Patents by Inventor Keith Wachowicz

Keith Wachowicz 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: 11589769
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR)-radiotherapy (RT) hybrid system for treating a patient is disclosed. The MR-RT hybrid system comprises: an MR imaging (MRI) apparatus comprising bi-planar magnets configured to generate a magnetic field; a radiation source configured to supply a radiation beam to treat the patient; a gantry configured to couple the MR apparatus at a first end and the radiation source so that they can rotate in unison; a treatment support configured to support the patient; a motor configured to move the treatment support; and a controller. The controller comprises a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the motor to move the treatment support in order to avoid collision between the MRI apparatus and the patient when the MRI apparatus is rotated. A method for positioning the treatment support within the MR-RT hybrid system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES
    Inventors: Keith Wachowicz, Bradley Murray, B. Gino Fallone
  • Patent number: 10775460
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR)-radiotherapy (RT) hybrid system for treating a patient is disclosed. The MR-RT hybrid system includes a radiation source for supplying a radiation beam to treat the patient and an MR imaging (MRI) apparatus for generating a divergent gradient field shaped to match a divergent geometry of the radiation beam of the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES
    Inventors: Keith Wachowicz, B. Gino Fallone, Brad Murray
  • Publication number: 20200229731
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR)-radiotherapy (RT) hybrid system for treating a patient is disclosed. The MR-RT hybrid system comprises: an MR imaging (MRI) apparatus comprising bi-planar magnets configured to generate a magnetic field; a radiation source configured to supply a radiation beam to treat the patient; a gantry configured to couple the MR apparatus at a first end and the radiation source so that they can rotate in unison; a treatment support configured to support the patient; a motor configured to move the treatment support; and a controller. The controller comprises a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the motor to move the treatment support in order to avoid collision between the MRI apparatus and the patient when the MRI apparatus is rotated. A method for positioning the treatment support within the MR-RT hybrid system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Keith WACHOWICZ, Bradley MURRAY, B. Gino FALLONE
  • Publication number: 20190004131
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR)-radiotherapy (RT) hybrid system for treating a patient is disclosed. The MR-RT hybrid system includes a radiation source for supplying a radiation beam to treat the patient and an MR imaging (MRI) apparatus for generating a divergent gradient field shaped to match a divergent geometry of the radiation beam of the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Keith WACHOWICZ, B. Gino FALLONE, Brad MURRAY
  • Patent number: 9456764
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for reducing artifacts in an MRI image as a result of radiation induced current in collector coils of an MRI apparatus. The method comprises the following steps. Selecting a plurality of pixels in a k-space image prior to generation of the MRI image. Analyzing each of the plurality of selected pixels to determine whether a pixel intensity is greater than a predefined global threshold. For each pixel having pixel intensity greater than the predefined global threshold, determining whether the pixel lies within a signal region of the k-space image or outside of the signal region of the k-space image. For each pixel that lies outside of the signal region, modifying the pixel intensity to be similar to a background pixel intensity, thereby creating a modified k-space image. Generating the MRI image based on the modified k-space image. A non-transitory computer readable medium and a radiation therapy system configured to implement the method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Alberta Health Services
    Inventors: Benjamin Burke, B. Gino Fallone, Keith Wachowicz, Satyapal Rathee
  • Publication number: 20160228727
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR)-radiotherapy (RT) hybrid system for treating a patient is disclosed. The MR-RT hybrid system comprises: an MR imaging (MRI) apparatus comprising bi-planar magnets configured to generate a magnetic field; a radiation source configured to supply a radiation beam to treat the patient; a gantry configured to couple the MR apparatus at a first end and the radiation source so that they can rotate in unison; a treatment support configured to support the patient; a motor configured to move the treatment support; and a controller. The controller comprises a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the motor to move the treatment support in order to avoid collision between the MRI apparatus and the patient when the MRI apparatus is rotated. A method for positioning the treatment support within the MR-RT hybrid system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Keith WACHOWICZ, Bradley MURRAY, B. Gino FALLONE
  • Publication number: 20150080704
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for reducing artefacts in an MRI image as a result of radiation induced current in collector coils of an MRI apparatus. The method comprises the following steps. Selecting a plurality of pixels in a k-space image prior to generation of the MRI image. Analysing each of the plurality of selected pixels to determine whether a pixel intensity is greater than a predefined global threshold. For each pixel having pixel intensity greater than the predefined global threshold, determining whether the pixel lies within a signal region of the k-space image or outside of the signal region of the k-space image. For each pixel that lies outside of the signal region, modifying the pixel intensity to be similar to a background pixel intensity, thereby creating a modified k-space image. Generating the MRI image based on the modified k-space image. A non-transitory computer readable medium and a radiation therapy system configured to implement the method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Alberta Health Services
    Inventors: Benjamin Burke, B. Gino Fallone, Keith Wachowicz, Satyapal Rathee