Patents by Inventor Michael John Smidebush

Michael John Smidebush 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).

  • Method and apparatus for positioning blocking elements in a collimator
    Patent number: 5654996
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for positioning blocking elements (310, 320) in a collimator (4) is provided. The collimator (4) is located in a radiation emitting device (2) delivering a radiation beam (1) to an object (13). The collimator (4) includes a plurality of movable blocking elements (310, 320). The blocking elements (310, 320) are movable for defining an opening (330) for the radiation beam (1). After forming an opening (330) with the blocking elements (310, 320), a calibration tool (400) having a cross bar (410) is inserted in the opening (330) and the cross bar (410) is moved to a defined first position (500) in the opening (408) of the calibration tool. A group of blocking elements is then moved to the cross bar (410). The cross bar (410) is then moved to a defined second position (510) in the opening (408) and the a group of blocking elements is moved to the cross bar (410).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd H. Steinberg, Michael John Smidebush, Robert J. Heck