Patents by Inventor Robert A. Cormack

Robert A. Cormack 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: 20150338477
    Abstract: A composite system for use in conjunction with an MR-imaging procedure. One composite system includes a fully-metallic filament, such as a needle or guide-wire, equipped with flat MR RF-receiver microcoil disposed such that a normal to the coil's plane is substantially transverse to the filament's axis. The microcoil is electrically connected to external device to register change of position and orientation of the tip during the navigation of the filament. Alternative composite system includes a filament made from different materials. The very tip includes diamagnetic and non-metallic tube tightly fit around geometrically-modified portion of the main body and carries at least one microcoil electrically connected to external device to register change of position and orientation of the tip during the filament navigation. Data representing co-registration of the position and/or orientation of filament is fed back to the system to improve navigation accuracy and precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ehud J. Schmidt, Wei Wang, Tina Kapur, Charles L. Dumoulin, Robert A. Cormack, Akila Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 6311084
    Abstract: A computer based method and apparatus for providing prostate brachytherapy using Interventional Magnetic Resonance imaging is described. The invention utilizes the excellent soft tissue visualization that Interventional Magnetic Resonance provides to produce radiographic, geometric and dosimetric feedback to an implant treatment planner (software module). The feedback enables an iterative procedure for the placement of needles based upon cumulative dosimetric feedback on the effect of the current and prior needle placements. The invention allows a treatment plan to be developed and the implantation procedure to be performed initially in accordance with the developed treatment plan. Modifications to the plan are made in real-time by the invention software module coupled to the IMR imaging system. The implantation procedure continues with the modified plan where further modifications are made to the plan with placement of each subsequent needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Robert A. Cormack, Anthony V. D'Amico, Hanne M. Kooy, Clare M. Tempany