Patents by Inventor James William Hugg
James William Hugg 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: 10656010Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of responses to an interaction occurring within a photon detector pixel array, wherein the photon detector pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels; identifying a subset of the plurality of pixels associated with the interaction, wherein each of the subset of the plurality of pixels corresponds to at least one of the plurality of responses; determining, from the plurality of responses, a characteristic of the interaction, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of: time, position, and energy of the interaction; recording the interaction associated with the at least one determined characteristic; collecting a plurality of recorded interactions and associated determined characteristics; selecting a subset of the plurality of recorded interactions, wherein the subset selection is based upon a restricted range of at least one determined characteristic; and forming an image from the selected subset of the plurality of recorded interactType: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: Alexander Cherlin, Ian Radley, James William Hugg
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Patent number: 10631819Abstract: A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventor: James William Hugg
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Patent number: 10598801Abstract: One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors to a processor using a hierarchical communication technique; and a cooling system. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: James William Hugg, Brian William Harris, Franklin Dean Walker, Sarah Melissa Thomson, Brian Patrick McVay, Rolf Martin Clajus
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Patent number: 10534096Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a dataset associated with a plurality of photon emission events interacting with a detector array of an imaging device; identifying a first subset of the dataset associated with a plurality of unscattered photon emission events from the plurality of photon emission events; identifying a second subset of the dataset associated with at least one scattered photon event from the plurality of photon emission events; determining, for a scattered photon event, a likely location of emission of the scattered photon event using data from the first subset of the dataset associated with the plurality of unscattered photon events; and correcting the dataset by associating the scattered photon event with the determined likely location of emission. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: James William Hugg, Ian Radley
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Publication number: 20190391282Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a dataset associated with a plurality of photon emission events interacting with a detector array of an imaging device; identifying a first subset of the dataset associated with a plurality of unscattered photon emission events from the plurality of photon emission events; identifying a second subset of the dataset associated with at least one scattered photon event from the plurality of photon emission events; determining, for a scattered photon event, a likely location of emission of the scattered photon event using data from the first subset of the dataset associated with the plurality of unscattered photon events; and correcting the dataset by associating the scattered photon event with the determined likely location of emission. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: James William Hugg, Ian Radley
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Patent number: 10481284Abstract: One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components being in communication with calibration code, wherein the calibration code calibrates the imaging device based upon information of the plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors using a hierarchical cType: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: James William Hugg, Brian William Harris, Franklin Dean Walker, Sarah Melissa Thomson, Brian Patrick McVay, Rolf Martin Clajus
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Publication number: 20190285469Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of responses to an interaction occurring within a photon detector pixel array, wherein the photon detector pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels; identifying a subset of the plurality of pixels associated with the interaction, wherein each of the subset of the plurality of pixels corresponds to at least one of the plurality of responses; determining, from the plurality of responses, a characteristic of the interaction, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of: time, position, and energy of the interaction; recording the interaction associated with the at least one determined characteristic; collecting a plurality of recorded interactions and associated determined characteristics; selecting a subset of the plurality of recorded interactions, wherein the subset selection is based upon a restricted range of at least one determined characteristic; and forming an image from the selected subset of the plurality of recorded interactType: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Alexander Cherlin, Ian Radley, James William Hugg
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Patent number: 10397505Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of communication events associated with a pixel of an imaging device; identifying a frequency associated with the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequency comprises determining a number of communication events occurring within a predetermined time interval or determining a mean time interval between the communication events; determining, from a plurality of pixels neighboring the pixel, a frequency range comprising an upper frequency limit and a lower frequency limit; resolving, from the identified frequency and the determined frequency range, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and masking, if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from the non-conforming pixel. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: Rolf Martin Clajus, Franklin Dean Walker, James William Hugg, Brian William Harris
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Patent number: 10371832Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for imaging photons, including: receiving a dataset associated with a plurality of photon events, the photon events corresponding to photons interacting with a photon imaging device, wherein the photon imaging device comprises a photon guide assembly and a detector array; the photon guide assembly comprising a plurality of photon guides positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the detector array; and producing an oblique planar projection image of the plurality of photon events by processing the dataset. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: James William Hugg, Ian Radley
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Publication number: 20190208148Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of communication events associated with a pixel of an imaging device; identifying a frequency associated with the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequency comprises determining a number of communication events occurring within a predetermined time interval or determining a mean time interval between the communication events; determining, from a plurality of pixels neighboring the pixel, a frequency range comprising an upper frequency limit and a lower frequency limit; resolving, from the identified frequency and the determined frequency range, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and masking, if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from the non-conforming pixel. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Rolf Martin Clajus, Franklin Dean Walker, James William Hugg, Brian William Harris
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Publication number: 20190124283Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of communication events associated with a pixel of an imaging device; identifying a frequency associated with the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequency comprises determining a number of communication events occurring within a predetermined time interval or determining a time interval between the communication events; determining, from the identified frequency, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and masking, if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from the non-conforming pixel. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Rolf Martin Clajus, Franklin Dean Walker, James William Hugg, Brian William Harris
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Publication number: 20190120978Abstract: One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors to a processor using a hierarchical communication technique; and a cooling system. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: James William Hugg, Brian William Harris, Franklin Dean Walker, Sarah Melissa Thomson, Brian Patrick McVay, Rolf Martin Clajus
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Publication number: 20190120979Abstract: One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components being in communication with calibration code, wherein the calibration code calibrates the imaging device based upon information of the plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors using a hierarchical cType: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: James William Hugg, Brian William Harris, Franklin Dean Walker, Sarah Melissa Thomson, Brian Patrick McVay, Rolf Martin Clajus
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Patent number: 10270995Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of communication events associated with a pixel of an imaging device; identifying a frequency associated with the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequency comprises determining a number of communication events occurring within a predetermined time interval or determining a time interval between the communication events; determining, from the identified frequency, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and masking, if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from the non-conforming pixel. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: Rolf Martin Clajus, Franklin Dean Walker, James William Hugg, Brian William Harris
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Patent number: 10254163Abstract: One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of responses to an interaction occurring within a photon detector pixel array, wherein the photon detector pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels; identifying a subset of the plurality of pixels associated with the interaction, wherein each of the subset of the plurality of pixels corresponds to at least one of the plurality of responses; and determining, from the plurality of responses, a characteristic of the interaction, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of: time, position, and energy of the interaction. Other aspects are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: KROMEK GROUP, PLCInventors: Alexander Cherlin, Ian Radley, James William Hugg
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Publication number: 20180310897Abstract: A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventor: James William Hugg
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Patent number: 8586937Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, James William Hugg, Ira Blevis, Yaron Hefetz
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Patent number: 8405038Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, James William Hugg, Ira Blevis, Yaron Hefetz
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Publication number: 20110155918Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, James William Hugg, Ira Blevis, Yaron Hefetz
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Patent number: 7920670Abstract: A method of acquiring and reconstructing a computed tomography (CT) image is provided. A first scan of the full field of view (FOV) is acquired. A second scan of a smaller target FOV is then acquired by using a collimator to narrow the X-ray beam width. The CT image is iteratively reconstructed by replacing a key-hole region of the full FOV projection data with the target FOV projection data. An exemplary embodiment comprises imaging a heart (target FOV) within a torso (full FOV) over multiple heart beat cycles. A computer readable medium is further provided, including a program configured to reconstruct a CT image using the key-hole method.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Hugg, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar