Patents by Inventor Russell W. Hum

Russell W. Hum 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).

  • Variable aperture z-axis tracking collimator for a computed tomograph system
    Patent number: 6298117
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dose reduction in a computed tomography (CT) system are described. In one embodiment, the CT system includes a pre-patient collimator and a configurable multislice detector array. The pre-patient collimator includes a plurality of eccentric cams and a filtration device for altering the x-ray beam radiated from a x-ray source. The eccentric cams are positioned to collimate the x-ray beam and may be independently positioned to provide z-axis correction of the x-ray beam. The filtration device includes a plurality of filters for altering the x-ray beam. In operation, an operator selects the type of test and the quantity and thickness of the slices. After altering the detector and collimator configuration, slice data for each slice is gathered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Willi W. Hampel, Russell W. Hum, Carmine F. Vara, Jr., Steven J. Woloschek
  • Variable aperture z-axis tracking collimator for computed tomograph system
    Patent number: 6173039
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dose reduction in a computed tomography (CT) system are described. In one embodiment, the CT system includes a pre-patient collimator and a configurable multislice detector array. The pre-patient collimator includes a plurality of eccentric cams and a filtration device for altering the x-ray beam radiated from a x-ray source. The eccentric cams are positioned to collimate the x-ray beam and may be independently positioned to provide z-axis correction of the x-ray beam. The filtration device includes a plurality of filters for altering the x-ray beam. In operation, an operator selects the type of test and the quantity and thickness of the slices. After altering the detector and collimator configuration, slice data for each slice is gathered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Willi W. Hampel, Russell W. Hum, Carmine F. Vara, Jr., Steven J. Woloschek
  • Gantry position reference for tomographic scanners
    Patent number: 5175754
    Abstract: A CT apparatus produces a trigger position signal having a programmable angular spacing, for triggering the acquisition of projections, from an encoder index pulse having a different fixed angular spacing. An estimation circuit estimates the time of occurrence of a next pulse in the trigger position signal by evaluating the timing of the encoder index pulses. The estimation circuit may be a phase-locked-loop or a set of lookup tables keyed to gantry position and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Colin J. Casey, Russell W. Hum, Phil E. Pearson, Judith A. Clifford, Harold Dalman