Patents Assigned to Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20210346723
    Abstract: In a radiation therapy system, treatment X-rays are delivered to a target volume at the same time that imaging X-rays are also delivered to the target volume for generating image data of the target volume. That is, during an imaging interval in which imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume, one or more pulses of treatment X-rays are also delivered to the target volume. In each pixel of an X-ray imaging device of the radiation therapy system, image signal is accumulated during portions of the imaging interval in which only imaging X-rays are delivered to the target volume and is prevented from accumulating in each pixel during the pulses of treatment X-rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Simon KELLER, Daniel MORF, Peter MUNRO
  • Patent number: 11160537
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for radiosurgical treatment of moving tissues of the heart, including acquiring at least one volume of the tissue and acquiring at least one ultrasound data set, image or volume of the tissue using an ultrasound transducer disposed at a position. A similarity measure is computed between the ultrasound image or volume and the acquired volume or a simulated ultrasound data set, image or volume. A robot is configured in response to the similarity measure and the position of the transducer, and a radiation beam is fired from the configured robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Bruder, Achim Schweikard
  • Patent number: 11156727
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer; and an array of photodiode elements; wherein the scintillator layer is configured to receive radiation that has passed through the array of photodiode elements. An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements configured to convert radiation into photons; and an array of photodiode elements configured to receive photons from the scintillator layer, and generate electrical signals in response to the received photons; wherein at least two of the scintillator elements are separated by an air gap. An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a first plane; and a second scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a second plane; wherein the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer are arranged next to each other and form a non-zero angle relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Daniel Morf, Eric Abel, Gary F. Virshup, Andre Meyer, Viktor Steinlin, Mingshan Sun
  • Patent number: 11154726
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of determining a resultant treatment plan for a proton radiation therapy system based on given dose volume constraints, wherein the resultant treatment plan is optimized for treatment time comprises accessing the dose volume constraints and range information, wherein the range information indicates acceptable deviations from the dose volume constraints. Based on the proton radiation therapy system, the method further comprises accessing machine configuration information comprising a plurality of machine parameters that define a maximum resolution achievable in irradiating a patient. Further, the method comprises iteratively adjusting the plurality of machine parameters to values which decrease the maximum resolution and simulating a plurality of candidate treatment plans to generate a plurality of treatment plan results, wherein each treatment plan result comprises: a respective treatment time and a respective plan quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Varian Medical Systesm Particle Therapy GmbH & Co. KG, Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Isabel Huth, Christel Smith, Timo Koponen, Perttu Niemela, Markus Bach, Reynald Vanderstraeten
  • Patent number: 11154725
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for planning radiosurgical treatments for neuromodulating a portion of the renovascular system may be used to plan radiosurgical neuromodulation treatments for conditions or disease associated with elevated central sympathetic drive. The renal nerves may be located and targeted at the level of the ganglion and/or at postganglionic positions, as well as preganglionic positions. Target regions include the renal plexus, celiac ganglion, the superior mesenteric ganglion, the aorticorenal ganglion and the aortic plexus. Planning of radiosurgical treatments will optionally employ a graphical representation of a blood/tissue interface adjacent these targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Maguire, Edward Gardner
  • Publication number: 20210299056
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to color-coded and size-calibrated polymeric particles comprising an acrylate-based hydrogel core incorporating one or more chromophores of interest, and an outer shell comprising polyphosphazenes of formula I, useful for various therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. In various embodiments, the color-coded and size-calibrated polymeric particles can be employed in any particle-mediated procedure, including as embolic agents, dermal fillers, and various implantable devices for a broad range of clinical and cosmetic applications. The incorporation of a particular chromophore formulation that correlates with a pre-determined size specificity for implantable and loadable polymeric particles (“color-coded and size-calibrated”) enables the visual detection and identification of particles exhibiting a particular size of interest, and minimizes the probability of user-introduced or procedural errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Fritz, Olaf Fritz, Thomas A. Gordy, Ronald Wojcik, Jacques BLÜMMEL, Alexander KÜLLER
  • Patent number: 11116995
    Abstract: A dose rate-volume histogram is generated for a target volume. The dose rate-volume histogram can be stored in computer system memory and used to generate a radiation treatment plan. An irradiation time-volume histogram can also be generated for the target volume. The irradiation time-volume histogram can be stored in computer system memory and used to generate the radiation treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Khuntia, Edward Vertatschitsch, Eric Abel, Anthony Magliari, Christel Smith
  • Publication number: 20210275112
    Abstract: Cone-beam computer tomography systems, devices, and methods for image acquisition of large target volumes using partial scans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicants: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: David Kirk JENSEN, Reto W. FILIBERTI, Markus OELHAFEN, Aime Pascal Laurence PAYSAN
  • Patent number: 11110300
    Abstract: A method of radiation therapy comprises, while a gantry of a radiation therapy system rotates continuously in a first direction through a treatment arc from a first treatment delivery position to a second treatment delivery position, causing an imaging X-ray source mounted on the gantry to direct X-rays through a target volume and receiving a set of X-ray projection images from an X-ray imager mounted on the gantry; determining a current location of the target volume based on the set of X-ray projection images; and while the gantry to continues to rotate to the second treatment delivery position, initiating delivery of a treatment beam of a treatment-delivering X-ray source mounted on the gantry to the target volume, and continuing to cause the gantry to rotate in the first direction from the second treatment delivery position to a third treatment delivery position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Van Heteren, Liangjia Zhu, Daniel Morf
  • Patent number: 11103727
    Abstract: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. A quantitative time-dependent model-based charged particle pencil beam scanning optimization is then implemented for FLASH therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems International AG, Varian Medical Systems Particle Therapy GmbH, Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Matthew Folkerts, Jessica Perez, Christel Smith, Eric Abel, Anthony Magliari, Reynald Vanderstraeten, Timo Kalevi Koponen, Renate Parry, Alexander Katsis, Rajiv Dua, Michiko Alcanzare, Perttu Niemela, Matti Ropo
  • Patent number: 11102318
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system, and article of manufacture of a native notification center app that receive all types of push notifications. The push notification payload contains the URL to be launched when touched on the display of a mobile device and the custom data to be passed to the web application on launch. The push message sent to the notification center app and when the app is opened, which lists all the push notifications. When the user touches a notification, the URL in that notification can be launched in the browser and the custom data can be made available to the web application as parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyanaraman Balasubramaniam Krishnan, Nambi Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 11097127
    Abstract: A system that generates a three-dimensional model of a tissue surface, for example the inner surface of the heart from two-dimensional image data slices. On this surface, one or more pattern lines are drawn, e.g., by a physician using a user interface, to designate desired lesion(s) on the surface. From the pattern lines, a three-dimensional volume for a lesion can be determined using known constraints. Advantageously, the series of boundaries generated by the three-dimensional volume may be projected back onto the individual CT scans, which then may be transferred to a standard radiosurgical planning tool. A dose cloud may also be projected on the model to aid in evaluating a plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thilaka Sumanaweera, Ed Gardner, Oliver Blanck, Tao Cai, Darrin Uecker, Patrick Maguire
  • Patent number: 11090512
    Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
  • Patent number: 11090508
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated solution to radiotherapy treatment planning that enables accurate recording and accumulation of physical parameters as input (e.g., dose, dose rate, irradiation time per voxel, etc.). User-defined functions are evaluated to correlate the input parameters with 4D biological outcomes. The resulting biological parameters can be visualized as a biological outcome map to evaluate decisions, support decisions, and optimize decisions regarding the parameters of the radiotherapy treatment plan, for example, for supporting clinical trials and related clinical research.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: Varian medical Systems Particle Therapy GmbH & Co. KG, Varian Medical Systems International AG, Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Matthew Folkerts, Jessica Perez, Christel Smith, Eric Abel, Anthony Magliari, Reynald Vanderstraeten, Timo Kalevi Koponen, Renate Parry, Alexander Katsis, Rajiv Dua, Michiko Alcanzare, Perttu Niemela, Matti Ropo
  • Patent number: 11079499
    Abstract: In a method of making pixelated scintillators, a block of an amorphous scintillator material is divided into plural sections. The plural sections of the block are rejoined with plural first reflective septa to form an assembly. In the assembly, each of the plural first reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the block. The assembly is then divided into plural sections in a way such that each of the plural sections of the block is divided into plural pixels. The plural sections of the assembly are rejoined with plural second reflective septa. Each of the plural second reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the assembly, forming an array comprising plural rows and columns of pixels of the amorphous scintillator material. In the array, each pixel is separated from adjacent pixels by a portion of at least one of the plural first reflective septa and at least one of the second reflective septa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Adam Wang
  • Patent number: 11076776
    Abstract: A method for measuring skin thickness. The method includes at a first 3D point on an outer surface of a patient, exposing the first point to near infrared (NIR) energy from an NIR source. The method includes measuring reflected energy emanating near the first 3D point, or beam incident point. The method includes determining a pattern of the reflected energy based on a distance from a center of the reflected energy, wherein the center is approximated by the first 3D point. The method includes determining a skin thickness measurement based on the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems Particle Therapy GmbH, Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Adler, Jr., Ralf Bruder, Floris Ernst, Achim Schweikard
  • Patent number: 11058393
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented for automatic tuning, calibration, and verification of radiation therapy systems comprising control elements configured to control parameters of the radiation therapy systems based on images obtained using electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) included in the radiation therapy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Robert T. Wiggers, Daryl Leung, Reto W. Filiberti, Daniel Morf, Diana Kung, Stephen Gaudio
  • Patent number: 11052050
    Abstract: Particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy) phosphazene] and/or a derivatives thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles can also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Barium sulfate may also be provided to the core of the particles as a coating or absorbed within the core of the particles. The particles can be used to minimize blood flow to mammalian tissues by occluding at least a portion of a blood vessel of the mammal, or to deliver an active agent to a localized area within a body of a mammal by contacting a localized area with at least one of the particles. Farther, the particles are useful in sustained release formulations including active agent(s) for oral administration, as tracer particles for injection into the bloodstream of a mammal or for use in enhanced ultrasound imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Harder, Olaf Fritz, Ulf Fritz
  • Publication number: 20210196985
    Abstract: An example method of radiation therapy in a radiation therapy system that includes a gantry with a treatment-delivering X-ray source and an imaging X-ray source mounted thereon is described. The method includes rotating the gantry in a first direction at a first rotational velocity about an open bore and concurrently rotating an annular support structure at a second rotational velocity about the open bore, wherein the second rotational velocity is less than the first rotational velocity. While continuing to rotate the gantry in the first direction about the open bore from a first position to a treatment position, the method also includes generating multiple images of a target volume disposed in the bore using the imaging X-ray source. Upon rotating the gantry to the treatment position, the method includes initiating delivery of a treatment beam to the target volume with the treatment-delivering X-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake GADERLUND, Josh STAR-LACK, John VAN HETEREN, Adam WANG
  • Patent number: 11045151
    Abstract: Cone-beam computer tomography systems, devices, and methods for image acquisition of large target volumes using partial scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: David Kirk Jensen, Reto W. Filiberti, Markus Oelhafen, Aime Pascal Laurence Paysan