Patents Examined by Danielle Fox
-
Patent number: 8787525Abstract: An X-ray monochromator including: a substrate having a concave surface; and an inorganic oxide film formed on the concave surface and having a plurality of pores, in which the plurality of pores of the inorganic oxide film being laid periodically in a stacked manner in the normal directions of the concave surface, and in which the plurality of pores being cylindrical is provided. The X-ray monochromator shows an excellent X-ray spectroscopic performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Komoto, Hirokatsu Miyata, Wataru Kubo
-
Patent number: 8781068Abstract: An embodiment includes an X-ray detecting section including an X-ray detector having a first visual field size and a high-resolution detector and having a second visual field size, an X-ray generating section for irradiating a subject with X-rays, an image processing section for generating a first X-ray image by means of the X-ray detector and a second X-ray image, a display section, a region defining section for displaying a spot corresponding to part of the second X-ray image or a region corresponding to the second X-ray image on the first X-ray image and specifying the position of the high-resolution detector by moving the spot or the region, a positional displacement calculating section for determining the coordinate difference between the center position of the first X-ray image and the position of the spot indicating the specified position and a move control section for controlling the top plate or the holding section.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Koji Noda
-
Patent number: 8781063Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray CT scanner includes a gantry unit, a reconstruction unit, an extraction unit, and an output unit. The gantry unit includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector and is configured to rotate the source and the detector. The reconstruction unit generates reconstruction image data by using data acquired by the detector. The extraction unit extracts, when using a predetermined phantom as the object, pixel values of pixels existing on a locus surrounding a tomographic image of the phantom contained in reconstruction image data generated by the reconstruction unit based on data acquired by the detector. The output unit outputs an extraction result obtained by the extraction unit or information obtained based on the extraction result.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Satoru Nakanishi
-
Patent number: 8781062Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for dynamically adjusting one or more X-ray acquisition parameters of an X-ray imaging modality. During a first portion of an examination of an object, the object is examined using a first set of X-ray acquisition parameters and a first image is generated. A region-of-interest is identified in the first image and one or more X-ray acquisition parameters are adjusted as a function of the identified region-of-interest to establish a second set of X-ray acquisition parameters. During a second portion of the examination of the object, the object is examined using the second set of X-ray acquisition parameters to generate a second image. In this way, X-ray acquisition parameters can be adjusted in real-time or ‘on the fly’ to obtain a (more) desired image.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventor: Guy M. Besson
-
Patent number: 8767915Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Daniel Stutman, Michael Finkenthal
-
Patent number: 8761333Abstract: A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, an x-ray source configured to project an x-ray beam toward the object, and a detector array configured to detect x-rays passing through the object. The detector array includes a first array of pixels positioned to receive x-rays that pass to the detector array outside a first field-of-view (FOV) to a second FOV, the first array of pixels providing a first resolution, and a second array of pixels positioned to receive x-rays passing through the first FOV, the second array of pixels providing a second resolution that is different from the first resolution. The system includes a data acquisition system (DAS) configured to receive outputs from the detector array, and a computer programmed to acquire projections of imaging data of the object, and generate an image of the object using the imaging data.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, David Michael Hoffman
-
Patent number: 8744040Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes: an X-ray source which emits X-rays while rotating around a subject; a compensation filter which adjusts at least one of the output distribution and the spectral distribution of the X-rays emitted from the X-ray source to the subject; an X-ray detector which is disposed opposite to the X-ray source with the subject interposed therebetween, rotates together with the X-ray source, and detects the amount of X-rays transmitted through the compensation filter and the subject; an image operation unit which reconstructs a tomographic image of the subject on the basis of the detected amount of X-rays; a display unit which displays the tomographic image; a control unit which controls each of the constituent components; and a compensation unit which compensates for deterioration of image quality, which is based on the amount of displacement between the rotation center of the X-ray source and a desired position of the subject, by changing an X-ray tube current modulation pattern indicatingType: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Sugaya, Taiga Goto, Koichi Hirokawa
-
Patent number: 8721179Abstract: A medical bed apparatus of an embodiment includes: a tiltable top board on which to place an examinee; a photographic mechanism configured to radiograph the examinee; an operation unit which is provided to a lateral side of the top board, and through which at least one of the top board and the photographic mechanism is operated by an operator; and a horizontally-holding mechanism configured to hold the operation unit horizontally when the top board tilts.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Koichiro Watanabe, Satoru Ohishi, Masaki Kobayashi, Katsuie Ikawa
-
Patent number: 8718230Abstract: A method for determining the constituent content of a multiphase fluid includes the following steps: x-rays at single-energy or dual-energy levels are produced by an x-ray machine, after said x-rays pass through the multiphase fluid, the data at each energy level are detected by a detector sub-system which is composed of one or two detectors, and the mass percents of the components in the multiphase fluid are calculated by a controlling and data processing sub-system based on the detected data. Said multiphase fluid is a two-phase or three-phase mixture in crude oil or natural gas. The method can be used for automatic online measurement of the production in oil and gas fields.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventor: Pingan Luo
-
Patent number: 8699664Abstract: Radiation treatment methods comprise: obtaining initial image data of a region of interest; initially optimizing one or more radiation delivery variables of a radiation treatment plan based on the initial image data; and dividing the plan into one or more fractional treatments. Each fractional treatment comprises: delivering an initial portion of a fraction based on the one or more initially optimized radiation delivery variables; obtaining fractional image data pertaining to the region of interest; fractionally optimizing the one or more radiation delivery variables based at least in part on the fractional image data; and delivering a subsequent portion of the fraction based on the one or more fractionally optimized radiation delivery variables. At least part of delivering the initial portion of the fraction overlaps temporally with at least one of: obtaining the fractional image data and fractionally optimizing the one or more radiation delivery variables.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: British Columbia Center Agency BranchInventors: Karl Otto, Ante Mestrovic
-
Patent number: 8693637Abstract: An apparatus for generating X-ray may include: a plasma chamber; a magnet unit for applying a magnetic field to the plasma chamber, the magnet unit configured to allow the control of the magnitude of the minimum magnetic field in the plasma chamber without change in structure; a microwave generator for applying microwaves to the plasma chamber; a reaction gas injected into the plasma chamber for generating X-ray through electron cyclotron resonance by the magnetic field and the microwaves; a variable guide for focusing the generated X-ray; and a variable extractor for outputting the focused X-ray from the plasma chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Korea Basic Science InstituteInventors: Byoung Seob Lee, Mi Sook Won, Jang Hee Yoon, Jin Yong Park, Se Yong Choi
-
Patent number: 8693626Abstract: Methods are disclosed utilizing synchrotron X-ray microscopy including x-ray fluorescence and x-ray absorption spectra to probe elemental distribution and elemental speciation within a material, and particularly a solid that may have one or more elements distributed on a solid substrate. Representative materials are relatively homogeneous in composition on the macroscale but relatively heterogeneous on the microscale. The analysis of such materials, particularly on a macroscale at which their heterogeneous nature can be observed, provides valuable insights into the relationships or correlations between localized concentrations of elements and/or their species, and concentrations of other components of the materials. Sample preparation methods, involving the use of a reinforcing agent, which are advantageously used in such methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Simon Russell Bare, Shelly D Kelly, Wharton Sinkler, Nan Greenlay
-
Patent number: 8693627Abstract: In an embodiment, an X-ray detector has a transmissive fluorescence generating portion, and a reflective fluorescence generating portion. The transmissive and reflective fluorescence generating portions have at least one of an intensifying screen having a phosphor layer that contains praseodymium-activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor particles in which a ratio of particles having a particle diameter falling in ±30% of a center particle diameter is 45% by volume or more and their filling rate is 60% by volume or more, and an intensifying screen having a phosphor layer that contains europium-activated barium fluorochloride phosphor particles in which a ratio of particles having a particle diameter falling in ±30% of a center particle diameter is 45% by volume or more and their filling rate is 45% by volume or more.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Materials Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiji Oyaizu, Akihisa Saito, Yoshitaka Adachi, Kazumitsu Morimoto
-
Patent number: 8693635Abstract: An X-ray detector assembly includes an integrated circuit, which includes an array of detector elements and a readout circuit adjacent to the array and coupled to read charge out of the detector elements. A non-metallic shield is positioned over the readout circuit so as to prevent X-rays from striking the readout circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Jordan Valley Semiconductor Ltd.Inventor: Alexander Krohmal
-
Patent number: 8687766Abstract: A method for analysis includes directing a converging beam of X-rays toward a surface of a sample and sensing the X-rays that are diffracted from the sample while resolving the sensed X-rays as a function of angle so as to generate a diffraction spectrum of the sample. The diffraction spectrum is corrected to compensate for a non-uniform property of the converging beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Jordan Valley Semiconductors Ltd.Inventors: Matthew Wormington, Alexander Krohmal, David Berman, Gennady Openganden
-
Patent number: 8666020Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Holger Schmitt, Peter Forthmann, Udo Van Stevendaal
-
Patent number: 8666022Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described including implantable radiation sensing devices having exposure determination devices that determines cumulative exposure information based on the at least one in vivo measurand.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8657494Abstract: A swiveling device for a swiveling C-arm of an X-ray unit includes a motorized drive unit and an adapter removably attachable to the C-arm concentrically with a swiveling axis thereof. The adapter connects the C-arm to the drive unit in driving manner. The swiveling device also includes an angular position encoder for recording the swivel angle of the C-arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbHInventors: Klaus Müller, Willi Weisert
-
Patent number: 8654923Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for developing a dynamic scheme for Gamma Knife radiosurgery based on the concept of “dose-painting” to take advantage of robotic patient positioning systems on the Gamma Knife C and Perfexion units. The spherical high dose volume created by the Gamma Knife unit will be viewed as a 3D spherical “paintbrush”, and treatment planning is reduced to finding the best route of this “paintbrush” to “paint” a 3D tumor volume. Under the dose-painting concept, Gamma Knife radiosurgery becomes dynamic, where the patient is moving continuously under the robotic positioning system.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: STC.UNMInventors: Shuang Luan, Nathan Swanson, Lijun Ma
-
Patent number: 8649482Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray imaging while switching a plurality of wireless sensors according to an imaging condition of an object includes: an acquisition unit that acquires examination information indicating the imaging condition of the object; a management unit that manages, as sensor information, remaining battery levels of the plurality of wireless sensors that have been registered; a control unit that assigns a priority order of wireless sensor candidates usable for performing the X-ray imaging according to the imaging condition indicated in the acquired examination information to the plurality of wireless sensors, in descending order of the remaining battery levels; and an imaging unit that performs the X-ray imaging of the object using wireless sensors sequentially consisting of those in descending order of the priority order assigned by the control unit up to a wireless sensor having a preset order number, as determined according to the imaging condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Abe