Patents by Inventor John McKisson

John McKisson 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: 20230146249
    Abstract: A subsurface continuous radioisotope environmental monitor that provides a continuous monitoring of the possible presence of radioactive species in subsurface groundwater. The detector and all supporting system elements are specifically constructed and equipped to be permanently mounted in a well or borehole to continuously detect and record radiation decay of radioactive species that are borne by subsurface water flow to that sampling area. The system operates by placing a detection element in a housing such that subsurface water that reaches the bore or well can flow in contact with the detection element. The system can employ several detection modes and materials. The detector includes SiPMs operating in a coincidence spectroscopy configuration to significantly reduce spurious signals due to thermal noise as well as increasing the total amount of signals collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: John E. McKisson, Brian Kross, John McKisson
  • Patent number: 11041795
    Abstract: A reflective laser-based particle detector for detecting contamination particles moving through a vacuum. Laser light is directed through a vacuum access window in the containment vessel and toward a reflective surface on an inner surface opposite the window. A photonic detector is positioned to monitor reflected laser from the opposite inner surface inside the vessel and is capable of detecting perturbations of the reflected light. The system makes use of optical interferometry techniques embodied as a photonic integrated circuit to detect the particles. The reflective laser-based system can be placed entirely outside the vacuum thereby avoiding the need for breaking the vacuum environment to check for accumulation of contaminant particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Wenze Xi, Rongli Geng, Carl Zorn, Brian J. Kross, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Jack McKisson, John McKisson
  • Publication number: 20210116348
    Abstract: A reflective laser-based particle detector for detecting contamination particles moving through a vacuum. Laser light is directed through a vacuum access window in the containment vessel and toward a reflective surface on an inner surface opposite the window. A photonic detector is positioned to monitor reflected laser from the opposite inner surface inside the vessel and is capable of detecting perturbations of the reflected light. The system makes use of optical interferometry techniques embodied as a photonic integrated circuit to detect the particles. The reflective laser-based system can be placed entirely outside the vacuum thereby avoiding the need for breaking the vacuum environment to check for accumulation of contaminant particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Wenze Xi, Rongli Geng, Carl Zorn, Brian J. Kross, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Jack McKisson, John McKisson
  • Patent number: 10027340
    Abstract: A field programmable gate array based multi-channel flash ADC unit combined with a high speed multi-lane data communications channel/Ethernet-like modular intercommunication providing a complete but easily expandable high-speed data acquisition system. This apparatus and method permits high-speed pulse-shape digitalization allowing position resolution imaging of particles having a range of energies and is scalable to achieve the efficient capture of coincident data from large electromagnetic detector arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Weisenberger, John E. McKisson, Hai Dong, Chris Cuevas, John McKisson, Wenze Xi
  • Patent number: 8536532
    Abstract: An upconverting device for a scintillation detection system is provided. The detection system comprises a scintillator material, a sensor, a light transmission path between the scintillator material and the sensor, and a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles particles positioned in the light transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kross, John E. (Jack) McKisson, John McKisson, Andrew Weisenberger, Wenze Xi, Carl Zom
  • Patent number: 8444264
    Abstract: An upconverting device for enhanced recognition of selected wavelengths is provided. The device comprises a transparent light transmitter in combination with a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles. The device may a lens in eyewear or alternatively a transparent panel such as a window in an instrument or machine. In use the upconverting device is positioned between a light source and the eye(s) of the user of the upconverting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kross, John (Jack) E. McKisson, John McKisson, Andrew Weisenberger, Wenze Xi, Carl Zorn
  • Patent number: 8217359
    Abstract: A self-aligning collimator for a radiation imaging device that is secured and aligned through the use of a plurality of small magnets. The collimator allows for the rapid exchange, removal, or addition of collimators for the radiation imaging device without the need for tools. The accompanying method discloses the use of magnets and accompanying magnetic fields to align and secure collimators in a radiation imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Kross, John McKisson, Aleksandr Stolin, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Carl Zorn
  • Patent number: 8183530
    Abstract: A mobile compact imaging system that combines both PET imaging and optical imaging into a single system which can be located in the operating room (OR) and provides faster feedback to determine if a tumor has been fully resected and if there are adequate surgical margins. While final confirmation is obtained from the pathology lab, such a device can reduce the total time necessary for the procedure and the number of iterations required to achieve satisfactory resection of a tumor with good margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Falen, Richard A. Hoefer, Stanislaw Majewski, John McKisson, Brian Kross, James Proffitt, Alexander Stolin, Andrew G. Weisenberger
  • Publication number: 20110089326
    Abstract: A mobile compact imaging system that combines both of the imaging system of and optical imaging into a single system which can be located in the operating room (OR) and provides faster feedback to determine if a tumor has been fully resected and if there are adequate surgical margins. While final confirmation is obtained from the pathology lab, such a device can reduce the total time necessary for the procedure and the number of iterations required to achieve satisfactory resection of a tumor with good margins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Steven W. Falen, Richard A. Hoefer, Stanislaw Majewski, John Mckisson, Brian Kross, James Proffitt, Alexander Stolin, Andrew G. Weisenberger