Patents by Inventor Mark J. Rivard

Mark J. Rivard 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).

  • Publication number: 20110184283
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product of clinical treatment planning implements complex Monte Carlo (MC) based brachytherapy dose distributions using conventional brachytherapy treatment planning systems (TPS). Dose distributions from complex brachytherapy source configurations determined with MC methods are used as inputs. Radial dose functions and 2D anisotropy functions are obtained by positioning the coordinate system origin along the dose distribution cylindrical axis of symmetry. Origin to tissue distance and active length are chosen to minimize TPS interpolation errors. A 2D anisotropy function is determined, and a brachytherapy dose rate constant is selected. A virtual brachytherapy source dose distribution is calculated based upon the complex treatment configuration. Additional dosimetry parameters may be considered as well, and dose distributions may be calculated and compared to the original MC-derived dose distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventor: Mark J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 7142634
    Abstract: A radiation field detection system, for use with a radiating device, includes a radiation detector configured to receive radiation and to provide radiation strength indicia of amounts of radiation received, a positioning mechanism connected to the radiation detector and configured to physically move the radiation detector, and a processor coupled to the positioning mechanism and coupled to the radiation detector to receive the radiation strength indicia, the processor being configured to: actuate the positioning mechanism to move the radiation detector to desired locations within a radiation field produced by the radiating device; analyze the radiation strength indicia from the radiation detector; correlate positions of the radiation detector with corresponding amounts of received radiation; determine a first location of maximum detected radiation; and determine a first relationship between the first location of maximum detected radiation and a second location of maximum radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: New England Medical Center Hospitals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Engler, Mark J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 7118524
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a methodology for the characterization and determination of mixed-field dosimetry for 252Cf Applicator Tube (AT)-type medical sources, utilizing ionization chambers, GM counters, and Monte Carlo methods. Unlike the previous methodologies, the present invention discloses a specification of dose to muscle, rather than dose to water, for clinical dosimetry of 252Cf medical sources. A dosimetry protocol, similar to that utilized for ICRU-45, with parameters determined specifically for 252Cf brachytherapy is disclosed. Neutron isodose distributions and data necessary for clinical implementation of 252Cf AT sources are also disclosed herein. Additionally, novel methods for the encapsulation, storage, and delivery/implantation of 252Cf radionuclide sources are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: New England Medical Center Hospitals, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Rivard
  • Publication number: 20030204126
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a methodology for the characterization and determination of mixed-field dosimetry for 252Cf Applicator Tube (AT)-type medical sources, utilizing ionization chambers, GM counters, and Monte Carlo methods. Unlike the previous methodologies, the present invention discloses a specification of dose to muscle, rather than dose to water, for clinical dosimetry of 252Cf medical sources. A dosimetry protocol, similar to that utilized for ICRU-45, with parameters determined specifically for 252Cf brachytherapy is disclosed. Neutron isodose distributions and data necessary for clinical implementation of 252Cf AT sources are also disclosed herein. Additionally, novel methods for the encapsulation, storage, and delivery/implantation of 252Cf radionuclide sources are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Mark J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 6551232
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a methodology for the characterization and determination of mixed-field dosimetry for 252Cf Applicator Tube (AT)-type medical sources, utilizing ionization chambers, GM counters, and Monte Carlo methods. Unlike the previous methodologies, the present invention discloses a specification of dose to muscle, rather than dose to water, for clinical dosimetry of 252Cf medical sources. A dosimetry protocol, similar to that utilized for ICRU-45, with parameters determined specifically for 252Cf brachytherapy is disclosed. Neutron isodose distributions and data necessary for clinical implementation of 252Cf AT sources are also disclosed herein. Additionally, novel methods for the encapsulation, storage, and delivery/implantation of 252Cf radionuclide sources are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: New England Medical Center
    Inventor: Mark J. Rivard