James A Atkinson

US Patent:

7141812, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/308545

Inventors:

Michael Appleby - Charlottesville VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Mikro Systems, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G21K 1/02
B29C 33/40

US Classification:

2505051, 378147, 378154

Abstract:

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimaxor defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component.

US Patent:

7410606, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Jun 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/479335

Inventors:

Michael P. Appleby - Charlottesville VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

International Classification:

B29C 33/40

US Classification:

264219, 249117, 249134, 249135, 264318

Abstract:

A process of making a casting includes the steps of designing a mold (), fabricating the layers (or laminations) of the mold (), stacking and assembling the laminations into a mold (), producing a casting () and demolding the casting (). If necessary, a derived mold can be made () prior to producing the casing ().

US Patent:

7411204, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Nov 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/602836

Inventors:

Michael Appleby - Charlottesville VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

International Classification:

A61B 6/03

US Classification:

2505051, 378147, 378154

Abstract:

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements. In certain embodiments, the collimator can define a feature adapted to contain a plurality of radiation detection elements, such as scintillators. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast component derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold. In various exemplary embodiments, the cast components can be a mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, fluidic, biomedical, and/or biotechnological component. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

US Patent:

7462852, Dec 9, 2008

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282402

Inventors:

Michael Appleby - Charlottesville VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Tecomet, Inc. - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G02B 5/00

US Classification:

2505051, 378147, 378149, 378154

Abstract:

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a cast collimator descended from a stack lamination mold, said mold comprising a plurality of metallic foils. Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast collimator; and demolding the cast collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1. 72(b).

US Patent:

7518136, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282441

Inventors:

Michael Appleby - Charlottesville VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Tecomet, Inc. - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G21K 1/00

US Classification:

2505051, 378147, 378149, 378154, 378155

Abstract:

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast computed-tomography collimator descended from a lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast computed-tomography collimator; and demolding the cast computed-tomography collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

US Patent:

7893413, Feb 22, 2011

Filed:

Aug 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/541610

Inventors:

Michael P. Appleby - Crozet VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Mikro Systems, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G21K 1/02
B29C 33/40

US Classification:

2505051, 378147, 378154

Abstract:

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.

US Patent:

8062023, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Jun 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/138472

Inventors:

Michael P. Appleby - Crozet VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Mikro Systems, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

B28B 21/42

US Classification:

425470, 156245

Abstract:

In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

US Patent:

8540913, Sep 24, 2013

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/930274

Inventors:

Michael P. Appleby - Charlottesville VA, US
Iain Fraser - Ruckersville VA, US
James E. Atkinson - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Mikro Systems, Inc. - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

B29C 33/40

US Classification:

264219, 264318, 264334

Abstract:

In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.