LIQUID-COOLED APERTURE BODY IN AN X-RAY TUBE
Granted: February 17, 2011
Application Number:
20110038462
A liquid-cooled aperture body in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube is configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid coolant. The x-ray tube includes a cathode at least partially positioned within a cathode housing, an anode at least partially positioned within a can, and an aperture body coupling the cathode housing to the can. The can is formed from a first material and the aperture body is formed from a second material. The aperture body defines an…
EVACUATED ENCLOSURE WINDOW COOLING
Granted: February 17, 2011
Application Number:
20110038461
In one example, an x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure and an anode disposed with the evacuated enclosure. The anode is configured to receive electrons emitted by an electron emitter. The x-ray tube also includes an evacuated enclosure window disposed within a port of the evacuated enclosure. The evacuated enclosure window includes first and second axes, the first axis being relatively shorter than the second axis. The x-ray tube also includes means for directing coolant flow. The…
X-RAY TUBE BEARING SHAFT AND HUB
Granted: February 17, 2011
Application Number:
20110038459
In one example, an assembly comprises a hub and a shaft. The hub defines an axis of rotation and includes first and second flanges that at least partly define a substantially cylindrical hub opening. The shaft is connected to the hub and includes a first end and a shaft cavity. The first end is received within the hub opening. The shaft cavity is formed in the first end and includes a bottom having a substantially curved transition area.
Expanding Multi-Lumen Applicator Operating within a Balloon
Granted: December 30, 2010
Application Number:
20100331601
A brachytherapy apparatus includes a distal support member and a proximal support member movable relative to the distal support member. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongate treatment members having distal first locations coupled to the distal support member, proximal second locations coupled to the proximal support member, and pathways between the proximal second locations and the distal first locations adapted to receive one or more radiation sources. Each of the treatment…
X-RAY TUBE BEARING ASSEMBLY
Granted: December 23, 2010
Application Number:
20100322383
In one example, an x-ray tube comprises an evacuated enclosure and a cathode disposed within the evacuated enclosure. An anode is also disposed within the evacuated enclosure opposite the cathode so as to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. A rotor sleeve is coupled to the anode, the rotor sleeve being responsive to applied electromagnetic fields such that a rotational motion is imparted to the anode. A magnetic assist bearing assembly rotatably supports the anode.
FREQUENCY TUNED ANODE BEARING ASSEMBLY
Granted: December 23, 2010
Application Number:
20100322385
In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode configured to rotate at an operating frequency, and a bearing assembly configured to rotatably support the anode and tuned to a resonant frequency that is different than the operating frequency.
ROTATING ANODE WITH HUB CONNECTED VIA SPOKES
Granted: December 23, 2010
Application Number:
20100322384
One example embodiment includes an anode. The anode comprises an anode hub, an annular target and a plurality of spokes. The spokes connect the anode hub to the annular target. The spokes are configured to substantially mechanically and/or thermally isolate the anode hub from the annular target.
Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Using Fused Images to Identify Materials
Granted: December 9, 2010
Application Number:
20100310175
First image data (which comprises a penetrating image of an object formed using a first spectrum) and second image data (which also comprises a penetrating image of this same object formed using a second, different spectrum) is retrieved from memory and fused to facilitate identifying at least one material that comprises at least a part of this object. The aforementioned first spectrum can comprise, for example, a spectrum of x-ray energies having a high typical energy while the second…
Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Using Multiple Radiation-Detection Views to Differentiate One Material From Another
Granted: December 9, 2010
Application Number:
20100310042
At least three radiation-detection views are used to facilitate identifying material as comprises an object being assessed along a beam path relative to that object. This comprises developing a first radiation-detection view (101) as corresponds to the material along the beam path, a second radiation-detection view (102) as corresponds to the material along substantially the beam path, and at least a third radiation-detection view (103) as corresponds to the material along substantially…
PATIENT VISUAL INSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR SYNCHRONIZING BREATHING WITH A MEDICAL PROCEDURE
Granted: November 18, 2010
Application Number:
20100289821
A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a result of an activity being performed by the patient and a first target result to be achieved by the activity. A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a time and a target result to be achieved by an activity. A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a position of a portion of the patient and a first target position…
Electron Emitter Apparatus and Method of Assembly
Granted: November 11, 2010
Application Number:
20100284519
An electron emitter assembly, and methods of assembly, is disclosed. The emitter assembly includes an electron emitter that is secured to a support device in a manner such that the emitter is substantially thermally isolated from the support device.
Thermionic Emitter Designed To Provide Uniform Loading and Thermal Compensation
Granted: November 4, 2010
Application Number:
20100278307
An electron emitter assembly for use in an x-ray emitting device or other electron emitter-containing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube is disclosed, including a vacuum enclosure that houses both an anode having a target surface, and a cathode positioned with respect to the anode. The cathode includes an electron emitter having a plurality of substantially parallel emission surfaces that collectively emit a beam of electrons for impingement on the target anode. In one…
X-RAY TARGET ASSEMBLY AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SAME
Granted: October 21, 2010
Application Number:
20100266102
The x-ray target assemblies have an oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) refractory metal alloy substrate that is bonded to a carbon-containing heat sink. The x-ray target assemblies have excellent bonding between the substrate and the heat sink. The improved bonding is achieved by placing an oxide-free barrier layer between the ODS metal substrate and the heat sink. The oxide-free barrier layer minimizes or eliminates chemical reactions that would otherwise be possible between the…
Fourth Generation Computed Tomography Scanner
Granted: September 30, 2010
Application Number:
20100246753
A computed tomography apparatus includes a gantry having a rotary portion and a stationary portion. At least one radiation source and at least one anti-scatter grid are mounted on the rotary portion of the gantry and positioned opposite each other. A detector device is mounted on the stationary portion of the gantry. The detector device may include a plurality of detector sensors arranged in the form of a generally circular ring surrounding the periphery of the rotary portion.…
USE OF PLANNING ATLAS IN RADIATION THERAPY
Granted: September 16, 2010
Application Number:
20100232572
A method for determining a radiation treatment plan for a patient includes determining a reference plan, the reference plan including information regarding a reference region that has a different configuration from that of a region in the patient, and using the reference plan to determine the treatment plan for the patient. A method for use in a treatment planning process includes determining a reference plan that includes information regarding a reference region, determining a…
REAL-TIME MOTION TRACKING USING TOMOSYNTHESIS
Granted: July 22, 2010
Application Number:
20100183118
One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a method for determining a movement of a target region using tomosynthesis. The method includes the steps of accessing a first set of projection radiographs of the target region over a first processing window defined by a first range of projection angles, accessing a second set of projection radiographs of the target region over a second processing window defined by a second range of projection angels, wherein the first processing…
Gated Radiation Procedure Using Packages
Granted: July 22, 2010
Application Number:
20100183120
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…
TREATMENT PLANNING USING MODULABILITY AND VISIBILITY FACTORS
Granted: July 15, 2010
Application Number:
20100177870
A method for use in a treatment planning process includes determining a modulability factor, and determining a treatment parameter using the modulability factor. A system for use in a treatment planning process includes a processor, wherein the processor is configured for determining a modulability factor, and determining a treatment parameter using the modulability factor. A method for use in a treatment planning process includes determining a visibility factor, and determining a…
RADIATION TREATMENT PLANNING AND EXECUTION THAT CONSIDER THE TYPE OF CRITICAL ORGAN
Granted: July 15, 2010
Application Number:
20100177871
A method for use in a treatment planning process or in a treatment process includes determining a type of critical organ for healthy tissue, and accumulating dose for the healthy tissue based on the type of critical organ. A method for use in a treatment planning process or in a treatment process includes determining a type of critical organ for healthy tissue, and determining a constraint for the healthy tissue, wherein the constraint is determined based on different movement…
Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Dynamically Adjusting Radiation Intensity for Imaging Purposes
Granted: July 15, 2010
Application Number:
20100177873
An x-ray-based radiation imaging apparatus (200) for use in imaging an object (201) can comprise a source of x-rays (202) having an output radiation intensity control input and a radiation intensity controller (207) operably coupled thereto. This radiation intensity controller can have a control output (209, 210) that is operably coupled to the output radiation intensity control input and an object information input (209). So configured, the radiation intensity controller can dynamically…
