Patents by Inventor Eric Crugnale

Eric Crugnale 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: 5492122
    Abstract: A hyperthermia treatment apparatus includes an annular radio frequency (RF) antenna array with bolus that is compatible with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. Antenna elements polarized parallel to the axis of the cylinder are used for forming a Specific Absorption Ratio (SAR) map as well as for directing the energy to accomplish hyperthermia. The array may be dynamically controlled to focus energy at any specified region within the cylinder. The array is positioned inside an MRI machine and is tuned to the machine's hydrogen resonant frequency. For treatment planning, the array is employed to form an SAR map via RF current density imaging. Using this map, array phase, amplitude, and temporal weighting are optimized until the SAR maxima is congruent with the treatment volume. For treatment, RF radiation is applied to the subject to induce heating of the treatment volume using these optimal array parameters. Temperature is periodically determined via noninvasive MRI methods (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Button, Susan Barbour, Justine D. Cermignani, Eric Crugnale, Robert E. McGill, Glenn Spacht