Novel Method of Reducing High Voltage Arcs in X-Ray Tubes
Granted: May 22, 2008
Application Number:
20080118030
A bearing assembly suitable for use in conjunction with x-ray device having a rotating target anode and electron source disposed in an evacuated enclosure. The bearing assembly includes a shaft having a rotor hub to which the anode is mounted. The shaft cooperates with front and rear bearing rings to define front and rear races, and a spacer facilitates positioning of the bearing rings. Front and rear ball sets are confined in the front and rear races, respectively. A bearing housing…
SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR X-RAY DEVICE FOCAL SPOT CONTROL
Granted: February 14, 2008
Application Number:
20080037713
Systems, methods and devices for implementing automatic control of focal spot Z axis positioning are disclosed for use with an x-ray device having an x-ray tube positioned within a housing and configured for thermal communication with a temperature control system. Control circuitry, and a position sensing device configured to determine the distance between the focal spot and a reference point related to the x-ray device, are coupled with a control module. The position sensing device…
SHIELD STRUCTURE AND FOCAL SPOT CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR X-RAY DEVICE
Granted: January 24, 2008
Application Number:
20080019483
A shield structure and focal spot control assembly is provided for use in connection with an x-ray device that includes an anode and cathode disposed in a vacuum enclosure in a spaced apart arrangement so that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The shield structure is configured to be interposed between the anode and the cathode and includes an interior surface that defines an aperture or other opening through which the electrons are…
Spatially-variant normal tissue objective for radiotherapy
Granted: January 10, 2008
Application Number:
20080008291
A system for use to determine or evaluate a radiation treatment plan includes a processor configured for determining a spatially variable constraint, and imposing the spatially variable constraint on a healthy tissue. A system for use to determine or evaluate a radiation treatment plan includes a processor configured for determining a first position of a first healthy tissue, imposing a first constraint on the first healthy tissue based on the determined first position, determining a…
Systems and methods for determining object position
Granted: December 27, 2007
Application Number:
20070297575
A system for determining a position of an object includes a block having a base, and a plurality of elongate members secured to the block. A system for determining a position of an object includes a processor configured to obtain an image of portions of respective elongated members, and determine a position of an object that is coupled to the plurality of elongated members. A method of determining a position of an object includes obtaining a first image of portions of respective…
X-RAY TUBE WINDOW BONDING WITH SMOOTH BONDING SURFACE
Granted: December 20, 2007
Application Number:
20070291901
This disclosure is concerned with x-ray tube window bonding using a smooth bonding surface. In one example, an x-ray tube window assembly in the evacuated housing of an x-ray tube includes a window frame with a support flange surrounding an aperture, a window constructed to cover the aperture and overlap an area of the support flange of the window frame; and a bond layer connecting the window to the area of the support flange overlapped by the window. The surface of the bond layer in…
INTEGRAL X-RAY TUBE SHIELDING FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE X-RAY TUBE CABLES
Granted: December 20, 2007
Application Number:
20070291903
A shielded high-voltage cable connector assembly configured and arranged to control the unintended emission of x-rays from certain regions of an x-ray tube. The cable connector assembly includes a body comprising a material that is substantially non-transmissive to x-rays. The body is configured accommodate a plurality of conductive elements and position the plurality of conductive elements to interface with corresponding conductive elements of an x-ray device. The cable connector…
REMOTE BLADDER VENTING AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEM
Granted: November 1, 2007
Application Number:
20070253536
A system for remotely venting an expansion bladder employed in a liquid-filled container, such as an outer housing of an x-ray tube. The remote venting configuration provides the expansion bladder with access to atmospheric pressure existing about the x-ray tube so as to enable it to compensate for pressure changes within the liquid-filled container that occur as a result of liquid heating. Further, the remote nature of the bladder venting system enables the expansion bladder to be…
INTEGRATED MIS PHOTOSENSITIVE DEVICE USING CONTINUOUS FILMS
Granted: July 19, 2007
Application Number:
20070164333
An integrated photosensitive device with a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photodiode constructed with one or more substantially continuous layers of semiconductor material and with a substantially continuous layer of dielectric material.
Systems and methods for processing x-ray images
Granted: March 8, 2007
Application Number:
20070053494
A method for processing x-ray images includes collecting a first x-ray image and a second x-ray image, determining a composite image based on the first and second x-ray images, collecting a third x-ray image, and adjusting the third x-ray image based on the composite image. Another method of processing x-ray images includes obtaining a first x-ray image, obtaining a second x-ray image, and determining a composite image based on at least a portion of the first and second x-ray images.
Systems and methods for image acquisition
Granted: January 4, 2007
Application Number:
20070001119
An imaging system includes a first image element in a first row, a second image element in the first row, a third image element in a second row, the third image element and the first image element being in a first column, a gate driver, a first electrical line extending from the gate driver, wherein the first and the second image elements are connected to the first electrical line, a second electrical line, wherein the first image element is connected to the second electrical line, and a…
Photoconductor imagers with sandwich structure
Granted: December 14, 2006
Application Number:
20060278832
An image acquisition device 30 is provided. The image acquisition device 30 comprises a photoconductor 48 adapted to convert an electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals, a first layer 36 or 37 coupled to the photoconductor 48. The interconnecting layer 36 or 37 comprises an insulator 54 and a plurality of conductors 56 or 57 embedded in the insulator 54 adapted to conduct the electrical signals. A method of making an image acquisition device 30 is also provided.
Self-alignment of radiographic imaging system
Granted: December 14, 2006
Application Number:
20060280293
An imaging system 10 is provided comprising an x-ray source 12, a detector 14, and an alignment device 38 adapted to align the detector 14 with the x-ray source 12 using an x-ray beam transmitted from the x-ray source 12. A method of positioning and aligning an imaging system is also provided.
System and method for imaging and treatment of tumorous tissue in breasts using computed tomography and radiotherapy
Granted: November 23, 2006
Application Number:
20060262898
The present invention provides a system 10 for irradiating a breast 20 of a patient 22. The system 10 comprises a gantry 12 rotatable about a horizontal axis 14 and comprising a radiation source 16 for generating a radiation beam 18 and a detector 24 spaced from the radiation source 16, and a barrier 26 disposed between the patient 22 and the gantry 12. The barrier 26 is provided with an opening 30 adapted to allow a breast 20 passing therethrough to be exposed to the radiation beam 18.…
Systems and methods for determining geometric parameters of imaging devices
Granted: November 2, 2006
Application Number:
20060245628
A method of determining a geometric parameter of a machine includes using the machine to obtain an image of at least a portion of a structure, the structure having a plurality of markers, wherein the markers have predetermined position(s) relative to each other, determining a position of the structure based on a pattern of the markers in the image, and determining a geometric parameter of the machine based at least in part on the determined position of the structure.
Multiple mode flat panel X-ray imaging system
Granted: August 17, 2006
Application Number:
20060182219
A flat panel X-ray imaging system capable of acquiring images at multiple frame rates with multiple fields of view.
X-RAY IMAGING DEVICE ADAPTED FOR COMMUNICATING DATA IN REAL TIME VIA NETWORK INTERFACE
Granted: August 10, 2006
Application Number:
20060176999
An X-ray imaging device adapted for communicating image data in real time via a network interface. Image data signals from an X-ray imaging detector assembly resulting from conversion of impinging X-ray photons corresponding to a subject image are, in turn, converted to one or more corresponding network data signals, such as Gigabit Ethernet signals.
Data signal amplifier and processor with multiple signal gains for increased dynamic signal range
Granted: June 8, 2006
Application Number:
20060119427
Data signal amplification and processing circuitry with multiple signal gains for increasing dynamic signal range. An incoming data signal is processed in accordance with multiple signal gains. The resultant signals have multiple signal values which are compared to predetermined lower and higher thresholds. The desired output signal is: the maximum sample signal value when the maximum value fails to traverse a predetermined lower threshold; the minimum sample signal value when an…
Backprojected patient multimedia display
Granted: April 13, 2006
Application Number:
20060079763
An apparatus for prompting a patient includes a structure configured to be mounted to a patient support, a screen coupled to the structure, and a projector located at a distance away from the screen. A method of prompting a patient that is being supported on a patient support includes adjusting a position of a screen relative to a projector, the screen having a surface, placing the screen in front of the patient such that the patient can see the surface, and providing an image on the…
Devices and methods for providing spatially variable x-ray beam intensity
Granted: April 6, 2006
Application Number:
20060072705
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.
