Patents Examined by Glen Kao
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Patent number: 9848845Abstract: A sensor panel of an electronic cassette includes detection pixels each for outputting a dose signal corresponding to a dose of X-rays, an irradiation start judging section for judging whether or not X-ray irradiation has been started based on the dose signal, and an AEC section for judging whether or not an accumulated dose of X-rays has reached a target dose based on the dose signal. A gain setting section sets a gain of an integration amplifier in the case of using the irradiation start judging section lower than that in the case of using the AEC section.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Takashi Tajima
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Patent number: 9848838Abstract: A method for imaging an organ with a medical imaging system comprising a radiation source, a detector facing the radiation source, an organ support and a compression paddle, wherein the compression paddle is smaller than the detector, the method comprising offsetting the compression paddle to a position towards a side edge of the detector, moving the radiation source along a trajectory, wherein the trajectory is above the compression paddle and dependent upon the position of the compression paddle, and acquiring images of the organ at several positions along the trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Henri Souchay, Guy Hersemeule, Benedicte Grosjean, Yana Popova, Mireille Haddad
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Patent number: 9854657Abstract: An x-ray generator device includes a housing at least partially holding a specific fluid pressure, with an arm positioned to be able to strike a strike plate within the housing. The housing contains an x-ray window. The arm is magnetically actuated in at least one direction by a magnetic field generator outside of the housing. A striking portion of the lever arm and/or the strike plate may be a polymeric material with embedded metal or metal alloys.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Tribogenics, Inc.Inventor: Carlos Camara
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Patent number: 9846131Abstract: A motion-based interlock apparatus, system, and method prevent an x-ray source in an x-ray machine from activating if the current relative motion between the x-ray source and an image receptor would compromise the quality of the resulting plain radiograph. The system activates the interlock based on either or both of the velocity and acceleration of the tubehead, as measured by instrumentation corresponding to any of the tubehead, the extension arm, or off board the x-ray machine. The system may preferably compare the measured motion against one or more acceptable motion thresholds. If the measured motion exceeds one or more of the acceptable motion thresholds, exposure may preferably be delayed until the motion of the tubehead subsides. By ensuring that the image is not exposed while the tubehead is moving substantially, the quality of the resultant radiograph is improved.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Applied Minds, LLCInventor: Bran Ferren
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Patent number: 9842415Abstract: A method for processing tomosynthesis images of an object of interest, using an imaging system, the imaging system comprising an X-ray source positioned facing a detector on which the object of interest is positioned. With the method of an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to display a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction slice, as well as a two-dimensional (2D) image of the object of interest.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sylvain Bernard, Razvan Iordache, Henri Souchay
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Patent number: 9833206Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile fluoroscopic imaging system, and methods of use. A table top imaging system can include a support, an x-ray source carried by the support, an x-ray detector carried by the support and positionable at a distance from the source; a primary x-ray propagation axis extending between the source and the detector. The distance between the source and the detector can be adjustable along the axis, and the axis can be angularly adjustable throughout an angular range.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: OrthoScan, Inc.Inventor: Christopher B. Eaves
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Patent number: 9830685Abstract: A method for determining at least one three-dimensional image data record of a target area from two sets of projection images recorded with x-ray spectra using different energy maxima. A first set of projection images is recorded via a first X-ray spectrum and different first projection directions and a second set of projection images via a second X-ray spectrum and different second projection directions which differ at least partially from the first projection directions. A three-dimensional anatomy image data record is reconstructed from the first and the second projection images. A three-dimensional spectral image data record is reconstructed by a weighted combination of a first three-dimensional reconstruction image data record reconstructed from the first projection images, and a second three-dimensional reconstruction image data record reconstructed from the second projection images. The anatomy image data record and the spectral image data record are displayed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Frank Dennerlein, Mathias Hoernig
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Patent number: 9823579Abstract: A method for improving imaging properties of an optical system and an optical system of this type having improved imaging properties are described. The optical system can have a plurality of optical elements. In some embodiments, an optical element is positioned and/or deformed by mechanical force action and by thermal action. In certain embodiments, one optical element is positioned and/or deformed by mechanical force action and another optical element is deformed by thermal action.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventor: Olaf Conradi
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Patent number: 9823203Abstract: Systems for x-ray diffraction/scattering measurements having greater x-ray flux and x-ray flux density are disclosed. These are useful for applications such as material structural analysis and crystallography. The higher flux is achieved by using designs for x-ray targets comprising a number of microstructures of one or more selected x-ray generating materials fabricated in close thermal contact with a substrate having high thermal conductivity. This allows for bombardment of the targets with higher electron density or higher energy electrons, which leads to greater x-ray flux. The high brightness/high flux source may then be coupled to an x-ray reflecting optical system, which can focus the high flux x-rays to a spots that can be as small as one micron, leading to high flux density, and used to illuminate materials for the analysis based on their scattering/diffractive effects.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Sigray, Inc.Inventors: Wenbing Yun, Sylvia Jia Yun Lewis, Janos Kirz
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Patent number: 9814435Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus is provided. The medical image apparatus includes an output unit; and a controller configured to control the output unit to display an image obtained by photographing an object and to display, over the image, a top indicator for setting a top limit for an area to be X-rayed and at least one guideline indicating a bottom limit for the area to be X-rayed according to the top indicator and the number of partial photographing operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seung-hoon Kim, Si-won Park, Se-hui Kim, Do-hyeong Hwang, Sung-jin Park
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Patent number: 9808210Abstract: A photon counting type X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, a detector, a raw data generating section, an information compression section, and a data transmission section. The X-ray tube is configured to irradiate an X-ray. The detector is configured to count photons derived from the irradiated X-ray. The raw data generating section is configured to collect results of counting performed by the detector and to generate, from the results of counting, raw data for each of a plurality of energy bands. The information compression section is configured to compare values of the raw data between the raw data generated respectively for the energy bands, and to perform information compression of each of the raw data. The data transmission section is configured to transmit the raw data compressed by the information compression.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Takayuki Yamazaki, Tomonori Ozaki, Jun Moteki, Makoto Ishizaki, Hiroaki Nakai
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Patent number: 9808209Abstract: A collimator for use in a CT system made of an X-ray absorbing material, the collimator comprises an imaging aperture having a first width for passage of a first X-ray beam, the first X-ray beam being used for X-ray imaging, and a tracking aperture having a second width for passage of a second X-ray beam, the second X-ray beam being used for X-ray beam tracking.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bin Wang, Jiang Hsieh, Xianjun Pan, Jiaqin Dong
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Patent number: 9808216Abstract: A method of processing x-ray images comprises training an artificial neural network to process multi-spectral x-ray projections to determine composition information about an object in terms of equivalent thickness of at least one basis material. The method further comprises providing a multi-spectral x-ray projection of an object, wherein the multi-spectral x-ray projection of the object contains energy content information describing the energy content of the multi-spectral x-ray projection. The multi-spectral x-ray projection is then processed with the artificial neural network to determine composition information about the object, and then the composition information about the object is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Marquette UniversityInventors: Tal Gilat Schmidt, Kevin C. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 9795344Abstract: An emitter is configured to move around the object and to emit radiation toward an object. A controller is configured to control the emitter to stop a radiation emission, when the emitter is located in a radiation reception zone in which the radiation emitted by the emitter is received or in which the radiation emitted by the emitter is supposed to be received.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Min Kook Cho
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Patent number: 9799480Abstract: The embodiments relate to a CT system with a stationary part and a rotatable part, which is supported rotatably in the stationary part. At least one x-ray tube unit cooled by a cooling fluid, an x-ray detector lying opposite the x-ray tube unit, and a cooling device coupled in terms of fluid technology to the x-ray tube unit via a coolant circuit are disposed in the rotatable part. A cooling air channel, through which cooling air is able to be fed into the rotatable part, and an exhaust air channel, through which heated exhaust air is able to be taken away from the rotatable part, are disposed in the stationary part. In accordance with the embodiments, at least one overpressure relief valve is disposed in the coolant circuit, through which the cooling fluid is able to be conveyed away in the exhaust air channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Herbert Gruchatka, Ulrich Kühn, Lothar Werner
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Patent number: 9795357Abstract: The present invention relates to providing guiding information for operating an X-ray imaging system. In order to provide an improved positioning distance control facilitating the work flow, an X-ray imaging system (10) is provided, comprising a moveable X-ray source (12) and/or a moveable X-ray detector (14). The system further comprises a plurality of object-surface detecting sensors (16), a positioning detection arrangement (18), a processing unit (20), and a display unit (22). The sensors are arranged such to detect object data of objects located between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The positioning detection arrangement is provided to detect the current position of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and the position of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2012Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Bart Carelsen, Peter Belei
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Patent number: 9795022Abstract: An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray tube, an X-ray generator, a precharging module and a triaxial cable. The X-ray tube can be configured to generate an X-ray emission and include an anode, a cathode and a filament. The X-ray generator can be coupled with the X-ray tube and include a high voltage module and a low voltage module. The high voltage module can be being configured to supply a dosing voltage across the X-ray tube and the low voltage module can be configured to supply a dosing current to the filament. The precharging module can be configured to supply a precharge voltage. The triaxial cable can electrically connect the X-ray generator to the X-ray tube. The outer shield conductor of the triaxial cable can carry a ground voltage, the inner shield conductor can carry the precharge voltage and the center conductor can carry the dosing voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventor: Eric V. Duhamel
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Patent number: 9791391Abstract: A portable analyzer comprises a detector of ionizing radiation that is configured to detect radiation from spontaneous radioactive decay within an environment of the portable analyzer and or ionizing radiation that propagates past a front end of the portable analyzer towards its user.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis OyInventors: Mikko Jarvikivi, Jarmo Leino
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Patent number: 9782142Abstract: In the X-ray CT system according to an embodiment, a control means displaces and images imaging regions in the subject by controlling a top board driver and an imaging means such that the X-rays are projected onto the subject every time a top board is moved by a predetermined transfer amount. An acquiring means acquires projection data of the respective imaging regions. A reconstruction means, based on the projection data, reconstructs tomographic images for each predetermined size of a reconstruction region. In the scan control mode, the control means outputs the transfer amount corresponding to this mode to the top board driver. In the reconstruction control mode, the control means outputs the size of the reconstruction region corresponding to this mode to the reconstruction means.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Satoru Nakanishi, Naruomi Akino
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Patent number: 9782143Abstract: A medical device, such as a mobile C-arm, is positioned and/or aligned via a touch-sensitive control panel of a tablet. The touch-sensitive control panel provides access to one or more function units, for example, for initiating control signals for a positioning and/or an alignment of the medical device, or a second function unit for specifying a direction of movement for a mobile medical unit, or a third function unit for specifying a motion speed for the mobile medical device.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Rainer Graumann, Sorin-Alexandru Neagu