US5179281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Extremity dosimetry system, dosimeter and method
Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc
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Filing: 1991-07-26
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Granted: 1993-01-12
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Expires: 2011-07-26
Abstract
Abstract System and method for extremity dosimetry, that emables the maintenance of a chain of custody from dosimeter issuance to dosimeter read and further through multiple reuses of the dosimeter, are uniquely characterized by a reusable extremity dosimeter comprising a solid thermoluminescent (TL) body affixed as by bonding to a non-luminescent substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code. A preferred holder for the extremity dosimeter comprises a generally flat and flexible pouch that may be disposable, the dosimeter pouch including at least one pocket for containing the extremity dosimeter. Provision is made for attaching the dosimeter pouch to the body of a user at a specified extremity location such as a finger, wrist, toe, ankle, elbow, knee, forehead, etc. Also disclosed is a carrier for enabling the reading of the extremity dosimeters in TLD readers designed to read TLD cards containing multiple TL elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Riad A. Tawil
- 👤 James D. Chamberlain
- 👤 William Bruml
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/02; G01T1/10; G01T1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An extremity dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, said substrate including a first layer to which said solid body is affixed and a second layer of equal or greater thickness material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
An extremity dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, said substrate including a first layer to which said solid body is affixed and a second layer of equal or greater thickness material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An extremity dosimeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second layers of said substrate are each formed of a flexible material capable of maintaining its structural and functional integrity at temperatures up to about 425° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An extremity dosimeter as set forth in claim 2, wherein said flexible material is a polyimide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An extremity dosimeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second layer includes an aperture in which said solid TL body is at least partly contained.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An extremity dosimeter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said TL body comprises an alkali/alkaline metal-fluoride TL material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter as set forth in claim 1, a holder for said dosimeter, said holder comprising a generally flat and flexible single-use dosimeter pouch including at least one pocket for containing the dosimeter, and means for attaching the dosimeter pouch to a body part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pouch includes two flexible panels peripherally joined together to form said pocket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for attaching includes a strap threaded through slots at opposite ends of said dosimeter pouch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said strap is adjustable in length to accommodate different thickness body appendages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said strap is interchangeable with a different length or type of strap for different applications.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter and a holder for said dosimeter, said dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, and said holder comprising a generally flat and flexible single-use dosimeter pouch including at least one pocket for containing the dosimeter, said pouch including two flexible panels peripherally joined together to form said pocket, at least one of said panels or at least a portion of one of said panels proximate the indicia on said dosimeter being transparent to provide a window through which the indicia may be read from outside said dosimeter pouch, and there being provided means for attaching the dosimeter pouch to a body part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter and a holder for said dosimeter, said dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, and said holder comprising a generally flat and flexible single-use dosimeter pouch including at least one pocket for containing the dosimeter, said pouch including two flexible panels peripherally joined together to form said pocket, at least one of said panels or at least a portion of one of said panels proximate the indicia on said dosimeter being transparent to provide a window through which the indicia may be read from outside said dosimeter pouch, and there being provided means for attaching the dosimeter pouch to a body part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter and a holder for said dosimeter, said dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, and said holder comprising a generally flat and flexible single-use dosimeter pouch including at least one pocket for containing the dosimeter, said pouch including two flexible panels peripherally joined together to form said pocket, both panels being opaque to light, and said holder further comprising a label integral with said pouch, said label including a machine readable code identifying said holder, and there being provided means for attaching the dosimeter pouch to a body part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter and a holder for said dosimeter, said dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, and said holder comprising a generally flat and flexible single-use dosimeter pouch including at least one pocket for containing the dosimeter, said pouch including two flexible panels peripherally joined together to form said pocket, both panels being opaque to light, and said holder further comprising a label integral with said pouch, said label including a machine readable code identifying said holder, and there being provided means for attaching the dosimeter pouch to a body part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said pouch includes a second pocket, and said label is inserted in said second pocket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination as set forth in claim 13, wherein said pouch includes a third flexible panel forming said second pocket with one of said two panels, and said third panel has at least a portion thereof that is transparent for viewing of the label from outside said dosimeter pouch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
107 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter and a carrier for enabling the reading of the extremity dosimeter in a TLD reader designed to read TLD cards containing multiple TL elements at respective read sites, said extremity dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, said carrier including at least one slot for receiving said extremity dosimeter and positioning said solid TL body at a selected one of said read sites, and said carrier including on one side thereof a window for said slot through which said identification code can be machine read.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
In combination, an extremity dosimeter and a carrier for enabling the reading of the extremity dosimeter in a TLD reader designed to read TLD cards containing multiple TL elements at respective read sites, said extremity dosimeter comprising a solid TL body affixed to a non-luminescent flexible substrate that has integrally associated therewith indicia embodying a machine readable identification code, said carrier including at least one slot for receiving said extremity dosimeter and positioning said solid TL body at a selected one of said read sites, and said carrier including on one side thereof a window for said slot through which said identification code can be machine read.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-12 | 1996-07-13 | 1997-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | 2001-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-12 | 2004-07-13 | 2005-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |