Data processing using reduced onboard memory
Granted: May 15, 2012
Patent Number:
8178847
Raw data (e.g., image data) can be captured and fed into a data processing unit (e.g., a frame grabber), which can process the raw data using data that is retrieved from, for example, the main memory of a computer system instead of from memory onboard the data processing unit. The processed data can then be stored in the main memory or in another memory location.
Cathode structures for X-ray tubes
Granted: May 8, 2012
Patent Number:
8174174
An apparatus and method comprising a cathode structure which can be a cylindrical filament coiled in a helix or which can be constructed of a ribbon or other suitable shape. The cathode structure can be heated by passage of an electrical current, or by other means such as bombardment with energetic electrons. Selected portions of the surface of the cathode structure have an altered property with respect to the non-selected portions of the surface. In one embodiment, the altered property…
Electron emitter and method of making same
Granted: May 8, 2012
Patent Number:
8175222
One example embodiment includes an electron emitter. The electron emitter comprises a conductive member that defines a plurality of filament segments that are integral with each other. Each filament segment includes an intermediate portion and an interconnecting portion attached to an adjacent filament segment. The intermediate portions are substantially coplanar with each other and each intermediate portion includes a substantially planar electron emission surface.
Rotating anode with hub connected via spokes
Granted: May 1, 2012
Patent Number:
8170180
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.
X-ray target with high strength bond
Granted: April 24, 2012
Patent Number:
8165269
In one example, an x-ray target comprises a substrate, a target core, and a target track. The substrate and target core are attached together utilizing a carbide layer and a braze layer.
Calculation of probable accumulated dosages based on patient movement
Granted: April 17, 2012
Patent Number:
8160203
A stochastic patient movement model and a dosage delivery plan are used to determine probabilities of dosages received by a target volume during a radiation treatment. The stochastic patient movement model is created by identifying possible sequences of patient positions during the treatment with probabilities specified for each. The dosage delivery plan specifies dosage levels and radiation locations over time. Accumulated dosages are calculated for each sequence of patient positions…
Method and apparatus to facilitate transforming grayscale level values
Granted: April 10, 2012
Patent Number:
8155475
An image processing apparatus (800) partitions (101) an image into a plurality of blocks. For a selected one of these blocks, the apparatus then uses a given available range of grayscale level values to determine (102) grayscale level values for image data in the selected block to provide corresponding determined grayscale level values. At least some of these determined grayscale level values are then transformed (103) to thereby use an altered amount of the given available range of…
Power variator
Granted: March 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8143816
An apparatus for use in a process to regulate power for a particle accelerator includes a first circulator, a second circulator, a tee coupled between the first and the second circulator, and a tuner coupled to the tee. An apparatus for use in a process to regulate power for a particle accelerator includes a first circulator, a second circulator, a 3-dB coupler coupled between the first and the second circulator, and a tuner coupled to the 3-dB coupler.
Dual angle radiation scanning of objects
Granted: March 20, 2012
Patent Number:
8137976
In one example, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising scanning an object by first and second radiation beams at at least first and second angles, detecting radiation at the first and second angles, and determining whether the object at least potentially comprises high atomic number material, which may be nuclear material or shielding material, based, at least in part, on the detected radiation. In one example, the detected radiation at both angles must be…
Rapid matching of noisy spectra or other signal patterns
Granted: March 13, 2012
Patent Number:
8135205
A method for use in an object scanning process includes obtaining a reference spectrum that includes a plurality of reference peaks, and comparing the reference spectrum with an input spectrum that has a plurality of input peaks, wherein a number of the reference peaks is less than eight. A method for use in an object scanning process includes obtaining a reference spectrum that includes a plurality of reference peaks, comparing one of the reference peaks with a plurality of input peaks…
Liquid-cooled aperture body in an x-ray tube
Granted: March 6, 2012
Patent Number:
8130910
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…
Use of planning atlas in radiation therapy
Granted: February 21, 2012
Patent Number:
8121252
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…
Multi-mode cone beam CT radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine with a flat panel imager
Granted: February 14, 2012
Patent Number:
8116430
A multi-mode cone beam computed tomography radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine is disclosed. The radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine both include a rotatable gantry on which is positioned a cone-beam radiation source and a flat panel imager. The flat panel imager captures x-ray image data to generate cone-beam CT volumetric images used to generate a therapy patient position setup and a treatment plan.
Charged particle accelerators, radiation sources, systems, and methods
Granted: February 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8111025
Man-portable radiation generation sources and systems that may be carried by hand to a site of interest by one or two people, are disclosed. Methods of use of such sources and systems are also disclosed. Battery operated radiation generation sources, air cooled radiation generation sources, and charged particle accelerators, are also disclosed. A radiation generation source with a target less than 0.20 mm is also disclosed.
Target assembly with electron and photon windows
Granted: January 17, 2012
Patent Number:
8098796
An X-ray target assembly includes a substrate, a target supported by the substrate adapted to generate X-rays when impinged by an electron beam, and an enclosure over the target providing a volume for the target. The enclosure is made of a material substantially transparent to electrons. The volume is substantially vacuum or filled with an inert gas.
Data processing for real-time tracking of a target in radiation therapy
Granted: January 10, 2012
Patent Number:
8095203
A facility for processing data is described. The facility receives a stream of digital location indications, each location indication identifying a location of a patient while undergoing radiation therapy. In response to each location indication of the string, in substantially real-time relative to the receipt of the position indication, the facility performs an action responsive to the location indication.
Systems and methods for obtaining reconstructed images during a treatment session
Granted: January 3, 2012
Patent Number:
8090074
A medical system includes a treatment radiation source configured to deliver treatment radiation during a treatment session, an imaging system configured to obtain image data during the treatment session, and a processor configured to determine a beam break, and automatically operate the imaging system to obtain the image data during the beam break. A medical system includes a treatment radiation source, an imaging system configured to automatically obtain image data in a beam break that…
Treatment planning system and method for radiotherapy
Granted: December 27, 2011
Patent Number:
8085899
A treatment planning method and system for optimizing a treatment plan used to irradiate a treatment volume including a target volume, such as a tumor, is disclosed. According to the method, two dose calculation algorithms are used to develop the optimized treatment plan. A first dose calculation algorithm is used to obtain substantially complete dose calculations and a second, incremental, dose calculation algorithm is used to make more limited calculations. The incremental calculations…
Electron emitter apparatus and method of assembly
Granted: December 13, 2011
Patent Number:
8077829
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.
Beam filter positioning device
Granted: December 13, 2011
Patent Number:
8077830
A system includes a beam filter positioning device including a plate configured to support one or more beam filters, and one or more axes operable to move the plate relative to a beam line. A control mechanism is coupled to the one or more axes for controlling the movement of the axes and configured to automatically adjust the position of at least one of the one or more beam filters relative to the beam line.
