Wireless, motion and position-sensing, integrating radiation sensor for occupational and environmental dosimetry

{
  "publication_number": "US9429661B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Wireless, motion and position-sensing, integrating radiation sensor for occupational and environmental dosimetry",
  "abstract": "Described is a radiation dosimeter including multiple sensor devices (including one or more passive integrating electronic radiation sensor, a MEMS accelerometers, a wireless transmitters and, optionally, a GPS, a thermistor, or other chemical, biological or EMF sensors) and a computer program for the simultaneous detection and wireless transmission of ionizing radiation, motion and global position for use in occupational and environmental dosimetry. The described dosimeter utilizes new processes and algorithms to create a self-contained, passive, integrating dosimeter. Furthermore, disclosed embodiments provide the use of MEMS and nanotechnology manufacturing techniques to encapsulate individual ionizing radiation sensor elements within a radiation attenuating material that provides a “filtration bubble” around the sensor element, the use of multiple attenuating materials (filters) around multiple sensor elements, and the use of a software algorithm to discriminate between different types of ionizing radiation and different radiation energy.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A device comprising: a radiation sensor array comprising one or more radiation sensors; wherein each of the one or more radiation sensors is configured to provide an optimal angular response to radiation detected by each of the one or more radiation sensors; and wherein the optimal angular response of each of the one or more radiation sensors is independent of the angle of incidence of the radiation detected by each of the one or more radiation sensors.",
    "2. The device according to claim 1, wherein one or more radiation sensors are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).",
    "3. The device according to claim 1, wherein one or more radiation sensors is surrounded by a filter material to provide an optimal angular response to radiation.",
    "4. An autonomous mobile wireless sensor base station network for tracking a position and distribution of materials comprising: an integrated sensor module comprising: a radiation sensor array; an on-board motion sensor; an on-board geospatial positioning sensor; and an on-board wireless transmitter; wherein the radiation sensor array comprises one or more radiation sensors; and wherein the optimal angular response of each of the one or more radiation sensors is independent of the angle of incidence of the radiation detected by each of the one or more radiation sensors; a wireless sensor base station; a wireless network; a public data network; and a distributed data server, wherein the wireless sensor base station is configured to communicate with the integrated sensor module and the wireless network; wherein the wireless network is also configured to communicate with the public data network; and wherein the public data network is also configured to communicate with the distributed data server.",
    "5. The device of claim 4, wherein the wireless sensor base station comprises: a wireless transmitter and receiver; a data network interface; and a second integrated sensor module comprising: an on-board motion sensor; an on-board geospatial positioning sensor; an on-board wireless transmitter; and an on-board temperature sensor.",
    "6. The device of claim 4, wherein the communication between the wireless sensor base station and the integrated sensor module occurs via an unspecified wireless transmission communication protocol.",
    "7. The device of claim 4, wherein the communication between the wireless sensor base station and the wireless network occurs via data network transmission communication protocol.",
    "8. The device of claim 4, wherein the communication between the wireless network and the public data network occurs via the Internet.",
    "9. The device of claim 4, wherein the communication between the public data network and the distributed data server occurs via the Internet.",
    "10. An integrated sensor module comprising: a radiation sensor array; an on-board motion sensor; an on-board geospatial positioning sensor; and an on-board wireless transmitter; wherein the radiation sensor array comprises one or more radiation sensors; and wherein the optimal angular response of each of the one or more radiation sensors is independent of the angle of incidence of the radiation detected by each of the one or more radiation sensors.",
    "11. An autonomous mobile sensor network for tracking a position and distribution of materials comprising: an integrated sensor module comprising: a radiation sensor array; an on-board motion sensor; an on-board geospatial positioning sensor; and an on-board wireless transmitter; wherein the radiation sensor array comprises one or more radiation sensors; wherein the optimal angular response of each of the one or more radiation sensors is independent of the angle of incidence of the radiation detected by each of the one or more radiation sensors; a communication device; a wireless network; a public data network; and a remote data server, wherein the communication device is configured to communicate with the integrated sensor module and the wireless network; wherein the wireless network is also configured to communicate with the public data network; and wherein the public data network is also configured to communicate with the remote data server."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to detection systems and networks of detectors and, particularly, to the design of a sensor system capable of detecting and quantifying a measurable event, such as an exposure to ionizing radiation, by recording the time, location, ambient temperature, motion and intensity of the event; accurately calculating the equivalent absorbed dose due to the radiation event; mapping the distribution of events by using data collected from a large number of sensor systems over a wireless network; and predicting the probable severity of the event by analysis of the collected sensor network data.\n\n2. Background of the Invention\n\nOccupational radiation exposure events can occur in healthcare, the oil and gas industry, the military and other industrial settings where the use of materials or devices that emit ionizing radiation can result in accidental or occupationally unavoidable exposure events.\n\nEmergency radiation exposure events can occur when a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), Improvised Nuclear Device (IND), or another source of radioactive material is released and contaminates a given area.\n\nRadiation dosimetry programs have been developed to monitor and protect workers who might be exposed to radiation. The personal dose equivalent, measured using a radiation dosimeter, is commonly used to monitor radiation dose to an individual. The accurate and reliable measurement of the personal dose equivalent from a radiation exposure event is a key component of radiation dosimetry.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01T 1/02",
    "G01J 1/0219",
    "G01J 1/0488",
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  "ipc": [
    "G01T 1/02",
    "G01T 1/17",
    "H04W 4/02",
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    "G01V 5/00",
    "G01V 5/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Landauer Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Daniel J. Valentino",
    "James R. Thistlethwaite, Iii",
    "R. Craig Yoder"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-06-05",
  "publication_date": "2016-08-30",
  "grant_date": "2016-08-30",
  "priority_date": "2012-06-01",
  "application_number": "US-201514731686-A",
  "family_id": "49669071",
  "cited_by_count": 14,
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