Patents by Inventor Michael M. Crain

Michael M. Crain 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).

  • Patent number: 6644852
    Abstract: Two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional x-ray positioners. The articulated arms provide for at least two axes of independent motion. An axis controller sends movement signals to each axis, and receives position signals from each axis to coordinate movement of the axes of the articulated arms according to a contained program. A network interface communicates with the axis controller for receiving at least a portion of the program over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Daniel I. Kerpelman
  • Patent number: 6637936
    Abstract: An x-ray positioner is provided having two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, that are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to track a bolus travelling through a patient. A controller is provided with feedback information regarding the bolus to determine the rate of travel, and to produce motion signals to the arms to automatically track the movement of the bolus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Michael J. Pajerski
  • Patent number: 6592259
    Abstract: Two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional x-ray positioners. The arms are at least partially defined by a plurality of links that are connected at joints having independent axes of motion. The number of links, and corresponding degrees of freedom for the arms may be predetermined based on the end user application for the positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Seth R. Banks, Michael J. Pajerski, Michael J. Barber
  • Patent number: 6582121
    Abstract: Two independently articulated arms, each having at least two independent axes of motion, support an X-ray tube and X-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional X-ray positioners. The two arms are each supported at one end by a common base wherein the common base provides at least one common axis of motion for both the first and second articulated arms. Further, an axis controller sends movement signals to the common axis and independent axes and receives position signals from the common axis and independent axes to coordinate movement of the first and second arms according to a predefined program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Douglas P. Dietz
  • Publication number: 20030091155
    Abstract: Two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional x-ray positioners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Douglas P. Dietz
  • Publication number: 20030091154
    Abstract: An x-ray positioner is provided having two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, that are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to track a bolus travelling through a patient. A controller is provided with feedback information regarding the bolus to determine the rate of travel, and to produce motion signals to the arms to automatically track the movement of the bolus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: GE Medical Systems Global Technology
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Michael J. Pajerski
  • Publication number: 20030091153
    Abstract: Two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional x-ray positioners. The arms are at least partially defined by a plurality of links that are connected at joints having independent axes of motion. The number of links, and corresponding degrees of freedom for the arms may be predetermined based on the end user application for the positioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: GE Medical Systems Global Technology
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Seth R. Banks, Michael J. Pajerski, Michael J. Barber
  • Publication number: 20030091156
    Abstract: Two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional x-ray positioners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Crain, Daniel I. Kerpelman
  • Patent number: 5264701
    Abstract: A simplified ion chamber for determining radiation from an X-ray source with the chamber having a single emitter electrode and a collector electrode of substantially the same size. A spacer element for positioning between the emitter and the collector electrodes is composed of a molded cellular plastic sheet with open areas molded in the sheet for alignment with ion collecting areas of the collector electrode and the open areas being formed with tapered walls. The spacer element also has pathways formed by higher density areas corresponding to conductive pathways of the collector electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael M. Crain