Patents by Inventor Kai Erik Thomenius
Kai Erik Thomenius 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: 10806947Abstract: Methods and systems using magnetic resonance and ultrasound for tracking anatomical targets for radiation therapy guidance are provided. One system includes a patient transport configured to move a patient between and into a magnetic resonance (MR) system and a radiation therapy (RT) system. An ultrasound transducer is also provided that is hands-free and electronically steerable, securely attached to the patient, such that the ultrasound transducer is configured to acquire four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound images concurrently with one of an MR acquisition or an RT radiation therapy session. The system also includes a controller having a processor configured to use the 4D ultrasound images and MR images from the MR system to control at least one of a photon beam spatial distribution or intensity modulation generated by the RT system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Lowell Scott Smith, Kai Erik Thomenius, Sandeep Narendra Gupta, Luca Marinelli, Kedar Anil Patwardhan, Dominic Michael Graziani
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Patent number: 10034614Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
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Patent number: 9949650Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
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Patent number: 9597041Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present, a method for acquiring an image is provided. The method comprises acquiring initial image data, identifying one or more regions of interest in at least one of the initial image data or in a first image generated from the initial image data. The method further comprises automatically deriving one or more scan parameters based upon the regions of interest, and acquiring second image data using the scan parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Kai Erik Thomenius, Frederick Wilson Wheeler
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Publication number: 20170014645Abstract: Methods and systems using magnetic resonance and ultrasound for tracking anatomical targets for radiation therapy guidance are provided. One system includes a patient transport configured to move a patient between and into a magnetic resonance (MR) system and a radiation therapy (RT) system. An ultrasound transducer is also provided that is hands-free and electronically steerable, securely attached to the patient, such that the ultrasound transducer is configured to acquire four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound images concurrently with one of an MR acquisition or an RT radiation therapy session. The system also includes a controller having a processor configured to use the 4D ultrasound images and MR images from the MR system to control at least one of a photon beam spatial distribution or intensity modulation generated by the RT system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Lowell Scott Smith, Kai Erik Thomenius, Sandeep Narendra Gupta, Luca Marinelli, Kedar Anil Patwardhan, Dominic Michael Graziani
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Publication number: 20140275962Abstract: Methods and systems using magnetic resonance and ultrasound for tracking anatomical targets for radiation therapy guidance are provided. One system includes a patient transport configured to move a patient between and into a magnetic resonance (MR) system and a radiation therapy (RT) system and an ultrasound transducer coupled to the patient transport, wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to acquire four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound images concurrently with one of an MR acquisition or an RT radiation therapy session. The system also includes a controller having a processor configured to use the 4D ultrasound images and MR images from the MR system to control at least one of a photon beam spatial distribution or intensity modulation generated by the RT system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Lowell Scott Smith, Kai Erik Thomenius, Sandeep Narendra Gupta, Luca Marinelli, Kedar Anil Patwardhan, Dominic Michael Graziani
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Publication number: 20140005535Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
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Publication number: 20130226003Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicants: University of Michigan, General Electric CompanyInventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
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Patent number: 7885429Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system and a method for determining whether a person is carrying concealed contraband, such as an improvised explosives device or other weapon. The system includes a people tracking video subsystem, a people tracking decisioning subsystem, a concealed contraband detection aiming subsystem, and a concealed contraband detection decisioning subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Peter Henry Tu, Kai Erik Thomenius, Nils Oliver Krahnstoever, Jens Rittscher, John Charles Hill, Jr., Gianfranco Doretto, Thomas Baby Sebastian, Jeffrey Michael Ashe
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Publication number: 20100286519Abstract: An ultrasound imaging and therapy system that includes an ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnostic module to control the probe to obtain diagnostic ultrasound signals from a region of interest (ROI). The ROI includes adipose tissue and non-adipose tissue. The diagnostic module analyzes the diagnostic ultrasound signals and automatically differentiates adipose tissue from non-adipose tissue. The system also includes an ultrasound therapy module to control the probe to deliver, during a therapy session, a therapy at a treatment location based on a therapy parameter to the adipose tissue differentiated by the ultrasound diagnostic module. A method for delivering therapy to a region of interest (ROI) in a patient is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: WARREN LEE, DHIRAJ ARORA, CYNTHIA ELIZABETH LANDBERG DAVIS, YING FAN, CHRISTOPHER ROBERT HAZARD, KENNETH WAYNE RIGBY, LOWELL SCOTT SMITH, KAI ERIK THOMENIUS
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Publication number: 20100286518Abstract: An ultrasound imaging and therapy system is provided that includes an ultrasound probe and a diagnostic module to control the probe to obtain diagnostic ultrasound signals from a region of interest (ROI) of the patient. The ROI includes adipose tissue and the diagnostic module generates a diagnostic image of the ROI based on the ultrasound signals obtained. The system also includes a display to display the image of the ROI and a user interface to accept user inputs to designate a treatment space within the ROI that corresponds to the adipose tissue. The display displays the treatment space on the image. The system also includes a therapy module to control the probe to deliver, during a therapy session, a therapy to a treatment location based on a therapy parameter. The treatment location is within the treatment space defined by the user inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Warren Lee, Dhiraj Arora, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg Davis, Ying Fan, Chistopher Robert Hazard, Lowell Scott Smith, Kai Erik Thomenius
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Patent number: 7443765Abstract: A reconfigurable linear array of sensors (e.g., optical, thermal, pressure, ultrasonic). The reconfigurability allows the size and spacing of the sensor elements to be a function of the distance from the beam center. This feature improves performance for imaging systems having a limited channel count. The improved performance, for applications in which multiple transmit focal zones are employed, arises from the ability to adjust the aperture for a particular depth.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kai Erik Thomenius, Rayette Ann Fisher, Robert Gideon Wodnicki, Christopher Robert Hazard, Lowell Scott Smith, Bruno Hans Haider, Kenneth Wayne Rigby
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Publication number: 20080242968Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present, a method for acquiring an image is provided. The method comprises acquiring initial image data, identifying one or more regions of interest in at least one of the initial image data or in a first image generated from the initial image data. The method further comprises automatically deriving one or more scan parameters based upon the regions of interest, and acquiring second image data using the scan parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Kai Erik Thomenius, Frederick Wilson Wheeler
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Publication number: 20080242979Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes a first imaging panel and a second imaging panel disposed about an imaging volume. The imaging panels may be configured to image the entire imaging volume and may include panels using any form of acoustic or electromagnetic energy such as ultrasound panels, optical panels, electrical impedance panels, field emitter/x-ray detector panels, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a first group of sensors are included in a 2D matrix of sensors configured to transmit ultrasound through the imaging volume to a second group of sensors included in a second 2D matrix of sensors and vice versa. In a second embodiment the system may further include a second imaging system having a transmitter, a receiver, or both, disposed adjacent the first imaging panel, the second imaging panel, or both. A third embodiment may include at least one additional imaging panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Rayette Ann Fisher, Kai Erik Thomenius, Charles Steven Korman
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Patent number: 7425199Abstract: Ultrasound is used to provide input data for a blood pressure estimation scheme. The use of transcutaneous ultrasound provides arterial lumen area and pulse wave velocity information. In addition, ultrasound measurements are taken in such a way that all the data describes a single, uniform arterial segment. Therefore a computed area relates only to the arterial blood volume present. Also, the measured pulse wave velocity is directly related to the mechanical properties of the segment of elastic tube (artery) for which the blood volume is being measured. In a patient monitoring application, the operator of the ultrasound device is eliminated through the use of software that automatically locates the artery in the ultrasound data, e.g., using known edge detection techniques. Autonomous operation of the ultrasound system allows it to report blood pressure and blood flow traces to the clinical users without those users having to interpret an ultrasound image or operate an ultrasound imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ralph Thomas Hoctor, Kai Erik Thomenius, Aaron Mark Dentinger
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Publication number: 20080154131Abstract: A method for imaging during ablation procedures using ultrasound imaging is provided. The method includes obtaining input image data about an ablation region, wherein the image data comprises back scatter intensity, and applying a dynamic gain curve based on the image data to obtain an output signal for use in enhancing the visibility of the ablation region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: WARREN LEE, MIRSAID SEYED-BOLORFOROSH, AARON MARK DENTINGER, KAI ERIK THOMENIUS
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Publication number: 20080146937Abstract: A transducer assembly is presented. The transducer assembly includes a support structure configured to be reversibly changed between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the transducer assembly includes a multi-dimensional transducer array comprising a plurality ‘N’ of one-dimensional sub-groups of transducer elements arranged on the support structure, wherein each of the ‘N’ sub-groups of transducer elements is disposed in a spatial relationship such that an angle formed between one of the ‘N’ sub-groups of transducer elements and at least one other sub-group of transducer elements is less than about 180 degrees, and wherein ‘N’ is an integer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: WARREN LEE, DOUGLAS GLENN WILDES, KAI ERIK THOMENIUS, MIRSAID SEYED-BOLORFOROSH
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Publication number: 20080139893Abstract: An apparatus and system for sensing body sounds of a subject is described. The apparatus includes a flexible sheet for conformally contacting at least a portion of a subject's body surface proximate a body region generating body sounds. The apparatus also includes a plurality of acoustic sensors formed in the sheet for sensing body sounds from the subject and generating respective signals indicative of the sensed body sounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Warren Lee, Weston Blaine Griffin, Mirsaid Seyed Bolorforosh, Kai Erik Thomenius
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Publication number: 20070286460Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system and a method for determining whether a person is carrying concealed contraband, such as an improvised explosives device or other weapon. The system includes a people tracking video subsystem, a people tracking decisioning subsystem, a concealed contraband detection aiming subsystem, and a concealed contraband detection decisioning subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Peter Henry Tu, Kai Erik Thomenius, Nils Oliver Krahnstoever, Jens Rittscher, John Charles Hill, Gianfranco Doretto, Thomas Baby Sebastian, Jeffrey Michael Ashe
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Patent number: 7280435Abstract: A device comprising an array of sensors that are reconfigurable by means of a switching network. The sensors may be optical, thermal or pressure sensors or ultrasonic transducers.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kai Erik Thomenius, Rayette Ann Fisher, Robert Gideon Wodnicki, Christopher Robert Hazard, Lowell Scott Smith, David Martin Mills