Patents by Inventor John Thomas Pawlak
John Thomas Pawlak 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).
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Patent number: 8822910Abstract: A system and tuning method to collaboratively calibrate high voltage DAC values and Photomultiplier Tube DAC values of photomultiplier tubes of a gamma camera so that the detector produces a valid energy spectrum over the entire detector surface. A method for tuning a gamma camera having a plurality of photosensors, exposes the photosensors to scintillation photons corresponding to nuclear radiation of known energy; measures an energy output corresponding to each specific photosensor; calculates an average enemy output of all photosensors in the camera; collaboratively adjusts a DAC value corresponding to a voltage applied to a specific photosensor and a DACHV value corresponding to a high voltage applied to the camera based on the calculated average energy, energy output of each photosensor, and a target energy value corresponding to said known energy; and repeats the calibration until convergence is achieved between the average energy, energy output, and target energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Sharon Xiaorong Wang, James Frank Caruba, John Thomas Pawlak
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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
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Patent number: 7932498Abstract: A method for optimizing the scanning trajectory of a radiation detector device, e.g., a SPECT scanning device, about an object generally includes: obtaining object image data using a different imaging modality, e.g., a CT scanning device, determining a maximum object boundary based on the image data, calculating an optimal scan trajectory of the SPECT scanning device relative to the object based on the maximum object boundary, scanning the object with the SPECT scanning device along the optimal scan trajectory to detect gamma photons emanating from the object, from which an image can be reconstructed from the detected gamma photons. Preferably, the SPECT device includes at least two detectors arranged at a pre-selected angle relative to one another and the optimal scan trajectory minimizes the distance between the detectors and the object while maximizing the geometric efficiency of the detectors relative to the object.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Sharon Xiaorong Wang, John Thomas Pawlak, Govind Pai
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Patent number: 7825383Abstract: A mobile detector system for use in the detection of radiation photons. The detector system includes an exterior casing, having an internal area. The internal area has an interior periphery and an exterior periphery, at least one rail, at least one mobile camera, that is movably mounted on the at least one rail, and at least one motor. The motor drives at least one mobile camera, and the at least one mobile camera is movable along at least one rail within the exterior casing, to a plurality of radiation receiving positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: A Hans Vija, James T. Chapman, Peggy Hawman, Ansgar Graw, John Thomas Pawlak, Guenter Hahn
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Publication number: 20100148046Abstract: A system and tuning method to collaboratively calibrate high voltage DAC values and Photomultiplier Tube DAC values of photomultiplier tubes of a gamma camera so that the detector produces a valid energy spectrum over the entire detector surface. A method for tuning a gamma camera having a plurality of photosensors, exposes the photosensors to scintillation photons corresponding to nuclear radiation of known energy; measures an energy output corresponding to each specific photosensor; calculates an average enemy output of all photosensors in the camera; collaboratively adjusts a DAC value corresponding to a voltage applied to a specific photosensor and a DACHV value corresponding to a high voltage applied to the camera based on the calculated average energy, energy output of each photosensor, and a target energy value corresponding to said known energy; and repeats the calibration until convergence is achieved between the average energy, energy output, and target energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Sharon Xiaorong Wang, James Frank Caruba, John Thomas Pawlak
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Patent number: 7723674Abstract: Attenuation correction data is obtained from one or more transmission sources to calculate the attenuation factors of a reconstruction area of an object being imaged by a nuclear medicine apparatus, such as a SPECT gamma camera. The transmission sources are capable of swiveling the direction of the transmission to correspond with the direction of capture of the gamma detectors. Additionally, the transmission sources are capable of linear movement to correspond with any linear movement of the detectors. The transmission sources are able to follow the same path as the detectors in order to determine the attenuation factors through the same reconstruction area being scanned by the detectors.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: A Hans Vija, James T. Chapman, John Thomas Pawlak
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Publication number: 20090141852Abstract: A method for optimizing the scanning trajectory of a radiation detector device, e.g., a SPECT scanning device, about an object generally includes: obtaining object image data using a different imaging modality, e.g., a CT scanning device, determining a maximum object boundary based on the image data, calculating an optimal scan trajectory of the SPECT scanning device relative to the object based on the maximum object boundary, scanning the object with the SPECT scanning device along the optimal scan trajectory to detect gamma photons emanating from the object, from which an image can be reconstructed from the detected gamma photons. Preferably, the SPECT device includes at least two detectors arranged at a pre-selected angle relative to one another and the optimal scan trajectory minimizes the distance between the detectors and the object while maximizing the geometric efficiency of the detectors relative to the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.Inventors: Sharon Xiaorong Wang, John Thomas Pawlak, Govind Pai
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Patent number: 7470896Abstract: A non-circular-orbit detection method and apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: locating first and second detectors, displaced with respect to one another, a distance from a patient; moving the first and second detectors in a direction towards the patient until a first sensor senses a first point of the patient at a first sensing position; moving the first and second detectors in a second direction from the first sensing position until a second sensor senses a second point of the patient at a second sensing position; and moving the first and second detectors in a non-circular-orbit around the patient. Preferably, the method includes determining the non-circular-orbit based on, among other things, locations of the first point and the second point.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: John Thomas Pawlak, Anthony Perrone
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Publication number: 20080073541Abstract: A mobile detector system for use in the detection of radiation photons. The detector system includes an exterior casing, having an internal area. The internal area has an interior periphery and an exterior periphery, at least one rail, at least one mobile camera, that is movably mounted on the at least one rail, and at least one motor. The motor drives at least one mobile camera, and the at least one mobile camera is movable along at least one rail within the exterior casing, to a plurality of radiation receiving positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: A. Hans Vija, James T. Chapman, Peggy Hawman, Ansgar Graw, John Thomas Pawlak, Guenter Hahn
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Publication number: 20080073539Abstract: Attenuation correction data is obtained from one or more transmission sources to calculate the attenuation factors of a reconstruction area of an object being imaged by a nuclear medicine apparatus, such as a SPECT gamma camera. The transmission sources are capable of swiveling the direction of the transmission to correspond with the direction of capture of the gamma detectors. Additionally, the transmission sources are capable of linear movement to correspond with any linear movement of the detectors. The transmission sources are able to follow the same path as the detectors in order to determine the attenuation factors through the same reconstruction area being scanned by the detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: A Hans Vija, James T. Chapman, John Thomas Pawlak
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Publication number: 20040262525Abstract: A nuclear medicine gantry is provided and includes a ring defining a central longitudinal axis. The nuclear medicine gantry further includes at least one detector head mounted to the ring. The at least one detector head is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, movable in radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis, movable in tangential directions relative to a circle whose center is coincident with the longitudinal axis, and pivotable about a first pivot axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: David A. Yunker, John Thomas Pawlak
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Publication number: 20040263865Abstract: A non-circular-orbit detection method and apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes: locating first and second detectors, displaced with respect to one another, a distance from a patient; moving the first and second detectors in a direction towards the patient until a first sensor senses a first point of the patient at a first sensing position; moving the first and second detectors in a second direction from the first sensing position until a second sensor senses a second point of the patient at a second sensing position; and moving the first and second detectors in a non-circular-orbit around the patient. Preferably, the method includes determining the non-circular-orbit based on, among other things, locations of the first point and the second point.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: John Thomas Pawlak, Anthony Perrone
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Patent number: 6600655Abstract: A planarizing heat sink plate having a top portion and a bottom portion is provided. The heat sink plate includes a plurality of receiving means formed therethrough and operable to receive a module ejection device, and at least one removing means formed therethrough and operable to receive a driving device. Also included is at least one planarizing projection formed on the bottom portion and adapted to receive a radiographic sensor module. The at least one removing means is disposed between the plurality of receiving means, and the at least one planarizing projection corresponds to the at least one removing means. The heat sink plate is a multi-functional device that can aid in forming an efficient radiographic detector head comprising a plurality of radiographic sensor modules in the same plane, safely removing the radiographic sensor modules, and conducting heat away from the radiographic sensor modules.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: George W. Dailey, John Thomas Pawlak
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Patent number: 6557431Abstract: A fail-safe ball screw assembly has a double-start screw and a corresponding nut. The screw has a first helix with a truncated, smaller diameter flat and an intertwined second helix with an extended, larger diameter flat. Similarly, the corresponding nut has a first helix with an extended, larger diameter flat and an intertwined second helix with a truncated, smaller diameter flat. When the screw is inserted with the nut, the screw's truncated first helix is paired with the nut's extended first helix, and the screw's extended second helix is paired with the nut's truncated second helix. The nut and screw helixes combine to form channels in which bearings balls travel. The bearings allow the fail-safe ball screw assembly to operate with high efficiency and precision, while the overlapping structure of the helixes prevents catastrophic failure caused by the removal or loss of the bearing balls.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Pawlak