Patents by Inventor Josh M. STAR-LACK

Josh M. STAR-LACK 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: 20230056945
    Abstract: An imaging system for inspecting multiple objects includes an x-ray source having a beam width greater than or equal to a threshold beam size. The multiple objects is irradiated by the x-ray source in respective controlled inspection positions. A detection mechanism is adapted to acquire respective images of the multiple objects in the respective controlled inspection positions. The detection mechanism includes one or more detectors arranged circumferentially around a central axis. At least one positioning mechanism is adapted to move the multiple objects into and out of the respective controlled inspection positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Stamm, David T. Nisius, Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Gregory C. Andrews, Matthias Ehrat
  • Patent number: 11156727
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer; and an array of photodiode elements; wherein the scintillator layer is configured to receive radiation that has passed through the array of photodiode elements. An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements configured to convert radiation into photons; and an array of photodiode elements configured to receive photons from the scintillator layer, and generate electrical signals in response to the received photons; wherein at least two of the scintillator elements are separated by an air gap. An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a first plane; and a second scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a second plane; wherein the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer are arranged next to each other and form a non-zero angle relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Daniel Morf, Eric Abel, Gary F. Virshup, Andre Meyer, Viktor Steinlin, Mingshan Sun
  • Patent number: 11079499
    Abstract: In a method of making pixelated scintillators, a block of an amorphous scintillator material is divided into plural sections. The plural sections of the block are rejoined with plural first reflective septa to form an assembly. In the assembly, each of the plural first reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the block. The assembly is then divided into plural sections in a way such that each of the plural sections of the block is divided into plural pixels. The plural sections of the assembly are rejoined with plural second reflective septa. Each of the plural second reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the assembly, forming an array comprising plural rows and columns of pixels of the amorphous scintillator material. In the array, each pixel is separated from adjacent pixels by a portion of at least one of the plural first reflective septa and at least one of the second reflective septa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Adam Wang
  • Patent number: 10459091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, David T Nisius, Josh M Star-Lack, Samuel Donnald, Gary F Virshup, James E Clayton
  • Patent number: 10390787
    Abstract: An apparatus includes input(s) for obtaining a first image and for obtaining a plurality of image parameters that includes at least a first image parameter and a second image parameter; a simulated image creation module configured for computing a plurality of simulated images based on the first image and the plurality of image parameters, the plurality of simulated images having at least a first simulated image computed based on the first image parameter, and a second simulated image computed based on the second image parameter, wherein the first simulated image has a first image quality, the second simulated image has a second image quality, and the first image quality is different from the second image quality; an image registration module configured for performing a plurality of image registrations using the simulated images; and a non-transitory medium configured for storing results from the act of performing the plurality of image registrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh M. Star-Lack, Michelle M. Svatos
  • Patent number: 10330798
    Abstract: In a method of making pixelated scintillators, a block of an amorphous scintillator material is divided into plural sections. The plural sections of the block are rejoined with plural first reflective septa to form an assembly. In the assembly, each of the plural first reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the block. The assembly is then divided into plural sections in a way such that each of the plural sections of the block is divided into plural pixels. The plural sections of the assembly are rejoined with plural second reflective septa. Each of the plural second reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the assembly, forming an array comprising plural rows and columns of pixels of the amorphous scintillator material. In the array, each pixel is separated from adjacent pixels by a portion of at least one of the plural first reflective septa and at least one of the second reflective septa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Adam Wang
  • Publication number: 20190187301
    Abstract: In a method of making pixelated scintillators, a block of an amorphous scintillator material is divided into plural sections. The plural sections of the block are rejoined with plural first reflective septa to form an assembly. In the assembly, each of the plural first reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the block. The assembly is then divided into plural sections in a way such that each of the plural sections of the block is divided into plural pixels. The plural sections of the assembly are rejoined with plural second reflective septa. Each of the plural second reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the assembly, forming an array comprising plural rows and columns of pixels of the amorphous scintillator material. In the array, each pixel is separated from adjacent pixels by a portion of at least one of the plural first reflective septa and at least one of the second reflective septa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Adam Wang
  • Patent number: 9939130
    Abstract: A marker system includes: a first marker; and a second marker; wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to emit light from one or more light sources coupled to the first marker and the second marker; and wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to emit the light for detection by a camera. A method performed using a marker system includes: generating light using one or more light sources; emitting the light at a plurality of markers that are coupled to the light sources; and detecting the light emitted from the plurality of markers using a camera; wherein the act of detecting comprises using one or more filters to reduce ambient light to a level that corresponds with a noise level of the camera while allowing light emitted from the markers to be imaged by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Jeung, Hassan Mostafavi, George A. Zdasiuk, Gary F. Virshup, Dusan Baic, Daniel R. Bilsky, Alexander R. Brown, Jon Carver, Graham Faulknor, Alyssa Garver, Arthur Kwun, Michelle Richmond, Josh M. Star-Lack, John G. Van Heteren
  • Publication number: 20180095188
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel SHEDLOCK, David T NISIUS, Josh M STAR-LACK, Samuel DONNALD, Gary F VIRSHUP, James E CLAYTON
  • Publication number: 20180085083
    Abstract: An apparatus includes input(s) for obtaining a first image and for obtaining a plurality of image parameters that includes at least a first image parameter and a second image parameter; a simulated image creation module configured for computing a plurality of simulated images based on the first image and the plurality of image parameters, the plurality of simulated images having at least a first simulated image computed based on the first image parameter, and a second simulated image computed based on the second image parameter, wherein the first simulated image has a first image quality, the second simulated image has a second image quality, and the first image quality is different from the second image quality; an image registration module configured for performing a plurality of image registrations using the simulated images; and a non-transitory medium configured for storing results from the act of performing the plurality of image registrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh M. STAR-LACK, Michelle M. SVATOS
  • Publication number: 20170285183
    Abstract: In a method of making pixelated scintillators, a block of an amorphous scintillator material is divided into plural sections. The plural sections of the block are rejoined with plural first reflective septa to form an assembly. In the assembly, each of the plural first reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the block. The assembly is then divided into plural sections in a way such that each of the plural sections of the block is divided into plural pixels. The plural sections of the assembly are rejoined with plural second reflective septa. Each of the plural second reflective septa separates two adjacent sections of the assembly, forming an array comprising plural rows and columns of pixels of the amorphous scintillator material. In the array, each pixel is separated from adjacent pixels by a portion of at least one of the plural first reflective septa and at least one of the second reflective septa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Shedlock, Josh M. Star-Lack, Adam Wang
  • Publication number: 20170097425
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer; and an array of photodiode elements; wherein the scintillator layer is configured to receive radiation that has passed through the array of photodiode elements. An imaging device includes: a scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements configured to convert radiation into photons; and an array of photodiode elements configured to receive photons from the scintillator layer, and generate electrical signals in response to the received photons; wherein at least two of the scintillator elements are separated by an air gap. An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a first plane; and a second scintillator layer having a plurality of scintillator elements arranged in a second plane; wherein the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer are arranged next to each other and form a non-zero angle relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicants: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel SHEDLOCK, Josh M. STAR-LACK, Daniel MORF, Eric ABEL, Gary F. VIRSHUP, Andre MEYER, Viktor STEINLIN, Mingshan SUN
  • Publication number: 20140267773
    Abstract: A marker system includes: a first marker; and a second marker; wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to emit light from one or more light sources coupled to the first marker and the second marker; and wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to emit the light for detection by a camera. A method performed using a marker system includes: generating light using one or more light sources; emitting the light at a plurality of markers that are coupled to the light sources; and detecting the light emitted from the plurality of markers using a camera; wherein the act of detecting comprises using one or more filters to reduce ambient light to a level that corresponds with a noise level of the camera while allowing light emitted from the markers to be imaged by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. JEUNG, Hassan MOSTAFAVI, George A. ZDASIUK, Gary F. VIRSHUP, Dusan BAIC, Daniel R. BILSKY, Alexander R. BROWN, Jon CARVER, Graham FAULKNOR, Alyssa GARVER, Arthur KWUN, Michelle RICHMOND, Josh M. STAR-LACK, John G. VAN HETEREN