543 results about "Dosimeter" patented technology

Methods and apparatus are described for space charge dosimeters for extremely low power measurements of radiation in shipping containers. A method includes insitu polling a suite of passive integrating ionizing radiation sensors including reading-out dosimetric data from a first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and a second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor, where the first passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor and the second passive integrating ionizing radiation sensor remain situated where the dosimetric data was integrated while reading-out. Another method includes arranging a plurality of ionizing radiation sensors in a spatially dispersed array; determining a relative position of each of the plurality of ionizing radiation sensors to define a volume of interest; collecting ionizing radiation data from at least a subset of the plurality of ionizing radiation sensors; and triggering an alarm condition when a dose level of an ionizing radiation source is calculated to exceed a threshold.

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.

Described is a radiation dosimeter including multiple sensor devices (including one or more passive integrating electronic radiation sensor, a MEMS accelerometers, a wireless transmitters and, optionally, a GPS, a thermistor, or other chemical, biological or EMF sensors) and a computer program for the simultaneous detection and wireless transmission of ionizing radiation, motion and global position for use in occupational and environmental dosimetry. The described dosimeter utilizes new processes and algorithms to create a self-contained, passive, integrating dosimeter. Furthermore, disclosed embodiments provide the use of MEMS and nanotechnology manufacturing techniques to encapsulate individual ionizing radiation sensor elements within a radiation attenuating material that provides a “filtration bubble” around the sensor element, the use of multiple attenuating materials (filters) around multiple sensor elements, and the use of a software algorithm to discriminate between different types of ionizing radiation and different radiation energy.

Described is radiation sensitive imaging and dosimeter composition (20) containing a radiation sensitive material (21), e.g., a diacetylene (R—C═C—C═C—R′, where R and R′ are substituent groups) or a radiochromic dye, a polymeric binder (22) and optionally a solvent (23) and/or an activator (24). Radiation sensitive materials are incorporated into a moldable or castable material and are molded or casted into shaped-articles (100), such as coatings, films, fiber, plaques, rods and blocks. Upon exposure to high-energy radiations, radiation sentitive material develops color thereby producing a visible image. Because of the higher thickness, a significantly lower dose of radiation can be monitored and an image is produced in three dimensions. Materials, processes and usages for thick radiation sensitive devices are described. A thick block can be used for monitoring radiation dosages in the three dimensions.

Headphones with acoustically resistant ear cups, an external noise sensor mounted thereto that monitors ambient noise, and internal sensors to monitor noise within each ear cup are disclosed. A processing system monitors the external and interior sound detected by the sensors and compares the level inside the ear cups with the detected level of ambient noise. It activates a transducer such as a vibrator, buzzer, or light as needed to indicate when the level within the ear cups has exceeded the predetermined criteria thereby indicating improper fit of the headphones. Alternative embodiments include wirelessly communicating the collected data to an auxiliary computer for remote data collection, storage and monitoring. The headphones may also provide a sound dosimeter; bandpass filtering; automatic noise reduction with feed forward and/or feed back; wireless voice and data communication; and a voice activated switch, all using elements of the headphone fit detection circuitry.

An orthotic knee brace for treating unicompartmental osteoarthritis in a knee joint is described. The brace includes a fabric sleeve mounting and a bracing member removably positioned in the sleeve to provide a therapeutic force on the joint. The force is applied by a force dosimeter assembly that draws an incrementally adjustable amount of force on cables connected to the bracing member. The amount of force applied by the force dosimeter is detected by a force sensor, and is indicated by a force indicator, each also removably attachable on the fabric sleeve mounting. The foregoing features, while exemplified in the context of a knee brace, are adaptable to any orthotic or prosthetic device where it is desired to apply an adjustable amount of force to a point on the device to provide a therapeutic benefit, and to provide a real-time indication to the user of the amount of force being applied.

Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.

This invention relates to a method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) dosimetric map in a solid translucent or transparent polymer and to an article of manufacture comprising a polymer formulated to capture data imparted by incident penetrating radiation. The present invention provides a method of preparation of a solid translucent or transparent polymer matrix capable of detecting and displaying a dose or doses of penetrating radiation by forming within the polymeric matrix a 3D dosimetric map which is measurable and quantifiable by various known procedures. The dosimetric map is representative of the 3D distribution of the dose or doses of the penetrating radiation to which the polymer had been exposed and can be quantified at high spatial resolution, thereby providing an accurate, stable, storable record in three dimensions of the radiation exposure or dosing event(s).

The present invention provides a system, device, computer program product and article for a telepositional dosimeter (TPD) and a radiation measurement system (RMS) having one or more TPDs capable of communicating environmental radiation measurements to a network, database or other data management technology. The present invention combines radiation measurement technology, wireless network and mobile communication technology, software, and related technologies to enable applications in various environments including the areas of environmental protection, homeland security, anti-terrorism, nuclear safety, radiation material handling and safety, and emergency response.

A apparatus for accurately measuring radiation beams during treatment which comprises a dosimeter which is used to measure the radiation; an optical marker which is used to determine the patient position; and said dosimeter and said optical marker are connected to one another used to provide and display simultaneously a radiation dose reading and a measurement of the patient's movements during treatment.

Described is a multi-sensor radiation dosimeter system with (1) a self-indicating, instant radiation sensor and (2) a conventional radiation sensor for monitoring high energy radiations, such as X-ray, electrons and neutrons. Conventional radiation sensors, such as X-ray film, TLD (Thermoluminescence Dosimeters), RLG (Radioluminescence Glass) and OSL (Optically Simulated Luminescence), are highly sensitive but are not instant. In the event of a dirty bomb, nuclear detonation or a radiological accident, one needs to know the exposure instantly so proper precautions can be taken and medical treatment, if required, can be given to the victim. If a self-indicating instant sensor is one of the sensors, one would know the dose instantly, and dose can be determined with higher accuracy than by the traditional methods. This type of device offers the best of both technologies.

Methods and means for measuring and adjusting the gain of a photomultiplier tube (PMT), or other photo-detector with electron multiplication gain, for the purpose of achieving accurate light measurement, such as in a luminescent radiation dosimeter reader. With a PMT illuminated by a light emitting diode or other light source, the PMT output signal is measured in two modes, signal integration and photon pulse counting. The measured PMT gain is calculated as the ratio of the integrated signal to the photon pulse count. The PMT high voltage may be adjusted to cause the measured PMT gain to correspond to an established calibration gain value, or the data from the PMT may be adjusted to compensate the deviation of the measured PMT gain from the calibration gain value. The light source may be a controllable light source that can be adjusted to provide a specific photon count rate output as measured by the PMT. This invention provides for maintaining light measurement calibration without requiring temperature stabilization or a fixed light source.

A dosimeter (100) for radiation fields is described. The dosimeter includes a scintillator (1) a light pipe (2) having a first end in optical communication with the scintillator (1) and a light detector (6). The light pipe (2) may have a hollow core (3) with a light reflective material about the periphery of the hollow core (3). The dosimeter (100) may further include a light source (61) that generates light for use as a calibrating signal for a measurement signal and/or for use to check the light pipe (2).

In a dosimeter for measuring levels of ionizing radiation, for example during radiotherapy, a plurality of radiation sensors, such as insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFETs), are spaced apart at predetermined intervals on a support, for example a flexible printed circuit strip, and connected to a connector which can be coupled to a reader for reading the sensors. The sensors may each be connected to a reference device, which may also be an insulated gate field effect transistor, and the absorbed radiation dose may be determined by measuring, before and after the irradiation, the difference between the threshold voltages of the individual sensors and the threshold voltage reference device. Corresponding terminals of the sensors may be connected to the connector by a single conductor, thereby reducing the number of conductors required.

Described is a radiation dose calculation algorithm based upon the output of a radiation dosimeter including multiple sensor devices (including one or more passive integrating radiation sensors and optionally, a MEMS accelerometers, a wireless transmitters a GPS, a thermistor, or other chemical, biological or EMF sensors). The algorithm is used to convert the sensor output into dose values used to assess the exposure of personnel to ionizing radiation. Sensor output patterns are matched to stored empirically generated sensor outputs thru weighting and optimization calculation processes to determine personnel doses. Algorithm outputs can include personal dose equivalents, radiation types, radiation energy and radiation source identification. Dose calculations can be optimized for specific applications, and matched to different sets of measured data without changing the underlining software calculation programs.

Methods for quantifying the irradiation dose received by an item or items, such as food items and medical items, undergoing irradiation-based sterilization, includes the steps of monitoring a selected electronic parameter associated with an economic single use sensor positioned adjacent the item or items and telemetrically relaying data associated with the monitored electronic parameter to a computer. The computer includes a computer program which is configured to determine the radiation dose received by the item or items by correlating the value of the monitored electronic parameter to a corresponding amount of radiation associated with the value. Related sensors and systems are also described.

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may comprise a low power voltage source and a table circuit. The table circuit may be adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may correspond to noise dose. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may also comprise a switch adapted to trigger a control circuit. The control circuit may provide progressive attenuation of an output signal as the second voltage level increases. In certain embodiments, the control circuit may also be adapted to send one or more warning signals to a user of the ultra low power dosimeter. The one or more warning signals may be sent when the control circuit determines the second voltage level has reached one or more pre-determined threshold voltage levels.