Dosimetric end-to-end verification devices, systems, and methods
Granted: May 9, 2017
Patent Number:
9643029
Dosimetrical end-to-end quality assurance devices, systems, and methods for radiation devices using X-ray imaging, optical surface imaging, and electromagnetic navigational systems to position the quality assurance device either absolute or relative in space.
Brachytherapy applicator
Granted: May 9, 2017
Patent Number:
9642999
Described here are brachytherapy applicators that comprise a modular support matrix. The modular support matrix may define the arrangement of radiation source lumens within the brachytherapy applicator. The modular support matrix can be adjusted to position the radiation sources to obtain a certain dose and dose profile. A series of modular support matrices may be operably connected according to patient anatomy or dosing requirements. Systems and methods for using such modular…
Methods and apparatus for the planning and delivery of radiation treatments
Granted: April 25, 2017
Patent Number:
9630025
Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while…
Instruments with location markers and methods for tracking instruments through anatomical passageways
Granted: April 18, 2017
Patent Number:
9623208
Instruments and methods for tracking such instruments in a human patient. One embodiment of an instrument in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated body, such as an elongated flexible member, which has a distal section configured to be passed through a vessel or other passageway in a human. The instrument can further include a lumen through the distal section and a magnetic marker having a transponder at the distal section. The transponder includes a circuit configured to…
X-ray imaging device including anti-scatter grid
Granted: April 11, 2017
Patent Number:
9620256
An x-ray imaging device includes an anti-scatter grid placed inside the housing of the imaging device and adjacent to an x-ray detector.
Imaging based calibration systems, devices, and methods
Granted: April 11, 2017
Patent Number:
9616251
Systems, devices, and methods for imaging-based calibration of radiation treatment couch position compensations.
Integrated radiation therapy systems and methods for treating a target in a patient
Granted: April 11, 2017
Patent Number:
9616248
An integrated radiation therapy process comprises acquiring first objective target data related to a parameter of a target within a patient by periodically locating a marker positioned within the patient using a localization modality. This method continues with obtaining second objective target data related to the parameter of the target by periodically locating the marker. The first objective target data can be acquired in a first area that is apart from a second area which contains a…
User interface for guided radiation therapy
Granted: March 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9586059
A facility for presenting a visual user interface for guiding the performance of a process relating to a patient localization and tracking system is described. The facility displays the user interface in a first state that corresponds to a first process task in an ordered sequence of process tasks. Each time the process task to which the displayed state of the user interface corresponds is completed, the facility redisplays the user interface in a state corresponding to a process task…
Method and apparatus pertaining to identifying objects of interest in a high-energy image
Granted: March 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9589188
A control circuit having access to at least one high-energy image of a scene assesses that image to identify candidate obfuscaters as well as candidate obfuscated objects. This control circuit then processes information regarding the candidate objects to identify objects of interest. By one approach these objects of interest are deemed “of interest” as a function of their being obfuscated in a particular context. By one approach these teachings will accommodate identifying objects as…
X-ray imager with CMOS sensor embedded in TFT flat panel
Granted: March 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9588235
An x-ray imaging device include a scintillator layer configured to generate light from x-rays, a TFT detector array at the first surface of the scintillator layer to detect light generated in the scintillator, and a CMOS sensor at the second surface of the scintillator layer to detect light generated in the scintillator.
Radiation therapy device with freely customizable source and imager motion trajectory
Granted: February 28, 2017
Patent Number:
9579526
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a radiation therapy system for the acquisition of volumetric imaging with advanced trajectories. Embodiments include a device for applying diagnostic and therapeutic radiation to a target volume disposed in a patient subject, wherein volumetric imaging is acquired with advanced trajectories without displacing the patient subject. In one embodiment, a radiation therapy device is provided comprising: a gantry with a radiation source and a…
Apparatus and method for reconstructing an image using high-energy-based data
Granted: February 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9563817
An apparatus reconstructs an image using high energy-based data regarding a scene provides access to first image-capture data regarding the scene that is formed using a first image-capture modality and to second image-capture data that is formed using a second (different) image-capture modality. A control circuit executes an iterative image reconstruction process that establishes a first and a second image-representation channel, a fidelity error measure that measures inconsistency of…
Differential reference signal distribution method and system
Granted: February 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9563222
In a reference signal distribution system, a first subsystem is configured to distribute a reference signal to a second subsystem. The first subsystem includes multiple diode-connected devices biased by a reference current and configured to establish a differential voltage between a first node and a second node. The second subsystem includes multiple diode-connected devices driven by the differential voltage and configured to generate a copy current associated with the reference current.
Semiautomatic drawing tool for image segmentation
Granted: January 31, 2017
Patent Number:
9558561
A semiautomatic drawing tool is configured to generate an image segmentation contour that corresponds to a visible edge within a digital image. Individual contour points define the shape and location of the image segmentation contour, and the semiautomatic drawing tool determines the locations of these contour points based on both user input and on the location of a steep luminance gradient that corresponds to the visible edge. The semiautomatic drawing tool determines the location of a…
Shape similarity measure for body tissue
Granted: January 31, 2017
Patent Number:
9558427
A shape similarity metric can be provided that indicates how similar two or more shapes are. A difference between a union of the shapes and an intersection of the shapes can be used to determine the similarity metric. The shape similarity metric can provide an average distance between the shapes. Different processes for determining shapes can be evaluated for accuracy based on the shape similarity metric. New or alternative shape-determining processes can be compared for accuracy against…
Delivery catheter for and method of delivering an implant, for example, bronchoscopically implanting a marker in a lung
Granted: January 17, 2017
Patent Number:
9545506
Systems and methods for treating a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside of the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The…
Proton irradiation using spot scanning
Granted: January 10, 2017
Patent Number:
9539442
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for irradiating a target is disclosed. A proton beam is generated using a cyclotron. A first information is provided to an energy selection system. An energy level for the protons is selected using an energy selection system based on the first information. The first information comprises a depth of said target. The proton beam is routed from the cyclotron through a beam transfer line to a scanning system. A second information is provided to…
X-ray tube aperture having expansion joints
Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number:
9530528
An x-ray tube electron shield is disclosed for interposition between an electron emitter and an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons. The electron shield includes expansion joints to accommodate thermal expansion.
Reducing heel effect in dual energy x-ray images
Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number:
9530196
In some examples, a method to reduce heel effect distortion in dual energy x-ray images includes receiving flood field images generated by x-rays at different energy levels and generating one or more normalize images based on the flood field images. The method may also include applying the one or more normalize images to one or more x-ray images and combining the x-ray images to generate a dual energy x-ray image with reduced heel effect distortion.
X-ray tube cathode with magnetic electron beam steering
Granted: December 20, 2016
Patent Number:
9524845
An x-ray tube cathode with magnetic electron beam steering. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube cathode includes a cathode head and an electron emitter. The cathode head includes electrically conductive and non-magnetic material integrated with magnetic material. The cathode head defines an emitter slot in a portion of electrically conductive and non-magnetic material positioned between two portions of magnetic material. The electron emitter is positioned within the emitter slot.…
