Dosimeter reading apparatus with optical laser converter
First Claim
1. A convertible radiation dosimeter reading apparatus for performing a plurality of differing laser stimulated reading modes of operation;
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
a laser beam source for providing a laser beam;
a laser beam converter for receiving said laser beam and controllably converting the laser beam into a plurality of output laser beams having differing characteristics to provide differing stimulating laser beams to read radiation dosimeters in a plurality of reading modes;
an emission detector for measuring emission from a dosimeter which has been stimulated by at least one of the stimulating laser beams;
wherein the laser beam converter includes at least one laser beam equalizer for equalizing the laser power density of at least one of the stimulating laser beams.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a laser dosimeter reading apparatus having a controllable optical laser converter for providing multiple stimulating laser beams. The converter laser dosimeter reader can be used to stimulate or otherwise treat dosimeter elements to perform two or more distinct processes on a particular dosimeter element. Additionally, the convertible dosimeter reader can be used to read multiple different types of dosimeter elements contained on a single dosimeter badge, thereby allowing a badge to be read in a multi-stage reading operation in a single dosimeter reader which is preferably automated. The optical laser converter includes a converter block assembly which defines multiple optical pathways therethrough. The convert block assembly is movable between different positions to align the different optical pathways with an incoming laser beam. The output laser beams from the different optical pathways of the converter have differing laser beam characteristics suitable for different types of dosimeters or differing treatment processes. The output beams from the optical pathways are preferably passed through an imaging assembly which images the beams onto the dosimeters being stimulated or for other uses as the laser beam converter may be utilized. The disclosure also includes methods for converting a laser beam and for reading radiation dosimeters.
49 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A convertible radiation dosimeter reading apparatus for performing a plurality of differing laser stimulated reading modes of operation;
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
a laser beam source for providing a laser beam; a laser beam converter for receiving said laser beam and controllably converting the laser beam into a plurality of output laser beams having differing characteristics to provide differing stimulating laser beams to read radiation dosimeters in a plurality of reading modes; an emission detector for measuring emission from a dosimeter which has been stimulated by at least one of the stimulating laser beams; wherein the laser beam converter includes at least one laser beam equalizer for equalizing the laser power density of at least one of the stimulating laser beams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
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12. A convertible radiation dosimeter reading apparatus for performing a plurality of differing laser stimulated reading modes of operation;
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
a laser beam source for providing a laser beam; a laser beam converter for receiving said laser beam and controllably converting the laser beam into a plurality of output laser beams having differing characteristics to provide differing stimulating laser beams to read radiation dosimeters in a plurality of reading modes; an emission detector for measuring emission from a dosimeter which has been stimulated by at least one of the stimulating laser beams; at least one dosimeter holder for holding a dosimeter badge having a plurality of dosimeters thereon;
said dosimeter holder being controllably movable between a plurality of dosimeter badge holding positions;
said plurality of dosimeter badge holding positions providing controlled presentation of a plurality of said dosimeters in at least one dosimeter reading position to thereby allow different dosimeters to be stimulated in differing reading modes using differing stimulating laser beams from the laser beam converter.
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
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13. A method for reading a dosimeter badge having at least one dosimeter which requires treatment with a plurality of stimulating laser beams having differing beam characteristics:
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positioning a dosimeter in at least one reading position; stimulating the dosimeter with a first stimulating laser beam; stimulating the dosimeter with a second stimulating laser having beam characteristics different from said first stimulating laser beam; wherein at least one of said stimulating steps includes stimulating with a laser beam which has been equalized to provide a more uniform laser beam power density. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A convertible radiation dosimeter reading apparatus for performing a plurality of differing laser stimulated reading modes of operation;
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
a laser beam source for providing a laser beam; a laser beam converter for receiving said laser beam and controllably converting the laser beam into a plurality of output laser beams having differing characteristics to provide differing stimulating laser beams to read radiation dosimeters in a plurality of reading modes; an emission detector for measuring emission from a dosimeter which has been stimulated by at least one of the stimulating laser beams; wherein the laser beam converter further comprises at least one beam equalizer for equalizing the cross-sectional power density of at least one of the output laser beams;
said beam equalizer including an optically transmissive channel having interior walls which are reflective of the laser beam transmitted therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (21)
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
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22. A convertible radiation dosimeter reading apparatus for performing a plurality of differing laser stimulated reading modes of operation;
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
a laser beam source for providing a laser beam; a laser beam converter for receiving said laser beam and controllably converting the laser beam into a plurality of output laser beams having differing characteristics to provide diffusing stimulating laser beams to read radiation dosimeters in a plurality of reading modes; an emission detector for measuring emission from a dosimeter which has been stimulated by at least one of the stimulating laser beams; wherein the laser beam converter further comprises at least one laser beam power reducer to reduce the power of at least one of the output laser beams;
said laser beam power reducer including a beam splitter for reflecting a portion of the laser beam to thereby reduce power of the laser beam. - View Dependent Claims (23)
- the laser stimulated reading modes each measuring a state of ionization of at least one type of radiation sensing element which results from exposure of the radiation sensing element to ionizing radiation, comprising;
Specification