Patents by Inventor Robert E. Melen

Robert E. Melen 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: 6649914
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Moorman, Brian Skillicorn, Edward G. Solomon, Peter J. Fiekowsky, John W. Wilent, Abigail A. Moorhouse, Robert E. Melen
  • Patent number: 6208709
    Abstract: A system for scanning an x-ray target in an x-ray imaging system with a charged particle beam. The system for scanning comprises deflecting the charged particle beam to re-illuminate the portion of the object to be imaged in a time period that is sufficiently small to prevent image blurring during image reconstruction. The system for scanning further comprises a scan processing system for processing x-ray transmissiveness information received as a result of a scanning pattern that re-illuminates an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E Melen
  • Patent number: 6181764
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system capable of local focussing to any depth is disclosed. According to an aspect, the invention comprises a method of generating a volume of data comprising image information for a plurality of depths with an object under investigation, and selecting data from the volume of data to generate a display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Solomon, Robert E. Melen, Robert E. Alvarez, Daniel J. Rachlin
  • Patent number: 6178223
    Abstract: An image reconstruction system that can generate an accurate image representation of structure and regions within an object is disclosed. An aspect of the invention comprises a processor that is configured to receive x-ray transmissive information for an object to generate image pixel information for a plurality of depths within the object. The display image comprises selected image pixel information corresponding to image pixels at a plurality of depths within the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Solomon, Robert E. Melen, Augustus P. Lowell, Robert E. Alvarez, Daniel J. Rachlin
  • Patent number: 6175611
    Abstract: An x-ray detector, useful in x-ray imaging systems constructed from a single piece of silicon and a photon sensing crystal, and comprises a plurality of detector elements, each of the plurality of detector elements comprising a plurality of detector sub-elements. A plurality of x-ray detectors are arranged in a multi-dimensional array, each array of detectors tiered with respect to the next array of detectors. A compact electronics circuitry is also provided. The compact electronics circuitry is contained in each of the plurality of detector sub-elements. The compact electronics circuitry comprises a photon sensor, an amplifier, a discriminator and a digital-to-analog converter. Finally, a method for generating x-ray transmissiveness information is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Melen, David A. Pearson, Joseph A. Heanue, Stephen L. Shapiro, Eugene L. Atlas
  • Patent number: 5835561
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack W. Moorman, Brian Skillicorn, Edward G. Solomon, Peter J. Fiekowsky, John W. Wilent, deceased, Abigail A. Moorhouse, Robert E. Melen
  • Patent number: 5751785
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Moorman, Brian Skillicorn, Edward G. Solomon, Peter J. Fiekowsky, John W. Wilent, deceased, Abigail A. Moorhouse, Robert E. Melen
  • Patent number: 5729584
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Moorman, Brian Skillicorn, Edward G. Solomon, Peter J. Fiekowsky, John W. Wilent, deceased, Abigail A. Moorhouse, Robert E. Melen
  • Patent number: 5644612
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system according to the present invention comprising a stepped scanning-beam x-ray source and a multi-detector array. The output of the multi-detector array is input to an image reconstruction engine which combines the outputs of the multiple detectors over selected steps of the x-ray beam to generate an x-ray image of the object. A collimating element, preferably in the form of a perforated grid containing an array of apertures, interposed between the x-ray source and an object to be x-rayed. A maneuverable positioner incorporating an x-ray sensitive marker allowing the determination of the precise position coordinates of the maneuverable positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Cardiac Mariners, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Moorman, Edward G. Solomon, Peter J. Fiekowsky, John W. Wilent, deceased, Abigail A. Moorhouse, Robert E. Melen
  • Patent number: 5351268
    Abstract: A luminescence-based integrated optical and electronic system for measuring temperature or some other parameter from the decay time of a luminescent sensor is disclosed. A high bandwidth, low noise amplifier applies a detected decaying luminescent signal to a digital system that acquires that signal and processes it in order to determine its decay time characteristics that are related to temperature or another parameter being measured. The digital signal processing includes use of a digital curve-fitting technique. A preferred luminescent material for temperature measurement is a chromium-doped yttrium gallium garnet material. The entire optical and electronic portions of the measuring system can be accommodated on a small single circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Luxtron Corporation
    Inventors: Earl M. Jensen, Mei H. Sun, David L. Vecht, Robert E. Melen
  • Patent number: 5107445
    Abstract: A luminescence-based integrated optical and electronic system for measuring temperature or some other parameter from the decay time of a luminescent sensor is disclosed. A high bandwidth, low noise amplifier applies a detected decaying luminescent signal to a digital system that acquires that signal and processes it in order to determine its decay time characteristics that are related to temperature or another parameter being measured. The digital signal processing includes use of a digital curve-fitting technique. A preferred luminescent material for temperature measurement is a chromium-doped yttrium gallium garnet material. The entire optical and electronic portions of the measuring system can be accommodated on a small single circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Luxtron Corporation
    Inventors: Earl M. Jensen, Mei H. Sun, David L. Vecht, Robert E. Melen