Patents by Inventor Lonnie B. Weston

Lonnie B. Weston 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: 7658541
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Richard Aufrichtig, Lonnie B. Weston, Peter Traneus Anderson
  • Patent number: 7658540
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for gantry support. Certain embodiments provide a mobile imaging system. The system includes a base and a gantry member moveably attached to the base. The gantry member includes an imaging source. The system also includes a gantry support positioned on the base for supporting the gantry member. The gantry support contacts the gantry member at one or more points in a range of motion for the gantry member. Certain embodiments provide a method for gantry member stabilization. The method includes providing a gantry support on a gantry base to provide support for an imaging system gantry member. The imaging system gantry member is attached to the gantry base. The method further includes positioning the gantry support with respect to the gantry member to support the gantry member along at least a portion of a path of movement of the gantry member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vernon Thomas Jensen, Lonnie B. Weston, David Barker Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090002968
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Richard Aufrichtig, Lonnie B. Weston, Peter Traneus Anderson
  • Publication number: 20080170669
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for gantry support. Certain embodiments provide a mobile imaging system. The system includes a base and a gantry member moveably attached to the base. The gantry member includes an imaging source. The system also includes a gantry support positioned on the base for supporting the gantry member. The gantry support contacts the gantry member at one or more points in a range of motion for the gantry member. Certain embodiments provide a method for gantry member stabilization. The method includes providing a gantry support on a gantry base to provide support for an imaging system gantry member. The imaging system gantry member is attached to the gantry base. The method further includes positioning the gantry support with respect to the gantry member to support the gantry member along at least a portion of a path of movement of the gantry member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Vernon Thomas Jensen, Lonnie B. Weston, David Barker Ellis
  • Patent number: 7280638
    Abstract: An X-ray tube housing with integrated cooling passages in the walls of the X-ray tube housing, through which a liquid or gas coolant is circulated and the heat is transferred from the X-ray tube housing to an external cooler. The integrated cooling passages are created around the perimeter of the X-ray tube housing as the X-ray tube housing is formed. For a rotating anode X-ray tube using an oil coolant, the path of heat transfer is from the anode to the glass insert and oil by the means of radiation. The oil that is in contact with the glass insert conducts heat away form the insert to the X-ray tube housing which is then cooled by the integrated cooling passages located within the X-ray tube housing through which fluid is passed to an external fluid cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Weaver, Lonnie B. Weston, David Ellis Barker
  • Patent number: 7186021
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for controlling temperatures in an x-ray imaging environment including: a first component capable of operating within a first temperature range; a second component capable of operating within a second temperature range; and a liquid-based temperature control system capable of maintaining the first component within the first temperature range and maintaining the second component within the second temperature range. In an embodiment, the first component includes an x-ray detector. In an embodiment, the second component includes an x-ray source. In an embodiment, a liquid in the liquid-based temperature control system flows through the first component before flowing through the second component. In an embodiment, a heat exchanger in the liquid-based temperature control system can regulate a temperature of a liquid in the liquid-based temperature control system. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger includes at least one thermoelectric cooler device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sebastien David Breham, Gregory Alan Weaver, David Ellis Barker, Lonnie B. Weston
  • Patent number: 6505364
    Abstract: A patient table, which is movable in at least one of a vertical direction and a tiltable direction. The patient table comprises: a base; a patient support surface; a support mechanism connected to the base and the support mechanism moving the patient support surface in at least one of a vertical direction and a tiltable direction; and a telescopic cover enclosing the support mechanism, the telescopic cover expanding and constructing with movement of the support mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: John Matthew Simmons, Lonnie B. Weston, Paul A. Jacob, Jeffrey W. Pattee, David M. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20020138903
    Abstract: A patient table, which is movable in at least one of a vertical direction and a tiltable direction. The patient table comprises: a base; a patient support surface; a support mechanism connected to said base and said support mechanism moving said patient support surface in at least one of a vertical direction and a tiltable direction; and a telescopic cover enclosing said support mechanism, said telescopic cover expanding and constructing with movement of said support mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: John Matthew Simmons, Lonnie B. Weston, Paul A. Jacob, Jeffrey W. Pattee, David M. Robbins
  • Patent number: 5627873
    Abstract: A C-arm apparatus. An X-ray imaging system is coupled to a C-arm, including an X-ray source and an image receptor mounted upon opposing locations, respectively on the C-arm. The C-arm is mass balanced about its axis of orbital rotation and is pivotally coupled to an articulating arm assembly supported upon a wheeled support base. The mass balance enables repositioning of the X-ray imaging system between an anterior-posterior view and an orthogonal lateral view with a single, orbital movement of the C-arm which also causes the views to define an imaging isocenter. The C-arm is preferably miniaturized to an approximate diameter of twenty-eight inches with a source-to-image distance of approximately fourteen inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: OEC Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry K. Hanover, David E. Barker, Ross A. Riches, Blain C. Erickson, Lonnie B. Weston