Patents by Inventor Jorge Uribe
Jorge Uribe 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: 8575555Abstract: A Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system and method using multiple types of imaging detectors are provided. One NM imaging system includes a gantry, at least a first imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the first imaging detector is a non-moving detector, and at least a second imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the second imaging detector is a moving detector. The first imaging detector is larger than the second imaging detector and the first and second imaging detectors have different detector configurations. The NM imaging system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the first and second imaging detectors during an imaging scan of an object to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information such that at least the first imaging detector remains stationary with respect to the gantry during image acquisition.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kristen Ann Wangerin, Evren Asma, Jorge Uribe, Ravindra Manjeshwar
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Publication number: 20120248320Abstract: A Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system and method using multiple types of imaging detectors are provided. One NM imaging system includes a gantry, at least a first imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the first imaging detector is a non-moving detector, and at least a second imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the second imaging detector is a moving detector. The first imaging detector is larger than the second imaging detector and the first and second imaging detectors have different detector configurations. The NM imaging system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the first and second imaging detectors during an imaging scan of an object to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information such that at least the first imaging detector remains stationary with respect to the gantry during image acquisition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kristen Ann Wangerin, Evren Asma, Jorge Uribe, Ravindra Manjeshwar
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Patent number: 7723690Abstract: Embodiments relate to a slit collimator assembly including a first set of panels spaced at least partially around a longitudinal axis of the collimator assembly and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The slit collimator assembly further includes a second set of panels spaced at least partially around longitudinal axis of the collimator assembly and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first set of panels and the second set of panels are arranged to define one or more slit apertures. The slit collimator assembly is configured so that movement of at least one of the first set of panels or the second set of panels adjusts an aperture size of at least one of the one or more slit apertures. The slit collimator assembly is configured so that gamma rays can pass through the one or more slit apertures, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent. Embodiments also relate to imaging systems and methods of changing collimator performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jorge Uribe, James William Hugg, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Patent number: 7671340Abstract: Embodiments relate to an imaging system that includes a collimator assembly having one or more pinhole apertures therein. The imaging system is configured so that one or more of the pinhole apertures has an adjustable focal length. The imaging system further includes a detector assembly configured to generate one or more signals in response to gamma rays that pass through the one or more pinhole apertures. Embodiments also relate to methods of changing collimator performance and methods of imaging a volume.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jorge Uribe, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen, James William Hugg
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Patent number: 7569826Abstract: Embodiments relate to collimator assemblies having one or more apertures therein. At least one of the one or more apertures has an aperture size that is configured for adjustment during an examination. The collimator assembly is configured so that gamma rays can pass through the one or more apertures, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent. Embodiments also related to imaging systems and methods of imaging.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jorge Uribe, James William Hugg, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Publication number: 20090022278Abstract: Embodiments relate to an imaging system that includes a collimator assembly having one or more pinhole apertures therein. The imaging system is configured so that one or more of the pinhole apertures has an adjustable focal length. The imaging system further includes a detector assembly configured to generate one or more signals in response to gamma rays that pass through the one or more pinhole apertures. Embodiments also relate to methods of changing collimator performance and methods of imaging a volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Hugg, Jorge Uribe, Floribertus P.M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Patent number: 7470907Abstract: Collimator assemblies that include an outer slit collimator having one or more slits therein, and an inner slit collimator having one or more slits therein are provided. Imaging systems that include a collimator assembly and a detector array are also provided. The collimator assembly includes an outer slit collimator having one or more slits therein. The collimator assembly further includes an inner slit collimator having one or more slits therein. The imaging system also includes a detector array configured to detect gamma rays emanating from a field of view that pass through one or more apertures defined by the collimator assembly. The detector array is further configured to generate one or more signals in response to the detected gamma rays. Methods of imaging a field of view using the imaging system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Hugg, Jorge Uribe, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Publication number: 20080304619Abstract: Embodiments of the present technique relate to a modular multi-hole collimator assembly configured to have an adjustable length. Each of the two or more multi-hole collimator units has a plurality of holes therethrough. Exemplary embodiments also relate to a modular multi-hole collimator assembly that includes a base multi-hole collimator unit and one or more multi-hole collimator extension units. Each of the base multi-hole collimator unit and the one or more multi-hole collimator extension units has a plurality of holes therethrough. At least one of the plurality of holes through the base multi-hole collimator unit and at least one of the holes through the one or more multi-hole collimator extension units are axially aligned.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ira Blevis, Yaron Hefetz, James William Hugg, Floribertus P.M. Heukensfeldt Jansen, Jorge Uribe
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Patent number: 7439514Abstract: Embodiments relate to pinhole collimator assemblies having one or more adjustable size pinhole apertures therein. The pinhole collimator assembly is configured so that gamma rays can pass through the collimator assembly, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent. Embodiments also relate to imaging systems and methods of adjusting pinhole collimator performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jorge Uribe, James William Hugg, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Publication number: 20080237473Abstract: Embodiments relate to a slit collimator assembly including a first set of panels spaced at least partially around a longitudinal axis of the collimator assembly and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The slit collimator assembly further includes a second set of panels spaced at least partially around longitudinal axis of the collimator assembly and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first set of panels and the second set of panels are arranged to define one or more slit apertures. The slit collimator assembly is configured so that movement of at least one of the first set of panels or the second set of panels adjusts an aperture size of at least one of the one or more slit apertures. The slit collimator assembly is configured so that gamma rays can pass through the one or more slit apertures, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent. Embodiments also relate to imaging systems and methods of changing collimator performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Jorge Uribe, James William Hugg, Floribertus P.M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Publication number: 20080237472Abstract: Embodiments relate to collimator assemblies having one or more apertures therein. At least one of the one or more apertures has an aperture size that is configured for adjustment during an examination. The collimator assembly is configured so that gamma rays can pass through the one or more apertures, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent. Embodiments also related to imaging systems and methods of imaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Jorge Uribe, James William Hugg, Floribertus P.M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Publication number: 20080237476Abstract: Embodiments relate to pinhole collimator assemblies having one or more adjustable size pinhole apertures therein. The pinhole collimator assembly is configured so that gamma rays can pass through the collimator assembly, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent. Embodiments also relate to imaging systems and methods of adjusting pinhole collimator performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Jorge Uribe, James William Hugg, Floribertus P.M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Publication number: 20080142719Abstract: Collimator assemblies that include an outer slit collimator having one or more slits therein, and an inner slit collimator having one or more slits therein are provided. Imaging systems that include a collimator assembly and a detector array are also provided. The collimator assembly includes an outer slit collimator having one or more slits therein. The collimator assembly further includes an inner slit collimator having one or more slits therein. The imaging system also includes a detector array configured to detect gamma rays emanating from a field of view that pass through one or more apertures defined by the collimator assembly. The detector array is further configured to generate one or more signals in response to the detected gamma rays. Methods of imaging a field of view using the imaging system are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: James William Hugg, Jorge Uribe, Floribertus P.M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Patent number: 7375338Abstract: Embodiments include an imaging system that includes a collimator support base and a detector assembly. The collimator support base is configured to interchangeably accept a slit aperture collimator and a pinhole aperture collimator. The slit aperture collimator has either a corresponding septa assembly or a corresponding crossed-slit collimator. The detector assembly is configured to detect collimated gamma rays emanating from a subject in a field of view of the imaging system and generate one or more signals in response to the detected gamma rays. Methods of adjusting performance of imaging systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Hugg, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen, Jorge Uribe
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Patent number: 7339174Abstract: Collimator assemblies that include an inner combined collimator and an outer collimator are provided. The inner combined collimator includes a first portion having one or more slit apertures therein, and a second portion having one or more pinhole apertures therein. The outer collimator includes one or more septa spaced on a side of the first portion of the inner combined collimator. The slit apertures of the inner combined collimator and the septa of the outer collimator are arranged to define a plurality of apertures through the collimator assembly. Imaging systems that include the collimator assemblies and a detector assembly are also provided. The detector assembly may be configured to detect gamma rays emanating from a field of view that pass through apertures defined by the collimator assembly and to generate one or more signals in response to the detected gamma rays. Methods of imaging a field view using the collimating assembly are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Hugg, Jorge Uribe, Floribertus P. M. Heukensfeldt Jansen
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Patent number: 7238943Abstract: Systems and methods are described for asymmetrically placed cross-coupled scintillation crystals. A method includes coupling a plurality of photomultiplier tubes to a scintillation crystal array, the scintillation crystal array defining a plurality of corner edges, wherein a first corner edge of the plurality of corner edges is aligned with a first center of a first photomultiplier tube of the plurality of photomultiplier tubes and a second corner edge of the plurality of corner edges is not aligned with a second center of a second photomultiplier tube of the plurality of photomultiplier tubes.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Jorge Uribe, Hossain Baghaei, Hongdi Li
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Patent number: 7071474Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tuning scintillation detectors. An output of a first light is equalized with an output of a neighboring, second light. The outputs are measured by one or more light detectors shared by the first and second lights. Outputs of a plurality of light detectors are equalized using the equalized output of the first light.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Hongdi Li, Jorge Uribe, Yaqiang Liu, Hossain Baghaei
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Patent number: 6956214Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a production method for making position-sensitive radiation detector arrays. A method includes applying a plurality of masks to a plurality of scintillation crystal slabs; coupling the plurality of scintillation crystal slabs to form a sandwich structure; cutting a plurality of slices from the sandwich structure; and coupling at least two of the plurality of slices to form a detector array.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Board of Regnets, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Jorge Uribe, Hossain Baghaei, Hongdi Li
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Patent number: 6936822Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for obtaining position and energy information without pileup. Signal integration, which is triggered by a present event, stops when a subsequent event is detected. A weighted value for estimating the total energy in a scintillation is calculated, which includes the energy of the current event and a residual energy from previous events. Remnant correction is used to calculate a pile-up free energy from two consecutive weighted values. An analog filter may be applied to reduce noise. Dynamic digital weighting of integrated values, and/or digital integration may be used during data processing. Pileup can be avoided in conjunction with several types of applications, including multi-zone detector applications and coincidence detection applications. High-resolution timing techniques are also disclosed that facilitate one's ability to avoid pileup.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Hongdi Li, Jorge Uribe, Hossain Baghaei
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Publication number: 20040188624Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tuning scintillation detectors. An output of a first light is equalized with an output of a neighboring, second light. The outputs are measured by one or more light detectors shared by the first and second lights. Outputs of a plurality of light detectors are equalized using the equalized output of the first light.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Wai-Hoi Wong, Hongdi Li, Jorge Uribe, Yaqiang Liu, Hossain Baghaei