DOSIMETRY APPARATUS , SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A direct ion storage (DIS) radiation dosimeter, comprising:
- a first layer having a MOSFET structure formed thereon by semiconductor processing techniques, the MOSFET structure having a floating gate with an exposed surface;
a second layer having a concavity therein;
a third layer, optionally having a concavity therein;
the first layer being sandwiched between the second and third layer, the three layers being bonded together to form a hermetic seal;
wherein the concavity in the second layer, and any concavity in the third layer, are aligned with the exposed surface of the floating gate to form an ion chamber.
17 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A direct ion storage (DIS) radiation detector or dosimeter has a design that is easy and low cost to manufacture using semiconductor processing techniques. The detectors include internal communications interfaces so they are easy to read. Different interfaces, including wired, e.g. USB ports, and wireless interfaces, may be used, so that the dosimeters may be read over the internet. The detectors can thus be deployed or used in a variety of detection systems and screening methods, including periodic or single time screening of people, objects, or containers at a location by means of affixed dosimeters; screening of objects, containers or people at a series of locations by means of affixed dosimeters, and surveillance of an area by monitoring moving dosimeters affixed to people or vehicles.
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Citations
78 Claims
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1. A direct ion storage (DIS) radiation dosimeter, comprising:
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a first layer having a MOSFET structure formed thereon by semiconductor processing techniques, the MOSFET structure having a floating gate with an exposed surface; a second layer having a concavity therein; a third layer, optionally having a concavity therein; the first layer being sandwiched between the second and third layer, the three layers being bonded together to form a hermetic seal; wherein the concavity in the second layer, and any concavity in the third layer, are aligned with the exposed surface of the floating gate to form an ion chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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6. A direct ion storage (DIS) radiation dosimeter, comprising:
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a MOSFET having a floating gate with an exposed surface; a data conversion interface electrically connected to the MOSFET; a communications interface connected to the output of the data conversion interface; the data conversion and communications interfaces being integral to the dosimeter. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for screening a plurality of persons, objects, or containers at a location for radiation exposure or for radioactive sources carried therein or thereon, comprising:
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a plurality of dosimeters, a dosimeter being attached to each person, object, or container present at the location, each dosimeter having an integral communications interface; a dosimeter reader at the location for reading each dosimeter through its communications interface on a one time or on a periodic basis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 66)
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21. A system for screening a plurality of objects, containers or persons being transported from a first location to a second location for radioactive sources carried therein or thereon, comprising:
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a plurality of dosimeters, a dosimeter being attached to each object, container, or person present at the first location, each dosimeter having an integral communications interface; a first dosimeter reader at the first location for reading each dosimeter through its communications interface before the associated object, container, or person leaves the first location; a second dosimeter reader at the second location for reading each dosimeter through its communications interface when the associated object, container, or person arrives at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 67)
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26. A system for surveillance of an area for radioactive sources located therein, comprising:
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a plurality of dosimeters, each dosimeter being attached to a person or a vehicle that moves through the surveillance area, each dosimeter having an integral communications interface; a reader in communication with the dosimeters. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 68)
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31. A method for screening a plurality of persons, objects, or containers at a location for radiation exposure or for radioactive sources carried therein or thereon, comprising:
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attaching a dosimeter to each person, object, or container present at the location, each dosimeter having an integral communications interface; reading each dosimeter at the location through its communications interface on a one time or a periodic basis. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 69)
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37. A method for screening a plurality of objects, containers or persons being transported from a first location to a second location for radioactive sources carried therein or thereon, comprising:
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attaching a dosimeter to each object, container, or person present at the first location, each dosimeter having an integral communications interface; reading each dosimeter through its communications interface before the associated object, container, or person leaves the first location; reading each dosimeter through its communications interface when the associated object, container, or person arrives at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 70)
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42. A method for surveillance of an area for radioactive sources located therein, comprising:
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attaching a plurality of dosimeters to persons or vehicles that move through the surveillance area, each dosimeter having an integral communications interface; monitoring the plurality of mobile dosimeters at a reader in communication with the dosimeters. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 71)
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49. A direct ion storage (DIS) radiation dosimeter package, comprising:
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a housing having an aperture in an end thereof; a frame fitting inside and slidably mounted in the housing; a DIS radiation sensor mounted on the frame; a data collection and data readout integrated circuit electrically connected to the DIS radiation sensor and mounted on the frame; the data collection and data readout integrated circuit having a USB connection at one end thereof proximal to the aperture; a base element rotatably attached to housing so that as the base element is rotated, the frame slides toward the aperture and the USB connection extends outside the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78)
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61. A method of making a direct ion storage (DIS) radiation dosimeter comprising:
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forming a first layer having MOSFET structure thereon by semiconductor processing techniques, the MOSFET structure having a floating gate with an exposed surface; forming a second layer having a concavity therein; forming a third layer, optionally having a concavity therein; sandwiching the first layer between the second and third layer; bonding the three layers together to form hermetic seal; wherein the concavity in the second layer and any concavity in the third layer, are aligned with the exposed surface of the floating gate to form an ion chamber. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification