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: 20050006586
    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 of
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Patent number: 6841782
    Abstract: A method of producing a nuclear medicine image of a subject comprising the steps of acquiring nuclear image data suitable to produce a nuclear tomographic image, the data being acquired by at least one gamma camera head (12, 14) rotating about the subject at an average first rate, acquiring x-ray imaging data suitable to produce an x-ray tomographic image for attenuation correction of the gamma camera image, the data being acquired by an array of detectors (20) irradiated by an x-ray source (18) rotating around the subject at an average second rate which is within a factor of 10 of the first rate, and reconstructing an attenuation corrected nuclear medicine image utilizing the nuclear imaging data and x-ray imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Balan, Yigal Shrem, Albert Lonn, Benny Hajaj, Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Gideon Berlad, Leonid Yakubovsky
  • Publication number: 20040243657
    Abstract: An integrated VMM (vector-matrix multiplier) module, including an electro-optical VMM component that multiplies an input vector by a matrix to produce an output vector; and an electronic VPU (vector processing unit) that processes at least one of the input and output vectors. Various error reducing mechanisms are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Avner Goren, Aviram Sariel, Shimon Levit, Yosefa Asaf, Sergio Liberman, Benzion Sender, Tzvi Tzelnick, Yaron Hefetz, Eyal Moses, Vered Machal
  • Patent number: 6794653
    Abstract: A nuclear imaging system for imaging of the breast including at least one gamma camera, having a radiation detecting surface, which detects gamma radiation and provides data signals responsive to radiation from the breast and a collimator, positioned over the reception surface. The system includes a gantry on which the radiation detector is mounted and which provides rotational movement of the radiation detection surface around the axis of the breast and a computer which receives and analyzes the data signals and constructs an image of radiation sources therefrom. The radiation detection surface of the at least one gamma camera is tilted with respect to the axis during rotation of the at least one gamma camera about the axis, such that it is partially facing the chest of a study subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20040178348
    Abstract: A gamma camera comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Aharon Amrami, Amir Pansky
  • Publication number: 20040159791
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating images of a body responsive to photons emitted from one or more radionuclides in the body, comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6754519
    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: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Benny Hajaj, Hernan Altman, Sergio Steinfeld
  • Patent number: 6740885
    Abstract: A multilayer pixelated detector comprising a plurality of strip array detectors each said strip array detector including a rectangular semiconductor crystal having first and second relatively large parallel planar face surfaces having edges and a thickness; a cathode electrode covering substantially all of said first face surface; and an anode electrode comprising a plurality of anode strip pixels, wherein an anode strip pixel comprises a rectangular electrode having a length and a width. A long dimension of each of said anode strip pixels is parallel to a same edge of said second face surface, the pixelated detectors have contiguous face surfaces and wherein edges of contiguous face surfaces are aligned and wherein anode strip pixels of all pixelated detectors are parallel and electrodes on contiguous surfaces of pixelated detectors are identical and overlap substantially completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Aharon Amrami, Amir Pansky
  • Publication number: 20040075058
    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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Ira Blevis, Leonid Tsukerman, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6696686
    Abstract: A system, for the nuclear imaging of the breast, comprising: at least one gamma camera, of a size appropriate for the scanning of a breast, having a radiation detecting surface, which detects gamma radiation and provides data signals responsive to radiation from the breast; a collimator, positioned over the reception surface; a gantry on which the radiation detector is mounted and which provides rotational movement of the radiation detection surface around the axis of the breast; and a computer which receives and analyzes the data signals and constructs an image of radiation sources therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20040026624
    Abstract: A multilayer pixelated detector comprising a plurality of strip array detectors each said strip array detector including a rectangular semiconductor crystal having first and second relatively large parallel planar face surfaces having edges and a thickness; a cathode electrode covering substantially all of said first face surface; and an anode electrode comprising a plurality of anode strip pixels, wherein an anode strip pixel comprises a rectangular electrode having a length and a width. A long dimension of each of said anode strip pixels is parallel to a same edge of said second face surface, the pixelated detectors have contiguous face surfaces and wherein edges of contiguous face surfaces are aligned and wherein anode strip pixels of all pixelated detectors are parallel and electrodes on contiguous surfaces of pixelated detectors are identical and overlap substantially completely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Aharon Amrami, Amir Pansky
  • Publication number: 20030197127
    Abstract: A system, for the nuclear imaging of the breast, comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: ELGEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20030176164
    Abstract: A headset for protecting a user of audio equipment from radiation emitted by the equipment, and a method therefore, the headset including: (a) at least one earphone; (b) a cord operatively connected at a first end to the earphone, and operatively connected at a second end to the audio device, and (c) a radio-frequency (RF) wave attentuating device, the RF wave attenuating device disposed so as to reduce the radiation emitted via the audio device to the sensitive organ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6621084
    Abstract: A pixelated detector for detecting photons is provided comprising: a semiconductor crystal; a cathode electrode on a first surface of the crystal; an anode comprising a plurality of anode pixel electrodes on a second surface of the crystal; and a signal generator that receives signals from at least one electrode of the electrodes. When a photon is incident on the detector the signal generator generates a timing signal responsive to signals induced on the at least one electrode by electrons and holes produced by the incident photon and the at least one electrode has a size larger than the size of a single anode pixel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Yaron Hefetz, Aharon Amrami, Amir Pansky
  • Publication number: 20020164108
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: David Mendlovic, Shay Levavi, Naim Konforth, Aviram Sariel, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6388258
    Abstract: A gamma camera for imaging radiation emitted from or transmitted by an object including a gamma camera head having a front input surface which produces signals, when a photon associated with the radiation is detected by the head, indicative of the position of the position of the detection on the input surface and at a given resolution in the absence of dithering of the head; and a dithering system which differentially translates the detector head or the object in at least one direction parallel to the input surface so that the dithering system translates the detector head or the object by an amount at least equal to the given resolution but less than 50 times the given resolution during acquisition of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: GE. Medical Systems Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Gideon Berlad, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 6369391
    Abstract: A scintillator, having two faces, for use in medical diagnostic imaging devices, said devices including a plurality of light sensors for converting light generated in said scintillators to electrical signals, processors for converting the electrical signals to images and a monitor for displaying the images, said scintillator including a two dimensional distribution of intrinsic light controllers, said controllers changing the light distribution among the sensors to achieve a desired distribution wherein the light controllers focus the light such that the spread of light to detectors is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Elgems Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Naor Wainer, Amir Pansky
  • Patent number: 6271524
    Abstract: A gamma ray collimator assembly comprising a first portion and a second collimator portion, the first and second portions having different gamma ray acceptance angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Elgems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naor Wainer, Gideon Berlad, Yaron Hefetz, Dov Maor, Israel Ohana, Natan Hermony
  • Patent number: 6242745
    Abstract: A gamma camera head including: a plurality of signal sources, each associated with a pixel position, the source producing a signal when a gamma ray absorption event occurs at or sufficiently close to its associated pixel, wherein the plurality of signal sources is associated with a contiguous extent of pixels; and a plurality of electronic circuits, each of which receives signals from at least two of the plurality of signal sources, wherein each circuit receives the signals only from sources associated with non-contiguous pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Gideon Berlad, Yaron Hefetz