2055results about "Handling using diaphragms/collimeters" patented technology

In a pattern definition device for use in a particle-beam processing apparatus a plurality of apertures (21) are arranged within a pattern definition field (pf) wherein the positions of the apertures (21) in the pattern definition field (pf) taken with respect to a direction (X, Y) perpendicular, or parallel, to the scanning direction are offset to each other by not only multiple integers of the effective width (w) of an aperture taken along said direction, but also multiple integers of an integer fraction of said effective width. The pattern definition field (pf) may be segmented into several domains (D) composed of a many staggered lines (pl) of apertures; along the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, the apertures of a domain are offset to each other by multiple integers of the effective width (w), whereas the offsets of apertures of different domains are integer fractions of that width.

The invention is intended to shorten a positioning time required for forming an irradiation area with high accuracy using a number of leaf plates, and to reduce physical and mental burdens imposed on patients. A multi-leaf collimator comprises leaf plate driving body each including a plurality of movable leaf plates and provided respectively on one side and the other side, the plurality of leaf plates of the leaf plate driver on one side and the plurality of leaf plates of the leaf plate driver on the other side being disposed in an opposing relation to form an irradiation field of a radiation beam between the opposing leaf plates. Each of the leaf plate driving body includes a motor provided in common to the plurality of leaf plates. Driving force of the motor can be transmitted to the plurality of leaf plates at the same time through a pinion gear, upper and lower air cylinders, and upper and lower guides. Also, the driving force can be cut off selectively for each leaf plate.

Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor.

An X-ray imaging system is for irradiating a subject with X ray from an X-ray source at a plurality of different angles to acquire X-ray images, and reconstructing an X-ray tomographic image from the X-ray images. The system comprising a region setting unit for setting a region of interest on a pre-shot image or a previously acquired X-ray tomographic image, an imaging control unit for continuously varying an aperture formed by collimator blades according to a position of the X-ray source to image the region of interest and acquiring projection data of the X-ray images in accordance with the position of the X-ray source, and an image reconstructing unit for reconstructing the X-ray tomographic image from the projection data of the X-ray images of the region of interest. The aperture formed by the collimator blades are varied so that all the X-ray images formed on the X-ray detector is rectangular regardless of the position of the X-ray source.

An investigative X-ray apparatus comprises a source of X-rays emitting a cone beam centred on a beam axis, a collimator to limit the extent of the beam, and a two-dimensional detector, the apparatus being mounted on a support which is rotatable about a rotation axis, the collimator having a first state in which the collimated beam is directed towards the rotation axis and the second state in which the collimated beam is offset from the rotation axis, the two-dimensional detector being movable accordingly, the beam axis being offset from the rotation axis by a lesser amount than the collimated beam in the second state. The X-ray source is no longer directed towards the isocentre as would normally be the case; the X-ray source is not orthogonal to the collimators. This is advantageous in that the entire field of the X-ray tube can be utilised. As a result, a lesser field is required of the X-ray tube and the choice of tube designs and capacities can be widened so as to optimise the performance of the X-ray tube in other aspects.

The invention relates to a portable mini gamma camera for intrasurgical use. The inventive camera is based on scintillation crystals and comprises a stand-alone device, i.e. all of the necessary systems have been integrated next to the sensor head and no other system is required. The camera can be hot-swapped to any computer using different types of interface, such as to meet medical grade specifications. The camera can be self-powered, can save energy and enables software and firmware to be updated from the Internet and images to be formed in real time. Any gamma ray detector based on continuous scintillation crystals can be provided with a system for focusing the scintillation light emitted by the gamma ray in order to improve spatial resolution. The invention also relates to novel methods for locating radiation-emitting objects and for measuring physical variables, based on radioactive and laser emission pointers.

A collimator having slits of varied widths, wherein each slit includes a curved side profile having a common axis of curvature for providing a cross-section of an emitted beam of energy with a substantially uniform width when the common axis of curvature of the slit intersects a focal spot of a source of the beam. The collimator is curved about a rotation axis substantially normal to the common axis of curvature, such that rotating the collimator about the rotation axis will sequentially position the slits to collimate the emitted beam.

A radiotherapy system including a collimator operable to shape and steer a radiation beam in at least one dimension, a turntable for supporting a patient thereupon adapted to rotate the patient about a rotational axis, the patient having a target therein for irradiation by the radiation beam, a detector adapted for measuring a position of the target relative to the radiation beam, and a processor adapted to receive target positional data from the detector, the processor being in communication with the collimator for causing the collimator to steer the radiation beam in a direction to the target.

The invention discloses a multibeam modulator which generates a plurality of individual beams from a particle beam. The particle beam illuminates the multibeam modulator at least partially over its surface. The multibeam modulator comprises a plurality of aperture groups composed of aperture row groups. The totality of all aperture rows defines a matrix of m×n cells, where m cells form a row, and k openings are formed in each row. The density of openings within a row is inhomogeneously distributed.

The inspection methods and systems of the present invention are mobile, rapidly deployable, and capable of scanning a wide variety of receptacles cost-effectively and accurately on uneven surfaces. The present invention is directed toward a portable inspection system for generating an image representation of target objects using a radiation source, comprising a mobile vehicle, a detector array physically attached to a movable boom having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is physically attached to the vehicle. The invention also comprises at least one source of radiation. The radiation source is fixedly attached to the distal end of the boom, wherein the image is generated by introducing the target objects in between the radiation source and the detector array, exposing the objects to radiation, and detecting radiation.

A particle beam therapeutic apparatus can ensure the uniformity of dose distribution by overlapping the desired loci of the irradiation of a particle beam a reduced number of times. A flow of a particle beam transported so as to be irradiated to a diseased part is caused to deflect in two mutually orthogonal directions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the particle beam. The irradiation position of the particle beam is scanned, upon each period, in a manner to return to a position of irradiation located at the start of the period, whereby a plurality of loci drawn within one period are overlapped with one another thereby to irradiate a desired planned dose to the diseased part. The particle beam can be interrupted only at the end of the period.

A method and device for cooling and electrically-insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component, for example, an x-ray tube (1105) for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The device includes an x-ray source (1100) including an x-ray tube (1105) having improved heat-dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (1150). The device may include a base assembly (1135) mounted to the component for conducting heat away from the component while electrically isolating the component. In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes two copper plates (1140, 1145) separated by a dielectric plate (1150). The dielectric plate minimizes or prevents the leakage of current through the base assembly (1135). One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

A cardiovascular imaging and functional analysis system and method is disclosed, wherein a dedicated fast, sensitive, compact and economical imaging gamma camera system that is especially suited for heart imaging and functional analysis is employed. The cardiovascular imaging and functional analysis system of the present invention can be used as a dedicated nuclear cardiology small field of view imaging camera. The disclosed cardiovascular imaging system and method has the advantages of being able to image physiology, while offering an inexpensive and portable hardware, unlike MRI, CT, and echocardiography systems.The cardiovascular imaging system of the invention employs a basic modular design suitable for cardiac imaging with one of several radionucleide tracers. The detector can be positioned in close proximity to the chest and heart from several different projections, making it possible rapidly to accumulate data for first-pass analysis, positron imaging, quantitative stress perfusion, and multi-gated equilibrium pooled blood (MUGA) tests..In a preferred embodiment, the Cardiovascular Non-Invasive Screening Probe system can perform a novel diagnostic screening test for potential victims of coronary artery disease. The system provides a rapid, inexpensive preliminary indication of coronary occlusive disease by measuring the activity of emitted particles from an injected bolus of radioactive tracer. Ratios of this activity with the time progression of the injected bolus of radioactive tracer are used to perform diagnosis of the coronary patency (artery disease).

The present invention is a directed to a non-pixelated scintillator array for a CT detector as well as an apparatus and method of manufacturing same. The scintillator array is comprised of a number of ceramic fibers or single crystal fibers that are aligned in parallel with respect to one another. As a result, the pack has very high dose efficiency. Furthermore, each fiber is designed to direct light out to a photodiode with very low scattering loss. The fiber size (cross-sectional diameter) may be controlled such that smaller fibers may be fabricated for higher resolution applications. Moreover, because the fiber size can be controlled to be consistent throughout the scintillator may and the fibers are aligned in parallel with one another, the scintillator array, as a whole, also is uniform. Therefore, precise alignment with the photodiode array or the collimator assembly is not necessary.