With Radiant Energy Source Patents (Class 250/363.01)
  • Patent number: 10032941
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element including a semiconductor layer includes: forming an electrode; forming an insulating layer covering the electrode; forming an opening in a region of the insulating layer overlapping the electrode in a plan view; forming a covering layer of a semiconductor material on a surface of the insulating layer; and forming the semiconductor layer by patterning the covering layer. In the forming of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer is formed such that an outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor layer is located on the outside of an inner circumferential edge of the opening in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Kudo
  • Patent number: 10018734
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detector pack includes a first substrate, an X-ray detection unit, a second substrate, and a data acquisition device. The first substrate includes a first main surface and a second main surface. The X-ray detection unit is provided in the first main surface, converts an X-ray into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal. The second substrate includes a third main surface and a fourth main surface and is disposed in a posture of making the third main surface face the second main surface. The data acquisition device is provided in at least any one of the third main surface and the fourth main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mayumi So, Satoru Asagiri
  • Patent number: 10007529
    Abstract: A data card running mode switching method is disclosed. The data card booting into a first running mode, the data card judging whether the first running mode matches with a type of an operating system running on a computer or not, if not, the data card switching to a second running mode that matches with the type of the operating system running on the computer, and running under the second running mode. Embodiments of the present document solve the problems of incompatibility and nonsupport between a running mode of a data card and an operating system running on a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Yabing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9927363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a real-time baseline correction technique for infrared time-resolved photoluminescence are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Zhi-Yuan Lin, Yong-Hang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9870607
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance the image contrast of a digital image device while simultaneously compensating for image intensity inhomogeneity, regardless of the source. The present invention corrects intensity inhomogeneities producing a more uniform image appearance. Also, the image is enhanced through increased contrast, e.g., tissue contrast in a medical image. The method makes no assumptions as to the source of the inhomogeneities, e.g., physical device characteristics or positioning of the object being imaged. In the method, the error between the histogram of the spatially-weighted original image and a specified histogram is minimized. The specified histogram may be selected to increase contrast generally or particularly for accentuation, e.g., on localized regions of interest. The weighting is preferably achieved by two-dimensional interpolation of a sparse grid of control points overlaying the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Boitano
  • Patent number: 9841510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) and to a method for manufacturing such a detector. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation detector (100) comprises an array of photosensitive pillars (110) that are embedded in a conversion material (120). The photosensitive pillars may particularly be diodes connected at their ends to external circuits (130, 140). The conversion material (120) may particularly comprise a powder of scintillator particles (121) embedded in a matrix of binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Simon, Frank Verbakel, Gereon Vogtmeier, Naor Wainer
  • Patent number: 9832374
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable mediums are provided to generate a number of targets for a panoramic image, each of the targets defining a portion of the panoramic image, monitor a position of a user device with respect to a current target, responsive to determining that the user device is properly positioned with respect to the current target, capture a first image for the current target using a camera of the user device, monitor the position of the user device with respect to a next target, responsive to determining that the user device is properly positioned with respect to the next target, capture a second image for the next target using the camera of the user device; and generate the panoramic image using the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Evan Rapoport, Scott Ettinger
  • Patent number: 9753028
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an electric-field imaging system and method of use. In accordance with implementations of the electric-field imaging system, a fluid sample can be placed on top of a pixel-based impedance sensor. An image of the target analytes can be created immediately afterwards. From this image, computer imaging algorithms can determine attributes (e.g., size, type, morphology, volume, distribution, number, concentration, or motility, etc.) of the target analytes. The electric-field imaging sensor can be used for a variety of agglutination or agglomeration assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald B. Koo, Henry Grage
  • Patent number: 9731149
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for real-time control of a charged particle pencil beam system during therapeutic treatment of a patient. In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to measuring an actual shape, an actual intensity distribution, and an actual location at isocenter of the charged particle pencil beam. The actual data is compared to model treatment data in real time to determine if a statistically significant variance occurs in which case the charged particle pencil beam can be stopped mid-treatment for correction and/or analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Pyramid Technical Consultants Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Paul Boisseau, William P. Nett, John S. Gordon, Sashidar Kollipara, Yuriy Kozlov
  • Patent number: 9716819
    Abstract: Ranging devices, systems, and methods are provided. In embodiments, a device includes a casing with four openings and an array with depth pixels. The depth pixels are arranged in four quadrants, so that pixels in each of the quadrants receive light through one of the four openings. The depth pixels may generate samples in response to the received light. For a certain frame, a controller reads out samples from each of the quadrants before completing reading out the samples of any one of the quadrants. In some embodiments, reading out is performed by using interleaved rolling shutter for the rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ilia Ovsiannikov
  • Patent number: 9702799
    Abstract: A method of performing a static gel strength test on a composition can include placing the composition into a static gel strength test instrument, stirring the composition with at least one helical blade of the instrument, and measuring resistance to rotation between a stator and a rotor of the instrument. A static gel strength test instrument can include a rotor, and a stator having at least one helical blade. The static gel strength test instrument characterizes gelation of a composition. Another static gel strength test instrument can include a stator having at least one helical blade, and a rotor having at least one helical blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew H. Gaugler, Ronnie G. Morgan, Dennis Gray, Sairam K. S. Pindiprolu
  • Patent number: 9693744
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging with detectors having moving heads are provided. One apparatus includes a gantry and a plurality of detector units mounted to the gantry. At least some of the plurality of detector units are movable relative to the gantry to position one or more of the detector units with respect to a subject. The detector units are movable along parallel axes with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tzachi Rafaeli, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 9535170
    Abstract: In a scintillator panel, a glass substrate with the thickness of not more than 150 ?m serves as a support body, thereby achieving excellent radiotransparency and flexibility and also relieving a problem of thermal expansion coefficient. Furthermore, in this scintillator panel, an organic resin layer is formed so as to cover a one face side and a side face side of the glass substrate and an organic resin layer is formed so as to cover an other face side and the side face side of the glass substrate on which the organic resin layer is formed. This effectively prevents the edge part from chipping or cracking. Furthermore, stray light can be effectively prevented from entering the side face of the glass substrate and, the entire surface thereof is covered by the organic resin layers, so that warping of the glass substrate can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Hidenori Jonishi, Munenori Shikida, Yutaka Kusuyama
  • Patent number: 9529096
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes: a first scintillator; a second scintillator; a first photodetector; a second photodetector; a first light quantity adjusting member; a second light quantity adjusting member; and a position specifying unit specifies each radiation incident position in each of the first and second scintillators. Optical transmittance of the first light quantity adjusting member is smaller than optical transmittance of an optical path between the second end surface of the first scintillator and the second photodetector. Optical transmittance of the second light adjusting member is smaller than optical transmittance of an optical path between the first end surface of the second scintillator and the first photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Takaji Yamashita, Hiroshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 9524546
    Abstract: A reference density profile is generated in an outer circumference direction of a pipe having a reference welded portion on the basis of a reference fluoroscopic image generated from a radiation detection medium when a radiation source is disposed on a central axis of the pipe. A weld inspection density profile is generated in an outer circumference direction of a pipe having an inspection target welded portion on the basis of a weld inspection fluoroscopic image. On the basis of the reference density profile and the weld inspection density profile, density correction information is calculated. The density correction information is for correcting density irregularities in the weld inspection fluoroscopic image in the outer circumference direction of the pipe. On the basis of the density correction information, the density irregularities in the weld inspection fluoroscopic image are corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Makiko Nagashima, Yasunori Narukawa
  • Patent number: 9417060
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the distance to a specified point or distances between specified points on one or more objects, where the specified points are obscured behind an opaque barrier and cannot be viewed. Specified points are illuminated with penetrating radiation from two or more successive locations, and scattered radiation from the specified points is detected, and distance is calculated based on illumination angles. The apparatus has a source of penetrating radiation, a beam scanner for directing the penetrating radiation, a detector for detecting scattered radiation, and a processor for calculating the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Schubert
  • Patent number: 9417609
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a hologram of an object includes a light source that emits an incoherent electromagnetic wave toward the object, and a masking device configured to display a mask, receive the incoherent electromagnetic wave emitted toward the object, mask the received incoherent electromagnetic wave according to the displayed mask, and produce a masked electromagnetic wave. The apparatus also includes an image recording device configured to capture an image of the masked electromagnetic wave, and a processing device configured to convert the image of the masked electromagnetic wave into the hologram of the object. A method for producing a hologram of an object is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CellOptic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Rosen
  • Patent number: 9349577
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for locating a radionuclide emitting positons and having a child core emitting a photon by de-excitation, that includes detecting a radionuclide response line using a positon-emitting tomography camera. According to the disclosure, for each of the arrangements ordered by pairs of first and second interactions of the Compton type detected by a Compton telescope, the method comprises determining the angle between the direction of the incident photon of the first interaction and the geometrical axis connecting the position of the first interaction with the position of the second interaction, determining the half-aperture cones of the angle in which the geometrical surface does not include an intersection with line, selecting at least one cone in which the geometrical surface includes an intersection with line, selecting the radionuclide position from said reconstructed intersection of the response line with the geometrical surface of the selected cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS), ECOLE DES MINES DE NANTES
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Cussonneau, Patrick Le Ray, Eric Morteau, Noël Servagent, Dominique Thers
  • Patent number: 9301724
    Abstract: An isolation system with imaging or radiation therapy capability is disclosed. At least one containment barrier (14, 15, 16, 17) defines an isolation region (10). An imaging or therapy system (20) is disposed outside of the isolation region. The containment barrier includes a substantially hollow tubular extension (24, 42, 44, 124, 224, 324) protruding away from the isolation region (10). The substantially hollow tubular extension surrounds an interior volume (26) that is in fluid communication with the isolation region and is in fluid isolation from the imaging or therapy system. The substantially hollow tubular extension is made at least partially of a material providing operative communication between the imaging or therapy system and the interior volume of the substantially hollow tubular extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Douglas B. McKnight, Michael G. Ambrosia, Dennis K. Everett, Robert G. Henderson, Gustavo Francken, Mark Edwards, Alan Love, Marc Huber
  • Patent number: 9261624
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radiation in a borehole intersecting an earth formation. The apparatus may include a neutron sensitive scintillation media and at least one optically transparent neutron absorptive material optically coupled to the media, which may be positioned to prevent incident neutrons from reaching a neutron-shaded surface of the media, and to provide directional sensitivity. The neutron absorptive material may comprise a light guide optically coupled to the neutron sensitive scintillation media. The scintillation media may be disposed within the at least one optically transparent neutron absorptive material, which may be configured to prevent substantially all incident neutrons having an incident neutron energy below a selected energy threshold from reaching the media. The selected energy threshold may be approximately 0.2 eV. A neutron-reflecting material may be disposed within the scintillation media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Maxim Vasilyev, Toyli Anniyev, Steven M. Bliven, Andrey Federov, Mikhail Korjik
  • Patent number: 9261611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning with radiation detectors are provided. One system includes at least one radiation scanning camera-head, an array of at least one pixelated radiation detector having an imaging surface including a two dimensional array of pixels, and a scanning unit positioned between the radiation detector and the object. The scanning unit includes first and second radiation blocking plates having first and second two-dimensional arrays of openings, respectively, wherein the array of pixels and the first and second arrays of openings have a same pitch. Additionally, for each of a plurality of scan positions of the scanning unit, the first and second moveable plates and the imaging surface are positioned differently with respect to each other to produce different inclination angles in response to each scan position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Eliezer Traub
  • Patent number: 9217794
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a scintillator array includes a plurality of scintillator blocks, and a reflective layer part interposed between the adjacent scintillator blocks. The plurality of scintillator blocks are integrated by the reflective layer part. The reflective layer part includes reflective particles dispersed in a transparent resin. The reflective particles include at least one selected from titanium oxide particles and tantalum oxide particles, and have a mean particle diameter of 2 ?m or less. The number of the reflective particles existing per unit area of 5 ?m×5 ?m of the reflective layer part is in a range of 100 or more and 250 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumitsu Morimoto, Akihisa Saito, Yoshitaka Adachi, Masaki Toyoshima, Eiji Oyaizu
  • Patent number: 9121762
    Abstract: The output of an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprises a “photocurrent” component comprising photon initiated events resulting from the interaction of photons with the APD and a “dark current” component comprising dark carrier events arising in the APD even when the APD is not exposed to light. Differences in the pulse height distributions of photon initiated events and dark carrier initiated events are used to statistically discriminate between photocurrent and dark current components of APD output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Voxtel, Inc.
    Inventors: George M. Williams, Andrew S. Huntington
  • Patent number: 9035259
    Abstract: An instrument adapted for the determination of fluid levels within a vessel by the comparison of the density of the fluid along the length of the instrument, said instrument comprising: (i) at least one generally linear source array comprising a plurality of sources of penetrating radiation, shielding and collimation means and a source supporting structure for supporting the sources and shielding and collimation means in a linear array (ii) at least one generally linear detector array comprising a plurality of radiation detectors, supported on a detector support structure, capable of detecting radiation emitted by the sources, and (iii) means to position the source and a respective detector array such that (a) radiation emitted from each of the sources is capable of following a linear path from the source, through the vessel and material to at least a respective one of the detectors forming a part of the respective detector array, and (b) the linear axis of the source array and the linear axis of its respecti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Paul David Featonby, Peter Jackson, Benjamin Metcalfe, Thomas John Partington
  • Publication number: 20150123002
    Abstract: Provided is a measurement unit and measurement method for reducing attenuation due to optical fiber length and SN degradation due to background in a dosage rate monitor that uses optical fiber. This system comprises: a radiation detector for detecting radiation dosage; a light source for irradiating stimulating light on the radiation detector; a photodetector for detecting light generated by the radiation detector; an optical fiber for connecting the photodetector and the radiation detector and light source, and transmitting light from the light source and light from the radiation detector; a measurement unit for counting the pulses outputted from the photodetector; and an analysis unit for extracting the luminous energy originating from the radiation detector, from time information, wave height information, and the count value, which are measurement results obtained by the measurement unit, and converting the luminous energy to a dosage and dosage rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsunori Ueno, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Takahiro Tadokoro, Akihisa Kaihara, Koichi Okada, Yoshinobu Sakakibara, Yuta Inamura, Hitoshi Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20150123003
    Abstract: An apparatus, and method of using the same, for generating multiple high resolution absorption projection images which can be further processed to yield a high resolution tomographic image using annihilation radiation wherein the apparatus includes an array of gamma-ray tagging detectors and associated digitizing electronics, an array of gamma-ray absorption detectors and associated digitizing electronics, a positron source, a sample to be imaged, and a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Kovash
  • Patent number: 9006664
    Abstract: Signals generated by radiation sensors can be encoded to reduce the number of cables needed to transport information from a nuclear imaging apparatus to a processor for reconstruction. For example, signals from 16 radiation sensors can be encoded into three signals: T (top), L (left), and E (energy). This method of encoding signals can be capable of substantially reducing the number of signals, thereby reducing costs. In addition, reducing the number of signals could improve system timing performance by eliminating cable time-skew and facilitate the filter design by downgrading the circuit accuracy requirements such as group-delay error and filter signal skews.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Zhang, Niraj K. Doshi, Matthias J. Schmand
  • Patent number: 9006665
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus including a sensor unit having photoelectric conversion units two-dimensionally arranged and a scintillator layer which converts radiation into light, comprising a first member disposed on the sensor unit, and a second member disposed on the first member, wherein the scintillator layer is disposed on the second member, and letting n1 be a refractive index of the first member, n2 be a refractive index of the second member, and n3 be a refractive index of the scintillator layer, a relationship of n1<n2<n3 holds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumi Nagano, Satoshi Okada, Keiichi Nomura, Yohei Ishida, Tomoaki Ichimura, Yoshito Sasaki, Satoru Sawada
  • Patent number: 9000382
    Abstract: A one-dimensional multi-element photo detector (120) includes a photodiode array (122) with a first upper row of photodiode pixels and a second lower row of photodiode pixels. The photodiode array (122) is part of the photo detector (120). A scintillator array (126) includes a first upper row and a second lower row of scintillator pixels. The first upper and second lower rows of scintillator pixels are respectively optically coupled to the first upper and second lower rows of photodiode pixels. The photo detector (120) also includes readout electronics (124), which are also part of the photo detector (120). Electrical traces (512) interconnect the photodiode pixels and the readout electronics (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Mattson, Randall P. Luhta, Marc A. Chappo
  • Patent number: 9000381
    Abstract: Described is a method for determination of an unknown radiation dose to which an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor has been exposed utilizing a pulsed optically stimulated luminescence (POSL) technique and a battery operated portable instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Landauer, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Akselrod, Kent J. Dillin
  • Patent number: 8993972
    Abstract: A fluorescence based sensor system that provides improved signal-to-noise over prior systems is provided. The system includes a fluorescence based sensing medium that is contained a recessed cavity with reflective sides that allow for more uniform excitation of the fluorescence based sensing medium by the excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Hung Lam, Yordan Kostov, Leah Tolosa, Xudong Ge
  • Publication number: 20150021489
    Abstract: A radiation detector system/method that simultaneously detects alpha/beta, beta/gamma, or alpha/beta/gamma radiation within an integrated detector is disclosed. The system incorporates a photomultiplier tube with radiation scintillation materials to detect alpha/beta/gamma radiation. The photomultiplier tube output is then shape amplified and fed through discriminators to detect the individual radiation types. The discriminator outputs are fed to an anti-coincidence and pulse width and timing analysis module that determines whether individual alpha/beta/gamma pulses are valid and should be counted by corresponding alpha/beta/gamma pulse radiation counters. The system may include a radiation detection method to affect alpha/beta/gamma radiation detection in a variety of contexts. The system/method may be implemented in a variety of applications, including but not limited to whole body radiation contamination detectors, laundry radiation scanners, tool/article radiation detectors, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Adam Gregory Bogorodzki, Janusz Skierski, Hieronim Stanislaw Teresinski, George G.Y. Yan
  • Publication number: 20150021486
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor panel including a plurality of sensors arranged on a substrate and configured to detect light, and a scintillator placed over the sensor panel, wherein the scintillator having a concentric characteristics distribution having a center outside an outer edge of the scintillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Keiichi Nomura, Yohei Ishida
  • Publication number: 20150021487
    Abstract: When a conventional idea of determining a setting condition from a parameter of resolution (image resolution) is changed to use an X-ray tube with a stable focus size, setting conditions are determined from a focus size ? [?m] of the X-ray tube. The minimum radiography size b [?m] is settable from the focus size ? [?m] and ??b/2. A magnification rate ? is settable from the set minimum radiography size b [?m], a pixel pitch d [?m] of an X-ray detector, and b?/d?5. Consequently, the minimum radiography size b [?m] and the magnification rate ? are each settable with use of the X-ray tube having the stable focus size ? [?m]. This results in stable radiography or fluoroscopy through magnifying an object in minute size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi SANO, Toshiyuki SATO, Koichi TANABE, Toshinori YOSHIMUTA
  • Patent number: 8937286
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid scintillator comprising a rare earth oxide sintered body, wherein: an afterglow time, which is the time required for a light output from the solid scintillator to degrease from a maximum value to 1/e of the maximum value, is 200 ns or shorter. The rare earth oxide sintered body preferably has a composition represented by a general formula (1): LnaXbOc:Ce??(1), wherein Ln is one or more elements selected from Y, Gd and Lu; X is one or more elements selected from Si, Al and B; and a, b and c satisfy 1?a?5, 0.9?b?6, and 2.5??c?13, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumitsu Morimoto, Yoshitaka Adachi, Akihisa Saito, Eiji Oyaizu, Masaki Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 8933417
    Abstract: A lens and reflector unit for optical measurements includes first and second convex surface sections of the lens and reflector unit. Both have their respective central normal lines. A first flat surface section has a normal direction that divides the angle between the central normal lines into equal halves. A third convex surface section has a third central normal line, and the fourth convex surface section has a fourth central normal line. A second flat surface section has a normal direction that divides the angle between the third and fourth central normal lines into to equal halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventor: Pauli Salmelainen
  • Publication number: 20150001398
    Abstract: A host lattice modified GOS scintillating material and a method for using a host lattice modified GOS scintillating material is provided. The host lattice modified GOS scintillating material has a shorter afterglow than conventional GOS scintillating material. In addition, a radiation detector and an imaging device incorporating a host lattice modified GOS scintillating material are provided. A spectral filter may be used in conjunction with the GOS scintillating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Cornelis RONDA, Herbert SCHREINEMACHER, Guenter ZEITLER, Norbert CONRADS, Simha LEVENE
  • Patent number: 8921795
    Abstract: Described is a method for determination of an unknown radiation dose to which an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor has been exposed utilizing a pulsed optically stimulated luminescence (POSL) technique and a battery operated portable instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Landauer, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Akselrod, Kent J. Dillin
  • Publication number: 20140374603
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel measurement techniques based on moiré techniques and optical frequency conversion. For example, in the IR realm, the configuration can be any moiré configuration, the detector is an IR detector, and the light source can be at any wavelength. The optical configuration, the detector, and the type of light source depend on the physical properties of object/scene and the parameter(s) to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Faramarz FARAHI, Mehrdad ABOLBASHARI, Gelareh BABAIE
  • Publication number: 20140353512
    Abstract: A scanning optical system includes: a galvanometer mirror that reflects and deflects a light beam emitted from a light source, and an f? lens that focuses the deflected light beam on a scanning target surface. The f? lens is constituted by a first lens, which is a spherical lens having a positive power, a second lens, which is a spherical lens having a negative power, a third lens, which is a spherical lens, and a fourth lens, which is a spherical lens having a positive power, provided in this order from the side of the galvanometer mirror. The scanning optical system satisfies Conditional Formula (1) below: ?7.300?f/f3?0.509??(1) wherein f is the focal length of the entire f? lens, and f3 is the focal length of the third lens. Thereby, a compact scanning optical system capable of achieving a sufficiently small beam diameter on a scanning target surface is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi ISHIKAWA, Yasunori OHTA
  • Publication number: 20140339431
    Abstract: A detecting apparatus includes a substrate that permits visible light to pass therethrough, a converting element that includes a pixel electrode, an impurity semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor layer arranged in that order from a side adjacent to the substrate and is configured to convert radiation or light into charge, and a light source configured to emit the visible light through the substrate to the converting element. The pixel electrode includes a metal layer that permits the visible light to pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 8878136
    Abstract: A radiometric measuring device comprising: a radioactive radiator which sends radioactive radiation through a container; and a detector serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. The detector includes a carrier, on which at least one scintillation fiber is wound, which converts radiometric radiation impinging thereon into light flashes, whose light propagates in the respective scintillation fiber toward its ends. The detector further includes at least one array of avalanche photodiodes operated in a Geiger mode, which convert light impinging thereon into an electrical signal. The detector also has a measuring device electronics connected to the avalanche photodiodes for producing the electrical output signal, based on the electrical signals of the avalanche photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Weidenbruch, Hartmut Damm, Robert Schauble
  • Publication number: 20140319361
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor array in which a plurality of sensors are arrayed, and scintillators arranged in a plurality of regions divided by members on the sensor array, wherein a relationship P2<P1 is satisfied, where P1 represents a pitch of the plurality of sensors in the sensor array and P2 represents a distance between centers of two adjacent ones of the members, which sandwich one of the plurality of regions therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Takamasa Ishii, Masato Inoue, Shinichi Takeda, Satoru Sawada, Taiki Takei, Kota Nishibe
  • Publication number: 20140312237
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes a radiation source and a radiation image detecting device. The radiation image detecting device includes a solid-state detector and a wavelength conversion layer disposed in this order from a radiation incident side. The wavelength conversion layer has a first phosphor layer having first phosphor particles dispersed in a binder, and a second phosphor layer having second phosphor particles dispersed in a binder. The average particle diameter of the second phosphor particles is smaller than that of the first phosphor particles. The first phosphor layer is disposed on the side of the solid-state detector relative to the second phosphor layer, and joined to or pressed against the solid-state detector. The first and second phosphor particles are distributed in the first and second phosphor layers, respectively, such that the weight of the binder per unit thickness is gradually decreased to the side of the solid-state detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Yuichi HOSOI, Masaharu NAKATSU, Takafumi HIRONAKA, Hideyuki NOUMURA, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA
  • Patent number: 8859973
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a strip device and method for determining the place and time of the gamma quanta interaction as well as the use of the device for determining the place and time of the gamma quanta interaction in positron emission tomography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Uniwersytet Jagiellonski
    Inventor: Pawel Moskai
  • Patent number: 8853635
    Abstract: A molecular breast imaging (“MBI”} configured for combined MBI and ultrasound imaging or MBI-guided biopsy is provided. In one configuration, the MBI portion of the system includes two opposed gamma ray detectors, while in another configuration only one gamma ray detector is provided. In two detector configurations, a compression plate is provided to make contact with and apply light compression to the subject under examination. One of the gamma ray detectors is configured to be moveable with respect to the other detector such that the gamma ray detector can be moved away from the examination region, thereby allowing access to the breast for an ultrasound imaging system or a breast biopsy device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventor: Michael K. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20140264040
    Abstract: A nuclear level sensing gauge for measuring the level of product in a bin utilizes a plurality of scintillators arranged in a serial fashion. A source of nuclear radiation is positioned adjacent the bin, and the scintillators, which may be bundles of one or more scintillating fibers or scintillating crystals, are positioned in a serial fashion adjacent the bin opposite the source of nuclear radiation, such that nuclear radiation passing through the bin impinges upon the bundles. Light guides carry photons emitted by the scintillators—which are indicative of radiation passing through the bin—to a common photomultiplier tube. The tube is connected to electronics which convert counts of photons from the PMT into a measure of the level of radiation-absorbing product in the bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VEGA AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventor: VEGA AMERICAS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8835859
    Abstract: An imaging control apparatus for controlling an imaging system capable of performing a plurality of imaging modes for detecting light or radiation to acquire an image includes a detection unit configured to detect that an instruction for executing a second imaging mode is generated during execution of a first imaging mode, a determination unit configured to determine a wait time according to a state of the imaging system when the instruction is received, and a control unit configured to perform control for instructing the imaging system to wait at least for the determined wait time before the transition to the second imaging mode, and control for instructing the imaging system to perform mode transition processing for switching from the first imaging mode to the second imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8835857
    Abstract: A device for a radiation detector includes a main body, which includes a material G and is at least partially provided with a coating. The coating has at least a first layer with a material A1. The material G of the main body can be excited by a primary radiation impinging on the coating, so that an x-ray fluorescence radiation is produced with an x-ray fluorescence spectrum, which has a maximum MG at an energy EG. Furthermore, at an energy E1, the material A1 has an absorption edge. In this case, the material A1 is chosen such that the relationships E1<EG and EG?E1?4 keV apply. Also specified is a radiation detector, which has the device and a detector element, which is suitable for the detection of the primary radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ketek GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Eggert
  • Patent number: 8829446
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more tiles for an indirect-conversation radiation detector array are provided herein. Respective tiles comprise a detector sub-assembly and an electronic sub-assembly, which are operably coupled together, yet selectively removable, via a connection interface. When an electronic sub-assembly portion of a tile, which comprises a signal acquisition system (e.g., an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), functions improperly, the electronic sub-assembly portion of the tile may be selectively removed for repair/replacement without removing and/or replacing the detector sub-assembly (e.g., which may be much more costly to replace). Similarly, when the detector sub-assembly portion of a tile functions improperly, the detector sub-assembly portion of the tile may be selectively removed for repair/replacement without removing and/or replacing the electronic sub-assembly portion of the tile (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Abenaim, Martin Choquette, Lane Howitt