Patents by Inventor Christof Baltes

Christof Baltes 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).

  • Publication number: 20240001152
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Christof BALTES, Todd HOLMES
  • Patent number: 11786758
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
  • Publication number: 20210283427
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christof BALTES, Todd HOLMES
  • Patent number: 11090512
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
  • Patent number: 10881877
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a processor configured for obtaining a first image that corresponds with a first multi-leaf collimator (MLC) configuration, wherein the first image is generated when the MLC is stationary, obtaining a second image that corresponds with a second MLC configuration, wherein the second image is generated when the MLC and/or another component of a radiation machine is being operated to track a motion, and performing an analysis based at least in part on the first image and the second image to obtain a result; and a non-transitory medium for storing the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan G. Scheib, Christof Baltes, Kristijan Macek
  • Publication number: 20200238103
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Christof BALTES, Todd HOLMES
  • Patent number: 10682527
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
  • Patent number: 10369383
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for pre-treatment verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a time-dependent gamma evaluation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Frans Verhaegen, Mark Podesta, Sebastiaan M. J. J. G. Nijsten, Lucas C. G. G. Persoon, Christof Baltes, Stefan G. Scheib
  • Publication number: 20190175949
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for pre-treatment verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a time-dependent gamma evaluation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Frans VERHAEGEN, Mark PODESTA, Sebastiaan M.J.J.G. NIJSTEN, Lucas C.G.G. PERSOON, Christof BALTES, Stefan G. SCHEIB
  • Publication number: 20190160308
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Christof BALTES, Todd HOLMES
  • Patent number: 10286229
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
  • Patent number: 10265546
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for pre-treatment verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a time-dependent gamma evaluation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Frans Verhaegen, Mark Podesta, Sebastiaan M. J. J. G. Nijsten, Lucas C. G. G. Persoon, Christof Baltes, Stefan G. Scheib
  • Publication number: 20180236264
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a processor configured for obtaining a first image that corresponds with a first multi-leaf collimator (MLC) configuration, wherein the first image is generated when the MLC is stationary, obtaining a second image that corresponds with a second MLC configuration, wherein the second image is generated when the MLC and/or another component of a radiation machine is being operated to track a motion, and performing an analysis based at least in part on the first image and the second image to obtain a result; and a non-transitory medium for storing the result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Stefan G. SCHEIB, Christof BALTES, Kristijan MACEK
  • Patent number: 9990731
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a processor configured for obtaining a first image that corresponds with a first multi-leaf collimator (MLC) configuration, wherein the first image is generated when the MLC is stationary, obtaining a second image that corresponds with a second MLC configuration, wherein the second image is generated when the MLC and/or another component of a radiation machine is being operated to track a motion, and performing an analysis based at least in part on the first image and the second image to obtain a result; and a non-transitory medium for storing the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Stefan G. Scheib, Christof Baltes, Kristijan Macek
  • Patent number: 9746419
    Abstract: A dual modality imaging apparatus, comprising a magnetic resonance imaging (=MRI) system and a fluorescence molecular tomography (=FMT) system, for investigating a sample (42) located at a sample position (10), wherein the MRI system comprises a magnet (9) with a room temperature bore (8), with the sample position (10) located within the bore (8), and wherein the FMT system comprises means for directing a light beam (12, 17; 30) towards the sample position (10), and a position-sensitive detector (37) for collecting fluorescence light from the sample (42), is characterized in that the position-sensitive detector (37) is located within the bore (8), wherein at least part of the sample (42) is imaged onto the position-sensitive detector (37), and that the means for directing the light beam (12, 17; 30) comprise a focusing device for focusing the light beam (12, 17; 30) into a focal spot (41) on the sample (42), and a scanning device for scanning the focal spot (41) on the sample (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: University of Zurich
    Inventors: Florian Stuker, Katerina Dikaiou, Christof Baltes, Markus Rudin
  • Publication number: 20170200276
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a processor configured for obtaining a first image that corresponds with a first multi-leaf collimator (MLC) configuration, wherein the first image is generated when the MLC is stationary, obtaining a second image that corresponds with a second MLC configuration, wherein the second image is generated when the MLC and/or another component of a radiation machine is being operated to track a motion, and performing an analysis based at least in part on the first image and the second image to obtain a result; and a non-transitory medium for storing the result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Stefan G. SCHEIB, Christof BALTES, Kristijan MACEK
  • Publication number: 20160136459
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for pre-treatment verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a time-dependent gamma evaluation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Frans VERHAEGEN, Mark PODESTA, Sebastiaan M.J.J.G. NIJSTEN, Lucas C.G.G. PERSOON, Christof BALTES, Stefan G. SCHEIB
  • Publication number: 20160136460
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Christof BALTES, Todd HOLMES
  • Patent number: 9265971
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
  • Patent number: 9242120
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for pre-treatment verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a time-dependent gamma evaluation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Frans Verhaegen, Mark Podesta, Sebastiaan M. J. J. G. Nijsten, Lucas C. G. G. Persoon, Christof Baltes, Stefan G. Scheib