Patents by Inventor John M. Boone

John M. Boone 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).

  • Publication number: 20200305809
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a stationary X-ray source for a multisource X-ray imaging system for tomographic imaging. The stationary X-ray source includes an array of thermionic cathodes and, in most embodiments a rotating anode. The anode rotates about a rotation axis, however the anode is stationary in the horizontal or vertical dimensions (e.g. about axes perpendicular to the rotation axis). The elimination of mechanical motion improves the image quality by elimination of mechanical vibration and source motion; simplifies system design that reduces system size and cost; increases angular coverage with no increase in scan time; and results in short scan times to, in medical some medical imaging applications, reduce patient-motion-induced blurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Paul R. Schwoebel, John M. Boone
  • Publication number: 20200138391
    Abstract: A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a rotation of source high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and and detector the x-ray emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: John M. BOONE, Thomas R. YELLEN-NELSON
  • Patent number: 10548549
    Abstract: A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Thomas R. Yellen-Nelson
  • Patent number: 10492749
    Abstract: A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry configured to mount an x-ray emitter and CT detector on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Thomas R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20180317867
    Abstract: A size and/or shape specific 3D-beam modulation filter and a size and/or shape specific immobilizer are provided for cone-beam breast computed tomography (bCT). The immobilizer places the breast on an optimal position in the field of view of the scanner system and the 3D-beam modulation filter modulates the incident x-ray beam in the cone-angle (i.e. z-axis of the detector panel) and fan angle (i.e. x-axis of the detector panel) directions in order to improve equalization of the photon fluence incident upon the detector panel and reduce unnecessary radiation dose that the breast receives. Both the immobilizer and the 3D-beam modulation filter are selected among a plurality of alternatives based on the specific shape, size and/or shape or size of the person's breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: John M. BOONE, Andrew M. HERNANDEZ, Peymon GAZI
  • Publication number: 20180008220
    Abstract: A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Thomas R. Yellen-Nelson
  • Patent number: 9008264
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for use in HVL measurement as well as methods of making measurements. One version of the apparatus is a cage structure having a central axis and a central opening defined by a filter encircling the central axis, with the filter having a thickness that varies peripherally around said central axis. The filter can be formed from multiple spaced-apart plates having varying thicknesses or can be formed from a cylinder having a continuously increasing thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John M. Boone, George W. Burkett, Jr., Sarah E. McKenney
  • Publication number: 20130016808
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for use in HVL measurement as well as methods of making measurements. One version of the apparatus is a cage structure having a central axis and a central opening defined by a filter encircling the central axis, with the filter having a thickness that varies peripherally around said central axis. The filter can be formed from multiple spaced-apart plates having varying thicknesses or can be formed from a cylinder having a continuously increasing thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: John M. Boone, George W. Burkett, JR., Sarah E. McKenney
  • Patent number: 7627079
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for computing a radiation dose delivered to a patient during a computed tomography (CT) scan of the patient. The CT image dataset generated during the scan of the patient, and one or more parameters relating to a x-ray source are used to calculate the radiation dose delivered to the patient as a function of the CT image data set and the one or more parameters of the x-ray source. The radiation dose is generally found by calculating a primary x-ray dose distribution and scattered x-ray dose distribution from the CT image dataset and taking the sum of the primary x-ray dose distribution and scattered x-ray dose distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: John M. Boone
  • Publication number: 20080292055
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for computing a radiation dose delivered to a patient during a computed tomography (CT) scan of the patient. The CT image dataset generated during the scan of the patient, and one or more parameters relating to a x-ray source are used to calculate the radiation dose delivered to the patient as a function of the CT image data set and the one or more parameters of the x-ray source. The radiation dose is generally found by calculating a primary x-ray dose distribution and scattered x-ray dose distribution from the CT image dataset and taking the sum of the primary x-ray dose distribution and scattered x-ray dose distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: John M. Boone
  • Publication number: 20080187095
    Abstract: A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry configured to mount an x-ray emitter and CT detector on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Thomas R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6927858
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the volume of an object with particular application to measuring the volume changes in the limbs of patients suffering from lymphedema. The apparatus is comprised of a cylinder having a measurement chamber for placing a patient's limb. The chamber is sealed and a gas having known light absorption characteristics is injected into the chamber and mixed with the ambient air therein. A reference laser beam is projected through ambient air to a photocell on the cylinder and the optical absorption value of the reference beam is recorded. A second laser beam is projected through the air-gas mixture of the measurement chamber and the light absorption value is recorded. The ratio of the absorption value of the reference beam to the second laser beam is determined and this value is used to calculated a value which is proportional to gas concentration, which in turn is proportional to the volume of an object placed within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Philip D. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040001204
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the volume of an object with particular application to measuring the volume changes in the limbs of patients suffering from lymphedema. The apparatus is comprised of a cylinder having a measurement chamber for placing a patient's limb. The chamber is sealed and a gas having known light absorption characteristics is injected into the chamber and mixed with the ambient air therein. A reference laser beam is projected through ambient air to a photocell on the cylinder and the optical absorption value of the reference beam is recorded. A second laser beam is projected through the air-gas mixture of the measurement chamber and the light absorption value is recorded. The ratio of the absorption value of the reference beam to the second laser beam is determined and this value is used to calculated a value which is proportional to gas concentration, which in turn is proportional to the volume of an object placed within the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Philip D. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5712483
    Abstract: A hybrid grid-detector apparatus for x-ray systems wherein a microchannel plate structure has an air-interspaced grid portion and a phosphor/optical fluid-filled grid portion. The grids are defined by multiple adjacent channels separated by lead-glass septa. X-rays entering the air-interspaced grid portion at an angle of impingement upon the septa are attenuated, while non-impinging x-rays pass through to the phosphor/fluid filled portion. X-ray energy is converted to luminescent energy in the phosphor/fluid filled portion and the resultant beams of light are directed out of the phosphor/optical fluid filled portion to an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Stephen M. Lane
  • Patent number: 5514874
    Abstract: An invention is described which uses quenchable phosphors to achieve a novel emission response in intensifying screens. The quenchable phosphor has the characteristic of reducing its efficiency of converting incident x-ray, gamma ray, or ionizing particulate radiations into emitted radiation in the ultraviolet (UV), visible or infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum when being essentially simultaneously irradiated by a spectrum of radiation of a specific range in the UV to visible to IR spectrum. The quenchable phosphor is combined with another class of phosphor, which emits the spectrum of radiation when struck by ionizing radiation which is similar or identical to the quenching radiation of the quenchable phosphor. These phosphors can be combined in a variety of geometrical manners, both homogeneously and heterogeneously, to achieve extended dynamic range and spatial frequency filtering for radiographic imaging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Melvin Tecotzky
  • Patent number: 5451793
    Abstract: A binary screen, system and method for performing dual energy radiographic imaging, using single pulse x-rays, are depicted. The binary screen includes a first phosphor which emits light of a first wavelength and a second phosphor which emits light of a second wavelength. First and second cameras are positioned such that light emitted from the binary screen is incident thereon. The cameras generate first and second image signals for subsequent processing. First and second optical filters are also provided. The first optical filter is positioned between the first camera and the binary screen so that only a first portion of the light emitted from the binary screen is incident on the first camera. The second optical filter is positioned between the second camera and the binary screen so that only a second portion of the light emitted from the binary screen is incident on the second camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventor: John M. Boone
  • Patent number: 5216252
    Abstract: A binary screen, system and method for performing dual energy radiographic imaging, using single pulse x-rays, are depicted. The binary screen includes a first phosphor which emits light of a first wavelength and a second phosphor which emits light of a second wavelength. The first and second phosphors are heterogeneously dispersed in the binary screen. The first phosphor is preferably Gd.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Eu.sup.+3 and the second phosphor is preferably Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Gd.sup.+3. The second phosphor can also be Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Gd, Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Pr or Y.sub.2 O.sub.2 S:Neodymium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: John M. Boone, Melvin Tecotzky
  • Patent number: 5107529
    Abstract: A radiographic equalization apparatus comprises a plurality of juxtaposed disks each having a plurality of unique filtration patterns annularly disposed therearound. The disks are rotated relative to one another to obtain a unique attenuation pattern for correcting for overexposures in an x-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventor: John M. Boone