Collimator Patents (Class 378/147)
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Publication number: 20080247510Abstract: A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, other disorders or tissues of a body are treated with the dose of radiation. In some embodiments, the target tissues are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the target tissues inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the target tissues within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial marker is used to identify the location of the target tissues. In some embodiments, an eye is held with force and in alignment with the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gertner, Steven D. Hansen
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Patent number: 7430280Abstract: A radiation emitting source includes a radiation emitter, an emitter switch, a collimator, a rotating mechanism and a shielding enclosure. The collimator has a central axial through-hole portion and a plurality of radial apertures. The through-hole portion receives the radiation emitter therein. The radiation emitter is axially movable in the through-hole portion. The rotating mechanism is coupled to the collimator. The shielding enclosure has an opening and encloses the collimator therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Inventor: Shipeng Song
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Patent number: 7428293Abstract: There is provided a fluorescent X-ray analysis apparatus in which a detection lower limit has been improved by reducing an X-ray generating subsidiarily and detected. The fluorescent X-ray analysis apparatus is one which possesses an X-ray source irradiating a primary X-ray, and a detector in which a collimator having a through-hole in its center part has been placed in a front face, and in which, by the detector, there is detected a primary fluorescent X-ray which generates from a sample by irradiating the primary X-ray to a sample, and passes through the through-hole of the collimator.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: SII Nanotechnology Inc.Inventors: Takayuki Fukai, Yoshiki Matoba
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Patent number: 7418082Abstract: An X-ray collimator for collimating X-rays from an X-ray source that illuminate an array of columns and rows of X-ray detectors, the collimator having a first side that faces the X-ray source and a second side opposite the first side that faces the detector array, the collimator comprising: a plurality of strips formed from an X-ray absorbing material, wherein each strip is corrugated so that it has rectangular and/or square corrugations; and means for maintaining the plurality of strips one next to the other with the corrugations of one strip aligned with corrugations of an adjacent strip to form an array of rows and columns of square/and or rectangular wells corresponding to the X-ray detectors in the array.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Avner Elgali
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Patent number: 7413344Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a radiography system in which an FOV in a light field agrees with an FOV in an X-ray field irrespective of a displacement of a light source. The radiography system comprises an X-ray tube, a collimator that forms an X-ray beam to be irradiated from the X-ray tube to an object of radiography, and a light source that irradiates light, which is used for ranging, to the object of radiography via the collimator. The radiography system further comprises a memory in which the magnitude of a displacement of the light source calculated in advance is stored, and a control unit that controls the opening of the collimator on the basis of the position of the light source, which is corrected based on the magnitude of a displacement read from the memory, so that an FOV of light to be used for ranging will agree with a target value.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Lei Qian
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Patent number: 7411204Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Inventors: Michael Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Patent number: 7403597Abstract: in a diaphragm device for an x-ray apparatus for scanning a subject with a radiation beam and a scanning method using such a diaphragm device, the diaphragm device has at least two diaphragms. For at least one segment of the scan, the radiation beam that has been adjusted with the first diaphragm can be at least partially dynamically masked by the second diaphragm. High adjustment precisions for precise exposure of a measurement field of detector and high adjustment speed for masking of a radiation beam that is not needed for reconstruction of an image, or for reduction of a radiation exposure of the subject can be implemented to equal degree with the two diaphragms that are separate from one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Rainer Raupach
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Patent number: 7399119Abstract: A method for measuring an alignment of a detector is described. The method includes determining, by a processor, the alignment of the detector with respect to a collimated radiation beam. The determination of the alignment is based on a plurality of signals from a first cell of the detector and a second cell of the detector, and is independent of a shape of the collimated radiation beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Henry Chao, Thomas Louis Toth, Tanvi Kachhy, Bruce Matthew Dunham, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
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Publication number: 20080165922Abstract: A CT collimator includes a first radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. Each aperture formed through the first radiation absorbent lamination is aligned with a respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and an x-ray emission source. The collimator includes a second radiation absorbent lamination having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture formed through the second radiation absorbent lamination aligned with the respective axis formed between a corresponding pixellating element and the x-ray emission source. A spacer is positioned between the first and second radiation absorbent laminations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Brian David Yanoff, Jonathan D. Short, Richard A. Thompson, Bruce Campbell Amm
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Publication number: 20080164419Abstract: A method includes mechanically correcting for a keystone effect on an x-ray detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Brian Donald Johnston, Baojun Li
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Patent number: 7397903Abstract: A collimator capable of being reduced in its external size without sacrificing an aperture is to be provided. To this end, the collimator comprises a pair of first plate members which defines a radiation passing aperture by a spacing between respective opposed end faces, a pair of second plate members which respectively overlap the first plate members at least partially so as to block any other radiation than the radiation passing through the aperture, a pair of third plate members which respectively overlap the second plate members at least partially so as to block any other radiation than the radiation passing through the aperture, an adjusting mechanism which adjusts the aperture by moving the pair of first plate members, and a follow-up mechanism which causes the pair of second plate members to move following the pair of first plate members with movement of the first plate members.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Zhao Yang
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Patent number: 7397899Abstract: With a view to providing an X-ray irradiator capable of detecting a relative rotational angle of a collimator box with respect to an X-ray tube, the X-ray irradiator comprises: an X-ray tube having a flange formed around an X-ray output window; a collimator box having an entry plate formed with an X-ray incidence window, the collimator box accommodating a collimator in the interior thereof; a ring provided on the entry plate so as to surround the X-ray incidence window, the ring receiving therein the flange of the X-ray tube and having a plurality of slots formed radially through the ring; a plurality of tongue pieces being inserted through the slots from outside to inside of the ring and holding down a back side of the flange; and sensor device provided inside the flange to detect a relative rotational angle of the collimator box with respect to the flange.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Yuqing Li
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Patent number: 7397901Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator includes a number of independently adjustable leaves. Adjacent leaves overlap to prevent an incident beam of radiation from passing through a gap between them. The overlapping portions of the leaves are made of a first material, while the non-overlapping portions of the leaves are made of a second, different material.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Stanley Woodrow Johnsen
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Patent number: 7396160Abstract: A system for cooling an X-ray tube in a CT machine comprising a heat sink for drawing heat away from the X-ray tube and a collimator connected to the heat sink and adapted to collimate the X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube and “focus” those X-rays on an X-ray detector, the heat sink body being formed out of the same material as the emitter of the X-ray tube, such that the emitter opening of the X-ray tube will remain aligned with both the heat sink window and the collimator opening even when the emitter of the X-ray tube undergoes thermal expansion.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: NeuroLogica Corp.Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Lidia Nemirovsky, Eric M. Bailey
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Patent number: 7397888Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray tube configured to emit X-rays, a detector faced against the X-ray tube, the detector having a detector element with a plurality of slots and a plurality of a collimator boards inserted into the slots, a data acquisition system configured to receive data detected by the detector, a computer unit configured to reconstitute the data from the data acquisition system and a display configured to show images by the data.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Shigeru Sakuta
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Patent number: 7397900Abstract: A micro collimator for compressing X-ray beams for use in a X-ray diffractometer is described, wherein said collimator has a channel means for providing a channel guiding said X-ray beams, said channel having a channel entrance portion and a channel exit portion. The object of the invention is to provide a micro beam collimator capable of being used in a conventional X-ray diffractometer with the Bragg-Brentano geometry, so as to enable the characterisation of very small sample regions without need of very large radiation sources (synchrotron). For solving this technical problem it is proposed to form the channel means by two opposite, polished, oblong plate means made of or coated with a material selected from the group consisting of the heavyweight metals and materials having total reflection properties comparable to those of the heavyweight metals.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: EuratomInventors: Dimitrios Papaioannou, José-Luis Spino
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Patent number: 7382866Abstract: With a view to providing an X-ray imaging apparatus having a projector-collimator capable of adjusting an irradiation position of a light beam easily and accurately, a first luminous flux is made a luminous flux present within an orthogonal plate orthogonal to a y-axis direction which is an orthogonal direction and a second luminous flux present within the orthogonal plane is reflected and moved within the orthogonal plane to produce a light beam. Consequently, an irradiation position of the light beam over a subject can be adjusted in an independent manner by movement ?y in the orthogonal direction with use of a first screw and movement ?x within the orthogonal plane with use of a second crew. As a result, adjustment of an X-ray irradiation field position by an operator can be effected not only easily but also with a high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Yongtao Tan, Chen Zhang, Yuqing Li
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Patent number: 7378663Abstract: This method for optimizing the performance of a semiconductor detector intended to detect electromagnetic radiation, especially X-rays or ? rays, equipped with electrodes separately mounted on two opposite surfaces of said detector, namely a cathode and a pixelated anode respectively, involves (i) determining the signal that is representative of the sum of the charges detected by all or some of the anodes; and (ii) using the signal that is representative of said sum of the charges to establish one or more biparametric spectra as a function of this signal so as to determine any charge collection loss if charge sharing occurred on the pixelated anodes and, consequently, performing appropriate processing depending on the type of result desired.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Eric Gros D'Aillon, Loïck Verger
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Patent number: 7378672Abstract: A particle beam therapeutic apparatus can ensure the uniformity of dose distribution by overlapping the desired loci of the irradiation of a particle beam a reduced number of times. A flow of a particle beam transported so as to be irradiated to a diseased part is caused to deflect in two mutually orthogonal directions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the particle beam. The irradiation position of the particle beam is scanned, upon each period, in a manner to return to a position of irradiation located at the start of the period, whereby a plurality of loci drawn within one period are overlapped with one another thereby to irradiate a desired planned dose to the diseased part. The particle beam can be interrupted only at the end of the period.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hisashi Harada
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Patent number: 7368151Abstract: An antiscattering grid for an X-ray imaging apparatus of the type comprising a substrate having a plurality of metallized partitions that together define a plurality of cells distributed over the substrate. The partitions allow passage of the X-rays emitted from a source lying in line with the grid, and absorbing the X-rays not coming directly from this source. The substrate is made of a polymer material that may be formed by radiation curing of a monomer sensitive to this radiation. The substrate may be substantially planar and the partitions may be oriented to form a focused grid.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Henri Souchay, Remy Klausz, Guillaume Bacher, Bruno Gilles Richou
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Publication number: 20080101542Abstract: A method includes aligning a plurality of collimator plates to a plurality of cast reflector septa, and locking the collimator plates such that a gain change from changing rotational speeds is reduced or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Joseph James Lacey
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Publication number: 20080101543Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly, to an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that can confirm an area on which X-ray is illuminated, using an image sensor, prior to photographing the X-ray of a wounded portion of a patient or an animal. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention can confirm the area on which the X-ray is illuminated, through the image sensor, thereby decreasing the amount of heat generated and saving the power consumption required to operate the lamp, compared with the conventional X-ray diagnostic apparatus. Also, the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention can combine, edit and provide the real image photographed by the X-ray, the image to be photographed through the X-ray, or the image of a patient to exactly and conveniently diagnose the health state of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: POSKOM CO., LTD.Inventors: Ki Bong Sung, Jong Lae Park
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Publication number: 20080095318Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence analyzer device comprises an X-ray source and a sample window. Between the X-ray source and the sample window there are a collimator plate with a plurality of microscopic pores and an annular plate comprising material essentially opaque to X-rays. The annular plate defines an area transparent to X-rays. The pores in said collimator plate let through collimated X-rays radiated by said X-ray source towards said sample window. The area transparent to X-rays in said annular plate spatially limits in a transverse direction a beam of X-rays radiated by said X-ray source towards said sample window.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Esko Juhani Kantonen, Heikki Johannes Sipila
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Patent number: 7356123Abstract: The present application relates to an X-ray device having an X-ray radiation source (7), a collimator (6) and an X-ray detector (4). The reduction in the radiation dose to which a patient (5) is exposed, said reduction being generated by the collimator (6), is calculated by a data processing unit (2) from the current setting of the shield and filter elements of the collimator (6) and displayed on a display unit (3), for example, as an area shielding factor AA and/or a dose reduction factor DRF. The user can in this way detect the potential of the collimator that still exists for image improvement and for minimizing the exposure to radiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Sabine Mollus
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Patent number: 7356124Abstract: A collimator is disclosed for a beam detector, having a number of juxtaposed collimator plates between which there is respectively arranged for stiffening the collimator, at least one supporting element that is constructed from a material transparent to X-rays and supports the collimator plates laterally. A computed tomography unit having such a collimator is further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Freund, Gottfried Tschöpa
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Publication number: 20080063146Abstract: A method for developing a multi-focus primary collimator is described. The method includes extending a first beam from a first source via a collimator block to a first detector and determining a size of the first beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Geoffrey Harding, Johannes Paul Delfs
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Patent number: 7340033Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a unit for automatically adjusting a collimator (6). In this connection, a region (9) of interest inside the body is determined in an application-specific way from an analysis of first X-ray pictures, and the collimator (6) is then adjusted thereon. The region (9) of interest can, in particular, be chosen to be large enough for the irradiation field to cover all those positions of an organ (10) of interest that occur as a result of heartbeat and/or respiration. Preferably, a movement estimate' is undertaken during a current examination in order to be able to readjust the collimator (6) if necessary. If the region of interest cannot be localized, the collimator (6) is opened to a standard adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: Sabine Mollus, Jürgen Weese, Henning Braess
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Patent number: 7336767Abstract: A method for improving resolution of X-ray radiography systems of the type used to obtain images of internal features of human bodies or to view contents of luggage articles, cargo containers and the like comprises positioning a plurality of baffle plates between the rear surface of an X-ray radiation detector array and a back stop used to limit transmitted X-ray radiation to a safe level. The baffle plates are made of a high atomic-number metal such as iron or lead which reduces by absorption, scattering or other attenuating processes the intensity of X-ray radiation back scattered from the back-stop onto the detector array, thus reducing noise contributions to signals output from detector elements of the array and thereby improving the quality of radiographic images formed from detector output signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Inventor: Khai Minh Le
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Patent number: 7330534Abstract: The present invention discloses a ray beam guiding apparatus, comprising a ray beam guiding box having substantially fan-shaped top and bottom surfaces, defining an inner space, and having open wide and narrow ends; an engaging member joined to the narrow end of the box; a first collimator mounted to the box adjacent to the narrow end for adjusting size/shape of the ray beam in horizontal vertical direction; a second collimator having a calibration slit or grill and mounted to the box adjacent to the wide end; and an adjusting member connecting the engaging member and a ray generator to adjust a distance therebetween. The box can adjust size/shape and centering of the ray beam, so that inspection quality can be improved and thickness of the ray shielding layer can be reduced, the box is applicable to a ray inspection system which performs security inspection of liquid articles.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua UniversityInventors: Yulan Li, Yuanjing Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Yinong Liu, Qitian Miao, Wanlong Wu, Ziran Zhao, Xilei Luo, Li Zhang, Bin Sang, Hailin Wang
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Patent number: 7327830Abstract: A collimation and calibration integrative apparatus for container inspection system includes a collimating block; a calibrating block; a base plate; a motor and a plurality of supporting units fixed on the base plate; a transmission unit coupled to the motor for transmitting movement from the motor to a bearing plate, characterized in that the apparatus further includes: a sliding plate having one end connected to the bearing plate and the other end slidably fitted to guide rails provided on the base plate; a stationary plate fixedly connected to the sliding plate, wherein the collimating block and the calibrating block are provided on the stationary plate to form an integrative structure and an assembly gap is formed between the collimating block and the calibrating block, whereby the collimating block and the calibrating block on the stationary plate are driven by the transmission unit and the bearing plate to be moved integrally.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua UniversityInventors: Fengjun Zhang, Shangmin Sun, Junli Li, Yanli Deng, Zhizhong Liang, Yanjun Han, Guibin Lin, Bing Wang
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Patent number: 7321126Abstract: There is provided a projection exposure system operable in a scanning mode along a scanning direction. The projection exposure system includes a collector that receives light having a wavelength ?193 nm and illuminates a region in a plane. The plane is defined by a local coordinate system having a y-direction parallel to the scanning direction and an x-direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. The collector includes (a) a first mirror shell, (b) a second mirror shell within the first mirror shell, and (c) a fastening device for fastening the first and second mirror shells. The mirror shells are substantially rotational symmetric about a common rotational axis. The fastening device has a support spoke that extends in a radial direction of the mirror shells, and the support spoke, when projected into the plane, yields a projection that is non-parallel to the y-direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AGInventors: Wolfgang Singer, Wilhelm Egle, Markus Weiss, Joachim Hainz, Joachim Wietzorrek, Johannes Wangler, Frank Melzer, Bernhard Gellrich, Bernhard Geuppert, Erich Schubert, Martin Antoni
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Publication number: 20080013684Abstract: A system for generating an improved diffraction profile is described. The system includes at least one x-ray source configured to generate x-rays and a primary collimator outputting a first x-ray beam to a first focus point and a second x-ray beam to a second focus point. The primary collimator generates the first and second x-ray beams from the x-rays. The system further includes a container, and a first scatter detector configured to detect a first set of scattered radiation generated upon intersection of the first x-ray beam with the container and to detect a second set of scattered radiation generated upon intersection of the second x-ray beam with the container. An angle of scatter of the first set of scattered radiation detected by the first scatter detector is at most half of an angle of scatter of the second set of scattered radiation detected by the first scatter detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
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Publication number: 20080013688Abstract: A method for developing a primary collimator is described. The method includes placing a primary collimator element at an intersection of a first set of at least two beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
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Patent number: 7319735Abstract: A mammographic imaging system is optimized for use with a single fixed size flat panel digital image receptor. It accommodates compression devices (paddles) of varying sizes, and positions them properly in the field of view of the image receptor. When a compression paddle with size smaller than the field of view of the image receptor is used, the compression paddle can be shifted laterally in the direction parallel to the chest wall, so as to facilitate different views of different size breasts, and permit the image receptor to image as much of the desired tissue as possible. An automatic x-ray collimator restricts the x-ray illumination of the breast in accordance with compression paddle size and location in the field of view. An anti-scatter grid, mounted inside the image receptor enclosure, just below the top cover of the enclosure, can be retracted out of the field of view of the image receptor for use in magnification imaging.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth F. Defreitas, Anthony Pellegrino, Thomas A. Farbizio, Roman Janer, Georgia Hitzke
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Patent number: 7317786Abstract: A gating device to delimit an x-ray beam, has a device housing, first and second absorber elements mounted in the device housing opposite each other, and an adjustment device for moving the absorber elements relative to each other to set a spacing therebetween forming a slit for passage of an x-ray beam therethrough. Each absorber element has an edge shaped to give the slit a slit width that varies in a longitudinal direction of the slit that increases outwardly from a central position toward respectively opposite ends of the slit. Each slit edge has a middle region producing a uniform width of the slit and further regions respectively disposed on opposite sides of the middle region that produce a linearly, longitudinally increasing slit width. The adjustment device produces a parallelogram-like relative movement between the absorber elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Friedrich Distler, Karlheinz Pauli, Heinrich Wallschläger
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Patent number: 7310411Abstract: Grids and collimators, for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, include at least a metal layer that is formed, for example, by electroplating/electroforming or casting. The metal layer includes top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of solid integrated walls. Each of the solid integrated walls extends from the top to bottom surface and has a plurality of side surfaces. The side surfaces of the solid integrated walls are arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer. At least some of the walls also can include projections extending into the respective openings formed by the walls.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Creatv Micro Tech, Inc.Inventors: Cha-Mei Tang, Olga V. Makarova
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Patent number: 7308295Abstract: A mammography apparatus has a bracket having one of its arms fitted with an X-ray tube head. The X-ray tube head is formed of an X-ray tube for producing X-radiation and a collimator for collimating the X-radiation. The bracket arm opposite the X-ray tube head is fitted with an image forming element. The bracket is further provided with a compression means for compressing a breast during an imaging procedure. The image forming element has a digital full field detector. The mammography apparatus has integrable therewith a biopsy device with a biopsy needle. The detector required in a biopsy imaging process for imaging the volume space of biopsy is formed of a desired element of the full field detector. A needle guiding unit is provided for a guided movement of the biopsy needle in the volume space of biopsy on the basis of three-dimensional information compiled in the biopsy imaging process.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Instrumentarium CorporationInventors: Timo Ihamäki, Petri Jouhikainen
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Patent number: 7305063Abstract: A computed tomography imaging system includes an x ray tube (12, 212) that injects an x ray conebeam into an examination region (14). The x ray tube (12, 212) includes a rotating cylindrical anode (30, 230, 330, 430) having a target outer surface region. The cylindrical anode (30, 230, 330, 430) rotates about a longitudinally aligned cylinder axis (32). Electrons are accelerated toward a selected spot on the target outer surface region of the cylindrical anode (30, 230, 330, 430). Electrostatic or electromagnetic deflectors (64, 68) sweep the selected spot back and forth across the target outer surface region of the cylindrical anode (30, 330, 430). The imaging system further includes a rotating gantry (22) that revolves the x ray tube (12, 212) about the examination region (14) around a rotation axis that is parallel to the cylindrical axis, and an x-ray detector (16) arranged to detect x rays after said x rays pass through the examination region (14).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Dominic J. Heuscher
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Patent number: 7283616Abstract: A collimator is disclosed. The ends of collimator plates are potted with the aid of a top plate and a bottom plate with the formation of interspaces, defined by spacings, between the collimator plates. When producing such a collimator, the top and bottom plates are produced using a casting method, and the collimator plates are simultaneously cast in, in order to fix them in the bottom and top plates. For this production method, a reusable holding apparatus that holds the collimator plates, and a casting mold are provided for aligning and positioning purposes.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Freund, Juergen Leppert, Michael Miess
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Patent number: 7274774Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for x-ray imaging. In an embodiment, such a system includes: an x-ray emission module configured to emit a stream of x-rays; a rotatable x-ray definition module configured to define the size and shape of the x-ray stream, wherein rotating the x-ray definition module rotates the shape of the x-ray stream; an x-ray detection module configured to detect the x-ray stream and create an image based on the detected x-rays; and an output module configured to output the image. In certain embodiments, the x-ray definition module may be configured to change the size of the x-ray stream when the x-ray definition module is rotated, for example. In certain embodiments, the x-ray detection module may be configured to rotate the image and/or change the size of the image before the image is output by the output module, for example.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Daniel Mahonri Bates
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Patent number: 7266180Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rowland Saunders, Steven Ross, Thomas L. Toth
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Patent number: 7263171Abstract: With a view to providing a beam diaphragm having a large maximum value of aperture opening under a limited profile dimension, the beam diaphragm comprises a pair of control rings having coaxial apertures for the passage of X-rays therethrough and being opposed to each other axially through a spacing and coaxially rotatable independently of each other, a blade positioned between the pair of control rings, and position adjusting means which, in accordance with a relative rotation of the pair of control rings, causes the blade to move toward or away from a common axis of the apertures so as to describe a sectorial plane whose radius increases or decreases continuously.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Chen Zhang
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Patent number: 7257195Abstract: A collimator for a computer tomograph includes a number of collimator plates and a holder for the collimator plates. The collimator plates include, at the edge, a number of tabs spaced apart from one another. In a fashion corresponding to this, the holder has receptacles that are assigned to the tabs and that are spaced apart from one another, into which the tabs of the collimator plates engage. This configuration ensures highly accurate positioning of even long collimator plates.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Freund, Claus Pohan
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Patent number: 7254215Abstract: An imaging system including is described. The imaging system includes a radiation source configured to generate a beam, a collimator configured to collimate the beam to generate a collimated beam, and a detector configured to detect the collimated beam. The collimator is one of a first collimator with a curved contour proportional to a contour of the detector, a second collimator with blades, where slopes of two oppositely-facing surfaces of at least one of the blades are different from each other, and a third collimator having at least two sets of plates, where the plates in a set pivot with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Steven Gerard Ross, Thomas Louis Toth, Willi Walter Hampel, Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7248674Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm unit 4 or a diaphragm unit 4 and an associated x-ray emitter 1 with adjustment option for displaying an asymmetrical area under examination, with the diaphragm unit 4 being able to be tilted in accordance with the invention relative to the x-ray emitter 1, preferably by moving it on a rail system 12 attached isocentrically to the tube focus 9 on the tube housing 2 and/or the unit 1;4 made up of diaphragm unit 4 and x-ray emitter 1 being able to be tilted isocentrically to the tube focus 9 of the x-ray tube 2.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Burkhard Groh, Mathias Hörnig, Bernhard Sandkamp
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Patent number: 7242750Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus comprising a radiation source configured to radiate a radiation ray, a multi leaf collimator, including a plurality of leaves, configured to limit a radiation range of the radiation ray and a drive unit configured to move at least one of the leaves with an ultrasonic wave.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Kazuhiko Tsujita
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Patent number: 7230246Abstract: Method and arrangement for implementing a system (10) for providing multi-angular SPECT radiation sampling utilizing slant-angle collimation. The system (10) includes a collimator (13) positioned between a radiating mass (19) within a patient (60) and a radiation detector (21). The collimator (13) is spaced apart from a translational path (25) of the radiating mass (19) at a predefined distance (24). A plurality of apertures (27) extend through the collimator (13) and each forms a passageway (28) for radiation rays (20) emanating from the radiating mass (19) in a direction substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis (29) of the respective passageway (29) and in this manner enables the aligned radiation rays (20) to strike the radiation detector (21).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Eric G. Hawman
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Patent number: 7231015Abstract: Device, related to the means for radiation therapy of malignant and benign neoplasms and certain other diseases, comprise hollow probe 5, source 1 of neutral particle radiation in the form of X-ray or gamma quanta or neutrons, and means of shaping the particle beam of said radiation oriented by the longitudinal axis of the probe. Means of shaping the particle beam is executed in the form of collimator or lens 18 comprising aggregate of curved channels for radiation transmission with a total internal reflection. Said means may be located inside of the probe 5. On using the device, probe 5 is introduced into the body of patient 11, with its distal end 7 approaching pathological locus 13 or inserted directly into it. For exposure of pathological locus, use is made of radiation of the neutral particles source directly or secondary radiation excited in the target placed in the distal end of the probe or radiation dissipated with this target.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Inventor: Muradin Abubekirovich Kumakhov
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Patent number: 7224772Abstract: A reconfigurable collimated radiation detector, system and related method includes at least one collimated radiation detector. The detector has an adjustable collimator assembly including at least one feature, such as a fin, optically coupled thereto. Adjustments to the adjustable collimator selects particular directions of travel of scattered radiation emitted from an irradiated object which reach the detector. The collimated detector is preferably a collimated detector array, where the collimators are independently adjustable. The independent motion capability provides the capability to focus the image by selection of the desired scatter field components. When an array of reconfigurable collimated detectors is provided, separate image data can be obtained from each of the detectors and the respective images cross-correlated and combined to form an enhanced image.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Alan M. Jacobs, Edward T. Dugan, Daniel Shedlock
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Patent number: 7194067Abstract: An X-ray optical diaphragm (3; 4) which is provided with at least one passage opening (3a; 4a) for rays is constructed in such a manner that the edge zone (9; 10) of the X-ray optical diaphragm (3; 4) which faces the passage opening (3a; 4a) is angulated at least partly relative to the direction of propagation (7) of the rays.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Panalytical B.V.Inventors: Waltherus W. Van den Hoogenhof, Hendrik A. Van Sprang