| VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20100063419 | Systems and methods for determining a state of a patient - A method of monitoring a patient includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, obtaining a third image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and third images, analyzing a time series of values that includes the determined level of similarity between the first and second images and the determined level of similarity between the first and third images, and determining a state of the patient based at least on a result of the act of analyzing. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100061596 | Video-Based Breathing Monitoring Without Fiducial Tracking - A method of determining a similarity with a portion of a physiological motion, includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, and correlating the determined level of similarity between the first and second images with a portion of the physiological motion. A computer product having a set of instructions, an execution of which causes a method of determining a similarity with a portion of a physiological motion to be performed, the method includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, and correlating the determined level of similarity between the first and second images with a portion of the physiological motion. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100039051 | Power Variator - 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. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20090129550 | FILAMENT ASSEMBLY HAVING REDUCED ELECTRON BEAM TIME CONSTANT - A filament assembly for use in an x-ray emitting device or other filament-containing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube is disclosed, including a vacuum enclosure that houses both an anode having a target surface, and a cathode positioned with respect to the anode. The cathode includes a filament assembly for emitting a beam of electrons during tube operation. The filament assembly comprises a heat sink and a plurality of filament segments. The filament segments are configured for simultaneous emission of an electron beam for impingement on the target surface of the anode, and are electrically connected in series. Each filament segment includes first and second end portions that are thermally connected to the heat sink, and a central portion that can be configured with a modified work function for preferential electron emission. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090129549 | X-RAY TUBE HAVING A FOCAL SPOT PROXIMATE THE TUBE END - An x-ray tube having a reduced spacing between the focal spot of an anode and an adjacent end wall of an evacuated enclosure is disclosed. This in turn positions the tube relatively closer to the chest wall of a patient during mammography procedures. In one embodiment, the x-ray tube comprises an evacuated enclosure having first and second ends interconnected by a cylindrical side wall. The evacuated enclosure includes a rotor assembly having a bearing assembly and a stem. An anode is rotatably supported by the stem of the rotor assembly and includes a target surface and an opposite second surface. The target surface is positioned to face the bearing assembly, while the second surface is positioned to face the first end of the evacuated enclosure, with no intervening structure interposed therebetween. A cathode is included to emit electrons for impingement on a focal spot of the focal track. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090088622 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA WITH IMAGE DATA - A method of processing image data that includes obtaining image data, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data with the determined phase within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 15 seconds, after the image data is obtained. A system for processing image data that includes a processor configured for obtaining image data, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data with the determined phase within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 15 seconds, after the image data is obtained. A method of processing image data that includes obtaining image data during an image acquisition session, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data after the image data is obtained but before the image acquisition session is completed. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090086922 | LIQUID COOLED WINDOW ASSEMBLY IN AN X-RAY TUBE - Liquid cooled window assembly for an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube window assembly includes an x-ray tube window frame that defines an opening and an x-ray tube window configured to be attached to the x-ray tube window frame. When the x-ray tube window is attached to the x-ray tube window frame, the x-ray tube window substantially covers the opening defined by the x-ray tube window frame, and the x-ray tube window cooperates with the x-ray tube window frame to define a fluid passageway disposed about at least a portion of the opening. The fluid passageway includes an inlet and an outlet. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090086917 | X-RAY TUBE COOLING SYSTEM - X-ray tube cooling systems. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes a housing, a window frame attached to the housing, and a window attached to the window frame. The housing defines an aperture through which electrons can pass from a cathode to an anode. The housing also defines an inlet port and an outlet port. The window frame defines an opening through which x-rays can pass. The window covers the opening defined by the window frame. The housing and the window frame are configured such that a liquid can flow from the inlet port to the outlet port through either a first liquid path at least partially defined by the housing or a second liquid path cooperatively defined by the housing and the window frame. The second liquid path is disposed about at least a portion of the opening in the window frame. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090086898 | ANALYTICAL X-RAY TUBE FOR CLOSE COUPLED SAMPLE ANALYSIS - An x-ray device and method useful in performing close coupled sample analyses. The x-ray device includes an evacuated enclosure having a window and in which is disposed a cathode assembly, control grid, insulator, and anode arranged so that the anode is interposed between the electron source and the window. The anode includes a target surface oriented toward the window and the anode defines a drift tunnel which is substantially aligned with a hollow defined by the insulator. The control grid can be used to influence the energy of the electrons emitted by the filament of the cathode assembly. A high voltage field between the anode and filament causes electrons emitted by the cathode to accelerate rapidly through the insulator. After accelerating to an energy level consistent with the high voltage field, the electrons then pass through the drift tunnel without gaining any additional appreciable energy. The potential difference between the target surface and the window causes the drifting electrons to decelerate, and eventually stop, before they can strike the window. The decelerated electrons then re-accelerate, under the influence of the potential between the window and the anode, toward the target surface, striking the target surface and producing x-rays which are directed through the window so as to impact a sample. One or more detectors proximate to the sample sense the characteristic response emitted by the sample when it is struck by the x-rays produced by the x-ray tube. A computer in communication with the detectors facilitates processing and analysis of the characteristic response sensed by the detectors. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090080617 | APERTURE SHIELD INCORPORATING REFRACTORY MATERIALS - An x-ray tube electron shield is disclosed for interposition between an electron emitter and an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons. The electron shield is configured to withstand the elevated levels of heat produced by electrons backscattered from the anode and incident on the electron shield. This in turn equates to a reduced incidence of failure in the electron shield. In one embodiment the electron shield includes a body that defines a bowl-shaped aperture having a narrowed throat segment. The body of the electron shield includes a first body portion, a second body portion, and a disk portion. These portions cooperate to define the bowl and the throat segment. The throat segment and the lower portion of the bowl are composed of a refractory material and correspond with the regions of the electron shield that are impacted by relatively more backscattered electrons from the anode surface. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090067579 | RADIATION SYSTEMS HAVING TILTABLE GANTRY - A radiation system includes a gantry having an opening and a first axis associated with the opening, a radiation source coupled to the gantry, a first bearing located adjacent a left side of the gantry, and a second bearing located adjacent a right side of the gantry, wherein the gantry is tiltable about the first and second bearings, the first and second bearings forming a second axis that is at a first angle relative to the first axis. A radiation system includes a gantry having an opening and a first axis associated with the opening, a radiation source coupled to the gantry, and a base to which the gantry is rotatably coupled, wherein the gantry is tiltable relative to the base about a second axis that forms an angle relative to the first axis, wherein an uppermost portion of the gantry is not coupled to a support frame of the gantry. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20080287728 | MARKER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A marker system includes a structure having a first surface and a second surface, a first marker located on the first surface, and a second marker located on the second surface, wherein the first marker and the second marker are arranged so that they face approximately a same direction, and so that they can be simultaneously viewed by an optical device, and wherein a first distance between the first marker and the optical device is different from a second distance between the second marker and the optical device when the first and the second markers are simultaneously viewed by the optical device. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080279342 | Method and Apparatus for Auto-Calibration of a Ct Scanner - A method of and apparatus for automatically calibrating a computed tomography (“CT”) scanning system ( | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080273668 | MECHANICAL INTERFACE ASSEMBLY - A mechanical interface assembly that includes an adjustable element having first and second states such that in the first state, the adjustable element is radially compliant, and in the second state, the adjustable element is substantially non-radially compliant. The adjustable element also includes a mating element configured to interface with a mating component. The mechanical interface assembly further includes an adjustment element configured to interface with the adjustable element such that a first position of the adjustment element corresponds to the first state of the adjustable element, and a second position of the adjustment element corresponds to the second state of the adjustable element. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080237481 | Corrosion barrier layer for photoconductive X-ray imagers - Improved corrosion resistance for direct X-ray imaging detectors is obtained by providing a pixelated, electrically conductive barrier layer between the X-ray sensitive material and the pixel electrodes. Each barrier layer can cover part or all of its corresponding pixel electrode. In cases where pixel electrodes makes contact to underlying circuitry through vertical vias, it is preferred for the barrier layers to cover the via sections of the pixel electrodes. The barrier layers for each pixel electrode can be spaced apart from each other, or they can all be included within a continuous film on top of the pixel electrodes. Such a continuous film can be pixelated by spatially modulating its properties (e.g., thickness, doping) to significantly reduce lateral conductivity from pixel to pixel. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080233088 | PREPARATIVE REGIMEN FOR ENGRAFTMENT, GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NON-HEMATOPOEITIC CELLS IN VIVO AFTER TRANSPLANTATION - The invention relates to methods of obtaining an expanded population of mammalian ex vivo cells and/or for treating a mammalian subject by (a) administering to a subject an effective amount of an agent that confers a growth disadvantage to at least a subset of endogenous cells at the site of engraftment; (b) administering to the subject an effective amount of a mitogenic stimulus for the ex vivo cells; and (c) administering the ex vivo cells to the subject, wherein the ex vivo cells engraft at the site and proliferate to a greater extent than the subset of endogenous cells, to repopulate at least a portion of the engraftment site with the ex vivo cells. The repopulated cells can be harvested for further use or be left at the engraftment site of a subject to be treated. The invention also provides methods of treating brain injury in a subject by engrafting ex vivo cells at the site of injury. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231632 | ACCELERATED VOLUME IMAGE RENDERING PIPELINE METHOD AND APPARATUS - A multi-dimensional volume data set is rendered into a resulting image by acquiring image data and filtering the image data to provide filtered image data comprising substantially only image data contributing to the resulting image prior to applying at least one of a group including an interpolation calculation, a classification calculation, an illumination calculation, and a gradient calculation. Such a process can be performed by having a filter circuit operatively coupled to an image data memory buffer circuit to filter image data received from the image data memory buffer circuit to provide substantially only samples that contribute to the resulting image. Portions of the image rendering process including a classification calculation, an interpolation calculation, and filtering of the image data may be performed in least in part, in parallel. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080226038 | Radiation System and Radiation Beam Quality Detector and Method - A detector array is disposed relative to a radiation source such that radiation from the radiation source over a predetermined time period is substantially similar across the detector array. The detector array includes radiation detectors operatively coupled to detector electronics. The radiation filter material is disposed at least partially between the radiation source and the detector array such that different portions of the detector array are exposed to radiation from the radiation source through either different radiation filter material thicknesses or different radiation filter material compositions during the predetermined time period. So configured, information regarding the radiation such as beam quality information for radiation pulses is collected and used to confirm the quality of the radiation source or to adjust data collected by the radiation system. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080226018 | CONTRAST-ENHANCED CONE BEAM X-RAY IMAGING, EVALUATION, MONITORING AND TREATMENT DELIVERY - A method of imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using X-ray cone beam computed tomography or cone beam digital tomography comprises the step of introducing an effective amount of a contrast agent to the uncompressed region of interest. A system for imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or cone beam digital tomography (CBDT) comprises an X-ray source transmitting an X-ray to the uncompressed region of interest, an image acquisition system acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional projection images data for a CBCT or CBDT data set with at least one of the projection images acquired in 35 milliseconds or less, and a processor generating a three-dimensional computed tomography image data set resolving voxels with dimensions of 0.4 mm or less in at least two orthogonal directions. | 09-18-2008 |
