Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Unger
Christopher D. Unger 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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Publication number: 20100053314Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system for use in operating rooms and other applications. According to one example, the imaging system comprises an imaging head that includes an imaging sensor that receives image information from a subject and converts the image information into an image signal, a connection such as a cable, and a control unit that receives the image signal from the imaging head through the connection. The control unit may comprise a processor programmed to control the operation of the system and to generate a plurality of image frames for transmission to a separate monitor, a video interface designed to transmit the plurality of image frames to the separate monitor, and a power interface designed to receive power from a separate power supply. The control unit may be adapted to interface with an imaging control workstation having a standard expansion slot that receives one or more control units from different imaging modalities.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher D. Unger, Michael Sheldon
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Patent number: 7415146Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a flat panel detector to determine bone mineral density are provided. The apparatus includes a dual energy X-ray emitter, a flat panel detector for receiving X-rays sent from the X-ray emitter, and may optionally include an image corrector, adapted to emit corrected image information. The apparatus also includes a basis material decomposer that includes a calibration database, the decomposer being adapted to create a bone image and a soft tissue image. The apparatus further includes a bone mineral density calculator that is adapted to compute bone mineral density from the first image, and a display for displaying at least the computed bone mineral density. A method for using a flat panel detector to detect multiple disease states is also provided. The method includes emitting X-rays from a dual energy X-ray source through an area of a patient's body sought to be imaged and receiving X-rays with a flat panel detector.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Christopher D. Unger, Jianguo Zhao, Gopal Avinash, Carson Thomas, Jeffrey W. Eberhard
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Publication number: 20080170661Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: Christopher D. Unger, David M. Hoffman, Vivek Bhatt
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Patent number: 7286636Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher D. Unger, David M. Hoffman, Vivek Bhatt
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Patent number: 7200201Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus for performing diagnostic radiology and a method of configuring such a diagnostic X-ray device, system or apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a diagnostic system for forming at least one image of an object having enhanced contrast. The system comprises a beam source adapted to produce an imaging beam and a masking member adapted to form at least one beam portion from the imaging beam and adapted to image the object. The system further comprises a flat panel detector positioned in a path of at least one beam portion penetrating the object and adapted to form at least one image of the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher D. Unger, David M. Hoffman, Vivek Bhatt
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Patent number: 7197115Abstract: An imaging tube assembly (11) for a computed tomography (CT) system (10) includes an insert (60) that has a vacuum chamber (72). An anode (58) resides within the vacuum chamber (72) and rotates on a shaft (66) via one or more bearing (70). In one embodiment, a seal (52) resides between the insert (60) and the shaft (66). The seal (52) prevents the passage of a gas (80) into the vacuum chamber (72). In another embodiment, a pressure transition chamber (104) is coupled to an insert (60?) and a shaft (66?). The pressure transition chamber (104) has an associated middle fluid pressure that is between an internal fluid pressure of the vacuum chamber (104) and an external fluid pressure of said insert (60?).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher D. Unger, Darren L. Hallman, Walter Smith, James E. Simpson
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Patent number: 7152785Abstract: Patient-centric data acquisition protocol selection systems and methods, and identification tags therefor, are described. Embodiments comprise a patient-centric data acquisition protocol selection system comprising: a programmable identification tag capable of allowing predetermined information about a patient to be stored therein and retrieved therefrom; a medical imaging system capable of communicating with the programmable identification tag; and programming associated with the medical imaging system for selecting an optimal data acquisition protocol; wherein the medical imaging system reads information from the programmable identification tag and then the programming selects an optimal data acquisition protocol based, at least in part, on the predetermined information about the patient that is stored in the programmable identification tag.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Stephen Wayne Metz, Christopher D. Unger
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Patent number: 7139417Abstract: The present technique involves remote processing and comparison of medical diagnostic images obtained over a period of time. A remote processing system is provided to match and subtract the medical diagnostic images, which may be received from users and gathered from remote image storage systems. Users are able to interact with the remote processing system through uniform interfaces, which may be disposed at medical institutions to provide platform independent interaction with, and remote processing by, the remote processing system. The technique also uses compression routines to facilitate network transfers of images between the uniform interface and the remote processing system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventors: Francois S. Nicolas, Vianney P. Battle, Kenneth S. Kump, Christopher D. Unger
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Patent number: 7105828Abstract: A hybrid x-ray detector includes: a first detector that is adapted to receive x-rays, the first detector absorbs a first portion of the x-rays and allows a second portion of the x-rays to pass through the first detector; and a second detector that is adapted to receive the second portion of the x-rays. A radiation imaging system includes: an x-ray source that produces x-rays; and an image detector assembly that is adapted to receive the x-rays, the image detector assembly having a hybrid x-ray detector that includes: a first detector that is adapted to receive the x-rays, the first detector absorbs a first portion of the x-rays and allows a second portion of the x-rays to pass through the first detector; a second detector that is adapted to receive the second portion of the x-rays; and an x-ray source.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Christopher D. Unger, Brian David Yanoff
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Patent number: 6795526Abstract: A method and system for of defining, or identifying, regions of interest for exposure management in a digital x-ray imaging system, and especially in the case of multiple consecutive image acquisitions. According to the most basic embodiment of the present invention, simple geometric shapes arranged in a matrix configuration are used to aid an operator in identifying a region of interest for a diagnostic x-ray image. Each region of interest is selectable from a low-dose preshot image and may be corrected, or processed, in order to enhance the results of a subsequent diagnostic image. The processing of the preshot image allows the system to automatically make predictions for the diagnostic image exposure requirements, thereby avoiding unnecessary multiple images.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Co., LLCInventors: Kenneth S. Kump, Francois S. Nicolas, Christopher D. Unger, Matthew J. Walker
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Publication number: 20030194120Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a flat panel detector to determine bone mineral density are provided. The apparatus includes a dual energy X-ray emitter, a flat panel detector for receiving X-rays sent from the X-ray emitter, and may optionally include an image corrector, adapted to emit corrected image information. The apparatus also includes a basis material decomposer that includes a calibration database, the decomposer being adapted to create a bone image and a soft tissue image. The apparatus further includes a bone mineral density calculator that is adapted to compute bone mineral density from the first image, and a display for displaying at least the computed bone mineral density. A method for using a flat panel detector to detect multiple disease states is also provided. The method includes emitting X-rays from a dual energy X-ray source through an area of a patient's body sought to be imaged and receiving X-rays with a flat panel detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Christopher D. Unger, Jianguo Zhao, Gopal Avinash, Carson Thomas, Jeffrey W. Eberhard
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Publication number: 20030165216Abstract: A method and system for of defining, or identifying, regions of interest for exposure management in a digital x-ray imaging system, and especially in the case of multiple consecutive image acquisitions. According to the most basic embodiment of the present invention, simple geometric shapes arranged in a matrix configuration are used to aid an operator in identifying a region of interest for a diagnostic x-ray image. Each region of interest is selectable from a low-dose preshot image and may be corrected, or processed, in order to enhance the results of a subsequent diagnostic image. The processing of the preshot image allows the system to automatically make predictions for the diagnostic image exposure requirements, thereby avoiding unnecessary multiple images.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Matthew J. Walker, Kenneth S. Kump, Francois S. Nicolas, Christopher D. Unger
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Publication number: 20030035584Abstract: The present technique involves remote processing and comparison of medical diagnostic images obtained over a period of time. A remote processing system is provided to match and subtract the medical diagnostic images, which may be received from users and gathered from remote image storage systems. Users are able to interact with the remote processing system through uniform interfaces, which may be disposed at medical institutions to provide platform independent interaction with, and remote processing by, the remote processing system. The technique also uses compression routines to facilitate network transfers of images between the uniform interface and the remote processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Francois S. Nicolas, Vianney P. Battle, Kenneth S. Kump, Christopher D. Unger