Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Curtis

Thomas A. Curtis 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: 10705166
    Abstract: Methods for correcting a non-uniform power response of a radiofrequency (“RF”) transmit coil used in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are described. Transmit power response data for an RF transmit coil are processed to compute RF amplitude scaling factors for the RF transmit coil as a function of transmit frequency offset. The RF amplitude scaling factors can be used to correct transmitted RF power, and thus flip angle, to be more uniform over a range of transmit frequency offsets, as may be encountered when imaging with lower field MRI systems or MRI systems with high strength or asymmetric gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Jeff Alan Stainsby, Chad Tyler Harris, Andrew Thomas Curtis, Alexander Gyles Panther
  • Patent number: 10545211
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for correcting errors caused by non-linearities in a gradient field profile of a gradient coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes obtaining a non-linearity tensor at each voxel within the imaging space using a computer model of the gradient coil; correcting motion sensitive encoding using the non-linearity tensor; and generating a corrected image using the corrected motion sensitive encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Chad Tyler Harris, Andrew Thomas Curtis, Philip Beatty, Jeff Alan Stainsby
  • Patent number: 10545212
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system of magnetic resonance imaging using a constrained gradient waveform. The constrained gradient waveform is designed to have only predetermined frequencies, for example excluding one or more identified resonant frequencies associated with the MRI system. The application of such a constrained gradient waveform during imaging may aid in reducing noise, vibration and/or heating of the MRI system during imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Curtis, Christopher Kumar Anand, Chad Tyler Harris, Jeff Alan Stainsby, Phil J. Beatty
  • Patent number: 10324156
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a MRI system configured to: access data encoding an input gradient waveform that would otherwise be used on a gradient sub-system of the MRI system to generate a gradient that corresponds to perturbations to the substantially uniform magnetic field; access data encoding a forward impulse response function and an inverse impulse response function, both characterizing a gradient generated from a target impulse input; pre-emphasizing the input gradient waveform by using both the forward impulse response function and the reverse impulse response function; and drive the gradient sub-system using the pre-emphasized gradient waveform such that distortions to the gradient caused by eddy currents within the gradient sub-system are substantially removed while radio-frequency (RF) samples for reconstructing an MRI image are being acquired from a grid that is substantially identical to when gradient sub-system is driven using the input gradient waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptive Medical (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Tyler Harris, Andrew Thomas Curtis, Jeff Alan Stainsby, Geron André Bindseil
  • Publication number: 20190064301
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system of magnetic resonance imaging using a constrained gradient waveform. The constrained gradient waveform is designed to have only predetermined frequencies, for example excluding one or more identified resonant frequencies associated with the MRI system. The application of such a constrained gradient waveform during imaging may aid in reducing noise, vibration and/or heating of the MRI system during imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Curtis, Christopher Kumar Anand, Chad Tyler Harris, Jeff Alan Stainsby, Phil J. Beatty
  • Publication number: 20190025397
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a MRI system configured to: access data encoding an input gradient waveform that would otherwise be used on a gradient sub-system of the MRI system to generate a gradient that corresponds to perturbations to the substantially uniform magnetic field; access data encoding a forward impulse response function and an inverse impulse response function, both characterizing a gradient generated from a target impulse input; pre-emphasizing the input gradient waveform by using both the forward impulse response function and the reverse impulse response function; and drive the gradient sub-system using the pre-emphasized gradient waveform such that distortions to the gradient caused by eddy currents within the gradient sub-system are substantially removed while radio-frequency (RF) samples for reconstructing an MRI image are being acquired from a grid that is substantially identical to when gradient sub-system is driven using the input gradient waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Chad Tyler Harris, Andrew Thomas Curtis, Jeff Alan Stainsby, Geron André Bindseil
  • Publication number: 20190004137
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for correcting errors caused by non-linearities in a gradient field profile of a gradient coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes obtaining a non-linearity tensor at each voxel within the imaging space using a computer model of the gradient coil; correcting motion sensitive encoding using the non-linearity tensor; and generating a corrected image using the corrected motion sensitive encoding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Chad Tyler HARRIS, Andrew Thomas CURTIS, Philip BEATTY, Jeff Alan STAINSBY
  • Publication number: 20180335489
    Abstract: Methods for correcting a non-uniform power response of a radiofrequency (“RF”) transmit coil used in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are described. Transmit power response data for an RF transmit coil are processed to compute RF amplitude scaling factors for the RF transmit coil as a function of transmit frequency offset. The RF amplitude scaling factors can be used to correct transmitted RF power, and thus flip angle, to be more uniform over a range of transmit frequency offsets, as may be encountered when imaging with lower field MRI systems or MRI systems with high strength or asymmetric gradients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff Alan Stainsby, Chad Tyler Harris, Andrew Thomas Curtis, Alexander Gyles Panther
  • Patent number: 9799973
    Abstract: Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ROSS VIDEO LIMITED
    Inventors: Donald Mark Sizemore, Curtis Rylee Keim, Nicholas Daniel Parry, Mark Justin Sonderegger, Thomas Curtis Brown
  • Publication number: 20170069990
    Abstract: Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Ross Video Limited
    Inventors: Donald Mark Sizemore, Curtis Rylee Keim, Nicholas Daniel Parry, Mark Justin Sonderegger, Thomas Curtis Brown
  • Patent number: 9441819
    Abstract: An LES is a surface from which light emanates from a lighting fixture. The present disclosure relates to a providing a lighting fixture that has an actual light emitting surface (A-LES), which is substantially smaller than the maximum potential LES (M-LES) for the lighting fixture. The M-LES is defined as the theoretical maximum LES for the mounting structure of the lighting fixture, and the A-LES is defined as the actual LES of the lighting fixture, as dictated by the lens or optical structures of the lighting fixture. The A-LES may provide an LES that is not only smaller, but also shaped differently, from the M-LES, to help control the light output of the lighting fixture based on the lighting application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Randolph, John R. Rowlette, Jr., Craig Thomas Curtis
  • Patent number: 9429296
    Abstract: An LES is a surface from which light emanates from a lighting fixture. The present disclosure relates to a providing a lighting fixture that has an actual light emitting surface (A-LES), which is substantially smaller than the maximum potential LES (M-LES) for the lighting fixture. The M-LES is defined as the theoretical maximum LES for the mounting structure of the lighting fixture, and the A-LES is defined as the actual LES of the lighting fixture, as dictated by the lens or optical structures of the lighting fixture. The A-LES may provide an LES that is not only smaller, but also shaped differently, from the M-LES, to help control the light output of the lighting fixture based on the lighting application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Randolph, John R. Rowlette, Jr., Craig Thomas Curtis
  • Publication number: 20140063810
    Abstract: An LES is a surface from which light emanates from a lighting fixture. The present disclosure relates to a providing a lighting fixture that has an actual light emitting surface (A-LES), which is substantially smaller than the maximum potential LES (M-LES) for the lighting fixture. The M-LES is defined as the theoretical maximum LES for the mounting structure of the lighting fixture, and the A-LES is defined as the actual LES of the lighting fixture, as dictated by the lens or optical structures of the lighting fixture. The A-LES may provide an LES that is not only smaller, but also shaped differently, from the M-LES, to help control the light output of the lighting fixture based on the lighting application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Randolph, John R. Rowlette, JR., Craig Thomas Curtis
  • Publication number: 20140063818
    Abstract: An LES is a surface from which light emanates from a lighting fixture. The present disclosure relates to a providing a lighting fixture that has an actual light emitting surface (A-LES), which is substantially smaller than the maximum potential LES (M-LES) for the lighting fixture. The M-LES is defined as the theoretical maximum LES for the mounting structure of the lighting fixture, and the A-LES is defined as the actual LES of the lighting fixture, as dictated by the lens or optical structures of the lighting fixture. The A-LES may provide an LES that is not only smaller, but also shaped differently, from the M-LES, to help control the light output of the lighting fixture based on the lighting application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Randolph, John R. Rowlette, JR., Craig Thomas Curtis
  • Publication number: 20130323500
    Abstract: A surface coated with a coating composition to form a coated surface is described. The coating composition includes a coating matrix and a quantity of flaked borosilicate glass. Upon exposure of the coated surface to sunlight or heat, the quantity of flaked borosilicate glass in the coating composition is effective such that the coated surface exhibits a cooler temperature than a temperature of a comparable uncoated surface, similarly exposed to sunlight or heat, but that does not comprise the coating composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Terrance McInerney, Thomas Curtis
  • Publication number: 20080046494
    Abstract: Digital signal-processing structure and methodology which feature a time-slice-based digital fabricating engine, and software operating structure operatively associated with that engine structured to operate the engine in a time-slice-based fabrication mode wherein the engine, in a time-differentiated and instantiating manner, functions to fabricate a time-succession of individual, composite wave digital filters. Each of these filters takes the form of (1) a concatenated assembly including one to a plurality of upstream, early-stage, decimate-by-two, signal-processing agencies connected in a cascade series arrangement, with each such agency possessing a first transfer function having a first transition bandwidth, and (2) a single, downstream, later-stage, decimate-by-two, signal-processing agency which possesses a second transfer function having a transition bandwidth which is less than the mentioned first transition bandwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Curtis, Steven Sidman
  • Patent number: 7226257
    Abstract: A router bit with a position stop is disclosed. The router bit includes a body with a collar extending outwardly from it and a shaft extending outwardly from the collar. At least one cutter blade is mounted to the body and the cutter blade may be used to cut a profile into a workpiece. The collar has a first diameter, the shaft has a second diameter and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The collar has a face formed a spaced distance or height from the transition point between the collar and the body. The face rests against the upper surface of a chuck when the shaft is secured in the chuck. This allows the body and hence the cutter blades to be held a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the chuck. A second router bit may be provided to cut a complimentary second profile in a second workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Lowder, Thomas Curtis Parker, Robert William Yeager, Russell Eugene Cook
  • Patent number: 7044694
    Abstract: A router bit with a position stop is disclosed. The router bit includes a body with a collar extending outwardly from it and a shaft extending outwardly from the collar. At least one cutter blade is mounted to the body and the cutter blade may be used to cut a profile into a workpiece. The collar has a first diameter, the shaft has a second diameter and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The collar has a face formed a spaced distance or height from the transition point between the collar and the body. The face rests against the upper surface of a chuck when the shaft is secured in the chuck. This allows the body and hence the cutter blades to be held a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the chuck. A second router bit may be provided to cut a complimentary second profile in a second workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Lowder, Thomas Curtis Parker, Robert William Yeager, Russell Eugene Cook
  • Publication number: 20060044789
    Abstract: A post top receptacle adapter is described. The post top receptacle adapter fits on a light pole between the pole and a light source. The adapter can include a fuse assembly to protect for overcurrent. Additionally, the adapter can include a sensor system. A switch can also be implemented on the adapter to allow switching on or off the power to the light fixture and the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: The Southern Company, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Curtis
  • Publication number: 20050055756
    Abstract: A toilet seat reminder device installed on a toilet. The reminder device consists of an extension member attached to the toilet seat in a location that blocks access to the toilet flush handle when the toilet seat is in the raised position. The extension member may also be installed on the toilet lid. The extension member is readily attached to the toilet seat with a pressure sensitive adhesive or by a clip engaging the seat. The extension member may be made of foam, plastic or rubber and may be formed into an attractive shape to catch the interest of the target male audience. The extension member is also scented to provide an additional fragrance in the bathroom. A warning graphic is applied to the bottom surface of the extension member and is visible only when the toilet seat is raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Curtis