1081 results about "Radiation exposure" patented technology

The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for renal neuromodulation via stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic disorder or other ailments. Renal neuromodulation may be achieved by locating renal nerves and then utilizing stereotactic radiotherapy to expose the renal nerves to a radiation dose sufficient to reduce neural activity. A neural location element may be provided for locating target renal nerves, and a stereotactic radiotherapy system may be provided for exposing the located renal nerves to a radiation dose sufficient to reduce the neural activity, with reduced or minimized radiation exposure in adjacent tissue. Renal nerves may be located and targeted at the level of the ganglion and / or at postganglionic positions, as well as at pre-ganglionic positions.

A safety indicator monitors environment conditions detrimental to humans e.g., hazardous gases, air pollutants, low oxygen, radiation levels of EMF or RF and microwave, temperature, humidity and air pressure retaining a three month history to upload to a PC via infra red data interface or phone link. Contaminants are analyzed and compared to stored profiles to determine its classification and notify user of an adversity by stored voice messages from, via alarm tones and associated flashing LED, via vibrator for silent operation or via LCD. Environmental radiation sources are monitored and auto-scaled. Instantaneous radiation exposure level and exposure duration data are stored for later readout as a detector and dosimeter. Scans for EMF allow detection with auto scaling of radiation levels and exposure durations are stored for subsequent readout. Electronic bugs can be found with a high sensitivity EMF range setting. Ambient temperature measurements or humidity and barometric pressure can be made over time to predict weather changes. A PCS RF link provides wireless remote communications in a first responder military use by upload of alarm conditions, field measurements and with download of command instructions. The link supports reception of telemetry data for real time remote monitoring of personnel via the wrist band for blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and blood oxygen levels are transmitted. Commercial uses include remote environmental data collection and employee assignment tasking. GPS locates personnel and reporting coordinates associated with alarm occurrences and associated environmental measurements.

A method and device for causing a predetermined physiological change in a mammalian tissue. The method includes irradiating the tissue with a radiation having a power density in the tissue substantially larger than an activation threshold power density, the tissue being irradiated under conditions suitable to cause the predetermined physiological change. The device can emit radiation and forms to the anatomy of a patient. The device can both cool the patient and treatment head using one cooling system.

The invention provides a monitor for measuring blood pressure and other vital signs from a patient without using a cuff. The monitor features a housing with a first surface that, in turn, supports a first sensor. The first sensor features: i) an optical system with one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs or laser diodes) that generate optical radiation, and a photodetector oriented to collect radiation after it irradiates the patient and in response generate an optical signal; and ii) a first electrode. A second sensor features a second electrode paired with the first electrode that collects an electrical signal from the patient. A microprocessor in electrical communication with the first and second sensor receives the optical and electrical signals and processes them with an algorithm to determine systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

A method for forming ultraviolet (UV) radiation responsive metal-oxide containing film is disclosed. The method may include, depositing an UV radiation responsive metal oxide-containing film over a substrate by, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature of less than 400° C., contacting the substrate with a first vapor phase reactant comprising a metal component, a hydrogen component, and a carbon component, and contacting the substrate with a second vapor phase reactant comprising an oxygen containing precursor, wherein regions of the UV radiation responsive metal oxide-containing film have a first etch rate after UV irradiation and regions of the UV radiation responsive metal oxide-containing film not irradiated with UV radiation have a second etch rate, wherein the second etch rate is different from the first etch rate.

A method for integrating metal-containing cap layers into copper (Cu) metallization of semiconductor devices to improve electromigration and stress migration in bulk Cu metal. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a patterned substrate containing Cu metal surfaces and dielectric layer surfaces, exposing the patterned substrate to a process gas comprising a metal-containing precursor, and irradiating the patterned substrate with electromagnetic radiation, where selective metal-containing cap layer formation on the Cu metal surfaces is facilitated by the electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the method further includes pre-treating the patterned substrate with additional electromagnetic radiation and optionally a cleaning gas prior to forming the metal-containing cap layer.

A system and method for high-speed radiographic inspection of fluid transport vessels in which a radiation source and a radiation detector are positioned on opposite sides of the outside surface of the vessel. A positioning system is provided for moving and locating the radiation source and radiation detector longitudinally with respect to the vessel and for moving the radiation source and radiation detector circumferentially with respect to the vessel. In operation, the positioning system causes the radiation source and radiation detector to spiral along the vessel in a coordinated manner while the radiation source illuminates an adjacent region of the vessel with radiation. The radiation is converted into corresponding electrical signals used to generate images of objects in the radiation path. Finally, an operator inspects the images for defects.

A coating of an encapsulated electrophoretic medium is formed on a substrate (106) by dispersing in a fluid (104) a plurality of electrophoretic capsules (102), contacting at least a portion of a substrate (106) with the fluid (104); and applying a potential difference between at least a part of the portion of the substrate (106) contacting the fluid (104) and a counter-electrode (110) in electrical contact with the fluid (104), thereby causing capsules (102) to be deposited upon at least part of the portion of the substrate (106) contacting the fluid (102). Patterned coatings of capsules containing different colors may be deposited in registration with electrodes using multiple capsule deposition steps. Alternatively, a patterned coating may be deposited upon a substrate containing a conductive layer by varying the conductivity of the conductive layer by radiation exposure or by coating portions of the conductive layer with an insulating layer, typically a photoresist.

A safety indicator monitors environment conditions detrimental to humans e.g., hazardous gases, air pollutants, low oxygen, radiation levels of EMF or RF and microwave, temperature, humidity and air pressure retaining a three month history to upload to a PC via infra red data interface or phone link. Contaminants are analyzed and compared to stored profiles to determine its classification and notify user of an adversity by stored voice messages from, via alarm tones and associated flashing LED, via vibrator for silent operation or via LCD. Environmental radiation sources are monitored and auto-scaled. Instantaneous radiation exposure level and exposure duration data are stored for later readout as a detector and dosimeter. Scans for EMF allow detection with auto scaling of radiation levels and exposure durations are stored for subsequent readout. Electronic bugs can be found with a high sensitivity EMF range setting. Ambient temperature measurements or humidity and barometric pressure can be made over time to predict weather changes. A PCS RF link provides wireless remote communications in a first responder military use by upload of alarm conditions, field measurements and with download of command instructions. The link supports reception of telemetry data for real time remote monitoring of personnel via the wrist band for blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and blood oxygen levels are transmitted. Commercial uses include remote environmental data collection and employee assignment tasking. GPS locates personnel and reporting coordinates associated with alarm occurrences and associated environmental measurements.

The present invention relates to a method to measure, record, analyze, and report cumulative radiation exposure to the patient population and provide automated feedback and recommendations to ordering clinicians and consultant radiologists. The data provided from this “radiation scorecard” would in turn be automatically recorded into a centralized data repository (radiation database), which would be independent to the acquisition site, technology employed, and individual end-user. Retrospective analysis can also be performed using a set of pre-defined scorecard data points tied to the individual patient's historical medical imaging database, thereby allowing for comprehensive (both retrospective and prospective) medical radiation exposure quantitative analysis. Patient safety can be improved by a combination of radiation dose reduction, exposure optimization, rigorous equipment quality control (QC), education and training of medical imaging professionals, and integration with computerized physician order entry (CPOE).

A flexible imager, for imaging a subject illuminated by incident radiation, includes a flexible substrate, a photosensor array disposed on the flexible substrate, and a scintillator. The scintillator is disposed so as to receive and absorb the incident radiation, is configured to convert the incident radiation to optical photons, and is optically coupled to the photosensor array. The photosensor array is configured to receive the optical photons and to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the optical photons. A digital imaging method for imaging subject includes conforming flexible digital imager to subject, the subject being positioned between flexible digital imager and a radiation source. The method further includes activating radiation source to expose the subject to radiation and collecting an image with the flexible digital imager.

A method of continuous real-time monitoring and positioning of multi-leaf collimators during on and off radiation exposure conditions of radiation therapy to account for target motion relative to a radiation beam is provided. A prediction algorithm estimates future positions of a target relative to the radiation source. Target geometry and orientation are determined relative to the radiation source. Target, treatment plan, and leaf width data, and temporal interpolations of radiation doses are sent to the controller. Coordinates having an origin at an isocenter of the isocentric plane establish initial aperture end positions of the leaves that is provided to the controller, where motors to position the MLC midpoint aperture ends according to the position and target information. Each aperture end intersects a single point of a convolution of the target and the isocenter of the isocentric plane. Radiation source hold-conditions are provided according to predetermined undesirable operational and / or treatment states.

A radiation applicator system is structured to be mounted to a radiation source for providing a predefined dose of radiation for treating a localized area or volume, such as the tissue surrounding the site of an excised tumor. The applicator system includes an applicator and an adapter. The adapter is formed for fixedly securing the applicator to a radiation source, such as a radiosurgery system which produces a predefined radiation dose profile with respect to a predefined location along the radiation producing probe. The applicator includes a shank and an applicator head, wherein the head is located at a distal end of the applicator shank. A proximate end of the applicator shank couples to the adapter. A distal end of the shank includes the applicator head, which is adapted for engaging and / or supporting the area or volume to be treated with a predefined does of radiation. The applicator can include a low energy radiation filter inside of the applicator head to reduce undesirable low energy radiation emissions. A biocompatible radiation shield may be coupled to the outer surface of the applicator head to block radiation emitted from a portion of the radiation probe, in order to shield an adjacent location or vital organ from any undesired radiation exposure. A plurality of applicators having applicator heads and radiation shields of different sizes and shapes can be provided to accommodate treatment sites of various sizes and shapes.

A method for optimizing the radiogram image of a subject is provided. The method provides for showing the location of automatic exposure control sensors on the radiograms, along with alignment and targeting projections to optimize the radiation exposure of the subject. By displaying the location of the automatic exposure control sensors on the radiograms along with the image of the subject, the observers can determine whether the radiogram image was taken with appropriate subject alignment. This method also serves as an educational aid in training radiography technicians.

A radiation image pickup apparatus which selectively executes a first reading operation driving a detection unit irradiated with the radiation to read a first signal value, a second reading operation driving the detection unit without being irradiated with any radiations before the first reading operation to read a second signal value, and a third reading operation driving the detection unit without being irradiated with any radiations after the first reading operation to read a third signal value, and subtracts a signal value produced by the processing of the second signal value and the third signal value from the first signal value, thereby reducing an offset component and random noises without lowering a frame rate and its control method are provided.

The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating, and a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic jacket, which device may achieve omnidirectional (360°) imaging. The imaging guide wire of the invention can function as a guide wire for vascular interventions, can enable real time imaging during balloon inflation, and stent deployment, thus will provide clinical information that is not available when catheter-based imaging systems are used. The device of the invention may enable shortened total procedure times, including the fluoroscopy time, will also reduce radiation exposure to the patient and to the operator.

An optical moulding process is disclosed comprising the sequential steps of: (a)(y) forming a layer of a photocurable composition; and (bXz) irradiating selected areas of the composition in the layer with radiation from a radiation source, thereby curing the composition in said selected areas and repeating the steps a) and b) on top of an earlier cured layer to form a three dimensional structure, wherein the radiation source used in step b) is a non-coherent source of radiation and wherein the photocurable composition comprises at least two curable components: (i) 45%-95% (and preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, e.g. at least 70%) by weight of the total curable components in the composition is a first component that is photocurable and that is such that, when cured in the presence of a photocuring initiator by exposure to UV radiation having an energy of 30 mJ / cm2, at least 90% of the component is cured within 50 milliseconds; and (ii) 5% to 55% (and preferably 10-40%, more preferably 15 to 30%, e.g. about 20%) by weight of the total curable components in the composition is a second component that results in the composition, on curing, shrinking, in a linear direction, by less than 3% and preferably that results in the composition having, after cure, a Tg of greater than 50° C., preferably at least 100° C. and more preferably at least 120° C.

An active (laser-illuminated) imaging system is described that is suitable for use in backscatter absorption gas imaging (BAGI). A BAGI imager operates by imaging a scene as it is illuminated with radiation that is absorbed by the gas to be detected. Gases become "visible" in the image when they attenuate the illumination creating a shadow in the image. This disclosure describes a BAGI imager that operates in a linescanned manner using a high repetition rate pulsed laser as its illumination source. The format of this system allows differential imaging, in which the scene is illuminated with light at least 2 wavelengths-one or more absorbed by the gas and one or more not absorbed. The system is designed to accomplish imaging in a manner that is insensitive to motion of the camera, so that it can be held in the hand of an operator or operated from a moving vehicle.

A method for segregating qualities of an agricultural product during processing of the product comprises the step of setting a desired range of a measurement value (2). The measurement value represents a property of the product and defines a first quality of the product for which the measurement value is inside the range and a second quality of the product for which the measurement value is outside the range. The method further comprises the step of analyzing (4) the quality of the product that is being processed. The step of analyzing comprises the steps of continuously extracting samples of the product (4a), irradiating each sample by electromagnetic radiation (4d), spatially separating electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths (4e), and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted from the sample (4f). The step of detecting produces intensity signals indicative of detected electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths. The step of analyzing further comprises the steps of determining a sample value of said property of the product from the intensity signals, and determining a measurement value (4g) from at least one sample value. The method further comprises the step of separating the product of said first quality from the product of said second quality on the combine.

Devices and methods for detecting the constituent parts of biological polymers are disclosed. A molecular analysis device includes a molecule sensor and a molecule guide. The molecule sensor comprises a nanostructure, which is configured for producing a nanostructure-enhanced Raman scattered radiation when an excitation radiation irradiates at least a portion of a molecule disposed near the NERS structure.

A method of continuous real-time monitoring and positioning of multi-leaf collimators during on and off radiation exposure conditions of radiation therapy to account for target motion relative to a radiation beam is provided. A prediction algorithm estimates future positions of a target relative to the radiation source. Target geometry and orientation are determined relative to the radiation source. Target, treatment plan, and leaf width data, and temporal interpolations of radiation doses are sent to the controller. Coordinates having an origin at an isocenter of the isocentric plane establish initial aperture end positions of the leaves that is provided to the controller, where motors to position the MLC midpoint aperture ends according to the position and target information. Each aperture end intersects a single point of a convolution of the target and the isocenter of the isocentric plane. Radiation source hold-conditions are provided according to predetermined undesirable operational and / or treatment states.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for opto-thermo-mechanical treatment of biological tissue. A biological tissue area 8 is irradiated with a radiation in the optical wavelength range with predetermined parameters, the radiation being modulated and spatially formed under a predetermined law; the irradiation is accompanied by simultaneous thermal and mechanical treatment of the area 8; concurrently with the irradiation of the biological tissue area, spatial distribution of physico-chemical and geometrical characteristics is measured both in the zone of direct optical treatment and in close vicinity, using a control diagnostic system 4; a data processing unit 7 coordinates parameters of optical radiation spatial formation and modulation with each other and with the biological tissue characteristics and provides a control signal to an optical radiation power and time modulation control unit 2 and a device 3 for delivering optical radiation and forming spatial distribution of optical radiation power on the surface and in the bulk of the biological tissue 8. Optical radiation parameters are adjusted responsive to control signals of the control-diagnostic system 4 during irradiation as a function of continuously changing characteristics of spatial distribution of physico-chemical and geometrical characteristics both in and beyond the directly treated biological tissue area.

A compound which generates a sulfonic acid having one or more —SO3H groups and one or more —SO2— bonds upon irradiation with an actinic ray or a radiation; a photosensitive composition containing the compound; and a method of pattern formation with the photosensitive composition.