Patents by Inventor Christopher Parham

Christopher Parham 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: 8971488
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an image of an object using a multi-beam imaging system from an x-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method can include generating a first X-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution. Further, the method can include positioning a plurality of monochromator crystals in a predetermined position to directly intercept the first X-ray beam such that a plurality of second X-ray beams having predetermined energy levels are produced. Further, an object can be positioned in the path of the second X-ray beams for transmission of the second X-ray beams through the object and emission from the object as transmitted X-ray beams. The transmitted X-ray beams can each be directed at an angle of incidence upon one or more crystal analyzers. Further, an image of the object can be detected from the beams diffracted from the analyzer crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NextRay, Inc., Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventors: Christopher A. Parham, Zhong Zhong, Etta Pisano, Dean M. Connor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8315358
    Abstract: Strain matching of crystals and horizontally-spaced monochromator and analyzer crystal arrays in diffraction enhanced imaging systems and related methods are disclosed. A DEI system, including strain matched crystals can comprise an X-ray source configured to generate a first X-ray beam. A first monochromator crystal can be positioned to intercept the first X-ray beam for producing a second X-ray beam. A second monochromator crystal can be positioned to intercept the second X-ray beam to produce a third X-ray beam for transmission through an object. The second monochromator crystal has a thickness selected such that a mechanical strain on a side of the first monochromator crystal is the same as a mechanical strain on the second monochromator crystal. An analyzer crystal has a thickness selected such that a mechanical strain on a side of the first monochromator crystal is the same as a mechanical strain on the analyzer crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nextray, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Connor, Zhong Zhong, Christopher Parham, Etta Pisano
  • Patent number: 8204174
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an image of an object by use of X-ray beams generated by multiple small area sources are disclosed. A plurality of monochromator crystals may be positioned to intercept the plurality of first X-ray beams such that a plurality of second X-ray beams each having predetermined energy levels is produced. Further, an object to be imaged may be positioned in paths of the second x-ray beams for transmission of the second X-ray beams through the object and emitting from the object a plurality of transmission X-ray beams. The X-ray beams may be directed at angles of incidence upon a plurality of analyzer crystals for detecting an image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Nextray, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Connor, Christopher Parham, Etta Pisano, Waldo S. Hinshaw, Zhong Zhong, Brian P. Wilfley
  • Publication number: 20120039438
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an image of an object using a multi-beam imaging system from an x-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method can include generating a first X-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution. Further, the method can include positioning a plurality of monochromator crystals in a predetermined position to directly intercept the first X-ray beam such that a plurality of second X-ray beams having predetermined energy levels are produced. Further, an object can be positioned in the path of the second X-ray beams for transmission of the second X-ray beams through the object and emission from the object as transmitted X-ray beams. The transmitted X-ray beams can each be directed at an angle of incidence upon one or more crystal analyzers. Further, an image of the object can be detected from the beams diffracted from the analyzer crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLOINA AT CHAPEL HILL, NEXTRAY, INC., BROOKHAVEN SCIENCE ASSOCIATES
    Inventors: Christopher Parham, Zhong Zhong, Etta Pisano, Dean M. Connor, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100310046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an image of an object by use of X-ray beams generated by multiple small area sources are disclosed. A plurality of monochromator crystals may be positioned to intercept the plurality of first X-ray beams such that a plurality of second X-ray beams each having predetermined energy levels is produced. Further, an object to be imaged may be positioned in paths of the second x-ray beams for transmission of the second X-ray beams through the object and emitting from the object a plurality of transmission X-ray beams. The X-ray beams may be directed at angles of incidence upon a plurality of analyzer crystals for detecting an image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: NEXTRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Connor, Christopher Parham, Etta Pisano, Waldo S. Hinshaw, Zhong Zhong, Brian P. Wilfley
  • Publication number: 20100310047
    Abstract: Strain matching of crystals and horizontally-spaced monochromator and analyzer crystal arrays in diffraction enhanced imaging systems and related methods are disclosed. A DEI system, including strain matched crystals can comprise an X-ray source configured to generate a first X-ray beam. A first monochromator crystal can be positioned to intercept the first X-ray beam for producing a second X-ray beam. A second monochromator crystal can be positioned to intercept the second X-ray beam to produce a third X-ray beam for transmission through an object. The second monochromator crystal has a thickness selected such that a mechanical strain on a side of the first monochromator crystal is the same as a mechanical strain on the second monochromator crystal. An analyzer crystal has a thickness selected such that a mechanical strain on a side of the first monochromator crystal is the same as a mechanical strain on the analyzer crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: NEXTRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Connor, Zhong Zhong, Christopher Parham, Etta Pisano
  • Patent number: 7742564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an image of an object using an X-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method can include detecting an image of an object. The method can include generating a first X-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution. Further, the method can include positioning a single monochromator crystal in a predetermined position to directly intercept the first X-ray beam such that a second X-ray beam having a predetermined energy level is produced. Further, an object can be positioned in the path of the second X-ray beam for transmission of the second X-ray beam through the object and emission from the object as a transmitted X-ray beam. The transmitted X-ray beam can be directed at an angle of incidence upon a crystal analyzer. Further, an image of the object can be detected from a beam diffracted from the analyzer crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Brookhaven Science Associates, The University of Saskatchewan
    Inventors: Christopher Parham, Zhong Zhong, Etta Pisano, Dean Connor, Leroy D. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20070291896
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an image of an object using an X-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method can include detecting an image of an object. The method can include generating a first X-ray beam having a polychromatic energy distribution. Further, the method can include positioning a single monochromator crystal in a predetermined position to directly intercept the first X-ray beam such that a second X-ray beam having a predetermined energy level is produced. Further, an object can be positioned in the path of the second X-ray beam for transmission of the second X-ray beam through the object and emission from the object as a transmitted X-ray beam. The transmitted X-ray beam can be directed at an angle of incidence upon a crystal analyzer. Further, an image of the object can be detected from a beam diffracted from the analyzer crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher Parham, Zhong Zhong, Etta Pisano, Dean Connor, Leroy Chapman