Patents by Inventor Masahiko Okunuki

Masahiko Okunuki 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: 9265424
    Abstract: A mammography apparatus includes a detector that detects X-rays transmitted through a breast, and an optically transparent or semitransparent pressing panel for pressing the breast. The apparatus further includes a near infrared ray source that provided between the X-ray source and the pressing panel and arranged in a two-dimensional shape in alignment with the pressing panel, and that is movable between a first position in close contact with the pressing panel and a second position outside an X-ray image capture region. Near infrared image capture is carried out using the near infrared ray source by causing the near infrared ray source to be in the first position, and the near infrared ray source is caused to retract to the second position when carrying out X-ray image capture using the X-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Masakazu Morishita, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9245659
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a multi X-ray source and a collimator in which a plurality of slits for X-rays to pass through are two-dimensionally formed, the size and position of the slits being adjustable. A control unit, as a first control mode, controls the size and position of the slits to move an examination region in parallel, when an X-ray source is changed to a different X-ray source, such that the examination directions are parallel before and after the change. Also, the control unit, as a second control mode, controls the size and position of the slits to rotate the examination direction, when an X-ray source is changed to a different X-ray source, such that the center of the examination regions is the same before and after the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 9008268
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a multi X-ray source which includes a plurality of X-ray focuses to generate X-rays by irradiating X-ray targets with electron beams, a detector which detects X-rays which have been emitted from the multi X-ray source and have reached a detection surface, and a moving mechanism for moving the multi X-ray source within a plane facing the detection surface. The X-ray imaging apparatus acquires a plurality of X-ray detection signals from the detector by causing the multi X-ray source to perform X-ray irradiation while shifting the positions of a plurality of X-ray focuses which the detector has relative to the detection surface by moving the multi X-ray source using the moving mechanism. The apparatus then generates an X-ray projection image based on the plurality of X-ray detection signals acquired by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Makoto Sato, Osamu Tsujii, Takashi Ogura, Hisashi Namba
  • Patent number: 8879687
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator which includes an electron beam generating unit which has a plurality of electron emitters and generates an electron beam corresponding to driven electron emitters, and a target electrode which generates X-rays with the irradiation position of an electron beam generated by the electron beam generating unit being an X-ray focus, the X-ray focus shape formed by a set of X-ray focuses on the target electrode is controlled by individually controlling driving of the plurality of electron emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 8861682
    Abstract: A compact apparatus can form multi-X-ray beams with good controllability. Electron beams (e) emitted from electron emission elements (15) of a multi-electron beam generating unit (12) receive the lens effect of a lens electrode (19). The resultant electron beams are accelerated to the final potential level by portions of a transmission-type target portion (13) of an anode electrode (20). The multi-X-ray beams (x) generated by the transmission-type target portion (13) pass through an X-ray shielding plate (23) and X-ray extraction portions (24) in a vacuum chamber and are extracted from the X-ray extraction windows (27) of a wall portion (25) into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20140296717
    Abstract: A mammography apparatus includes a detector that detects X-rays transmitted through a breast, and an optically transparent or semitransparent pressing panel for pressing the breast. The apparatus further includes a near infrared ray source that provided between the X-ray source and the pressing panel and arranged in a two-dimensional shape in alignment with the pressing panel, and that is movable between a first position in close contact with the pressing panel and a second position outside an X-ray image capture region. Near infrared image capture is carried out using the near infrared ray source by causing the near infrared ray source to be in the first position, and the near infrared ray source is caused to retract to the second position when carrying out X-ray image capture using the X-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Masakazu Morishita, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8787527
    Abstract: A mammography apparatus includes a detector that detects X-rays transmitted through a breast, and an optically transparent or semitransparent pressing panel for pressing the breast. The apparatus further includes a near infrared ray source that provided between the X-ray source and the pressing panel and arranged in a two-dimensional shape in alignment with the pressing panel, and that is movable between a first position in close contact with the pressing panel and a second position outside an X-ray image capture region. Near infrared image capture is carried out using the near infrared ray source by causing the near infrared ray source to be in the first position, and the near infrared ray source is caused to retract to the second position when carrying out X-ray image capture using the X-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Masakazu Morishita, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8666024
    Abstract: A multi-X-ray generating apparatus which has a plurality of electron sources arranged two-dimensionally and targets arranged at positions opposite to the electron sources includes a multi-electron source which includes a plurality of electron sources and outputs electrons from driven electron sources by selectively driving a plurality of electron sources in accordance with supplied driving signals, and a target unit which includes a plurality of targets which generate X-rays in accordance with irradiation of electrons output from the multi-electron source and outputs X-rays with different radiation qualities in accordance with the generation locations of X-rays. The generation locations and radiation qualities of X-rays from the target unit are controlled by selectively driving the electron sources of the multi-electron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Publication number: 20130294582
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a multi X-ray source and a collimator in which a plurality of slits for X-rays to pass through are two-dimensionally formed, the size and position of the slits being adjustable. A control unit, as a first control mode, controls the size and position of the slits to move an examination region in parallel, when an X-ray source is changed to a different X-ray source, such that the examination directions are parallel before and after the change. Also, the control unit, as a second control mode, controls the size and position of the slits to rotate the examination direction, when an X-ray source is changed to a different X-ray source, such that the center of the examination regions is the same before and after the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Publication number: 20130294580
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator which includes an electron beam generating unit which has a plurality of electron emitters and generates an electron beam corresponding to driven electron emitters, and a target electrode which generates X-rays with the irradiation position of an electron beam generated by the electron beam generating unit being an X-ray focus, the X-ray focus shape formed by a set of X-ray focuses on the target electrode is controlled by individually controlling driving of the plurality of electron emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 8509387
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a multi X-ray source and a collimator in which a plurality of slits for X-rays to pass through are two-dimensionally formed, the size and position of the slits being adjustable. A control unit, as a first control mode, controls the size and position of the slits to move an examination region in parallel, when an X-ray source is changed to a different X-ray source, such that the examination directions are parallel before and after the change. Also, the control unit, as a second control mode, controls the size and position of the slits to rotate the examination direction, when an X-ray source is changed to a different X-ray source, such that the center of the examination regions is the same before and after the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 8488742
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator which includes an electron beam generating unit which has a plurality of electron emitters and generates an electron beam corresponding to driven electron emitters, and a target electrode which generates X-rays with the irradiation position of an electron beam generated by the electron beam generating unit being an X-ray focus, the X-ray focus shape formed by a set of X-ray focuses on the target electrode is controlled by individually controlling driving of the plurality of electron emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 8422637
    Abstract: A multi X-ray generating apparatus which has a plurality of electron sources arranged two-dimensionally and targets arranged at positions opposite to the electron sources includes a multi electron source which includes a plurality of electron sources and outputs electrons from driven electron sources by selectively driving a plurality of electron sources in accordance with supplied driving signals, and a target unit which includes a plurality of targets which generate X-rays in accordance with irradiation of electrons output from the multi electron source and outputs X-rays with different radiation qualities in accordance with the generation locations of X-rays. The generation locations and radiation qualities of X-rays from the target unit are controlled by selectively driving the electron sources of the multi electron source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 8337712
    Abstract: A method for forming an etching mask comprises irradiating a focused ion beam onto a surface of a substrate and forming an etching mask used for oblique etching including an ion containing portion in the irradiated region. A method for fabricating a three-dimensional structure comprises preparing a substrate, irradiating a focused ion beam onto a surface of the substrate and forming an etching mask including an ion-containing portion in the irradiated region, and dry-etching the substrate from a diagonal direction using the etching mask and forming a plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tamamori, Masahiko Okunuki, Shinan Wang, Taiko Motoi, Haruhito Ono, Toshiaki Aiba
  • Publication number: 20120140895
    Abstract: A compact apparatus can form multi-X-ray beams with good controllability. Electron beams (e) emitted from electron emission elements (15) of a multi-electron beam generating unit (12) receive the lens effect of a lens electrode (19). The resultant electron beams are accelerated to the final potential level by portions of a transmission-type target portion (13) of an anode electrode (20). The multi-X-ray beams (x) generated by the transmission-type target portion (13) pass through an X-ray shielding plate (23) and X-ray extraction portions (24) in a vacuum chamber and are extracted from the X-ray extraction windows (27) of a wall portion (25) into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8139716
    Abstract: A compact apparatus can form multi-X-ray beams with good controllability. Electron beams (e) emitted from electron emission elements (15) of a multi-electron beam generating unit (12) receive the lens effect of a lens electrode (19). The resultant electron beams are accelerated to the final potential level by portions of a transmission-type target portion (13) of an anode electrode (20). The multi-X-ray beams (x) generated by the transmission-type target portion (13) pass through an X-ray shielding plate (23) and X-ray extraction portions (24) in a vacuum chamber and are extracted from the X-ray extraction windows (27) of a wall portion (25) into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8084365
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nano structure by etching, using a substrate containing Si. A focused Ga ion or In ion beam is irradiated on the surface of the substrate containing Si. The Ga ions or the In ions are injected while sputtering away the surface of the substrate so that a layer containing Ga or In is formed on the surface of the substrate. Dry etching by a gas containing fluorine (F) is performed with the layer containing the Ga or the In formed on the surface of the substrate taken as an etching mask, and the nano structure is formed having a pattern of at least 2 ?m tin in depth according to a predetermined line width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taiko Motoi, Kenji Tamamori, Shinan Wang, Masahiko Okunuki, Haruhito Ono, Toshiaki Aiba, Nobuki Yoshimatsu
  • Publication number: 20110249802
    Abstract: A multi X-ray generating apparatus which has a plurality of electron sources arranged two-dimensionally and targets arranged at positions opposite to the electron sources includes a multi electron source which includes a plurality of electron sources and outputs electrons from driven electron sources by selectively driving a plurality of electron sources in accordance with supplied driving signals, and a target unit which includes a plurality of targets which generate X-rays in accordance with irradiation of electrons output from the multi electron source and outputs X-rays with different radiation qualities in accordance with the generation locations of X-rays. The generation locations and radiation qualities of X-rays from the target unit are controlled by selectively driving the electron sources of the multi electron source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Osamu Tsujii, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Publication number: 20110249796
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a multi X-ray source which includes a plurality of X-ray focuses to generate X-rays by irradiating X-ray targets with electron beams, a detector which detects X-rays which have been emitted from the multi X-ray source and have reached a detection surface, and a moving mechanism for moving the multi X-ray source within a plane facing the detection surface. The X-ray imaging apparatus acquires a plurality of X-ray detection signals from the detector by causing the multi X-ray source to perform X-ray irradiation while shifting the positions of a plurality of X-ray focuses which the detector has relative to the detection surface by moving the multi X-ray source using the moving mechanism. The apparatus then generates an X-ray projection image based on the plurality of X-ray detection signals acquired by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Okunuki, Makoto Sato, Osamu Tsujii, Takashi Ogura, Hisashi Namba
  • Publication number: 20110222652
    Abstract: A mammography apparatus includes a detector that detects X-rays transmitted through a breast, and an optically transparent or semitransparent pressing panel for pressing the breast. The apparatus further includes a near infrared ray source that provided between the X-ray source and the pressing panel and arranged in a two-dimensional shape in alignment with the pressing panel, and that is movable between a first position in close contact with the pressing panel and a second position outside an X-ray image capture region. Near infrared image capture is carried out using the near infrared ray source by causing the near infrared ray source to be in the first position, and the near infrared ray source is caused to retract to the second position when carrying out X-ray image capture using the X-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Masakazu Morishita, Masahiko Okunuki, Satoshi Shimizu