spaces are filled with passive shielding, transmission source assemblies, biopsy instruments, surgical instruments, and/or electromagnetic sensors. In various embodiments, the crystal elements and the transmission source assemblies simultaneously perform emission/transmission acquisitions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventors: Christian J. Michel, Maurizio Conti, Ronald Grazioso, Piotr Szupryczynski, A. Andrew Carey, Larry Byars
-
Publication number: 20130032706Abstract: A method of configuring a time-of-flight positron emission tomography (PET) system includes determining a set of parameters of a detector of the PET system. Each parameter is configured to affect photon travel within the detector. The method further includes simulating operation of the detector to generate a photon detection timing data profile for a plurality of depth of interaction (DOI) positions within the detector via a simulation model of the detector configured in accordance with the set of parameters, and determining a time-of-flight correction factor for each DOI position of the plurality of DOI positions based on the simulated operation. The correction factor is indicative of a time offset of the photon detection timing data profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventor: Sanghee Cho
-
Publication number: 20130026371Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for nanoparticles, methods of making nanoparticles, materials including nanoparticles, the use of materials including nanoparticles, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicants: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: Paul Howard Holloway, Jihun Choi, Teng-Kuan Tseng, Luiz G. Jacobsohn
-
Publication number: 20130026370Abstract: Methods and systems for multiple scatter estimation in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are provided. One method includes determining attenuation sinograms and determining a varying convolution kernel as a function of the attenuation sinograms, wherein the kernel varies in amplitude and width over a radial length of a PET imaging system. The method also includes using the varying convolution kernel to estimate multiple PET scatter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Qian, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar, Kris Filip Johan Jules Thielemans
-
Patent number: 8362435Abstract: A method and device for detecting, differentiating from background and providing partial identification (i.e., classification) for biological particles found in aerosols or surface dust. The method is based on the phenomenon that luminescent excitation-emission (EEM) graphs of microorganisms obtained before and after perturbation by irradiation with ultraviolet light show characteristic patterns which differ according to the type of particle. For example, Bacillus endospores may be distinguished from vegetative bacteria, and gram positive vegetative bacteria may be distinguished from gram negative bacteria, and all these may be distinguished from many types of background particles, e.g. house dust, road dust, and pollen.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: Burt V. Bronk
-
Publication number: 20130020489Abstract: For coincidence determination, a PET device that regards and counts a pair of annihilation radiations detected within a predetermined time as occurring from the same nuclide changes a coincidence time width according to a maximum detection time difference. This prevents the inclusion of extra noise data for improved image quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2010Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCESInventors: Eiji Yoshida, Taiga Yamaya
-
Publication number: 20130020487Abstract: A method (70) of operation of a PET scanner (10) that determines the depth of interaction of the annihilation photons within the scintillator (32) in localizing a temporal photon pair along a line of response (LOR).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventors: Stefan B. Siegel, Robert A. Mintzer
-
Publication number: 20130020488Abstract: A detector of ionizing radiation comprises a photodetector and a scintillator in the shape of truncated cone comprising a large base, a small base and a lateral surface, the large base of the scintillator being coupled to the photodetector, any half-angle at the apex of the cone being in the range between 5Ā° and 35Ā°, the lateral face being coated with a black coating. The detector in accordance with an embodiment can produce a very short pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CRISTAUX ET DETECTEURSInventors: Jeremy Flamanc, Marie-Virginie Ehrensperger, Michele Schiavoni
-
Patent number: 8357903Abstract: A radiation detector that includes multiple adjacent modular detector segments. Each segment includes an array of scintillation crystal elements, a light guide arranged adjacent to the array of scintillation crystal elements, and reflectors arranged around a periphery of the segment so that light produced by a scintillation event in the segment is substantially confined to the segment. In one embodiment, each segment is coupled to multiple photosensors, each photosensor receiving light from at least one of the segments.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Zhengyan Wang, Kent Burr
-
Publication number: 20130015358Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are described that relate to reducing optical noise. In at least one embodiment, the method includes, emitting a first light having a selected wavelength from a light source, receiving a reflected first light onto a phosphor-based layer positioned inside a receiver, the reflected first light being at least some of the emitted first light that has been reflected by an object positioned outside of a desired target location. The method further includes, shifting the wavelength of the received reflected first light due to an interaction between the received reflected first light and the phosphor-based layer, and passing the received reflected first light with respect to which the wavelength has been shifted through a light detector without detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Francis Lawrence Leard
-
Publication number: 20130009063Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the onset of gamma interactions for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging more accurately than with existing techniques. The timing of a sequence of primary trigger events is obtained and used to determine a weighted combination, which mixes the timing information from the various primary trigger events to compute an overall event trigger timing with improved time resolution. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the invention improves time resolution by approximately 10% over state-of-the-art methods. This improved time resolution directly benefits the imaging performance of the PET scanner, especially in time-of-flight (TOF) mode, where a high time resolution directly translates to a reduction in image noise at the same doseāor, alternatively, a reduction of dose to the patient or scan time for the same image quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicants: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC., SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Debora Henseler, Ronald Grazioso, Nan Zhang, Matthias J. Schmand, Sanghee Cho
-
Publication number: 20130009064Abstract: In a coincidence determination processing of a PET device for regarding and counting a pair of annihilation radiations detected within a predetermined time as occurring from the same nuclide, a priority of a line of response to acquire is set and a true coincidence is extracted from multiple coincidences by using information on a detection time difference if a plurality of coincidences are detected with the predetermined time. Consequently, a true coincidence is extracted from multiple coincidences which have heretofore been discarded. This improves detection sensitivity at high radioactive concentration and contributes to an improved dynamic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCESInventors: Eiji Yoshida, Taiga Yamaya
-
Patent number: 8350219Abstract: Some aspects include a device comprising a plurality of cameras arranged in an array, each producing a signal indicative of radiation impinging on the respective camera, the plurality of cameras arranged such that the field of view of each of the plurality of cameras at least partially overlaps the field of view of at least one adjacent camera of the plurality of cameras, to form a respective plurality of overlap regions, an energy conversion component for converting first radiation impinging on a surface of the energy conversion component to second radiation at a lower energy that is detectable by the plurality of cameras, and at least one computer for processing the signals from each of the plurality cameras to generate at least one image, the at least one processor configured to combine signals in the plurality of overlap regions to form the at least one image.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: DenCT LtdInventors: Jacob Koren, Eduard Batkilin
-
Publication number: 20130001424Abstract: An optical fiber can include a polymer and a scintillation quencher. The optical fiber can be a member of a radiation sensor or radiation detecting system. The scintillation quencher can include a UV-absorber or a scintillation resistant material. In one embodiment, the radiation sensor includes a scintillator that is capable of generating a first radiation having a wavelength of at least about 420 nm; and a scintillation quencher is capable of absorbing a second radiation having a wavelength of less than about 420 nm. The optical fiber including a scintillation quencher provides for a method to detect neutrons in a radiation detecting system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Michael R. Kusner
-
Publication number: 20120326043Abstract: A neutron detection apparatus can include a neutron sensor and a photosensor optically coupled to the neutron sensor. In an embodiment, the photosensor includes a box-and-line photomultiplier, and in another embodiment, the photosensor includes a box-and-grid photomultiplier. The neutron detection apparatus provide unexpectedly better pulse shape analysis, pulse shape discrimination, or both. In a particular embodiment, the neutron may also be configured to detect gamma rays.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Artan Duraj
-
Publication number: 20120318988Abstract: A method for extracting photon depth of interaction information in a positron emission tomography system is provided. A pulse is detected in a photodetector. A height of the pulse is measured. A determination of whether the pulse height is within a set range is made. Photon depth of interaction is extracted from the pulse height. An energy of interaction is calculated from the pulse height and calibration data. The extracted photon depth and calculated energy spectrum are used in image reconstruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Farhad Taghibakhsh, Craig Steven Levin
-
Publication number: 20120312994Abstract: A scintillation detector includes: a photodetector; a scintillating material configured to emit light in response to exposure to ionization particles; an optically transparent material having a light absorption coefficient that is less than a light absorption coefficient of the scintillating material, the optically transparent material optically coupled to a surface of the scintillating material and configured to transmit the emitted light; and a reflective material at least partially surrounding the scintillating material and the optically transparent material, the reflective material configured to reflect the emitted light and direct the emitted light toward the photodetector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Anton Nikitin, Loren Patrick Roberts, Nikolay N. Velker, Alexandr A. Vinokurov
-
Publication number: 20120298861Abstract: A photoelectron microscope uses the vector potential field as a spatial reference. The microscope can be used with a source of photons to image surface chemistry.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventor: Raymond Browning
-
Publication number: 20120298875Abstract: In a radiation measurement apparatus, an analog pulse signal output from a semiconductor radiation detector is converted to a plurality of digital signals by an analog-to-digital converter for each analog pulse signal. A threshold circuit for inputting these digital signals discriminates digital signals exceeding a threshold value. A digital signal integration circuit integrates the plurality of discriminated digital signals for each analog pulse signal and obtains an integrated value for each analog pulse signal. A spectrum generation circuit for inputting the respective integrated values generates a radiation energy spectrum using the integrated values and accurately performs the quantitative analysis and energy analysis of a radioactive nuclide using the radiation energy spectrum. A quantitative analysis and an energy analysis of a radioactive nuclide can be accurately performed while a time resolution of a radiation detector can be maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Katsunori UENO, Takahiro Tadokoro, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Mizuho Tsuyuki, Nobuyuki Ota, Makoto Nagase
-
Patent number: 8319191Abstract: Embodiments of sensor systems and related methods of operating and manufacturing the same are described herein. The sensor systems can be used to detect atomic or subatomic particles or radiation. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, a body corporate of the State of Arizona, Acting for and on behalf of Arizona State UniversityInventor: David R. Allee