Patents by Inventor James W. Hugg

James W. Hugg 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: 11723608
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a gamma camera system, including: a stand, a rotatable gantry supported by the stand, and a transformable gamma camera connected by mechanical supports to the rotatable gantry and comprising groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and a collimator for each group of tiled arrays of gamma detectors; the transformable gamma camera being configured to subdivide into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras, each of the subdivided gamma cameras having at least one of the groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and corresponding collimator, wherein the subdivision into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras facilitates contouring with a region of interest for a spatial resolution. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KROMEK GROUP. PLC
    Inventor: James W. Hugg
  • Publication number: 20200352527
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a gamma camera system, including: a stand, a rotatable gantry supported by the stand, and a transformable gamma camera connected by mechanical supports to the rotatable gantry and comprising groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and a collimator for each group of tiled arrays of gamma detectors; the transformable gamma camera being configured to subdivide into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras, each of the subdivided gamma cameras having at least one of the groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and corresponding collimator, wherein the subdivision into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras facilitates contouring with a region of interest for a spatial resolution. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: James W. Hugg
  • Patent number: 10617382
    Abstract: A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLC
    Inventor: James W. Hugg
  • Patent number: 10502844
    Abstract: An imaging method and device are described for improving the performance of a gamma camera by optimizing a figure of merit that depends upon cost, efficiency, and spatial resolution. In a modular gamma camera comprising a tiled array of gamma detector modules, the performance figure of merit can be optimized by sparsely placing gamma detector modules within the gamma camera, optimizing collimation, and providing means for detector and/or collimator motion. Sparse gamma cameras can be constructed as flat or curved panels, and elliptical or circular rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLC
    Inventors: James W. Hugg, Brian W. Harris
  • Publication number: 20190209102
    Abstract: A gamma camera, a system, and a method are described, wherein a large gamma camera can be subdivided into two or more smaller gamma cameras, each independently positioned for SPECT data acquisition. These transformable gamma cameras make more efficient use of the gamma photon detector area. Tiled arrays of semiconductor gamma detectors are especially suited for such transformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: James W. Hugg
  • Publication number: 20160296186
    Abstract: A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: James W. Hugg
  • Publication number: 20120061581
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to an imaging system that includes a collimator assembly having two or more pinhole apertures therein. In one embodiment, the imaging system is configured so that two or more of the pinhole apertures have different focal lengths. The imaging system further includes a detector assembly configured to generate one or more signals in response to gamma photons that pass through the two or more pinhole apertures. Additional embodiments also relate to methods of changing collimator performance and methods of imaging a volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: James W. Hugg, Ang Liu, Douglas J. Wagenaar, Bradley E. Patt
  • Publication number: 20110270078
    Abstract: An multi-modality imaging system for imaging of an object under study that includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and an MRI-compatible single-photon nuclear imaging apparatus imbedded within the RF coil of the MRI system such that sequential or simultaneous imaging can be done with the two modalities using the same support bed of the object under study during the imaging session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas J. Wagenaar, Bradley E. Patt, Dirk Meier, James W. Hugg
  • Publication number: 20020073717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling MRI system components including components that reside inside an RF shield such as an RF coil, a receiver coil, a patient support table and a patient enclosure wall wherein the cooling system employs a liquid coolant essentially devoid of protons and to that end, essentially devoid of hydrogen atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: David E. Dean, Benny Assif, James W. Hugg