Patents by Inventor Mark Vermilyea
Mark Vermilyea 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: 7428292Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned. A plurality of x-ray emission sources are attached to the rotatable gantry, each x-ray emission source configured to emit x-rays in a conebeam toward the object. The CT imaging system also includes a plurality of x-ray detector arrays attached to the gantry and positioned to receive x-rays passing through the object. At least one x-ray detector array of the plurality of x-ray detector arrays is configured to receive x-rays from more than one x-ray emission source.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruno K. B. De Man, Colin R. Wilson, Bernhard Claus, Maria Iatrou, James W. LeBlanc, Dirk Bequé, Samit Kumar Basu, Mark Vermilyea, Zhye Yin
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Publication number: 20080123803Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned. A plurality of x-ray emission sources are attached to the rotatable gantry, each x-ray emission source configured to emit x-rays in a conebeam toward the object. The CT imaging system also includes a plurality of x-ray detector arrays attached to the gantry and positioned to receive x-rays passing through the object. At least one x-ray detector array of the plurality of x-ray detector arrays is configured to receive x-rays from more than one x-ray emission source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Bruno K.B. De Man, Colin R. Wilson, Bernhard Claus, Maria Iatrou, James W. LeBlanc, Dirk Beque, Samit Kumar Basu, Mark Vermilyea, Zhye Yin
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Publication number: 20070009088Abstract: An X-ray imaging system is provided. The X-ray imaging system includes a distributed X-ray source and a detector. The distributed X-ray source is configured to emit X-rays from a plurality of emission points arranged as a substantially linear segment, a substantially arcuate segment, a curvilinear segment, or a substantially non-planar surface and the detector is configured to generate a plurality of signals in response to X-rays incident upon the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2005Publication date: January 11, 2007Inventors: Peter Edic, Bernhard Claus, Jeffrey Eberhard, James Miller, David Langan, Mark Vermilyea, Joseph Manak, Christopher Unger
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Publication number: 20060023832Abstract: Various configurations for scatter reduction and control are provided for CT imaging. These configurations include an imaging system having a stationary detector extending generally around a portion of an imaging volume and a distributed X-ray source placed proximal to the stationary detector for radiating an X-ray beam toward the stationary detector. A scatter control system is further provided that is configured to adaptively operate in cooperation with the stationary detector and the distributed X-ray source to focally align collimator septa contained therein to the X-ray beam at a given focal point and to provide X-ray beam scatter control.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Peter Edic, Bruno Bernard De Man, Mark Vermilyea, Christopher Unger, John Tkaczyk, James LeBlanc, Samit Basu, William Ross, Jonathan Short, Scott Zelakiewicz
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Publication number: 20060008056Abstract: A system and method for providing a sealing arrangement in an X-ray tube are provided. The X-ray tube includes a rotating portion having a plurality of ball bearings and a liquid metal within a housing having the ball bearings therein. The rotating portion is configured to rotate an anode. The X-ray tube further includes a sealing portion formed by a liquid metal vacuum interface configured in a radial direction to resist flow of liquid metal from the housing to a vacuum portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2004Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Harith Vadari, Ram Turaga, Mayank Tiwari, Hombe Gowda, Mark Vermilyea, Frederic Dahan, Thomas Martin
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Publication number: 20060002515Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents and material emissions from the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: William Huber, Colin Wilson, John Price, Peter Edic, Mark Vermilyea, Forrest Hopkins
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Patent number: 6983035Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining multi-slice images having a total thickness of up to about 160 mm or more in a single gantry rotation in computed tomography or volume computed tomography are described. One embodiment comprises an extended, multi-spot x-ray source for computed tomography or volume computed tomography imaging, comprising: an electron gun capable of producing a plurality of electron beams, each electron beam focused at a predetermined distance and aimed in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of targets positioned to receive the electron beams and generate x-rays in response thereto, each target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon, wherein each electron beam is synchronized to strike, at an appropriate time, a predetermined target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: John Scott Price, Wayne Frederick Block, Mark Vermilyea
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Publication number: 20050265520Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents, material emissions from the target, and electric field transients.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: William Huber, Colin Wilson, John Price, Peter Edic, Mark Vermilyea
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Publication number: 20050226364Abstract: Geometries and configurations are provided for CT systems in which rotational loading is reduced, permitting higher speeds and lighter structures to be implemented in the systems. In certain embodiments a distributed and addressable rotating radiation source is provided with a rotating detector. In other embodiments a distributed and addressable stationary radiation source is provided with a rotating detector. In yet other embodiments a distributed and addressable radiation source is provided that rotates with respect to a stationary detector. The sources may be ring-like, arcuate and/or lines extending at least in the Z-direction. Sources may include a large number of distributed emitters arranged in lines, arcs and one- or two-dimensional arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2004Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Samit Basu, Peter Edic, William Ross, Mark Vermilyea
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Publication number: 20050226385Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided as a source of X-rays for imaging systems such as computed tomography (CT) system. The X-ray tube includes an anode assembly comprising a target for emitting X-rays upon irradiation with an electron beam, a rotor shaft coupled to the target and a motor rotor system such that the rotor shaft is configured to rotate the target, and at least two duplex bearing assemblies to support the rotor shaft. The X-ray tube further includes a cathode assembly comprising a cathode configured to emit electron beam and a conical insulator isolating the cathode from ground potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2004Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: James Simpson, Hector Rodriguez, Mark Vermilyea, Maria Otero, Brian Lounsberry
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Patent number: 6947522Abstract: An x-ray source with an x-ray source target are provided. The x-ray source includes an electron source. The x-ray source also includes an x-ray transmission window. The x-ray source also includes an x-ray source target located between the electron source and the window, wherein the target is arranged to receive electrons from the electron source to generate x-rays in the x-ray source target, and a rotational mechanism adapted to rotate the x-ray source target. A method of producing x-rays and an x-ray target are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Colin Wilson, Mark Vermilyea, James E. Simpson
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Publication number: 20050111610Abstract: Configurations for stationary imaging systems are provided. The configurations may include combinations of various types of distributed sources of X-ray radiation, which generally include addressable emitter elements which may be triggered for emission in desired sequences and combinations. The sources may be ring-like, partial ring-like, or line-like (typically along a Z-axis), and so forth. Combinations of these are envisaged. Corresponding detectors may also be full ring detectors or partial ring detectors associated with the sources to provide sufficient coverage of imaging volumes and to provide the desired mathematical completeness of the collected data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventors: Bruno Kristiaan De Man, Samit Basu, Peter Edic, Robert Senzig, William Ross, Xiaoye Wu, Colin Wilson, Mark Vermilyea, Eugene Saragnese
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Publication number: 20050074094Abstract: The present invention is an x-ray tube anode with two targets oriented back-to-back. The targets have separate and opposing cathodes. The targets are a fixed distance apart and rotate together on the same bearing shaft. The cathodes are mounted at either end of the vacuum tube. The cathodes may operate simultaneously or independent of each other based on the CT application.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: April 7, 2005Applicant: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLCInventors: Sherman Jen, Mark Vermilyea
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Publication number: 20050063514Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining multi-slice images having a total thickness of up to about 160 mm or more in a single gantry rotation in computed tomography or volume computed tomography are described. One embodiment comprises an extended, multi-spot x-ray source for computed tomography or volume computed tomography imaging, comprising: an electron gun capable of producing a plurality of electron beams, each electron beam focused at a predetermined distance and aimed in a predetermined direction; and a plurality of targets positioned to receive the electron beams and generate x-rays in response thereto, each target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon, wherein each electron beam is synchronized to strike, at an appropriate time, a predetermined target comprising a predetermined focal spot thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2003Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: John Price, Wayne Block, Mark Vermilyea
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Publication number: 20050025283Abstract: A flat panel x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a cathode assembly including a plurality of emitter elements. An anode substrate is included having a substrate upper surface facing the plurality of emitter elements and a substrate lower surface. The substrate upper surface is positioned parallel to the plurality of emitter elements. A plurality of target wells are formed in the substrate upper surface. Each of the plurality of target wells comprises a first angled side surface positioned at an acute angle relative to the substrate upper surface. A plurality of first target elements is applied to each to one of the first angled side surfaces. The first target elements generate x-rays in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of emitter elements in response to electrons received from one of the plurality of emitter elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Colin Wilson, Mark Vermilyea
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Publication number: 20040120463Abstract: An x-ray source with an x-ray source target are provided. The x-ray source includes an electron source. The x-ray source also includes an x-ray transmission window. The x-ray source also includes an x-ray source target located between the electron source and the window, wherein the target is arranged to receive electrons from the electron source to generate x-rays in the x-ray source target, and a rotational mechanism adapted to rotate the x-ray source target. A method of producing x-rays and an x-ray target are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Colin WILSON, Mark VERMILYEA, James E. SIMPSON
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Patent number: 6477231Abstract: An x-ray generating device or system include an anode assembly including a target; a cathode assembly disposed at a distance from the anode assembly, the cathode assembly configured to emit electrons that strike the target of the anode assembly, producing x-rays and residual energy; a heat receptor, positioned between the anode assembly and a bearing assembly supporting the anode assembly, for absorbing an amount of the residual energy; and a heat exchanger, in thermal communication with the heat receptor, for carrying a cooling medium and conducting an amount of the residual energy absorbed by the heat receptor away from the heat receptor.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Craig Higgins, John Warren, Mark Vermilyea, Thomas Ebben
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Publication number: 20020085675Abstract: An x-ray generating device or system includes an anode assembly including a target; a cathode assembly disposed at a distance from the anode assembly, the cathode assembly configured to emit electrons that strike the target of the anode assembly, producing x-rays and residual energy; a heat receptor, positioned between the anode assembly and a bearing assembly supporting the anode assembly, for absorbing an amount of the residual energy; and a heat exchanger, in thermal communication with the heat receptor, for carrying a cooling medium and conducting an amount of the residual energy absorbed by the heat receptor away from the heat receptor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Craig Higgins, John Warren, Mark Vermilyea, Thomas Ebben