Patents by Inventor Larry Pierce

Larry Pierce 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: 20240066322
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods for performing personalized dosimetry of a patient receiving a radiopharmaceutical are described. In an example method, anatomic data is generated by performing a computed tomography (CT) scan on the patient when they are lying down and wearing a garment. Based on the anatomic data, locations of organs of the patient are determined with respect to one or more fiducial markers integrated with the garment. Detectors for detecting photons from a radiopharmaceutical are placed on the garment based on locations of the organs. Subsequently, the patient may be administered a dose of the radiopharmaceutical. When the patient wears the garment, the detectors may detect photons released from the decaying radiopharmaceutical that is distributed in the organs. The radiation dosage to the organs may be determined based on the detected photons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Larry A Pierce, II, Robert S. Miyaoka, Robert L Harrison
  • Patent number: 11806177
    Abstract: Various noncollimated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technologies are described herein. An example device includes an array of detectors configured to detect a flux of first photons transmitted from a field of view (FOV) over time. The device also includes an attenuator disposed between the array of detectors and the FOV. The attenuator is configured to move over time and to attenuate second photons emitted from the source. In various implementations, the attenuator is not a collimator. Based on the fluxes of the first photons detected by the detectors, and the position of the attenuator over time, an imaging system may be configured to generate an image of the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Larry A. Pierce, II, Robert S. Miyaoka
  • Publication number: 20230265040
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for making pleuromutilins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventor: Larry Pierce
  • Publication number: 20230181128
    Abstract: Various noncollimated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technologies are described herein. An example device includes an array of detectors configured to detect a flux of first photons transmitted from a field of view (FOV) over time. The device also includes an attenuator disposed between the array of detectors and the FOV. The attenuator is configured to move over time and to attenuate second photons emitted from the source. In various implementations, the attenuator is not a collimator. Based on the fluxes of the first photons detected by the detectors, and the position of the attenuator over time, an imaging system may be configured to generate an image of the FOV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Larry A. Pierce, II, Robert S. Miyaoka
  • Publication number: 20210228078
    Abstract: A garment for detecting radiation washout (e.g., radioactivity concentrations) in organs includes a covering that wraps around and is secured to the body. The covering permits positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of the body through the covering. The garment includes guides formed from a material that is visible in a computed tomography (CT) image of the garment, such that the guides are visible in CT images of user organs that the garment overlies. A plurality of radiation detectors are attached to the covering in a configuration customized for the body. A wiring system connects the plurality of radiation detectors to a power and data control system that is configured to transmit data from the garment to a remote service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventors: Robert S. Miyaoka, Hubert Vesselle, Robert Stewart, Robert L. Harrison, Larry A. Pierce, II
  • Patent number: 11061147
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a nuclear medicine tomography detector module using principal component analysis is based on the idea that calibration beam data lies on a one-dimensional path within the higher dimensional dataspace of output data. The module includes a weighted multiplexing circuit that generates a small number of multiplexed signals for each photon event. Calibration data for the module is generated and analyzed using several iterations of principal component analyses, to filter scattering events, noise, and other spurious signals. The direction of depth-of-interaction information has been found in the high-dimensional dataspace to be indicated by the primary principal component of the calibration data. The primary principal components, principal components from filtered datasets, intermediate thresholds, and DOI or inner product values are recorded for calibrating the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Larry A. Pierce, II, Robert S. Miyaoka
  • Publication number: 20200278456
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a nuclear medicine tomography detector module using principal component analysis is based on the idea that calibration beam data lies on a one-dimensional path within the higher dimensional dataspace of output data. The module includes a weighted multiplexing circuit that generates a small number of multiplexed signals for each photon event. Calibration data for the module is generated and analyzed using several iterations of principal component analyses, to filter scattering events, noise, and other spurious signals. The direction of depth-of-interaction information has been found in the high-dimensional dataspace to be indicated by the primary principal component of the calibration data. The primary principal components, principal components from filtered datasets, intermediate thresholds, and DOI or inner product values are recorded for calibrating the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventors: Larry A. Pierce, II, Robert S. Miyaoka
  • Patent number: 9854756
    Abstract: A horizontal container gardening system for the regulated and automatic watering of plants grown within the system provides a large capacity water regulator having an internal water control device, supplying a controlled amount of water through connecting tubing to at least one growth container providing a constant water source to an elevated and covered plant growth medium suspended upon a platform above an elevated support structure, with at least one column of the plant growth medium extending into a bottom reservoir portion of the container, lifting water into the plant growth medium through passive wicking providing water to the roots of the plants growing within the elevated plant growth medium. The growth container may be attached to one another in series by additional tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Larry Pierce
  • Publication number: 20160081283
    Abstract: A horizontal container gardening system for the regulated and automatic watering of plants grown within the system provides a large capacity water regulator having an internal water control device, supplying a controlled amount of water through connecting tubing to at least one growth container providing a constant water source to an elevated and covered plant growth medium suspended upon a platform above an elevated support structure, with at least one column of the plant growth medium extending into a bottom reservoir portion of the container, lifting water into the plant growth medium through passive wicking providing water to the roots of the plants growing within the elevated plant growth medium. The growth container may be attached to one another in series by additional tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventor: Larry Pierce
  • Publication number: 20150114304
    Abstract: A system for organic farming of aquatic livestock has at least one substantially enclosed container structured and arranged to contain at least one input-controlled organic environment usable to organically farm such aquatic livestock. At least one pollutant-free water-supplier is structured and arranged to supply, to the at least one substantially enclosed container, water substantially free of environmental pollutants. At least one aquatic life-support unit is structured and arranged to maintain within the at least one substantially enclosed container habitable environment consistent with sustaining growth of such aquatic livestock. At least one heating system is coupled to the at least one substantially enclosed container for heating an air mixture. The air mixture is injected into the water substantially free of environmental pollutants to heat the water substantially free of environmental pollutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: LARRY PIERCE
  • Patent number: 8950361
    Abstract: A system for organic farming of aquatic livestock has at least one substantially enclosed container structured and arranged to contain at least one input-controlled organic environment usable to organically farm such aquatic livestock. At least one pollutant-free water-supplier is structured and arranged to supply, to the at least one substantially enclosed container, water substantially free of environmental pollutants. At least one aquatic life-support unit is structured and arranged to maintain within the at least one substantially enclosed container habitable environment consistent with sustaining growth of such aquatic livestock. At least one heating system is coupled to the at least one substantially enclosed container for heating an air mixture. The air mixture is injected into the water substantially free of environmental pollutants to heat the water substantially free of environmental pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Casa Grande Fish Farm JV, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Pierce
  • Patent number: 8699771
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes obtaining an image data set of a region of interest in an object, obtaining a motion signal indicative of motion of the region of interest, determining at least one quiescent period of at least a portion of the motion signal, extracting image data from the image data set that is within the determined quiescent period to form an image data subset, and generating an image of the region of interest using the image data subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott David Wollenweber, Alexander Ganin, Kris Filip Johan Jules Thielemans, Larry Pierce, Adam Alessio, Paul Kinahan, Chi Liu
  • Patent number: 8651058
    Abstract: A system for improved organic fishery systems for improved aquatic farming, primarily within inland production sites, primarily using a system of enclosed tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Casa Grande Fish Farms JV, LLC
    Inventor: Larry A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 8088056
    Abstract: A cermet wire includes at least 1% californium-252 and is characterized by a diameter of no more than 0.0225 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Ian G Gross, Larry A Pierce
  • Publication number: 20110116695
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes obtaining an image data set of a region of interest in an object, obtaining a motion signal indicative of motion of the region of interest, determining at least one quiescent period of at least a portion of the motion signal, extracting image data from the image data set that is within the determined quiescent period to form an image data subset, and generating an image of the region of interest using the image data subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Scott David Wollenweber, Alexander Ganin, Kris Filip Johan Jules Thielemans, Larry Pierce, Adam Alessio, Paul Kinahan, Chi Liu
  • Publication number: 20060195003
    Abstract: A cermet wire includes at least 1% californium-252 and is characterized by a diameter of no more than 0.0225 inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Ian Gross, Larry Pierce
  • Patent number: 7093476
    Abstract: A method for reducing the cross-sectional diameter of a radioactive californium-containing cermet wire while simultaneously improving the wire diameter to a more nearly circular cross section. A collet fixture is used to reduce the wire diameter by controlled pressurization pulses while simultaneously improving the wire cross-sectional diameter. The method is especially suitable for use in hot cells for the production of optimized cermet brachytherapy sources that contain large amounts of radioactive californium-252.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Ian G Gross, Larry A Pierce
  • Patent number: 7077800
    Abstract: In cancer brachytherapy treatment, a small californium-252 neutron source capsule is attached to a guide cable using a modified crimping technique. The guide cable has a solid cylindrical end, and the attachment employs circumferential grooves micromachined in the solid cable end. The attachment was designed and tested, and hardware fabricated for use inside a radioactive hot cell. A welding step typically required in other cable attachments is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: UT Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Ian G Gross, Larry A Pierce
  • Publication number: 20060053856
    Abstract: A method for reducing the cross-sectional diameter of a radioactive californium-containing cermet wire while simultaneously improving the wire diameter to a more nearly circular cross section. A collet fixture is used to reduce the wire diameter by controlled pressurization pulses while simultaneously improving the wire cross-sectional diameter. The method is especially suitable for use in hot cells for the production of optimized cermet brachytherapy sources that contain large amounts of radioactive californium-252.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Ian Gross, Larry Pierce
  • Publication number: 20060058568
    Abstract: In cancer brachytherapy treatment, a small californium-252 neutron source capsule is attached to a guide cable using a modified crimping technique. The guide cable has a solid cylindrical end, and the attachment employs circumferential grooves micromachined in the solid cable end. The attachment was designed and tested, and hardware fabricated for use inside a radioactive hot cell. A welding step typically required in other cable attachments is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Ian Gross, Larry Pierce