Contoured Patents (Class 378/159)
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Patent number: 11350898Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an x-ray device with an introducer sheath configured to for introduce an intervention device into a vessel and an acquisition facility for automatically acquiring an item of identification information of the intervention device and for generating a corresponding item of control information for the x-ray device. The acquisition facility is arranged directly on the introducer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventor: Stanislav Tashenov
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Patent number: 10709396Abstract: A filter set of a CT scanning device and control method thereof are provided. An example of the CT scanning device includes a gantry, an X-ray generator, a filter set, a detector, and a drive motor. The filter set includes a disc, a filter disposed on the disc and having a substantially annular groove structure, and a drive shaft connected to the disc. A body thickness of the annular groove structure varies in a circumferential direction and a radial direction. A shaft axis of the drive shaft is parallel to a radiation direction of X-ray. As the drive shaft is driven by the drive motor, the disc rotates around the shaft axis, such that a region of the filter is aligned with the radiation direction of the X-ray, and a body thickness of the region corresponds to a respective X-ray attenuation for an examination region of a subject.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Beijing Neusoft Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shanshan Lou, Hongbo Wang
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Patent number: 10258299Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques are described for shaping a profile of radiation attenuation in a fan-angle direction via a pre-object filter (e.g., a bowtie filter) based upon a profile of an object. For example, a pre-object filter may be at least partially rotated about a filter axis and/or may be translated in a direction parallel to a direction of conveyance of the object under examination to adjust a profile of radiation attenuation in the fan-angle direction. Further, in one embodiment, the profile of radiation attenuation may be reshaped during rotation of the radiation source about the object to adjust an amount of radiation attenuation in the fan-angle direction (e.g., to adjust a profile of radiation attenuation as a shape of the object changes from a perspective of a radiation source as the radiation source is rotated about the object).Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventors: Matthew B. Christensen, Aleksander Roshi, Anton M. Deykoon
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Patent number: 10090627Abstract: A terminal crimping device includes crimp tooling comprising an anvil and a ram movable toward the anvil with a crimp zone being defined between the anvil and the ram configured to receive a wire and a terminal configured to be crimped to the wire by the crimp tooling. An ultrasonic transmitting transducer is coupled to at least one of the anvil and the ram that transmits acoustic signals through the wire and terminal. A filter is provided on at least one of the anvil and the ram in the path of the acoustic signals that affects the acoustic signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATIONInventors: David Michael Stull, Christopher John Karrasch, Keith Lynn Nicholas, Charles David Fry
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Patent number: 9636079Abstract: An x-ray computed tomography system (14) includes a gantry (15), a plurality of elements (18), and one or more processors (28). The gantry (15) moves to different orientations and generates x-ray data which includes image projection data at a plurality of the orientations. The plurality of elements (18) connect to the gantry and cause x-ray attenuation of the generated projection data. The one or more processors (28) are programmed to receive (60) the generated x-ray data and decompose (62) the received image projection data into indications of relative positions of the plurality of elements at different orientations of the gantry.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Joerg Bredno, Eberhard Sebastian Hansis
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Patent number: 9521982Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section. A plurality of attenuation elements is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the attenuation elements for moving the attenuation elements. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of attenuation elements. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of attenuation elements, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Scott Hsieh, Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 9435900Abstract: An apparatus for x-ray imaging of an object is provided. An x-ray source for providing alternating x-ray spectrums is placed on a first side of the object. A spectrum separation fixed filter is placed between the x-ray source and the object. An x-ray detector is placed on a second side of the object opposite the x-ray source. A controller controls the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Yuan Yao, Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 9299470Abstract: An arrangement for modifying the local intensity of x-ray radiation includes an x-ray filter with a plurality of absorption chambers, which may be filled by a ferrofluid. The absorption chambers are stacked in the x-ray beam direction. The x-ray filter includes a plurality of storage containers in which the ferrofluid may be stored. Each of the absorption chambers is connected to a respective one of the storage containers. The absorption of the x-ray radiation is achieved as a result of individual absorption chambers being filled with the ferrofluid. By filling a different number of absorption chambers, the local intensity of the x-ray radiation may be modified easily, precisely and quickly.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Oliver Hayden, Lukas Richter, Manfred Rührig, Oliver Schmidt
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Patent number: 8873704Abstract: A filter for an x-ray device to shape an intensity profile of x-ray radiation emanating from an x-ray source of the device has a filter body made of a material that attenuates x-ray radiation. The filter body is designed with a propeller shape and has two blades connected by an axle of the filter. The filter body is rotatable around the axle, which is permeable to the x-ray radiation. The x-ray device embodies at least one such filter.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Karl Stierstorfer
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Publication number: 20140294139Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: TRIPLE RING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: TOBIAS FUNK
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Patent number: 8644449Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of X-ray imaging, with which the apparatus can be reduced in size and a with which differential phase image or a phase image with consideration of an X-ray absorption effect of an object can be obtained. A displacement of X-rays that have been split by a splitting element and have passed through an object is measured. The displacement can be measured by using a first attenuation element having a transmission amount that continuously changes in accordance with the incident position of X-rays. At this time, an X-ray transmittance of an object that is calculated by using a second attenuation element having a transmission amount that does not change in accordance with the incident position of X-rays is used.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taihei Mukaide, Kazuhiro Takada, Kazunori Fukuda, Masatoshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 8638903Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of X-ray imaging, with which the apparatus can be reduced in size and a differential phase image or a phase image with consideration of an X-ray absorption effect of an object can be obtained. X-rays are spatially split, and a first attenuation element in which the transmission amount of X-rays continuously changes in accordance with the displacement when the X-rays pass through an object is used. Transmittance is calculated by using the first attenuation element and a second attenuation element that is different from the first attenuation element with respect to an amount of change or a characteristic of change in the transmission amount of X-rays in a direction of a displacement of the X-rays. A differential phase image and the like of the object are calculated using the transmittance.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Taihei Mukaide, Kazuhiro Takada, Kazunori Fukuda, Masatoshi Watanabe
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Publication number: 20140010348Abstract: Provided is a radiation generating apparatus, including a radiation generating unit for emitting radiation through a transmission window, and a light projecting/sighting device including a light source for emitting visible light and a reflection mirror. At least one of the transmission window and the reflection mirror has variations in thickness for reducing shading of radiation which irradiates a radiation irradiation field.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventor: Kazuya Tsujino
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Publication number: 20130322604Abstract: An adaptive x-ray filter for changing a local intensity of x-rays includes an x-ray absorbing first fluid and electrically deformable control elements. The electrically deformable control elements change a layer thickness of the first fluid at a site of a respective electrically deformable control element by at least partially displacing the x-ray absorbing first fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Hans Liegl, Reiner Franz Schulz
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Patent number: 8575750Abstract: A radiation detector made of High Purity Germanium (HPGe) has been specially machined to be this invented multilayer Inter-Coaxial configuration. With this special configuration, extra large volume HPGe detectors of diameters to be 6 inches, 9 inches, and even 12 inches, can be produced with current achievable HPGe crystal purity and quality, in which the entire detector crystal will be depleted and properly over biased for effective photo-induced signal collection with just less than 5000V bias applied. This invention makes extra large efficiency of 200%, 300%, and maybe even higher than 500% possible with HPGe gamma ray detectors with reasonable great resolution performances procurable based on current HPGe crystal supply capability. The invention could also be applied to any other kind of semiconductor materials if any of them could be purified enough for this application in the future.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Inventors: Yongdong Zhou, Xiao Zhou
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Publication number: 20130287179Abstract: An adaptive x-ray filter and an associated method for changing a local intensity of x-ray radiation are provided. The adaptive x-ray filter includes a first fluid absorbing x-ray radiation and hydraulically moveable positioning elements that change the layer thickness of the first fluid at a location of the respective positioning element by being able to at least partly displace the first fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Franz Fadler, Hans Liegl, Reiner Franz Schulz
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Patent number: 8477903Abstract: A method of validating a compensator for use in a radiation therapy machine to treat a cancer patient involves determining a radiation treatment plan based on a compensator description file that includes data representative of an actual machined surface of the compensator. The plan includes operating parameters of the radiation therapy machine, and this plan is compared against actual radiation measurements taken during a non-patient test of the radiation therapy machine with the compensator mounted to the machine. If the comparison results in a match, the compensator is validated for use in the radiation therapy machine to treat the cancer patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Axellis Ventures LtdInventors: John M. Wright, William Tomer, Michael J. Hudson
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Publication number: 20120250824Abstract: A method of validating a compensator for use in a radiation therapy machine to treat a cancer patient involves determining a radiation treatment plan based on a compensator description file that includes data representative of an actual machined surface of the compensator. The plan includes operating parameters of the radiation therapy machine, and this plan is compared against actual radiation measurements taken during a non-patient test of the radiation therapy machine with the compensator mounted to the machine. If the comparison results in a match, the compensator is validated for use in the radiation therapy machine to treat the cancer patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Axellis Ventures Ltd.Inventors: JOHN M. WRIGHT, William Tomer, Michael J. Hudson
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Patent number: 8263954Abstract: The objective is to obtain a bolus, with which there can be formed an irradiation field that is accurately suited to the depth-direction shape of an irradiation subject, and a particle beam therapy system. An irradiation orbit of a particle beam is defined by a first slant with respect to a first axis that starts from a first reference point, that is perpendicular to a beam axis, and that includes the first reference point and by a second slant with respect to a second axis that is perpendicular to the beam axis and the first axis; the shape of a bolus is set in such a way that the path length, of a particle beam, within the bolus in each of the irradiation orbits defined for combinations within a predetermined range among combinations of the first slant and the second slant, compensates the path length from a body surface to a to-be-irradiated portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Takaaki Iwata
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Publication number: 20120219106Abstract: A filter for an x-ray device to shape an intensity profile of x-ray radiation emanating from an x-ray source of the device has a filter body made of a material that attenuates x-ray radiation. The filter body is designed with a propeller shape and has two blades connected by an axle of the filter. The filter body is rotatable around the axle, which is permeable to the x-ray radiation. The x-ray device embodies at least one such filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventor: Karl Stierstorfer
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Patent number: 7742566Abstract: A multi-energy imaging system and method for selectively generating high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-ray beams are described. A pair of optic devices are used, one optic device being formed to emit high X-ray energies and the other optic device being formed to emit low X-ray energies. A selective filtering mechanism is used to filter the high X-ray energies from the low X-ray energies. The optic devices have at least a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Forrest Frank Hopkins, Susanne Madeline Lee, Peter Michael Edic
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Patent number: 7630477Abstract: A method and apparatus for tailoring the profile of an x-ray beam for radiographic imaging for a specific subject is disclosed. The invention includes a filter assembly having a pair of filters, each of which may be dynamically controlled by a motor assembly during data acquisition. The filters are positionable in the x-ray beam so as to shape the intensity profile of the x-ray beam. In one exemplary embodiment, the filters are dynamically positioned during CT data acquisition based on the shape of the subject. A method of determining the shape of the subject prior to CT data acquisition is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas L. Toth, J. Eric Tkaczyk, Jiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 7535987Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes a plurality of X-ray tubes, a plurality of X-ray detectors corresponding to the plurality of X-ray tubes, respectively, a support mechanism which supports the X-ray tubes and the X-ray detectors to allow the X-ray tubes and the X-ray detectors to rotate about a single rotation axis, a reconstruction unit which reconstructs image data on the basis of outputs from the X-ray detectors, and a plurality of filters which are respectively provided for the plurality of X-ray tubes and each have a characteristic in which an X-ray path length changes along a curve approximate to an inverted Gaussian curve from the rotation center to the two ends of an X-ray beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Keiji Matsuda
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Patent number: 7474736Abstract: An apparatus for modulating an intensity of a radiation beam includes a filter having a cross sectional shape such that a radiation beam filtered therethrough and passed through a patient will have an intensity that is substantially non-uniform. An apparatus for modulating an intensity of a radiation beam generated by a radiation source includes a filter, and a positioner secured to the filter, the positioner configured to move the filter relative to the radiation source.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Peter N. Munro, Kenneth W. Brooks
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Publication number: 20080273663Abstract: A detector apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing and a multilayer disposed within the housing. The multilayer defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and is adapted to interact with a plurality of high-energy photons, impingent from the leading edge, to permit passage of photons of at least one selected energy. The multilayer is secured to a first securement adjacent to the leading edge. The multilayer is secured to a second securement bracket adjacent to the trailing edge. At least one detector is disposed adjacent to the trailing edge of the multilayer to detect the impingent high-energy photons. An adjustment mechanism operatively connects to the second securement bracket to adjust the position of the second securement bracket, thereby altering an angular position of the multilayer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Ke Zhang, Gerold Rosenbaum
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Patent number: 7430282Abstract: A heel effect compensation filter is configured to have a thickness distribution that uniforms an X-ray intensity angular distribution that is nonuniform in the body axis direction of a subject in an X-ray flux irradiated space. The space is formed by an X-ray flux diverging from an anode in a body width direction of the subject and diverging in a shape of an approximate sector in the body axis direction due to the heel effect, when the X-ray flux generated on the anode by irradiating a thermoelectron beam flux from a cathode to the anode is irradiated on the subject. The thickness distribution can be obtained using a predetermined formula.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: National Institute of Radiological SciencesInventors: Shinichirou Mori, Masahiro Endo
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Patent number: 7397904Abstract: Devices and methods for implementing selective, or asymmetric, attenuation of an x-ray beam. In one example, a filter is provided that is substantially in the form of a wedge where some portions of the filter are thicker, and thus provide greater attenuation, than other, thinner portions of the filter. The filter is situated between the target surface of the anode and the x-ray subject so that x-rays generated by the target pass through the filter before reaching the x-ray subject. Specifically, the filter is oriented so that the thicker portion of the filter receives the higher intensity portion of the x-ray beam, while the thinner portion of the filter receives the relatively lower intensity portion of the x-ray beam. Thus, the gain profile of the x-ray beam is flattened so that the intensity, or flux, of the x-ray beam is relatively uniform throughout a substantial portion of the beam profile.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gary Virshup, James Boye, Edward J. Seppi, Heinrich Riem, Govin Dasani, Edward Shapiro
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Patent number: 7336769Abstract: The invention is directed to an x-ray flux management device that adaptively attenuates an x-ray beam to limit the incident flux reaching a subject and radiographic detectors in potentially high-flux areas while not affecting the incident flux and detector measurements in low-flux regions. While the invention is particularly well-suited for CT, the invention is also applicable with other x-ray imaging systems. In addition to reducing the required detector system dynamic range, the present invention provides an added advantage of reducing radiation dose.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jerome Stephen Arenson, David Ruimi, Oded Meirav, Robert Harry Armstrong
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Patent number: 7315611Abstract: An x-ray reflector may include: a substrate; a first layer formed on the substrate, the first layer including a relatively higher-Z material, where Z represents the atomic number; and a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer including a relatively lower-Z material; at least one of the first layer and the second layer exhibiting a taper in an axial direction extending between a first end of the substrate and a second end of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Monochromatic X-Ray Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yong Min Cho, Thomas Joseph Fox
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Patent number: 7308073Abstract: A bowtie filter is constructed to have a fluidic envelope filled with attenuating fluid and a displacement insert that can present various x-ray attenuation profiles during a scan. The insert is designed to displace the attenuating fluid to achieve a denied attenuating or filtering profile. The insert can be rotated, twisted, moved, and otherwise contorted within the fluidic envelope as needed during the course of a scan. As the angle, position and shape of the zombie is changed, the x-ray profile of the filter changes. The insert may have a default shape when at rest, but can have its shape changed when external forces are placed thereon. As x-ray filtering needs change during the course of the scan, the insert can be compressed, stretched, and/or contorted to achieve additional filtering profiles.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: J. Eric Tkaczyk, Deborah J. Walter, Xiaoye Wu, Brian C. Bales, James W. Leblanc, Yanfeng Du
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Patent number: 7260182Abstract: A method and apparatus for tailoring the profile of an x-ray beam for radiographic imaging for a specific subject is disclosed. The invention includes a filter assembly having a pair of filters, each of which may be dynamically controlled by a motor assembly during data acquisition. The filters are positionable in the x-ray beam so as to shape the intensity profile of the x-ray beam. In one exemplary embodiment, the filters are dynamically positioned during CT data acquisition based on the shape of the subject. A method of determining the shape of the subject prior to CT data acquisition is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas L. Toth, John Eric Tkaczyk, Jiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 7257197Abstract: A stackable rack may comprise: at least two rails, a cross-section of each rail having a shape resembling a staircase, first step portion of which represents a first surface upon which a reflector can be disposed; and a second step portion of which represents a second surface which can support another rail. A method of making a narrow band x-ray filter may comprise: providing a substrate; and stacking one or more reflection units in succession upon the substrate, each reflection unit including a rack (such as mentioned above) and a reflector held by the rack. An apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam may include such a filter. An apparatus to make an x-ray image of a subject may include: the apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam, e.g., as set forth above, and an x-ray detector arranged to receive the narrow band x-ray.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Monochromatic X-Ray Filter Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Yong Min Cho
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Patent number: 7254216Abstract: A filter assembly for a computed tomographic imaging system includes first and second endplates at opposite ends of the filter assembly. Also provided is a first moveable subassembly that includes at least a first x-ray filter and which is configured to move along an axis perpendicular to the first endplate between the first the second endplates. A second moveable subassembly is also provided that includes at least a second x-ray filter. The second moveable subassembly is configured to move along an axis perpendicular to the second endplate between the first and second endplates. The first moveable subassembly and the second moveable subassembly are independently movable to provide at least a small bowtie x-ray filter, a large bowtie x-ray filter, a medium bowtie x-ray filter, a flat filter, and a closed position for a radiation source positioned in a fixed position relative to the filter assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lijo Joseph Thandiackal, Todd Everett Schueneman
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Patent number: 7180081Abstract: An DPP EUV source is disclosed which may comprise a debris mitigation apparatus employing a metal halogen gas producing a metal halide from debris exiting the plasma. The EUV source may have a debris shield that may comprise a plurality of curvilinear shield members having inner and outer surfaces connected by light passages aligned to a focal point, which shield members may be alternated with open spaces between them and may have surfaces that form a circle in one axis of rotation and an ellipse in another. The electrodes may be supplied with a discharge pulse shaped to produce a modest current during the axial run out phase of the discharge and a peak occurring during the radial compression phase of the discharge. The light source may comprise a turbomolecular pump having an inlet connected to the generation chamber and operable to preferentially pump more of the source gas than the buffer gas from the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Cymer, Inc.Inventors: John Walker, R. Kyle Webb, Oleh Khodykin
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Patent number: 7088799Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for CT data acquisition using a rotatable pre-subject filter having more than one filtering profile to control radiation exposure to a subject. The filter is caused to rotate by a motor and bearing assembly and has one profile used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned above a subject and another profile that is used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned at a side of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David M. Hoffman
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Patent number: 7082189Abstract: An X-ray distribution adjusting filter apparatus for supplying a desired X-ray intensity distribution or adjusting the X-ray distribution to a desired profile, the bowtie filter as the X-ray distribution adjusting filter apparatus has a fixed section having a base portion and inclined portions, first and second movable sections configured to be tiltable pivoting on a center point, and first and second deformable sections whose cavities defined by the fixed section, the movable sections and an expansible bellows is to be filled with fluid, wherein the inclined faces of the fixed section and the flat faces of the movable sections are caused to approach or move away from each other by the tilting of the movable sections pivoting on the center point to vary the quantity of the fluid in the cavities of the movable sections, and to vary the sectional shape of the X-ray absorbing portion of the bowtie filter.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Mitsuru Yahata, Akira Izuhara, Masashi Maida
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Patent number: 7076029Abstract: A method and apparatus for tailoring the profile of an x-ray beam for radiographic imaging for a specific subject is disclosed. The invention includes a filter assembly having a pair of filters, each of which may be dynamically controlled by a motor assembly during data acquisition. The filters are positionable in the x-ray beam so as to shape the intensity profile of the x-ray beam. In one exemplary embodiment, the filters are dynamically positioned during CT data acquisition based on the shape of the subject. A method of determining the shape of the subject prior to CT data acquisition is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas L. Toth, Eric J. Tkaczyk, Jiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 7046756Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for CT data acquisition using a rotatable pre-subject filter having more than one filtering profile to control radiation exposure to a subject. The filter has one profile used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned above a subject and another profile that is used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned at a side of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David M. Hoffman
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Patent number: 7012990Abstract: A switching mechanism is configured such that a lower limb radiographic filter 11a is moved inside a radiation field of the X-rays that is an opening portion of an X-ray movable restriction only when radiographing a region of a subject from the groin to the toe, or the filter is moved outside the radiation field when radiographing the lumbar region of the subject. With this switching mechanism thus constituted, it is possible to lighten a burden on the operator, and realize the X-ray radiographic apparatus having high universality.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Kouji Akutsu, Wataru Miyamoto, Masayuki Yasumi, Tetsu Nakayama, Isao Nakata, Mitsuru Umeda
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Patent number: 6968030Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for CT data acquisition using a rotatable pre-subject filter having more than one filtering profile to control radiation exposure to a subject. The filter is caused to rotate by a motor and bearing assembly and has one profile used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned above a subject and another profile that is used to filter radiation when the radiation source is positioned at a side of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David M. Hoffman
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Patent number: 6954516Abstract: A method for obtaining data includes scanning an organ with an imaging system emitting X-rays and modulating the emitted X-rays with an organ specific bowtie addition.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Jianying Li, John Michael Sabol, Thomas L. Toth
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Patent number: 6898271Abstract: A switching mechanism is configured such that a lower limb radiographic filter 11a is moved inside a radiation field of the X-rays that is an opening portion of an X-ray movable restriction only when radiographing a region of a subject from the groin to the toe, or the filter is moved outside the radiation field when radiographing the lumber region of the subject. With this switching mechanism thus constituted, it is possible to lighten a burden of the operator, and realize the X-ray radiographic apparatus having high universality.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Kouji Akutsu, Wataru Miyamoto, Masayuki Yasumi, Tetsu Nakayama, Isao Nakata, Mitsuru Umeda
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Patent number: 6836535Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas L. Toth, Tsur Bernstein
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Patent number: 6754300Abstract: A method for operating a radiation source includes providing a radiation source, providing a detector, and operating the radiation source and the detector such that the detector receives a substantially homogenous noise distribution.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Jiang Hsieh, Samit K. Basu
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Patent number: 6735273Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus has a beam filter arrangement with regions of different filter material or/and different thickness profile of the filter material. This beam filter arrangement is disposed in the beam path preceding an examination subject. For multi-spectra beam hardening correction with estimation of the base material lengths, the computed tomography apparatus is fashioned for implementing projections of the examination subject with different effective material thickness or/and different effective material of the beam filter arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernd Ohnesorge
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Patent number: 6647095Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CT imaging system utilizing a pre-subject cone-angle dependent filter to optimize dosage applied to the scan subject for data acquisition. The cone angle dependent pre-subject filter is designed to have a shape that is thicker for outer detector rows and thinner for inner detector rows. As a result, x-rays corresponding to the outer detector rows undergo greater filtering than the x-rays corresponding to the inner detector rows.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Co., LLCInventor: Jiang Hsieh
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Publication number: 20030198319Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Thomas L. Toth, Tsur Bernstein
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Publication number: 20030185345Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CT imaging system utilizing a pre-subject cone-angle dependent filter to optimize dosage applied to the scan subject for data acquisition. The cone angle dependent pre-subject filter is designed to have a shape that is thicker for outer detector rows and thinner for inner detector rows. As a result, x-rays corresponding to the outer detector rows undergo greater filtering than the x-rays corresponding to the inner detector rows.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 6584173Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray examination device, including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector, for forming an X-ray image of an object, an X-ray filter, arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, and adjusting circuit, connected to the X-ray filter for adjusting it. The adjusting circuit comprises a graphics device, cursor control for defining a region of interest in an image of the object, displayed on the graphics device, and image-processing unit, connected to the X-ray filter, for calculating the region of interest and adjusting the filter accordingly. The X-ray filter includes filter elements having an X-ray absorptivity which can be adjusted by controlling a quantity of X-ray absorbing liquid within the individual filter elements. The filter elements are capillary tubes, and adjusting circuit applies electric voltages to the individual capillary tube for controlling the quantity of X-ray absorbing liquid in the tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Paul Zwart, Robert Derk Jan Hendrik Hofsink
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Patent number: 6426999Abstract: An X-ray apparatus with an X-ray source for producing a beam of X-rays, an X-ray detector for detecting the beam, and an X-ray filter with filter elements which is arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector so as to attenuate the X-ray beam in each independent filter element individually. Each filter element can receive a liquid having electrically conducting properties and X-ray absorbing properties, the value of the X-ray absorption of the filter element being dependent on the level of the X-ray absorbing liquid in the filter element. Each filter element includes a first electrode (23) which is located in the wall of the filter element and on top of the substrate layer (38) in order to apply an electric potential to the wall of the filter element. A second electric potential is applied to the liquid via a second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Menno Willem José Prins