Systems and methods for tracking and targeting object in a patient using imaging techniques
Granted: July 9, 2013
Patent Number:
8483803
A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a contrast-enhanced image of a portion of a patient, the portion of the patient having an object, obtaining a non-contrast-enhanced image of the portion, wherein the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image are created at different times, and determining a position of the object using the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image. A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a…
Self-clinching blind floating fastener
Granted: July 2, 2013
Patent Number:
8475099
A fastener device includes a self-clinching retainer and a blind fastener. The self-clinching retainer is mounted to a hole in a sheet. The blind fastener is at least partially floating within the self-clinching retainer. The blind fastener has blind thread so that any debris from engaging another fastener is captured within the blind fastener.
Radiation scanning of objects for contraband
Granted: June 25, 2013
Patent Number:
8472583
In one example, a scanning system for examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising a frame encompassing, at least in part, a first interior region, a robotic arm movably supported by the frame, and a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to examine an object, the radiation source being pivotally coupled to the robotic arm. A detector is positioned and configured to encompass, at least in part, a second interior region within the first interior region, to detect…
Radiation detector with multiple operating schemes
Granted: June 18, 2013
Patent Number:
8466421
A radiation detector includes a conversion element that converts an incoming radiation beam into electrical signals, which in turn can be used to generate data about the radiation beam. The conversion element may include, for example, a scintillator that converts the radiation beam into light, and a sensor that generates the signals in response to the light. The conversion element can be used in different schemes or data collection modes. For instance, the conversion element can be…
Systems and methods for delivering radiation therapy
Granted: June 18, 2013
Patent Number:
8465407
Described here are conformable brachytherapy applicators. The conformable brachytherapy applicators generally follow the contour of tissue surfaces so that distances between radiation sources and target tissues can be precisely determined and radiation dose clouds can be readily shaped. Systems and methods for using the conformable brachytherapy applicators are also described.
Patient support systems for use with radiation therapy systems and other applications
Granted: June 4, 2013
Patent Number:
8453281
An apparatus for supporting a patient in radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure and a panel carried by the support structure. The support structure can have first and second support members, such as rigid girders or other structures comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel is also a rigid structure comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel can further include a pass-through zone or other type…
Systems and methods for locating and defining a target location within a human body
Granted: May 28, 2013
Patent Number:
8452375
Systems and methods for locating and defining a target location within a human body. The system can include at least one marker, a probe, and a detector for use in locating the markers by providing information to a surgeon that is representative of changes in proximity between the probe and the marker. The marker can have various detection characteristics, e.g., gamma radiation, that are detectable by an associated probe and detector. The tissue volume is removed by manipulating a…
Cathode assembly for an X-ray tube
Granted: May 28, 2013
Patent Number:
8451976
A cathode assembly for an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, a cathode assembly includes a cathode head, a filament, and first and second focusing tabs. The cathode head defines a recess having first and second open ends, a slot within the recess, and first and second tab stops within the recess. The filament is positioned within the slot. The first focusing tab is positioned in the first open end of the recess abutting the first tab stop. The second focusing tab is positioned in the…
Apparatus for automatic tracking and identification of device components
Granted: May 28, 2013
Patent Number:
8449440
Embodiments of an apparatus and method to track and identify radioactive sources are described. In one embodiment, a device includes first housing for a radioactive source having a first electronic tag, a second housing for the radioactive source having a second electronic tag, and a guide tube that couples the first housing with the second housing. The guide tube includes a third electronic tag. The first, second, and third electronic tags communicate with each other to confirm…
System and method for layer-wise proton beam current variation
Granted: May 21, 2013
Patent Number:
8445872
Systems and methods are provided to perform efficient, automatic adjustment of cyclotron beam currents within a wide range for multiple treatment layers within the same patient and treatment session. In one embodiment, efficient adjustment is achieved by using beam current attenuation by an electrostatic vertical deflector installed in the inner center of the cyclotron. The beam current may, for example, be adjusted by the high voltage applied to the electrostatic vertical deflector. In…
System and method for automated cyclotron procedures
Granted: May 14, 2013
Patent Number:
8440987
Systems and methods are provided to perform efficient, automatic cyclotron initialization, calibration, and beam adjustment. A process is provided that allows the automation of the initialization of a cyclotron after overnight or maintenance imposed shutdown. In one embodiment, five independent cyclotron system states are defined and the transition between one state to another may be automated, e.g., by the control system of the cyclotron. According to these embodiments, it is thereby…
Method and apparatus for multi-layered high efficiency mega-voltage imager
Granted: May 14, 2013
Patent Number:
8440978
A multi-layered mega-voltage digital imager is disclosed. In one embodiment, the radiation to particle conversion and particle to electricity conversion is paired as a modular entity. The entity is replicated on top of each other as a layered unit to build an imager with increased resolution and efficiency. Due to this paired replication, sub-images from each replicated pair may be selectively combined and processed to enhance the quality of the image. By varying and adding components at…
Dynamic/adaptive treatment planning for radiation therapy
Granted: May 7, 2013
Patent Number:
8437449
A facility for facilitating custom radiation treatment planning is described. During a distinguished radiation treatment session for a patient, the facility collects data indicating positioning of a predefined treatment site of the patient relative to a target treatment location throughout the distinguished radiation treatment session. The facility associates the collected positioning data with data describing one or more other aspects of the distinguished radiation treatment session.…
Compressed target movement model using interpolation
Granted: April 30, 2013
Patent Number:
8433159
Systems and methods for generating a movement model that requires less storage space than movement models of the prior art are disclosed. This movement model may be based on x-ray images of a patient and may be configured for estimating movement of organs within the patient during medical treatment. The movement model comprises at least two deformation fields associated with strong time points and a plurality of interpolation parameters associated with weak time points. In contrast with…
Method and apparatus to facilitate using fused images to identify materials
Granted: April 16, 2013
Patent Number:
8422826
First image data (which comprises a penetrating image of an object formed using a first spectrum) and second image data (which also comprises a penetrating image of this same object formed using a second, different spectrum) is retrieved from memory and fused to facilitate identifying at least one material that comprises at least a part of this object. The aforementioned first spectrum can comprise, for example, a spectrum of x-ray energies having a high typical energy while the second…
Marker systems with spaced apart surfaces or markers and methods of using the same
Granted: April 9, 2013
Patent Number:
8417315
A marker system includes a structure having a first surface and a second surface, a first marker located on the first surface, and a second marker located on the second surface, wherein the first marker and the second marker are arranged so that they face approximately a same direction, and so that they can be simultaneously viewed by an optical device, and wherein a first distance between the first marker and the optical device is different from a second distance between the second…
Apparatus to facilitate capturing samples as pertain to an object to be imaged and corresponding method
Granted: April 9, 2013
Patent Number:
8416919
One facilitates capturing samples as pertain to an object to be imaged by providing N pulsed sampling chains (where N is an integer greater than 1) where these sampling chains are in planes substantially parallel to one another and are substantially equidistant from adjacent others by a given distance. By one approach, the ratio of this given distance to a desired sample interval is approximately an integer that is relatively prime to N. So configured, a complete set of samples of the…
Apparatus and method pertaining to radiation-treatment planning optimization
Granted: April 9, 2013
Patent Number:
8416918
A radiation-treatment planning apparatus accesses information regarding a treatment target and at least one operational parameter pertaining to a physical characteristic of a given radiation-treatment platform. The apparatus also accesses information regarding a candidate treatment plan using the given platform. The apparatus then optimizes the candidate treatment plan by permitting, temporarily, discontinuities of the at least one operational parameter as between adjacent ones of a…
Radiation treatment planning and execution that consider the type of critical organ
Granted: April 2, 2013
Patent Number:
8411819
A method for use in a treatment planning process or in a treatment process includes determining a type of critical organ for healthy tissue, and accumulating dose for the healthy tissue based on the type of critical organ. A method for use in a treatment planning process or in a treatment process includes determining a type of critical organ for healthy tissue, and determining a constraint for the healthy tissue, wherein the constraint is determined based on different movement…
Sequential stereo imaging for estimating trajectory and monitoring target position
Granted: March 12, 2013
Patent Number:
8396248
A method for determining a position of a target includes obtaining a first image of the target, obtaining a second image of the target, wherein the first and the second images have different image planes and are generated at different times, processing the first and second images to determine whether the target in the first image corresponds spatially with the target in the second image, and determining the position of the target based on a result of the act of processing. Systems and…
