Patents Examined by Julio M Duarte-Carvajalino
  • Patent number: 9192341
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a computed tomography device including an x-ray source embodied to emit a fan-type beam bundle and a detector arrangement interacting therewith and including a plurality of detector elements. An embodiment of the method provides that an integration time provided to read out a detector element is dependent on the position of the detector element within the detector arrangement, wherein with a detector element which detects x-rays which penetrate the isocenter lying between the x-ray source and the detector arrangement, a longer integration time is provided, than with a detector element which detects x-rays which penetrate an examination volume which is further away from the isocenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Steffen Kappler, Martin Petersilka, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 9188696
    Abstract: Among other things, an object scanner, such as an x-ray system, is provided, where the object scanner is configured to translate an object undergoing an examination along a non-linear path. For example, in some embodiments, an examination region of the object scanner is spatially offset, relative to an entry port and/or an exit port of the object scanner, such that there is little to no line of sight through the object scanner, from the entry port to the exit port. The non-linearity of the path is configured to reduce the possibility of radiation scatted by an object and/or by portions of the object scanner from escaping the examination region and exiting the object scanner via the entry port and/or the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: David Schafer, Eric Finck
  • Patent number: 9186524
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for electronic brachytherapy wherein a layer of target material can produce reflection and transmission X-rays when struck by electrons from a cathode. An alternative system can have a fixed-size containment structure around a miniature X-ray source, with X-ray attenuating coolant fluid between the source and containment structure. A balloon can be around the fixed-size containment structure and can be inflated with an X-ray inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Brian Patrick Wilfley, Joseph Anthony Heanue
  • Patent number: 9179878
    Abstract: A non-rotational CT system according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of X-ray generation units which are radially arranged by being spaced at certain intervals around an inspected object, and in which position correcting sensors are equipped on one side thereof; a plurality of X-ray detection units which are arranged in separated spaces between the X-ray generation units, are provided alternately with the X-ray generation units, and in which position correcting sensors are equipped on one side thereof; a control unit which receives signals from the position correcting sensors equipped in the X-ray generation units and the X-ray detection units, and adjusts the positions of each of the X-ray generation units and the X-ray detection units which face each other to precisely correspond with each other; a data processing unit which stores two-dimensional X-ray images obtained from the X-ray detection units, and applies an image interpolation technique to calculate two-dimensional X-ray images betwe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Industry Foundation of Chonnam National University
    Inventor: In Su Jeon
  • Patent number: 9179533
    Abstract: A method includes identifying projection data generated during an x-ray tube arc event, determining x-ray tube voltages for data points of the identified projection data, correcting the identified data points based on the determined x-ray tube voltages for the data points, and reconstructing projection data that includes projection data generated during non x-ray tube arc events and the corrected projection data, and a system includes a projection data processor (116) that corrects projection data corresponding to data acquired during an x-ray tube arc event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N. V.
    Inventors: Lester D. Miller, Jaisingh Udaysingh Rajwade
  • Patent number: 9170214
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MINDS, LLC
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Patent number: 9171692
    Abstract: An x-ray arrangement includes a vacuum container in, which a rotary anode and a rotor of an electrical machine are disposed. The rotary anode and the rotor have a torque-proof connection to one another and are rotatably supported in the vacuum container, so that the rotary anode and the rotor are rotatable around an axis of rotation. Viewed in a direction of the axis of rotation, a laminated stator core is disposed in an area of the rotor. The area of the rotor, in relation to the axis of rotation, surrounds the vacuum container radially outwards. A stator winding system is disposed in the laminated stator core. The stator winding system has windings embodied as a yoke winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Baral, Andreas Rohrmoser, Carsten Voss, Thomas Weidinger
  • Patent number: 9161729
    Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray photography includes a first X-ray source, a first driving device, and an image detecting device. The first X-ray source has a light emitting end, provided with a block element. The first X-ray source generates an X-ray beam, and the block element is used for constraining a projection field of the X-ray beam, so that the X-ray beam has a first boundary. The X-ray beam is cast onto an object, and the object has a reference center and an imageable area. The first driving device is used for driving the first X-ray source to rotate around the object within an angle range with the reference center of the object as a center, so that when the first X-ray source is located at a first position, the first boundary passes through the reference center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Ho-Hui Hsieh, Meei-Ling Jan, Tien-Hsiu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9161726
    Abstract: An imaging system (400) includes a subject support (412) configured to carry a subject being imaged in an examination region of the imaging system and a subject support controller (418) that positions the subject support and hence the subject in the examination region for scanning the subject based on a motion algorithm which reduces subject support vibration during scanning relative to a trapezoidal or s-curve motion algorithm, for a given translation duration and a given translation distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Shufang Dong
  • Patent number: 9146201
    Abstract: An x-ray inspection system using backscatter of an x-ray beam emitted through a scan panel contiguous with, but of a material distinct from, an enclosure that contains an x-ray source by which the x-ray beam is generated. The scan panel is contoured in such a manner as to be visibly blended with a shape characterizing the enclosure. In some embodiments, the beam traverses multiple scan panels, where one or more of the scan panels may be selected for beam filtration properties. The scan panel may be disposed interior to a sliding door, and may be structured to serve as a scatter shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Schubert, Jeffrey M. Denker, Jason Toppan, Michael Chesna, Richard Mastronardi, Robyn Smith, Richard Schueller, Jeffrey Illig
  • Patent number: 9140803
    Abstract: A method includes generating, via a dose estimator, a dose map indicative of an estimated dose deposited in a subject based on acquisition protocol parameter values of an acquisition protocol of an imaging system, and generating, via a noise estimator, at least one of a noise map indicative of an estimated image noise based on the acquisition protocol parameter values or a contrast-to-noise map based on the noise map and an attenuation map. The method further includes displaying, via a display, the dose and noise maps in a human readable format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philps N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Bertram, Jens Wiegert, Kevin M. Brown
  • Patent number: 9138835
    Abstract: The X-ray processing device comprises a work table on which a processing object is placed, X-ray processors irradiating the processing object placed in a given processing zone on the work table with an X-ray for processing, a pressing member, and X-ray shielding sheets. The pressing member presses and collapses any remaining raised edges at the sides of the processing object. The X-ray shielding sheets are provided on the side of the pressing member that is closest to the processing zone and shield the X-ray from the X-ray processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO PRECISION INC.
    Inventors: Ikuo Shiozawa, Tsutomu Saito, Takeshi Tokairin, Koji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 9134258
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object is provided. The method includes acquiring image data of the object, wherein the image data includes a plurality of original voxels, and identifying, using a processing device, a first subset of voxels from the acquired image data. The method also includes performing a principal component analysis (PCA) on the first subset of voxels and determining whether sheet-like material is present in the object based on the results of the performed PCA on the first subset of voxels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, LLC
    Inventors: Samit Basu, Todd Jason Gable
  • Patent number: 9119560
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention includes an image reconstruction unit that, according to scanning conditions, acquires an irradiated X-ray image which is the distribution of the irradiation intensity of X-rays irradiated to an object by an X-ray irradiation unit, performs projection conversion of the irradiated X-ray image and a reconstructed image, and generates an exposure dose image, which is an image showing the distribution of an exposure dose of the object, and also calculates the exposure dose using the projection-converted reconstructed image and an irradiated X-ray image corresponding to a generation region of the reconstructed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryota Kohara
  • Patent number: 9078569
    Abstract: A Data Measurement and Acquisition System (DMAS) for multi-slice X-ray CT systems and multi-slice X-ray CT systems using the DMAS are disclosed; wherein the DMAS comprises a plurality of X-ray scintillators, a plurality of photodiode modules, a plurality of digitizing cards, one or more motherboards, and an arced support structure for mounting and securing the photodiode modules, the digitizing cards, and the motherboard(s); wherein the multi-slice X-ray CT systems comprises one or more X-ray sources, and one or more DMAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventor: Zhengrong Ying
  • Patent number: 9063061
    Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly in a biological material is disclosed, including the steps of: irradiating the biological material with electromagnetic radiation of at least two different energy levels; measuring the amount of radiation transmitted through the biological material; and determining, for each energy level, a transmission value. Before or after irradiation of the biological material, a reference material of a predetermined thickness is irradiated and the amount of radiation transmitted is determined. For each energy level, a transmission calibration reference value is determined and a calibrated transmission value is determined for the biological material and the calibration reference. A material value based on a relationship between the calibrated transmission value and the presence of an anomaly in the biological material is determined by comparing the determined and expected material values for the biological material. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MANTEX AB
    Inventors: Erik Oden, Ragnar Kullenberg, Anders Ullberg, Fredrik Danielsson