Patents by Inventor Robert Sigurd Nelson

Robert Sigurd Nelson 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: 20150323685
    Abstract: Detector designs and systems for enhanced radiographic imaging with integrated detector systems incorporate one or more of Compton and nuclear medicine imaging, PET imaging and x-ray CT imaging capabilities. Detector designs employ one or more layers of detector modules comprised of edge-on or face-on detectors or a combination of edge-on and face-on detectors which may employ gas, scintillator, semiconductor, low temperature (such as Ge and superconductor) and structured detectors. Detectors may implement tracking capabilities and may operate in a non-coincidence or coincidence detection mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150242812
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for effectively implementing a patient's specific wishes (advance directives) regarding medical care even in a setting where the patient is incapacitated or is unable to communicate directly with care providers. In one implementation an Advance Directives portable combined identification unit device or equivalent device is employed to register and access a patient's wishes concerning limitations on health care measures to be applied when the patient is unresponsive. The patient's Advance Directives and identification material such as biometric information may be stored on a server (including the Cloud) or on a Personal Data Containment System device such as a RFID-enabled chip, a flash drive, a phone Application, etc. The Advance Directives information can be accessed by an automated code robot device which may result in alterations to protocol-driven medical procedures such as CPR and defibrillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: William Bert Nelson, Glenn Albert Nickele, Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150077258
    Abstract: The invention provides an automated hand hygiene/infection control monitoring sensor-based system suitable for improving hand hygiene and multiple infection control measures and ensuring compliance by health care workers as well as visitors to hospitals and clinics. The use of biometric identification devices such as cameras for face recognition and profiling, microphones for voice recognition, etc. permit highly accurate identification without the use of removable identification devices such as identification badges which may include bar codes, magnetic strips or wireless devices such as RFIDS. Identification badges are removable and hence susceptible to being lost, misplaced, etc. Visitors are typically not assigned identification badges and hence enforcement of hand hygiene policies is minimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: William Bert Nelson, Robert Sigurd Nelson, Glenn Albert Nickele
  • Publication number: 20140110592
    Abstract: The invention provides novel Compton camera detector designs and systems for enhanced radiographic imaging with integrated detector systems which incorporate Compton and nuclear medicine imaging, PET imaging and x-ray CT imaging capabilities. Compton camera detector designs employ one or more layers of detector modules comprised of edge-on or face-on detectors or a combination of edge-on and face-on detectors which may employ gas, scintillator, semiconductor, low temperature (such as Ge and superconductor) and structured detectors. Detectors may implement tracking capabilities and may operate in a non-coincidence or coincidence detection mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20130028379
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for enhanced PCI and dual-use radiation imaging systems. In one implementation high resolution storage phosphor plate radiation detector (an area detector) is employed for conventional attenuation radiation imaging and/or PCI (including conventional PCI and coded aperture PCI). Slit and slot scan implementations for dual-use systems are introduced. Dedicated single and dual-use slit and slot scan system for conventional attenuation imaging and PCI are described that employ face-on or edge-on detectors. Slit and slot scan systems that employ area detectors are described. Edge-on, structured cell detector designs are described. Applications of edge-on structured cell detectors for CT, Nuclear Medicine, PET, and probe detectors are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120181437
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for dental x-ray imaging, radiation monitoring, and related industrial and scientific applications. Flat or shaped small (and small hybrid) area storage phosphor plates, incorporated with a protective frame and a movable front protective layer are available in multiple sizes, are encased in SP-carriers and used as detectors for intraoral dental x-ray imaging as a replacement for analog x-ray film and digital x-ray cameras, offering good detection efficiency, high spatial and contrast resolution, and a wide dynamic range. After removal of the SP-carrier, a small area storage phosphor plate is loaded into a dental storage phosphor scanner for readout. Intermediate and large area storage phosphor plates (including hybrid versions) are suitable for non-intraoral dental x-ray imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Patent number: 8183533
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 8115174
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 8115175
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 8017906
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for radiographic imaging (including conventional CT and radiation therapy portal and CT), nuclear medicine, material composition analysis, container inspection, mine detection, remediation, high energy physics, and astronomy. This invention provides novel face-on, edge-on, edge-on sub-aperture resolution (SAR), and face-on SAR scintillator detectors, designs and systems for enhanced slit and slot scan radiographic imaging suitable for medical, industrial, Homeland Security, and scientific applications. Some of these detector designs are readily extended for use as area detectors, including cross-coupled arrays, gas detectors, and Compton gamma cameras. Energy integration, photon counting, and limited energy resolution readout capabilities are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110182406
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for dental x-ray imaging, radiation monitoring, and related industrial and scientific applications. Flat or shaped small (and small hybrid) area storage phosphor plates, available in multiple sizes, are encased in SP-carriers and used as detectors for intraoral dental x-ray imaging as a replacement for analog x-ray film and digital x-ray cameras, offering good detection efficiency, high spatial and contrast resolution, and a wide dynamic range. After removal of the SP-carrier, a small area storage phosphor plate is loaded into a dental storage phosphor scanner for readout. Intermediate and large area storage phosphor plates (including hybrid versions) are suitable for non-intraoral dental x-ray imaging. Suitable storage phosphors may be used in radiation monitoring, replacing current detectors employed in a film badge format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100270462
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for radiographic imaging (including conventional CT and radiation therapy portal and CT), nuclear medicine, material composition analysis, container inspection, mine detection, remediation, high energy physics, and astronomy. This invention provides novel face-on, edge-on, edge-on sub-aperture resolution (SAR), and face-on SAR scintillator detectors, designs and systems for enhanced slit and slot scan radiographic imaging suitable for medical, industrial, Homeland Security, and scientific applications. Some of these detector designs are readily extended for use as area detectors, including cross-coupled arrays, gas detectors, and Compton gamma cameras. Energy integration, photon counting, and limited energy resolution readout capabilities are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Patent number: 7773204
    Abstract: Spatial encoding of a search space is achieved by an array of radiation or acoustic energy detectors receiving data from at least one radiation or energy source. At least one radiation source capable of providing a predetermined type of radiation is used. The radiation may be in the form of a plurality of beams arrayed along at least one directional axis, and arranged in successive alignment to exhibit a directional component. The directional component is characterized by a frequency variance between successive beams in accordance with direction and disposed so radiation therefrom propagates within the search space. At least one radiation detector capable of detecting the radiation is provided, and is disposed to detect at least that type of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100096555
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100090116
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100090117
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 7635848
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules (102) comprising edge-on scintillator detectors (101) with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: San Diego State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090134334
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiopaphic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules (102) comprising edge-on scintillator detectors (101) with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: San Diego State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert Sigurd Nelson
  • Patent number: 7291841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for radiographic imaging, and nuclear medicine and x-ray mammography in particular, and material composition analysis are described. A detection system employs fixed or configurable arrays of one or more detector modules comprising detector arrays that may be electronically manipulated through a computer system. The detection system, by providing the ability for electronic manipulation, permits adaptive imaging. Detector array configurations include familiar geometries, including slit, slot, plane, open box, and ring configurations, and customized configurations, including wearable detector arrays, that are customized to the shape of the patient. Conventional, such as attenuating, rigid geometry, and unconventional collimators, such as x-ray optic, configurable, Compton scatter modules, can be selectively employed with detector modules and radiation sources. Novel Compton gamma camera designs can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
  • Patent number: 7147372
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for radiographic imaging, and nuclear medicine and x-ray mammography in particular, and material composition analysis are described. A detection system employs fixed or configurable arrays of one or more detector modules comprising detector arrays which may be electronically manipulated through a computer system. The detection system, by providing the ability for electronic manipulation, permits adaptive imaging. Detector array configurations include familiar geometries, including slit, slot, plane, open box, and ring configurations, and customized configurations, including wearable detector arrays, that are customized to the shape of the patient. Conventional, such as attenuating, rigid geometry, and unconventional collimators, such as x-ray optic, configurable, Compton scatter modules, can be selectively employed with detector modules and radiation sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson