PHOTO DETECTOR OF AN X-RAY IMAGER
Granted: April 18, 2013
Application Number:
20130092845
An X-ray imager includes a photo detector, a pixel array, a scan line and a data line. The photo detector includes a plurality of X-ray sensitive particles that are configured to be electrically isolating and to generate charge carriers upon absorption of X-ray photons. In one example embodiment, the photo detector includes a layer of an electrically isolating material, within which the plurality of X-ray sensitive particles are distributed. The pixel array includes multiple pixels each…
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING MEDICAL WORKFLOW
Granted: April 4, 2013
Application Number:
20130085798
A method for use in a medical process includes providing a plurality of task objects for selection by a user, wherein the plurality of task objects represent respective tasks, determining a first one of the plurality of task objects, determining a second one of the plurality of task objects, linking the first one of the plurality of task objects with the second one of the plurality of task objects using a processor based at least in part on a command by the user, and storing data in a…
ELECTRONIC MEDICAL CHART
Granted: April 4, 2013
Application Number:
20130085778
A handheld electronic device includes a network communication device for wirelessly receiving information regarding a plurality of tasks involved in a treatment process for a patient from a database, a processor for processing the information regarding the plurality of tasks, a housing containing the processor, wherein the housing is configured for handheld, and a screen configured to display a graphic using the information regarding the plurality of tasks, the graphic indicating the…
DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY TUBES
Granted: April 4, 2013
Application Number:
20130083899
Dual-energy x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, a dual-energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, an anode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, a first cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and a second cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure. The first cathode and the second cathode are configured to operate simultaneously at different voltages.
Real-Time 3D Dose Visualization System
Granted: April 4, 2013
Application Number:
20130083004
A method of presenting a progress of a treatment planning includes determining dose information based on a treatment model, determining objective information that is associated with the treatment model, using the dose information and the objective information to determine a three-dimensional graphic that indicates with how well an objective of the treatment planning is met, wherein the three-dimensional graphic is determined using a processor, and displaying the three-dimensional graphic…
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING, ASSESSING, AND MANAGING CANCER GROWTH RATES AND POTENTIAL METASTASIS
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130071333
Techniques described herein generally relate to identifying, assessing, and managing cancer growth rates and potential metastasis. Some example methods may include constructing one or more quantitative metrics for the potential metastasis in a selected population of other patients, acquiring a first set of numeric biomarker data for the patient before having placed a biomarker in the patient, acquiring a second set of numeric biomarker data for the patient after having placed the…
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING, ASSESSING, AND MANAGING CANCER DISEASE
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130071334
Techniques described herein generally relate to identifying, assessing, and managing cancer diseases. Some example methods may include constructing one or more quantitative metrics for the cancer disease in a selected population of other patients retrieved during the scheduling interval, acquiring a first set of numeric biomarker data for the patient before having placed a biomarker in the patient, acquiring a second set of numeric biomarker data for the patient after having placed the…
LIQUID METAL CONTAINMENT IN AN X-RAY TUBE
Granted: February 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130051533
Liquid metal containment in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube anode assembly includes a shaft terminated by a head and an anode connected to an anode hub. The anode hub is at least partially surrounding the head of the shaft. The anode hub is configured to contain a volume of a liquid metal and to rotate around the stationary shaft. The anode hub may also define a catch space within the anode hub that is configured to catch the liquid metal in order to contain the…
RADIATION SENSITIVE LIPOSOMES
Granted: February 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130053618
The present invention relates to a radiation sensitive liposome, and the use of this liposome as carrier for therapeutic and diagnostic agent(s). In particular, the invention encompasses a liposomal delivery system, comprising a stable liposome-forming lipid and a polymerizable colipid, a fraction of which polymerizable colipid polymerizes upon exposure to ionizing radiation, thereby destabilizing the liposomal membrane. Destabilization of liposomes allows for leakage of liposomal…
FILTRATION IMAGING ENHANCEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM
Granted: January 31, 2013
Application Number:
20130028495
In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for enhancing a motion-blurred image is presented. The process may include obtaining a prior image based on a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections are computed tomography (CT) images obtained in multiple motion phases. The process may further include performing an enhancement operation based on the prior image to generate an enhanced prior image, generating a plurality of…
GATED RADIATION PROCEDURE USING PACKAGES
Granted: January 24, 2013
Application Number:
20130020510
A method of delivering radiation in a session includes delivering radiation towards a patient using a radiation system, wherein the radiation is delivered based at least in part on a physiological phase or a position of the patient, after the radiation is delivered, changing a configuration of the radiation system, wherein the act of changing the configuration is performed independent of at least one motion of the patient, and delivering additional radiation towards the patient after the…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Optimizing a Radiation-Treatment Leaf-Sequence Plan
Granted: January 24, 2013
Application Number:
20130023718
Determine first information regarding physical-movement limitations pertaining to at least one multi-leaf collimator and also determine second information regarding movement of the treatment target with respect to the given patient. Then, while optimizing a radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan, constrain individually-planned leaf positions as a function, at least in part, of the first information, the second information, and planned positions of adjacent leaves. By one approach, the…
MULTIPLE OUTPUT CAVITIES IN SHEET BEAM KLYSTRON
Granted: January 17, 2013
Application Number:
20130015763
A RF generator includes a structure having an input section, an output section, and an opening extending between the input section and the output section, wherein the output section has a first cavity and a second cavity, and wherein the first and second cavities are spaced apart from each other so that they are electromagnetically uncoupled from each other. A method of providing RF energy, includes receiving an electron beam, providing a first RF energy through a first cavity, wherein…
FUNCTIONAL AND PHYSICAL IMAGING USING RADIATION
Granted: January 10, 2013
Application Number:
20130010927
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…
FUNCTIONAL AND PHYSICAL IMAGING BY SPECTROSCOPIC DETECTION OF PHOTO ABSORPTION OF PHOTONS AND SCATTERED PHOTONS FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES OR DIFFRACTED X-RAY SYSTEMS
Granted: January 10, 2013
Application Number:
20130012812
An apparatus to examine a target volume in a patient includes an x-ray source generating a first x-ray beam targeting the target volume, and a detector which is placed 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 generated from the first x-ray beam interacting with the target volume. A method to image a target volume in a patient includes directing a first x-ray beam generated from an x-ray source at the target volume,…
ELECTRON EMITTERS FOR X-RAY TUBES
Granted: December 20, 2012
Application Number:
20120321048
Electron emitters for x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, an electron emitter for an x-ray tube includes an electron filament and a plurality of electrical leads. The electron filament defines a plurality of openings. Each lead is positioned so as to extend through one of the openings and each lead is mechanically and electrically connected to the filament proximate the opening without the presence of braze material.
MOTION-BLURRED IMAGING ENHANCEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM
Granted: December 13, 2012
Application Number:
20120314921
In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for enhancing a motion-blurred image is presented. The process may include receiving a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections contain computed tomography (CT) data obtained in multiple motion phases. The process may include generating an enhanced multi-phase image by performing an enhancement operation based on the plurality of projections. The process may further include generating…
AUTOMATIC HEALTH DETECTION FOR MOTION AXES IN MEDICAL LINEAR ACCELERATORS
Granted: December 13, 2012
Application Number:
20120314844
In a method of detecting the health of a motion axis in a radiation system including a motor operable to move a load between a first end and a second end, data on an electrical parameter of the motor is collected as the motor moves in the certain range. At least one indicator of the electrical parameter including a maximum, a minimum, an average, and a standard deviation of the electrical parameter is determined and compared with a provided value or range of values indicative of the…
AUTOMATIC HEALTH DETECTION FOR MOTION AXES IN MEDICAL LINEAR ACCELERATORS
Granted: December 13, 2012
Application Number:
20120312995
An image acquisition device employs a low-Z material to maximize the probability of backscattering or direct hits in Compton scattering for radiation with a given energy spectrum that passes through a detector array to enhance the contrast and spatial resolution of the image acquisition device. A radiation apparatus including the image acquisition device is also provided.
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Images Used for Radiation-Treatment Planning
Granted: November 22, 2012
Application Number:
20120294497
A radiation-treatment planning apparatus accesses first information regarding a first image that pertains to a patient's body at a first time as well as second information regarding a second image that pertains to the patient's body at a second, later time. The radiation-treatment planning apparatus then correlates components of the patient's body as appear in the second image with components that appear in the first image while treating the components as comprising rigid structures…
