Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition.

Systems, devices, and/or methods for manufacturing castings

In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Methods for manufacturing three-dimensional devices and devices created thereby

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Devices, methods, and systems involving castings

A CT scanner (10) includes a reconstruction processor (32) and a mosaic X-Radiation detector (20). The mosaic detector includes plural detector elements (22, 22', 23, 24, 25, 26) arranged in abutting relationship and configured for the desired imaging application. The detector elements include scintillating crystals (50) in optical communication with a back-illuminated photodiode array (52) or modified top-surface photodiode array (152, 252) for converting emitted light into electrical charge. The photodiode array is mounted on a carrier substrate (58) via bump (56) bonding. The carrier substrate provides a conductive path routing the photodiode array output through to contacts on the back side for connection to readout electronics (60). The carrier substrate and readout electronics are contained within the footprint defined by the photodiode array, allowing the detector elements to be abutted on any and all sides, thus permitting the mosaic detector to be tailored to any desired size and shape.

Solid state x-radiation detector modules and mosaics thereof, and an imaging method and apparatus employing the same

A system for calculating a position of a radioactivity emitting source in a system-of-coordinates, the system comprising (a) a radioactive emission detector; (b) a position tracking system being connected to and/or communicating with the radioactive emission detector; and (c) a data processor being designed and configured for receiving data inputs from the position tracking system and from the radioactive emission detector and for calculating the position of the radioactivity emitting source in the system-of-coordinates.

Radioactive emission detector equipped with a position tracking system and utilization thereof with medical systems and in medical procedures

A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold. The fall-through circuit searches for the next detection element and associated channel having a valid event. The signal processor performs diagnostics, gain normalization, and response efficiency normalization functions. The data acquisition system controls the acquisition and processing of data received from the conditioning and processing channels, produces image data based upon the data in a format that is compatible with existing imaging cameras, and transmits the data to the image processing computer. The image processing computer formulates images based upon the processed signals and displays the formulated images on a display device.

Semiconductor gamma-ray camera and medical imaging system

A radiation detector for detecting ionizing radiation. The detector includes a semiconductor having at least two sides. A bias electrode is formed on one side of the semiconductor. A signal electrode is formed on a side of the semiconductor and is used to detect the energy level of the ionizing radiation. A third electrode (the control electrode) is also formed on the semiconductor. The control electrode shares charges induced by the ionizing radiation with the signal electrode, shielding the signal electrode until the charge clouds are close to the signal electrode. The control electrode also alters the electric field within the semiconductor, such that the field guides the charge clouds toward the signal electrode when the clouds closely approach the signal electrode. As a result, signal loss due to trapped charge carriers (i.e., electrons or holes) is minimized, and low-energy tailing is virtually eliminated. A fourth electrode can be added to separate the charge-shielding and field shaping functions of the control electrode. More electrodes can be added to further enhance both functions. The invention can be used in several cross-strip detector configurations, in a side-entry radiation detector, and with liquid/gas ionization detectors.

Semiconductor radiation detector with enhanced charge collection

A complete prompt gamma ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) bulk material analyzer is self contained in a sealed and air conditioned housing. Bulk material is channeled by an open-ended vertical chute having a one-foot-by-three-foot cross-sectional dimension through an activation region between three neutron sources and two gamma ray detectors. The sources are symmetrically disposed on one of the three-foot- long sides of the chute from one end of such side to the other. The detectors are symmetrically disposed on the opposite side of the chute between positions opposing the positions of the sources on the one side of the chute. The chute is dimensioned to enable free flow of various bulk materials. It handles coal of up to a top size of four inches and with typical surface moisture contents and aglomeration characteristics. The relative disposition of the sources and detectors results in the measurements being independent of the lateral distribution of the bulk material within the chute. The signals produced by the detectors are continuously processed by signal processing equipment sealed within a separate compartment in the container to provide periodic measurements of the elemental content of the bulk material channeled through the activation region. A measurement of the bulk material channeled through the activation region during each periodic measurement interval is processed over several measurement intervals with the periodic elemental content measurements to provide weighted average measurements of the elemental content of bulk material over time periods representing average lots of the bulk material.

Self-contained, on-line, real-time bulk material analyzer

A substance analyzer utilizing Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis for identifying characteristics of a substance and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The analyzer is small enough to be portable and to allow its use in many applications where current analyzers cannot be utilized. The analyzer uses a neutron radiation source and a gamma-ray detector to activate the sample material and detect the prompt gamma rays emitted by the sample material. A novel housing for such an analyzer and method for making the housing are also described. Novel methods of operating such an analyzer including via a communications network are also disclosed. Also disclosed are data analysis methods that improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the results of such material analysis.

Method and apparatus for analysis of elements in bulk substance

A fission chamber detector system for monitoring neutron flux density in a nuclear reactor utilizes a unique coaxial cable carried through a flexible metal hose to provide sufficient signal quality to allow a preamplifier and signal conditioning unit for amplifying and conditioning neutron signal pulses produced by the fission chambers to be far enough away from the fission chambers as to be located outside of the containment vessel for the reactor. Reactor power and rate-of-reactor-power-change signals produced for overlapping power ranges from a countrate circuit and a mean square voltage circuit are aligned by a voltage controlled switch and a slave switch without causing spurious transients in the rate-of-change signals. Power signal indications are provided over 12 decades. The preamplifiers include an input stage that enables the preamplifiers to be controlled remotely to either pass or inhibit neutron signal pulses to an amplifier stage from the fission chambers, and to pass test signals to the amplifier stage.

Fission chamber detector system for monitoring neutron flux in a nuclear reactor over an extra wide range, with high sensitivity in a hostile environment

Clinton L. Lingren

Papers

Semiconductor gamma-ray camera and medical imaging system

Semiconductor radiation detector with enhanced charge collection

Self-contained, on-line, real-time bulk material analyzer

Method and apparatus for analysis of elements in bulk substance

Fission chamber detector system for monitoring neutron flux in a nuclear reactor over an extra wide range, with high sensitivity in a hostile environment