Patents by Inventor James Wear

James Wear 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: 11925495
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for an X-ray system. In one example, an X-ray system comprises an X-ray source positioned opposite to and facing a first side of a table and an X-ray detector positioned directly opposite to and facing a second side of the table, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, wherein the X-ray source is a dual-energy X-ray source configured to scan in a raster pattern. In one example, an object is positioned on the first side of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: James Wear, Michael Buchholz
  • Patent number: 11826188
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging system having an X-ray source, a detector and a processing system. The the X-ray source is collimated to produce a diverging beam of radiation and transmits X-rays through an object. The detector includes detector pixels arranged in at least one row and is operative to receive the X-ray energy of the X-rays after having passed through the object. The processing system is programmed to select an initial height of the object with respect to the X-ray source plane and determine an initial time delayed summation (TDS) shift frequency based on the initial height. The processing system performs a first scan of the object based on the TDS shift frequency and determines a new height of the object based on a beam angle and an overlap of adjacent images. A new TDS shift frequency is determined based on the new height of the object if the initial height and the new height are not substantially same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Adam Manders, Mehadi Hassan
  • Publication number: 20230371915
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging system having an X-ray source, a detector and a processing system. The the X-ray source is collimated to produce a diverging beam of radiation and transmits X-rays through an object. The detector includes detector pixels arranged in at least one row and is operative to receive the X-ray energy of the X-rays after having passed through the object. The processing system is programmed to select an initial height of the object with respect to the X-ray source plane and determine an initial time delayed summation (TDS) shift frequency based on the initial height. The processing system performs a first scan of the object based on the TDS shift frequency and determines a new height of the object based on a beam angle and an overlap of adjacent images. A new TDS shift frequency is determined based on the new height of the object if the initial height and the new height are not substantially same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Adam Manders, Mehadi Hassan
  • Publication number: 20230136752
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging system having an X-ray source, a detector and a processing system. The the X-ray source is collimated to produce a diverging beam of radiation and transmits X-rays through an object. The detector includes detector pixels arranged in at least one row and is operative to receive the X-ray energy of the X-rays after having passed through the object. The processing system is programmed to select an initial height of the object with respect to the X-ray source plane and determine an initial time delayed summation (TDS) shift frequency based on the initial height. The processing system performs a first scan of the object based on the TDS shift frequency and determines a new height of the object based on a beam angle and an overlap of adjacent images. A new TDS shift frequency is determined based on the new height of the object if the initial height and the new height are not substantially same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Adam Manders, Mehadi Hassan
  • Publication number: 20210204892
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for an X-ray system. In one example, an X-ray system comprises an X-ray source positioned opposite to and facing a first side of a table and an X-ray detector positioned directly opposite to and facing a second side of the table, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, wherein the X-ray source is a dual-energy X-ray source configured to scan in a raster pattern. In one example, an object is positioned on the first side of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: James Wear, Michael Buchholz
  • Patent number: 10499873
    Abstract: A system for performing a bone density scan of a patient is provided. The system includes a radiation source operative to emit a radiation beam, a radiation detector operative to receive the radiation beam and generate an output signal based at least in part on the received radiation beam, and a controller in electronic communication with the radiation source and the radiation detector and operative to generate at least one of a bone mineral content measurement of the patient, a bone mineral density measurement of the patient, a body composition measurement of the patient, and a body thickness measurement of the patient. The controller is further operative to regulate the radiation beam such that a flux of the radiation beam at the radiation detector is within a target flux range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Wear, Serge Muller, Randall Payne, Paul Markwardt
  • Patent number: 10485502
    Abstract: A system for assessing muscle function of a patient is provided. The system includes: a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device operative to scan the patient so as to generate a lean mass measurement; a bioelectrical impedance analysis device operative to scan the patient so as to generate an extracellular water volume measurement; and a controller that includes at least one processor and a memory device, the controller in electrical communication with the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device and the bioelectrical impedance device. The controller is adapted to: receive the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement; store the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement in the memory device; and generate a muscle assessment indicator of the patient based at least in part on the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement stored in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Wear, Serge Muller, Randall Payne, Paul Markwardt
  • Publication number: 20190000407
    Abstract: A system for imaging includes a gantry movable relative to a subject. A source is configured to emit radiation during an imaging procedure. A detector is configured to receive attenuated radiation from the source during an imaging procedure, at least one of the source and the detector movably secured to the gantry by an adjustable joint. An imaging controller is operably connected to at least the gantry and to the adjustable joint, wherein the gantry controller receives a priori patient information and imaging system geometry information, the imaging controller determines an imaging geometry and operates the gantry and the adjustable joint to vary a source to image-receptor distance (SID) according to the imaging geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Serge Muller, Paul Markwardt, James Wear, Randall Payne
  • Publication number: 20180168530
    Abstract: A system for assessing muscle function of a patient is provided. The system includes: a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device operative to scan the patient so as to generate a lean mass measurement; a bioelectrical impedance analysis device operative to scan the patient so as to generate an extracellular water volume measurement; and a controller that includes at least one processor and a memory device, the controller in electrical communication with the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device and the bioelectrical impedance device. The controller is adapted to: receive the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement; store the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement in the memory device; and generate a muscle assessment indicator of the patient based at least in part on the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement stored in the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: JAMES WEAR, SERGE MULLER, RANDALL PAYNE, PAUL MARKWARDT
  • Publication number: 20180168533
    Abstract: A system for performing a bone density scan of a patient is provided. The system includes a radiation source operative to emit a radiation beam, a radiation detector operative to receive the radiation beam and generate an output signal based at least in part on the received radiation beam, and a controller in electronic communication with the radiation source and the radiation detector and operative to generate at least one of a bone mineral content measurement of the patient, a bone mineral density measurement of the patient, a body composition measurement of the patient, and a body thickness measurement of the patient. The controller is further operative to regulate the radiation beam such that a flux of the radiation beam at the radiation detector is within a target flux range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: JAMES WEAR, SERGE MULLER, RANDALL PAYNE, PAUL MARKWARDT
  • Publication number: 20140061482
    Abstract: A wavelength shifting material is optically coupled to one of a scintillator and a solid-state photomultiplier and transmits photons along and about a straight linear path. The wavelength shifting material enhances photon sensing performance of the solid state photomultiplier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Sergei Dolinsky, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar
  • Publication number: 20140064446
    Abstract: An x-ray absorptiometry apparatus and method utilize a radiation source having a beam opening angle of less than or equal to 30 milliradians in at least one dimension, an array of scintillator units to receive radiation from the radiation source with the beam angle after the radiation has passed through a body being imaged and at least one solid-state photomultiplier to receive photons from the array of scintillator units and to produce electrical signal based on the photons. In one implementation, an optical area transmission passage modifier is employed in a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system. In one implementation, the array of scintillator units are arranged in staggered rows. In yet another implementation, the solid-state photomultiplier includes a plurality of solid-state photomultipliers arranged in rows. In one implementation, a single solid-state photomultiplier receive photons from a plurality of scintillators of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Sergei Dolinsky, Randall Payne, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar
  • Patent number: 8483458
    Abstract: Methods and system for measuring visceral fat mass are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy X-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy X-ray image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes identifying a region of interest using the dual-energy X-ray image and determining a subcutaneous fat mass for each of a plurality of sections of the region of interest. The method also includes determining a visceral fat mass for the region of interest based on the determined subcutaneous fat mass for each of the plurality of sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall K. Payne, David Ergun, James A. Wear, Wynn K. Wacker, Howard S. Barden
  • Patent number: 8300911
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring visceral fat mass are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy x-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes identifying a region of interest using the dual-energy image and determining a subcutaneous fat mass for each of a plurality of sections of the region of interest. The method also includes determining a visceral fat mass for the region of interest based on the determined subcutaneous fat mass for each of the plurality of sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Payne, David Ergun, James Wear, Wynn Wacker, Howard Barden
  • Patent number: 8165266
    Abstract: A scanning bone densitometer includes an x-ray source to produce x-rays and an x-ray detector receiving x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. The x-ray detector includes a cadmium tellurium (CdTe) semiconductor. The scanning bone densitometer also includes a controller moving the x-ray source and the x-ray detector along a transverse scanning path to acquire a plurality of scan images of an object of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Wear, David Ergun, Robert Washenko, Michael Bucholz, Darrell Gorsuch, Randall Payne
  • Publication number: 20110158386
    Abstract: Methods and system for measuring visceral fat mass are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy X-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy X-ray image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes identifying a region of interest using the dual-energy X-ray image and determining a subcutaneous fat mass for each of a plurality of sections of the region of interest. The method also includes determining a visceral fat mass for the region of interest based on the determined subcutaneous fat mass for each of the plurality of sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Randall K. Payne, Wynn K. Wacker, James A. Wear, David L. Ergun, Howard S. Barden
  • Publication number: 20110058649
    Abstract: A scanning bone densitometer includes an x-ray source to produce x-rays and an x-ray detector receiving x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. The x-ray detector includes a cadmium tellurium (CdTe) semiconductor. The scanning bone densitometer also includes a controller moving the x-ray source and the x-ray detector along a transverse scanning path to acquire a plurality of scan images of an object of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Wear, David Ergun, Robert Washenko, Michael Bucholz, Darrell Gorsuch, Randall Payne
  • Patent number: 7227150
    Abstract: Steering electrodes are used to improve the uniformity and efficiency of solid-state semiconductor x-ray detectors. The steering electrodes are insulated from the semiconductor material so as to prevent surface current flows that degrade the signal to noise ratio of the detected signal. A simple fabrication technique employing photolithographic techniques may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: James A. Wear
  • Patent number: 7196332
    Abstract: A monolithic solid-state detector using a staggered arrangement of pixels in multiple rows improves spatial resolution without requiring reduction in pixel size. Parallelogram shapes of CZT monolith allow tiling in one dimension without inefficient zones between monoliths. A scanning device using linear array of detectors with non-rectangular shape and staggered rows of detection elements such that no dead zones occur within a scan field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Robert A. Washenko, Randall K. Payne
  • Patent number: 7145986
    Abstract: A monolithic detector uses a grid to block x-rays from inter-pixel regions such as are believed to cause electrical noise in the pixel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James A. Wear, Robert A. Washenko