Patents by Inventor Thomas Matthew Benson
Thomas Matthew Benson 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).
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Patent number: 9326738Abstract: Approaches for acquiring CT image data corresponding to a full scan, but at a reduced dose are disclosed. In one implementation, X-ray tube current modulation is employed to reduce the effective dose. In other implementations, acquisition of sparse views, z-collimation, and two-rotation acquisition protocols may be employed to achieve a reduced dose relative to a full-scan acquisition protocol.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhye Yin, Roy Arnulf Helge Nilsen, Jiahua Fan, Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Jed Douglas Pack, Kai Zeng
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Patent number: 9076255Abstract: Approaches are described for addressing artifacts associated with iterative reconstruction of image data acquired using a cone-beam CT system. Such approaches include, but are not limited to, the use of asymmetric regularization during iterative reconstruction, the modulation of regularization strength for certain voxels, the modification of statistical weights, and/or the generation and use of synthesized data.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan
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Patent number: 8971599Abstract: The present disclosure relates to iterative reconstruction of images. In certain embodiments, a deconvolution filter is used to approximate the inversion of a Hessian matrix associated with the reconstruction. In one such embodiment, the desired image is not reconstructed directly in the iterative process. Instead, an image is reconstructed that yields the desired image when filtered by the deconvolution filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan, Thomas Matthew Benson, Lin Fu
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Patent number: 8897528Abstract: Methods are provided for iteratively reconstructing an image signal to generate a reconstructed image signal. In one embodiment, sub-iterations of each iteration are performed on pixel or voxel subsets. The subsets may be composed of neighboring or spatially separated pixel or voxels and may extend in the z-direction. In one embodiment, an update step of the iterative reconstruction involves the direct inversion of an approximation of a Hessian matrix associated with the respective subsets. In further embodiments, non-negativity or other limitations or constraints on update values may be enforced.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Lin Fu
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Patent number: 8885903Abstract: Methods and apparatus for statistical iterative reconstruction are provided. One method includes pre-processing acquired raw measurement data to modify the raw data measurement data and determining a change in a variance of the raw measurement data resulting from the modification to the raw measurement data during pre-processing. The method also includes reconstructing an image using the modified raw measurement data resulting from the pre-processing and the determined change in variance.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jean-Baptiste Thibault, Jiang Hsieh, Thomas Matthew Benson
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Patent number: 8867805Abstract: Approaches are described for addressing artifacts associated with iterative reconstruction of image data acquired using a cone-beam CT system. Such approaches include, but are not limited to, the use of asymmetric regularization during iterative reconstruction, the modulation of regularization strength for certain voxels, the modification of statistical weights, and/or the generation and use of synthesized data.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan
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Patent number: 8503750Abstract: A method and apparatus include acquisition of a view dataset based on x-rays received by a detector corresponding to a energy level, reconstruction of an initial image using the view dataset, the initial image comprising a plurality of metal voxels at respective metal voxel locations, and generation of a metal mask corresponding to the plurality of metal voxels within the initial image. The method and apparatus also include forward projection of the metal mask onto the view dataset to identify metal dexels in the view dataset, performance of a weighted interpolation based on the identified metal dexels to generate a completed view dataset, reconstruction of a final image using the completed view dataset, the final image comprising a plurality of image voxels corresponding to the metal voxel locations, and replacement of a portion of the plurality of image voxels corresponding to the metal voxel locations with smoothed metal values.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Naveen Chandra, David Allen Langan
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Publication number: 20130121553Abstract: Methods and apparatus for statistical iterative reconstruction are provided. One method includes pre-processing acquired raw measurement data to modify the raw data measurement data and determining a change in a variance of the raw measurement data resulting from the modification to the raw measurement data during pre-processing. The method also includes reconstructing an image using the modified raw measurement data resulting from the pre-processing and the determined change in variance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jean-Baptiste Thibault, Jiang Hsieh, Thomas Matthew Benson
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Patent number: 8379948Abstract: Methods and systems for iterative image reconstruction. The method includes selecting a particular X and Y location corresponding to one or more selected voxels in an image volume. Further, one or more Z locations are iteratively selected for the particular X and Y location. One or more partial sums corresponding to channel dependent portions of a separable system model associated with the particular X and Y location are pre-computed. Additionally, row-dependent portions of the separable system model are computed independent of the pre-computing of the one or more partial sums. The partial sums and the row-dependent portions of the separable system model are combined to compute corresponding updates for the selected voxels. The one or more partial sums are then updated to be consistent with the computed updates. Additionally, the computed updates are applied to the selected voxels independent of updating the one or more partial sums.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Matthew Benson
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Publication number: 20130003914Abstract: Approaches for acquiring CT image data corresponding to a full scan, but at a reduced dose are disclosed. In one implementation, X-ray tube current modulation is employed to reduce the effective dose. In other implementations, acquisition of sparse views, z-collimation, and two-rotation acquisition protocols may be employed to achieve a reduced dose relative to a full-scan acquisition protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhye Yin, Roy Arnulf Helge Nilsen, Jiahua Fan, Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Jed Douglas Pack, Kai Zeng
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Publication number: 20120308099Abstract: Approaches are described for addressing artifacts associated with iterative reconstruction of image data acquired using a cone-beam CT system. Such approaches include, but are not limited to, the use of asymmetric regularization during iterative reconstruction, the modulation of regularization strength for certain voxels, the modification of statistical weights, and/or the generation and use of synthesized data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan
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Publication number: 20120155729Abstract: Methods and systems for iterative image reconstruction. The method includes selecting a particular X and Y location corresponding to one or more selected voxels in an image volume. Further, one or more Z locations are iteratively selected for the particular X and Y location. One or more partial sums corresponding to channel dependent portions of a separable system model associated with the particular X and Y location are pre-computed. Additionally, row-dependent portions of the separable system model are computed independent of the pre-computing of the one or more partial sums. The partial sums and the row-dependent portions of the separable system model are combined to compute corresponding updates for the selected voxels. The one or more partial sums are then updated to be consistent with the computed updates. Additionally, the computed updates are applied to the selected voxels independent of updating the one or more partial sums.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Thomas Matthew Benson
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Publication number: 20120155728Abstract: The present disclosure relates to iterative reconstruction of images. In certain embodiments, a deconvolution filter is used to approximate the inversion of a Hessian matrix associated with the reconstruction. In one such embodiment, the desired image is not reconstructed directly in the iterative process. Instead, an image is reconstructed that yields the desired image when filtered by the deconvolution filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan, Thomas Matthew Benson, Lin Fu
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Patent number: 8160206Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the generation of dual-energy X-ray data using a data sampling rate comparable to the rate utilized for single-energy imaging. In accordance with the present technique a reduced kVp switching rate is employed compared to conventional dual-energy imaging. Full angular resolution is achieved in the generated images.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoye Wu, David Allen Langan, Jiang Hsieh, Robert Franklin Senzig, Hao Lai, Dan Xu, Thomas Matthew Benson
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Publication number: 20110262054Abstract: Methods are provided for iteratively reconstructing an image signal to generate a reconstructed image signal. In one embodiment, sub-iterations of each iteration are performed on pixel or voxel subsets. The subsets may be composed of neighboring or spatially separated pixel or voxels and may extend in the z-direction. In one embodiment, an update step of the iterative reconstruction involves the direct inversion of an approximation of a Hessian matrix associated with the respective subsets. In further embodiments, non-negativity or other limitations or constraints on update values may be enforced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan, Lin Fu
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Publication number: 20110150183Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the generation of dual-energy X-ray data using a data sampling rate comparable to the rate utilized for single-energy imaging. In accordance with the present technique a reduced kVp switching rate is employed compared to conventional dual-energy imaging. Full angular resolution is achieved in the generated images.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoye Wu, David Allen Langan, Jiang Hsieh, Robert Franklin Senzig, Hao Lia, Dan Xu, Thomas Matthew Benson
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Publication number: 20110081071Abstract: A method and apparatus include acquisition of a view dataset based on x-rays received by a detector corresponding to a energy level, reconstruction of an initial image using the view dataset, the initial image comprising a plurality of metal voxels at respective metal voxel locations, and generation of a metal mask corresponding to the plurality of metal voxels within the initial image. The method and apparatus also include forward projection of the metal mask onto the view dataset to identify metal dexels in the view dataset, performance of a weighted interpolation based on the identified metal dexels to generate a completed view dataset, reconstruction of a final image using the completed view dataset, the final image comprising a plurality of image voxels corresponding to the metal voxel locations, and replacement of a portion of the plurality of image voxels corresponding to the metal voxel locations with smoothed metal values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Thomas Matthew Benson, Naveen Chandra, David Allen Langan
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Patent number: 7826587Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry, an x-ray source, a generator configured to energize the x-ray source to a first kVp and to a second kVp, a detector, and a controller. The controller is configured energize the x-ray source to the first kVp for a first time period, subsequently energize the x-ray source to the second kVp for a second time period, integrate data for a first integration period that includes a portion of a steady-state period of the x-ray source at the first kVp, integrate data for a second integration period that includes a portion of a steady-state period of the x-ray source at the second kVp, compare a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) during the first integration period (SNRH) and the second integration period (SNRL), adjust an operating parameter of the CT system to optimize an SNRH with SNRL, and generate an image using the integrated data.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Allen Langan, John Eric Tkaczyk, James Walter LeBlanc, Colin R. Wilson, Xiaoye Wu, Dan Xu, Thomas Matthew Benson, Jed Douglas Pack