Methods Patents (Class 250/395)
  • Publication number: 20150001400
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for the presence of a magnetic field during medical imaging are disclosed. Gamma photons are acquired at a detector. An orientation of the detector (e.g., relative to the surface of the earth) corresponding to the acquisition is determined. Based on the determined detector orientation, one or more compensation value(s) are determined from a memory of a computer, e.g., based on interpolation, parametric computation, or a look-up table. Energy signal variation of a detected signal due to the detector orientation is compensated for by applying the determined compensation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: James Frank Caruba
  • Publication number: 20150001416
    Abstract: A system for analyzing an electron beam including a circular electron beam diagnostic sensor adapted to receive the electron beam, the circular electron beam diagnostic sensor having a central axis; an annular sensor structure operatively connected to the circular electron beam diagnostic sensor, wherein the sensor structure receives the electron beam; a system for sweeping the electron beam radially outward from the central axis of the circular electron beam diagnostic sensor to the annular sensor structure wherein the electron beam is intercepted by the annular sensor structure; and a device for measuring the electron beam that is intercepted by the annular sensor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: John W. Elmer, Alan T. Teruya
  • Patent number: 8916832
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting a moving radiation source, the method comprising placing a plurality of radiation detectors at one or more locations; collecting information of counting rate as a function of time for each detector, computing the Fourier transform of the counting rate function for each detector and extracting from the computed Fourier transform the dynamic component of the detector response for each detector, and computing the convolution of the counting rate functions for combinations of detectors at different locations, then extracting therefrom information concerning the presence of radiation sources moving with respect to the radiation detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
    Inventor: Thomas E. Albert
  • Publication number: 20140367582
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of processing a gamma ray spectrum acquired from a target. The method comprises determining whether the gamma ray spectrum of the target belongs to a first class of a plurality of classes, the first class containing reference gamma ray spectra of one or more radionuclide sources of interest, using optimal loading coefficients associated with the one or more radionuclide sources of interest, wherein the optimal loading coefficients have been obtained using Fisher linear discriminant analysis, and generating an output signal dependent on the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: David Boardman
  • Patent number: 8912504
    Abstract: A central system of monitoring radiation levels in a plurality of facilities at the same time is disclosed. The system may include radiation detection systems, at least one processor to process monitoring data generated by the radiation detection systems to compensate for naturally occurring radiation, and a central monitoring station capable of generating an alarm at the central monitoring station and at a facility where an undesired radiation level has been detected. A method of monitoring radiation levels in production facilities is also disclosed. The method may include providing a plurality of radiation detection systems, providing a central monitor in communication with the radiation detection systems, communicating data from the radiation detection systems to the central monitor, and analyzing the data to detect potential radioactive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventor: Steve Rowlan
  • Publication number: 20140361190
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for the detection and positioning of a radioactive source. In an exemplary embodiment, a detector array is placed in a four-quadrant formation to allow for self-shielding of the individual detectors from the radiation emitted by a radiation source. A further embodiment utilizes a fuzzy logic system and method to analyze the gross count response of each individual detector with respect to the other three to thereby determine a generalized location and direction of a radioactive source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Willis, Steven E. Skutnik, Howard L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140361191
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer-readable medium, and system for adjusting data acquisition parameters during a scan performed by a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner. The method includes obtaining, during the scan, a current temperature of a detector of the PET scanner, and adjusting, based on the current temperature, the data acquisition parameters used by the PET scanner during the scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel MCGOWAN, Gin Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20140361192
    Abstract: The image obtaining unit obtains a radiation image from the radiation detector, the radiation field area detection unit detects a radiation field area from the radiation image. The analysis area setting unit detects a direct radiation area, a superabsorbent body area, and a high noise area as the areas where a periodic pattern is unlikely to present and sets an analysis area by excluding these areas. The frequency analysis unit performs a frequency analysis only on the analysis area and detects a frequency component of the periodic pattern arising from a grid. The filtering processing unit removes the frequency component of the periodic pattern arising from the grid from the radiation image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshiro IMAI
  • Patent number: 8890085
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pulse pile-up rejection are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a delay value application constituent configured to receive a threshold-crossing time value, and provide an adjustable value according to a delay value and the threshold-crossing time value; and a comparison constituent configured to receive a peak-occurrence time value and the adjustable value, compare the peak-occurrence time value with the adjustable value, indicate pulse acceptance if the peak-occurrence time value is less than or equal to the adjustable value, and indicate pulse rejection if the peak-occurrence time value is greater than the adjustable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Gianluigi De Geronimo
  • Patent number: 8884243
    Abstract: A radiation phantom device includes at least one movement device for moving at least one first sub-region of the radiation phantom device. The radiation phantom device has, at least one of at times or in regions, radiation properties which are in conformity with a radiation phantom model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Elko Schubert, Peter Steidl, Daniel Richter, Christoph Schuy, Christoph Bert
  • Publication number: 20140328464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection apparatus for detecting photons, such as used in radiographic imaging systems. A detection unit (14) generates detection signal pulses having a detection signal pulse height being indicative of the energy of the detected photons (13), wherein a detection values generation unit (16) generates energy-resolved detection values depending on the detection signal pulses. A signal pulse generation unit (15) generates artificial signal pulses having a predefined artificial signal pulse height and a predefined generated rate. The detection values generation unit (16) determines an observed rate being the rate of the artificial signal pulses having an artificial signal pulse height being larger than a predefined threshold as observed by the detection values generation unit (16) and determines an offset of the detection signal pulses depending on the determined observed rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Roland Proksa
  • Patent number: 8878464
    Abstract: A laser accelerator driven electronic brachytherapy system, device, and method for particle based treatment of a tumor or other human diseases and conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James E. Clayton, Paul A. Lovoi, Wim Leemans
  • Patent number: 8878141
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing apparatus which performs drawing on a substrate with a plurality of charged particle beams, the apparatus including a stage configured to hold the substrate and to be moved, a charged particle optical system including a deflector configured to deflect the plurality of charged particle beams, a detector configured to detect a charged particle arrived thereat by causing a charged particle beam to impinge on a mark including a plurality of mark elements formed on one of the substrate and the stage, and a processor configured to perform a process of obtaining a position of the mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Yamaguchi, Takahiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8878140
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems relating to radiological characterization of environments are disclosed. Multi-detector probes with a plurality of detectors in a common housing may be used to substantially concurrently detect a plurality of different radiation activities and types. Multiple multi-detector probes may be used in a down-hole environment to substantially concurrently detect radioactive activity and contents of a buried waste container. Software may process, analyze, and integrate the data from the different multi-detector probes and the different detector types therein to provide source location and integrated analysis as to the source types and activity in the measured environment. Further, the integrated data may be used to compensate for differential density effects and the effects of radiation shielding materials within the volume being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas William Akers, Lyle Gene Roybal
  • Publication number: 20140312241
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a system and a method for objectively evaluating plasma by easily measuring a current generated by a plasma treatment equipment for medical purposes, etc., and a current flowing through a living body, etc. [Solution] A plasma evaluation system and method for evaluating plasma, including: a treatment target material; and a weak current measurement unit including a resistor unit and a differential amplifier, wherein the treatment target material is connected to the weak current measurement unit via a treatment target side measurement terminal, the resistor unit of the weak current measurement unit is connected to a ground side of a plasma generation current source, and the system and method evaluate plasma by receiving plasma generated by a plasma treatment equipment with the treatment target material, measuring a current by measuring a voltage across resistors of the resistor unit through the differential amplifier, and measuring an output voltage of the plasma generation power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Hajime Sakakita, Yuzuru Ikehara, Satoru Kiyama
  • Publication number: 20140312239
    Abstract: A device is described that includes sensors that are sensitive to displacement damage, and can be configured to display a characteristic damage curve. The sensors, or diodes, can be made of one or more semiconductor materials that are sensitive to displacement damage, and can be operated in dark illumination conditions. The sensors can have multiple shields of a specific or varied thickness. The shields can be formed in different configurations, though the shielding thickness can be designed to change the level of displacement damage absorbed by the sensors. The characteristic damage curve can provide a sensor response variable that displays a functional dependence on displacement damage. For example, the characteristic damage curve can provide a sensor response variable that is one or more currents measured at one or more fixed voltages, or one or more voltages measured at one or more fixed currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Scott R. Messenger, Cory D. Cress, Michael K. Yakes, Jeffrey H. Warner, Robert J. Walters
  • Publication number: 20140312242
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for determining based on motion data when an individual wearing a dosimeter is active. Also described are a method and apparatus for determining based on motion data whether an individual was wearing a dosimeter when the dosimeter was exposed to radiation. Also described are a method and apparatus for determining based on motion data whether a dosimeter was in a particular location when the dosimeter was exposed to radiation. Also described are a method and apparatus for determining based on motion data where on the body of an individual the individual was wearing a dosimeter when the dosimeter was exposed to radiation. Also described are a method and apparatus for determining based on motion data the probability that an individual is wearing a dosimeter that is assigned to the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel J. VALENTINO, R. Craig YODER
  • Patent number: 8866101
    Abstract: Binning readout reads out electric charge accumulated in pixels to signal lines in blocks of a plurality of adjoining pixel-rows. A correction image generator of a line defect corrector scales up an image size of a reference frame image RP outputted by the binning readout and corrects pixel values of the reference frame image RP, to produce a correction image RPC to be used for correction of a line defect occurring in an X-ray image XP. The scale-up is performed by applying row interpolation processing to the reference frame image RP. The correction of the pixel values is performed by multiplying the reference frame image RP after being subjected to the row interpolation processing by a correction coefficient. An adder adds the correction image RPC to the X-ray image XP, and produces an X-ray image XPC in which the line defect is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Keita Watanabe, Kentaro Noma, Yasufumi Oda
  • Publication number: 20140306120
    Abstract: A drift detector array, preferably a silicon drift detector (SDD) array, that uses a low current biasing adaptor is disclosed. The biasing adaptor is customizable for any desired geometry of the drift detector single cell with minimum drift time of carriers. The biasing adaptor has spiral shaped ion-implants that generate the desired voltage profile. The biasing adaptor can be processed on the same wafer as the drift detector array and only one biasing adaptor chip/side is needed for one drift detector array to generate the voltage profiles on the front side and back side of the detector array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Zheng Li, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8859981
    Abstract: A system and associated method for isolating intended radiation signals for determining target characteristics includes multiple detectors for detecting radiation signals having varying energies, delay modules for delaying the detected radiation signals and a discriminator associated with the multiple detectors for determining if detected radiation signals include unintended radiation signals, e.g., x-rays, and provided blanking signals to a switch in order to effectively remove the unintended radiation signals from the data that is presented to the processor for determining target characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Stoian, Gregory Alan Greenwood
  • Patent number: 8847171
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for the detection and mapping of radiation, the device comprising a polymeric core (18) located within an external shell material (1), wherein the polymeric core comprises a plurality of stacked polymeric sheets comprising at least one radiation sensitive component which is sensitive to said radiation emitted by said radioactive materials and the external sheath comprises a collimation sheath (1). Preferably, the polymeric core comprises a cubic, cylindrical, spherical or truncated spherical shape which is encased within the external shell. The external shell is preferably comprised of a metal, most preferably tungsten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: National Nuclear Laboratory Limited
    Inventors: Steven John Stanley, John Horsfall
  • Publication number: 20140284493
    Abstract: A preamplifier is provided for correction of overshoot or undershoot effects present in a signal received from a charged particle detection electrode. The preamplifier is ground-isolated from the charged particle detection electrode and comprises: a main amplification stage, configured to receive and amplify the isolated signal; a feed-forward stage, configured to generate a compensation signal from the amplified ground-isolated signal, the compensation signal being generated to mirror the overshoot or undershoot effects; and an output, arranged to provide an output signal that is a combination of the amplified ground-isolated signal and the compensation signal. A charged particle detection arrangement comprising the preamplifier is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventor: Richard HEMING
  • Publication number: 20140284222
    Abstract: Described herein is a gas meter system (5) for detecting toxic gas combinations including a housing (10) having an opening (20), a measuring cell (15) enclosed by the housing and comprising a plurality of gas sensors (17) in fluid communication with the environment via the opening in the housing, and an evaluating circuit (32). The gas sensors detects a concentration of a first gas and a concentration of a second gas so the evaluating circuit can identify a hazard due to an additive or synergistic toxic effect upon combined exposure to the first gas and the second gas. Related apparatus, systems, methods and/or articles are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Draeger Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard William Wanek, JR., Greg Martin Sesny
  • Patent number: 8841629
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for monitoring low-level microwave excursions from a UV curing system to determine if equipment is damaged, such as screen tears or improper assembly of UV lampheads. A radio frequency (RF) detector may be used to detect microwaves in a range of about 0.2-5 mW/cm2, wherein the RF detector comprises an antenna with a hoop shaped portion, a circuit board having a diode detector and an amplifier circuit, a housing, and a bracket coupled to the housing that is suitable for coupling the RF detector to the UV curing system. An alarm threshold may also be set, which can be correlated to microwave levels at or below levels that could cause damage to semiconductor devices being processed. A substrate processing system comprising an RF detector is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Hendrickson, Liliya Krivulina, Juan Carlos Rocha, Sanjeev Baluja
  • Patent number: 8835126
    Abstract: Tritiated planar carbon forms and their production are provided. Methods are provided for the stoichiometrically controlled labeling of planar carbon forms capitalizing on normal flaws of carboxylic acids ubiquitously present in commercial preparations of these planar carbon forms. Alternative methods include generation of a metallated intermediate whereby a metal is substituted for hydrogen on the carbon backbone of a planar carbon form. The metalized intermediate is then reacted with a tritium donor to covalently label the planar carbon form. The tritiated planar carbon forms produced are useful, for example, for determination of a biological property or environmental fate of planar carbon forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Crist N. Filer
  • Patent number: 8835878
    Abstract: A method of delivering radiation in a session includes delivering radiation towards a patient using a radiation system, wherein the radiation is delivered based at least in part on a physiological phase or a position of the patient, after the radiation is delivered, changing a configuration of the radiation system, wherein the act of changing the configuration is performed independent of at least one motion of the patient, and delivering additional radiation towards the patient after the configuration of the radiation system is changed, wherein the acts of delivering radiation and the act of changing the configuration are performed in response to a processor executing a treatment plan that prescribes a plurality of packages and a transition, the transition prescribing the act of changing the configuration of the radiation system when no radiation is being delivered by the radiation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Janne Nord, Jarkko Peltola
  • Publication number: 20140254752
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, components, modules, routines, and processes for luminescence based spectral measurement are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for measuring a scintillation property of a sample includes directing an ionizing radiation toward the sample, thereby inducing the sample to produce an emission. The method also includes acquiring a spectral luminescence of the produced emission by the sample, the spectral luminescence including a plurality of luminescence intensities at corresponding emission wavelengths or frequencies. The scintillation property of the sample may then be determined based on the acquired spectral luminescence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Farida A. Selim
  • Publication number: 20140252216
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: a signal generation unit configured to generate a signal value corresponding to charges detected by a radiation detector; an acceleration detection unit configured to detect acceleration applied to the radiation imaging apparatus; a noise measurement unit configured to measure a noise value based on the detected acceleration; a reduction unit configured to reduce the noise value from the signal value; and a radiation irradiation determination unit configured to determine radiation irradiation based on the noise-reduced signal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8829438
    Abstract: An imaging operation includes a first imaging operation for outputting image data according to irradiation to the detector with radiation or light in an irradiation field A corresponding to a part of the plurality of pixels, and a second imaging operation for outputting image data according to irradiation to the detector 104 with radiation or light in an irradiation field B wider than the irradiation field A, wherein, responsive to a changing from irradiation in the irradiation field A to irradiation in the irradiation field B, an operation of the detector is controlled so that the detector performs an initializing operation for initializing conversion elements during a period between the first and second imaging operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sho Sato, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Masayoshi Akiyama, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8821788
    Abstract: The method for sterilizing containers, wherein a treatment head is guided into the interior of a container to be sterilized and the treatment head emits radiation in the interior of the container at least intermittently over a predefined time period (dT), wherein the container is moved relative to the treatment head in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container at least intermittently at a relative movement speed (v) over the predefined time period (dT). The relative movement speed (v) of the treatment head located in the interior of the container varies over the predefined time period and is controlled as a function of an internal profile of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Jochen Krueger, Heinz Humele
  • Publication number: 20140231663
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmission of register contents of a CT detector with hierarchical hardware structure, wherein the first hierarchy level is formed by a control unit containing a register table for the read-out register contents of FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy and an intermediate register store for register contents to be written. With each new reading, the new register contents for FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy arriving during the respective preceding reading from the central control at the control unit are forwarded to the next hierarchy level. With each new reading, the register contents of all FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy are re-entered into the register table of the control unit. Finally, in the event of a readout command transferred asynchronously from the central control, the register contents are read out exclusively from the register table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus GEISSLINGER, Alexander GRAF, Edmund GÖTZ, Stefan HARTMANN
  • Publication number: 20140231664
    Abstract: A radiation detector module includes a radiation detector, power source and wireless communication elements all housed within a flame-proof enclosure. The enclosure has a portion through which wireless transmissions can pass. The radiation detector module may be suitable for use in a hazardous area containing a potentially explosive gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventor: Geoffrey Stuart Howe
  • Publication number: 20140231665
    Abstract: An ion generating unit includes: a box-like housing with its one face open, an ion generating part provided with electrode parts and generating positive and negative ions; an ion sensor; a lid covering the housing in a removable manner while the ion generating unit is accommodated in the housing; a cover covering the housing in such a manner that cannot be easily removed while the ion sensor is accommodated in the housing; a connector provided at one end of the housing for mechanically and electrically connecting the ion generating unit; and a screw part provided at the other end of the housing for securing the ion generating unit to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Yamamoto, Yasutaka Kataoka
  • Patent number: 8809798
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for estimating a parameter of interest from a gamma ray spectrum relating to a volume of matter using standard gamma ray spectra from reference samples, wherein there is at least one non-elemental characteristic that is different between the volume and at least one of the reference samples, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference affects gamma ray interactions. Methods may include deconvolving a gamma ray spectrum obtained from the analysis volume into a plurality of elemental spectral yields, wherein deconvolution includes compensating for effects of the non-elemental characteristic difference. Methods may include using at least one compensation standard spectrum configured to compensate for the effects of the non-elemental characteristic of the at least one of the reference samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Freddy E. Mendez, Gary A. Feuerbacher, John M. Longo, Maxim Vasilyev
  • Patent number: 8810416
    Abstract: An assembly (13) for monitoring ionising radiation comprises a detector substrate (2) for generating electronic charge responsive to incident ionising radiation, the detector substrate (2) having an array of ionising radiation sense volumes (12) formed in it. A circuit substrate (14) supporting an array of read-out circuits (16) corresponding to the array of sense volumes is mechanically and electrically coupled to the detector substrate (14). Each of the read-out circuits (16) is switchable between first and second charge integration modes for receiving charge from a corresponding sense volume. A charge integration circuit (30) is configured in the first charge integration mode to integrate charge corresponding to sensing of a single ionising radiation detection event in a corresponding sense volume and in the second charge integrating mode to integrate charge corresponding to sensing a plurality of ionising radiation detection events in the corresponding sense volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Radiation Watch Limited, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Trevor Doughty, Michael John Anderson, David Jeremy Prendergast, Ian Benson
  • Publication number: 20140224995
    Abstract: A mass analyser in which ions form packets that oscillate with a period has an ion detector comprising: a detection arrangement; and compensation circuitry. The detection arrangement may comprise: a plurality of detection electrodes detecting image current signals from ions in the mass analyser; and a preamplifier, providing an output based on the image current signals. The compensation circuitry provides a compensation signal to a respective compensatory part of the detection arrangement, based on one or more of the image current signals. A capacitance between each of the compensatory parts of the detection arrangement and a signal-carrying part of the detection arrangement affects the signal-to-noise ratio of the preamplifier output. A generator may provide a trapping field defining an ion trapping volume and a shielding conductor may be positioned between two detection electrodes, with a controller applying a voltage to the shielding conductor based on a detected image current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (BREMEN) GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Kholomeev, Alexander A. Makarov
  • Publication number: 20140217298
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUM) mask inspection system, comprising a light source to project EUV light along an optical axis, an illumination system to receive the EUV light from the source, the illumination system comprising a spectral purity filter (SPF), the SPF transmits a first portion of the EUV light along the optical axis toward a mask and the SPF comprising a plurality of at least partially reflective elements, said elements reflects a second portion of the EUV light off the optical axis, a projection system adapted to receive the first portion of the EUV light after it has illuminated the mask, a first detector array adapted to receive the image, and a second detector array to receive the second portion of the EUV light. The SPF may comprise one or more multilayer interference-type filters. Alternatively, the SPF comprises a thin film filter disposed on a grazing incidence mirror array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Daimian Wang, Li Wang, Frank Chilese, David Alles
  • Patent number: 8785877
    Abstract: Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Quantum Technical Services LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Winfield, Stephen N. Harris, Lance Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140197324
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for estimating a parameter of interest from a gamma ray spectrum relating to a volume of matter using standard gamma ray spectra from reference samples, wherein there is at least one non-elemental characteristic that is different between the volume and at least one of the reference samples, wherein the non-elemental characteristic difference affects gamma ray interactions. Methods may include deconvolving a gamma ray spectrum obtained from the analysis volume into a plurality of elemental spectral yields, wherein deconvolution includes compensating for effects of the non-elemental characteristic difference. Methods may include using at least one compensation standard spectrum configured to compensate for the effects of the non-elemental characteristic of the at least one of the reference samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Freddy E. MENDEZ, Gary A. FEUERBACHER, John M. LONGO, Maxim VASILYEV
  • Patent number: 8779376
    Abstract: The state of an emitter can be determined by measurements of how the current changes with the extraction voltage. A field factor ? function is determined by series of relatively simple measurements of charged particles emitted at different conditions. The field factor can then be used to determine derived characteristics of the emission that, in the prior art, were difficult to determine without removing the source from the focusing column and mounting it in a specialized apparatus. The relations are determined by the source configuration and have been found to be independent of the emitter shape, and so emission character can be determined as the emitter shape changes over time, without having to determine the emitter shape and without having to redefine the relation between the field factor and the series of relatively simple measurements, and the relationships between the field factor and other emission parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Lynwood W. Swanson, Gregory A. Schwind, Sean Kellogg, Kun Liu
  • Publication number: 20140183375
    Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous flowthrough labyrinth device that has a detector well formed therein in which a radiation detection device may be placed. The continuous flowthough labyrinth device allows a fluid sample to be introduced into the flow path of the device so that the fluid sample evenly surrounds the top and side surfaces of the detector well, which results in the fluid sample being evenly distributed around the radiation detection device. The continuous flowthrough labyrinth device may be connected to any radiation level fluid monitoring system, for example systems used by municipalities and/or industries. The continuous flowthrough labyrinth device may be placed such that fluids entering and/or exiting systems are monitored for radiation, or even placed to determine the radiation levels of fluids within systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Arthur Radomski, Lee L. Nemeth
  • Publication number: 20140175292
    Abstract: Tritiated planar carbon forms and their production are provided. Methods are provided for the stoichiometrically controlled labeling of planar carbon forms capitalizing on normal flaws of carboxylic acids ubiquitously present in commercial preparations of these planar carbon forms. Alternative methods include generation of a metallated intermediate whereby a metal is substituted for hydrogen on the carbon backbone of a planar carbon form. The metalized intermediate is then reacted with a tritium donor to covalently label the planar carbon form. The tritiated planar carbon forms produced are useful, for example, for determination of a biological property or environmental fate of planar carbon forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Crist N. Filer
  • Publication number: 20140175291
    Abstract: A spatially-aware radiation probe system/method allowing for detection and correction of radiation readings based on the position and/or movement of a radiation detector is disclosed. The system incorporates a radiation detector combined with a spatially-aware sensor to permit detection of spatial context parameters associated with the radiation detector and/or object being probed. This spatial context information is then used by analysis software to modify the detected radiation values and/or instruct the radiation probe operator as to appropriate measurement activity to ensure accurate radiation measurements. The spatially-aware sensor may include but is not limited to: distance sensors to determine the distance between the radiation detector and the object being monitored; accelerometers integrated within the radiation detector to detect movement of the radiation detector; and/or axial orientation sensors to determine the axial orientation of the radiation detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Canberra Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Gaëtan Giarmana, Archibald Dupont, Frederic Pierre Henri Meyer, Damien du Bouëtiez de Kerorguen
  • Patent number: 8759784
    Abstract: A high-energy radiation detector apparatus, comprising a high-energy radiation detector substrate and a plurality of charge collection electrodes operatively coupled to first and second opposing sides of the detector substrate is disclosed. Charge collection circuitry is associated with the plurality of charge collection electrodes for collecting charge induced on the charge collection electrodes by a high energy radiation photon interaction event caused by high-energy radiation incident on the detector substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Radiation Watch Limited
    Inventors: David Prendergast, Michael Anderson, Russell Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140166892
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing background noise in a particle collider, comprises identifying an interaction point among a plurality of particles within a particle collider associated with a detector element, defining a trigger start time for each of the pixels as the time taken for light to travel from the interaction point to the pixel and a trigger stop time as a selected time after the trigger start time, and collecting only detections that occur between the start trigger time and the stop trigger time in order to thereafter compensate the result from the particle collider to reduce unwanted background detection
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Rajendran Raja
  • Patent number: 8754376
    Abstract: A representative method for determining a zero baseline value of a channel from a detector device of a nuclear medicine imagining system to allow for correction caused by noise or interference on the detector device includes calculating a first value of a baseline based on a first sample of analog electrical signals from analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to the detector device; comparing a predetermined value with the first value of the baseline; determining whether there is a small change between the predetermined value and the first value of the baseline; and responsive to determining that the small change exists, adjusting the baseline of the ADCs by a fraction of the small change based on the comparison between the predetermined value and the first value of the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Arseneau
  • Patent number: 8754377
    Abstract: A radiation detector system/method implementing a corrected energy response detector is disclosed. The system incorporates charged (typically tungsten impregnated) injection molded plastic that may be formed into arbitrary detector configurations to affect radiation detection and dose rate functionality at a drastically reduced cost compared to the prior art, while simultaneously permitting the radiation detectors to compensate for radiation intensity and provide accurate radiation dose rate measurements. Various preferred system embodiments include configurations in which the energy response of the detector is nominally isotropic, allowing the detector to be utilized within a wide range of application orientations. The method incorporates utilization of a radiation detector so configured to compensate for radiation counts and generate accurate radiation dosing rate measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Canberra France SAS
    Inventor: Olivier Gaëtan Giarmana
  • Patent number: 8754381
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inspecting UV illuminance in multi-level UV bake furnace for TFT-LCD manufacturing process and a pickup assembly device for performing the method. The method for inspecting UV illuminance in multi-level UV bake furnace for TFT-LCD manufacturing process includes the following steps: Step 1: providing a multi-level bake furnace for TFT-LCD manufacturing process, a pickup device, an inspection control system, and a sensor for inspecting UV illuminance; Step 2: mounting the sensor on the pickup device; Step 3: connecting the inspection control system and the sensor with communication; Step 4: operating the pickup device to bring the sensor to a site in a level of the multi-level UV bake furnace where inspection of UV illuminance is to be made; and Step 5: sensor collecting data and transmitting the data so collected to the inspection control system to thereby realize inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fengming Yin, Wenpin Chiang
  • Patent number: 8748833
    Abstract: A radiation detector dosimeter system/method implementing a corrected energy response detector is disclosed. The system incorporates charged (typically tungsten impregnated) injection molded plastic that may be formed into arbitrary detector configurations to affect radiation detection and dose rate functionality at a drastically reduced cost compared to the prior art, while simultaneously permitting the radiation detectors to compensate for radiation intensity and provide accurate radiation dose rate measurements. Various preferred system embodiments include configurations in which the energy response of the detector is nominally isotropic, allowing the detector to be utilized within a wide range of application orientations. The method incorporates utilization of a radiation detector so configured to compensate for radiation counts and generate accurate radiation dosing rate measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canberra France SAS
    Inventor: Olivier Gaëtan Giarmana
  • Publication number: 20140145072
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for fast gain regulation in a gamma-ray spectroscopy instrument. The system includes a detector configured to generate a signal indicative of energy arriving at the detector, and a processor configured to determine one or more system performance indicators. The system also includes a controller configured to compute a first gain correction term based on one of more system performance indicators and change the device gain based on the computed first gain correction tem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert A. Adolph