Patents by Inventor Andrew G. Weisenberger
Andrew G. Weisenberger 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: 11041795Abstract: A reflective laser-based particle detector for detecting contamination particles moving through a vacuum. Laser light is directed through a vacuum access window in the containment vessel and toward a reflective surface on an inner surface opposite the window. A photonic detector is positioned to monitor reflected laser from the opposite inner surface inside the vessel and is capable of detecting perturbations of the reflected light. The system makes use of optical interferometry techniques embodied as a photonic integrated circuit to detect the particles. The reflective laser-based system can be placed entirely outside the vacuum thereby avoiding the need for breaking the vacuum environment to check for accumulation of contaminant particles.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLCInventors: Wenze Xi, Rongli Geng, Carl Zorn, Brian J. Kross, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Jack McKisson, John McKisson
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Publication number: 20210116348Abstract: A reflective laser-based particle detector for detecting contamination particles moving through a vacuum. Laser light is directed through a vacuum access window in the containment vessel and toward a reflective surface on an inner surface opposite the window. A photonic detector is positioned to monitor reflected laser from the opposite inner surface inside the vessel and is capable of detecting perturbations of the reflected light. The system makes use of optical interferometry techniques embodied as a photonic integrated circuit to detect the particles. The reflective laser-based system can be placed entirely outside the vacuum thereby avoiding the need for breaking the vacuum environment to check for accumulation of contaminant particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Wenze Xi, Rongli Geng, Carl Zorn, Brian J. Kross, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Jack McKisson, John McKisson
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Patent number: 9784852Abstract: A surgical guidance system offering different levels of imaging capability while maintaining the same hand-held convenient small size of light-weight intra-operative probes. The surgical guidance system includes a second detector, typically an imager, located behind the area of surgical interest to form a coincidence guidance system with the hand-held probe. This approach is focused on the detection of positron emitting biomarkers with gamma rays accompanying positron emissions from the radiolabeled nuclei.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLCInventors: Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Patent number: 8295910Abstract: A method for in-situ monitoring both the balloon/cavity and the radioactive source in brachytherapy treatment utilizing using at least one pair of miniature gamma cameras to acquire separate images of: 1) the radioactive source as it is moved in the tumor volume during brachytherapy; and 2) a relatively low intensity radiation source produced by either an injected radiopharmaceutical rendering cancerous tissue visible or from a radioactive solution filling a balloon surgically implanted into the cavity formed by the surgical resection of a tumor.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLCInventors: Andrew G. Weisenberger, Stanislaw Majewski
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Patent number: 8217359Abstract: A self-aligning collimator for a radiation imaging device that is secured and aligned through the use of a plurality of small magnets. The collimator allows for the rapid exchange, removal, or addition of collimators for the radiation imaging device without the need for tools. The accompanying method discloses the use of magnets and accompanying magnetic fields to align and secure collimators in a radiation imaging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLCInventors: Brian J. Kross, John McKisson, Aleksandr Stolin, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Carl Zorn
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Patent number: 8183530Abstract: A mobile compact imaging system that combines both PET imaging and optical imaging into a single system which can be located in the operating room (OR) and provides faster feedback to determine if a tumor has been fully resected and if there are adequate surgical margins. While final confirmation is obtained from the pathology lab, such a device can reduce the total time necessary for the procedure and the number of iterations required to achieve satisfactory resection of a tumor with good margins.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, LLCInventors: Steven W. Falen, Richard A. Hoefer, Stanislaw Majewski, John McKisson, Brian Kross, James Proffitt, Alexander Stolin, Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Patent number: 8049176Abstract: A method and apparatus for real time imaging and monitoring of radiation therapy beams is designed to preferentially distinguish and image low energy radiation from high energy secondary radiation emitted from a target as the result of therapeutic beam deposition. A detector having low sensitivity to high energy photons combined with a collimator designed to dynamically image in the region of the therapeutic beam target is used.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Jefferson Science Assocates, LLCInventors: Stanislaw Majewski, James Proffitt, Daniel J. Macey, Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Publication number: 20110089326Abstract: A mobile compact imaging system that combines both of the imaging system of and optical imaging into a single system which can be located in the operating room (OR) and provides faster feedback to determine if a tumor has been fully resected and if there are adequate surgical margins. While final confirmation is obtained from the pathology lab, such a device can reduce the total time necessary for the procedure and the number of iterations required to achieve satisfactory resection of a tumor with good margins.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Steven W. Falen, Richard A. Hoefer, Stanislaw Majewski, John Mckisson, Brian Kross, James Proffitt, Alexander Stolin, Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Patent number: 7209579Abstract: A novel functional imaging system for use in the imaging of unrestrained and non-anesthetized small animals or other subjects and a method for acquiring such images and further registering them with anatomical X-ray images previously or subsequently acquired. The apparatus comprises a combination of an IR laser profilometry system and gamma, PET and/or SPECT, imaging system, all mounted on a rotating gantry, that permits simultaneous acquisition of positional and orientational information and functional images of an unrestrained subject that are registered, i.e. integrated, using image processing software to produce a functional image of the subject without the use of restraints or anesthesia. The functional image thus obtained can be registered with a previously or subsequently obtained X-ray CT image of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Jefferson Solence Ass. LLCInventors: Andrew G. Weisenberger, Stanislaw Majewski, Michael J. Paulus, Shaun S. Gleason
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Patent number: 6847838Abstract: A method and apparatus for the in vivo location and tracking of a radioactive seed source during and after brachytherapy treatment. The method comprises obtaining multiple views of the seed source in a living organism using: 1) a single PSPMT detector that is exposed through a multiplicity of pinholes thereby obtaining a plurality of images from a single angle; 2) a single PSPMT detector that may obtain an image through a single pinhole or a plurality of pinholes from a plurality of angles through movement of the detector; or 3) a plurality of PSPMT detectors that obtain a plurality of views from different angles simultaneously or virtually simultaneously. The plurality of images obtained from these various techniques, through angular displacement of the various acquired images, provide the information required to generate the three dimensional images needed to define the location of the radioactive seed source within the body of the living organism.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research Assn., Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Macey, Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Mark Frederick Smith, Brian James Kross
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Patent number: 6750456Abstract: In a camera or similar radiation sensitive device comprising a pixilated scintillation layer, a light guide and an array of position sensitive photomultiplier tubes, wherein there exists so-called dead space between adjacent photomultiplier tubes the improvement comprising a two part light guide comprising a first planar light spreading layer or portion having a first surface that addresses the scintillation layer and optically coupled thereto at a second surface that addresses the photomultiplier tubes, a second layer or portion comprising an array of trapezoidal light collectors defining gaps that span said dead space and are individually optically coupled to individual position sensitive photomultiplier tubes. According to a preferred embodiment, coupling of the trapezoidal light collectors to the position sensitive photomultiplier tubes is accomplished using an optical grease having about the same refractive index as the material of construction of the two part light guide.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research Assn., Inc.Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Patent number: 6452185Abstract: A system for improving the resolution of nuclear medicine gamma cameras. A pixellated crystal scintillator is optically connected to position sensitive photomultiplier tubes. Photons incident on the crystal scintillator travel a distance through the crystal that is directly proportional to the energy level of the photon before converting to photoelectrons. The system uses this depth of interaction information to classify the received photons according to their energy levels. Images may then be displayed using information from only those photons that are within the selected energy class.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research Assn.Inventors: Andrew G. Weisenberger, Stanislaw Majewski
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Patent number: 6424693Abstract: The use of a slant-hole collimator in the gamma camera of dual mode stereotactic localization apparatus allows the acquisition of a stereo pair of scintimammographic images without repositioning of the gamma camera between image acquisitions.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Southeastern Universities Res. Assn.Inventor: Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Patent number: 6317622Abstract: An intra-operative beta particle probe is provided by placing a suitable photomultiplier tube (PMT), micro channel plate (MCP) or other electron multiplier device within a vacuum housing equipped with: 1) an appropriate beta particle permeable window; and 2) electron detection circuitry. Beta particles emitted in the immediate vicinity of the probe window will be received by the electron multiplier device and amplified to produce a detectable signal. Such a device is useful as a gamma insensitive, intra-operative, beta particle probe in surgeries where the patient has been injected with a beta emitting radiopharmaceutical. The method of use of such a device is also described, as is a position sensitive such device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Southeastern University Research Assn.Inventor: Andrew G. Weisenberger
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Patent number: 6271525Abstract: A gamma camera comprising essentially and in order from the front outer or gamma ray impinging surface: 1) a collimator, 2) a scintillator layer, 3) a light guide, 4) an array of position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes, and 5) printed circuitry for receipt of the output of the photomultipliers. There is also described, a system wherein the output supplied by the high resolution, position sensitive photomultipiler tubes is communicated to: a) a digitizer and b) a computer where it is processed using advanced image processing techniques and a specific algorithm to calculate the center of gravity of any abnormality observed during imaging, and c) optional image display and telecommunications ports.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Southeastern University Research Assn.Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Randolph F. Wojcik
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Patent number: 5864141Abstract: A high resolution gamma ray imaging device includes an aluminum housing, a lead screen collimator at an opened end of the housing, a crystal scintillator array mounted behind the lead screen collimator, a foam layer between the lead screen collimator and the crystal scintillator array, a photomultiplier window coupled to the crystal with optical coupling grease, a photomultiplier having a dynode chain body and a base voltage divider with anodes, anode wire amplifiers each connected to four anodes and a multi pin connector having pin connections to each anode wire amplifier. In one embodiment the crystal scintillator array includes a yttrium aluminum perovskite (YAP) crystal array. In an alternate embodiment, the crystal scintillator array includes a gadolinium oxyorthosilicate (GSO) crystal array.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Southeastern Univ. Research Assn.Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger, Randolph F. Wojcik, Daniela Steinbach
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Patent number: 5453609Abstract: An improved multi-channel electron multiplier is provided that exhibits zero cross-talk and high rate operation. Resistive material input and output masks are employed to control divergence of electrons. Electron multiplication takes place in closed channels. Several embodiments are provided for these channels including a continuous resistive emissive multiplier and a discrete resistive multiplier with discrete dynode chains interspaced with resistive layers-masks. Both basic embodiments provide high gain multiplication of electrons without accumulating surface charges while containing electrons to their proper channels to eliminate cross-talk. The invention can be for example applied to improve the performance of ion mass spectrometers, positron emission tomography devices, in DNA sequencing and other beta radiography applications and in many applications in particle physics.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1993Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research Assn., Inc.Inventors: Javier Gomez, Stanislaw Majewski, Andrew G. Weisenberger