Jefferson Science Associates, LLC

Southeastern Universities Research Assn., Inc.

Southeastern University Research Assn., Inc.

Southeastern Universities Res. Assn, Inc.

Jefferson Solence Ass. LLC

Andrew G Weisenberger

Stanislaw Majewski

Brian J Kross

John E McKisson

Wenze Xi

Carl Zorn

James Proffitt

Randolph Frank Wojcik

Mark Frederick Smith

Daniel J Macey

Michael J Paulus

Seung Joon Lee

Rongli Geng

Hai Dong

Alexander V Stolin

Chris Cuevas

John E (Jack) McKisson

Carl Zom

John (Jack) E McKisson

David Gilland

Aleksandr Stolin

Steven W Falen

Richard A Hoefer

Shaun S Gleason

Jack McKisson

Gregory M Bonito

Javier Gomez

Ben Welch

Chantal D Reid

Daniela Steinbach

A nuclear imaging system and method for performing three-dimensional imaging of anatomical structures. The system and method includes two or more gamma ray detectors each used in combination with a variable-slant hole collimator. The detectors are positioned in close proximity to, or in contact with, the structure being imaged. The detectors remain in a stationary position during the data collection process. An imaging or reconstruction method is then used to reconstruct a three-dimensional image from the data derived from the detectors.

Method and apparatus to obtain limited angle tomographic images from stationary gamma cameras

A reflective laser-based particle detector for detecting contamination particles moving through a vacuum. Laser light is directed through a vacuum access window in the containment vessel and toward a reflective surface on an inner surface opposite the window. A photonic detector is positioned to monitor reflected laser from the opposite inner surface inside the vessel and is capable of detecting perturbations of the reflected light. The system makes use of optical interferometry techniques embodied as a photonic integrated circuit to detect the particles. The reflective laser-based system can be placed entirely outside the vacuum thereby avoiding the need for breaking the vacuum environment to check for accumulation of contaminant particles.

Reflective laser-based particle detector

A radiation monitor apparatus and method based on wavelength-dependent optical absorption in fused silica optical fibers. The radiation monitor uses the radiation induced optical changes in fused silica optical fibers as a way to quantify and differentiate the large doses of radiation from high energy photons and neutrons as well as providing a method to extend the sensitivity over a large dynamic range of doses from 103 to beyond 106 rads. The radiation monitor enables dynamic monitoring of highly ionizing radiation environments. The radiation monitor reduces sensitivity saturation at high dose levels, provides increased sensitivity over a large dynamic range of doses, and enables differentiation between high energy photon and neutron contributions or poor signal to noise.

Radiation monitor based on wavelength-dependent optical absorption in fused silica optical fibers

A field programmable gate array based multi-channel flash ADC unit combined with a high speed multi-lane data communications channel/Ethernet-like modular intercommunication providing a complete but easily expandable high-speed data acquisition system. This apparatus and method permits high-speed pulse-shape digitalization allowing position resolution imaging of particles having a range of energies and is scalable to achieve the efficient capture of coincident data from large electromagnetic detector arrays.

Method and apparatus to digitize pulse shapes from radiation detectors

A surgical guidance system offering different levels of imaging capability while maintaining the same hand-held convenient small size of light-weight intra-operative probes. The surgical guidance system includes a second detector, typically an imager, located behind the area of surgical interest to form a coincidence guidance system with the hand-held probe. This approach is focused on the detection of positron emitting biomarkers with gamma rays accompanying positron emissions from the radiolabeled nuclei.

Surgical guidance system using hand-held probe with accompanying positron coincidence detector

A radiation detection system comprising a detection grid of wavelength shifting fibers with a volume of scintillating material at the intersecting points of the fibers. Light detectors, preferably Silicon Photomultipliers, are positioned at the ends of the fibers. The position of radiation is determined from data obtained from the detection grid. The system is easily scalable, customizable, and also suitable for use in soil and underground applications. An alternate embodiment employs a fiber grid sheet or layer which is comprised of multiple fibers secured to one another within the same plane. This embodiment further includes shielding in order to prevent radiation cross-talk within the grid layer.

Radiation detector based on a matrix of crossed wavelength-shifting fibers

A method to dynamically image the actual translocation of molecular compounds of interest in a plant root, root system, and rhizosphere without disturbing the root or the soil. The technique makes use of radioactive isotopes as tracers to label molecules of interest and to image their distribution in the plant and/or soil. The method allows for the study and imaging of various biological and biochemical interactions in the rhizosphere of a plant, including, but not limited to, mycorrhizal associations in such regions.

Method and apparatus to image biological interactions in plants

An upconverting device for a scintillation detection system is provided. The detection system comprises a scintillator material, a sensor, a light transmission path between the scintillator material and the sensor, and a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles particles positioned in the light transmission path.

Upconverting nanoparticles for optimizing scintillator based detection systems

An upconverting device for enhanced recognition of selected wavelengths is provided. The device comprises a transparent light transmitter in combination with a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles. The device may a lens in eyewear or alternatively a transparent panel such as a window in an instrument or machine. In use the upconverting device is positioned between a light source and the eye(s) of the user of the upconverting device.

Upconverting device for enhanced recogntion of certain wavelengths of light

A method for in-situ monitoring both the balloon/cavity and the radioactive source in brachytherapy treatment utilizing using at least one pair of miniature gamma cameras to acquire separate images of: 1) the radioactive source as it is moved in the tumor volume during brachytherapy; and 2) a relatively low intensity radiation source produced by either an injected radiopharmaceutical rendering cancerous tissue visible or from a radioactive solution filling a balloon surgically implanted into the cavity formed by the surgical resection of a tumor.

Imaging method for monitoring delivery of high dose rate brachytherapy

A self-aligning collimator for a radiation imaging device that is secured and aligned through the use of a plurality of small magnets. The collimator allows for the rapid exchange, removal, or addition of collimators for the radiation imaging device without the need for tools. The accompanying method discloses the use of magnets and accompanying magnetic fields to align and secure collimators in a radiation imaging assembly.

Collimator with attachment mechanism and system

A mobile compact imaging system that combines both PET imaging and optical imaging into a single system which can be located in the operating room (OR) and provides faster feedback to determine if a tumor has been fully resected and if there are adequate surgical margins. While final confirmation is obtained from the pathology lab, such a device can reduce the total time necessary for the procedure and the number of iterations required to achieve satisfactory resection of a tumor with good margins.

Positron emission tomography and optical tissue imaging

A method and apparatus for real time imaging and monitoring of radiation therapy beams is designed to preferentially distinguish and image low energy radiation from high energy secondary radiation emitted from a target as the result of therapeutic beam deposition. A detector having low sensitivity to high energy photons combined with a collimator designed to dynamically image in the region of the therapeutic beam target is used.

Method and apparatus for real time imaging and monitoring of radiotherapy beams

A novel functional imaging system for use in the imaging of unrestrained and non-anesthetized small animals or other subjects and a method for acquiring such images and further registering them with anatomical X-ray images previously or subsequently acquired. The apparatus comprises a combination of an IR laser profilometry system and gamma, PET and/or SPECT, imaging system, all mounted on a rotating gantry, that permits simultaneous acquisition of positional and orientational information and functional images of an unrestrained subject that are registered, i.e. integrated, using image processing software to produce a functional image of the subject without the use of restraints or anesthesia. The functional image thus obtained can be registered with a previously or subsequently obtained X-ray CT image of the subject. The use of the system described herein permits functional imaging of a subject in an unrestrained/non-anesthetized condition thereby reducing the stress on the subject and eliminating any potential interference with the functional testing that such stress might induce.

Anatomic and functional imaging of tagged molecules in animals

A method and apparatus for the in vivo location and tracking of a radioactive seed source during and after brachytherapy treatment. The method comprises obtaining multiple views of the seed source in a living organism using: 1) a single PSPMT detector that is exposed through a multiplicity of pinholes thereby obtaining a plurality of images from a single angle; 2) a single PSPMT detector that may obtain an image through a single pinhole or a plurality of pinholes from a plurality of angles through movement of the detector; or 3) a plurality of PSPMT detectors that obtain a plurality of views from different angles simultaneously or virtually simultaneously. The plurality of images obtained from these various techniques, through angular displacement of the various acquired images, provide the information required to generate the three dimensional images needed to define the location of the radioactive seed source within the body of the living organism.

Growing community of inventors

Grafton, VA, United States of America

Andrew G Weisenberger