Patents by Inventor Brandon Allan Smith
Brandon Allan Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11864941Abstract: A method for verifying aperture positions of a pre-patient collimator of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes obtaining data collected by an X-ray measurement device having detector elements subjected to X-rays emitted from an X-ray source of the CT imaging system with the pre-patient collimator at an expected aperture position. The method also includes calculating a measured collimator aperture position for the pre-patient collimator based on the obtained data. The method further includes comparing the measured collimator aperture position to a system specification for the expected aperture position for the CT imaging system. The method even further includes generating an output based on the comparison of the measured collimator aperture position to the system specification.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Arka Datta, John Moore Boudry, Brandon Allan Smith
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Publication number: 20230263484Abstract: A scan window for an imaging system includes at least one flexible sheet made of an X-ray transparent material and having a first end and a second end. The scan window also includes at least one tapered joint formed between the first end and the second end and secured via a bonding agent to form a joined member with the at least one flexible sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Michael Eric Smith, Brandon Allan Smith, Wesley George Heiman
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Publication number: 20230109837Abstract: A method for verifying aperture positions of a pre-patient collimator of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes obtaining data collected by an X-ray measurement device having detector elements subjected to X-rays emitted from an X-ray source of the CT imaging system with the pre-patient collimator at an expected aperture position. The method also includes calculating a measured collimator aperture position for the pre-patient collimator based on the obtained data. The method further includes comparing the measured collimator aperture position to a system specification for the expected aperture position for the CT imaging system. The method even further includes generating an output based on the comparison of the measured collimator aperture position to the system specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Arka Datta, John Moore Boudry, Brandon Allan Smith
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Publication number: 20220233156Abstract: A system is provided for fasting switching a filter of an imaging system during a scan. In one embodiment, a system comprises a computation device with instructions stored in a non-transient memory to emit an X-ray beam via an X-ray source; move an imaging subject via a motorized table at a nonzero speed; while moving the imaging subject, acquire a dataset of the imaging subject by detecting attenuated X-rays transmitted through the imaging subject via an X-ray detector, wherein a first filter is positioned within the X-ray beam, between the X-ray source and the imaging subject; and while acquiring the dataset, responsive to a change in an anatomy of the imaging subject to be imaged, operate a filter driving system to switch from the first filter to a second filter, wherein during filter switching, the X-ray source does not emit X-rays.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Holly Ann McDaniel
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Patent number: 11324462Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fasting switching a filter of an imaging system during scan. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a first contrast enhancement of an injected contrast agent; responsive to the first contrast enhancement being higher than a first threshold, acquiring a first dataset by transmitting a radiation beam to an imaging subject via a first filter; switching to a different, second filter; acquiring a second dataset by transmitting the radiation beam to the imaging subject via the second filter, wherein an average contrast enhancement of the injected contrast agent during the acquisition of the first dataset is substantially the same as an average contrast enhancement of the injected contrast agent in the imaging subject during the acquisition of the second dataset.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Holly McDaniel
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Patent number: 11160518Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an integrated filter assembly including a plurality of bowtie filters and a hardening filter mounted on a single carriage. In one embodiment, an imaging system may include a carriage including a hardening filter and one or more bowtie filters, and a filter driving system for moving the carriage to selectively position the hardening filter and one of the one or more bowtie filters in a path of a radiation beam between a radiation source and an imaging subject, the hardening filter at least partially overlapping with at least one of the one or more bowtie filters. In this way, a single carriage may include a plurality of filters which may be selectively positioned in a path of the radiation beam entering a subject without having to stack multiple carriages and switch carriages between scans.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Timothy Mathew Behlmer, Dominic Joseph Crotty
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Publication number: 20210045702Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an integrated filter assembly including a plurality of bowtie filters and a hardening filter mounted on a single carriage. In one embodiment, an imaging system may include a carriage including a hardening filter and one or more bowtie filters, and a filter driving system for moving the carriage to selectively position the hardening filter and one of the one or more bowtie filters in a path of a radiation beam between a radiation source and an imaging subject, the hardening filter at least partially overlapping with at least one of the one or more bowtie filters. In this way, a single carriage may include a plurality of filters which may be selectively positioned in a path of the radiation beam entering a subject without having to stack multiple carriages and switch carriages between scans.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Timothy Mathew Behlmer, Dominic Joseph Crotty
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Patent number: 10433798Abstract: An aperture comprises blocking members and for blocking X-rays. The blocking member has: an edge formed on an arc A1 lying on a circumference CF2 of a circle with radius r2 around a focal spot f in an XY-plane; an edge connected to one endpoint of the edge, the edge being formed to lie on the side of the X-ray detector with respect to an arc A11 contiguous to the arc A1; and an edge connected to the other endpoint of the edge, the edge being formed to lie on the side of the X-ray detector with respect to an arc A12 contiguous to the arc A1.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kentaro Ogata, Kotaro Yamaura, Brandon Allan Smith
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Patent number: 10335096Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes partially supporting a subject to be imaged on a board extending from a mobile patient transport into a gantry bore of a stationary computed tomography (CT) imaging system while partially supporting both the subject and the board with a cradle extending from a table. The method also includes acquiring a single imaging volume, during an imaging scan with the stationary CT imaging system, without moving the subject.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brian Edward Nett, Brandon Allan Smith
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Publication number: 20190142354Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fasting switching a filter of an imaging system during scan. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a first contrast enhancement of an injected contrast agent within an imaging subject; responsive to the first contrast enhancement being higher than a first threshold, acquiring a first dataset of the imaging subject by transmitting a radiation beam to the imaging subject via a first filter; switching to a different, second filter after acquiring the first dataset; acquiring a second dataset of the imaging subject by transmitting the radiation beam to the imaging subject via the second filter, wherein an average contrast enhancement of the injected contrast agent in the imaging subject during the acquisition of the first dataset is substantially the same as an average contrast enhancement of the injected contrast agent in the imaging subject during the acquisition of the second dataset.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Holly McDaniel
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Publication number: 20190099136Abstract: An aperture comprises blocking members and for blocking X-rays. The blocking member has: an edge formed on an arc A1 lying on a circumference CF2 of a circle with radius r2 around a focal spot f in an XY-plane; an edge connected to one endpoint of the edge, the edge being formed to lie on the side of the X-ray detector with respect to an arc A11 contiguous to the arc A1; and an edge connected to the other endpoint of the edge, the edge being formed to lie on the side of the X-ray detector with respect to an arc A12 contiguous to the arc A1.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Kentaro Ogata, Kotaro Yamaura, Brandon Allan Smith
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Publication number: 20180249970Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes partially supporting a subject to be imaged on a board extending from a mobile patient transport into a gantry bore of a stationary computed tomography (CT) imaging system while partially supporting both the subject and the board with a cradle extending from a table. The method also includes acquiring a single imaging volume, during an imaging scan with the stationary CT imaging system, without moving the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2017Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Brian Edward Nett, Brandon Allan Smith
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Patent number: 9913620Abstract: A tilting head support for use in medical imaging is described. The tilting head support allows a patient to receive the equivalent of a tilted gantry exam study even when using a scanner gantry that does not tilt. In certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly has metallic or sharp edge components, if present, positioned outside the imaging area when in use. In addition, in certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly allows for user selection of a tilt angle from among a continuous range of available angles.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chad Allan Smith, John Moore Boudry, Brandon Allan Smith, Jaime Lehrer
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Patent number: 9687203Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for aligning a cradle supported by a table in an imaging system with a gantry scan plane in a bore of the gantry. More particularly, various embodiments provide a laser alignment structure having at least two alignment apertures arranged along an axis of the bore, and an adjustment device configured to adjust a position of the laser so that the laser beam is aligned with the alignment apertures. Highly accurate alignment of the cradle to the gantry scan plane is achieved by utilizing this apparatus in tandem with an imaging-based alignment analysis method.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Ariel Friedlander
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Publication number: 20160374630Abstract: A tilting head support for use in medical imaging is described. The tilting head support allows a patient to receive the equivalent of a tilted gantry exam study even when using a scanner gantry that does not tilt. In certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly has metallic or sharp edge components, if present, positioned outside the imaging area when in use. In addition, in certain embodiments, the tilted head support assembly allows for user selection of a tilt angle from among a continuous range of available angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Chad Allan Smith, John Moore Boudry, Brandon Allan Smith, Jaime Lehrer
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Patent number: 9474365Abstract: A dual-rate tandem spring system is described. The system may include a higher force spring and a lower force spring. The spring system may comprise gas springs. The spring system may be included in a table system to provide lift or descent assist of objects such as a patient. A damper may be installed in the spring system to provide smooth transition between lower and higher force springs.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Chad Allan Smith, Mark Tercha, Jaime Lehrer
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Publication number: 20160270523Abstract: A dual-rate tandem spring system is described. The system may include a higher force spring and a lower force spring. The spring system may comprise gas springs. The spring system may be included in a table system to provide lift or descent assist of objects such as a patient. A damper may be installed in the spring system to provide smooth transition between lower and higher force springs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Chad Allan Smith, Mark Tercha, Jaime Lehrer
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Publication number: 20160174929Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for aligning a cradle supported by a table in an imaging system with a gantry scan plane in a bore of the gantry. More particularly, various embodiments provide a laser alignment structure having at least two alignment apertures arranged along an axis of the bore, and an adjustment device configured to adjust a position of the laser so that the laser beam is aligned with the alignment apertures. Highly accurate alignment of the cradle to the gantry scan plane is achieved by utilizing this apparatus in tandem with an imaging-based alignment analysis method.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Brandon Allan Smith, Ariel Friedlander