Patents by Inventor Daniel Morf

Daniel Morf 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: 11931601
    Abstract: An imager includes: an array of imager elements configured to generate image signals based on radiation received by the imager; and circuit configured to perform readout of image signals, wherein the circuit is configured to be radiation hard. An imager includes: an array of imager elements configured to generate image signals based on the radiation received by the imager; and readout and control circuit coupled to the array of imager elements, wherein the readout and control circuit is configured to perform signal readout in synchronization with an operation of a treatment beam source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Daniel Morf, Martin Amstutz
  • Patent number: 11896851
    Abstract: A method of radiation therapy comprises, while a gantry of a radiation therapy system rotates continuously in a first direction through a treatment arc from a first treatment delivery position to a second treatment delivery position, causing an imaging X-ray source mounted on the gantry to direct X-rays through a target volume and receiving a set of X-ray projection images from an X-ray imager mounted on the gantry; determining a current location of the target volume based on the set of X-ray projection images; and while the gantry to continues to rotate to the second treatment delivery position, initiating delivery of a treatment beam of a treatment-delivering X-ray source mounted on the gantry to the target volume, and continuing to cause the gantry to rotate in the first direction from the second treatment delivery position to a third treatment delivery position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Van Heteren, Liangjia Zhu, Daniel Morf
  • Publication number: 20230083536
    Abstract: An imager includes: an array of imager elements configured to generate image signals based on radiation received by the imager; and circuit configured to perform readout of image signals, wherein the circuit is configured to be radiation hard. An imager includes: an array of imager elements configured to generate image signals based on the radiation received by the imager; and readout and control circuit coupled to the array of imager elements, wherein the readout and control circuit is configured to perform signal readout in synchronization with an operation of a treatment beam source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel MORF, Martin AMSTUTZ
  • Patent number: 11590369
    Abstract: In a radiation therapy system, treatment X-rays are delivered to a target volume at the same time that imaging X-rays are also delivered to the target volume for generating image data of the target volume. That is, during an imaging interval in which imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume, one or more pulses of treatment X-rays are also delivered to the target volume. In each pixel of an X-ray imaging device of the radiation therapy system, image signal is accumulated during portions of the imaging interval in which only imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume and is prevented from accumulating in each pixel during the pulses of treatment X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Keller, Daniel Morf, Peter Munro
  • Patent number: 11478663
    Abstract: An imager includes: an array of imager elements configured to generate image signals based on radiation received by the imager; and circuit configured to perform readout of image signals, wherein the circuit is configured to be radiation hard. An imager includes: an array of imager elements configured to generate image signals based on the radiation received by the imager; and readout and control circuit coupled to the array of imager elements, wherein the readout and control circuit is configured to perform signal readout in synchronization with an operation of a treatment beam source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Daniel Morf, Martin Amstutz
  • Publication number: 20220159198
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is configured with fast readout of X-ray images with significantly reduced image lag. A reset phase is included in the process of acquiring an X-ray image to reduce image lag in a subsequently acquired X-ray image. During the reset phase, residual charge is concurrently transferred from multiple arrays of pixel detector elements in an X-ray detector panel. As a result, image lag present in a subsequent X-ray image is minimized or otherwise reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Simon KELLER, Daniel MORF
  • Publication number: 20220151572
    Abstract: A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) method uses a continuous beam and an area detector to carry out fast acquisition of projection data. The acquired projection data are then reconstructed to generate tomographic images. In acquisition of the projection data, a radiation source continuously irradiates a subject with a cone beam of radiation from a plurality of angles and an area detector continuously reads out data. A CBCT system including a source operable to produce a cone beam of radiation and an area detector movable in synchrony with the source to rapidly acquire projection data for CBCT construction is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Mathias Lehmann, Reto Ansorge, Manuel Waser, Daniel Morf
  • Patent number: 11298088
    Abstract: A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) method uses a continuous beam and an area detector to carry out fast acquisition of projection data. The acquired projection data are then reconstructed to generate tomographic images. In acquisition of the projection data, a radiation source continuously irradiates a subject with a cone beam of radiation from a plurality of angles and an area detector continuously reads out data. A CBCT system including a source operable to produce a cone beam of radiation and an area detector movable in synchrony with the source to rapidly acquire projection data for CBCT construction is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Mathias Lehmann, Reto Ansorge, Manuel Waser, Daniel Morf
  • Publication number: 20220079534
    Abstract: A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system employs a large area detector and a cone-beam radiation source to allow for acquisition of projection images in about 180 degrees plus a fan angle to provide a complete data set for CBCT reconstruction to generate an image volume with a field of view (FOV) of at least about 20 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Morf, Martin Amstutz, Simon Keller
  • Patent number: 11245860
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is configured with fast readout of X-ray images with significantly reduced image lag. A reset phase is included in the process of acquiring an X-ray image to reduce image lag in a subsequently acquired X-ray image. During the reset phase, residual charge is concurrently transferred from multiple arrays of pixel detector elements in an X-ray detector panel. As a result, image lag present in a subsequent X-ray image is minimized or otherwise reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventors: Simon Keller, Daniel Morf
  • Publication number: 20210393989
    Abstract: A method of radiation therapy comprises, while a gantry of a radiation therapy system rotates continuously in a first direction through a treatment arc from a first treatment delivery position to a second treatment delivery position, causing an imaging X-ray source mounted on the gantry to direct X-rays through a target volume and receiving a set of X-ray projection images from an X-ray imager mounted on the gantry; determining a current location of the target volume based on the set of X-ray projection images; and while the gantry to continues to rotate to the second treatment delivery position, initiating delivery of a treatment beam of a treatment-delivering X-ray source mounted on the gantry to the target volume, and continuing to cause the gantry to rotate in the first direction from the second treatment delivery position to a third treatment delivery position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John VAN HETEREN, Liangjia ZHU, Daniel MORF
  • Publication number: 20210353964
    Abstract: Time-domain interleaving of treatment X-rays and imaging X-rays during an image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) process in a radiation therapy system prevents scatter of the treatment X-rays from degrading the quality of X-ray images used to generate volumetric image data of a target volume. Imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume during one or more imaging intervals, and one or more pulses of treatment X-rays are delivered to the target volume between the imaging intervals. In instances in which a pulse of treatment X-rays is timed to occur during an imaging interval, the pulse of treatment X-rays is inhibited from occurring during the imaging interval and is rescheduled to occur at a later time that does not coincide with that imaging interval or subsequent imaging intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Simon KELLER, Daniel MORF, Peter MUNRO
  • Publication number: 20210346723
    Abstract: In a radiation therapy system, treatment X-rays are delivered to a target volume at the same time that imaging X-rays are also delivered to the target volume for generating image data of the target volume. That is, during an imaging interval in which imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume, one or more pulses of treatment X-rays are also delivered to the target volume. In each pixel of an X-ray imaging device of the radiation therapy system, image signal is accumulated during portions of the imaging interval in which only imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume and is prevented from accumulating in each pixel during the pulses of treatment X-rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Simon KELLER, Daniel MORF, Peter MUNRO
  • Patent number: 11156727
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer; and an array of photodiode elements; wherein the scintillator layer is configured to receive radiation that has passed through the array of photodiode elements. An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements configured to convert radiation into photons; and an array of photodiode elements configured to receive photons from the scintillator layer, and generate electrical signals in response to the received photons; wherein at least two of the scintillator elements are separated by an air gap. An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a first plane; and a second scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a second plane; wherein the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer are arranged next to each other and form a non-zero angle relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Daniel Morf, Eric Abel, Gary F. Virshup, Andre Meyer, Viktor Steinlin, Mingshan Sun
  • Publication number: 20210298694
    Abstract: A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) method uses a continuous beam and an area detector to carry out fast acquisition of projection data. The acquired projection data are then reconstructed to generate tomographic images. In acquisition of the projection data, a radiation source continuously irradiates a subject with a cone beam of radiation from a plurality of angles and an area detector continuously reads out data. A CBCT system including a source operable to produce a cone beam of radiation and an area detector movable in synchrony with the source to rapidly acquire projection data for CBCT construction is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Mathias Lehmann, Reto Ansorge, Manuel Waser, Daniel Morf
  • Publication number: 20210282735
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented for automatic tuning, calibration, and verification of radiation therapy systems comprising control elements configured to control parameters of the radiation therapy systems based on images obtained using electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) included in the radiation therapy system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Robert T. WIGGERS, Daryl LEUNG, Reto W. FILIBERTI, Daniel MORF, Diana KUNG, Stephen GAUDIO
  • Patent number: 11110300
    Abstract: A method of radiation therapy comprises, while a gantry of a radiation therapy system rotates continuously in a first direction through a treatment arc from a first treatment delivery position to a second treatment delivery position, causing an imaging X-ray source mounted on the gantry to direct X-rays through a target volume and receiving a set of X-ray projection images from an X-ray imager mounted on the gantry; determining a current location of the target volume based on the set of X-ray projection images; and while the gantry to continues to rotate to the second treatment delivery position, initiating delivery of a treatment beam of a treatment-delivering X-ray source mounted on the gantry to the target volume, and continuing to cause the gantry to rotate in the first direction from the second treatment delivery position to a third treatment delivery position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Van Heteren, Liangjia Zhu, Daniel Morf
  • Patent number: 11058393
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented for automatic tuning, calibration, and verification of radiation therapy systems comprising control elements configured to control parameters of the radiation therapy systems based on images obtained using electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) included in the radiation therapy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Robert T. Wiggers, Daryl Leung, Reto W. Filiberti, Daniel Morf, Diana Kung, Stephen Gaudio
  • Publication number: 20210185245
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is configured with fast readout of X-ray images with significantly reduced image lag. A reset phase is included in the process of acquiring an X-ray image to reduce image lag in a subsequently acquired X-ray image. During the reset phase, residual charge is concurrently transferred from multiple arrays of pixel detector elements in an X-ray detector panel. As a result, image lag present in a subsequent X-ray image is minimized or otherwise reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Simon KELLER, Daniel MORF
  • Patent number: 11027153
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is configured to enable imaging and treatment of a target volume during a single patient breath hold. The radiation system includes a rotating gantry on which are mounted a treatment-delivering X-ray source and multiple imaging X-ray sources and corresponding X-ray imaging devices. The multiple imaging X-ray sources and X-ray imaging devices enable the acquisition of volumetric image data for the target volume over a relatively short rotational arc, for example 30 degrees or less. Therefore, intra-fraction motion can be detected in near-real time, for example within about one second or less. The radiation therapy system can perform image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) that monitors intra-fraction motion using X-ray imaging. Detected anatomical variations can then either be compensated for, via patient repositioning and/or treatment modification, or the current treatment can be aborted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Van Heteren, Liangjia Zhu, Daniel Morf, Stefan Georg Scheib, Pascal Paysan