US4053774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
X-ray exposure sensor and controller
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1976-06-11
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An exposure controller for x-ray equipment is provided, which comprises a portable and accurate sensor which can be placed adjacent to and directly beneath the area of interest of an x-ray plate, and which measures the amount of exposure received by that area, and turns off the x-ray equipment when the exposure for the particular area of interest on the x-ray plate reaches the value which provides an optimal x-ray plate.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Martin Berdahl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/502; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; H; H05; H05G; H05G1/00; H05G1/08; H05G1/26; H05G1/30; H05G1/38; H05G1/42; H05G1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In a system wherein an x-ray tube directs x-rays at one side of an object and a photographic film is positioned at the other side of said object, and means are provided for sensing the x-rays passing through said object and film for controlling the dose of x-ray exposure, the improvement in said means comprising scintillation means for generating photons in response to received x-rays which have passed through said film, and for enabling received x-rays to pass therethrough, said scintillation means being positioned to cover an area of said film where optimal exposure is desired, voltage generating means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage responsive to the photons generated and x-rays passing therethrough, means for integrating the voltage generated by said voltage generating means to produce an integrated voltage, and means responsive to said integrated voltage reaching a predetermined value for inactivating said x-ray tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a system wherein an x-ray tube directs x-rays at one side of an object and a photographic film is positioned at the other side of said object, and means are provided for sensing the x-rays passing through said object and film for controlling the dose of x-ray exposure, the improvement in said means comprising scintillation means for generating photons in response to received x-rays which have passed through said film, and for enabling received x-rays to pass therethrough, said scintillation means being positioned to cover an area of said film where optimal exposure is desired, voltage generating means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage responsive to the photons generated and x-rays passing therethrough, means for integrating the voltage generated by said voltage generating means to produce an integrated voltage, and means responsive to said integrated voltage reaching a predetermined value for inactivating said x-ray tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said integrated voltage reaching a predetermined value, for inactivating said x-ray tube comprises a reference voltage source, means for comparing said integrated voltage with said reference voltage source and producing an output signal when they attain equality, and said means responsive to said integrated voltage reaching a predetermined value is rendered operative in response to said output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a system as recited in claim 1 wherein said voltage generating means comprises a plurality of solar cells connected in series.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a system as recited in claim 1 wherein there is included means for indicating x-ray dosage responsive to the value of said integrated voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a system as recited in claim 1 wherein said scintillation means comprises a plurality of scintillation means spaced one behind another, said voltage generating means comprises a plurality of voltage generating means, each of which permits x-rays to pass therethrough, and each of which is positioned adjacent one of said scintillation means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
The method of controlling the level of exposure of a film to x-rays from an x-ray tube passing through a particular region of a subject to said film comprising generating photons in response to x-rays passing through said region and said film, generating a voltage in response to said photons and to said x-rays passing through said region and said film, integrating said voltage to produce an integrated voltage representative of the interval of exposure of said film, and inactivating said x-ray tube when said integrated voltage reaches a predetermined value representative of the desired exposure level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
97 words
The method of controlling the level of exposure of a film to x-rays from an x-ray tube passing through a particular region of a subject to said film comprising generating photons in response to x-rays passing through said region and said film, generating a voltage in response to said photons and to said x-rays passing through said region and said film, integrating said voltage to produce an integrated voltage representative of the interval of exposure of said film, and inactivating said x-ray tube when said integrated voltage reaches a predetermined value representative of the desired exposure level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of inactivating said x-ray tube when said integrated voltage reaches a predetermined value comprises establishing a reference voltage whose value is said predetermined value, and comparing said reference voltage with said integrated voltage and producing an output when they are equal, said step of inactivating occurs in response to said output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved x-ray to voltage transducer comprising scintillation means for generating photons in response to received x-rays while enabling said received x-rays to pass therethrough, and means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage in response to both x-rays passing through said scintillation means and said photons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved x-ray to voltage transducer comprising scintillation means for generating photons in response to received x-rays while enabling said received x-rays to pass therethrough, and means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage in response to both x-rays passing through said scintillation means and said photons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved x-ray to voltage transducer as recited in claim 8 wherein said means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means comprises solar cell means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved x-ray to voltage transducer as recited in claim 9 wherein said solar cell means has an active area on the order of twenty square centimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improved x-ray to voltage transducer as recited in claim 9 including a container for holding said x-ray to voltage transducer, and handle means attached to said container for enabling the placement of said x-ray to voltage transducer at a desired location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
An improved x-ray to voltage transducer as recited in claim 8 wherein said scintillation means comprises a plurality of scintillation means spaced one behind another, said means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage in response to both x-rays and photons comprises a plurality of said means for generating a voltage, each of which permits x-rays to pass therethrough, a different one of which is between said spaced scintillation means and a last one of which is adjacent the last of said scintillation means to receive x-rays and photons therefrom, and means for holding together said plurality of said scintillation means and said means for generating a voltage as successive layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
An improved radiation to voltage transducer comprising a plurality of scintillation means for generating photons in response to received radiation while enabling said received radiation to pass therethrough, said plurality of scintillation means being spaced one behind the other, a plurality of means for generating a voltage in response to either or both x-rays and photons, each of which is positioned adjacent a different one of said plurality of scintillation means for generating a voltage in response to the photons produced by a scintillating means and the x-rays passing therethrough, and each of which can pass x-rays therethrough, and means for combining the voltage outputs of said plurality of means for generating a voltage, to produce a combined output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
An improved radiation to voltage transducer comprising a plurality of scintillation means for generating photons in response to received radiation while enabling said received radiation to pass therethrough, said plurality of scintillation means being spaced one behind the other, a plurality of means for generating a voltage in response to either or both x-rays and photons, each of which is positioned adjacent a different one of said plurality of scintillation means for generating a voltage in response to the photons produced by a scintillating means and the x-rays passing therethrough, and each of which can pass x-rays therethrough, and means for combining the voltage outputs of said plurality of means for generating a voltage, to produce a combined output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improved radiation to voltage transducer as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of means for generating a voltage comprises a plurality of solar cells, and means connecting each of said plurality of solar cells in series.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved radiation to voltage transducer as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for combining the voltage outputs of said plurality of means comprises means for adding all of said voltage outputs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved radiation to voltage transducer as recited in claim 13 including means responsive to said combined voltage output for controlling the amount of radiation to which said transducer is exposed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved radiation to voltage transducer as recited in claim 13 wherein there is included means responsive to said combined voltage outputs for indicating the amount of radiation received by a first of said spaced scintillation means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a system in which X-rays which are applied to one side of an object pass therethrough to be received by a film on the other side of the object, an improved radiation dosage indicator comprising: scintillation means for generating photons in response to received X-rays which have passed through said film, and for enabling received X-rays to pass therethrough, said scintillation means being positioned to cover an area of said film where optimal exposure is desired, voltage generating means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage responsive to the photons generated and X-rays passing therethrough, means for integrating the voltage generated by said voltage generating means to produce an integrated voltage, and means responsive to said integrated voltage for indicating the amount of X-ray dosage received by said object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a system in which X-rays which are applied to one side of an object pass therethrough to be received by a film on the other side of the object, an improved radiation dosage indicator comprising: scintillation means for generating photons in response to received X-rays which have passed through said film, and for enabling received X-rays to pass therethrough, said scintillation means being positioned to cover an area of said film where optimal exposure is desired, voltage generating means positioned adjacent to said scintillation means for generating a voltage responsive to the photons generated and X-rays passing therethrough, means for integrating the voltage generated by said voltage generating means to produce an integrated voltage, and means responsive to said integrated voltage for indicating the amount of X-ray dosage received by said object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |