Patents by Inventor Charles C. Watson

Charles C. Watson 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).

  • Patent number: 11288847
    Abstract: Methods for simulating, and correcting for, doubly scattered annihilation gamma-ray photons in both time-of-flight (TOF) and non-TOF positron emission tomography scan data are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Watson, Jicun Hu, Chuanyu Zhou
  • Publication number: 20200151918
    Abstract: Methods for simulating, and correcting for, doubly scattered annihilation gamma-ray photons in both time-of-flight (TOF) and non-TOF positron emission tomography scan data are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Charles C. Watson, Jicun Hu, Chuanyu Zhou
  • Patent number: 10495707
    Abstract: In beta emission imaging, magnetic lensing allows a lower resolution detector to detect the spatial distribution of emissions at a higher resolution. The sample is placed in a magnetic field with field lines at a given density, and the detector is placed away from the sample where the magnet field lines diverge, resulting in a lesser density. Since the beta emissions travel along the field lines, the divergence of the field lines from the sample to the detector result in lensing or magnification. Using positron attenuation tomography to detect annihilation in the detector allows for correction due to self-absorption by the sample. The correction and lensing are used together or may be used independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 10162029
    Abstract: In beta emission imaging, magnetic lensing allows a lower resolution detector to detect the spatial distribution of emissions at a higher resolution. The sample is placed in a magnetic field with field lines at a given density, and the detector is placed away from the sample where the magnet field lines diverge, resulting in a lesser density. Since the beta emissions travel along the field lines, the divergence of the field lines from the sample to the detector result in lensing or magnification. Using positron attenuation tomography to detect annihilation in the detector allows for correction due to self-absorption by the sample. The correction and lensing are used together or may be used independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20180267122
    Abstract: In beta emission imaging, magnetic lensing allows a lower resolution detector to detect the spatial distribution of emissions at a higher resolution. The sample is placed in a magnetic field with field lines at a given density, and the detector is placed away from the sample where the magnet field lines diverge, resulting in a lesser density. Since the beta emissions travel along the field lines, the divergence of the field lines from the sample to the detector result in lensing or magnification. Using positron attenuation tomography to detect annihilation in the detector allows for correction due to self-absorption by the sample. The correction and lensing are used together or may be used independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20180267121
    Abstract: In beta emission imaging, magnetic lensing allows a lower resolution detector to detect the spatial distribution of emissions at a higher resolution. The sample is placed in a magnetic field with field lines at a given density, and the detector is placed away from the sample where the magnet field lines diverge, resulting in a lesser density. Since the beta emissions travel along the field lines, the divergence of the field lines from the sample to the detector result in lensing or magnification. Using positron attenuation tomography to detect annihilation in the detector allows for correction due to self-absorption by the sample. The correction and lensing are used together or may be used independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 10018696
    Abstract: In beta emission imaging, magnetic lensing allows a lower resolution detector to detect the spatial distribution of emissions at a higher resolution. The sample is placed in a magnetic field with field lines at a given density, and the detector is placed away from the sample where the magnet field lines diverge, resulting in a lesser density. Since the beta emissions travel along the field lines, the divergence of the field lines from the sample to the detector result in lensing or magnification. Using positron attenuation tomography to detect annihilation in the detector allows for correction due to self-absorption by the sample. The correction and lensing are used together or may be used independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20180011159
    Abstract: In beta emission imaging, magnetic lensing allows a lower resolution detector to detect the spatial distribution of emissions at a higher resolution. The sample is placed in a magnetic field with field lines at a given density, and the detector is placed away from the sample where the magnet field lines diverge, resulting in a lesser density. Since the beta emissions travel along the field lines, the divergence of the field lines from the sample to the detector result in lensing or magnification. Using positron attenuation tomography to detect annihilation in the detector allows for correction due to self-absorption by the sample. The correction and lensing are used together or may be used independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 9651687
    Abstract: Positron attenuation is estimated. Positrons attenuate differently than x-rays, so measuring positron attenuation may assist in diagnosis or material study. To measure positron attenuation, a positron beam is formed using a magnetic field. The annihilations along the beam within an object are measured using positron emission tomography. The rate of annihilation and integration of the rate of annihilation along the positron beam may be used to determine positron attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 9581673
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 9557395
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160370443
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160370445
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 9459333
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralf Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160116614
    Abstract: Positron attenuation is estimated. Positrons attenuate differently than x-rays, so measuring positron attenuation may assist in diagnosis or material study. To measure positron attenuation, a positron beam is formed using a magnetic field. The annihilations along the beam within an object are measured using positron emission tomography. The rate of annihilation and integration of the rate of annihilation along the positron beam may be used to determine positron attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 8971991
    Abstract: Supplemental transmission information is used in PET imaging with a hybrid PET/MR system. The magnetic field of the MR portion is used to direct positrons from one or more sources outside or inside the PET field of view to within the PET field of view. An oblique target or targets create an annihilation source within the PET field of view from the positron beam or beams. The resulting radiation may be detected. In combination with measurements made with the sources shielded (e.g., no positron beam-target annihilation sources), the attenuation or other characteristics outside the uniform region of the MR field of view is determined, such as calculating attenuation of arms of a patient for attenuation correction in PET imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20140228673
    Abstract: Supplemental transmission information is used in PET imaging with a hybrid PET/MR system. The magnetic field of the MR portion is used to direct positrons from one or more sources outside or inside the PET field of view to within the PET field of view. An oblique target or targets create an annihilation source within the PET field of view from the positron beam or beams. The resulting radiation may be detected. In combination with measurements made with the sources shielded (e.g., no positron beam-target annihilation sources), the attenuation or other characteristics outside the uniform region of the MR field of view is determined, such as calculating attenuation of arms of a patient for attenuation correction in PET imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20130141098
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralf Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 8299438
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a method of correcting attenuation in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and a positron emission tomography (PET) unit. The method includes acquiring PET sinogram data of an object within a field of view of the PET unit. The method further includes producing an attenuation map based on a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) of a parameterized model instance and the PET sinogram data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Fenchel, Ralf Ladebeck, Christian J. Michel, Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 8242777
    Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for calibrating an emission tomography subsystem in a combined MR (magnetic resonance) and emission tomography imaging system. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing a phantom that is configured such that the phantom is visible on a MR image, providing an attenuation map of the phantom, wherein the attenuation map includes an attenuation of the phantom, obtaining the MR image of the phantom, obtaining a position of the phantom from the MR image, mapping the attenuation map with the position of the phantom, and calibrating the emission tomography subsystem using the attenuation map mapped with the position of the phantom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Ladebeck, Johannes Pauli, Charles C. Watson