Patents Examined by Chih-Cheng G Kao
  • Patent number: 7878710
    Abstract: A radiation image photographing apparatus is formed with a photographing unit that includes a radiation emission means for emitting radiation, a radiation image detection means for recording a radiation image, a region of interest indication means for indicating a mark on a site of a subject corresponding to the region of interest specified in the radiation image, and the like; a computer having an input means, such as a mouse; and a monitor, in which a radiation image obtained by photographing is displayed on the monitor to have the user to specify a region of interest through the input means, and when coordinate information of the region of interest in the image is received from the computer, photographing unit, based on this, controls the region of interest indication means to automatically indicate a mark on a site of the subject corresponding to the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Kashiwagi, Tomonari Sendai
  • Patent number: 7881436
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an anode, a first chamber enclosing the anode and having a first pressure therein, a cathode, and a second chamber enclosing the cathode and having a second pressure therein. A separator is positioned between the first and second chambers and has a conductance limiter therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carey Shawn Rogers, Richard Michael Roffers
  • Patent number: 7876882
    Abstract: A novel approach to generating radiation treatment plans through a nested partitions framework provides an optimization of radiation delivery. The nested partitions approach couples beam angle selection and dose optimization to solve treatment planning problems. An optimal beam angle selection is provided to best treat tumors, while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert R. Meyer, Leyuan Shi, Warren D. D'Souza
  • Patent number: 7876881
    Abstract: A system according to some embodiments may include a treatment head to emit a megavoltage radiation beam toward a volume, a plurality of X-ray sources to emit a respective kilovoltage radiation beam toward the volume while the plurality of X-ray sources are substantially stationary with respect to the volume, a detector to receive the plurality of kilovoltage radiation beams after having passed through the volume, and a processor to generate a three-dimensional image of the volume based only on the plurality of kilovoltage radiation beams received by the detector while the plurality of X-ray sources were substantially stationary with respect to the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Jeffery
  • Patent number: 7876877
    Abstract: The invention proposes a dental X-ray apparatus comprising a patient-positioning system arranged on a support and having a forehead rest. A horizontally pivotable bearing arm is arranged on the support, and the forehead rest is in turn arranged thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Stockl
  • Patent number: 7876876
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing apparatus includes a housing for housing a radiation detector. The housing has a wall inclined with respect to a detection surface of the radiation detector, and the wall defines a space inclined with respect to the detection surface. The space allows heat transfer medium such as air of relatively high temperatures (higher than that of outside air, for example) to rise along a slope defined by the space. If the region around the detection surface is heated to high temperatures, airflow is generated within the space, forcing the relatively high-temperature heat transfer medium away from the vicinity of the radiation detector, thereby allowing the whole radiation detector to be cooled in a uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Kuniaki Miyako, Kazuo Hakamata, Hajime Nakata
  • Patent number: 7869565
    Abstract: A method of determining a parameter of interest of reservoir rock formation is described using the steps of measuring an x-ray attenuation or absorption distribution of a sample of said rock formation, identifying the mineral phase part of said distribution, and subdividing the mineral phase part of said distribution to derive classification or rock type information of said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rachel Wood, Andrew Curtis, Andreas Kayser
  • Patent number: 7869568
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is provided that stabilizes a dark current, image ghosting, and the sensitivity of the imaging apparatus, reduces the power consumption and the heat generation of a light source, and improves the durability of a conversion element. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a flat panel detector including a conversion unit, where the conversion unit includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and each of the pixels includes a conversion element capable of converting a radiation ray into electric charge, a light source capable of emitting light to the conversion unit, and a control unit configured to control the flat panel detector and the light source. The control unit controls the emission of light performed by the light source on the basis of a signal output from the flat panel detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Yokoyama, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7869566
    Abstract: An integrated, multi-sensor, Level 1 screening device is described, which system provides a next-generation Explosives Detection System (EDS) that enables high throughput, while drastically reducing false alarms. In exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a non-rotational, Computed Tomography (CT) system and a non-translational, X-ray diffraction (XRD) system, both in an inline configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Mark E. Vermilyea, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Geoffrey Harding, Pierfrancesco Landolfi
  • Patent number: 7864925
    Abstract: A cathode has a cathode head in which is arranged a surface emitter is arranged that emits electrons upon the application of a heating voltage. At least one electrically conductive barrier plate that is galvanically separated from the surface emitter extends up to the surface emitter. This cathode has a longer lifespan, a high electron emission and a good blocking capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kutschera
  • Patent number: 7860214
    Abstract: A technique to correct deficiencies in x-ray images of cylindrical or spherical objects that are a consequence of the geometry of the sample is disclosed, for both normal imaging of stationary objects with film or digital detectors and linescan imaging of moving objects. The methods described involve the use of attenuators specifically shaped to equalize the x-ray absorption across the sample, thus correcting the variation in pixel intensity caused by the varying thickness of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Ronald P Haff
  • Patent number: 7856084
    Abstract: In a computed tomography scanner having an emitter for emitting a beam of given radiation through an object to be analysed, a detector for receiving said beam after the beam itself has traversed the object, and a rotating arm, which supports the emitter and the detector and rotates the emitter and the detector about the object along a series of angular positions, there is generated a succession of first pulses, each of which activates the detector in one respective angular position, and a succession of second pulses for activating the emitter so that it will emit a dose of radiation in each angular position, associated to which is a respective dose of radiation in such a way as to pre-define a distribution of doses of radiation along the series of angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cefla Societa' Cooperativa
    Inventors: Alessandro Pasini, Eros Nanni
  • Patent number: 7852983
    Abstract: An X-ray diffractometer has a mechanism without toothed ring and is suited to move the two legs of a goniometer, on which the source and detector are respectively disposed, at the same time and in a correlated fashion. Each goniometer leg (or linkage) thereby has a common main center of rotation HDP and also one respective auxiliary center of rotation HD1, HD2. The two auxiliary centers of rotation are symmetrically disposed with respect to a symmetry plane E which contains the main center of rotation, and can be moved on a guidance that is symmetrical with respect to the plane E. The main center of rotation can only be moved in the plane E, e.g. along a rail guidance. The movement of the main center of rotation relative to the guidance can be easily driven by means of one single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Bruker AXS GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Uwe Mettendorf, Claus Bolzinger, Joachim Lange
  • Patent number: 7850367
    Abstract: When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7831020
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube, having a structure for realizing improvement of a magnification factor of a magnified transmission image, and an X-ray source that includes the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes: a target housing unit, housing an X-ray target; and an electron gun housing unit, one end of which is mounted to a side wall portion of the target housing unit. The electron gun housing unit is disposed so that a tube axis thereof intersects a tube axis of the target housing unit. The electron gun housing unit holds an electron gun while a center of an electron emission exit of the electron gun is shifted more toward an X-ray emission window side, disposed at one end of the side wall portion of the target housing unit, than the tube axis of the electron gun housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Tutomu Inazuru
  • Patent number: 7831016
    Abstract: In order to overcome or at least mitigate difficulties in compensating for movement of the target, for example a tumour during radiotherapy, a dosimetry apparatus and method embodying the present invention employ a dosimeter having at least one radiation detector and at least one magnetic position sensor located a predetermined distance apart. Radiation level readings from the radiation detector and position readings from the position sensor are monitored and correlated, conveniently according to time, to obtain the position of the radiation detector when a particular radiation level was detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Abdelhamid Saoudi, Joanna Ewa Cygler, Robert William Ashton
  • Patent number: 7831017
    Abstract: A treatment planning, simulation, and verification system is described. According to one embodiment, a treatment plan and a fluoroscopy data image of a treatment volume are received and the treatment plan is automatically adjusted based on the movement of the fluoroscopy data image. According another embodiment, a system includes a treatment planning component to generate a treatment plan and a simulation component to simulate the execution of the treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy R. Myles
  • Patent number: 7826590
    Abstract: Regarding a X-ray photographing-tire apparatus and method, defining the reference plane as the plane perpendicular to the center axis of a tire mounted on a rotary device and passing through the X-ray source, and defining the reference line as the line headed from the center axis to the X-ray source within the reference plane, the X-ray source is oriented so that a predetermined azimuth range coincides with a predetermined angular range in which the reference line lies, within the reference plane, and a first line-sensor, being oriented parallel with the center axis, is placed within said predetermined azimuth range, in the radial outside of the tread portion TR of the tire, and the first line-sensor is placed at the position deviated from the plane defined by both reference line and the center axis, having two degrees of freedom of motion within the reference plane with orientation of the receiving surface kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Saigusa, Tatsuya Hasi, Ryo Takasu
  • Patent number: 7822177
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for back-reflection X-ray diffraction of a specimen that yields the orientation of a crystalline sample in a quick and an automated way. The method includes setting an approximate pre-selected X-ray detector to specimen distance, subjecting the specimen to X-rays, recording the Laue diffraction pattern, calculating the Miller indices of a fraction of the spots in the resulting pattern, averaging the Miller indices, moving a virtual representation of the specimen by a small amount along a line connecting the film to the specimen, changing the film-to-specimen distance, repeating the calculation, averaging and moving in small angular steps until the virtual representation of the specimen has been moved through a small distance range and best fits to the observed data, and determining the optimum film-to-specimen distance resulting in the smallest average Miller index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Multiwire Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald H. Bilderback
  • Patent number: 7822170
    Abstract: A method and a tomographic system are disclosed for displaying tomographic records of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning the patient with the aid of a tomographic system having one system axis, determining at least one topogram, calculating three-dimensional image data records including a multiplicity of slice images on a plane or volume data records, and outputting at least one slice image of the patient. In at least one embodiment, the orientation of individual body zones relative to the system axis of the tomographic system is automatically determined from the at least one topogram, and slice images of the body zones are calculated from the three-dimensional image data records, the slice planes of which are at a defined solid angle to the previously determined orientation of the scanned body zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gabriel Haras, Peter Aulbach, Dieter Böing