Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Nafis

Christopher A. Nafis 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).

  • Patent number: 8989842
    Abstract: A system to navigate an object traveling in an imaged subject is provided. The system includes a four-dimensional (4D) imaging system to create a first three-dimensional model of the acquired imaged data correlated relative to a time reference and defined relative to a first image coordinate system. A second imaging system creates a second three-dimensional model of the imaged subject defined relative to a second image coordinate system. A tracking system tracks movement and orientation of the object relative to a tracking coordinate system. A controller includes program instructions in combination with the processor operable to register the first and second image coordinate systems and the tracking coordinate system relative to a world coordinate system, and to combine the three-dimensional model created by the 4D imaging system with the three-dimensional model created by the second imaging system with a tracked location of the object relative to the world coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher A. Nafis, Douglas Wildes
  • Publication number: 20130231557
    Abstract: A system and method to display a four-dimensional (4D) model of an imaged anatomy is provided. The system comprises a controller, and an imaging system including an imaging probe in communication with the controller. The imaging probe can acquire generally real-time, 3D image data relative to a direction of image acquisition along an imaging plane. The system also includes a tracking system in communication with the controller. The tracking system includes at least one tracking element integrated with the imaging probe. The system is operable to process the generally real-time, 3D image data acquired by the imaging probe relative to generally real-time tracking information acquired by the tracking system so as to display the 4D model of the imaged anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: DUN ALEX LI, CHRISTOPHER A. NAFIS, DOUGLAS G. WILDES, VERNON T. JENSEN
  • Patent number: 8428690
    Abstract: A system and method to display a four-dimensional (4D) model of an imaged anatomy is provided. The system comprises a controller, and an imaging system including an imaging probe in communication with the controller. The imaging probe can acquire generally real-time, 3D image data relative to a direction of image acquisition along an imaging plane. The system also includes a tracking system in communication with the controller. The tracking system includes at least one tracking element integrated with the imaging probe. The system is operable to process the generally real-time, 3D image data acquired by the imaging probe relative to generally real-time tracking information acquired by the tracking system so as to display the 4D model of the imaged anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher A. Nafis, Douglas G. Wildes, Vernon T. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20080287777
    Abstract: A system to navigate an object traveling in an imaged subject is provided. The system includes a four-dimensional (4D) imaging system to create a first three-dimensional model of the acquired imaged data correlated relative to a time reference and defined relative to a first image coordinate system. A second imaging system creates a second three-dimensional model of the imaged subject defined relative to a second image coordinate system. A tracking system tracks movement and orientation of the object relative to a tracking coordinate system. A controller includes program instructions in combination with the processor operable to register the first and second image coordinate systems and the tracking coordinate system relative to a world coordinate system, and to combine the three-dimensional model created by the 4D imaging system with the three-dimensional model created by the second imaging system with a tracked location of the object relative to the world coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher A. Nafis, Douglas Wildes
  • Publication number: 20080287803
    Abstract: A system and method to display a four-dimensional (4D) model of an imaged anatomy is provided. The system comprises a controller, and an imaging system including an imaging probe in communication with the controller. The imaging probe can acquire generally real-time, 3D image data relative to a direction of image acquisition along an imaging plane. The system also includes a tracking system in communication with the controller. The tracking system includes at least one tracking element integrated with the imaging probe. The system is operable to process the generally real-time, 3D image data acquired by the imaging probe relative to generally real-time tracking information acquired by the tracking system so as to display the 4D model of the imaged anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher A. Nafis, Douglas G. Wildes, Vernon T. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20060219014
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-mode calibration target operable to calibrate multiple optical sensors. One embodiment has multiple planar surfaces, wherein the multiple planar surfaces are able to be distinguished by visual sensors based on their color, hue, shade, tint, or tone. Additionally, these planar surfaces may be raised or recessed from one another to provide depth contrast as well as visual contrast. Other embodiments may include narrow band emitters such as laser diodes located at predetermined locations within the multi-mode target. These targets may then be used to calibrate various sensors, such as optical sensors, within an inspection system such as a laser ultrasonic inspection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Wesley Turner, Christopher Nafis
  • Patent number: 5515301
    Abstract: A 3D model of a subject is acquired. Sensors spatially located on the subject are displayed on the 3D model in their appropriate locations. An operator selects the proper viewing angle and sensors to monitor via input devices. A 3D modeler in a display processor provides an image viewed from the proper angle and identifies the selected sensors. The 3D modeler identifies the data channels which correspond to the selected sensors and provides these to a system control computer which then provides the samples for these data channels. The 3D modeler also identifies a screen location which pertains to the locations of the selected sensors on the model. A postage stamp trace unit receives the samples for the selected data channels and the screen locations pertaining to the selected sensor locations of the image of the model and produces a video signal representing a window having a number of real-time traces each pertaining to a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nelson R. Corby, Jr., Christopher A. Nafis, Paul D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5412569
    Abstract: An enhanced reality maintenance system for operating in a hazardous or inaccessible environment employs an environment modeler which is supplied with spatial parameters of a given environment and creates a computer model of the environment. An environment renderer creates a plurality of images, each corresponding to a viewing location and orientation, `viewpoint`. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) attached to a base unit by a tether cord or radio link navigates in the environment. The ROV has a spatial imaging device, such as a video camera, and actuators which propel it through the environment. Its position and orientation are determined by a position and attitude (P&A) sensing unit, and are passed to an ROV renderer which creates an image of a prestored model of the ROV having the same location and orientation as the ROV and viewed from a specified viewpoint. The viewpoints may be predetermined, provided to the system or may be interactively determined as an offset from the ROV position and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nelson R. Corby, Jr., Peter M. Meenan, Claude H. Solanas, III, David C. Vickerman, Christopher A. Nafis