Patents Examined by Anastasia Midkiff
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Patent number: 10692219Abstract: An x-ray imaging system and method for reconstructing three-dimensional images of a region of interest from spatially and temporally overlapping x-rays using novel reconstruction techniques are provided. The x-ray imaging system may include a detector to generate a signal in response to x-rays incident upon the detector, wherein the signal indicates the intensity of the x-rays incident upon a pixel of the detector, a plurality of x-ray sources arranged to emit x-rays such that said x-rays pass through a region of interest (ROI) and spatially and temporally overlap at the pixel of the detector, and a processing unit to receive the signal indicating the intensity of x-rays incident upon the pixel of the detector and generate an estimate of the intensity attributable to each of the two or more x-rays overlapping at the pixel of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Adaptix Ltd.Inventors: Raphael Hauser, Maria Klodt, Gil Travish, Paul Betteridge
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Patent number: 10677937Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation detector, a storage unit, and a transfer unit. The radiation detector detects radiation transmitted through an object. The storage unit stores a radiation image based on the detected radiation. The transfer unit transfers the radiation image to an external information processing apparatus. The storage unit identifiably stores the radiation image to identify whether the radiation image is a radiation image transferred to the external information processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Morita, Toshiya Ishioka, Akehiko Uchiyama
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Patent number: 10667767Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a selectable pre-object filter module, a detector, and a processing unit. The selectable pre-object filter module is configured to absorb radiation from the X-ray source to control distribution of X-rays passed to an object to be imaged. The selectable pre-object filter module has plural pre-object filter configurations providing corresponding X-ray distributions, and is selectable between the plural configurations to provide a selected pre-object filter configuration for a scan of the object. The detector is configured to receive X-rays that have passed through the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Dominic Joseph Crotty, Roy A. Nilsen
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Patent number: 10670740Abstract: The present specification provides a detector for an X-ray imaging system. The detector includes at least one high resolution layer having high resolution wavelength-shifting optical fibers, each fiber occupying a distinct region of the detector, at least one low resolution layer with low resolution regions, and a single segmented multi-channel photo-multiplier tube for coupling signals obtained from the high resolution fibers and the low resolution regions.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Aaron J. Couture, Jeffrey M. Denker
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Patent number: 10660588Abstract: A system for tracking tumors during radiotherapy for interleaving treatment pulses with imaging pulses is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of multisource scanning eBeam X-ray tubes, each having multiple focal spots. The X-ray tubes are configured to emit X-rays in a plurality of different locations on a target by sequentially emitting the X-rays to the focal spots in the different focal spots. This is done such that the X-rays can be emitted to the plurality of different locations without substantially moving the X-ray tube or the target. The system further includes multiple imager panels configured to act as targets and configured to receive the X-rays from the focal spots of the X-ray tube. The system further includes a tomosynthesis reconstruction module configured to process outputs from the imager panels to construct a unified three-dimensional image that takes information from each of the different imager panels.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Imatrex Inc.Inventors: Douglas P. Boyd, Larry Partain, Samuel M. Song, Namho Kim, Roy E. Rand, Junghyun Kwon
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Patent number: 10646193Abstract: A mobile device, a host device, and an X-ray detector are provided. The mobile device includes a first communicator configured to receive identification information of the X-ray detector from the X-ray detector, and a second communicator configured to send the received identification information of the X-ray detector to the host device.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jong Seo Park, Woong Lee
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Patent number: 10638993Abstract: A system and method for a Computed Tomography (CT) process for calculating a dose of radiation to which an object is expected to be exposed when performing a CT scan on the object is disclosed. The CT apparatus includes a scanner that performs a scout scan on the object; an image processor that acquires image data for the shape of the object based on a scout scan image, compares the acquired image data to pre-stored image data, and selects an image data having greater similarity than predetermined similarity to the acquired image data from among the pre-stored image data; and a controller that calculates a dose of radiation to which the object is expected to be exposed, based on a dose of radiation corresponding to the selected at least one image data, and performs a CT scan on the object based on the calculated dose of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seung Man Yun, Rifu Toshihiro
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Patent number: 10636611Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotating anode X-ray tube including a rotating cylinder, a rotating shaft fixed to the inside of the rotating cylinder, an anode fixing body arranged between the rotating cylinder and the rotating shaft, extending in the axial direction, and constituted of one of a magnetic substance member formed of a magnetic substance and a heat-transfer enhancing member heat conductivity of which is higher than surrounding members, ball bearings, and an inner member, connected to the anode fixing body by a connecting member, and constituted of one of the magnetic substance member and the heat-transfer enhancing member, one being different from the member constituting the anode fixing body.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Canon Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidetaka Nakabayashi, Hiroyuki Kumadaki, Hidero Anno
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Patent number: 10610175Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. For one preferred embodiment, an IGRT apparatus is provided comprising a ring gantry having a central opening and a radiation treatment head coupled to the ring gantry that is rotatable around the central opening in at least a 180 degree arc. For one preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a gantry translation mechanism configured to translate the ring gantry in a direction of a longitudinal axis extending through the central opening. Noncoplanar radiation treatment delivery can thereby be achieved without requiring movement of the patient. For another preferred embodiment, an independently translatable 3D imaging device distinct from the ring gantry is provided for further achieving at least one of pre-treatment imaging and setup imaging of the target tissue volume without requiring movement of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: ACCURAY INCORPORATEDInventor: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr.
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Patent number: 10602995Abstract: This invention relates to a medical imaging method comprising: emitting a radiation beam from a radiation source of a rotating gantry, preferably of a rotating C-arm, on a volume of interest, varying collimation of said emitted radiation beam so as to change at least part-time a field of view of said emitted radiation beam so that there are at least a first part and a second part of said volume of interest such that, when said first part of said volume of interest is imaged, said second part of said volume of interest is shuttered, and when said second part of said volume of interest is imaged, said first part of said volume of interest is shuttered.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Cyril Riddell, Yves Lucien Trousset
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Patent number: 10598813Abstract: The invention relates to equipment (1) for the radiography of a load (11) moving relative thereto, the radiography equipment comprising a source (2) for emitting pulses (16) of divergent X-rays, a collimator (4) for the source for delimiting an incident x-ray beam (22), and sensors (8) for receiving X-rays, which are aligned with the incident beam so as to collect the X-rays after the latter have passed through the load and generate raw image signals. The equipment includes a reference block (6) comprising intermediate x-ray sensors (28) which are to be located within the incident beam, between the source and the load, so as to be irradiated by at least two separate angular sectors of the incident beam, and which are to output separate reference signals corresponding to each angular sector to be used in the conversion of raw image signals into a portion of a radiographic image. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: SMITHS HEIMANN SASInventors: Pascal Desaute, Irène Dorion, Nicolas Dumay
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Patent number: 10595797Abstract: An intra-oral dental radiological image sensor is mechanically reinforced by two front RA and rear RB mechanical reinforcing plates each inserted between a respective face of an image capture module and a respective front 20A and rear 20B shell bottom of a casing. The front reinforcing plate is a solid plate, made of material transparent to X rays, covering the photosensitive front face (scintillator) of the module, and harder than the front shell. The rear plate, less thick than the front plate, is harder than the rear shell and comprises an opening O provided to surround, without covering them, components present on the rear face of the module, under a rear shell dome.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: TELEDYNE E2V SEMICONDUCTORS SASInventors: Nathalie Pascal, David Perennez
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Patent number: 10598615Abstract: A method for adjusting a primary side of an X-ray diffractometer wherein the primary side comprises a collimator, X-ray optics, an X-ray source, in particular an X-ray tube, wherein the collimator, the X-ray optics and the X-ray source are mounted directly or indirectly on a base structure, and wherein the orientation and position of the X-ray optics and the position of the X-ray source are adjusted relative to the base structure, wherein the method is characterized in that the orientation and position of the X-ray optics and the position of the X-ray tube relative to the base structure are measured and set at predetermined target values, so that with these set target values, X-ray radiation emanating from the X-ray source and conditioned by the X-ray optics is detectable at the output end of the collimator.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Inventors: Andreas Kleine, Nima Bashiry, Detlef Bahr, Carsten Michaelsen
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Patent number: 10561860Abstract: The invention comprises an alignment guide apparatus and a method of use thereof for aligning an imaging beam, longitudinally passing through an exit nozzle of an imaging system, to an imaging zone of a sample, includes the steps of: (1) providing an alignment guide, the alignment guide comprising: (a) a guide wall at least partially circumferentially enclosing an aperture, (b) a first laser element connected to the guide wall, and (c) a second laser element connected to the guide wall; (2) inserting the exit nozzle of the imaging system into the aperture; (3) projecting a first line from the first laser element onto the sample; (4) projecting a second line from the second laser element onto the sample; and (5) moving the sample relative to the exit nozzle of the imaging system to position an intersection of the first line and the second line at the imaging zone to align the imaging beam to the imaging zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Inventors: Jennifer Hertzoff, Hermann A. Hofer
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Patent number: 10542946Abstract: A dental imager includes an elongated handle with a rotatable head coupled to a distal end thereof and having a central platform with a plurality of arcuate scanning arms pivotally coupled thereto by a hinge. The arcuate scanning arms are of a shape and size for general deployment around a tooth and each include at least one scanner and a roller guide that comfortably rolls along the surface of the tooth or gums to bias the scanners a desired distance from the surface of the tooth, conducive for imaging thereof. In this respect, such a dental imager may be used in a process to scan and record the contours of an intraoral surface, the data of which may be used to create a digital three-dimensional surface impression printable by a 3D printer or the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventor: Marco Martin
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Patent number: 10539708Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) x-ray tomographic imaging system includes an x-ray source fixedly attached to a first unmanned vehicle, which can be aerial or otherwise configured for locomotion, and an x-ray detector. A vehicle controller is configured to be operated by an operator, and an optical camera is mounted to the first unmanned vehicle at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source, and an optical pattern is fixed at a position relative to the x-ray detector. The x-ray source and x-ray detector are configured to be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the object, while the x-ray source is rotated radially around the object to one or more imaging positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Otto Z. Zhou, Jianping Lu, Pavel Chtcheprov
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Patent number: 10533959Abstract: A sample holding device and related method designed to facilitate inexpensive and reliable testing of materials or specimens with beam diffraction and scattering techniques. The device features a sample receptacle that is made out of a polymer, cellulose, polymeric material, or cellulosic material. The flexible nature and low melting point of the sample receptacle allows for reliable sealing against the vacuum or gaseous environment used for beam diffraction or scattering analysis. The sample holding device can be considered disposable because of its low cost, eliminating the need for complex or unreliable cleaning procedures.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Michael C. Wiener, Peter Horanyi
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Patent number: 10529529Abstract: Electron beam spot characteristics can be tuned in each x-ray tube by moving a focusing-ring along a longitudinal-axis of the x-ray tube. The focusing-ring can then be immovably fastened to the x-ray tube. An x-ray source can include an x-ray tube and a focusing-ring. The focusing-ring can at least partially encircle an electron-emitter, a cathode, an evacuated-enclosure, or combinations thereof. The focusing-ring can be located outside of a vacuum of the evacuated enclosure. The focusing-ring can adjust an electron-beam spot on a target material of the x-ray tube when moved along a longitudinal-axis extending linearly from the electron-emitter to the target material.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.Inventors: Dustin Peterson, Richard Zimmerman, Vince Jones, Eric Miller
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Patent number: 10524753Abstract: The disclosure relates to an X-ray computed tomography apparatus that includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, preprocessing circuitry, a reconstruction processor, and control circuitry. The X-ray detector is configured to detect X-rays generated from the X-ray tube. The preprocessing circuitry is configured to generate projection data by executing preprocessing for data acquired by the X-ray detector based on a preprocessing condition. The reconstruction processor is configured to generate image data by executing reconstruction processing for the projection data based on a reconstruction condition. The control circuitry is configured to cause a storage to store the projection data in association with the preprocessing condition, and to read out the projection data based on a designated preprocessing condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Takahiro Yoda, Katsuhito Morino, Yasunobu Yamada, Yojiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 10510456Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a collimator. The collimator may include a motor, a transmission unit having a first end and a second end, and a leaf unit having a leaf. The first end of the transmission unit may be connected to the motor and the second end of the transmission unit may be connected to the leaf. The present disclosure also relates to a collimator system. The collimator system may include a leaf module having a leaf, a driving module having a motor configured to drive the leaf, and a processing module to generate a movement profile of the leaf. The movement profile of the leaf may include a first speed during a first stage, a second speed of the leaf during a second stage, and a third speed of the leaf during a third stage.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Jian Zhang, Xiaolong Liu, Xiao Fang, Hui Zhou, Hui Yin, Xu Chao, Jian Liu