# US 8,541,740 B2 · Device and method for electron beam energy verification > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,541,740 B2 - Document ID: US8541740B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/036,073 - Filed: 2011-02-28 - Published: 2012-08-30 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-28 - Assignees: Ethicon, Inc. - Applicants: Penny Luxich; Michael C. Saylor - Inventors: Penny Luxich; Michael C. Saylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541740B2 ## CPC - G01T 1/29: Measurement performed on radiation beams, e.g. position or section of the beam; Measurement of spatial distribution of radiation - G01T 1/08: Photographic dosimeters {(photometry G01J1/52)} - G01T 1/169: Exploration, location of contaminated surface areas - A61L 2/087: Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract The present invention is directed to a device and system for verifying the electron beam kinetic energy spectrum and determining changes in kinetic electron beam energy spectrum that comprises a radiation-absorbing mass defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls, said mass having at least four separate slots containing one or more of dosimeter strips, wherein said slots are located at different depths within the mass as measured from the top surface of the mass, and said slots are positioned substantially parallel to the top surface of the mass. The present invention also relates to a method of determining and comparing changes in a kinetic electron energy spectrum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of determining and comparing changes in a kinetic electron energy spectrum comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising a radiation-absorbing mass defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls, said mass having at least four separate slots containing one or more of dosimeter strips, wherein said slots are located at different depths within the mass as measured from the top surface of the mass, and said slots are positioned substantially parallel to the top surface of the mass, moving the device containing a first set of dosimeters past a radiation source exposing the device containing dosimeters to a defined energy spectrum for a time sufficient to affect the first set of dosimeters, moving the device containing a second set of dosimeters, past the radiation source exposing the device containing dosimeters to the defined energy spectrum for a time sufficient to affect the second set of dosimeters, measuring radiation absorbed doses by each set of dosimeters, calculating specific dose response ratios, for each set of dosimeters, and comparing the dose response ratios calculated for the first set of dosimeter readings to dose response ratios calculated for the second set of dosimeters. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said radiation-absorbing mass is a polymeric material, a metal, or a metallic alloy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein said radiation-absorbing mass is aluminum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the mass is positioned facing a source of charged particles and being substantially perpendicular to direction of the charged particles emitted by the source of charged particles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein said mass comprises a substantially rectangular block, and wherein said top surface, bottom surface, and side walls are substantially rectangular. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said slots comprise substantially identical rectangular cutouts in the block extending from one side wall and terminating within the block, said slots adapted for positioning the dosimeter strips substantially within the middle of the block. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein each of the slots is adapted to accept two dosimeter strips side by side, wherein the height of the slots is adapted to preventing the dosimeter strips from overlapping, wherein the dosimeter strips comprise alanine film dosimeters, and wherein said strips are removable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein at least one slot is positioned at the depth substantially within the raising part of a radiation absorption curve, at least one slot is positioned at the depth substantially within the maximum or plateau part of the radiation absorption curve, and at least one slot is positioned substantially within the descending part of the radiation absorption curve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the block comprises a single piece of material, said block manufactured by machining the slots by drilling, wire discharge machining, laser drilling, electrochemical drilling, or other known techniques or combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the block comprises a single piece of material, said block manufactured by sintering of powdered material, by molding, by injection molding, by casting, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the block comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular flat plates arranged in a stack. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the block comprises two substantially rectangular stepped plates, adapted to mate when stepped plates are coupled together so that the stepped plates form said substantially rectangular block, wherein each stepped plate has at least four steps, and wherein one of two stepped plates has at least one surface slot machined into each step, wherein said two stepped plates when assembled are optionally permanently or temporarily joined by an external bracket, an adhesive, diffusion bonding, an adhesive tape, rivets, fasteners, pins, screws, bolts, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein, said steps of moving the device are performed by using a conveyor.