30 patents
Utility
Thermoacoustic measurement probe
19 Dec 23
A thermoacoustic measurement probe includes an open-ended hollow radio-frequency (RF) waveguide; at least two RF feeds positioned within the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, wherein each RF feed is configured to provide RF energy; and a thermoacoustic transducer, wherein the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, in the form of a sleeve, surrounds and is mechanically joined to the thermoacoustic transducer.
Christopher Nelson Davis, Paolo Maccarini, Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 3 Apr 23
Utility
Thermoacoustic probe
28 Nov 23
A thermoacoustic probe for a thermoacoustic imaging system, the probe including: a radio-frequency (RF) applicator having an insert, wherein the applicator is configured to transmit at least one radio frequency source; an integral electromagnetic matching and acoustic extinction layer having a substantially flat-planar side and a substantially convex side, wherein the substantially flat-planar side of the integral electromagnetic matching and acoustic extinction layer is coupled to the insert of the RF applicator; and an optical transducer coupled to the substantially convex side of the integral electromagnetic matching and acoustic extinction layer.
Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 14 Jul 23
Utility
Thermoacoustic probe
7 Nov 23
A thermoacoustic probe for a thermoacoustic imaging system, the probe including: a radio-frequency (RF) applicator having an insert, wherein the applicator is configured to transmit at least one radio frequency source; an electromagnetic matching layer coupled to the insert of the RF applicator; an optical transducer that is coupled to the electromagnetic matching layer; and an acoustic matching layer that is coupled to the optical transducer.
Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 14 Jul 23
Utility
Radio frequency applicator for a thermoacoustic imaging system
22 Aug 23
A radio frequency applicator for a thermoacoustic imaging system is disclosed.
Jordan Sengenberger, Christopher Nelson Davis, Christopher Bull, Charlton Chen, Jang Hwan Cho, Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 14 Jul 22
Utility
Thermoacoustic measurement probe
4 Apr 23
A thermoacoustic measurement probe may include an open-ended hollow radio-frequency (RF) waveguide; and a thermoacoustic transducer, wherein the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, in the form of a sleeve, surrounds and is mechanically joined to the thermoacoustic transducer.
Christopher Nelson Davis, Paolo Maccarini, Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 16 Sep 22
Utility
Methods and systems for exchange of equipment performance data
7 Feb 23
A method for exchange of equipment performance data includes the steps of: obtaining performance data of a communicatively-insulated device; converting the performance data into a scannable code; capturing an image of the scannable code; decoding the scannable code using a communicatively-enabled device to extract an address string encoded in the scannable code, the address string comprising an address of a remote server and the performance data; initiating, by the communicatively-enabled device, a communications link with the remote server using the address string thereby to provide the performance data to the remote server; performing, by the remote server, analytics on the performance data; and sending historic device performance data and/or analytical results to a remote computing device and/or sending a link to the historic device performance data and/or analytical results to the remote computing device; wherein the communicatively-insulated device is medical imaging equipment and wherein obtaining the performance data comprises scanning a phantom using the medical imaging equipment and/or acquiring medical imaging equipment sensor data and generating a system status report identifying one or more operational parameters of the medical imaging equipment.
Jeremy Gill, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 11 Jul 22
Utility
Methods and systems for exchange of equipment performance data
7 Feb 23
A method for exchange of equipment performance data includes the steps of: obtaining performance data of a communicatively-insulated device; converting the performance data into a scannable code; capturing an image of the scannable code; decoding the scannable code using a communicatively-enabled device to extract an address string encoded in the scannable code, the address string comprising an address of a remote server and the performance data; initiating, by the communicatively-enabled device, a communications link with the remote server using the address string thereby to provide the performance data to the remote server; performing, by the remote server, analytics on the performance data; and sending historic device performance data and/or analytical results to a remote computing device and/or sending a link to the historic device performance data and/or analytical results to the remote computing device; wherein the communicatively-insulated device is packaging equipment and wherein obtaining the performance data comprises: running a calibration phantom through the packaging equipment; scanning the calibration phantom with a calibration unit; and using the calibration unit to generate a system status report identifying one or more operational parameters of the packaging equipment.
Jeremy Gill, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 11 Jul 22
Utility
System for monitoring tissue temperature
25 Oct 22
A system utilizing thermoacoustic imaging to estimate tissue temperature within a region of interest that includes an object of interest and a reference which are separated by at least one boundary located at least at two boundary locations.
Jang Hwan Cho, Paul A. Picot, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 14 Apr 20
Utility
Method for manufacturing a radio frequency applicator
27 Sep 22
A method for manufacturing a radio frequency (RF) applicator which includes covering a ceramic insert with a coating, wherein the ceramic insert has dimensions that substantially match an internal volume of an open-ended, hollow waveguide, and wherein the ceramic insert has a recess therein configured to accept a radio frequency emitter, heating the waveguide to a temperature that is above a melting point of the coating, placing the coated ceramic insert into the internal volume of the heated waveguide, wherein the internal volume is completely filled except for the recess, and cooling the waveguide, ceramic insert, and coating to a temperature below the melting point of the coating so that the coating solidifies and fills gaps between facing surfaces of the insert and the waveguide.
Christopher Nelson Davis, Charlton Chen, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 8 Jun 20
Utility
Methods and systems for exchange of equipment performance data
2 Aug 22
A method for exchange of equipment performance data includes the steps of: obtaining performance data of a communicatively-insulated device; converting the performance data into a scannable code; capturing an image of the scannable code; decoding the scannable code using a communicatively-enabled device to extract an address string encoded in the scannable code, the address string comprising an address of a remote server and the performance data; and initiating, by the communicatively-enabled device, a communications link with the remote server using the address string thereby to provide the performance data to the remote server.
Jeremy Gill, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 24 Feb 22
Utility
Methods and systems for exchange of equipment performance data
19 Jul 22
A method for an exchange of equipment performance data including the steps of: obtaining performance data of a device not having internet connectivity; converting the performance data into a scannable code; capturing an image of the scannable code; decoding the scannable code using a computing device to extract an address string encoded in the scannable code, the address string comprising an address of a remote server and the performance data; initiating, by the computing device, an internet connection with the remote server using the address string thereby to provide the performance data to the remote server; performing, by the remote server, analytics on the device performance data; and sending historic device performance data and/or analytical results to a remote computing device and/or sending a link to the historic device performance data and/or analytical results to the remote computing device; wherein the device is packaging equipment and wherein obtaining the performance data comprises: running a calibration phantom through the packaging equipment; scanning the calibration phantom with a calibration unit; and using the calibration unit to generate a system status report identifying one or more operational parameters of the packaging equipment.
Jeremy Gill, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 25 Mar 22
Utility
Methods and systems for exchange of equipment performance data
5 Jul 22
A method for an exchange of equipment performance data including the steps of: obtaining performance data of a device not having internet connectivity; converting the performance data into a scannable code; capturing an image of the scannable code; decoding the scannable code using a computing device to extract an address string encoded in the scannable code, the address string comprising an address of a remote server and the performance data; initiating, by the computing device, an internet connection with the remote server using the address string thereby to provide the performance data to the remote server; performing, by the remote server, analytics on the device performance data; and sending historic device performance data and/or analytical results to a remote computing device and/or sending a link to the historic device performance data and/or analytical results to the remote computing device; wherein the device is medical imaging equipment and wherein obtaining the performance data comprises scanning a phantom using the medical imaging equipment and generating a system status report identifying one or more operational parameters of the medical imaging equipment.
Jeremy Gill, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 25 Mar 22
Utility
Acoustically compatible radio-frequency applicator method and system
24 May 22
A method and system for optimizing RF energy delivery to a tissue ROI with a thermoacoustic system includes directing with a RF applicator, RF energy pulses into the tissue ROI having an object of interest and a reference separated by a boundary; detecting with a thermoacoustic transducer, a multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the multi-polar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; detecting with the thermoacoustic transducer, an artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at a location other than the boundary and processing it to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; utilizing an electromagnetic model coupled with a model of patient anatomy to place dielectric or conducting materials near the thermoacoustic transducer or the RF applicator to optimize a signal-to-noise ratio of the multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary or minimize the artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at a location other than the boundary; and directing with the RF applicator, RF energy pulses into the ROI for a thermoacoustic measurement and determine a parameter of the object of interest.
Amanda Margaret Barnes, Christopher Nelson Davis, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 12 Feb 20
Utility
Methods and systems for exchange of equipment performance data
26 Apr 22
A method for an exchange of equipment performance data including the steps of: obtaining performance data of a device not having Internet connectivity; converting the performance data into a scannable code; capturing an image of the scannable code; decoding the scannable code using a computing device to extract an address string encoded in the scannable code, the address string comprising an address of a remote server and the performance data; and initiating, by the computing device, an Internet connection with the remote server using the address string thereby to provide the performance data to the remote server.
Jeremy Gill, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 18 Oct 21
Utility
Method and system for enhancing RF energy delivery during thermoacoustic imaging
19 Apr 22
A method and system for enhancing radio frequency energy delivery to a tissue region of interest.
Christopher Nelson Davis, Jang Hwan Cho, Paul A. Picot, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 7 Nov 18
Utility
Method and system for determining a material type of an object of interest
8 Mar 22
A method for determining a material type of an object of interest comprises: directing, using a radio frequency (RF) source, RF energy into a region of interest, the region of interest comprising the object of interest, a known reference and a boundary between the object of interest and the known reference; detecting, using an acoustic receiver, at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal generated in response to the RF energy; correlating, by one or more processors, the at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal to a transmitted power correction factor to generate a corrected thermoacoustic multi-polar signal; and determining, by the one or more processors, the material type of the object of interest as a function of the corrected thermoacoustic multi-polar signal and a transmitted power of the RF energy.
Jang Hwan Cho
Filed: 1 Oct 19
Utility
Thermoacoustic transducer with integrated switch
16 Nov 21
A thermoacoustic transducer integrating at least one piezoelectric element having a first surface and a second surface, a potential electrode that is electrically connected to the second surface, a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the first surface, a switch electrically connected to both the potential electrode and the ground electrode, a timer configured to match a pulse emanating from a radio-frequency emitter, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are electrically connected through an impedance when the switch is in an active state, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are not electrically connected when the switch is in an inactive state; and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element, potential electrode, ground electrode, and switch.
Zackary Marc Mumm, Christopher Nelson Davis, Michael M. Thornton, Jang Hwan Cho
Filed: 14 Apr 21
Utility
Tissue-mimicking material for a multi-modality imaging phantom
16 Nov 21
A multi-modality fatty tissue mimicking material for phantoms for use with thermoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging, which includes: an aqueous mixture of a 3% to 18% thickening agent, a 1% to 30% protein powder, a 0.1% to 2% ionic salt, a 30% to 85% water, and a 0% to 60% oil by weight, wherein the oil percentage corresponds to the fat percentage in tissue, further wherein the ionic salt percentage corresponds to an imaginary part of complex permittivity in tissue, and further wherein the water, oil and protein powder percentages correspond to the real part of complex permittivity in tissue.
Charlton Chen, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 21 May 21
Utility
Method and system for monitoring tissue temperature
12 Oct 21
A thermoacoustic imaging system and method for monitoring tissue temperature within a region of interest, which has an object of interest and a reference that are separated by at least one boundary.
Jang Hwan Cho, Paul A. Picot, Michael M. Thornton
Filed: 27 Dec 18
Utility
Method and system for determining a parameter of a material of interest
20 Jul 21
A method for determining a parameter of a material of interest which includes: directing, using a radio frequency (RF) source, RF energy into a region of interest, the region of interest comprising the material, a known reference and a boundary between the material and the known reference; detecting, using an acoustic receiver, at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal generated in response to the RF energy; and determining, by the one or more processors, a parameter of the material as a function of the at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal and a transmitted power correction factor, wherein the transmitted power correction factor is based on an estimated thickness of the known reference and an attenuation coefficient of the known reference.
Jang Hwan Cho
Filed: 3 Oct 19