Patents by Inventor Josh Star-Lack

Josh 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).

  • Patent number: 8682055
    Abstract: A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun
  • Patent number: 8649587
    Abstract: Several related inventions for estimating scattered radiation in radiographic projections are disclosed. Several of the inventions use scatter kernels of various forms, including symmetric and asymmetric forms. The inventions may be used alone or in various combinations with one another. The resulting estimates of scattered radiation may be used to correct the projections, which can improve the results of tomographic reconstructions. Still other inventions of the present application generate estimates of scattered radiation from shaded or partially shaded regions of a radiographic projection, which may be used to correct the projections or used to adjust the estimates of scattered radiation generated according to inventions of the present application that employ kernels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun, John Milan Pavkovich
  • Patent number: 8633445
    Abstract: An imaging method includes obtaining a first image data for a subset of a target region, the subset of the target region having a first metallic object, obtaining a second image data for the target region, and using the first and second image data to determine a composite image. A imaging system includes a first detector configured to provide a first projection data using a first radiation having high energy, and a second detector configured to provide a second projection data using a second radiation having low energy, wherein the first detector has a first length, the second detector has a second length, and the first length is less than 75% of the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Michael Green, Heinrich Riem, Timothy Guertin
  • Patent number: 8515004
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a method for determining a movement of a target region using tomosynthesis. The method includes the steps of accessing a first set of projection radiographs of the target region over a first processing window defined by a first range of projection angles, accessing a second set of projection radiographs of the target region over a second processing window defined by a second range of projection angles, wherein the first processing window moves to the second processing window, and comparing a first positional information derived from the first set of the projection radiographs and a second positional information derived from the second set of the projection radiographs with the first positional information to determine the movement of the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Hassan Mostafavi
  • Patent number: 8472583
    Abstract: In one example, a scanning system for examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising a frame encompassing, at least in part, a first interior region, a robotic arm movably supported by the frame, and a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to examine an object, the radiation source being pivotally coupled to the robotic arm. A detector is positioned and configured to encompass, at least in part, a second interior region within the first interior region, to detect radiation after interaction with the object. A conveying system moves the object, at least in part, through the second interior region. The frame and the robotic arm are configured to move the radiation source at least partially around the object to be examined and the robotic arm is configured to pivot the radiation source to aim the source toward the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Michael C. Green
  • Publication number: 20130028495
    Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for enhancing a motion-blurred image is presented. The process may include obtaining a prior image based on a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections are computed tomography (CT) images obtained in multiple motion phases. The process may further include performing an enhancement operation based on the prior image to generate an enhanced prior image, generating a plurality of re-projections by forward-projecting the enhanced prior image, generating a plurality of phase-correlated difference images based on the plurality of projections and the plurality of re-projections, filtering the plurality of phase-correlated difference images to generate a plurality of filtered phase-correlated difference images, and generating a plurality of phase-correlated images based on the plurality of filtered phase-correlated difference images and the enhanced prior image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun
  • Patent number: 8350226
    Abstract: A radiation system employs magnetic field to move particle beams and radiation sources. The radiation system includes a source operable to produce a particle beam, a scanning magnet operable to scan the particle beam, and a target configured to be impinged by at least a portion of the scanned particle beam to produce radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George Zdasiuk, James Clayton, Josh Star-Lack, David Humber, Gary Virshup, Michael C. Green
  • Publication number: 20120314921
    Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for enhancing a motion-blurred image is presented. The process may include receiving a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections contain computed tomography (CT) data obtained in multiple motion phases. The process may include generating an enhanced multi-phase image by performing an enhancement operation based on the plurality of projections. The process may further include generating a plurality of phase-correlated images based on the plurality of projections and the enhanced multi-phase image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Josh STAR-LACK, Mingshan SUN
  • Patent number: 8326011
    Abstract: Several related inventions for estimating scattered radiation in radiographic projections are disclosed. Several of the inventions use scatter kernels of various forms, including symmetric and asymmetric forms. The inventions may be used alone or in various combinations with one another. The resulting estimates of scattered radiation may be used to correct the projections, which can improve the results of tomographic reconstructions. Still other inventions of the present application generate estimates of scattered radiation from shaded or partially shaded regions of a radiographic projection, which may be used to correct the projections or used to adjust the estimates of scattered radiation generated according to inventions of the present application that employ kernels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun, John Milan Pavkovich
  • Publication number: 20120275673
    Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for enhancing an image is presented. The process may include receiving a first plurality of projections, wherein the first plurality of projections contain computed tomography (CT) data obtained in multiple motion phases and also image data attributable to a first portion of a scanned object. The process may include expanding the first plurality of projections to cover at least the first portion of the scanned object to generate a second plurality of projections. The process may further include generating a phase-correlated image based on a multi-phase image and a phase-correlated difference image, wherein the multi-phase image is reconstructed based on the second plurality of projections, and the phase-correlated difference image is reconstructed based on the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: JOSH STAR-LACK, MINGSHAN SUN, JOHN MILAN PAVKOVICH
  • Publication number: 20120236982
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally set forth techniques for adjusting an estimate of scattered radiation of a target object. One example method includes generating a plurality of radiographic projections, selecting a first radiographic projection and a second radiographic projection of the target object from the plurality of radiographic projections, forming first estimates of scattered radiation in the first and second radiographic projections, applying the first estimates of scattered radiation to the first and second radiographic projections to generate a modified first radiographic projection and a modified second radiographic projection, comparing the modified first and second radiographic projections to generate correction modules, and applying one of the correction modules to a first subset of the plurality of radiographic projections and another of the correction modules to a second subset of the plurality of radiographic projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Josh STAR-LACK, Mingshan SUN
  • Publication number: 20120236983
    Abstract: A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Josh STAR-LACK, Mingshan SUN
  • Patent number: 8199873
    Abstract: A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun
  • Patent number: 8199879
    Abstract: A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun
  • Patent number: 8194821
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer program products that generate estimates of errors caused by extraneous radiation in tomographic systems, such as cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) systems, fluoroscopic tomography systems, radiographic tomography systems, laminar tomography imaging systems, and the like. In one group of inventions, spatial errors are estimated from projection data collected where a known spatial perturbation has been introduced into radiation intensity of the source. In another group of inventions, temporal errors are estimated from a sequence of projections where a known perturbation in the radiation intensity of the source for different projections has been introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Seppi, Edward Shapiro, Gary Virshup, Josh Star-Lack
  • Publication number: 20120083645
    Abstract: A method of delivering radiation includes obtaining a first signal that represents a cardiac state of the subject, and generating a control signal using a processor to operate a component of a treatment radiation machine based at least in part on the first signal. A method of delivering radiation includes determining a cardiac state of the subject, and generating a control signal using a processor to operate a component of a treatment radiation machine based at least in part on the determined cardiac state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mingshan Sun, Josh Star-Lack
  • Publication number: 20120082294
    Abstract: An x-ray system includes an x-ray tube having an anode and a cathode, a sensor configured to sense a condition that results from an operation of the x-ray tube, and a communication device for transmitting a signal to a panel based at least in part on the sensed condition, the panel configured to receive radiation and generate image signals in response to the received radiation. An imaging method includes sensing a condition that results from an operation of an x-ray tube, and transmitting a signal to a panel in response to the sensed condition, wherein the panel is configured to generate image signals in response to radiation, and includes a plurality of image elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Virshup, Robert Kluge, George A. Zdasiuk, Richard Colbeth, Josh Star-Lack, Carl Lacasce, James E. Clayton
  • Publication number: 20120076257
    Abstract: In one example, a scanning system for examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising a frame encompassing, at least in part, a first interior region, a robotic arm movably supported by the frame, and a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to examine an object, the radiation source being pivotally coupled to the robotic arm. A detector is positioned and configured to encompass, at least in part, a second interior region within the first interior region, to detect radiation after interaction with the object. A conveying system moves the object, at least in part, through the second interior region. The frame and the robotic arm are configured to move the radiation source at least partially around the object to be examined and the robotic arm is configured to pivot the radiation source to aim the source toward the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Michael C. Green
  • Publication number: 20120014618
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter describes a novel technique to measure the beam profile using an area detector. In one embodiment, a set of one-dimensional beam profile measurements is performed by taking two images under the same source conditions but at two different positions of the detector, with each position of the detector shifted by a certain distance in the direction corresponding to the direction of the one-dimensional profile measurement. In further embodiments, a set of two-dimensional beam profile measurements is achieved by determining a second set of one-dimensional profiles from the same sampling points in a second direction and building a two-dimensional map of the beam profile by correlating the first one-dimensional profile measurement with the second one-dimensional profile measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Mingshan SUN, Josh STAR-LACK, Gary VIRSHUP, Daniel MORF, Stefan Jochem THIEME-MARTI
  • Publication number: 20110255656
    Abstract: A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Mingshan Sun