Patents by Inventor Darrell D. Burckhardt

Darrell D. Burckhardt 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: 7030384
    Abstract: An adaptive opto-emission imaging device includes a detector having a detector face and a back surface. The detector detects radiation emanating from an object positioned in the direction of the detector face, and produces a radiopharmaceutical distribution profile of the detected radiation. An image capturing device such as a video camera provided at the detector face of the detector produces a live visual image of the object. A display device provided at the back surface of the detector displays the radiopharmaceutical distribution profile and/or the live visual image of the object. The adaptive opto-emission imaging device greatly reduces the amount of computation and time to provide real time image guidance, for example to physicians using the device to perform an image-guided surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell D. Burckhardt, Douglas J. Wagenaar
  • Patent number: 6809311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for discriminating between detected radiation events, so that the sensitivity of the radiation detector may be preserved without causing the inclusion of a large number of the undesired radiation events. This method includes the steps of: (1) empirically determining the energy response function of the radiation detector; and (2) then using the energy response function during the actual detection process to differentiate between the desired and undesired radiation events. Generally, the energy response function for each of the detectors is determined by simulating the condition for the subsequent, actual measurement. During this process, the detector is illuminated with a uniform stream of radiation to be measured. The detector should be exposed to a large number of radiation rays, and the number of undesired rays is minimized. For example, the detector will be exposed to only direct, unscattered radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Engdahl, Darrell D. Burckhardt
  • Publication number: 20040005028
    Abstract: An adaptive opto-emission imaging device includes a detector having a detector face and a back surface. The detector detects radiation emanating from an object positioned in the direction of the detector face, and produces a radiopharmaceutical distribution profile of the detected radiation. An image capturing device such as a video camera provided at the detector face of the detector produces a live visual image of the object. A display device provided at the back surface of the detector displays the radiopharmaceutical distribution profile and/or the live visual image of the object. The adaptive opto-emission imaging device greatly reduces the amount of computation and time to provide real time image guidance, for example to physicians using the device to perform an image-guided surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Darrell D. Burckhardt, Douglas J. Wagenaar
  • Publication number: 20030094569
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for discriminating between detected radiation events, so that the sensitivity of the radiation detector may be preserved without causing the inclusion of a large number of the undesired radiation events. This method includes the steps of: (1) empirically determining the energy response function of the radiation detector; and (2) then using the energy response function during the actual detection process to differentiate between the desired and undesired radiation events. Generally, the energy response function for each of the detectors is determined by simulating the condition for the subsequent, actual measurement. During this process, the detector is illuminated with a uniform stream of radiation to be measured. The detector should be exposed to a large number of radiation rays, and the number of undesired rays is minimized. For example, the detector will be exposed to only direct, unscattered radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Engdahl, Darrell D. Burckhardt