Patents by Inventor Kenichi Ichioka

Kenichi Ichioka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9585636
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first calculation unit calculates a first feature amount concerning an edge direction in a specific region. A second calculation unit calculates a second feature amount concerning an edge intensity or a brightness value in the specific region. A storage unit stores filter characteristics. The each filter characteristic is associated with a first feature amounts range and a second feature amounts range which ultrasonic images suitable for the each filter characteristic may have. A selection unit selects a filter characteristic corresponding to both the calculated first feature amount and the calculated second feature amount. An image filter unit applies an image filter having the selected filter characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryota Osumi, Kenichi Ichioka
  • Patent number: 9483177
    Abstract: The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a display unit, an input unit, and a display control unit. The display unit includes a display area in which a medical image and a menu in relation to the medical image are displayed. The input unit receives input to the display area. The display control unit displays different menus in the display area in accordance with the input received by the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Ichioka, Kuramitsu Nishihara, Muneki Kataguchi
  • Patent number: 9295445
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, transmission unit, reception unit, control unit, adjustment unit, automatic setting unit, switching unit, manual setting unit, correction unit, and generating unit. The adjustment unit adjusts transmission/reception conditions for repeated ultrasonic transmission/reception in accordance with an instruction from the user. The automatic setting unit sets the first gain for correcting an echo signal in accordance with the adjusted transmission/reception conditions. The switching unit switches between activating and stopping the operation of the automatic setting unit. The manual setting unit sets the second gain for correcting an echo signal in accordance with an instruction from the user. The correction unit corrects an echo signal with the first or second gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kuramitsu Nishihara, Kenichi Ichioka, Atsushi Sumi, Muneki Kataguchi
  • Publication number: 20150363104
    Abstract: The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a display unit, an input unit, and a display control unit. The display unit includes a display area in which a medical image and a menu in relation to the medical image are displayed. The input unit receives input to the display area. The display control unit displays different menus in the display area in accordance with the input received by the input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi ICHIOKA, Kuramitsu Nishihara, Muneki Kataguchi
  • Patent number: 9173639
    Abstract: The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a display unit, an input unit, and a display control unit. The display unit includes a display area in which a medical image and a menu in relation to the medical image are displayed. The input unit receives input to the display area. The display control unit displays different menus in the display area in accordance with the input received by the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ichioka, Kuramitsu Nishihara, Muneki Kataguchi
  • Patent number: 9072470
    Abstract: As an ROI for display and an ROI for valve observation as well as a projecting direction are input, a volume-rendering processing unit creates a first image in the ROI for display through volume rendering processing, and the ray-tracing processing unit creates a second image in the ROI for valve observation through ray tracing processing. An image compositing unit then creates a composite image by compositing the first image and the second image, and the composite image created by the image compositing unit (13) is displayed on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sumi, Fumiyasu Sakaguchi, Takuya Sasaki, Kenichi Ichioka, Akihiro Kakee, Tomohisa Imamura, Chihiro Shibata, Kuramitsu Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8894579
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a unit which sets a display region for displaying a 3D image, a unit which transmits and receives ultrasound waves, a unit which generates volume data, a unit, on the basis of the volume data, which sets an analysis region, a unit, on the basis of the data on the analysis region contained in the volume data, which analyzes a fluctuations in signal intensity over time, a unit, on the basis of the analysis result, which calculates a cardiac cycle, a unit, on the basis of the cardiac cycle and the volume data, which generates data set constructed by data with substantially equal cardiac cycle, and generates data sets corresponding to a plurality of cardiac cycles, and a unit which displays the 3D images based on the data sets as a moving image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kuramitsu Nishihara, Shigemitsu Nakaya, Akihiro Kakee, Kenichi Ichioka, Chihiro Shibata, Masao Takimoto, Atsushi Sumi, Muneki Kataguchi, Takuya Sasaki, Yoshihito Abe, Yasushi Kamewada
  • Publication number: 20140058261
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a display unit, an image generator, an acquiring unit, a rendering processor, and a controller. The display unit displays a stereoscopic image by displaying a parallax image group. The image generator generates an ultrasound image based on reflection waves received by an ultrasound probe held against a subject. The acquiring unit acquires three-dimensional position information of the ultrasound probe of when an ultrasound image is captured. The rendering processor generates a probe image group for allowing the ultrasound probe to be virtually perceived as a stereoscopic image based on the three-dimensional position information. The controller controls to display a characterizing image depicting a characteristic of a condition under which the ultrasound image is captured and the probe image group onto the display unit in a positional relationship based on the three-dimensional position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi Ichioka, Shigemitsu Nakaya, Tomohisa Imamura
  • Patent number: 8652049
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transmission/reception unit, an echo processing unit configured to generate complex data based on the echo signals, a phase shifting unit configured to shift a phase of each ensemble data constituted by N complex data associated with the same depth on the same ultrasonic raster in accordance with a reference phase, an interpolation processing unit configured to interpolate ensemble data associated with an interpolated raster between adjacent ultrasonic rasters based on the phase-shifted ensemble data, and an image data generation unit configured to generate image data based on the phase-shifted ensemble data and the interpolated ensemble data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Shibata, Akihiro Kakee, Kenichi Ichioka, Kuramitsu Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20140039316
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an insertion area setting unit sets an insertion area in a predetermined range with a planned insertion route of a puncture needle in volume data being a central axis. An expansion image generation unit generates an expansion image expressing a brightness distribution on a side surface of the insertion area in the volume data by two-dimensional polar coordinates defined by a rotational angle around the central axis and a distance from a reference point on the central axis. A display unit displays the expansion image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi ICHIOKA, Takuya SASAKI
  • Patent number: 8568323
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis system and a centesis support controlling method by which positions and directions of a centesis needle traveling to a target region can accurately and easily be determined, including an MPR image data generating unit which generates target image data by setting a prescribed target MPR plane on volume data acquired through 3D scan over a 3D volume including a target region; a centesis needle MPR plane setting unit which generates centesis needle data indicating position and directions of the centesis needle, based on the acquired volume data; a crossing angle detection unit which detects a crossing angle between the target MPR plane and the centesis needle MPR plane including the centesis needle data; and a needling support data generating unit which generates needling support data by composing the target image data and the centesis needle data overlapped with centesis needle image data based on the detected crossing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ichioka, Atsushi Sumi, Akihiro Kakee
  • Patent number: 8475381
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image creating unit, an image-creation control unit and a display control unit. The image creating unit creates an ultrasound image from data created by adding a reflected wave signal of an ultrasound wave transmitted to an imaging target portion of a subject by using a reception delay time calculated from a set sound velocity set as a sound velocity in the imaging target portion. The image-creation control unit switches a set sound velocity set at a present moment in a variable range, and controls the image creating unit so as to create a plurality of ultrasound images each using a reception delay time corresponding to each of the set sound velocities to be switched. The display control unit controls display such that the ultrasound images created are displayed on a certain display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Kakee, Muneki Kataguchi, Kenichi Ichioka, Yasushi Kamewada
  • Publication number: 20130165788
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first calculation unit calculates a first feature amount concerning an edge direction in a specific region. A second calculation unit calculates a second feature amount concerning an edge intensity or a brightness value in the specific region. A storage unit stores filter characteristics. The each filter characteristic is associated with a first feature amounts range and a second feature amounts range which ultrasonic images suitable for the each filter characteristic may have. A selection unit selects a filter characteristic corresponding to both the calculated first feature amount and the calculated second feature amount. An image filter unit applies an image filter having the selected filter characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Ryota OSUMI, Kenichi ICHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20120157850
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device that is able to generate images with high sensitivity for structures and unnoticeable artifacts. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an image-capturing part, a calculating part, and a composition part. The image-capturing part deflects ultrasound waves at a plurality of different deflection angles to transmit ultrasound waves to a subject, receives echo signals from the subject, and generates a plurality of ultrasound image data in which the deflection angles of the ultrasound waves are different in each. The calculating part obtains, based on the plurality of ultrasound image data, the trend of the angular dependence of the plurality of ultrasound image data on the deflection angles. The composition part changes the weights of the plurality of ultrasound image data in accordance with the trend of the angular dependence, and composes the plurality of ultrasound image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Sumi, Kenichi Ichioka, Shigemitsu Nakaya
  • Publication number: 20110282206
    Abstract: The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a display unit, an input unit, and a display control unit. The display unit includes a display area in which a medical image and a menu in relation to the medical image are displayed. The input unit receives input to the display area. The display control unit displays different menus in the display area in accordance with the input received by the input unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi ICHIOKA, Kuramitsu Nishihara, Muneki Kataguchi
  • Publication number: 20110282204
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transmission/reception unit, an echo processing unit configured to generate complex data based on the echo signals, a phase shifting unit configured to shift a phase of each ensemble data constituted by N complex data associated with the same depth on the same ultrasonic raster in accordance with a reference phase, an interpolation processing unit configured to interpolate ensemble data associated with an interpolated raster between adjacent ultrasonic rasters based on the phase-shifted ensemble data, and an image data generation unit configured to generate image data based on the phase-shifted ensemble data and the interpolated ensemble data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Chihiro SHIBATA, Akihiro KAKEE, Kenichi ICHIOKA, Kuramitsu NISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 7985182
    Abstract: A measurement data processing device measures a size of a diagnostic region from a tomographic image as two-dimensional information. An ROI width determining device determines a size of a region of interest based on the size (lateral width and longitudinal width) of the diagnostic region. An oscillation angle determining device determines a range of an angle for oscillating ultrasonic transducers based on the size. An oscillation rate determining device determines a rate for oscillating the ultrasonic transducers based on information indicating the oscillation angle and image quality. In order to acquire a three-dimensional image of the diagnostic region, the probe oscillation control device controls the oscillation of the ultrasonic transducers based on the information. A three-dimensional image processing device extracts a three-dimensional image of in the determined region of interest from the acquired three-dimensional image. A display device displays the extracted three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ichioka, Muneki Kataguchi, Fumiyasu Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110054320
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, transmission unit, reception unit, control unit, adjustment unit, automatic setting unit, switching unit, manual setting unit, correction unit, and generating unit. The adjustment unit adjusts transmission/reception conditions for repeated ultrasonic transmission/reception in accordance with an instruction from the user. The automatic setting unit sets the first gain for correcting an echo signal in accordance with the adjusted transmission/reception conditions. The switching unit switches between activating and stopping the operation of the automatic setting unit. The manual setting unit sets the second gain for correcting an echo signal in accordance with an instruction from the user. The correction unit corrects an echo signal with the first or second gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Kuramitsu NISHIHARA, Kenichi Ichioka, Atsushi Sumi, Muneki Katagushi
  • Publication number: 20100331692
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image creating unit, an image-creation control unit and a display control unit. The image creating unit creates an ultrasound image from data created by adding a reflected wave signal of an ultrasound wave transmitted to an imaging target portion of a subject by using a reception delay time calculated from a set sound velocity set as a sound velocity in the imaging target portion. The image-creation control unit switches a set sound velocity set at a present moment in a variable range, and controls the image creating unit so as to create a plurality of ultrasound images each using a reception delay time corresponding to each of the set sound velocities to be switched. The display control unit controls display such that the ultrasound images created are displayed on a certain display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Kakee, Muneki Kataguchi, Kenichi Ichioka, Yasushi Kamewada
  • Publication number: 20100240997
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis system and a centesis support controlling method by which positions and directions of a centesis needle traveling to a target region can accurately and easily be determined, including an MPR image data generating unit which generates target image data by setting a prescribed target MPR plane on volume data acquired through 3D scan over a 3D volume including a target region; a centesis needle MPR plane setting unit which generates centesis needle data indicating position and directions of the centesis needle, based on the acquired volume data; a crossing angle detection unit which detects a crossing angle between the target MPR plane and the centesis needle MPR plane including the centesis needle data; and a needling support data generating unit which generates needling support data by composing the target image data and the centesis needle data overlapped with centesis needle image data based on the detected crossin angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ichioka, Atsushi Sumi, Akihiro Kakee