Patents by Inventor David Darrow

David Darrow 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: 8855742
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method, a tracking system, an MRI system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for simultaneous imaging and tracking are presented. A designated signal and one or more characteristics corresponding to a plurality of imaging gradient waveforms are received. Further, a tracking pulse sequence is synchronized with an imaging pulse sequence at a determined point based on the designated signal. The tracking pulse sequence is then applied simultaneously with the imaging pulse sequence for acquiring corresponding response signals from an interventional device that includes at least one tracking coil and a tracking source configured to generate response signals at a tracking resonant frequency different from an imaging resonant frequency. A location of the tracking coil within or outside body of a subject is determined based on the response signals received from the tracking source and the characteristics corresponding to the imaging gradient waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Robert David Darrow, Florian Wiesinger
  • Publication number: 20140184218
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imager adapted to obtain an image of a desired region of interest of a subject and a coil positioned on the desired region of interest of the subject. The coil includes a plurality of markings disposed at a plurality of locations on the coil. The imaging system also includes a position indication device having a user interface adapted to receive input from a user indicating which of the plurality of markings corresponds to a desired scan plane of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Floribertus Philippus Martinus Heukensfeldt Jansen, Robert David Darrow
  • Publication number: 20140155736
    Abstract: A method for automated landmarking comprising obtaining one or more localizer images of a patient, comparing the one or more localizer images with a reference image, computing a difference between the one or more localizer images and the reference image, determining a desired position of the patient based on the computed difference, and maneuvering the patient, a support platform, or both the patient and the support platform to the desired position for imaging an anatomical region of interest in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vivek Prabhakar Vaidya, Robert David Darrow, Xiaodong Tao
  • Publication number: 20140039299
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method, a tracking system, an MRI system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for simultaneous imaging and tracking are presented. A designated signal and one or more characteristics corresponding to a plurality of imaging gradient waveforms are received. Further, a tracking pulse sequence is synchronized with an imaging pulse sequence at a determined point based on the designated signal. The tracking pulse sequence is then applied simultaneously with the imaging pulse sequence for acquiring corresponding response signals from an interventional device that includes at least one tracking coil and a tracking source configured to generate response signals at a tracking resonant frequency different from an imaging resonant frequency. A location of the tracking coil within or outside body of a subject is determined based on the response signals received from the tracking source and the characteristics corresponding to the imaging gradient waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Robert David Darrow, Florian Wiesinger
  • Patent number: 8594400
    Abstract: A system and method for an MRI apparatus includes an MRI system having a computer programmed to initiate a first scan procedure to acquire MR data and locate a feature of interest of the object, initiate a second scan procedure when a feature of interest of the object is located, and determine if an anomaly of the feature of interest exists. The computer is programmed to initiate a third scan procedure to scan the anomaly and reconstruct an image of the located anomaly if the anomaly exists. The first scan procedure includes a scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands. The second scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the feature of interest. The third scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the located anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo
  • Publication number: 20130279779
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landmark correction in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes acquiring at least one calibration image or at least one localizer image of an object, identifying in the calibration or localizer images a region of the object as a reference point, wherein the reference point defines a landmark position. The method further includes determining an offset between an initial landmark position and the identified landmark position. The method also includes using the determined offset for MRI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Thomas Foo, Maggie Fung, Vivek Prabhakar Vaidya, Xiaodong Tao
  • Publication number: 20130165767
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media for automatic landmarking are presented. A coil including at least one marker is placed on a desired region on interest (ROI) of a subject. Further, a detector detects a position of the marker while translating the subject from a home position in an imaging system into a bore of a magnet in the imaging system. A positioning unit coupled to at least one of the coil, the marker and the detector is configured to initiate automatic translation of the subject from the home position into the magnet bore. Further, the positioning unit determines a distance between the detected marker position and a homogenous position of the magnet based at least on the detected marker position. The positioning unit then controls movement of the subject over the determined distance to the homogenous magnet position for automatically landmarking the desired ROI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Ileana Hancu, Eric William Fiveland, William Thomas Dixon
  • Publication number: 20130136329
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for automatically setting a landmark for brain scans are described. In one embodiment, a method for medical image processing is described. The method comprises obtaining, by an imaging device, at least one image of a head of a subject. In addition, the method also comprises identifying, by a computer-based system, a reference feature in the at least one image associated with the head. The method also comprises automatically setting, by the computer-based system, a landmark based, at least in part, upon the reference feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaodong Tao, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Robert David Darrow, Vivek Prabhakar Vaidya
  • Publication number: 20130090946
    Abstract: An imaging workflow system includes a workstation for acquiring patient information and requesting a patient scan. The request for a patient scan includes scan information for performing the scan. A registration module receives the scan information and the patient information. The registration module automatically schedules the patient scan based on the scan information and the patient information. The registration module determines an imaging protocol based on the patient information and the scan information. An imaging module within an imaging system receives the imaging protocol. The imaging module automatically sets scan parameters based on the imaging protocol. The imaging system scans the patient based on the scan parameters to acquire image data. A user interface controls the patient scan. The user interface includes a display to display images generated from the acquired image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Robert David Darrow, Kenji Suzuki, Sandeep Narendra Gupta, Rakesh Mullick, Vivek Vaidya, Xiaodong Tao, Ting Song
  • Publication number: 20130055222
    Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system with programmable subsystem and method for programming are provided. One method includes receiving programming code having one or more Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), wherein the APIs include one or more function calls to a library of routines. The method also includes compiling the programming code with the library of routines and controlling the operation of the MRI system using the compiled programming code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Robert David Darrow
  • Publication number: 20110228998
    Abstract: A system and method for automatic computation of MR imaging scan parameters include a computer programmed to acquire a first set of MR data from an imaging subject, the first set of MR data comprising a plurality of slices acquired at a first field-of-view. The computer is also programmed to reconstruct the plurality of slices into a plurality of localizer images and identify a 3D object based on the plurality of localizer images. The computer is further programmed to prescribe a scan, execute the prescribed scan to acquire a second set of MR data, and reconstruct the second set of MR data into an image. The prescribed scan includes one of a reduced field-of-view based on a boundary of the 3D object and a shim region based on the boundary of the 3D object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Vivek Prabhakar Vaidya, Xiaodong Tao, Robert David Darrow, Rakesh Mullick, Maggie Mei-Kei Fung, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Kenji Suzuki, Sandeep Narendra Gupta, Ting Song
  • Publication number: 20110210734
    Abstract: A system and method for MR image scan and analysis include an MRI apparatus that includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a computer programmed to automatically prescribe a first scanning protocol based on the selected examination, acquire a first set of MR data of an imaging object via application of the first scanning protocol, and reconstruct a first image from the first set of MR data. The computer is also programmed to automatically prescribe a second scanning protocol based on the first image, acquire a second set of MR data of the imaging object via application of the second scanning protocol, reconstruct a second image from the second set of MR data, and quantify a first parameter of the imaging object based on the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Rakesh Mullick, Vivek Prabhakar Vaidya
  • Publication number: 20110211744
    Abstract: A system and method for an MRI apparatus includes an MRI system having a computer programmed to initiate a first scan procedure to acquire MR data and locate a feature of interest of the object, initiate a second scan procedure when a feature of interest of the object is located, and determine if an anomaly of the feature of interest exists. The computer is programmed to initiate a third scan procedure to scan the anomaly and reconstruct an image of the located anomaly if the anomaly exists. The first scan procedure includes a scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands. The second scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the feature of interest. The third scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the located anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Thomas kwok-Fah Foo
  • Patent number: 7787935
    Abstract: A method for tracking a device used in an imaging system is provided. The method includes using a trigger for initiating a determination of multiple device locations. The scan parameters are then adjusted using the multiple device locations. Finally, a dynamically corrected image is acquired, where the adjusted scan parameters provide an offset for at least one scan parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Lucian Dumoulin, Robert David Darrow
  • Patent number: 7725157
    Abstract: An imaging and interventional system and methods are provided. The system comprises an imaging device for acquiring volumetric image data for an anatomical region of interest, a catheter for acquiring electrophysiological (EP) measurements of the anatomical region of interest, the catheter having at least one tracking coil for detecting signals indicative of a position of the catheter, and, a processor coupled to the catheter for receiving the EP measurements and signals indicative of the position of the catheter. The position of the catheter and EP measurements are combined and superimposed on a resultant image. The method comprises acquiring volumetric image data for an anatomical region of interest, acquiring position data for a catheter inserted in the region of interest, obtaining electrophysiological (EP) measurements for the region of interest and combining the image data, position data and EP measurements into a resultant image for use in the interventional procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Lucian Dumoulin, Richard Philip Mallozzi, Robert David Darrow, Harvey Ellis Cline, Renee Ann Guhde
  • Patent number: 7621480
    Abstract: A rotor hub fairing system includes an upper hub fairing, a lower hub fairing and a shaft fairing therebetween. The rotor hub fairing system is attached to the counter-rotating, coaxial rotor system through a bearing arrangement such that the shaft fairing may be positioned at an azimuthal position about the main rotor axis of rotation relative the airframe by a de-rotation system. The de-rotation system controls the position of the shaft fairing about the axis of rotation such that the shaft fairing is prevented from rotating freely in unison with either shaft as may otherwise result during some flight regimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Darrow, Jr., Fabio P. Bertolotti, Thomas L. Sbabo, Frank P. D'Anna
  • Patent number: 7607607
    Abstract: A de-rotation system includes a first ring gear defined about an axis of rotation, a second ring gear defined about the axis of rotation and a gear set in meshing engagement with the first ring gear and the second ring gear to control a position of a housing about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Darrow, Jr., Frank P. D'Anna, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Publication number: 20090084891
    Abstract: A de-rotation system includes a first ring gear defined about an axis of rotation, a second ring gear defined about the axis of rotation and a gear set in meshing engagement with the first ring gear and the second ring gear to control a position of a housing about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: David A. Darrow, JR., Frank P. D'anna, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Publication number: 20080009700
    Abstract: An imaging and interventional system and methods are provided. The system comprises an imaging device for acquiring volumetric image data for an anatomical region of interest, a catheter for acquiring electrophysiological (EP) measurements of the anatomical region of interest, the catheter having at least one tracking coil for detecting signals indicative of a position of the catheter, and, a processor coupled to the catheter for receiving the EP measurements and signals indicative of the position of the catheter. The position of the catheter and EP measurements are combined and superimposed on a resultant image. The method comprises acquiring volumetric image data for an anatomical region of interest, acquiring position data for a catheter inserted in the region of interest, obtaining electrophysiological (EP) measurements for the region of interest and combining the image data, position data and EP measurements into a resultant image for use in the interventional procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Lucian Dumoulin, Richard Philip Mallozzi, Robert David Darrow, Harvey Ellis Cline, Renee Ann Guhde
  • Publication number: 20070181741
    Abstract: A rotor hub fairing system includes an upper hub fairing, a lower hub fairing and a shaft fairing therebetween. The rotor hub fairing system is attached to the counter-rotating, coaxial rotor system through a bearing arrangement such that the shaft fairing may be positioned at an azimuthal position about the main rotor axis of rotation relative the airframe by a de-rotation system. The de-rotation system controls the position of the shaft fairing about the axis of rotation such that the shaft fairing is prevented from rotating freely in unison with either shaft as may otherwise result during some flight regimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: David Darrow, Fabio Bertolotti, Thomas Sbabo, Frank D'Anna