Patents Examined by David J Makiya
  • Patent number: 10685088
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging system includes a radiographic imaging device for creating a radiation image of a body. A console device of a portable type acquires the radiation image. The console device includes a display controller for performing display processing to display the radiation image in a user page on a display unit. The display controller performs display processing to display at least one optical image of the body in the user page on the display unit in a larger size than the radiation image. Preferably, the display unit includes a touchscreen display unit having a longer side equal to or less than 260 mm and a shorter side equal to or less than 180 mm, in a form of a tablet terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Ohashi, Kiyohisa Okusu, Yuki Okabe
  • Patent number: 10677943
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for monitoring a status of a CT system includes at least one radiation detector configured to monitor a CT component and generate signals representing measurement data associated with the CT component. The system also includes a diagnostic computer device in communication with the detector. The device is configured to receive an electrical signal from the detector and identify a first frequency in the electrical signal. The device is also configured to compare the first frequency in the electrical signal to a first reference frequency stored in memory. The first reference frequency is at least partially indicative of a first mechanical status of the CT component. The device is further configured to determine that the first frequency in the electrical signal is substantially similar to the first reference frequency and, in response, determine that the CT system has the first mechanical status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Smiths Detection, LLC
    Inventor: Jared William Moore
  • Patent number: 10660599
    Abstract: A method for positioning an emitter relative to a detector includes determining the position of the detector relative to the emitter, changing the position of the detector and measuring the change in position using a measuring device located in the detector. Data related to the change in position of the detector is then supplied to a device for positioning the emitter, and the position of the emitter is changed in accordance with the data. An image capture device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Anne-Katrin Becker, Steffen Benndorf, Franziska Dinse, Susanne Dornberger, Michael Fuhrmann, Philip Hafner, Sultan Haider, Ralf Nanke, Sabine Schaeffer-Kundler
  • Patent number: 10653386
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for positioning an x-ray machine having an x-ray source and a detector. A second X-ray image is recorded once an x-ray apparatus has been positioned by using information of an alignment point in a first x-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Gemmel, Gerhard Kleinszig, Wei Wei, Markus Weiten
  • Patent number: 10646192
    Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) scanning apparatus is provided. The CT scanning apparatus includes an energy storage component disposed in a stationary portion of the CT scanning apparatus, wherein the energy storage component is configured to receive electrical power from an external source and to store the electrical power. The CT scanning apparatus also includes an energy storage management system coupled to the energy storage component and configured to regulate both storage of the electrical power on the energy storage component and utilization of the electrical power stored on the energy storage component by the CT scanning apparatus. The energy storage component is configured to serve as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for the CT scanning apparatus and to provide peak power shaving during peak power operation of the CT scanning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shashanka Jain Belur Shanthakumar, Anbu Aras Arunachalam
  • Patent number: 10631799
    Abstract: A dental imaging system may include an X-ray source, a first optical alignment device, and a dental image collection device. The dental image collection device may include a mouthpiece, at least one electronic X-ray sensor carried by the mouthpiece, and a second optical alignment device carried by the mouthpiece and cooperating with the first optical alignment device to facilitate optically aligning the mouthpiece with the X-ray source. The system may also include a dental image processing device coupled to the at least one electronic X-ray sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Rahmes, Marc Waterloo, Mervin D. Fagan, Lawrence W. Shacklette
  • Patent number: 10624602
    Abstract: Embodiments include a medical imaging device and a method controlling one or more parameters of a medical imaging device. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving image data representing a first image of an object to be imaged using the radiation source and detecting a plurality of positions of respective predetermined features in the first image. Based upon the detected positions, a boundary of an imaging area of the object to be imaged is determined. Based on the determined boundary, one or more parameters of the radiation source unit are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Yao-jen Chang, Terrence Chen, Birgi Tamersoy, Vivek Kumar Singh, Susanne Oepping, Ralf Nanke
  • Patent number: 10610177
    Abstract: A first x-ray image is acquired at a predetermined position of a focal point and with a first orientation of an x-ray tube of an x-ray device. Subsequently, the x-ray tube is adjusted by rotating about a predetermined angle and by positioning, wherein the focal point is situated in the predetermined position prior to the adjustment and after the adjustment. After the adjustment, the x-ray tube is situated in a second orientation. Subsequently, a second x-ray image is acquired at the predetermined position and with the second orientation. A combined x-ray image from at least the first and second x-ray image is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Biermann, Frank Dennerlein, Michael Fuhrmann, Rainer Graumann, Anna Jerebko, Thomas Mertelmeier, Ralf Nanke, Thomas Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10548540
    Abstract: A cone beam computed tomography imaging system uses a C-shaped structure to revolve a source and detector around an imaging axis. To balance the system a counterweight is attached to the C-shaped structure at one end adjacent to the detector. The source is attached to another end of the C-shaped structure opposite the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Dirisio
  • Patent number: 10542951
    Abstract: A mammography apparatus including an x-ray source having an x-ray tube with one or more focal spots, a controller for controlling one or more parameters of the x-ray exposure, a digital image receptor configured to generate an x-ray image from objects positioned between the x-ray source and the digital image receptor, a specimen tray configured to receive samples from a biopsy, a positioning arm for positioning the specimen tray between the x-ray source and the digital image receptor, and a detector configured to detect the presence of the specimen tray when it is positioned. The controller is configured to adjust, select or configure one or more parameters of the x-ray exposure in reaction to the detection of the presence of the specimen tray in such a way that the one or more parameters are adapted to the specific needs of imaging biopsy specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Remy Andre Klausz, Yann Le Meur
  • Patent number: 10542958
    Abstract: An X-ray system for taking an X-ray image of an object includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, depth camera(s) covering at least an area covered by an X-ray bundle and configured to obtain depth images and a client device including a display adapted to display an impression image to a user. The system further includes a controller configured to derive the impression image including a representation of this area from the depth images; and to obtain from the client device a first geometric position correction of the X-ray imaging system with respect to this impression image; and to convert the first geometric position correction to an actual geometric position configuration of the X-ray imaging system by a known relation between the one or more depth cameras and the X-ray imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: AGFA NV
    Inventor: Gert Merckx
  • Patent number: 10545104
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing overlay and edge placement errors of device structures based on x-ray diffraction measurement data are presented. Overlay error between different layers of a metrology target is estimated based on the intensity variation within each x-ray diffraction order measured at multiple, different angles of incidence and azimuth angles. The estimation of overlay involves a parameterization of the intensity modulations of common orders such that a low frequency shape modulation is described by a set of basis functions and a high frequency overlay modulation is described by an affine-circular function including a parameter indicative of overlay. In addition to overlay, a shape parameter of the metrology target is estimated based on a fitting analysis of a measurement model to the intensities of the measured diffraction orders. In some examples, the estimation of overlay and the estimation of one or more shape parameter values are performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: John Hench, Andrei V. Shchegrov, Michael S. Bakeman
  • Patent number: 10401507
    Abstract: A collimator includes a plurality of modules each of which has a grid formation and in each of which a plurality of walls are arranged in a row in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The plurality of modules are connected together by one or more connecting parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Tashiro, Hideshi Nakano, Tooru Tanaka, Aya Watase, Shuya Nambu
  • Patent number: 10383582
    Abstract: In tomosynthesis imaging for obtaining a tomosynthesis image from a projected image group captured by irradiating an object with X-rays from a plurality of different angles by using an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit, whether or not to cause a new icon corresponding to set process conditions to be displayed on a display unit is controlled in accordance with process conditions set by a condition setting unit 4051 and process conditions corresponding to a tomosynthesis image already generated by an image processing unit 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobu Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 10383593
    Abstract: A tomography apparatus includes: an X-ray generator which emits X-rays; a controller which determines a first value based on a threshold dosage of the X-rays allowed for a subject and generates an absorbed-dose distribution diagram which indicates a location range of the subject in which, when the X-rays are irradiated to the subject based on an imaging condition, an absorbed dose of the X-ray has the first value; and an indicator showing the absorbed-dose distribution diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-young Jung, Toshihiro Rifu, Chang-lae Lee
  • Patent number: 10368822
    Abstract: A method of optimizing images of a patient utilizing a medical imaging device includes the steps of providing a medical imaging device having an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, a controller for adjusting the positions of the x-ray source and detector, an image reconstructor/generator connected to the x-ray detector to receive x-ray data and reconstruct an x-ray image, and a processor connected to the image reconstructor/generator and the controller to perform analyses on the x-ray image, acquiring a first data set S1 of images, processing the first data set S1 to reconstruct a first computerized data set D1, analyzing the first computerized data set D1, acquiring at least one additional data set Sn in response to the analysis of the first computerized data set D1 and processing the at least one additional data set Sn in combination with the first data set S1 to reconstruct an optimized computerized data set Dn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Giovanni John Jacques Palma, Razvan Gabriel Iordache, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Laurence Vancamberg
  • Patent number: 10357221
    Abstract: A method for calibrating detectors in a CT scanner, wherein the new calibration process uses a combination of slab-based and water-based calibrations. By combining both calibrations, the complexity of each procedure can be reduced which will reduce restrictions on the quality of detectors used in the scanner. The slabs can be made out of commercially available material such as acrylic, and they will require no special treatment. Combining both calibrations also reduces the number of water phantoms needed for the calibration and the complexity of the calibration algorithm. Furthermore, the slabs can be shaped based on the scanner geometry so as to optimize the slab-based calibration step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ibrahim Bechwati, Eric Bailey, Geethika Weliwitigoda
  • Patent number: 10335111
    Abstract: A center position of a female connector is located near to a rear surface of a housing compared with a center position of the housing in a thickness direction of the housing of an electronic cassette. An inclined surface, which is inclined relative to a side surface and the rear surface of the housing, is formed between the side surface and the rear surface. The female connector is formed on the inclined surface. Therefore, it is possible to attach an outer grid provided with a longer side panel to the housing, in comparison with the case where the center position of the female connector is made coincident with the center position of the housing in the thickness direction of the housing, without requiring any processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Enomoto, Makoto Kitada
  • Patent number: 10307128
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging device and method acquiring a long-length image that is connected. A configuration data of the signal intensity depending on the position along a moving direction of the long-length imaging is acquired by acquiring a model data prior to the long-length imaging, to obtain an approximate configuration A long-length imaging is conducted and a brightness difference takes place along the data line in overlapping pixel regions relative to two X-ray images adjacent each other. An offset correction value C in pixels in the region other than the pixel regions from the difference ? of pixel values in such overlapping pixel regions, the slot width D and the overlapping width d. An offset correction is conducted based on such offset correction value, C and the X-ray images following the offset correction are connected to generate the long-length imaging to obtain a long-length image that is naturally connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 10283313
    Abstract: Provided are an X-ray generator capable of easily measuring a beam size of an electron beam on an electron target, and an adjustment method therefor. The X-ray generator includes an electron target including a first metal, a second metal different from the first metal, and a third metal different from the second metal, which are sequentially arranged side by side along a first direction in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Nonoguchi, Manabu Noguchi, Koichi Kato, Ryuji Nishida, Yuji Kusaka, Masashi Kageyama, Tomohiro Chaki