Patents by Inventor Richard Aufrichtig

Richard Aufrichtig 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: 11366239
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system, comprising a hybrid imaging device comprising: a first scintillator; a first detector sensors configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the first scintillator; a second scintillator; a second detector sensors configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the second scintillator; and a control logic coupled to the first detector layer and the second detector layer; wherein: a material of the first scintillator is different from a material of the second scintillator; the first detector overlaps the second detector; and the control logic is configured to generate dose data in response to the first detector and image data in response to the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Minghui Lu, Joachim Steiger, Richard Aufrichtig
  • Patent number: 11000701
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first X-ray detector that includes: a low energy scintillator operable to convert an incident X-ray spectrum into a first set of light photons; a first light imaging sensor operable to generate a set of low energy image signals from the first set of light photons, wherein a first exit radiation is a remainder portion of the first incident radiation after the X-ray spectrum passes through the low energy scintillator and the first light imaging sensor; an energy-separation filter operable to absorb or reflect at least a portion of the energy of the first exit X-ray spectrum and convert the first exit X-ray spectrum into a second exit X-ray spectrum; a second X-ray detector that includes: a high energy scintillator operable to convert the second exit X-ray spectrum into a second set of light photons; a second light imaging sensor operable to generate a set of high energy image signals from the second set of light photons; and a processor configured to: generate a high-energy image
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minghui Lu, Richard Aufrichtig, Joachim Steiger
  • Publication number: 20200041662
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system, comprising a hybrid imaging device comprising: a first scintillator; a first detector sensors configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the first scintillator; a second scintillator; a second detector sensors configured to generate a signal based on photons emitted from the second scintillator; and a control logic coupled to the first detector layer and the second detector layer; wherein: a material of the first scintillator is different from a material of the second scintillator; the first detector overlaps the second detector; and the control logic is configured to generate dose data in response to the first detector and image data in response to the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Minghui Lu, Joachim Steiger, Richard Aufrichtig
  • Publication number: 20190038918
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first X-ray detector that includes: a low energy scintillator operable to convert an incident X-ray spectrum into a first set of light photons; a first light imaging sensor operable to generate a set of low energy image signals from the first set of light photons, wherein a first exit radiation is a remainder portion of the first incident radiation after the X-ray spectrum passes through the low energy scintillator and the first light imaging sensor; an energy-separation filter operable to absorb or reflect at least a portion of the energy of the first exit X-ray spectrum and convert the first exit X-ray spectrum into a second exit X-ray spectrum; a second X-ray detector that includes: a high energy scintillator operable to convert the second exit X-ray spectrum into a second set of light photons; a second light imaging sensor operable to generate a set of high energy image signals from the second set of light photons; and a processor configured to: generate a high-energy image
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minghui LU, Richard AUFRICHTIG, Joachim STEIGER
  • Publication number: 20140263952
    Abstract: A sensor array including sensor pixels is disclosed. A sensor pixel includes a detector and a readout circuit operatively coupled to the detector. The readout circuit includes at least one readout element formed from an amorphous metal oxide alloy semiconductor. Also disclosed is an image detector panel including a sensor array with sensor pixels arranged into rows and columns. The image detector panel includes a gate driver module configured to address rows of the sensor array, and a multiplexing module configured to select columns of the sensor array and multiplex signals from the sensor pixels. The gate driver module and the multiplexing module include elements formed from an amorphous metal oxide alloy semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PERKINELMER HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad TAGHIBAKHSH, Kai ZHANG, Richard AUFRICHTIG
  • Patent number: 7658541
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Richard Aufrichtig, Lonnie B. Weston, Peter Traneus Anderson
  • Patent number: 7617601
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for forming a flat panel for an X-ray detector device. The method comprises forming an active area of a first size on a substrate of a second size and extending at least one contact of the active area. The method further comprises trimming the substrate to the first size forming the flat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kautzer, Richard Aufrichtig, John French
  • Patent number: 7558412
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the potential of an x-ray imaging system to create images with scintillator hysteresis artifacts includes examining an x-ray image to measure two signal levels for two areas of interest, then determining a difference between the two signal levels and comparing the difference to a threshold. The signal levels can be measured by determining an amount of electrical charge discharged in photodiodes of the detector. If the difference in signals is greater than the threshold amount, then the possibility exists that scintillator hysteresis artifacts may be produced in images. In addition, the present invention also provides for the elimination or reduction in magnitude of scintillator hysteresis artifacts in images produced by an x-ray imaging system. After the possibility of scintillator hysteresis artifacts is detected, the detector can be irradiated with an x-ray flux to eliminate or reduce the magnitude of the artifacts in images produced by the x-ray imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Richard Granfors, Manat Maolinbay, Richard Aufrichtig
  • Publication number: 20090002968
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Richard Aufrichtig, Lonnie B. Weston, Peter Traneus Anderson
  • Patent number: 7435967
    Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a cover assembly for an x-ray detector that incorporates impact-absorbing material designed to absorb the shock, vibration, stress, and strain placed on the detector when dropped or subjected to a load. The cover assembly may include a layer or inserts of impact-absorbing material. Bumpers of impact-absorbing material may also be secured to the x-ray detector cover. Viscoelastic foam or other plastics may be used as the impact-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Ertel, Richard Aufrichtig
  • Patent number: 7408168
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments the line time of an X-Ray detector is dynamically selected so as to nullify an aliased interference signal. The frequency of a noise signal generated by a source external to the digital X-ray detector is determined and, based on the determined frequency, the line time of the digital X-ray is adjusted so as to compensate for the interfering noise. The frequency of the noise can be directly determined from an electromagnetic interference (EMI) sensor or derived through analysis of the power spectrum of the noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Aufrichtig, John R Lamberty, Paul R. Granfors, Richard Cronce
  • Publication number: 20080104835
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for forming a flat panel for an X-ray detector device. The method comprises forming an active area of a first size on a substrate of a second size and extending at least one contact of the active area. The method further comprises trimming the substrate to the first size forming the flat panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kautzer, Richard Aufrichtig, John French
  • Publication number: 20070223654
    Abstract: Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which non-destructive imaging is achieved, including a process for variable binning of detector elements. The process includes accepting input data indicative of image quality goals and descriptors of an imaging task, as well as parameters characterizing a test subject, relative to non-destructive imaging of an internal portion of the test subject and determining when the non-destructive imaging system is capable of achieving the image quality goals using binning of more than four pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Aufrichtig, John Lamberty, Paul Granfors
  • Patent number: 7272207
    Abstract: Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which non-destructive imaging is achieved, including a process for variable binning of detector elements. The process includes accepting input data indicative of image quality goals and descriptors of an imaging task, as well as parameters characterizing a test subject, relative to non-destructive imaging of an internal portion of the test subject and determining when the non-destructive imaging system is capable of achieving the image quality goals using binning of more than four pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Aufrichtig, John Robert Lamberty, Paul Richard Granfors
  • Publication number: 20070138400
    Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a cover assembly for an x-ray detector that incorporates impact-absorbing material designed to absorb the shock, vibration, stress, and strain placed on the detector when dropped or subjected to a load. The cover assembly may include a layer or inserts of impact-absorbing material. Bumpers of impact-absorbing material may also be secured to the x-ray detector cover. Viscoelastic foam or other plastics may be used as the impact-absorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Jason Ertel, Richard Aufrichtig
  • Patent number: 7216423
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an active area or flat panel in an X-ray detector device. The method comprises forming at least one flat form factor panel in a first size on a substrate of a second size and extending at least one contact of the at least one flat form factor panel. The method further comprises trimming the substrate to the first size forming the at least one flat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kautzer, Richard Aufrichtig, John French
  • Patent number: 7189972
    Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a cover assembly for an x-ray detector that incorporates impact-absorbing material designed to absorb the shock, vibration, stress, and strain placed on the detector when dropped or subjected to a load. The cover assembly may include a layer or inserts of impact-absorbing material. Bumpers of impact-absorbing material may also be secured to the x-ray detector cover. Viscoelastic foam or other plastics may be used as the impact-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Ertel, Richard Aufrichtig
  • Patent number: 7081628
    Abstract: Spatially patterned light-blocking layers for radiation imaging detectors are described. Embodiments comprise spatially patterned light-blocking layers for an amorphous silicon flat panel x-ray detector, wherein the spatially patterned light-blocking layer blocks light from a predetermined number of switching elements in the detector, wherein the predetermined number comprises less than all of the switching elements in the detector. These light-blocking layers may block light from each switching element in a predetermined arrangement of switching elements that are read out last, or in any other suitable pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Richard Granfors, Richard Aufrichtig, Douglas Albagli
  • Patent number: 7068854
    Abstract: A detector imaging system having an apparatus and method for correcting defective pixels in an acquired image is disclosed herein. The system includes a correction scheme including temporarily replacing a defective pixel with a linear interpolation of the defective pixel's surrounding neighboring pixel values, determining a local gradient based in part on the acquired image and a gradient kernel, and providing a correction value based on the local gradient to correct the defective pixel. The correction scheme is repeated a plurality of times as desired to correct all the defective pixels in the acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Aufrichtig, Ping Xue, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Publication number: 20060071172
    Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a cover assembly for an x-ray detector that incorporates impact-absorbing material designed to absorb the shock, vibration, stress, and strain placed on the detector when dropped or subjected to a load. The cover assembly may include a layer or inserts of impact-absorbing material. Bumpers of impact-absorbing material may also be secured to the x-ray detector cover. Viscoelastic foam or other plastics may be used as the impact-absorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Jason Ertel, Richard Aufrichtig