Patents by Inventor Bruce Matthew Dunham
Bruce Matthew Dunham 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: 7835011Abstract: A method for determining a change in a position of a support is described. The method includes determining the change in the position of the support used in an imaging system, where determining the change includes computing the position by operating a photodetector configured to detect laser energy that provides information regarding the position.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7623272Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing an imaging system are provided. The method includes varying a system parameter of the imaging system. The method further includes obtaining a first data set at a first state of the varied system parameter and a second data set at a second state of the varied system parameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7593502Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Stuart Katcha, Bruce Matthew Dunham, Robert Senzig, Jonathan Richard Schmidt, Thomas Louis Toth, David Michael Hoffman, Phil E. Pearson, Jr., Jiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 7447297Abstract: A method includes performing an at least partially automated method to synchronize an x-ray source focal spot (FS) position to a FS deflection feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, Jonathan Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20080187093Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating high frequency electromagnetic energy using a secondary emission electron source. An x-ray source is therefore provided having a primary electron emitter, a secondary emission member, and an anode. The primary electron emitter provides a primary electron current directed to the secondary emission member. The secondary emission member then generates a secondary electron current which causes x-ray generation when impinging upon the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: John Scott Price, Loucas Tsakalakos, Pierre-Andre Bui, Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7409043Abstract: A method for controlling focal spot size changes of an x-ray source in an imaging system includes measuring focal spot sizes as a function of a plurality of x-ray source operating parameters, determining a calibration table or transfer function utilizing the measured focal spot sizes as a function of the plurality of x-ray tube operating parameters, and utilizing the calibration table or transfer function to control focal spot size variations during operation of the imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, Jonathan Richard Schmidt, Sergio Lemaitre
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Patent number: 7399119Abstract: A method for measuring an alignment of a detector is described. The method includes determining, by a processor, the alignment of the detector with respect to a collimated radiation beam. The determination of the alignment is based on a plurality of signals from a first cell of the detector and a second cell of the detector, and is independent of a shape of the collimated radiation beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Henry Chao, Thomas Louis Toth, Tanvi Kachhy, Bruce Matthew Dunham, Abdelaziz Ikhlef
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Publication number: 20080095314Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Jason Stuart Katcha, Bruce Matthew Dunham, Robert Senzig, Jonathan Richard Schmidt, Thomas Louis Toth, David Michael Hoffman, Phil E. Pearson, Jiang Hsieh
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Publication number: 20080031419Abstract: A method includes performing an at least partially automated method to synchronize an x-ray source focal spot (FS) position to a FS deflection feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, Jonathan Richard Schmidt
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Patent number: 7310408Abstract: A system for generating a tunable X-ray pulse comprises a first electron beam source configured to direct a first electron pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards a first interaction zone, a laser beam source configured to direct a first photon pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards the first interaction zone to interact with the first electron pulse. The first interaction produces a substantially monochromatic second photon pulse of higher photon energy directed towards a second interaction zone, and a second electron beam source configured to direct a second electron pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length towards the second interaction zone so that the second interaction produces an X-ray pulse of predetermined energy and pulse length in a cascaded inverse Compton scattering (ICS) configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert John Filkins, John Scott Price, Brian Lee Lawrence, Matthew Christian Nielsen, Joseph John Manak, Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Publication number: 20070274457Abstract: A method for controlling focal spot size changes of an x-ray source in an imaging system includes measuring focal spot sizes as a function of a plurality of x-ray source operating parameters, determining a calibration table or transfer function utilizing the measured focal spot sizes as a function of the plurality of x-ray tube operating parameters, and utilizing the calibration table or transfer function to control focal spot size variations during operation of the imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, Jonathan Richard Schmidt, Sergio Lemaitre
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Publication number: 20070248208Abstract: A CT system is constructed to have diagonally oriented perimeter walls of its detector cells. A CT detector comprised of such detector cells has improved spatial coverage (spatial density) and is better equipped for operation with focal spot deflecting x-ray sources. The number of detector channels is also not increased despite the increase in spatial coverage. Moreover, the detector cells can be constructed without much variance from conventional fabrication techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Charles Hugh Shaughnessy, Bruce Matthew Dunham, Paavana Sainath
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Patent number: 7254215Abstract: An imaging system including is described. The imaging system includes a radiation source configured to generate a beam, a collimator configured to collimate the beam to generate a collimated beam, and a detector configured to detect the collimated beam. The collimator is one of a first collimator with a curved contour proportional to a contour of the detector, a second collimator with blades, where slopes of two oppositely-facing surfaces of at least one of the blades are different from each other, and a third collimator having at least two sets of plates, where the plates in a set pivot with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Steven Gerard Ross, Thomas Louis Toth, Willi Walter Hampel, Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7249886Abstract: A method for measuring focal spot shape of a radiation beam from a radiation source includes collimating the radiation beam using a collimator having a well-defined edge, measuring an intensity profile of the collimated radiation beam, determining a function of the measured intensity profile, and determining a metric of the of the focal spot using the determined function of the measured intensity profile.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Henry Chao, Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7187755Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for generating an electron beam are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a laser configured to emit a first light beam and a second light beam. The electron emitter assembly further includes a mirror configured to move to a first operational position to reflect the first light beam toward a first region of a photo-cathode. The mirror is further configured to move to a second operational position to reflect the second light beam toward a second region of the photo-cathode. The photo-cathode is configured to emit a first electron beam when the first light beam contacts the first region and to emit a second electron beam when the second light beam contacts the second region. The electron emitter assembly further includes an anode configured to receive the first and second electron beams from the photo-cathode.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, John Scott Price, Colin R. Wilson
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Patent number: 7136455Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for adjusting a size of electron beams are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a laser configured to emit a first light beam. The electron emitter assembly further includes a lens assembly configured to receive the first light beam. The lens assembly is configured to adjust a size of the first light beam between a first predetermined size and a second predetermined size larger than the first predetermined size. The lens assembly emits the first light beam toward a photo-cathode. The photo-cathode is configured to emit a first electron beam having a third predetermined size when the first light beam having the first predetermined size contacts the photo-cathode. The photo-cathode is further configured to emit a second electron beam having a fourth predetermined size when the first light beam having the second predetermined size contacts the photo-cathode.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, John Scott Price, Colin R. Wilson
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Patent number: 7085350Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for adjusting a power level of an electron beam are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a laser configured to emit a first light beam. The electron emitter assembly further includes a light-attenuating device configured to receive the first light beam and to attenuate the first light beam between a first light intensity and a second light intensity greater than the first light intensity. The electron emitter assembly further includes a photo-cathode configured to receive the first light beam from the light-attenuating device. The photo-cathode is further configured to emit a first electron beam having a first power level in response to receiving the first light beam having the first light intensity. The photo-cathode is further configured to emit a second electron beam having a second power level greater than the first power level in response to receiving the first light beam having the second light intensity.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, John Scott Price, Colin R. Wilson
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Patent number: 7085352Abstract: An electron emitter assembly and a method for generating electron beams are provided. The electron emitter assembly includes a light source configured to emit light. The electron emitter assembly further includes a photo-responsive device operably coupled to an electron emitter device. The photo-responsive device induces the electron emitter device to emit electrons in response to receiving the light. Finally, the electron emitter assembly includes an anode receiving the emitted electrons from the electron emitter device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bruce Matthew Dunham
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Patent number: 7027553Abstract: A system for generating images by using monochromatic x-rays is described. The system includes an accelerator configured to increase energy of an electron beam, at least one detector element configured to receive x-rays having multiple energies generated by interaction of the electron beam with at least one laser beam, and an image reconstructor configured to reconstruct at least one image by processing the x-rays.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, John Scott Price
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Patent number: 6980623Abstract: A method for adjusting a focal spot position during a scan of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system having a z-axis. The CT imaging system includes a detector array having a plurality of detector elements and an x-ray tube configured to direct an x-ray beam towards the detector through an object to be imaged. The method includes turning on the x-ray tube and reading a z-ratio from the detector. A shift in a position of a focal spot of the x-ray tube is then determined utilizing the read z-ratio. The method further includes using a transfer function to determine a compensating electronic deflection value; and applying the electronic deflection value to the x-ray tube as at least one of a deflection voltage or a deflection current to track the focal spot in the z-axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventors: Bruce Matthew Dunham, John Scott Price