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: 11288847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Charles C. Watson, Jicun Hu, Chuanyu Zhou
-
Publication number: 20200151918Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Charles C. Watson, Jicun Hu, Chuanyu Zhou
-
Patent number: 10495707Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 10162029Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20180267122Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20180267121Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 10018696Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20180011159Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 9651687Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 9581673Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 9557395Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20160370443Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20160370445Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 9459333Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralf Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20160116614Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 8971991Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20140228673Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Charles C. Watson
-
Publication number: 20130141098Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralf Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 8299438Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Matthias Fenchel, Ralf Ladebeck, Christian J. Michel, Charles C. Watson
-
Patent number: 8242777Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ralf Ladebeck, Johannes Pauli, Charles C. Watson