Hampton University Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150216491 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION DISTRIBUTION MAPPING - An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurement of radiation in therapy, diagnostcs, and related applications accomplished through scintillating fiber detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during radiotherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source, or providing feedback of sensed radiation. Another option is to place the fibers into a positioning device such as a balloon, or otherwise in the field of the radiation delivery. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers and comparative measurement between fibers can be used for more extensive dose mapping. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages as determined by the fiber detectors. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials. | 08-06-2015 |
20150073200 | HADRON TREATMENT PLANNING WITH ADEQUATE BIOLOGICAL WEIGHTING - Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region. | 03-12-2015 |
20140336442 | HADRON TREATMENT PLANNING WITH ADEQUATE BIOLOGICAL WEIGHTING - Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region. | 11-13-2014 |
20140334603 | OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS - The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion. | 11-13-2014 |
20140107395 | HADRON TREATMENT PLANNING WITH ADEQUATE BIOLOGICAL WEIGHTING - Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region. | 04-17-2014 |
20140018675 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION DISTRIBUTION MAPPING - An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurement of radiation in therapy, diagnostcs, and related applications accomplished through scintillating fiber detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during radiotherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source, or providing feedback of sensed radiation. Another option is to place the fibers into a positioning device such as a balloon, or otherwise in the field of the radiation delivery. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers and comparative measurement between fibers can be used for more extensive dose mapping. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages as determined by the fiber detectors. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials. | 01-16-2014 |
20140012062 | HADRON TREATMENT PLANNING WITH ADEQUATE BIOLOGICAL WEIGHTING - Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region. | 01-09-2014 |
20130034202 | OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS - The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion. | 02-07-2013 |
20120219112 | OPPOSED VIEW AND DUAL HEAD DETECTOR APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND BIOPSY WITH IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion. | 08-30-2012 |
20110284757 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING PROMPT GAMMA AND OTHER BEAM-INDUCED RADIATION DURING HADRON THERAPY TREATMENTS FOR DOSE AND RANGE VERIFICATION PURPOSES USING IONIZATION RADIATION DETECTION - An apparatus, method and system for measurement of radiation during or directly following hadron therapy treatment for dose and range verification purposes accomplished through measurement of prompt gamma and other beam-induced radiation. One example includes the measurement of secondary prompt gamma radiation during proton and carbon ion beam irradiation. The measurement can also be made of other beam-induced radiation results. The measurement of gamma radiation or other beam-induced radiation allows for optimization of radiation dose disposition to the target tissue, with improved sparing of surrounding critical structures and normal tissue. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. | 11-24-2011 |
20110269852 | METHODS AND MECHANISMS INVOLVING HYPERPIGMENTATION PARTICULARLY FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN SKIN - Sets of genes are identified that show modulated activity in hyperpigmented sun-exposed (HE) and non-hyperpigmented sun-exposed (NHE) skin, when compared to non-hyperpigmented non-exposed (NHNE) skin. The modulated sets of genes reveal important information about the genetic changes that take place in skin as a result of environmental exposure and damage. The modulated sets of genes may be used to fabricate custom DNA microarrays for evaluating patients with skin diseases or disorders. The microarrays may also be used to screen new substances for treating skin diseases and disorders. The modulated gene sets, and substances that target them, may also be used to develop therapies for individuals who suffer from hypopigmentation, such as those with Fitzpatrick type I skin or vitiligo. | 11-03-2011 |