Patents by Inventor Karolyn M. Hopfensperger

Karolyn M. Hopfensperger 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).

  • Apparatus and method for rotating shield brachytherapy
    Patent number: 11541251
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a rotating shield brachytherapy device. As disclosed herein, the rotating shield brachytherapy (RSBT) apparatus may comprise a radiation source, a drive assembly, a catheter, and an applicator. The applicator can have an outer surface and opposed proximal and distal end portions and a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the catheter. The distal end portion of the catheter can comprise one or more radiation shields and is configured to receive the radiation source. The drive assembly can be configured to engage the proximal end portion of the catheter to selectively rotate the catheter about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Ryan T. Flynn, Yusung Kim, Xiaodong Wu, Karolyn M. Hopfensperger, Quentin E. Adams
  • RE-ACTIVATABLE RADIATION SOURCE FOR BRACHYTHERAPY
    Publication number: 20220105362
    Abstract: A method can comprise irradiating an active element having an initial total activity between zero and thirty curies of ytterbium-169 and a volume between about two cubic millimeters and about four cubic millimeters. Irradiation can be ceased before the active element surpasses a total activity of thirty curies and an activity concentration of ten curies per cubic millimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan T. Flynn, QUENTIN E. ADAMS, KAROLYN M. HOPFENSPERGER
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROTATING SHIELD BRACHYTHERAPY
    Publication number: 20220023662
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a rotating shield brachytherapy device. As disclosed herein, the rotating shield brachytherapy (RSBT) apparatus may comprise a radiation source, a drive assembly, a catheter, and an applicator. The applicator can have an outer surface and opposed proximal and distal end portions and a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the catheter. The distal end portion of the catheter can comprise one or more radiation shields and is configured to receive the radiation source. The drive assembly can be configured to engage the proximal end portion of the catheter to selectively rotate the catheter about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan T. Flynn, Yusung Kim, Xiaodong Wu, Karolyn M. Hopfensperger, Quentin E. Adams