Patents Examined by Irakli Kiknadze
  • Patent number: 11744531
    Abstract: A method for estimating motion of an X-ray focal spot is provided. The acts of the method include acquiring image data by causing X-rays to be emitted from the X-ray focal spot of an X-ray source toward a radiation detector comprising multiple channels, wherein a subset of the channels each have a collimator blade positioned above the respective channel. The acts of the method also include independently estimating X-ray focal spot motion in an X-direction for the X-ray focal spot relative to an isocenter of the radiation detector and in a Y-direction along a direction of the X-rays for the X-ray focal spot relative to the isocenter based on respective channel gains for a first channel and a second channel of the subset of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Biju Jacob
  • Patent number: 11726042
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for detection of sensors, such as light-detectable sensors. The devices or systems as described herein may comprise an illumination assembly configured to direct a light to at least a well of a plurality of wells in the array of wells and a detection assembly configured to detect a signal from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: PHOTOSWITCH BIOSCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Blatz, Thomas Lila, Jay Trautman
  • Patent number: 11729895
    Abstract: An example remote control for a radiographic source includes: a forward cable section configured to extend into and through a radiographic source housing, to expose a radiographic source to an exterior of the housing, and to retract into and through the radiographic source housing to retract the radiographic source into the radiographic housing; a drive cable section coupled to the forward cable section; and a drive gear configured to extend the forward cable section by driving the drive cable section in a first direction, and to retract the forward cable section by driving the drive cable section in a second direction, wherein the forward cable has a smooth exterior surface to have a lower friction than the drive cable section while traversing the radiographic source housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Grenier, John H. Crosby, Jr., Curtis D. Auzenne
  • Patent number: 11717246
    Abstract: In a medical image generation method, projection data of a scanned object is acquired during rotation of a radiographic source, and a scout image of the scanned object is generated in one scanning direction using corresponding projection data in two opposite scanning directions in the projection data. The scanning direction is used to represent a relative position relationship between the radiographic source and the scanned object. Using projection data in two opposite directions to generate a scout image in one direction during rotary scanning of a radiographic source can significantly shorten the generation time of the scout image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Xiang Wen, Yi Tian, Tao Tao Li, Guo Qing Zhang, Wen Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 11717245
    Abstract: An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus executes an operation of rotating a C-arm continuously using a sequence mode function. The apparatus including a C-arm 9 that supports an X-ray tube 5 and an X-ray detector 7 facing each other, a memory storage element 37 stores a plurality of positions information relative to the C-arm 9 corresponding to an order information related to rotation of C-arm 9 to such a position as a sequence information, a touch panel 43 displays the position information included in the sequence information in parallel along the order of rotation of the C-arm 9, and a display control element 55 controls the touch panel 43 to display the next target rotation information, at which the C-arm 9 irradiates the X-ray, among the position information included is a sequence information SQ1 in a predetermined fixed region R1 of the touch panel 43.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koki Yoshida, Fumiaki Tanaka, Ryusuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11717248
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for image generation. The methods may include obtaining projection data generated by a scanner; generating, based on a first weighting function, a first image by back-projecting the projection data, the first image having a first region corresponding to a first part of the object; generating, based on a second weighting function, a second image by back-projecting the projection data, the second image having a second region corresponding to the first part of the object, the second region of the second image presenting a better CT number uniformity than the first region of the first image; and generating a third image based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhicong Yu, Yuan Bao, Dajun Wang, Alexander Zamyatin
  • Patent number: 11717239
    Abstract: First projection images are recorded. The first projection images map an examination object along different first projection directions. A corresponding respective second projection image is recorded for at least two first projection images. The first projection images each have a first focus point, and the second projection images each have a second focus point. Each of the second projection images together with a corresponding first projection image at least partially map a common part of the examination object about a stationary center point. The second projection images map the examination object along second projection directions that are mutually different and at least partially different, relative to the respectively corresponding first projection directions such that a straight line through the first focus point and the second focus point of the mutually corresponding first projection images and second projection images extends through the stationary center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Zellerhoff, Michele Kiessling, Michael Manhart, Thomas Brunner
  • Patent number: 11712583
    Abstract: A radiation delivery system includes a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to deliver to a target and a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) operatively coupled to the radiation source, wherein the MLC is offset to shift the MLC in a direction relative to a line from the radiation source to a point of interest to cause projections of the radiation beam to be shifted based on the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward H. Chao, Eric Schnarr, Dylan Casey
  • Patent number: 11707246
    Abstract: A method of imaging includes obtaining a first image including projection data representing an intensity of X-rays detected by a plurality of detectors at a first X-ray exposure setting, the X-rays being emitted from an X-ray source; based on a detection result of a first object in the first image: determining a background region of interest (ROI) around the first object, the background ROI including background ROI pixels having a first intensity value corresponding to the intensity of the X-rays; and converting, for each pixel of the background ROI pixels, the first intensity values of the background ROI pixels to a normalized X-ray attenuation factor; and determining a second X-ray exposure setting for use in obtaining a second image based on the background ROI pixels converted to the normalized X-ray attenuation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weifeng Shang, Joseph Manak, John Baumgart
  • Patent number: 11707249
    Abstract: A method for controlling a radiological apparatus through the use of: a) a control unit adapted to activate X-ray emission from an X-ray emitter of the radiological apparatus at the beginning of an exposure and deactivating X-ray emission from said X-ray emitter subsequently, and b) an X-ray transducer associated with an image detector of the radiological apparatus. Said control unit repeatedly determines a predicted value of total X-ray dose based on a signal received from said X-ray transducer, and said control unit deactivates the X-ray emission based on at least said predicted value. To determine said predicted value, said control unit repeatedly performs total X-ray dose estimates according to a model, and one or more parameters of said model are determined and modified during operation of the radiological apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL MEDICAL MERATE—S.P.A.
    Inventor: Ivan Perletti
  • Patent number: 11701073
    Abstract: Systems and method for performing X-ray computed tomography (CT) that can improve spectral separation and decrease motion artifacts without increasing radiation dose are provided. The systems and method can be used with either a kVp-switching source or a single-kVp source. When used with a kVp-switching source, an absorption grating and a filter grating can be disposed between the X-ray source and the sample to be imaged. Relative motion of the filter and absorption gratings can by synchronized to the kVp switching frequency of the X-ray source. When used with a single-kVp source, a combination of absorption and filter gratings can be used and can be driven in an oscillation movement that is optimized for a single-kVp X-ray source. With a single-kVp source, the absorption grating can also be omitted and the filter grating can remain stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Daniel David Harrison, Ge Wang
  • Patent number: 11693146
    Abstract: A calculation method for a dual-energy X-ray imaging system is provided. The calculation method for the dual-energy X-ray imaging system includes the following steps. A plurality of material attenuation coefficient ratio of the dual-energy projection image are established according to the reference materials with known material characteristics. The effective atomic number of each reference material and the material attenuation coefficient ratio are used to establish a calibration data set. A rational polynomial approximation method is adopted to obtain the characteristic model related to the material attenuation coefficient ratio of the reference material and the effective atomic number of the reference material. The material attenuation coefficient ratio of the dual-energy projection image of unknown material is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Yu-Ching Ni, Sheng-Pin Tseng
  • Patent number: 11684804
    Abstract: A patient supporting device includes: a base; a positioner; a platform having a first end and a second end; and a controller; wherein the positioner is operable by the controller to place the platform at one of a first plurality of possible positions or at one of a second plurality of possible positions, wherein in any of the first plurality of possible positions, the second end of the platform is closer to one of a left side and a right side of a treatment machine; wherein in any of the second plurality of possible positions, the second end of the platform is closer to another one of the left side and the right side; and wherein a size of a first spatial region defined by the first plurality of possible positions is different from a size of a second spatial region defined by the second plurality of possible positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers International AG
    Inventor: Reto W. Filiberti
  • Patent number: 11683879
    Abstract: A raster scanning x-ray source can be light and small, and can have high resolution. A raster-assembly can be attached directly to and can encircle an x-ray tube. The raster-assembly can adjoin or can be very close to the x-ray tube, resulting in a small and lightweight scanning x-ray source. X-rays can backscatter back into the x-ray tube instead of into a detector, thus improving resolution of the resulting image. A voltage-multiplier, which can be used with the x-ray source, can include separate voltage-multiplier-stages in a stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Steck, Scott Hardy, Vincent F. Jones
  • Patent number: 11676791
    Abstract: A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing encased within a bearing sleeve, one of which rotates relative to the other. The stationary component, e.g., the journal bearing and/or the thrust bearing includes at least one vent groove formed therein that improves the ability of the journal bearing structure to enable gases trapped by the liquid metal within the bearing assembly to escape through the vent groove to the exterior of the X-ray tube. By adding a strategically located channel or vent groove of sufficient size in at least one of the journal bearing or the thrust bearing, the pressures resisted by the seal created between the liquid metal and the vent groove(s) in the bearing components is significantly reduced, allowing escape of the gases to avoid detrimental effects to the operation of the X-ray tube, while maintaining the load carrying capacity of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Cross
  • Patent number: 11666291
    Abstract: An apparatus for Digital Imaging in the Head Region of a Patient includes an X-ray source and an X-ray sensor, supported on i a rotary arm supported on a structure by a motor driven translation and rotation means. The rotary arm is provided with adjustment means for varying the distance between the source and the sensor. The apparatus comprises a single sensor for both panoramic imaging and computed tomography, and has a control unit, that controls the source, the sensor, the adjustment means, and the translation and rotation means and operates the apparatus in a basic operation mode for bigger patients and in an alternative operation mode for smaller patients, in which the distance between the source and the sensor is reduced as compared to the distance used for the basic operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Claudio Giani, Giuseppe Rotondo, Costantino Nettis, Gianfranco Venturino, Gerardo Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 11670476
    Abstract: An x-ray anode for an x-ray emitter has a structured surface provided for impingement with electrons. According to an embodiment of the invention, the structured surface has a surface structure which alternates periodically at least in sections and which varies in the micrometer range with respect to its depth extension and periodicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Petra Maurer, Thomas Weber, Brigitte Streller
  • Patent number: 11653892
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing calibration for a polychromatic photon counting detector forward counting model. Measurements with multiple materials and known path lengths are used to calibrate the photon counting detector counting response of the forward model. The flux independent weighted bin response function is estimated using the expectation maximization method, and then used to estimate the pileup correction terms at plural tube voltage settings for each detector pixel. The beam hardening corrections are then applied to the measured projection data sinogram, and the corrected sinogram is reconstructed to the counting image at the selected single energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Xiaofeng Niu, Ilmar Hein
  • Patent number: 11647976
    Abstract: Versatile, multimode radiographic systems and methods utilize portable energy emitters and radiation-tracking detectors. The x-ray emitter may include a digital camera and, optionally, a thermal imaging camera to provide for fluoroscopic, digital, and infrared thermal imagery of a patient for the purpose of aiding diagnostic, surgical, and non-surgical interventions. The emitter may cooperative with an inventive x-ray capture stage that automatically pivots, orients and aligns itself with the emitter to maximize exposure quality and safety. The combined system uses less power, corrects for any skew or perspective in the emission, allows the subject to remain in place, and allows the surgeon's workflow to continue uninterrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: OXOS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Franklin, Gregory Kolovich, Evan Ruff, Addison Shelton, Igor Zamlinsky
  • Patent number: 11651927
    Abstract: An X-ray source including a liquid target source configured to provide a liquid target in an interaction region of the X-ray source, an electron source adapted to provide an electron beam directed towards the interaction region, such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid target to generate X-ray radiation, and an electron collector arranged at a distance downstream of the interaction region, as seen along a travel direction of the electron beam. The electron collector includes an impact portion configured to absorb electrons of the electron beam impinging thereon, and the impact portion is arranged so as to be oblique with respect to the travel direction of the electron beam at the impact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: EXCILLUM AB
    Inventors: Tomi Tuohimaa, Ulf Lundström, Björn Hansson