Patents by Inventor Merry A. Koschan

Merry A. Koschan 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).

  • Lutetium oxyorthosilicate scintillator having improved scintillation and optical properties and method of making the same
    Patent number: 8278624
    Abstract: LSO scintillation crystals with improved scintillation and optical properties are achieved by controlled co-doping a LSO crystal melt with amounts of cerium and an additional codopant such as calcium or other divalent cations. Crystal growth atmosphere is optimized by controlling the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. Zinc is added as an additional material to restabilize crystal growth where calcium co-dopant is added. The decay time of the scintillation crystal can be controlled by controlling the concentration of co-dopant added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Merry A. Koschan, Charles L. Melcher, Piotr Szupryczynski, A. Andrew Carey
  • USE OF CODOPING TO MODIFY THE SCINTILLATION PROPERTIES OF INORGANIC SCINTILLATORS DOPED WITH TRIVALENT ACTIVATORS
    Publication number: 20100078595
    Abstract: Crystals with improved scintillation and optical properties are achieved by codoping with a trivalent dopant and a divalent and/or a monovalent dopant. Embodiments include codoping LSO, YSO, GSO crystals and LYSO, LGSO, and LYGSO crystals. Embodiments also include codoped crystals with a controlled monovalent or divalent:trivalent dopant ratio of from about 1:1 for increased light yield to about 4:1 for faster decay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars A. Eriksson, Merry A. Koschan, Charles L. Melcher, Harold E. Rothfuss