Patents by Inventor Ciprian Catana

Ciprian Catana 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).

  • Integrated PET-MRI scanner
    Patent number: 7835782
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated PET-MRI scanner. This integrated scanner includes a main magnet that generates a magnetic field, wherein images of the subject is generated in a central region of the magnetic field. It also includes a PET scanner which is enclosed by the main magnet. The PET scanner further comprises: (1) at least one ring of scintillators, which is situated in the central region of the magnetic field and, (2) one or more photodetectors, which are coupled to the ring of scintillators, so that the one or more photodetectors are outside the central region of the magnetic field. The integrated scanner also includes radio-frequency (RF) coils which are enclosed by the PET scanner. By keeping the photodetectors and associated circuitry outside the central region of the magnetic field, the integrated scanner reduces the electromagnetic interference (EMI) between the PET scanner and the MRI scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Simon Cherry, Ciprian Catana, Bernd J. M. Pichler
  • Integrated Pet-Mri Scanner
    Publication number: 20080214927
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated PET-MRI scanner. This integrated scanner includes a main magnet that generates a magnetic field, wherein images of the subject is generated in a central region of the magnetic field. It also includes a PET scanner which is enclosed by the main magnet. The PET scanner further comprises: (1) at least one ring of scintillators, which is situated in the central region of the magnetic field and, (2) one or more photodetectors, which are coupled to the ring of scintillators, so that the one or more photodetectors are outside the central region of the magnetic field. The integrated scanner also includes radio-frequency (RF) coils which are enclosed by the PET scanner. By keeping the photodetectors and associated circuitry outside the central region of the magnetic field, the integrated scanner reduces the electromagnetic interference (EMI) between the PET scanner and the MRI scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Simon Cherry, Ciprian Catana, Bernd J.M. Pichler