Patents Examined by Courtney Thomas
  • Patent number: 9922793
    Abstract: An image capture device and an x-ray emitting device are introduced comprising an electron receiving construct and an electron emitting construct separated by a spacer. The electron receiving construct comprises a faceplate, an anode and an inward facing photoconductor. The electron emitting construct comprises: a backplate; a substrate; a cathode; a plurality of field emission type electron sources arranged in an array; a stratified resistive layer between the field emission type electron source and the cathode; a gate electrode; a focus structure and a gate electrode support structure configured to support the gate electrode at a required cathode-gate spacing from the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hori, Hitoshi Masuya, Hidenori Kenmotsu
  • Patent number: 9921316
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal management system, an X-ray detection device and a CT apparatus. The thermal management system comprises a heater, an air mixing portion and a fan. The heater is provided at an air inlet of the air mixing portion. The air mixing portion provides an air mixing space for mixing exterior air that enters the air mixing portion with interior air of the air mixing portion. The fan is provided at an air outlet of the air mixing portion, and supplies the mixed air in the air mixing portion to a target object to be thermally managed. Therefore, a response time of the thermal management system to operate for an external temperature change may be lengthened, thus occurrence of abrupt change in a temperature of the target object as the external temperature changes abruptly may be avoided, improving a reliability of the thermal management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Co. LLC
    Inventors: Weimin Qu, Duzi Huang, Qun Xing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9907529
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for patient-dependent optimization and reduction of the contrast medium amount. An embodiment includes provisioning patient-specific data, containing information about a patient cross-section relevant for the imaging measurement; establishing CT values and/or CNR values of a contrast medium to be expected for at least one region of interest of the patient for different candidate settings of x-ray source arrangement and/or of an image reconstruction device; determining a relevant candidate contrast medium amount for the different candidate settings, which would lead to a CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium which corresponds to the CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium at the reference setting of the x-ray source arrangement and/or image reconstruction device; and displaying an optimum relative candidate contrast medium amount and of the associated candidate setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9892810
    Abstract: Technology is described for a collimator assembly for a radiation collimator. In one example, the collimator assembly includes a base and a shutter assembly. The shutter assembly includes a lower shutter and a shutter control. The lower shutter includes a yoke, a control pin, and an inner extension extending from a first end of the yoke and supports the control pin. The shutter control includes a ramp feature that is slidably engaged with the control pin. The yoke rotates as the control pin slides along the ramp feature, and the shutter control is slidably engaged with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CLAYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Kwerreveld
  • Patent number: 9890812
    Abstract: A liquid metal bearing includes at least one first bearing part and at least one second bearing part that have a non-positive fit connection to one another. At least one first ductile sealing layer is disposed at least partly between at least a first bearing part of the at least one bearing and a second bearing part of the at least one second bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ronald Dittrich, Manfred Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9888887
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes: an X-ray tube which generates X-rays to be irradiated at an object; an X-ray diaphragm which houses an X-ray shielding member forming an irradiation aperture, through which the X-rays pass, along a side surface of the X-ray tube; an X-ray detector which detects X-rays passing through the object; and an image data generation circuitry which generates image data based on the X-rays detected by the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kojima, Yoshiyuki Sato, Katsuaki Shinoda, Shinsuke Ooie
  • Patent number: 9880112
    Abstract: A method for determining an actual shear angle between an interior wall and a facesheet of a cellular panel using an imaging system is disclosed. The imaging system may include a radiation source and a detector diametrically opposed to the radiation source. The method may include positioning the cellular panel at a tilt angle relative to a line extending between the radiation source and the detector, transmitting radiation from the radiation source to the detector through the cellular panel at the tilt angle to obtain an image, measuring a projected shear angle in the obtained image, and determining the actual shear angle between the interior wall and the facesheet using the tilt angle and the projected shear angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Thompson, David S. Nansen, Ronald V. Bulthuis, Thomas E. Riechers
  • Patent number: 9880114
    Abstract: A fluid pressure loading device applied to an industrial computed tomography scanning test system includes a body, a sample accommodating chamber and at least one fluid medium chamber being provided in the body. Each of the at least one fluid medium chamber is provided therein with a piston, the corresponding fluid medium chamber is separated into two chambers by the piston, one of the two chambers is in communication with an external hydraulic medium via oil lines provided in the body, the other of the two chambers is in communication with the sample accommodating chamber, and one end, facing towards the sample accommodating chamber, of the piston is extendable into the sample accommodating chamber. With the loading device, real-time loading of a test sample can be realized, thus improving a simulation accuracy of the system, and multi-directional loading of the sample can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY, BEIJING
    Inventors: Yang Ju, Jianqiang Wang, Ruidong Peng, Lingtao Mao, Hongbin Liu
  • Patent number: 9867588
    Abstract: An imaging system such as a medical C-arm x-ray fluoroscopy machine includes a tracking system that tracks a position of an x-ray source and an x-ray detector using sensors which monitor positions of joints which allow relative motions of segments in a support for the x-ray source and detector. Sensor readings are used in a kinematic chain. One or more segments that behave in a non-rigid manner are replaced by a virtual rigid link in the kinematic chain that takes into account deformations of the segments (e.g. under the influence of gravity). Calibration methods permit calibration of the system using images of phantoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Torus Biomedical Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shahram Amiri
  • Patent number: 9861329
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes: a source configured to emit X-rays to an object; a detector configured to detect the X-rays that have penetrated the object; an arm configured to connect the source to the detector and move centering on a stand fixed to a bottom; a controller configured to control a movement of the arm so that the controller changes a direction of the X-rays, which are radiated to the object, and the arm rotates on the stand to move the detector in a first direction, to obtain images for a plurality of parts of the object; and an image processor configured to obtain the images for the plurality of parts of the object based on the X-rays detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-woo Shin, Jeong-hwan Kim, Do-kwan Oh, Dong-jae Lee, Sang-chul Lee
  • Patent number: 9839405
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus for providing information about accurate breast density, and a control method of the X-ray imaging apparatus. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes a reconstructing unit configured to reconstruct volumes relating to an object from an X-ray image of the object, a first reference image of the object generated based on the object being of only adipose tissue, and a second reference image of the object generated based on the object being of only fibroglandular tissue, and a density calculator configured to calculate a density of the object that is a ratio of fibroglandular tissue of the object with respect to entire tissue of the object using the reconstructed volumes of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Hyun Hwa Oh, Jae Hyun Kwon, Young Hun Sung, Kang Eui Lee
  • Patent number: 9839108
    Abstract: The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a hand sensor and a finger tap switch, activation of both required to activate the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone capable of receiving a verbal command from a user and a finger tap switch, both receipt of the verbal command and activation of the finger tap switch required to activate the XRF analysis. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Floyd Jones, Daniel N. Paas, Brad Harris
  • Patent number: 9833638
    Abstract: New techniques for controlling electromagnetic and other forms of radiation are provided. In some aspects of the invention, multiple sources of radiation with characteristics that are projected to constructively interfere at a target are provided. In other aspects, spatially-encoded source signals create a decrypted resulting beam at a planned, target location. In still other aspects, a variable shield which is also a lens is inserted between a radiation target and collateral material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher V. Beckman
  • Patent number: 9839107
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing static charges on a material. X-rays can ionize a flowing fluid. The ions can be transported to the material and can reduce or dissipate the static charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Miller
  • Patent number: 9833209
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the adjustment of movable X-ray imaging systems for aligning an object of interest and an X-ray imaging arrangement and comprises an X-ray imaging arrangement with a source and detector, at least one camera, a data processor; and a display, wherein the display is configured to display a graphical representation of at least one reference point in a first image at least partly overlaid with an actual image provided by the at least one camera to guide an alignment movement of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and an object in relation to each other after an intermediate displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Peter Belei
  • Patent number: 9833205
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray output apparatus including an X-ray output unit including a plurality of X-ray sources and configured to output parallel X-ray beams, a shield on which positions that are capable of blocking the output parallel X-ray beams and positions that are capable of transmitting the parallel X-ray beams are variable, and a control unit configured to control the output of the parallel X-ray beams in the X-ray output unit and the positions through which the parallel X-ray beams are transmitted in the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Sugie, Yoshinori Takagi, Hiromi Yoshinari, Hisakazu Shiraki
  • Patent number: 9839106
    Abstract: The invention includes a flat-panel-display (FPD) manufacturing machine which utilizes x-rays for electrostatic dissipation of a bottom side of a FPD when lifting the FPD off of a table during manufacture of the FPD. The invention also includes a method of electrostatic dissipation of a bottom side of an FPD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Miller, Steven West Wilson, Sanjay Kamtekar, Bill Hansen, Brad Harris
  • Patent number: 9826610
    Abstract: An electrostatic-dissipation device comprising an x-ray tube and an electrically-conductive shell that is electrically coupled to an anode of the x-ray tube can be used for electrostatic dissipation, especially at a bottom side of a flat-panel-display (FPD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Miller, Steven West Wilson, Sanjay Kamtekar, Bill Hansen, Brad Harris
  • Patent number: 9824787
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having a cathode with an elongated blade oriented substantially transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cathode. The blade can be pointed towards an anode. In another embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having a window with an annular-shape, forming a hollow-ring. A convex portion of a half-ball-shape of an anode can extend into a hollow of the annular-shape of the window. In another embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having an anode with a dome shape having a concave side facing the electron emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Miller, Bill Hansen
  • Patent number: 9816950
    Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis system 10 can include an XRF analyzer 20 which can communicate wirelessly with other devices. The system 10 can also include remote-processor software configured to be loaded onto a handheld electronic device 23 and/or remote-computer software configured to be loaded onto a remote-computer 28. The XRF analyzer 20 can include a microphone 18 and/or an output device 31 to allow a user 19 to communicate conveniently with the XRF analyzer 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Floyd Jones, Daniel N. Paas, Brad Harris, Bill Hansen