Patents by Inventor Yaron Hefetz

Yaron Hefetz 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: 20070088247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for thermally ablating uterine fibroids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a conduit having a plurality of channels for delivering a plurality of thermal ablation probes to an organic target such as a uterine fibroid, the probes being delivered in such configuration and orientation as to enable efficient and thorough ablation of the fibroid. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit is formed as a sleeve having a large central lumen sized to accommodate a hysteroscope, channels sized to accommodate cryoprobes are used as thermal ablation probes, and comprises thermal insulation materials serving to protect the cervix from damage by cold. The present invention further relates to bent cryoprobes usable in conjunction with such a conduit and designed to exit therefrom in a desired configuration useful for ablating a large fibroid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Galil Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Mordechai Bliweis, Nir Berzak, Shimon Livneh, Yaron Hefetz, Yaron Tal, Roni Zvuloni
  • Patent number: 7194062
    Abstract: A method of mounting a CT imager on a gantry: determining a center of rotation of a rotor of the gantry; siting a plurality of mounting elements at predetermined positions with respect to the center of rotation; and attaching the mounting elements to the rotor while keeping the mounting elements at the predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Publication number: 20070050908
    Abstract: Methods and systems for patient positioning in an imaging system are provided. A palette for an imaging system is provided that includes a base portion movably connected to the imaging system and an extender portion removably connected to the base portion. The extender portion together with the base portion supports an object to be imaged by the imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Kogan, Alexander Vaisburd, Danny Hausner, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20070023669
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing and acquiring radiation data comprises sensing radiation events with a multi-modality detector. The detector comprises solid state crystals forming a matrix of pixels which may be arranged in rows and columns, and has a radiation detection field for sensing radiation events. The radiation events for each pixel are counted by an electronic module attached to each pixel. The electronic module comprises a threshold analyzer for analyzing the radiation events. The threshold analyzer identifies valid events by comparing an energy level associated with the radiation event to a predetermined threshold. The electronic module further comprises at least a first counter for counting the valid events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Hernan Altman
  • Publication number: 20060276706
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a medical imaging system are provided. The medical imaging system includes an input circuit configured to receive a voltage level signal indicative of a stream of pulses, a voltage level signal shape analyzer configured to determine shape characteristics of the received voltage level signal and an amount of time that the received voltage level signal matches a predetermined shape, and a counting circuit configured to determine a true number of pulses from the shape characteristics and the amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Ytzhak Klein, Yaron Hefetz, Alexander Fishler, Michael Wilk
  • Publication number: 20060241408
    Abstract: An apparatus for examining a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate, at least one top rail slideably coupled to said top plate, said top plate selectively positionable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position along an examination axis, a support member coupled to said at least one top rail, said support member configured to selectively change a position of said top plate along an axis perpendicular to said examination axis, said support member comprises at least one guide pin slideably coupled to said at least one rail during movement of said support member,.said guide pin configured to retain said support member to said at least one top rail when said top rail is moved between a first modality position and a second modality position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Leonid Yakubovsky, Alexander Vaisburd, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20060214108
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine camera having an X-ray imaging capability. The camera comprises at least one gamma camera mounted on a gantry and an X-ray CT imager mounted on the same gantry. The at least one gamma camera and the X-ray imager are capable of simultaneously rotating about a common axis at different rotation rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Publication number: 20060202650
    Abstract: Methods and systems for medical imaging are provided. The system includes a gantry assembly having a stator, a first rotor rotatably coupled to the stator, the first rotor configured to rotate about an examination axis at a first rotational speed, and a second rotor rotatably coupled to at least one of the stator and the first rotor, the second rotor configured to rotate about the examination axis at the first and a second rotational speed, the second rotational speed being greater than the first rotational speed, the first and second rotors configured to be locked in position with respect to each other during rotation at the first rotational speed, the first rotor configured to be locked in position with respect to the stator during rotation of the second rotor at the second rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Danny Hausner, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 7102138
    Abstract: A hand gamma camera system for generating an image of a gamma radiation source, the camera including a housing designed to be hand held, a gamma radiation image detector mounted on or in the housing that generates detection data responsive to radiation data from a gamma source incident on the radiation detector, a controller connected to the radiation detector that receives the detection data and generates image data and a display mounted on or in the housing that receives the image data from the controller and generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Ira Belvis, Leonid Tsukerman, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 7087903
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine camera having an X-ray imaging capability, comprising: a gantry having a stationary portion and at least one rotating portion; at least one gamma camera mounted on a said at least one rotating portion and capable of being rotated together at a common first rotation rate about an axis, said at least one gamma camera being capable of acquiring nuclear imaging data for reconstructing a tomographic nuclear image; and an X-ray CT imager having an X-ray source mounted on said at least one rotating portion and being capable of acquiring X-ray imaging data for reconstructing an X-ray image; said X-ray CT imager being mounted closer to said stationary portion than said at least one gamma camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Publication number: 20060118730
    Abstract: A method of detecting ionizing radiation is provided. The method includes pixelating a semiconductor substrate such that each pixel comprises a central region and a region of variable response, substantially blocking the ionizing radiation from reaching the region of variable response, and receiving the ionizing radiation with the central region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Joshua Liss, Amir Pansky, Ira Blevis
  • Publication number: 20060050839
    Abstract: A method of mounting a CT imager on a gantry: determining a center of rotation of a rotor of the gantry; siting a plurality of mounting elements at predetermined positions with respect to the center of rotation; and attaching the mounting elements to the rotor while keeping the mounting elements at the predetermined positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Patent number: 7009183
    Abstract: A gamma camera comprising: a plurality of pixelated detectors wherein each pixelated detector provides a detector signal responsive to photons that are incident on it; a plurality of processing circuits that receive said detector signals and provide processed signals responsive to said detector signals; and at least one printed circuit board on which said processing circuits are mounted and having conductors thereon that carry said detector signals to said processing circuits; wherein said processing circuits are mounted on said printed circuit board at locations remote from said detectors; and wherein said plurality of pixelated detectors form a two-dimensional planar array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Aharon Amrami, Amir Pansky
  • Publication number: 20050218331
    Abstract: A hand gamma camera system for generating an image of a gamma radiation source, the camera comprising a housing designed to be hand held, a gamma radiation image detector mounted on or in the housing that generates detection data responsive to radiation data from a gamma source incident on the radiation detector, a controller connected to the radiation detector that receives the detection data and generates image data and a display mounted on or in the housing that receives the image data from the controller and generates an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Ira Blevis, Leonid Tsukerman, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6941164
    Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including a plurality of imaging systems, and at least one rail upon which at least one of the imaging systems is slidingly mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Benny Hajaj, Hernan Altman, Sergio Steinfeld, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20050161606
    Abstract: A method of producing a nuclear medicine image of a subject, comprising: acquiring nuclear imaging data suitable to produce a nuclear tomographic image, said nuclear image data being acquired by a gamma camera head rotating about the subject; acquiring X-ray imaging data suitable to produce an X-ray tomographic image for attenuation correction of the gamma camera image, said X-ray imaging data being acquired by detectors irradiated by an X-ray source rotating around the subject; reducing the sensitivity of gamma camera head while the X-rays are produced; and reconstructing an attenuation corrected nuclear medicine image utilizing the nuclear imaging data and X-ray imaging data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Publication number: 20050127301
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine camera having an X-ray imaging capability, comprising: a gantry having a stationary portion and at least one rotating portion; at least one gamma camera mounted on a said at least one rotating portion and capable of being rotated together at a common first rotation rate about an axis, said at least one gamma camera being capable of acquiring nuclear imaging data for reconstructing a tomographic nuclear image; and an X-ray CT imager having an X-ray source mounted on said at least one rotating portion and being capable of acquiring X-ray imaging data for reconstructing an X-ray image; said X-ray CT imager being mounted closer to said stationary portion than said at least one gamma camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Patent number: 6906330
    Abstract: A hand gamma camera system for generating an image of a gamma radiation source, said camera comprising a housing designed to be hand held, a gamma radiation image detector mounted on or in said housing that generates detection data responsive to radiation data from a gamma source incident on said radiation detector, a controller connected to said radiation detector that receives said detection data and generates image data and a display mounted on or in said housing that receives said image data from said controller and generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Ira Blevis, Leonid Tsukerman, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6894827
    Abstract: An optical signal processor for transforming a first vector into a second vector comprising: a plurality of linear light sources each of which provides light having an intensity responsive to a different component of the first vector, a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of modulation zones each of which zones receives light from substantially only one of the light sources and transmits light in proportion to a transmittance that characterizes the modulation zone; and at least one light detector for each component of the second vector that receives light transmitted from a plurality of modulation zones, each of which is illuminated by light from a different light source, and generates a signal responsive to the received light that represents a component of the second vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Lenslet Ltd.
    Inventors: David Mendlovic, Shay Levavi, Naim Konforti, Aviram Sariel, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6878941
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing attenuation corrected nuclear medicine images of patients, comprising: at least one gamma camera head that acquires nuclear image data suitable to produce a nuclear tomographic image at a first controllable rotation rate about an axis; at least one X-ray CT imager that acquires X-ray data suitable to produce an attenuation image for correction of the nuclear tomographic image at a second controllable rotation rate about the axis; and a controller that controls the data acquisition and first and second rotation rates to selectively provide at least one of the following modes of operation: (i) a movement gated NM imaging mode in which the second rotation rate is substantially higher than the first rotation rate and the data from each view of the X-ray acquisition is associated with one of a plurality of respiration gated time periods; (ii) a cardiac gated NM imaging mode in which the second rotation rate is substantially higher than the first rotation rate and the data from each view
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky