Thomas C Beck DeceasedMerritt Island, FL

6529582, Mar 4, 2003

Sep 6, 2001

09/914989

Howard S. Feldmesser - Columbia MD
Paul R. Falk - Catonsville MD
Thomas J. Beck - Baltimore MD

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

G21K 100

378154, 378155, 378145, 378147, 378149

An X-ray scatter reduction grid includes a first layer having a plurality of cells. The cells have a perimeter formed of an X-ray absorbing material. The shape of the perimeters can vary, but a polygonal shape is preferred. The grid can also include other layers, each with their own cells. The cells of the subsequent other layers are larger than and offset from the cells of the prior layer. The increased size of the cells allows a primary ray passing through the center of a first layer cell to also pass through the center of a subsequent layer cell. This allows for a maximum of primary ray passthrough and a maximum of scatter absorption.

6816564, Nov 9, 2004

Oct 21, 2003

10/415809

Thomas J. Beck - Baltimore MD
Howard S. Feldmesser - Columbia MD
Thomas C. Magee - Sykesville MD

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

A61B 603

378 5, 378 18, 378901

Techniques for deriving bone properties from images generated by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry apparatus include receiving first image data having pixels indicating bone mineral density projected at a first angle of a plurality of projection angles. Second image data and third image data are also received. The second image data indicates bone mineral density projected at a different second angle. The third image data indicates bone mineral density projected at a third angle. The third angle is different from the first angle and the second angle. Principal moments of inertia for a bone in the subject are computed based on the first image data, the second image data and the third image data. The techniques allow high-precision, high-resolution dual-energy x-ray attenuation images to be used for computing principal moments of inertia and strength moduli of individual bones, plus risk of injury and changes in risk of injury to a patient.

7186022, Mar 6, 2007

Jan 30, 2003

10/467944

Thomas J. Beck - Baltimore MD, US

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

H01J 35/10
H01J 35/12

378200, 378199

An x-ray tube and method of operating include a vacuum chamber vessel and a source of an electron beam inside the vacuum chamber vessel. A target disposed inside the vacuum chamber vessel includes a substrate and one or more deposits attached to the substrate. Each different deposit includes an atomic element having a different atomic number. The x-ray tube also includes a means for directing the electron beam to a selectable deposit of multiple deposits. The substrate material can be selected with better vacuum sustaining strength, x-ray transparency, melting point, and thermal conductivity than a deposit. The substrate may be cooled by an integrated cooling system. The x-ray tube allows a selectable x-ray frequency to be produced with enhanced economy of power, reduced moving parts, and reduced size. For improved bone mass applications, one of the deposits has a k-fluorescence energy less than about 53 thousand electron volts.

7203274, Apr 10, 2007

Aug 14, 2003

10/399617

Thomas J. Beck - Baltimore MD, US
Howard S. Feldmesser - Columbia MD, US
Thomas C. Magee - Sykesville MD, US

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

G01N 23/06

378 54, 378 62

Methods and apparatuses for advanced, multiple-projection, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning systems include combinations of a conical collimator; a high-resolution two-dimensional detector; a portable, power-capped, variable-exposure-time power supply; an exposure-time control element; calibration monitoring; a three-dimensional anti-scatter-grid; and a gantry-gantry base assembly that permits up to seven projection angles for overlapping beams. Such systems are capable of high precision bone structure measurements that can support three dimensional bone modeling and derivations of bone strength, risk of injury, and efficacy of countermeasures among other properties.

2011016, Jul 7, 2011

Dec 30, 2010

12/982447

Thomas J. Beck - Baltimore MD, US

G21F 3/02

2505161, 2505191

A multi-ply, preferably flexible, x-ray shielding material which can be formed into a garment is provided. Such material is lighter in weight but that provides a specific degree of protection under the standard conditions met in fluoroscopy by workers in the field subjected to reflected, or scattered, radiation emanating from the patient's body. The multi-layered fabric is so constructed that the amount of re-radiated energy, or fluorescence produced by each layer, is greatly attenuated. Generally, this invention is directed to a material formed of two or more layers of a polymeric or elastomeric film or sheet loaded with different radiation-attenuating metal material.

2012008, Apr 12, 2012

Oct 11, 2011

13/271018

Thomas J. Beck - Baltimore MD, US

G21K 1/00
B23P 11/00

378154, 29428

A device for, and method of manufacture of, a focused anti-scatter grid for improving the image contrast of x-ray images produced in medical, veterinary or industrial applications. The grid comprising a series of modular units so juxtaposed with each other as to form a series of focused channels for the passage of the focused imaging x-rays. The modules comprise a series of focusing ribbons of a heavy metal or a series of mating solid arcuate forms, formed of a polymer and having on at least one side surface a layer of heavy metal.

2012009, Apr 19, 2012

Oct 14, 2011

13/274093

Robert Jones - Columbia MD, US
Thomas Beck - Catonsville MD, US

A61K 49/00
A61K 51/06
C08G 65/34

424 165, 528425, 528422, 528271, 424 91

The invention described herein provides biocompatible molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) that are non-toxic, water soluble, small molecular weight, and degradable in a living body. The MIPs are capable of binding to all or a portion of a specific target macromolecule associated with a disease located within the living body and they are derivatized for stealth for in vivo applications to avoid the reticuloendothelial system. The MIPs of the invention are functionalized to an amine or carboxyl group and are derivatized with an imaging and/or therapeutic agent for taking images of the disease and/or for providing therapy. The macromolecule can be selected from a group consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, lipoproteins, peptidoglycans, peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and polysaccharides. The invention described herein also provides methods and kits wherein MIPs of the invention can be employed as targeted imaging and therapeutic agents.

2012021, Aug 30, 2012

Feb 24, 2012

13/404876

Thomas J. Beck - Catonsville MD, US

G01N 23/223

378 44

A method for quantitatively testing a radiation shielding garment to determine its radiation shielding integrity, utilizing a fluoroscopic system, the method comprising measuring the amount of radiation passing through the garment at a particular location believed to be possibly damaged; measuring the amount of radiation at one or more locations of the garment believed to be intact; determining the average undamaged transmission if more than one location is tested; and comparing the two values of transmitted radiation to determine whether the first location was damaged beyond an acceptable degree.