Collimator Patents (Class 378/147)
  • Patent number: 10173076
    Abstract: A radiation treatment plan is determined by: [1] receiving a current fluence map defining a radiation dose; [2] receiving a current control-point sequence describing machine settings for a collimator associated with a radiation source; [3] determining an updated fluence map and an updated control-point sequence based on the current fluence map; [4] determining a further updated control-point sequence based on the updated control-point sequence and the updated fluence map; [5] determining a further updated fluence map based on the updated fluence map, the updated control-point sequence and the further updated control-point sequence; [6] checking if a stopping criterion is fulfilled; if so: stopping the process, and producing an output radiation treatment plan based on the further updated control-point sequence; and otherwise: setting the further updated fluence map, or zero, to the current fluence map; setting the further updated control-point sequence to the current control-point sequence; and returning to st
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: RAYSEARCH LABORATORIES AB
    Inventors: Rasmus Bokrantz, Björn Hårdemark, Albin Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 10010300
    Abstract: A bite-block and film-holding device is used with an x-ray film or a digital image sensor and held by a patient between teeth to align with an external camera device for dental radiographic imaging of the patient's teeth. The bite-block and film-holding device includes a disposable film holder having a bite block portion, a film-holding portion made of a plastic material, and a bonding member having a release layer attached thereto; and an aiming assembly having a coupling arm coupled to the disposable film-holder and an aiming ring assembly installed on the camera device and connected to the coupling arm. The aiming ring assembly is adjustable in position for the camera device to face at a right angle to the film-holding portion. After the dental radiographic imaging, the disposable film holder is separated from the aiming assembly and discarded to ensure the patient's oral cavity hygiene and health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Yin Chao Yao
  • Patent number: 9997269
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus may comprise: a radiation irradiating module configured to irradiate radiation to an object; and/or a processing module configured to automatically set a part of a region to which the radiation irradiating module is able to irradiate the radiation, to a region of interest, and further configured to determine at least one of a radiation irradiation position and a radiation irradiation zone of the radiation irradiating module based on the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Shik Roh, Seung Yong Hyung, Ji Yeun Kim, Jong Won Lee, Ju Suk Lee, Won Jun Hwang, Hyo Seok Hwang
  • Patent number: 9993219
    Abstract: A device for estimating scatter in X-ray imaging is described. An anti-scatter grid with varying grid ratio is used in conjunction with an X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid comprises attenuating lamellae that block scattered radiation. The anti-scatter grid contains regions of lesser or greater scatter rejection efficiency, which can be achieved by variations in the grid ratio. Contrast between these regions can be used to estimate residual scatter content. A method for estimating scatter from this device is further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Scott Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9934930
    Abstract: An x-ray target, a method of using the x-ray target, and a computer program product with instructions for carrying out a method of using the x-ray target. The x-ray target includes a substrate made from a soft x-ray producing material and a high aspect ratio structure made from a hard x-ray producing material. The hard x-ray producing material is embedded in the substrate, formed on the substrate, cantilevered out from the edge of the substrate, or any combination thereof. The high aspect ratio structure comprises a plurality of high aspect ratio structures arranged in one or more grids or arrays, and the high aspect ratio structures in one of the one or more grids or arrays are arranged to form a Hadamard matrix structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: N. William Parker, Mark W. Utlaut, Laurens Franz Taemsz Kwakman, Thomas G. Miller
  • Patent number: 9895116
    Abstract: A fail safe concealment mechanism for a radiation imaging capsule, including, a collimator having a first area that blocks radiation and an second area that releases radiation, a radiation source that is initially positioned inside the collimator in the area that blocks radiation, a linear mechanism that moves the radiation source inside the collimator to the area that releases radiation when power is provided to the mechanism and automatically returns the radiation source to the area that blocks radiation when power is not provided to the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CHECK-CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Shai Brenner
  • Patent number: 9888887
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes: an X-ray tube which generates X-rays to be irradiated at an object; an X-ray diaphragm which houses an X-ray shielding member forming an irradiation aperture, through which the X-rays pass, along a side surface of the X-ray tube; an X-ray detector which detects X-rays passing through the object; and an image data generation circuitry which generates image data based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kojima, Yoshiyuki Sato, Katsuaki Shinoda, Shinsuke Ooie
  • Patent number: 9892809
    Abstract: A collimator for an imaging detector assembly of a computed tomography imaging system is provided. The collimator includes a collimator module that includes a primary collimation grid having a first edge and a second edge. The primary collimation grid includes multiple radiation absorbing elements spaced apart from each other and configured to provide primary beam collimation. A first radiation absorbing element is disposed on the first edge and a second radiation absorbing element is disposed on the second edge. The collimator module includes multiple plates located on a side of the primary collimation grid and configured to absorb scattered radiation. A respective plate of the multiple plates is disposed over a respective radiation absorbing element of the multiple radiation absorbing elements of the primary collimation grid except the second radiation absorbing element disposed on the second edge of the primary collimation grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph James Lacey, David Michael Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9861327
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation blocking unit including: an attachment member that is attachable between sources and an object table surface to which radiation from a radiation source and visible light from a visible light source are emitted, the sources including the radiation source and the visible light source; a radiation blocking portion, disposed on the attachment member, that transmits the illuminated visible light to an overlapping incidence region on the object table surface in which an incidence region of the radiation and an incidence region of the visible light overlap, and that blocks the irradiated radiation outside the overlapping incidence region; and a visible light blocking portion, disposed on the attachment member, that transmits the irradiated radiation to the overlapping incidence region, and blocks the illuminated visible light outside the overlapping incidence region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yasuda, Yoshihiro Nishi, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
  • Patent number: 9826947
    Abstract: An antiscatter grid for radiological imaging, the grid formed as a stack of two or more sheets having a flexible substrate, wherein each sheet has spaced-apart opaque cavities, each opaque cavity containing a radio-opaque material. The opaque cavities define a plurality of channels that extend through the sheets to allow ionizing radiation to pass therethrough. Magnets disposed along the sheets couple each sheet to one or more neighboring sheets of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted G. Young
  • Patent number: 9770604
    Abstract: When IMRT technology for a radiation therapy system utilizing an X-ray or the like is applied to a particle beam therapy system having a conventional wobbler system, it is required to utilize two or more boluses. The present invention solves the problem of excess irradiation in IMRT by a particle beam therapy system. More specifically, the problem of excess irradiation in IMRT by a particle beam therapy system is solved by raising the irradiation flexibility in the depth direction, without utilizing a bolus. A particle beam irradiation apparatus has a scanning irradiation system that performs scanning with a charged particle beam accelerated by an accelerator and is mounted in a rotating gantry for rotating the irradiation direction of the charged particle beam. The particle beam irradiation apparatus comprises a columnar-irradiation-field generation apparatus that generates a columnar irradiation field by enlarging the Bragg peak of the charged particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaaki Iwata
  • Patent number: 9726620
    Abstract: Disclosed is a computed tomography (CT) system which includes a rotatable collimator. The CT system includes a gantry. The gantry includes an X-ray source that generates X-rays, a collimator that is provided inside the X-ray source to be rotatable and that limits an irradiation area of the X-rays generated by the X-ray source, and an X-ray detector that is provided at a side portion of the X-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jong-duk Baek, Chang-woo Lee, Jae-sung Lee, Young-jun Ko
  • Patent number: 9658174
    Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray topography apparatus including an X-ray source, a multilayer film mirror, a slit, a two-dimensional X-ray detector, and a sample moving device that sequentially moves the sample to a plurality of step positions. The X-ray source is a minute focal spot. The multilayer film mirror forms monochromatic, collimated, high-intensity X-rays. The direction in which the multilayer film mirror collimates the X-rays coincides with the width direction of the slit. The step size by which the sample is moved is smaller than the width of the slit. The combination of the size of the minute focal spot, the width of the slit, and the intensity of the X-rays that exit out of the multilayer film mirror allows the contrast of an X-ray image produced when the detector receives X-rays for a predetermined period of 1 minute or shorter to be high enough for observation of the X-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Omote, Keiichi Morikawa, Yoshinori Ueji, Masahiro Tsuchiya, Takeshi Fujimura, Atsunori Kiku
  • Patent number: 9568441
    Abstract: A gantry system for use with a computed tomography imaging system is provided. The gantry system includes a frame, a support rail coupled to the frame, and a plurality of rollers. The frame defines an annular opening, and is configured to rotate about a rotational axis to collect imaging data from an object positioned within the opening. The support rail includes a canted sidewall having a radial inner surface and a radial outer surface. The plurality of rollers rotatably supports the support rail to enable rotation of the frame about the rotational axis. The plurality of rollers includes a first roller that engages the radial outer surface of the sidewall and a second roller that engages the radial inner surface of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Pedro Andres Garzon, Steven Leslie Hills, Anthony James Murch
  • Patent number: 9552898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and displaying a collimated X-ray image are described. The methods can include providing an X-ray device having an X-ray source, a square or rectangular X-ray detector, and a collimator. The collimator can be sized and shaped to collimate an X-ray beam from the X-ray source that exposes a receptor region on the detector. The collimator can allow the X-ray image received by the X-ray detector to have any suitable shape that allows a relatively large view of the image to be displayed and rotated on the display device without changing the shape or size of the image as it rotated. In some instances, the collimator provides the image with superellipse shapes or cornerless shapes having four substantially straight edges with a 90 degree corner missing between at least two edges that run substantially perpendicular to each other. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret David Nicholson, David Barker
  • Patent number: 9521735
    Abstract: A handheld x-ray analyzer, having an outer shell forming an inner cavity, the outer shell having at least one aperture; an x-ray engine positioned within the cavity; and a generally planar heat sink rigidly and thermally attached to the x-ray engine, and positioned in the aperture of the outer shell thereby substantially filling the aperture while providing thermal conduction between the engine and surrounding air. An outer face of the heat sink may be substantially conformal with the outer shell along one or both sides of the analyzer, and form a substantial portion of one or both sides of the analyzer. Longitudinal fins may be placed on an outer face of the heat sink to aid in thermal conduction from the engine to the surrounding air. Thermal handling, shock/vibration isolation, and moisture barriers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: X-RAY OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Dunham, Rory D. Delaney
  • Patent number: 9498646
    Abstract: A collimator assembly for use with radiation therapy systems, in particular stereotactic radiosurgery (“SRS”) systems, is provided. In general, the collimator assembly includes a collimator in which a plurality of concentric, conical slits is formed. Each conical slit is oriented along a different slit angle, such that radiation impinging on the top surface of the collimator is redirected along each conical slit towards a common target isocenter located at a distance away from the bottom surface of the collimator. The conical slits can be referred to as “Compton slits” because they are designed to increase the radiation output at the isocenter of the collimator by redirecting Compton scattered radiation towards the isocenter in the target region. The collimator assembly thus improves the efficiency of a radiation treatment system by utilizing Compton scattered radiation that would otherwise be lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Edward T. Bender, Andrew J. Shepard
  • Patent number: 9486646
    Abstract: A system for radiation therapy includes an ionizing radiation source for producing a beam oriented along an axis aligned with a target volume for delivering ionizing radiation to the target volume along a beam path and at a dose rate, wherein the beam includes a soft spectrum and a hard spectrum. The system also includes a filter arranged within the beam path and including a central aperture that is free of beam-filtering material, wherein the central aperture is surrounded by a beam-filtering material having a thickness dimension selected and positioned in the beam path to highly attenuate the soft spectrum of the beam to reduces external scatter of the beam and allow a majority of the hard spectrum of the beam to pass through the central aperture unfiltered. The beam path is free of beam-filtering material arranged to attenuate a central portion of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bhudatt Paliwal, Yue Yan
  • Patent number: 9448190
    Abstract: This disclosure presents systems for x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements that have x-ray flux and flux density several orders of magnitude greater than existing compact systems. These are useful for laboratory or field applications of x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) or extended x-ray fine absorption structure (EXFAS) spectroscopy. The higher brightness is achieved by using designs for x-ray targets that comprise a number of aligned microstructures of x-ray generating materials fabricated in close thermal contact with a substrate having high thermal conductivity. This allows for bombardment with higher electron density and/or higher energy electrons, leading to greater x-ray brightness and high flux. The high brightness x-ray source is then coupled to an x-ray reflecting optical system to collimate the x-rays, and a monochromator, which selects the exposure energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sigray, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbing Yun, Sylvia Jia Yun Lewis, Janos Kirz
  • Patent number: 9421647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing mirror shells of a nested shells grazing incidence mirror, in particular for EUV radiation and/or X-rays. In the method a blank of a bulk material is provided and machined to form a mirror body of the shell. Mechanical structures are integrated and/or attached to the mirror body during and/or after the machining step. The mechanical structures are required for mounting and/or operating the mirror shells. After these steps the optical surface is formed on the mirror body by diamond turning. The proposed method allows the manufacturing of mirror shells of a nested shells grazing incidence mirror at low costs with high optical quality which may also be refurbished one or several times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: USHIO DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Christof Metzmacher, Max Christian Schuermann
  • Patent number: 9386958
    Abstract: Provided is an intraoral X-ray imaging apparatus having a camera, including: a frame; an X-ray irradiator which is installed to be supported by the frame and of which the one end portion is inserted into the oral cavity and which irradiates X-ray through an X-ray irradiation hole formed on the one end portion inserted into the oral cavity; a camera unit which is installed at the one end portion of the X-ray irradiator to image an interior of the oral cavity; a monitor unit which is connected to a camera unit to output the image captured by the camera unit; and an X-ray detector which is arranged to be separated from the X-ray irradiator in the frame so as to detect the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray irradiator outside the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: EWHA UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Rena Lee
  • Patent number: 9375587
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method of performing microbeam radiation therapy (microbeam radiosurgery) for a subject, including: producing a high-energy radiation beam; shaping, attenuating, strengthening, hardening and/or otherwise appropriately modifying the high-energy radiation beam using a low-Z, high-Z, or variable-Z filter; passing the beam before or after it has been so modified through a collimator to produce high-dose regions alternating with low-dose regions; and irradiating the subject with the collimated beam so modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MICROBEAM THEARPY, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Slatkin, Fred Harden Geisler
  • Patent number: 9355752
    Abstract: An irradiation field-limiting apparatus connected to an X-ray-generating apparatus includes a pair of first limiting blades defining a width of an opening through which radiation is to pass; a first opening width-adjusting mechanism including a first opening width-adjusting shaft operable to adjust the width of the opening by moving the pair of first limiting blades toward or away from each other; and a first opening center-adjusting mechanism including a first opening center-adjusting shaft operable to adjust a center position of the opening by moving the pair of first limiting blades in a same direction. The first opening width-adjusting shaft and the first opening center-adjusting shaft are coaxially arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Ohashi, Takashi Shiozawa, Kazuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 9333375
    Abstract: An IGRT apparatus includes a medical imaging device integrated with a linear accelerator, the linear accelerator is configured for emitting a radiation beam, which is shaped by a beam shaper, and a gantry. The position of the beam shaper is adjustable between a first position and a second position; the first position is a treatment position and the second position is a non-treatment position and the first position is within the gantry and the second position is removed from the gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Philip Lee Arber, Joseph Hubert Marie Habets, Clifford William Perkins, John Shelley
  • Patent number: 9330803
    Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus includes a housing, a radiation source carried by the housing, and at least one aperture assembly carried by the housing. The aperture assembly includes a radiation aperture body having a shaped opening therein to control a radiation dosing profile, and an aperture holder with an aperture-receiving passageway therein receiving the radiation aperture body, and having a recessed end. A cover is received within the recessed end of the aperture holder and retains the radiation aperture body within the aperture holder. The cover has an opening aligned with the shaped opening in the radiation aperture body. The radiation aperture body, the aperture receiving passageway of the aperture holder and the opening of the cover have angled interfaces therebetween. A radiation filter is carried by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: .DECIMAL, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Sweat, Kevin Erhart, Salvadore Gerace
  • Patent number: 9314215
    Abstract: A dental positioning system and method employing the system are described. The system includes at least one receptor holder having an arm extending from a receptor grip. The receptor grip retains a receptor in a fixed position within the grip and with respect to the arm. The system also includes an alignment ring having a window formed therein and having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one receptor holder. The opening is constructed to receive the arm of the receptor holder such that the receptor is substantially centered with respect to the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SIRONA DENTAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Abramovich, Aaron Bratslavsky, Joe Goldstone, Steven Mita, Charles Smith
  • Patent number: 9257207
    Abstract: An x-ray collimator can be constructed from multiple subassemblies, which at least includes a first subassembly that reduces the leakage of x-ray radiation between adjacent apertures and a second subassembly that reduces the spill of x-ray radiation around the detector face. Each of these subassemblies has numerous apertures. In the first subassembly these apertures correspond to focal spots on an x-ray source, and in the second subassembly, these apertures are shaped such that the dimensions increase from smaller entrances to larger exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Brian Wilfley, Peter Holst
  • Patent number: 9237875
    Abstract: A CT collimator comprising: a first gate and a second gate arranged in parallel on a slide rail, the first gate being fixed to a support rack of the CT collimator via elastic members; an electromagnet system arranged on one of the first gate and the second gate; and a metal plate arranged on the other side of the one of the first gate and the second gate relative to the electromagnet system, one end of the metal plate being fixed on the other of the first gate and the second gate and the other end of the metal plate extending to below the electromagnet system, wherein the electromagnet system is configured to engage the first gate and the second gate via the metal plate when the electromagnet system is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Xianjun Pan, Zhiyong Fu, Shutao Liu
  • Patent number: 9136028
    Abstract: A contour collimator and a method for setting a contour of a radiation path of an x-ray are provided. A liquid impermeable to the x-ray forms the contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sultan Haider
  • Patent number: 9123519
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Time-of-Flight based neutron inspection system. The system employs a collimated beam of fast neutrons for targeted interrogation of suspect areas in cargo. Elemental composition is determined as a function of depth. Analysis is then used to determine the presence of contraband. The system may be used for secondary inspection for material discrimination to reduce false alarm rate and high cost and time associated with manual unpacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bendahan, Vladimir Solovyev
  • Patent number: 9095258
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generation unit, an X-ray collimator, a dose detection unit, and a dose reduction rate calculation unit. The X-ray generation unit irradiates the object with X-rays. The X-ray collimator limits an X-ray irradiation range of the X-ray generation unit. The dose detection unit detects the X-rays that have passed through the X-ray collimator. The dose reduction rate calculation unit calculates a reduction rate of an exposure dose of the object based on a value detected by the dose detection unit in X-ray imaging before the X-ray irradiation range is limited by the X-ray collimator and a value detected by the dose detection unit in X-ray imaging after the X-ray irradiation range is limited by the X-ray collimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Sakaguchi, Manabu Tanaka, Takayuki Ishikawa, Hisato Takemoto, Koichiro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150146842
    Abstract: A detector module for a radiation detector in a radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The detector module includes a detecting element array including a plurality of detecting elements arranged in a matrix form in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, the detecting element array configured to allow radiation to penetrate through spaces defined between the detecting elements, an electronic circuit arranged on a radiation emission side of the detecting element array, and a radiation shielding body arranged on a radiation incident side of the detecting element array. The radiation shielding body includes a base material having radiation permeability and formed with a plurality of grooves extending in the first direction at respective positions corresponding to spaces between the detecting elements in the second direction, and a plurality of radiation shielding materials each inserted in a respective groove of the plurality of grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Haruo Kurochi, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
  • Publication number: 20150139400
    Abstract: There is provided a System and Method For Determining The Radiological Composition of Material Layers Within a Conduit. The system and method disclosed is equally applicable to pipes, vessels, and conduits as well as medical applications such as determining vessel thickness, occlusion, scarring, or the like in humans and animals. A phantom setup is disclosed that has a phantom containing a test standard such as a reactor water test standard, removable plates, a collimator and probe with a spectrometer display. The phantom setup provides a baseline data set that can be used in conjunction with field measurements to determine the composition of materials within the conduit, such as corrosion or the like. The baseline data set may be semi-logarithmic and contains spectrometer readings of various plate thicknesses or quantities of plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Frederic J. Mis
  • Patent number: 9028145
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for collimation of x-ray beams. According to various embodiments, an x-ray apparatus may comprise a first rotatable disk comprising a first plurality of angled slots and a first shutter comprising a first plurality of protruding members. At least one of the first plurality of protruding members may be positioned within a first angled slot of the first plurality of angled slots, and at least one of the first plurality of protruding members may be positioned within a second angled slot of the first plurality of angled slots. The first shutter may at least partially define an x-ray collimation aperture, and the apparatus may be configured such that rotation of the first rotatable disk results in movement of the first shutter to alter a size of the x-ray collimation aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aribex, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Laws, Devin Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 9031203
    Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample is provided. The system includes an optical system capable of providing a one-dimensional beam and a two-dimensional beam. The system may include a beam selection device to select between providing a one-dimensional x-ray beam to the sample in a one-dimensional operation mode and a two-dimensional x-ray beam to the sample in a two-dimensional operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Rigaku Innovative Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Licai Jiang, Boris Verman
  • Patent number: 9031204
    Abstract: A leaf module for a multi-leaf collimator comprises a leaf unit and a leaf drive unit. The leaf unit comprises a leaf for shielding beams from a selected area. The leaf unit is mounted displaceably in an adjusting direction with relation to the leaf drive unit. The leaf drive unit is designed to displace the leaf unit linearly in the adjusting direction. The leaf drive unit comprises at least one drive mechanism which operates based on piezoelectric actuation, being designed such that the leaf drive unit thoroughly encloses the leaf unit within a plane being oriented substantially perpendicularly related to the adjusting direction. The multi-leaf collimator can comprise a plurality of leaf modules while being shaped as compact as possible. Both precise and stable adjustability of the leaf unit is achieved with the leaf module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
    Inventors: Gernot Echner, Steffen Seeber, Klaus Schewiola
  • Patent number: 9025731
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source. A detector array having a first configuration and a second configuration is connected to a housing and at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is capable of being transported to a site by a vehicle and of being positioned separate from the housing. The radiation source is housed in a radiation source box and movable within the radiation source box using an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the radiation source and provides a translational energy that moves the radiation source between an operational position and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Kotowski, Neeraj Agrawal
  • Patent number: 9020103
    Abstract: A versatile beam scanner for generating a far-field scanned pencil beam, and, alternatively, a far-field pencil beam. An angle selector limits the angular extent of an inner fan beam emitted by a source of penetrating radiation. The source and angle selector may be translated, along a direction parallel to a central axis of a multi-aperture unit, in such a manner as to generate a scanned far-field pencil beam, when rings of apertures are interposed between the source and an inspected target, or, alternatively, a far-field fan beam, when no ring of apertures is interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Grodzins
  • Patent number: 9014341
    Abstract: A CT collimator comprising a rotating slot part on a rotation shaft and having a plurality of blades, each blade has a slot of a different width and a radiation beam entering the collimator can only pass via a slot in one of the blades, each edge of each blade slot along a longitudinal direction has a convex curved surface structure, and in a vertical plane along a longitudinal direction, two side edges of the slot are curved, and each blade is arranged to be eccentric to the center of the rotation shaft. A CT system using the CT collimator, the detection area of the radiation rays projected to the radiation detector via the CT collimator can be maintained unchanged by adjusting the rotation angle of the blade, under the circumstance where the focus of the radiation source shifts during a CT scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Jun Guo, Xuyong Yang
  • Patent number: 9014339
    Abstract: Apparatus for interrupting and/or scanning a beam of penetrating radiation, such as for purposes of inspecting contents of a container. A source, such as an x-ray tube, generates a fan beam of radiation effectively emanating from a source axis, with the width of the fan beam collimated by a width collimator, such as a clamshell collimator. An angular collimator, stationary during the course of scanning, limits the extent of the scan, and a multi-aperture unit, such as a hoop, or a nested pair of hoops, is rotated about a central axis, and structured in such a manner that beam flux incident on a target is conserved for different fields of view of the beam on the target. The central axis of hoop rotation need not coincide with the source axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Omar Al-Kofahi, Peter J. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 9014340
    Abstract: A radiation tomography system is provided. The radiation tomography system includes a radiation source configured to rotate around a subject and apply radiation to the subject, a plurality of radiation detecting elements disposed opposite the radiation source, a plurality of collimator plates partitioning the radiation detecting elements in a channel direction, the collimator plates erected such that plate surfaces of each of the plurality of collimator plates extend along a direction of radiation from the radiation source, and an aperture-width changing unit configured to change a width of each aperture formed by the plurality of collimator plates by moving a plurality of radiation absorbing members along respective end sides of the collimator plates close to the radiation source, the plurality of radiation absorbing members moveable between a first position at which the end sides are covered and a second position at which the end sides are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Haruo Kurochi
  • Patent number: 8995615
    Abstract: A specimen information acquisition system is provided with a first grating which divides divergent X-rays from an X-ray source to form a plurality of primary X-ray beams, and a second grating which blocks at least a part of each of the primary X-ray beams to form a plurality of secondary X-ray beams. The specimen information acquisition system is further provided with an X-ray detector which detects the secondary X-ray beams and a calculator which calculates information of a specimen arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The primary X-ray beams do not overlap each other on each of X-ray transmitting portions of the second grating. The edges of the respective primary X-ray beams enter a plurality of X-ray blocking portions of the second grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimiaki Yamaguchi, Toru Den
  • Patent number: 8989352
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a distance indication using an x-ray apparatus. According to various embodiments, an x-ray apparatus may be provided comprising an x-ray generator and a visible light generator. The apparatus may further comprise a projection member, such as a reticle, comprising a material at least partially transparent to visible light, wherein the projection member comprises an image positioned within the path of the visible light so as to project a secondary image comprising a shadow defined by the image. A LASER configured to deliver a LASER beam at an angle relative to the visible light may be provided such that the LASER beam intersects at least a portion of the secondary image at a predetermined distance from the LASER to allow a user to determine precisely a distance from the apparatus to an object to be exposed to x-ray radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aribex, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Laws, Devin Ellsworth
  • Publication number: 20150071411
    Abstract: An X-ray collimator used in a CT system is provided, including: a first guide rail and a second guide rail disposed in parallel with each other; and a first gate assembling unit and a second gate assembling unit disposed in parallel with each other. The first gate assembling unit has one end provided with a driving mechanism and fixedly connected with the first guide rail, and another end connected with the second guide rail in a slidable connection. The second gate assembling unit has one end provided with a driving mechanism and fixedly connected with the second guide rail, and another end connected with the first guide rail in a slidable connection. And blocks for supporting and position limiting are provided on two ends of the first guide rail and two ends of the second guide rail. Sheltering effect on X-rays may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Shenyang Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yiming Zhu
  • Patent number: 8976935
    Abstract: A collimator grid and a method of fabricating the collimator grid are disclosed. The method includes molding a plurality of plates, each plate includes a plurality of grooves in a first surface, a plurality of fin tips in a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, plurality of ribs on a first pair of peripheral sides, a plurality of first fiducials formed on the plurality of ribs, and a plurality of second fiducials formed on a second pair of peripheral sides. The method includes machining the second surface to form the plurality of fins having predefined dimensions. Further, the method includes stacking the plurality of plates overlapping each other based on the plurality of first fiducials, and machining the plurality of ribs and first fiducials to form the collimator grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prabhjot Singh, Garth M Nelson, Brian David Yanoff, Juan Pablo Cilia
  • Patent number: 8976934
    Abstract: A collimator includes an x-ray blocking surface including one or more generally flat plates defining an aperture edge. The aperture edge includes a first end portion including a first end of the aperture edge, a second end portion including a second end of the aperture edge, and a central portion including a center of the aperture edge. The first end portion of the aperture edge corresponds to a first end portion of a detector, the second end portion of the aperture edge corresponds to a second end portion of the detector, and the central portion of the aperture edge corresponds to a central portion of the detector. A profile of the aperture edge is discontinuous at a point between the first end of the aperture edge and the center of the aperture edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nicholas Demianovich
  • Patent number: 8971498
    Abstract: A contour collimator or an adaptive filter for adjusting a contour of a ray path of x-ray radiation is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic fluid that is impermeable to x-ray radiation and a number of switchable magnet elements, by which an aperture forming the contour may be formed in the magnetic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sultan Haider
  • Patent number: 8971484
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to inspection systems, devices and methods for x-ray inspection of objects. A conveyor can move an object to be inspected through an inspection zone along a direction of travel, one or more multibeam x-ray source arrays can provide multiple collimated x-ray beams through the inspection zone along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, and one or more x-ray detector arrays can detect x-ray beams passing through the inspection zone from the x-ray source array. X-ray signals detected by the x-ray detector array can be recorded to form multiple x-ray projection images of the object, and the multiple x-ray projection images can be processed into three-dimensional tomographic images of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: XinRay Systems Inc
    Inventors: Moritz Beckmann, Frank Sprenger, Yuan Cheng, Jianping Lu, Derrek Spronk, George Zarur, Otto Z. Zhou
  • Patent number: 8971497
    Abstract: A contour collimator and an adaptive filter as well as an associated method for adjusting a contour of a ray path of x-ray radiation are provided. The contour collimator and the adaptive filter include fluid impermeable for x-ray radiation and a number of electroactive polymer elements actively connected to the fluid. On application of an electrical voltage to the electroactive polymer elements, an aperture forming the contour in the fluid is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sultan Haider
  • Publication number: 20150055759
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for collimating a radiation beam, the method comprising subjecting the beam to a collimator that yaws and pitches, either separately or simultaneously relative to the incident angle of the beam. Also provided is a system for collimating radiation beams, the system comprising a collimator body, and a stage for pitching and yawing the body. A feature of the invention is that a single, compact mask body defines one or a plurality of collimators having no moving surfaces relative to each other, whereby the entire mask body is moved about a point in space to provide various collimator opening dimensions to oncoming radiation beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver A. Schmidt, Mohan Ramanathan