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).
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Patent number: 7658541Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dun Alex Li, Richard Aufrichtig, Lonnie B. Weston, Peter Traneus Anderson
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Patent number: 7658540Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vernon Thomas Jensen, Lonnie B. Weston, David Barker Ellis
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Publication number: 20090002968Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Dun Alex Li, Richard Aufrichtig, Lonnie B. Weston, Peter Traneus Anderson
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Publication number: 20080170669Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: Vernon Thomas Jensen, Lonnie B. Weston, David Barker Ellis
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Patent number: 7280638Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: General ElectricInventors: Gregory Alan Weaver, Lonnie B. Weston, David Ellis Barker
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Patent number: 7186021Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sebastien David Breham, Gregory Alan Weaver, David Ellis Barker, Lonnie B. Weston
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Patent number: 6505364Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: John Matthew Simmons, Lonnie B. Weston, Paul A. Jacob, Jeffrey W. Pattee, David M. Robbins
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Publication number: 20020138903Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: John Matthew Simmons, Lonnie B. Weston, Paul A. Jacob, Jeffrey W. Pattee, David M. Robbins
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Patent number: 5627873Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 4, 1995Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: OEC Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Barry K. Hanover, David E. Barker, Ross A. Riches, Blain C. Erickson, Lonnie B. Weston