Patents by Inventor Douglas Kieper
Douglas Kieper 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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Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods
Patent number: 9844355Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: HAMPTON UNIVERSITYInventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper -
Patent number: 9261215Abstract: A plumbing fitting for coupling a water supply line to a second plumbing fitting includes a polymeric tailpiece having one end for coupling to a conduit and an opposite end with an outwardly extending annular flange having an annular face surface. A circular recess is formed in the face surface for receiving a seal. A nut is positioned over the tailpiece and has an inwardly extending annular rim engaging a side of the flange opposite the face surface. The nut is formed of a polymeric material having internal threads and integrally includes a metal insert extending in concentric spaced relationship to the threads of the nut. The insert includes an end which is threaded and forms a lead-in thread that is coaxial with the threads of the nut.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Douglas A. Kieper
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Publication number: 20150369411Abstract: An adapter coupling for coupling PEX tubing to a schedule 40 or schedule 80 fitting has a disk-shaped body with a central axially extending aperture and a PEX tube receiving barbed outlet tube extending outwardly from one side in coaxial relationship to the aperture. The face of the opposite side of the disk-shaped member is smooth to engage a face seal member in a coupling to which the PEX adapter coupling adapter is mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Douglas A. Kieper, Jordan Rumsey
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OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS
Publication number: 20140334603Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: HAMPTON UNIVERSITYInventors: Cynthia KEPPEL, Douglas KIEPER -
Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods
Patent number: 8855748Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Hampton UniversityInventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper -
Publication number: 20130277964Abstract: A plumbing fitting for coupling a water supply line to a second plumbing fitting includes a polymeric tailpiece having one end for coupling to a conduit and an opposite end with an outwardly extending annular flange having an annular face surface. A circular recess is formed in the face surface for receiving a seal. A nut is positioned over the tailpiece and has an inwardly extending annular rim engaging a side of the flange opposite the face surface. The nut is formed of a polymeric material having internal threads and integrally includes a metal insert extending in concentric spaced relationship to the threads of the nut. The insert includes an end which is threaded and forms a lead-in thread that is coaxial with the threads of the nut.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Douglas A. Kieper
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Patent number: 8311617Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Hampton UniversityInventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper
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Publication number: 20120219112Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Hampton UniversityInventors: Cynthia KEPPEL, Douglas Kieper
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Patent number: 8249693Abstract: A stereotactic gamma-guided localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The gamma-guided localization system includes a three step procedure including localization, correlation, and verification. The localization system includes a gamma camera with a set of slant-hole collimators for producing stereo images of a region of interest. A positioning system including a fiducial marker is placed adjacent to the object to be imaged and held rigidly in place to provide correlation of the location of the region of interest relative to the fiducial marker. A gamma emitting marker is then positioned at the calculated location of the region of interest and imaged to verify that that the calculated position corresponds to the actual location. The positioning system can then be used to accurately position and support any other hardware that needs to be positioned at the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Dilon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Douglas A. Kieper, Benjamin Lawrence Welch, Lee Holland Fairchild
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Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods
Patent number: 8200316Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Hampton UniversityInventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper -
Patent number: 8133167Abstract: An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source or providing feedback of sensed radiation. The catheter may also be a mammosite type catheter. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers. The output may then be used to measure and compute radiation distribution maps using Monte Carlo reconstruction simulation. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Hampton UniversityInventors: Paul Gueye, Cynthia Keppel, Lawrence Tynes, Douglas Kieper
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OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS
Publication number: 20100183213Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper -
Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods
Patent number: 7711409Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Hampton UniversityInventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper -
Publication number: 20100099985Abstract: An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source or providing feedback of sensed radiation. The catheter may also be a mammosite type catheter. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers. The output may then be used to measure and compute radiation distribution maps using Monte Carlo reconstruction simulation. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Paul Gueye, Cynthia Keppel, Lawrence Tynes, Douglas Kieper
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Patent number: 7662083Abstract: An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source or providing feedback of sensed radiation. The catheter may also be a mammosite type catheter. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers. The output may then be used to measure and compute radiation distribution maps using Monte Carlo reconstruction simulation. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Hampton UniversityInventors: Paul Gueye, Cynthia Keppel, Lawrence Tynes, Douglas Kieper
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Publication number: 20100016865Abstract: A stereotactic gamma-guided localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The gamma-guided localization system includes a three step procedure including localization, correlation, and verification. The localization system includes a gamma camera with a set of slant-hole collimators for producing stereo images of a region of interest. A positioning system including a fiducial marker is placed adjacent to the object to be imaged and held rigidly in place to provide correlation of the location of the region of interest relative to the fiducial marker. A gamma emitting marker is then positioned at the calculated location of the region of interest and imaged to verify that that the calculated position corresponds to the actual location. The positioning system can then be used to accurately position and support any other hardware that needs to be positioned at the region of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Douglas A. Kieper, Benjamin Lawrence Welch, Lee Holland Fairchild
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OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS
Publication number: 20080146905Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Cynthia KEPPEL, Douglas Kieper -
Publication number: 20080086059Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventors: Cynthia Keppel, Douglas Kieper
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Patent number: D729354Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Douglas A. Kieper
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Patent number: D729355Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Nibco Inc.Inventor: Douglas A. Kieper