Patents by Inventor James E. Clayton
James E. Clayton 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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Publication number: 20210077831Abstract: A high-energy radiation treatment system can comprise a laser-driven accelerator system, a patient monitoring system, and a control system. The laser-driven accelerator system, such as a laser-driven plasma accelerator or a laser-driven dielectric microstructure accelerator, can be constructed to irradiate a patient disposed on a patient support. The patient monitoring system can be configured to detect and track a location or movement of a treatment volume within the patient. The control system can be configured to control the laser-driven accelerator system responsively to the location or movement of the treatment volume. The system can also include a beam control system, which generates a magnetic field that can affect the radiation beam and/or secondary electrons produced by the irradiation beam. In some embodiments, the beam control system and the patient monitoring system can comprise a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventor: James E. CLAYTON
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Patent number: 10912952Abstract: A high-energy radiation treatment system can comprise a laser-driven accelerator system, a patient monitoring system, and a control system. The laser-driven accelerator system, such as a laser-driven plasma accelerator or a laser-driven dielectric microstructure accelerator, can be constructed to irradiate a patient disposed on a patient support. The patient monitoring system can be configured to detect and track a location or movement of a treatment volume within the patient. The control system can be configured to control the laser-driven accelerator system responsively to the location or movement of the treatment volume. The system can also include a beam control system, which generates a magnetic field that can affect the radiation beam and/or secondary electrons produced by the irradiation beam. In some embodiments, the beam control system and the patient monitoring system can comprise a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: James E. Clayton
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Patent number: 10879028Abstract: An apparatus includes: a structure having a lumen for accommodating a beam (e.g., electron beam, proton beam, or a charged particle beam), wherein the structure is a component of a medical radiation machine having a target for interaction with the beam to generate radiation; and a first beam position monitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being mounted to a first side of the structure, the second electrode being mounted to a second side of the structure, the second side being opposite from the first side; wherein the first beam position monitor is located upstream with respect to the target.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Trail, James E. Clayton
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Publication number: 20200237226Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time target validation during radiation treatment therapy based on real-time target displacement and radiation dosimetry measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: John Rodenbeck ADLER, JR., Jianing SHI, James E. CLAYTON
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Publication number: 20200227184Abstract: A method performed by a medical device, includes: providing a permanent magnetic field by a permanent magnet; operating an electromagnet to provide a first electromagnetic field with a first electromagnetic field value; and operating the electromagnet to provide a second electromagnetic field with a second electromagnetic field value; wherein the first electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a first total magnetic field with a first total magnetic field value, and wherein the second electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a second total magnetic field with a second total magnetic field value; wherein the first total magnetic is formed when an electric field in an accelerator or an energy level of a particle beam has a first value, and wherein the second total magnetic field is formed when the electric field in the accelerator or the energy level of the particle beam has a second value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Anuj K. PURWAR, James E. CLAYTON, Dragos E. CONSTANTIN, Gard E. MEDDAUGH, Matthew C. SCHMIDT, Mark E. TRAIL, Flavio POEHLMANN
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Patent number: 10674915Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time target validation during radiation treatment therapy based on real-time target displacement and radiation dosimetry measurements.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: John Rodenbeck Adler, Jr., Jianing Shi, James E. Clayton
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Patent number: 10661102Abstract: A medical device includes: a base; a positioner coupled to the base; an accelerator coupled to the positioner, wherein the positioner is operable to rotate the accelerator relative to the base about at least two axes; and a power source coupled to the accelerator, the power source configured to provide microwave power for the accelerator, wherein a position of the power source relative to the base remains fixed during movement of the accelerator. A medical device includes: a base; a positioner coupled to the base; an accelerator coupled to the positioner; a power source configured to provide microwave power for the accelerator, wherein a position of the source relative to the base remains fixed during movement of the accelerator; and a waveguide for coupling the power source and the accelerator; wherein the waveguide has a first segment with a first cross section, the first cross section being a circular cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Clayton, Mark E. Trail
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Patent number: 10622114Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a beam deflector having an electromagnet configured to provide a first magnetic field for deflecting a particle beam; and a current control configured to adjust a current of the electromagnet in correspondence with an energy level associated with an accelerator. A treatment planning method includes: defining control points in a treatment plan; setting up energy switching in one or more of the control points; and performing treatment optimization on the treatment plan based at least in part on the energy switching that is set up in the one or more of the control points. The medical apparatus also includes an energy adjuster configured to adjust the treatment energy so that the treatment energy has a first energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle, and a second energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Anuj K. Purwar, James E. Clayton, Dragos E. Constantin, Gard E. Meddaugh, Matthew C. Schmidt, Mark E. Trail, Flavio Poehlmann
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Patent number: 10459091Abstract: A system operable for detecting radiation to scan an object includes scintillators that have respective lengths that are greater than their respective widths and an imager that has a planar array of pixels. The scintillators are coupled to the imager with their respective longitudinal axes parallel to each other. An incoming radiation beam that has passed through the object enters the scintillators through respective surfaces of the scintillators that are transverse to the longitudinal axes, and is converted by the scintillators into light that is received by respective subsets of the planar array of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Varex Imaging CorporationInventors: Daniel Shedlock, David T Nisius, Josh M Star-Lack, Samuel Donnald, Gary F Virshup, James E Clayton
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Patent number: 10449393Abstract: A radiation system includes a support, a capsule rotatably coupled to the support, a radiation source movably coupled to the capsule, wherein the radiation source is configured to provide a treatment radiation beam, and is capable of being turned on or off in response to a control signal, and a collimator located next to the radiation source, wherein the capsule defines a space for accommodating a portion of a patient, and includes a shielding material for attenuating radiation resulted from an operation of the radiation source, and wherein the shielding material is configured to limit a radiation exposure level to 5 mR/hr or less within 5 meters from an isocenter.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: John R. Adler, Jr., David H. Whittum, Steven W. Prince, James E. Clayton
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Publication number: 20190175946Abstract: A high-energy radiation treatment system can comprise a laser-driven accelerator system, a patient monitoring system, and a control system. The laser-driven accelerator system, such as a laser-driven plasma accelerator or a laser-driven dielectric microstructure accelerator, can be constructed to irradiate a patient disposed on a patient support. The patient monitoring system can be configured to detect and track a location or movement of a treatment volume within the patient. The control system can be configured to control the laser-driven accelerator system responsively to the location or movement of the treatment volume. The system can also include a beam control system, which generates a magnetic field that can affect the radiation beam and/or secondary electrons produced by the irradiation beam. In some embodiments, the beam control system and the patient monitoring system can comprise a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventor: James E. CLAYTON
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Patent number: 10314151Abstract: Man-portable radiation generation sources and systems that may be carried by hand to a site of interest by one or two people, are disclosed. Methods of use of such sources and systems are also disclosed. Battery operated radiation generation sources, air cooled radiation generation sources, and charged particle accelerators, are also disclosed. A radiation generation source, a radiation scanning system, and a target assembly comprising target material having a thickness of less than 0.20 mm are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Varex Imaging CorporationInventors: David Whittum, James E. Clayton, George Merdinian
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Patent number: 10252083Abstract: A high-energy radiation treatment system can comprise a laser-driven accelerator system, a patient monitoring system, and a control system. The laser-driven accelerator system, such as a laser-driven plasma accelerator or a laser-driven dielectric microstructure accelerator, can be constructed to irradiate a patient disposed on a patient support. The patient monitoring system can be configured to detect and track a location or movement of a treatment volume within the patient. The control system can be configured to control the laser-driven accelerator system responsively to the location or movement of the treatment volume. The system can also include a beam control system, which generates a magnetic field that can affect the radiation beam and/or secondary electrons produced by the irradiation beam. In some embodiments, the beam control system and the patient monitoring system can comprise a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: James E. Clayton
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Patent number: 10242760Abstract: Accelerator based systems are disclosed for the generation of isotopes, such as molybdenum-98 (“99Mo”) and metastable technetium-99 (“99mTc”) from molybdenum-98 (“98Mo”). Multilayer targets are disclosed for use in the system and other systems to generate 99mTc and 98Mo, and other isotopes. In one example a multilayer target comprises a first, inner target of 98Mo surrounded, at least in part, by a separate, second outer layer of 98Mo. In another example, a first target layer of molybdenum-100 is surrounded, at least in part, by a second target layer of 98Mo. In another example, a first inner target comprises a Bremsstrahlung target material surrounded, at least in part, by a second target layer of molybdenum-100, surrounded, at least in part, by a third target layer of 98Mo.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Clayton
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Publication number: 20180280734Abstract: A medical device includes: a base; a positioner coupled to the base; an accelerator coupled to the positioner, wherein the positioner is operable to rotate the accelerator relative to the base about at least two axes; and a power source coupled to the accelerator, the power source configured to provide microwave power for the accelerator, wherein a position of the power source relative to the base remains fixed during movement of the accelerator. A medical device includes: a base; a positioner coupled to the base; an accelerator coupled to the positioner; a power source configured to provide microwave power for the accelerator, wherein a position of the source relative to the base remains fixed during movement of the accelerator; and a waveguide for coupling the power source and the accelerator; wherein the waveguide has a first segment with a first cross section, the first cross section being a circular cross-section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. CLAYTON, Mark E. TRAIL
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Publication number: 20180277276Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a beam deflector having an electromagnet configured to provide a first magnetic field for deflecting a particle beam; and a current control configured to adjust a current of the electromagnet in correspondence with an energy level associated with an accelerator. A treatment planning method includes: defining control points in a treatment plan; setting up energy switching in one or more of the control points; and performing treatment optimization on the treatment plan based at least in part on the energy switching that is set up in the one or more of the control points. The medical apparatus also includes an energy adjuster configured to adjust the treatment energy so that the treatment energy has a first energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle, and a second energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Anuj K. PURWAR, James E. CLAYTON, Dragos E. CONSTANTIN, Gard E. MEDDAUGH, Matthew C. SCHMIDT, Mark E. TRAIL, Flavio POEHLMANN
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Publication number: 20180095188Abstract: A system operable for detecting radiation to scan an object includes scintillators that have respective lengths that are greater than their respective widths and an imager that has a planar array of pixels. The scintillators are coupled to the imager with their respective longitudinal axes parallel to each other. An incoming radiation beam that has passed through the object enters the scintillators through respective surfaces of the scintillators that are transverse to the longitudinal axes, and is converted by the scintillators into light that is received by respective subsets of the planar array of pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Daniel SHEDLOCK, David T NISIUS, Josh M STAR-LACK, Samuel DONNALD, Gary F VIRSHUP, James E CLAYTON
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Publication number: 20170296844Abstract: An apparatus includes: a structure having a lumen for accommodating a beam, wherein the structure is a component of a medical radiation machine having a target for interaction with the beam to generate radiation; and a first beam position monitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being mounted to a first side of the structure, the second electrode being mounted to a second side of the structure, the second side being opposite from the first side; wherein the first beam position monitor is located upstream with respect to the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. TRAIL, James E. CLAYTON
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Patent number: 9757593Abstract: A radiation system includes: a first support; a first structure rotatably coupled to the first support so that the first structure is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first support; a second structure rotatably coupled to the first structure so that the second structure is rotatable about a second axis that forms a non-zero angle relative to the first structure; and a first radiation source connected to the second structure; wherein the first structure and the second structure are parts of a capsule for accommodating at least a portion of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: John R. Adler, David H. Whittum, Steven W. Prince, James E. Clayton
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Patent number: 9746879Abstract: An electrical interconnection system comprises a bifurcated, multilayer flex circuit having electrode pads on the inner surfaces of the bifurcation. Electronic components are mounted on one or both sides of the flex circuit by conventional means. When the bifurcation is spread apart, the electrode pads are alignable with respective contacts on a printed circuit board. After bonding the pads to the contacts by soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means, a secure electrical connection is maintained while still allowing the flex circuit to bend somewhat from side to side, creating additional design options not available with rigidly mounted components and modules.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Microelectronics Assembly Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James E. Clayton, Zakaryae Fathi