Patents by Inventor Eric J. Oberla

Eric J. Oberla 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: 10132942
    Abstract: TOF-PET detector systems, and methods for imaging photon-emitting samples using the detector systems, are provided. The TOF-PET detector systems use large-area photodetectors with extremely high time-resolution and an approach to data collection and analysis that allows for the use of inexpensive low-density scintillator materials. The TOF-PET detector systems are characterized by their ability to identify, on a statistical basis, the transverse and depth location of the first of the series of energy deposition events that are generated when a gamma photon enters the low-density scintillator material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: The University of Chicago, Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Henry J. Frisch, Eric J. Oberla, Hee-Jong Kim, Minfang Yeh
  • Publication number: 20180038968
    Abstract: TOF-PET detector systems, and methods for imaging photon-emitting samples using the detector systems, are provided. The TOF-PET detector systems use large-area photodetectors with extremely high time-resolution and an approach to data collection and analysis that allows for the use of inexpensive low-density scintillator materials. The TOF-PET detector systems are characterized by their ability to identify, on a statistical basis, the transverse and depth location of the first of the series of energy deposition events that are generated when a gamma photon enters the low-density scintillator material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Henry J. Frisch, Eric J. Oberla, Hee-Jong Kim, Minfang Yeh
  • Patent number: 9625588
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: The University of Chicago, Minotech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Fukun Tang, Herve Grabas, Eric J. Oberla, Michael Minot
  • Publication number: 20160116605
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Fukun Tang, Herve Grabas, Eric J. Oberla, Michael Minot
  • Patent number: 9244180
    Abstract: Large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors with sub-nanosecond time resolution based on microchannel plates are provided. The large-area, flat-panel photo-detectors enable the economic construction of sampling calorimeters with, for example, enhanced capability to measure local energy deposition, depth-of-interaction, time-of-flight, and/or directionality of showers. In certain embodiments, sub-nanosecond timing resolution supplies correlated position and time measurements over large areas. The use of thin flat-panel viewing radiators on both sides of a radiation-creating medium allows simultaneous measurement of Cherenkov and scintillation radiation in each layer of the calorimeter. The detectors may be used in a variety of applications including, for example, medical imaging, security, and particle and nuclear physics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Henry Frisch, Herve Grabas, Fukun Tang, Eric J. Oberla, Michael Minot