Patents by Inventor Rowland Saunders
Rowland Saunders 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: 10888299Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray detection device and an apparatus and method for calibrating an X-ray detector, the method for calibrating an X-ray detector comprising: retrieving a calibration parameter stored in the X-ray detector relative to the X-ray detector; and calibrating the X-ray detector according to the calibration parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Peijun Chen, Wei Zhao, Yongtao Tan, Rowland Saunders
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Patent number: 8705695Abstract: A radiography system allow for user determination of a region of interest on a subject prior to X-ray exposure. The region of interest is defined by user interaction with an image, a pointer system, or the like. The region of interest is then translated to the imaging coordinate system, such as in the plane of a digital detector. The region is then used for exposure control during an imaging sequence, either in an open or closed-loop manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kadri Nizar Jabri, Vivek Walimbe, Rowland Saunders, Romain Areste
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Patent number: 8690426Abstract: A method of fabricating a portable x-ray detector includes coupling a gravity sensor to the portable x-ray detector and coupling a processor to the gravity sensor. The processor is programmed to receive an input from the gravity sensor, determine a physical orientation of the portable x-ray detector based on the received input, and generate an indication to reposition the portable x-ray detector. A portable detector and an imaging system including the portable detector are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Rowland Saunders, Kenneth Kump, Donald Langler, Roy Schley
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Publication number: 20120128125Abstract: A radiography system allow for user determination of a region of interest on a subject prior to X-ray exposure. The region of interest is defined by user interaction with an image, a pointer system, or the like. The region of interest is then translated to the imaging coordinate system, such as in the plane of a digital detector. The region is then used for exposure control during an imaging sequence, either in an open or closed-loop manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kadri Nizar Jabri, Vivek Walimbe, Rowland Saunders, Romain Areste
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Publication number: 20110305319Abstract: A method of fabricating a portable x-ray detector includes coupling a gravity sensor to the portable x-ray detector and coupling a processor to the gravity sensor. The processor is programmed to receive an input from the gravity sensor, determine a physical orientation of the portable x-ray detector based on the received input, and generate ah indication to reposition the portable x-ray detector. A portable detector and an imaging system including the portable detector are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: JAMES ZHENGSHE LIU, ROWLAND SAUNDERS, KENNETH KUMP, DONALD LANGLER, ROY SCHLEY
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Patent number: 7436933Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rowland Saunders, Steven G. Ross, Thomas L. Toth
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Publication number: 20080019484Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Rowland Saunders, Steven Ross, Thomas Toth
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Patent number: 7286631Abstract: A method and apparatus for tomosynthesis image quality control for a tomosynthesis imaging system. The method and apparatus including: positioning a phantom having an edge of predetermined sharpness at a predetermined angle relative to an imaging plane of an x-ray detector; performing tomosynthesis acquisition and generating one or more slice images using one or more three-dimensional reconstruction algorithms; selecting a slice image to be measured from the one or more slice images; identifying a sharpest edge in the slice image to be measured, wherein the sharpest edge in the slice image to be measured includes the in-focus portion of the phantom; inputting the slice image to be measured and coordinates of the sharpest edge in the slice image to be measured into a modulation transfer function (MTF) algorithm; and, using the MTF algorithm, calculating the in-plane resolution and slice thickness of the slice image to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Baojun Li, Rowland Saunders, John Sandrik, Xianfeng Ni
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Publication number: 20070237309Abstract: A patient barrier is described. The patient barrier includes a footstep configured to support a patient and placed on a floor, a frame attached to the footstep and configured to separate the patient from an energy receptor The patient barrier includes at least one of a first pivot configured to pivot the patient barrier with respect to the floor, and a support bar coupled to the frame, configured to support an arm of the patient, and pivot with respect to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Nicholas Marinelli, Rowland Saunders, Lawrence Murphy, Atul Tandon
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Patent number: 7266180Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rowland Saunders, Steven Ross, Thomas L. Toth
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Publication number: 20070110212Abstract: The presently described technology provides a tomosynthesis imaging system that comprises an x-ray tube and an anti-scatter grid. The x-ray tube is configured to emit x-rays from a plurality of positions during movement of the x-ray tube along a long axis of a mobile patient surface. The anti-scatter grid is configured to filter out scattered x-rays and includes a grid line parallel to the long axis of the mobile patient surface. The x-rays emitted from the plurality of positions are reconstructed into at least one image of at least one plane of a patient anatomy. The described technology is useful in emergency or trauma applications where a patient may be quickly and easily moved on a mobile patient surface to a position near an x-ray detector used in combination with the x-ray tube and anti-scatter grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Baojun Li, Renuka Uppaluri, Carson Thomas, Gerald Schulte, Gopal Avinash, Rowland Saunders, Tammy Merisotis
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Publication number: 20060118701Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which, in some embodiments, an electronic sensor is positioned in the field of projection of an X-ray source, and the electronic sensor measures the deviation between a visible light field and an X-ray field. In some embodiments, the deviation is scaled in reference to the position of the electronic sensor between an X-ray receptor and the X-ray source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2004Publication date: June 8, 2006Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Sandrik, Rowland Saunders, Jerry Thomas
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Publication number: 20060120506Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tomosynthesis image quality control for a tomosynthesis imaging system, the method and apparatus addressing the measurement of in-plane resolution and slice thickness, via the measurement of modulation transfer function (MTF), the method and apparatus including: positioning a phantom having an edge of predetermined sharpness at a predetermined angle relative to an imaging plane of an x-ray detector; performing tomosynthesis acquisition and generating one or more slice images using one or more three-dimensional reconstruction algorithms; selecting a slice image to be measured from the one or more slice images; identifying a sharpest edge in the slice image to be measured, wherein the sharpest edge in the slice image to be measured includes the in-focus portion of the phantom; inputting the slice image to be measured and coordinates of the sharpest edge in the slice image to be measured into an MTF algorithm; and, using the MTF algorithm, calculating theType: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2006Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Baojun Li, Rowland Saunders, John Sandrik, Xianfeng Ni
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Patent number: 7031434Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator mandrel having variable attenuation characteristics is presented. The manufacturing process includes the placement of a layer of attenuating material on a core of base material. The layer of attenuating material is relatively thin and varies in thickness circumferentially around the core. The collimator mandrel may be manufactured by placing a cast about a core of non-attenuating material, filling a void between the cast and the core with an attenuating material, allowing the material to cure, and removing the cast from the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rowland Saunders, Steven Ross, Thomas Toth
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Publication number: 20050152502Abstract: Phantoms and discrete spatial and frequency methods for quantitatively measuring the alignment of radiographic imaging systems are described. One embodiment comprises phantoms for use in mechanically aligning radiographic imaging systems. These phantoms comprise: a radio-opaque material capable of holding a well-defined edge that allows quantitative image resolution measurements to be obtained thereof; wherein once the quantitative image resolution measurements are obtained, the spatial frequency response of the radiographic imaging system at a given focal plane can be calculated therefrom, thereby defining the mechanical alignment, resolution, and resolution uniformity of the radiographic imaging system. Systems and methods for mechanically aligning radiographic imaging systems, and methods for obtaining a quantitative measurement of the mechanical alignment, resolution and resolution uniformity of radiographic imaging systems, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Inventors: Rowland Saunders, Kadri Jabri