Patents Examined by Courtney Thomas
  • Patent number: 9530608
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems relating to an x-ray generation system. In some embodiments, the system includes an electron beam acceleration region that generates an electron beam and accelerates electrons in the beam and a radiation generation region that (i) receives the electron beam and (ii) generates an electric field having an energy of greater than about 10E7 V/m without electrical breakdown of vacuum gaps. The electric field is configured to decelerate electrons in the electron beam sufficiently to generate x-ray energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: X-Illumina, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9530198
    Abstract: To provide a method for controlling an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus and an X-ray generation device equipped with an ABS system tracking movement of an object position without an operator performing setting operation for a region of interest (ROI), the determination condition storage unit (6i) storing ROI position determination conditions in which image statistical information is used for defining conditions to determine a position of an ROI in an X-ray image out of plural blocks generated by dividing the X-ray image into plural regions, the first block statistical information calculation unit (6f) calculating the image statistical information for each of plural blocks, and the region-of-interest position selection unit (6g) selecting a block that serves as an ROI from among plural blocks using the ROI position determination conditions and the image statistical information of each block are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Konosuke Temmei, Yuji Sakai, Tadashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9521987
    Abstract: A console acquires a displacement amount of an X-ray source from a displacement amount detector. In the case where an electronic cassette having an image detector is not appropriately positioned with respect to a body part to be imaged, a position of the X-ray source is changed in accordance with a position of the body part to be imaged. A dose measurement field position determining unit specifies a current relative position between the X-ray source and the electronic cassette having the image detector based on a displacement amount. The dose measurement field position determining unit determines a position of a dose measurement field based on the specified current relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tajima
  • Patent number: 9513234
    Abstract: An X-ray image capturing device of bone-in meat for capturing an X-ray image of the bone-in meat that is from an arm part or a thigh part of a livestock carcass in a state where the bone-in meat is suspended, comprises: an X-ray source for irradiating the bone-in meat with an X-ray; a shielding box for covering the bone-in meat while the X-ray image is captured; a sensor which is disposed in the shielding box and which detects the X-ray which passes through the bone-in meat; and a filter which is disposed between the bone-in meat and the X-ray source and which adjusts an intensity distribution of the X-ray with which the bone-in meat is irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Taniguchi, Hiroyuki Sakurayama, Osamu Goto, Masaru Tokumoto, Hiroaki Muranami
  • Patent number: 9510795
    Abstract: Radiographic X-ray equipment includes a revolution driving device that causes an X-ray irradiating member and an X-ray imaging member to perform a revolving movement around a subject with a revolution center line as the center, and a main body control unit that controls the revolution driving device, a secondary driving device controlled by the main body control unit to cause the X-ray imaging member to perform a local movement different from the revolving movement, with a movement width in a predetermined direction, a storing means that stores electric power for the X-ray imaging member, and a supplying means that supplies electric power to the storing means. The X-ray imaging member and the storing means are connected to each other, and the secondary driving device causes the storing means and the X-ray imaging member to perform the local movement as a unit without moving relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Terumi Takemoto, Takeshi Tomoe
  • Patent number: 9504439
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to radiate X-rays to a region of a subject, an X-ray detector configured to acquire a plurality of frame images related to the region of the subject by detecting the radiated X-rays, a filter configured to filter the X-rays radiated from the X-ray source, an image processor configured to set a region of interest within the region of the subject based on the plurality of frame images, and a controller configured to control the filter so that X-rays of a lower dose than a dose of X-rays made incident on the region of interest are made incident on a region of non-interest within the region of the subject, and control the X-ray detector so that a gain of the X-ray detector in the region of non-interest is greater than that in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaemock Yi, Dong-Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung
  • Patent number: 9502205
    Abstract: An acquisition window for a medical apparatus (in particular for a computer tomography apparatus) has an element made of a suitable material and at least one attachment element for attachment to the medical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kathrin Friederike Hamilton, Hans-Juergen Mueller, Dominik Trautner
  • Patent number: 9498646
    Abstract: A collimator assembly for use with radiation therapy systems, in particular stereotactic radiosurgery (“SRS”) systems, is provided. In general, the collimator assembly includes a collimator in which a plurality of concentric, conical slits is formed. Each conical slit is oriented along a different slit angle, such that radiation impinging on the top surface of the collimator is redirected along each conical slit towards a common target isocenter located at a distance away from the bottom surface of the collimator. The conical slits can be referred to as “Compton slits” because they are designed to increase the radiation output at the isocenter of the collimator by redirecting Compton scattered radiation towards the isocenter in the target region. The collimator assembly thus improves the efficiency of a radiation treatment system by utilizing Compton scattered radiation that would otherwise be lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Edward T. Bender, Andrew J. Shepard
  • Patent number: 9500226
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for providing coatings and textures to surfaces of a bearing assembly in an x-ray system to control the wettability of the surfaces when components of the bearing assembly rotate during operation of the x-ray system. A lubricant is disposed in a gap formed between a shaft and a sleeve of the bearing assembly such that textured and coated surfaces of the shaft and sleeve alter wetting properties between the lubricant and surfaces. The coatings and textures can be wetting or anti-wetting to further enhance control over the behavior of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Kenwood P. Dayton, Ben David Poquette, Santosh Kumar Tiwari, Michael J. Danyluk
  • Patent number: 9498176
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically and dynamically modifying an image acquisition parameter for use in tomosynthesis breast imaging. A selected image acquisition parameter is modified in response to a measured characteristic of an imaged object such as a breast, and thus tailored to provide the highest quality image for the particular object. For example, image quality in a breast tomosynthesis system can be improved by dynamically varying motion and other acquisition parameters of the tomosynthesis system in response to physical characteristics of the breast to be imaged (determined during image acquisition), such as the breast thickness, density or composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • Patent number: 9492132
    Abstract: The X-ray imaging device includes an X-ray generator to generate an X-ray and radiate the X-ray to an object, an X-ray detector to detect the X-ray passing through the object and acquire an image signal of the object, and a controller to analyze the image signal of the object, evaluate a characteristic of the object and generate at least one of a single energy X-ray image and a multiple energy X-ray image according to the evaluated characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG LIFE PUBLIC WELFARE FOUNDATION.
    Inventors: Hyun Hwa Oh, Young Hun Sung, Kang Eui Lee, Myung Jin Chung
  • Patent number: 9492137
    Abstract: A portable X-ray imaging apparatus includes an electronic cassette for imaging of an X-ray image and transmitting the X-ray image wirelessly. An image receiving unit communicates with the electronic cassette and receives the X-ray image wirelessly. A passive monitoring device receives ambient electromagnetic waves to measure communication environment by passive monitoring. An active monitoring device performs data communication between the electronic cassette and the image receiving unit to measure the communication environment by active monitoring. Furthermore, an evaluation device detects a cause of a communication failure by considering a result of the passive monitoring and a result of the active monitoring. The evaluation device detects that the cause of the communication failure is a blocking object blocking radio waves or a relative position between the electronic cassette and the image receiving unit according to the results of the passive and active monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Iwamoto, Keiji Tsubota, Naoyuki Nishino, Yoshimitsu Kudo
  • Patent number: 9490038
    Abstract: An X-ray optical component device having an X-ray optical component unit, a motor controller, and a connector. The connector has motor pins and motor terminals electrically connected to a motor when engaged with each other, and a signal pin and signal terminal for sensing detachment of the connector, the signal pin and signal terminal being capable of engaging with each other. A pin-side connector and a terminal-side connector are detachable. When the pin-side connector is detached from the terminal-side connector, the time that the signal pin is removed from the signal terminal is earlier than the time that the motor pins are removed from the motor terminals. During replacement of an X-ray optical component unit equipped with a motor for adjusting the position of an X-ray optical component, unwanted movement of the position of the X-ray optical component provided in the unit is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Wakasaya, Tetsuya Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9486646
    Abstract: A system for radiation therapy includes an ionizing radiation source for producing a beam oriented along an axis aligned with a target volume for delivering ionizing radiation to the target volume along a beam path and at a dose rate, wherein the beam includes a soft spectrum and a hard spectrum. The system also includes a filter arranged within the beam path and including a central aperture that is free of beam-filtering material, wherein the central aperture is surrounded by a beam-filtering material having a thickness dimension selected and positioned in the beam path to highly attenuate the soft spectrum of the beam to reduces external scatter of the beam and allow a majority of the hard spectrum of the beam to pass through the central aperture unfiltered. The beam path is free of beam-filtering material arranged to attenuate a central portion of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bhudatt Paliwal, Yue Yan
  • Patent number: 9486173
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a computed tomography (CT) acquisition unit and a processing unit. The CT acquisition unit includes an X-ray source and a CT detector configured to collect CT imaging data of an object to be imaged. The X-ray source and CT detector are configured to be rotated about the object to be imaged and to collect a series of views of the object as the X-ray source and CT detector rotate about the object to be imaged. The processing unit is operably coupled to the CT acquisition unit and configured to control the CT acquisition unit to vary a view duration for the views of the series. The view duration for a particular view defines an imaging information acquisition period for the particular view, wherein the series of views includes a first group of views having a first view duration and a second group of views having a second view duration that is different than the first view duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiahua Fan, Jed Douglas Pack, Guangzhi Cao, David Joseph Pitterle, Grant Morey Stevens
  • Patent number: 9476845
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for X-ray imaging wherein a targeted fluence at the detector for projection images can be achieved at a plurality of projection angles around the imaging subject by control of exposure times implemented during image acquisition. Exposure time for a second projection image may be determined by the fluence in a first projection image, and in a third projection image by the fluence in a second projection image, where projection images are acquired within two degrees of one another. An acquisition parameter calculation can be configured to calculate acquisition parameters, such as said exposure times, to achieve the targeted fluence in projection images and can be coupled to a rotation controller that implements the acquisition parameters by controlling a relative angle between the imaging subject and X-ray image acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Funk
  • Patent number: 9468410
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes: an X-ray detector in which detecting elements that detect X-rays are arranged in a body-axis direction and a rotation direction; an acquiring unit that acquires signals of the X-rays detected by at least one group of detecting elements which includes a predetermined quantity of detecting elements and in which detecting elements are arranged in at least the rotation direction and that, when reading the signals detected by the detecting elements arranged in the rotation direction from the X-ray detector, sequentially reads the signals at times that vary among the detecting elements arranged in the rotation direction; a correction signal acquiring unit that, in accordance with the signal reading times, acquires correction signals used in a correcting process performed when an image is generated; and an image generating unit that generates the image by applying each correction signal to a corresponding one of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9456790
    Abstract: Based on a plurality of detection data sets acquired by a data acquisition unit and correspond to respective tube voltages, an image generator generates a plurality of reference substance image data sets targeting respective reference substances contained in a subject. The image generator generates a correction data set for each of the plurality of tube voltages by applying, to a detection data set corresponding to each of the tube voltages, a correction coefficient for suppressing a discrepancy of an actual energy spectrum of the X-rays detected by an X-ray detector from a predetermined X-ray energy spectrum, and generates the plurality of reference substance image data sets based on a plurality of correction data sets corresponding to the respective tube voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Taguchi, Satoru Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9456792
    Abstract: A heading positioning apparatus and the method of use for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gerald T. Grant, Shayne A. Kondor
  • Patent number: 9456795
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus automatically distinguishes between right and left breasts during mammography. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes: an X-ray assembly configured to press a breast, irradiate X-rays onto the pressed breast, and detect X-rays transmitted through the breast; two handles respectively provided in both sides of the X-ray assembly so that a patient is able to grip the handles, each handle including a sensor for detecting the patient's grip; and a controller configured to determine a position of a handle including the sensor that has detected the patient's grip, and to determine that a breast subject to mammography is a breast corresponding to the determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Ha Lee, Young Hun Sung