Multiaperture Patents (Class 378/149)
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Patent number: 12217883Abstract: A method for assembling an adjustable collimator for spatially fractionated radiation therapy is disclosed. Penetrating sheets that can transmit rays are stacked to form penetration sections, and the quantity of penetrating sheets is calculated. The thickness of each penetration section corresponds to the width of each radiation area. Shielding sheets that can block rays are stacked to form shielding sections, and the quantity of shielding sheets is calculated, with the thickness of each shielding section corresponding to the spacing between the radiation areas. The penetration sections and shielding sections form a collimation module, with shielding sections on opposite sides. Penetration and shielding sections of different thicknesses are assembled based on the radiation range and the radiation area spacing.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2024Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: Sichuan Cancer HospitalInventors: Meihua Chen, Zengyi Fang, Jinyi Lang, Pingjin Zou, Shixuan Zhao
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Patent number: 12153399Abstract: Systems and methods to manufacture a collimator include deposition of a first layer of material in a first pattern, the first pattern comprising a first plurality of substantially parallel lines oriented in a first direction, and deposition of a second layer of material in a second pattern directly upon the first layer of material, the second pattern comprising a second plurality of substantially parallel lines oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. An area bounded by a first pair of the first plurality of substantially parallel lines and a second pair of the second plurality of substantially parallel lines intersecting the first pair defines a septum of the collimator.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Miesher Rodrigues
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Patent number: 11937956Abstract: A SPECT scanner for making images of an object using gamma radiation comprises a collimator that extends along a longitudinal direction around an object space and that comprises a set of pinholes for the gamma radiation, a detection device for gamma radiation that is allowed to pass through from the object space by the pinholes, and an object carrier for bringing the object into the object space along the longitudinal direction. At least one pinhole is provided in a pinhole body that is rotatable in the collimator around an axis of rotation. Because the pinholes themselves rather than the collimator are made rotatable, the entire object space with the object therein can be advantageously scanned without having to move the object. The properties of the collimator can also easily be adjusted, even during scanning.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: MILABS B.V.Inventor: Frederik Johannes Beekman
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Patent number: 11402515Abstract: An intraoperative imaging system combines a gamma probe and an ultrasound probe. The probes are linked to provide co-registration of gamma radiation detected by the gamma probe with an image acquired by the ultrasound probe. The gamma probe has a converging collimator made of a metal block having a plurality of channels therein, which converge from an output face toward an input face. Each channel extends between and opens out at the faces such that openings at the input face have smaller cross-sectional areas than openings at the output face so that each channel tapers inwardly from the output face to the input face. The collimator has an external focal point distant from the input face. The system improves identification and localization of cancerous cells, facilitating more accurate biopsy data and more complete surgical resection. The gamma probe increases sensitivity, while maintaining spatial resolution, and increasing depth of view.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Inventors: David W. Holdsworth, Mohammad Ali Tavallaei, John Matheson, Asha Parekh
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Patent number: 11211180Abstract: A system and method for making an anti-scatter grid device is provided. The method may include providing a mold including one or more orientation structures arranged in first positions. The method may also include placing a plurality of plates including a first material into at least one of the orientation structures, and injecting a second material into a first cavity in the mold formed by the plurality of plates and the orientation structures. The method may further include separating the plurality of plates and the hardened second material from the mold to generate a first module.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Ronald Sharpless, Patrick Kling
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Patent number: 11179133Abstract: Provided are a collimator, a radiation detection device, and a radiation inspection device that are capable of further removing scattered radiation. This collimator 20 comprises: a radiation blocking section 22; and a radiation transmission section 21 that has a lower radiation blocking rate than the radiation blocking section 22, penetrates the radiation blocking section 22, and is solid. The X-ray transmission section 21 of the collimator 20 is solid therefore X-rays on the low-energy side that have been scattered by a subject B in the X-ray transmission section 21 are absorbed, as a result of this collimator 20. Accordingly, there is little noise contained in X-rays detected by a radiation detection element 30 and a high-resolution X-ray image can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: ANSEEN INC.Inventors: Hisashi Morii, Takaharu Okunoyama, Katsuyuki Takagi
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Patent number: 11172901Abstract: A pre-imaging control unit of a mammography apparatus selects one pre-imaging focus from plural focuses of a radiation source according to selection conditions which are preset in order to prevent the concentration of load on one of the focuses. Pre-imaging for setting the irradiation conditions of radiation in tomosynthesis imaging is performed using the selected pre-imaging focus. For example, the selection conditions indicate that the pre-imaging focus is changed in each pre-imaging operation and the focus of a radiation tube adjacent to the radiation tube whose focus has been used in the previous pre-imaging is selected as the pre-imaging focus.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Masaru Sato, Masayoshi Matsuura
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Patent number: 11173322Abstract: A treatment planning apparatus include: a quality metric generator configured to electronically generate a first quality metric based on input received via a user interface; an optimizer configured to determine treatment parameters for a treatment plan that is executable by a processing unit of a treatment machine to operate the treatment machine, wherein the optimizer is configured to determine the treatment parameters for the treatment plan based on the first quality metric; and a controller configured to influence how the optimizer performs optimization, wherein the controller is configured to provide a first continuous function for the first quality metric.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Inventors: Esa Kuusela, Lauri Jaakonpoika Halko, Jarkko Peltola, Emmi Ruokokoski
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Patent number: 11101051Abstract: A metal grid includes: a member which includes a curved principal surface; an anodic oxide film which is formed on the principal surface of the member, and a lattice structure which has an uneven shape periodically formed on the anodic oxide film. A production method for a metal grid includes: a step of forming a valve metal film on a principal surface of a member, a step of forming an anodic oxide film by performing an anodic oxidation treatment on the valve metal film while the principal surface is curved; and a step of forming a lattice structure with a periodic uneven shape on the anodic oxide film by forming an etching mask with a periodic opening on a surface of the anodic oxide film and etching the anodic oxide film through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Masahiro Kotani, Hiroki Kawakami
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Patent number: 10869641Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a collimator element. The method includes applying a lithographic coating layer. The lithographic coating layer is then exposed using a grid mask. Exposure regions then correspond to a structure of the collimator element. Here, the structure of the collimator element is aligned on a common focus. The lithographic coating layer is then developed to give a pre-structure of the collimator element. Further, an X-ray absorbing layer is applied via cathode sputtering. At least the X-ray absorbing layer is then removed from regions of the pre-structure. A collimator element, a method for manufacturing a scattered-radiation collimator, a scattered-radiation collimator, a radiation detector and a CT device are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBHInventors: Thorsten Ergler, Vojislav Krstic
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Patent number: 10828511Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for optimizing a treatment plan for irradiation therapy. The method includes determining voxels in a reference frame of a radiation source that rotates at an angular rate of change and emits a beam at a plurality of angles. The beam has a beam intensity and a cross sectional shape based on an aperture of a collimator at each angle. The method includes determining an initial aperture value at each angle and minimizing a single objective function subject to a constraint on an aperture rate of change to determine an aperture and beam intensity at each angle. The method also includes delivering a beam of radiation with controlled intensity at each angle based on the beam intensity and aperture and turning the beam of radiation off at an intervening angle not included in the plurality of angles.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMOREInventors: Hao H. Zhang, Gokhan Kirlik, Warren D. D'Souza, Byong Young Yi
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Patent number: 10672851Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a display panel, a photoelectric detection method, a photoelectric detection device and a computer readable storage medium. The display panel includes a pixel array including a plurality of subpixels, wherein through holes are arranged within gaps among the plurality of subpixels, and a photoelectric detection unit including a photoelectric detection array configured to detect incident light passing through the through holes. The photoelectric detection method includes determining a plurality of target subpixels from the plurality of subpixels; determining a time period when the plurality of target subpixels do not emit light, and during the time period, detecting incident light passing through the through holes by the photoelectric detection array.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chaoxi Chen
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Patent number: 10602991Abstract: An apparatus to examine a target in a patient includes an x-ray source configured to deliver a first x-ray beam towards the target, a device having an array of openings, the device located at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to a beam path of the first x-ray beam to receive a second x-ray beam resulted from an interaction between the first x-ray beam and the target, and a detector aligned with the device, the detector located at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to the beam path of the first x-ray beam to receive a part of the second x-ray beam from the device that exits through the openings at the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward J. Seppi, Renate Parry
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Patent number: 10583939Abstract: Example aspects of a deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield and a method for using a deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield are disclosed. The deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield can comprise a power supply; and an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to deflect radiation; wherein the deployed electromagnetic radiation deflector shield is deployed at a distance away from one of a spacecraft and a base station to minimize an effect of the magnetic field on the one of the spacecraft and base station.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Inventor: Richard Williams
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Patent number: 10479016Abstract: A panel having a base portion having at least one sidewall extending therefrom, the sidewall extending away from the base portion at a first predetermined angle, the first predetermined angle formed by a die having a second predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle being 1 to 12 degrees smaller as compared to the first predetermined angle so as to overbend the panel during the forming process, the panel relaxing to the first predetermined angle after the panel as entirely cooled after the forming process.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventors: Stephen J. Motosko, Catherine Motosko, Stephen Motosko, III
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Patent number: 10393683Abstract: X ray apparatus includes a sample stage (4) for supporting a sample (6), an X-ray source (2) and an energy dispersive X-ray detector (8). A conical X-ray collimator (10) is provided either between the sample and the X-ray source or between the sample and the energy-dispersive X-ray detector, the conical X-ray collimator including a plurality of truncated cones arranged concentrically around a central axis, the truncated cones having a common apex defining a central measurement spot on the sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: MALVERN PANALYTICAL B.V.Inventors: Petronella Emerentiana Hegeman, Gustaaf Christian Brons
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Patent number: 10309768Abstract: A profile measuring method used to measure a profile of an object-under-test includes the following steps. A light source, a light-transmissive projection film, and an image capturing device are provided, where the light-transmissive projection film is located between the light source and the image capturing device. The object-under-test is placed between the light source and the light-transmissive projection film, and a light beam is provided toward the light-transmissive projection film by the light source, to form an object-under-test projection of the object-under-test on the light-transmissive projection film. An image of the object-under-test projection is captured by the image capturing device, to obtain a projection size of the object-under-test projection. A measuring size of the object-under-test is calculated according to the projection size of the object-under-test projection. In addition, a profile measuring apparatus and a deformation detecting apparatus are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: UTECHZONE CO., LTD.Inventors: Yueh-Long Lee, Po-Tsung Lin
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Patent number: 10224170Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray generating apparatus and an X-ray fluoroscopy imaging system comprising the same. The X-ray generating apparatus comprises: an electron accelerator, an electron emission unit, and a target; and a shielding and collimating device, including a shielding structure and multiple collimators arranged in the shielding structure, wherein the collimators are thin gaps extending from the target to an exterior surface of the shielding structure and having an axis transverse an electron beam shooting the target, and at least two collimators forming different angles with the electron beam are arranged on the same side of a plane contains the electron beam shooting the target, and the planes where the collimators locate form angles from 30 degrees to 150 degrees with the electron beam shooting the target, to draw out planar beams having different draw-out angles, each having uniform intensity distribution in its respective plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignees: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Huaping Tang, Chuanxiang Tang, Huaibi Chen
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Patent number: 10068678Abstract: An X-ray imaging system including an X-ray source, a motorless real-time controllable 3D X-ray collimator, a digital X-ray detector, and a system controller coupled to the X-ray radiation source, the motorless real-time controllable 3D X-ray collimator, and the digital X-ray detector for controlling the motorless real-time 3D X-ray collimator to reduce X-ray radiation dose and improve image quality. The motorless real-time controllable 3D X-ray collimator includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least one sidewall joining the top panel to the bottom panel, an open area between the top panel, bottom panel, and at least one 2D pixel array coupled to at least one of the top panel and the bottom panel, the at least one 2D pixel array having a plurality of pixels of thin film electric coils and switching thin film field-effect transistors, wherein the open area is at least partially filled with a mixture of ferromagnetic material and high X-ray attenuation material.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: James Liu
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Patent number: 10068677Abstract: An X-ray imaging system including an X-ray source, an X-ray collimator, a real-time controllable 3D X-ray attenuator, a digital X-ray detector, and a system controller coupled to the X-ray radiation source, the collimator, the real-time controllable 3D X-ray attenuator, and the digital X-ray detector for controlling the real-time controllable 3D X-ray attenuator to reduce X-ray radiation dose and improve image quality. The real-time controllable 3D X-ray attenuator includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least one sidewall joining the top panel to the bottom panel, an open area between the top panel, bottom panel, and at least one 2D pixel array coupled to at least one of the top panel and the bottom panel, the at least one 2D pixel array having a plurality of pixels of thin film electric coils and switching thin film field-effect transistors, wherein the open area is at least partially filled with a mixture of ferromagnetic material and medium X-ray attenuation material.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: James Liu
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Patent number: 10058292Abstract: An X-ray emitting device (200) with an attenuating element (1) for an X-ray imaging device (100) is proposed. The attenuating element comprises a perforated sheet (3) of strongly X-ray absorbing material such as e.g. tungsten or molybdenum with a sheet thickness of e.g. less than 1 mm. The sheet (3) comprises multiple pinhole openings (5). Therein, a density of pinhole openings is higher at a center region of the sheet than at border regions of the sheet. Accordingly, a transparency to X-rays is higher at the center region than at the border regions. The pinhole openings (5) have geometries such that most parts of contours of the pinhole openings are non-parallel to edges of a focal spot (15) of an X-ray source (101) comprised in the X-ray emitting device. For example, the pinhole openings may have a circular, oval or any other cross-sectional geometry with non-linear edges.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Rolf Karl Otto Behling, Petrus Johannes Withagen
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Patent number: 9880089Abstract: An array chip design is provided where the chip includes a field region arranged with sites according to a first pitch and at least one track region having a one-dimensional site pattern arranged according to a second pitch that is less dense and is an integer multiple of the first pitch so that observation through pixel-based sensors using one-dimensional quad-cell averaging can be applied in the track region, thereby to attain alignment of the chip to pixel-based optical instrumentation with a higher density of sites.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Complete Genomics, Inc.Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Paul Heilman
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Patent number: 9622714Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for obtaining pointing directions for every channel of a collimator which can then be used during the image reconstruction process to more accurately estimate the direction from which radiation has been received. The disclosed system and method provide for photographic measurement and analysis of individual collimator channel to determine the pointing directions for every channel in the collimator. This information is obtained by photographing the front and back sides of the collimator, and analyzing the digital image data to obtain the pointing angle of each channel. The resulting information, referred to as a “vector map” is included in the firmware of the collimator so that it can be called on during the projection and back-projection steps of the algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Eric G. Hawman, Robert Kasper
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Patent number: 9381963Abstract: A vehicle pulling device, a system for passing a vehicle in two modes, and an inspection system for scanning a vehicle by radiation are disclosed. The vehicle pulling device comprises a movable chassis disposed in a passage for a vehicle and being movable in a first direction; and a support beam disposed to the movable chassis and being rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the support beam is located substantially in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, such that wheels of the vehicle are interacted with the support beam of the vehicle pulling device so that the vehicle is pulled to pass through the passage; and in the second position, the support beam is located substantially parallel to the first direction such that the wheels of the vehicle are not interacted with the support beam of the vehicle pulling device so that the vehicle travels by itself to pass through the passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yucheng Wu, Yuan He, Zhansen Ran
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Patent number: 9370330Abstract: A system and method includes a matrix of elements, each of the elements comprising a respective radiation-attenuating material providing a respective radiation attenuation profile over a respective area of the matrix, and wherein at least one of the elements is independently-controllable to change its respective radiation attenuation profile over its respective area.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Steve D Quam, Mikhail Uvarov, Hongxuan Zhang
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Patent number: 9330801Abstract: A photon collimator, suitable for use in medical imaging equipment, is constructed from a block of photon-attenuating material, such as solid tungsten or molybdenum alloy that defines a plurality of integrally formed septa slats. Each slat has an elongated length dimension greater than thickness and depth dimensions, and is oriented in an opposed pattern array that is laterally spaced relative to its respective thickness dimension. An aperture channel is defined between each pair of opposed slats. Rows of integrally formed slats in one block or separately affixed blocks may be stacked on each other at skewed angles to form two-dimensional grids of apertures having polygonal cross sections. The slats may be formed by electric discharge or laser thermal ablation machining, such as by a sequential passing of an EDM wire cutting head along the pattern array, repeating sequential cutting of respective channel depth and width.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Ronald E. Malmin
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Patent number: 9318229Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a collimator module including a plurality of first collimator plates arrayed in a first direction, each first collimator plate having a plurality of slots formed on a plate surface, and a plurality of second collimator plates arrayed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein each second collimator plate penetrates respective slots along the first direction so as to form a lattice-shape. The method includes positioning the plurality of first collimator plates by moving a first collimator plate in one direction along the second direction, so that a side wall of a first cutout formed on an edge of a radiation incident side or a radiation output side of the first collimator plate contacts a member extending in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Haruo Kurochi, Katsumasa Nose, Richard P. VanDeWeghe
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Patent number: 9222898Abstract: An x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) system includes a plurality of x-ray sources configured to generate x-rays directed toward an object. The XDI system also includes a primary collimator positioned a distance from the plurality of x-ray sources. A plurality of nodes are defined within the primary collimator at a plurality of node distances from the plurality of x-ray sources. Each node of the plurality of nodes defines an x-ray intersection region. The XDI system further includes a supermirror assembly including a plurality of mounting rails positioned adjacent the plurality of nodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLCInventor: Geoffrey Harding
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Patent number: 9148601Abstract: An improved complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor for time delay and integration imaging is provided that utilizes rolling shutter pixels. Columns of rolling shutter pixels in the CMOS image array are provided with a space between adjacent pixels to provide synchronization with movement of the subject in the along track direction. Preferably, the physical offset between the pixels is 1/Nth of a pixel pitch for a column having N rows.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Teledyne DALSA, Inc.Inventor: Eric Fox
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Patent number: 9066704Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprises a grating configured to form an interference pattern by diffracting X-rays from an X-ray source, a amplitude grating configured to partly shield X-rays forming the interference pattern, and an X-ray detector configured to detect an intensity distribution of X-rays from the amplitude grating. The amplitude grating is comprised of a central area and a peripheral area and the peripheral area shows an X-ray transmittance higher than the central area relative to X-rays perpendicularly entering the amplitude grating.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toru Den, Kimiaki Yamaguchi, Chidane Ouchi
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Patent number: 9044603Abstract: A photon-guiding device for a radiotherapy apparatus, consists of a central frustum, made up of a plurality of metal channels, and an outer casing that encloses the central frustum and consists of microchannels. The channels and microchannels have a frusto-conical shape and a common apex.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Inventor: Joël Kerjean
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Patent number: 9036789Abstract: An adjusting method of an X-ray apparatus has a reflection structure, wherein assuming that one end plane of the reflection structure is an inlet port of the X-ray and the other end plane is an outlet port of the X-ray, a pitch of the reflection substrates at the outlet port is wider than that at the inlet port. When the X-ray source exists at a position where a glancing angle at the time when the X-ray enters the inlet port exceeds a critical angle, an intensity of the X-ray emitted from each passage is detected. On the basis of the detected X-ray intensity, a relative position of the X-ray source and the reflection structure is adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumitaro Masaki, Naoya Iizuka, Mitsuaki Amemiya, Akira Miyake
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Patent number: 9020104Abstract: The present invention provides a method of adjusting an X-ray optical apparatus which includes: an X-ray source; and a reflective structure where at least three reflective substrate arranged with an interval and X-rays which are incident into a plurality of passages whose both sides are put between the reflective substrates are reflected and parallelized by the reflective substrate at both sides of each passage to be emitted from the passage. When one edge of the reflective structure is an inlet of the X-ray and the other edge is an outlet of the X-ray, a pitch of the reflective substrates at the outlet side is larger than a pitch at the inlet side. The method comprises adjusting the relative positions of the X-ray source and the reflective structure so as to reduce a penumbra amount formed by the X-ray emitted from each of the passages.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoya Iizuka, Mitsuaki Amemiya, Akira Miyake
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Patent number: 9020103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 9014339Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Omar Al-Kofahi, Peter J. Rothschild
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Patent number: 9014340Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Haruo Kurochi
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Patent number: 8989348Abstract: An x-ray scanner includes an x-ray source producing a fan of x-rays, an x-ray detector array, a collimator between the source and array, fixed to the source, and defining one or more slits collimating the x-ray fan into a linear x-ray beam. The array is spaced from the source such that a linear extent of the linear x-ray beam is no greater than a detector dimension of the array. An x-ray processing unit processes detection of the linear x-ray beam by the array. A processor-controlled motor moves the x-ray source about a source movement axis to pan the linear x-ray beam and create an x-ray emission cone and moves the array correspondingly with the source. The x-ray processing unit form an x-ray scanned image of an object disposed between the collimator and the array within the x-ray emission cone when the linear x-ray beam is panned across the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Visuum, LLCInventor: John D. Cox
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Patent number: 8989352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Aribex, Inc.Inventors: David J. Laws, Devin Ellsworth
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Patent number: 8976935Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Prabhjot Singh, Garth M Nelson, Brian David Yanoff, Juan Pablo Cilia
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Patent number: 8976936Abstract: The collimator for backscattered radiation imaging has a plurality of parallel, arrayed passages formed therethrough. The collimator is positioned in front of a radiographic imaging device, such as a radiographic plate, radiographic film or the like, such that the plurality of parallel, arrayed passages are positioned orthogonal to a plane of the radiographic imaging device. An object, such as a wall of an insulated pipe, for example, is then exposed to gamma or X-ray radiation, and image exposures are made on the radiographic imaging device of backscattered radiation from the wall of the insulated pipe or other object. The collimator is shifted in between each of the exposures. The collimator may have a parallelepiped body, or, alternatively, may have a cylindrical body. The parallelepiped collimator is shifted linearly in front of the radiographic imaging device, and the cylindrical collimator is rotated in front of the radiographic imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: King Abdulaziz UniversityInventors: Samir Abdul-Majid Alzaidi, Ahmed S. Balamesh
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Publication number: 20150049857Abstract: Use of a reference detector to characterize an X-ray emission focal spot is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the reference detector may contain one or more openings or apertures that may be used to acquire localized X-ray intensity information used to derive the focal spot characteristics. In certain embodiments, the reference detector is on the source-side of the imaged volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Uwe Wiedmann
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Publication number: 20140341355Abstract: A collimator for an imaging system includes a first region comprising a first one-dimensional array of apertures along a channel direction, and a second region comprising a second one-dimensional array of apertures along the channel direction, wherein an aspect ratio of the apertures of the first region is greater than an aspect ratio of the second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Thomas Murray Leeds, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
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Patent number: 8891727Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation source configured to emit radiation from a first focal point, a plurality of radiation detecting elements disposed opposite to the radiation source and arranged in a channel direction, a plurality of collimator plates provided along the channel direction so as to separate the radiation detecting elements, the collimator plates including radiation absorption members at surfaces of at least one first collimator plate located on a first end side and at least one second collimator plate located on a second end side such that radiation shielding effects of the first and second collimator plates become substantially equivalent when the surfaces of the first and second collimator plates are located along a radial direction from a second focal point, and a data acquisition unit configured to acquire radiation projection data from the radiation detecting elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Haruo Kurochi, Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Joseph James Lacey, Mark Adamak
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Patent number: 8884235Abstract: A system and method for collimation in diagnostic imaging systems is provided. One collimator includes a plurality of parallel hole segments and a plurality of collimator bores within each of the plurality of parallel hole segments. Additionally, all of the plurality of collimator bores in at least one of the plurality of parallel hole segments have a first pointing direction and all of the plurality of collimator bores in at least one other of the plurality of parallel hole segments have a second pointing direction, wherein the plurality of parallel hole segments are arranged in a fanbeam collimation configuration. Further, the first pointing direction is different than the second pointing direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen, Yaron Hefetz
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Patent number: 8861686Abstract: An X-ray imaging system that generates a large amount of X-rays sufficient for X-ray imaging and collimates X-rays in a direction parallel to each other at high density. The X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray generating apparatus to generate and emit X-rays, a detector to detect the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generating apparatus, and at least one collimator disposed between the X-ray generating apparatus and the detector to prevent dispersion of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generating apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ki Yeo Kim
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Patent number: 8861683Abstract: An X-ray lens is provided. The lens is located behind an X-ray tube and a collimator, the collimator located behind the X-ray tube, such that X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube pass through the collimator and then pass through the X-ray lens, wherein the X-ray lens is a monolithic capillary parallel lens configured to transform a cone emanant beam penetrating the collimator into parallel X-rays.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Wei jiang Ding
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Patent number: 8831175Abstract: According to some aspects, a hybrid optic is provided. The hybrid optic comprises a capillary optic for receiving x-rays from an x-ray source at an entrance portion of the capillary optic and for providing x-rays at an exit portion of the capillary optic, and a grazing incidence multi-shell optic (GIMSO) coupled, at an entrance portion of the GIMSO, to the exit portion of the capillary optic to receive x-rays emerging from the exit portion of the capillary optic, the GIMSO including an exit portion for providing x-rays.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Inventors: Eric H. Silver, Gerald Austin, David Caldwell, Ting Lin
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Patent number: 8831180Abstract: A collimator for an imaging system includes a first region comprising a first one-dimensional array of apertures along a channel direction, and a second region comprising a second one-dimensional array of apertures along the channel direction, wherein an aspect ratio of the apertures of the first region is greater than an aspect ratio of the second region.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jiang Hsieh, Thomas Murray Leeds, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
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Patent number: 8816271Abstract: This device comprises a single radioactive source (44), capable of creating an incident beam (120), and a target (48) placed opposite the source (44). The target (48) is capable of creating the second beam (130) by interacting with a first part of the incident beam (120), a second part of the incident beam (120) passing through the target (48) to form the first beam (124).Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Geoservices EquipementsInventors: Damien Chazal, Pierre-Arnaud Foucher, GĂ©rard Segeral
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Publication number: 20140177802Abstract: A ray emission device and an imaging system with the ray emission device are disclosed. The ray emission device comprises: a cylinder; a ray source disposed in the cylinder for emitting a ray; and a collimator disposed in the cylinder. The collimator enables the ray emitted by the ray source to form sectorial ray beams at a plurality of positions in an axial direction of the cylinder. The cylinder has a pencil beam forming part arranged over an axial length of the cylinder corresponding to the plurality of positions. The sectorial ray beams form pencil beams through the pencil beam forming part when the cylinder rotates around a rotation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicants: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company LimitedInventors: Ziran Zhao, Wanlong Wu, Yingkang Jin, Le Tang, Guangwei Ding, Chenguang Zhu