Patents by Inventor Grant Morey Stevens
Grant Morey Stevens 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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Patent number: 10709407Abstract: Techniques for imaging protocol translation are described herein. The techniques may include data indicating a protocol for image capture of a first imaging device. The protocol includes parameters. The techniques may include translating the protocol of the first imaging device for use at a second imaging device by determining adjustments to be made to one or more of the parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Adam Budde, Rinki Singh
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Patent number: 10667767Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a selectable pre-object filter module, a detector, and a processing unit. The selectable pre-object filter module is configured to absorb radiation from the X-ray source to control distribution of X-rays passed to an object to be imaged. The selectable pre-object filter module has plural pre-object filter configurations providing corresponding X-ray distributions, and is selectable between the plural configurations to provide a selected pre-object filter configuration for a scan of the object. The detector is configured to receive X-rays that have passed through the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Dominic Joseph Crotty, Roy A. Nilsen
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Patent number: 10368825Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic exposure control in computed tomography imaging systems. In one embodiment, a method comprises in response to an object-specific dose metric input by a user via a user interface operably coupled to a scanner, predicting an image quality of a diagnostic scan, calculating an output level of a source of the scanner for the image quality, and performing the diagnostic scan at the output level when the image quality is higher than a threshold. In this way, patient-specific image quality settings may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dominic Joseph Crotty, Roy A. Nilsen, Jiahua Fan, Mary Sue Kulpins, Franco Rupcich, Grant Morey Stevens
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Patent number: 9968307Abstract: An imaging system includes an identification module, an analysis module, and a determination module. The identification module is configured to identify a scanning mode of operation. The analysis module is configured to determine an attenuation for an object for a scan to be performed on the object. The determination module is configured to determine an image contrast for each of plural setting combinations, determine a corresponding tolerable noise for the image contrast for each of the setting combinations based on the scanning mode of operation, and determine a corresponding diagnostic dosage for each setting combination, the diagnostic dosages corresponding to the image contrast and tolerable noise for the corresponding setting combination. The determination module is also configured to select an operational setting for the scan to be performed using the dosages determined.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Roy A. Nilsen
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Publication number: 20170202534Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic exposure control in computed tomography imaging systems. In one embodiment, a method comprises in response to an object-specific dose metric input by a user via a user interface operably coupled to a scanner, predicting an image quality of a diagnostic scan, calculating an output level of a source of the scanner for the image quality, and performing the diagnostic scan at the output level when the image quality is higher than a threshold. In this way, patient-specific image quality settings may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Dominic Joseph Crotty, Roy A. Nilsen, Jiahua Fan, Mary Sue Kulpins, Franco Rupcich, Grant Morey Stevens
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Patent number: 9486173Abstract: An imaging system includes a computed tomography (CT) acquisition unit and a processing unit. The CT acquisition unit includes an X-ray source and a CT detector configured to collect CT imaging data of an object to be imaged. The X-ray source and CT detector are configured to be rotated about the object to be imaged and to collect a series of views of the object as the X-ray source and CT detector rotate about the object to be imaged. The processing unit is operably coupled to the CT acquisition unit and configured to control the CT acquisition unit to vary a view duration for the views of the series. The view duration for a particular view defines an imaging information acquisition period for the particular view, wherein the series of views includes a first group of views having a first view duration and a second group of views having a second view duration that is different than the first view duration.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jiahua Fan, Jed Douglas Pack, Guangzhi Cao, David Joseph Pitterle, Grant Morey Stevens
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Patent number: 9420976Abstract: An imaging system is provided including an adjustable source collimator, an input unit, and a processing unit. The adjustable source collimator is configured to be interposed between an X-ray source and an object to be imaged, and is adjustable between plural settings corresponding to different amounts of collimation of rays from the X-ray source. The input unit is configured to obtain an input identifying a portion to be imaged of the object. The processing unit is operably coupled to the input unit and the adjustable source collimator, and configured to obtain the input. The processing unit is also configured to determine a prescribed collimation configuration to perform a scan of the portion to be imaged based on the input, the prescribed collimation configuration having a corresponding scanning volume that includes the portion to be imaged.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Irvin Jackson, Holly Ann McDaniel, Grant Morey Stevens, Bradley Jay Gabrielse, Dominic Joseph Crotty
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Publication number: 20160045182Abstract: Techniques for imaging protocol translation are described herein. The techniques may include data indicating a protocol for image capture of a first imaging device. The protocol includes parameters. The techniques may include translating the protocol of the first imaging device for use at a second imaging device by determining adjustments to be made to one or more of the parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Adam Budde, Rinki Singh
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Publication number: 20160038113Abstract: An imaging system includes a computed tomography (CT) acquisition unit and a processing unit. The CT acquisition unit includes an X-ray source and a CT detector configured to collect CT imaging data of an object to be imaged. The X-ray source and CT detector are configured to be rotated about the object to be imaged and to collect a series of views of the object as the X-ray source and CT detector rotate about the object to be imaged. The processing unit is operably coupled to the CT acquisition unit and configured to control the CT acquisition unit to vary a view duration for the views of the series. The view duration for a particular view defines an imaging information acquisition period for the particular view, wherein the series of views includes a first group of views having a first view duration and a second group of views having a second view duration that is different than the first view duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Jiahua Fan, Jed Douglas Pack, Guangzhi Cao, David Joseph Pitterle, Grant Morey Stevens
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Publication number: 20150313569Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a selectable pre-object filter module, a detector, and a processing unit. The selectable pre-object filter module is configured to absorb radiation from the X-ray source to control distribution of X-rays passed to an object to be imaged. The selectable pre-object filter module has plural pre-object filter configurations providing corresponding X-ray distributions, and is selectable between the plural configurations to provide a selected pre-object filter configuration for a scan of the object. The detector is configured to receive X-rays that have passed through the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey STEVENS, Dominic Joseph CROTTY, Roy A. NILSEN
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Publication number: 20150265226Abstract: An imaging system is provided including an adjustable source collimator, an input unit, and a processing unit. The adjustable source collimator is configured to be interposed between an X-ray source and an object to be imaged, and is adjustable between plural settings corresponding to different amounts of collimation of rays from the X-ray source. The input unit is configured to obtain an input identifying a portion to be imaged of the object. The processing unit is operably coupled to the input unit and the adjustable source collimator, and configured to obtain the input. The processing unit is also configured to determine a prescribed collimation configuration to perform a scan of the portion to be imaged based on the input, the prescribed collimation configuration having a corresponding scanning volume that includes the portion to be imaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Irvin Jackson, Holly Ann McDaniel, Grant Morey Stevens, Bradley Jay Gabrielse, Dominic Joseph Crotty
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Patent number: 9008274Abstract: An imaging system includes an identification module, a determination module, and a display module. The identification module is configured to identify one or more first scanning parameters and one or more first display parameters corresponding to a first image, and to identify one or more second scanning parameters corresponding to scanning information acquired during a second scan. The determination module is configured to determine, based on the one or more first scanning parameters and the one or more second scanning parameters, one or more second display parameters so that the scanning information acquired during the second scan may be used to provide a second image appearing more similar to the first image. The display module is configured to use the one or more second display parameters to provide the second image configured to be displayed to a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Roy A. Nilsen, Brian William Thomsen
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Publication number: 20140177803Abstract: An imaging system includes an identification module, a determination module, and a display module. The identification module is configured to identify one or more first scanning parameters and one or more first display parameters corresponding to a first image, and to identify one or more second scanning parameters corresponding to scanning information acquired during a second scan. The determination module is configured to determine, based on the one or more first scanning parameters and the one or more second scanning parameters, one or more second display parameters so that the scanning information acquired during the second scan may be used to provide a second image appearing more similar to the first image. The display module is configured to use the one or more second display parameters to provide the second image configured to be displayed to a viewer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Roy A. Nilsen, Brian William Thomsen
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Publication number: 20140177788Abstract: An imaging system includes an identification module, an analysis module, and a determination module. The identification module is configured to identify a scanning mode of operation. The analysis module is configured to determine an attenuation for an object for a scan to be performed on the object. The determination module is configured to determine an image contrast for each of plural setting combinations, determine a corresponding tolerable noise for the image contrast for each of the setting combinations based on the scanning mode of operation, and determine a corresponding diagnostic dosage for each setting combination, the diagnostic dosages corresponding to the image contrast and tolerable noise for the corresponding setting combination. The determination module is also configured to select an operational setting for the scan to be performed using the dosages determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Roy A. Nilsen
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Patent number: 7069066Abstract: An x-ray densitometry system provides improved analysis of bone images taken of a patient over a course of time by comparing the images to deduce positioning errors and/or to correct positioning errors for improved quantitative assessment of the bone.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott Steven Zeller, Grant Morey Stevens, Paul Eugene Markwardt, Russell Harry Nord, Robert Washkenko, David Lowry Ergun