The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 11, 1997
Sreekrishna Murty Goddu, Kearny, NJ (US);
Roger W. Howell, Millington, NJ (US);
Dandamudi V. Rao, Basking Ridge, NJ (US);
University of Medicine & Denistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ (US);
Abstract
A variable attenuation apparatus for use with a radiation-blocking liquid and a radiation source having an attenuation chamber capable of containing a layer of the radiation-blocking liquid and an adjustment device for selectively metering the thickness of the layer of the radiation-blocking liquid, whereby changes in the thickness of the layer alter the radiation transmitted through the attenuation chamber. In one embodiment, an adjustment device includes a reservoir for holding the radiation-blocking liquid and a siphon connection device for allowing the transfer of the radiation-blocking liquid between the reservoir and the attenuation chamber, wherein the thickness of the layer in the attenuation chamber varies in response to changes in elevation of said reservoir, so that an increase in the thickness of the layer causes a drop in the radiation transmitted through the attenuation chamber. A substantially linear increase in the thickness of the layer in the attenuation chamber may yield a substantially exponential drop in the radiation dose rate transmitted through the attenuation chamber. A desired dose rate pattern, such as an exponential dose rate pattern, may be delivered by the apparatus. An adjustable irradiator system is presented, and a method for delivering varying temporal radiation dose rates is described.