Patents by Inventor Michael C. Lalena

Michael C. Lalena 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: 20130094628
    Abstract: A method for managing a portable x-ray detector for an x-ray imaging apparatus registers at least one portable detector with a processor that is associated with the x-ray imaging apparatus. A generated signal is indicative of the location of the registered portable x-ray detector relative to the x-ray imaging apparatus. An alert indication is provided when the generated signal indicates separation of the registered portable x-ray detector from the x-ray imaging apparatus beyond a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Peter A. Newman
  • Publication number: 20120230473
    Abstract: A method for aligning a radiation source with a portable image receiver in a radiographic imaging system generates a magnetic field with a predetermined field pattern and with a time-varying vector direction at a predetermined frequency from an emitter apparatus that is coupled to the radiation source, wherein the generated magnetic field further comprises a synchronization signal. Sensed signals from the magnetic field are obtained from a sensing apparatus that is coupled to the image receiver, wherein the sensing apparatus comprises three or more sensor elements, wherein at least two of the sensor elements are arranged at different angles relative to each other and are disposed outside the imaging area of the image receiver. An output signal is indicative of an alignment adjustment according to the amplitude and phase of the obtained sensed signals relative to the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph E. Stagnitto, Xiaohui Wang, Michael C. Lalena
  • Publication number: 20120093294
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a optional second display (also adjustably mounted). Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus by which mobile radiography carts can provide a single secure access apparatus and/or methods to control at least two of (i) a transport mechanism, (ii) x-ray generator control, (iii) remote detector control and image processing control, or (iv) secured storage for at least one radiographic detector by a single operator action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Christopher J. Kralles, Martin E. Trzcinski
  • Publication number: 20120093298
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a second display (also adjustably mounted). The second display and a first display can each be configured to control the mobile radiography apparatus and display items such as but not limited to (a) obtained images and/or related data or (b) a control panel to allow functions such as generating, storing, transmitting, modifying, and printing of the obtained images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Michael C. Lalena
  • Publication number: 20120039447
    Abstract: A radiography system for obtaining a radiographic image of a subject, has a radiation source within an enclosure, the radiation source energizable to direct radiant energy along a radiation path toward an imaging receiver, wherein the radiation path is defined according to a collimator. A digital projector is coupled to the enclosure and is energizable to provide an illumination beam that outlines the defined radiation path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Xiaohui Wang, Joseph E. Stagnitto
  • Publication number: 20110311026
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source. A display at the mobile radiography apparatus is configured to provide an examination procedure for a patient, the examination procedure to include a visual indication that at least one related prior image exists for the examination procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael C. Lalena
  • Publication number: 20110249793
    Abstract: A radiography system for obtaining a radiographic image of a subject has a radiation source energizable to direct radiant energy along a radiation path and an imaging receiver sensitive to the radiant energy for forming the radiographic image. A sensor apparatus is disposed to provide one or more output signals that are indicative at least of centering of the radiation path with respect to the receiver, of an angle of the receiver relative to the radiation path, and of a source-to-image distance along the radiation path. A display apparatus generates, in response to the one or more output signals, a display that indicates the centering of the radiation path with respect to the receiver and that provides one or more values indicative of at least the source-to-image distance and the angle of the receiver relative to the radiation path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Joseph E. Stagnitto
  • Publication number: 20110249799
    Abstract: A method for indicating a position of a radiation energy sensor element in a radiographic imaging system, the method executed at least in part by a computer, identifies the position of the radiation energy sensor element relative to a subject to be imaged and displays the identified position relative to the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Xiaohui Wang, David H. Foos
  • Publication number: 20110249792
    Abstract: A method for sensing a level of ionizing radiation directed from a radiation source through a subject and toward an imaging detector, the method executed at least in part by a logic processor, obtains positional coordinate data that is indicative of at least a portion of the subject to be exposed to radiation and that defines a radiation measurement area relative to the subject. The method assigns one or more sensing elements to sense radiation within the radiation measurement area. A measurement signal is acquired from each of one or more assigned sensing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, David H. Foos, Xiaohui Wang
  • Publication number: 20110249791
    Abstract: A method for sensing a level of ionizing radiation directed from a radiation source through a subject and toward a digital radiography detector, executed at least in part by a logic processor, obtains image data that relates the position of the subject to the digital radiography detector and assigns one or more radiant-energy sensing elements of the digital radiography detector as one or more exposure control sensing elements. The one or more exposure control sensing elements are sampled one or more times during exposure to measure the exposure directed to the subject. A signal is provided to terminate exposure according to exposure measurements obtained from the one or more exposure control sensing elements within the digital radiography detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaohui Wang, David H. Foos, Michael C. Lalena
  • Publication number: 20110126149
    Abstract: A method for presenting radiographic images of a subject obtains, from the same radiographic image capture, at least a first image and a second image, wherein the at least first and second images differ in presentation. The method associates the at least first and second images as companion images according to one or more entered instructions. There is displayed at least a first executable data link that relates to a first storage location of the first image and a second executable data link that relates to a second storage location of the second image. In response to an operator selection of either of or both of the first and second executable data links, the method displays either the corresponding first or second image, or both companion images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Kevin C. Odorczyk, Xiaohui Wang, Karl F. Hoeflein