Technique Or Detector Patents (Class 378/116)
  • Publication number: 20110110497
    Abstract: An imaging area specifying apparatus that includes a storage component and a specifying component is provided. The storage component stores as correlation information a correlation value correlated with the amount of radiation emitted to each of a plurality of predetermined areas divided from a detection region of a radiation detector that outputs an electric signal indicating a radiological image represented by radiation which is emitted to the detection region for detecting the radiation. The specifying component specifies an imaging area capable of capturing the radiological image of a predetermined size while preventing variations in the amount of radiation emitted to each of the divided areas in the detection region, on the basis of the correlation information stored in the storage component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoyuki NISHINO, Kenji TAKAHASHI, Haruyasu NAKATSUGAWA, Yutaka YOSHIDA, Keiji TSUBOTA, Yasunori OHTA
  • Publication number: 20110096908
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining an x-ray image from an x-ray imaging apparatus using a digital radiography receiver installs a retrofit connection apparatus that adapts the x-ray imaging apparatus for use with the digital radiography receiver by forming a receiver interface channel for communicating signals to and from the digital radiography receiver, forming an operator interface channel for routing at least an input expose signal from an operator control to the connection apparatus and forming a generator interface channel for transmitting at least an output expose signal from the retrofit connection apparatus to an x-ray generator of the x-ray imaging apparatus. An input expose signal over the operator interface channel initiates a reset of the digital radiography receiver over the receiver interface channel before the output expose signal to the x-ray generator is transmitted over the generator interface channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Peter A. Newman, Michael P. Urbon
  • Patent number: 7929666
    Abstract: There is provided an X-ray imaging system to which an X-ray sensing unit including a solid-state imaging device having sensitivity to X-rays interchangeably connects. The system includes an X-ray generation unit which applies X-rays to the X-ray sensing unit, and an imaging controller which controls the X-ray sensing unit and the X-ray generation unit. The system also includes a sensing unit information receiver which receives sensing unit information from the X-ray sensing unit. The system further includes a control parameter setting unit which automatically sets control parameters for the imaging controller on the basis of the sensing unit information received by the sensing unit information receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7924982
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation generator which irradiates an object with radiation, a detection unit which detects the radiation generated by the radiation generator and transmitted through the object, thereby shooting a radiographic image, and a control unit which controls radiographic imaging by the radiation generator and the detection unit. The detection unit includes a first connection unit to be used to connect the control unit when used portably, and a second connection unit to be used to connect the control unit when stationarily used on a support portion. The detection unit detects which one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is used to connect the control unit, and determines a shooting operation based on the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110075813
    Abstract: A method for obtaining an x-ray image stores an association between a digital radiology receiver panel, a label that is applied to one or more surfaces of the digital radiology receiver panel, and an x-ray imaging room. A response to an operator instruction designates the digital radiology receiver panel having the stored association as an active digital radiology receiver panel in the x-ray imaging room. Instructions are transmitted wirelessly to the active digital radiology receiver panel. Image data is obtained from the active digital radiology receiver panel following exposure to x-ray radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Venturino, Peter A. Newman
  • Patent number: 7899157
    Abstract: A CPU (201) acquires objective information indicating the objective of X-ray photography before X-ray photography is performed, and sets an X-ray photography mode corresponding to the acquired objective information. After the start of X-ray photography, the CPU then determines whether information communication from an operation unit (110) is normal. Upon determining that information communication is not normal, the CPU performs operation control on X-ray photography in accordance with the set X-ray photography mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chizuru Inoue
  • Publication number: 20110044430
    Abstract: When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7889843
    Abstract: In order to improve the reliability of a radiographic image detection unit and the reliability of a radiographic apparatus, when it is not detected that the radiographic image detection unit is mounted on a support portion or a cooling portion, processing for restricting radiography of a moving image is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7881433
    Abstract: In a display control apparatus, an image receiving portion receives a plurality of images sequentially transmitted from an X-ray imaging apparatus based on a transmission order determined by a transmission-order determining portion, and a capture-order information receiving portion also receives, from the X-ray imaging apparatus, capture-order information indicating a capture order in which each of the images was captured by the X-ray imaging apparatus. The images received by the image receiving portion are stored in an image storage memory. A display controller controls displaying of the images stored in the image storage memory on a display apparatus based on a transmission order for transmitting the images or the capture-order information in accordance with an input imaging condition and an operating status of the X-ray imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Nishii, Koji Takekoshi, Hideto Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 7881434
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging system comprises: a radiation source for irradiating an examinee with radiation; a radiation detector for detecting radiation that has penetrated the examinee to acquire radiographic image data; image data receiving unit for receiving the radiographic image data from the radiation detector and outputting a termination signal indicating that an image has been taken each time receiving the radiographic image data; control unit for controlling operations of the radiation source and the radiation detector and detecting a progress of an imaging session for successively taking a series of images according to the termination signal outputted from the image data receiving unit; and progress notification unit for notifying the examinee of a progress of imaging session detected by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Sadato Akahori
  • Patent number: 7869563
    Abstract: A system for multi-mode breast x-ray imaging which comprises a compression arm assembly for compressing and immobilizing a breast for x-ray imaging, an x-ray tube assembly, and an x-ray image receptor is provided. The system is configured for a plurality of imaging protocols and modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Defreitas, Tom Farbizio, Baori Ren, Chris Ruth, Ian Shaw, Andrew Smith, Jay Stein
  • Patent number: 7852984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the separate three-dimensional representation of arteries and/or veins in a vascular system of the body by means of a C-arm biplanar system having two C-arms, which can each record a sequence of x-ray images from different projection angles during a mask or filler pass. With the filler pass, both C-arms record x-ray images, so that the x-ray images of the filler pass can be combined to form a first data record, which contains x-ray images from the arterial phase of the vascular contrasting and/or to form a second data record, which contains x-ray images from the venous phase of the vascular contrasting. This enables the arterial and venous phases to be reconstructed separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 7850367
    Abstract: When a gain correction is performed for the radiographed object image, the acquisition of the object image having a high grade quality and no artifact is realized. For that purpose, an image storing unit is provided for storing an image for correction radiographed based on conditions set with the table in a state in which no object exists to each operation modes of the plurality of operation modes; and an image processing unit is provided for performing a gain correction processing of the radiographed object image and performs the gain correction processing of the radiographed object image obtained based on the conditions set in the table of the operation mode selected by the selecting unit in a state in which the object exists using a corresponding image for correction extracted from the image storage unit based on the operation mode selected by the selecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7848490
    Abstract: A method for obtaining an x-ray image stores an association between a digital radiology receiver panel, a label that is applied to one or more surfaces of the digital radiology receiver panel, and an x-ray imaging room. A response to an operator instruction designates the digital radiology receiver panel having the stored association as an active digital radiology receiver panel in the x-ray imaging room. Instructions are transmitted wirelessly to the active digital radiology receiver panel. Image data is obtained from the active digital radiology receiver panel following exposure to x-ray radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Venturino, Peter A. Newman
  • Patent number: 7844031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining an x-ray image from an x-ray imaging apparatus using a digital radiography receiver installs a retrofit connection apparatus that adapts the x-ray imaging apparatus for use with the digital radiography receiver by forming a receiver interface channel for communicating signals to and from the digital radiography receiver, forming an operator interface channel for routing at least an input expose signal from an operator control to the connection apparatus and forming a generator interface channel for transmitting at least an output expose signal from the retrofit connection apparatus to an x-ray generator of the x-ray imaging apparatus. An input expose signal over the operator interface channel initiates a reset of the digital radiography receiver over the receiver interface channel before the output expose signal to the x-ray generator is transmitted over the generator interface channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Newman, Michael P. Urbon
  • Patent number: 7839977
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a first diving circuit unit to drive a first switching element connected to a conversion element, wherein the conversion element converting radiation into charges, a second diving circuit unit to drive a second switching element connected to the conversion element, and a control unit to control the first diving circuit and the second diving circuit independently at different timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Kameshima, Tadao Endo, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20100274120
    Abstract: When performing an interventional CT scan on a subject, radiation dose is limited by employing a dynamic collimator (142) that collimates X-rays emitted by an X-ray source (112). The X-ray source (112) and collimator (142) rotate around a VOI (122) in the subject, and move axially along the VOI (122) to maintain the tip of a medical instrument (144) within the field of view of the narrow cone beam. An instrument tracking component (146) maintains information related to previous and current positions of the instrument (144) relative to the VOI (122) and facilitates tracking the instrument as it moves through the VOI (122). A user interface (136) superimposes images of a sub-region of the VOI (122) in which the instrument tip is located onto a pre-generated diagnostic image for viewing by an operator, to track the medical instrument (144).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Dominic J. Heuscher
  • Patent number: 7822180
    Abstract: A method includes automatically determining a specific mobile device to use from a plurality of mobile devices based on at least one of a battery metric, a patient procedure, and a location of the devices or of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kevin Andrew Coombs
  • Patent number: 7801275
    Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. The medical imaging system includes an imaging device with a radiation source and a detector, a control unit; and a processing unit. The processing unit is operable to compare a stored reference image taken using a high radiation dose with a current image taken using a lower radiation dose. The control unit is operable to trigger the imaging device to take a further image using a high radiation dose based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Wedel
  • Patent number: 7796735
    Abstract: A detector panel having therein an X-ray detector, a signal processing circuit for interface, and a battery for power supply, the detector panel includes a first signal processing circuit for processing the detection signals from the X-ray detector, a second signal processing circuit for processing the output signal from the first signal processing circuit, a first power supply circuit for adjusting the output voltage of the battery by means of switching regulation, to supply the output to the second signal processing circuit, a second power supply circuit for adjusting the output voltage of the first power supply circuit by means of switching regulation, to supply the output to the X-ray detector and the first signal processing circuit, and a switching circuit for switching the configuration of the second power supply circuit between a single connection of one linear regulator and a series connection of two linear regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Fan Yi
  • Patent number: 7787593
    Abstract: An online analysis device, including a feed conveyor for supplying material, an X-ray tube, having an X-ray beam directed toward a measuring range on a feed conveyor, a control unit for actuating the X-ray tube, an X-ray detector that measures the radiation that interacts with, or is emitted by, the material, and a material detector for detecting material in the measuring range and generating a signal dependent thereon. To omit a mechanical shutter without reducing the service life of the tube, the material detector is connected to the control device, which controls the X-ray tube in dependence on the signal from the material detector in one of two states, where the heating current for the X-ray tube has the same order of magnitude in both states and the acceleration voltage in the first state is 5 kV to 100 kV and in the second state is less than 10 kV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Albert Klein
  • Patent number: 7778390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a residual-current circuit breaker for an X-ray device. In one embodiment, the residual-current circuit breaker comprises at least one input, via which a detector identification signal of a detector identification element can be received, said signal characterizing the presence of an X-ray detector and at least one input, via which a selection signal for an exposure measurement element can be received, said signal characterizing the activation of an exposure measurement element. A deactivation signal can be issued via at least one output of the residual-current breaker, the deactivation signal being generated as long as a detector identification signal and a selection signal that is assigned to the same detector as the detector identification signal are not received at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Claus-Günter Schliermann
  • Patent number: 7775714
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for facilitating the assessment of performance quality of an imaging system having a sensor subsystem. An imaging mode of operation of the imaging system is selected and at least one current set of digital image data of an imaging phantom device is acquired with the imaging system via the sensor subsystem. The currently acquired set of digital phantom image data is automatically compared to at least one previously acquired set of digital phantom image data representing a standard image of quality corresponding to the selected imaging mode of operation and the imaging phantom device to automatically determine if at least one sensor parameter of the sensor subsystem has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Crucs Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Crucs, Jim Dycus
  • Patent number: 7764766
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus according to this invention includes an X-raying condition fixing controller for carrying out controls to cause an X-ray emission from an X-ray tube on X-raying conditions effective when an X-ray emission is stopped by the automatic exposure controller, and turning off automatic exposure control by the automatic exposure controller. Thus, the automatic exposure control is carried out only at the time of starting radiography, and a subsequent sequential shooting can be carried out in the state of X-raying conditions at that time being locked and the automatic exposure control being turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Fujii
  • Patent number: 7751529
    Abstract: A radiation image radiographing system 1 including a radiation image detector 5 detecting a radiated radiation to obtain image information, a console 6 operating the radiation image detector 5, and associating means for performing the association with the console 6 operating the radiation image detector 5 at the time of radiography, wherein the radiation image detector 5 includes a power supplying means 21 controlling the state of power supply according to the operation status of the console 6 associated by the associating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromu Ohara
  • Patent number: 7711091
    Abstract: An X-ray analysis apparatus has information about a relationship between selection of a measurement type and a replacement work of optical parts and shows, on a screen of a display, graphical information about optical parts which should be changed, to make it easy for an operator to perform a preliminary work before measurement. When the operator selects one desired measurement type among a plurality of measurement types in a selection window, there is displayed on the display, depending on the selected measurement type, graphical information about necessary optical parts which should be newly installed and/or installed optical parts which should be removed. The operator looks at the operating instructions and then performs the replacement work. The graphical information may be: graphical indication of the installation locations of the optical parts; different pictorial expressions about the installation and the removal works; and graphical indication of the identification marks of the optical parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Rigaku Corporation
    Inventors: Akito Sasaki, Aya Kuribayashi, Keiichi Morikawa, Kunio Nishi, Takao Ohara, Toshiyuki Kato, Yuji Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7702379
    Abstract: A system and method for hybrid tracking in surgical navigation is disclosed. A plurality of tracking technologies is used in a medical procedure where a reconciler determines an active tracking technology. The reconciler determines the active tracking technology during the medical procedure. A switch may then activate one or more tracking technologies. The determination of which technology or technologies are to be activated may be based, for example, on metrics measured by each of the technologies, such as an accuracy measurement. In addition, a display may present representations based on at least data obtained by one or more of the tracking technologies. The switch may employ weighted switching to gradually switch the display of a first representation corresponding to a first tracking technology to the display of a second representation corresponding to a second tracking technology, where the first technology is deactivated and the second technology is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gopal B. Avinash, Allison Leigh Weiner, Peter Traneus Anderson
  • Patent number: 7683328
    Abstract: A photographing control apparatus that controls a sensor for accumulating and reading out electric charge in order to obtain an image, includes: a deciding unit adapted to decide a frame period showing an image photographing interval, based on an input of an input unit; a determining unit adapted to determine, based on the frame period decided by the deciding unit, whether accumulation and reading out of electric charge not for use in an image generating process is set in the frame period; and a control unit adapted to control the sensor based on the determination by the determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7680247
    Abstract: A combination radiography and fluoroscopy system includes in one embodiment a radiography radiation generator and radiography radiation receiver, a fluoroscopy radiation generator and fluoroscopy radiation receiver, and a single computer system connected to receive signals from the radiography radiation receiver and fluoroscopy radiation receiver. The single computer system includes signal processing paths for the radiography signal and for the fluoroscopy signal wherein some processes or modules are common between the paths and some are path specific. The path specific processes are preferably connected in parallel. Common controls and a common interface are provided to the monitor connected to the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Atzinger, Bernhard Geiger, Heinz Hornegger, Clemens Joerger
  • Publication number: 20100054404
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation generator which irradiates an object with radiation, a detection unit which detects the radiation generated by the radiation generator and transmitted through the object, thereby shooting a radiographic image, and a control unit which controls radiographic imaging by the radiation generator and the detection unit. The detection unit includes a first connection unit to be used to connect the control unit when used portably, and a second connection unit to be used to connect the control unit when stationarily used on a support portion. The detection unit detects which one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit is used to connect the control unit, and determines a shooting operation based on the detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7660390
    Abstract: An x-ray diagnostics method is specified, in particular for use in angiography and cardiology, by means of which a particularly good image quality can be achieved in an easily manageable manner for the patient (P) and the medical personnel, at the same time as a comparatively low radiation exposure. Furthermore, a specific x-ray device (1) for implementing the method comprising an x-ray emitter (2), an x-ray detector (3) and a control unit (10) is specified to control the x-ray emitter (2). In this way the control unit (10) is allocated an operating element (15), by means of which a control parameter (S) characterizing the image quality, the detector input dose or the contrast noise ratio can be continuously varied, as a function of which a number of recording parameters (U,I,t,F) are set by means of the control device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Michael Maschke
  • Patent number: 7654739
    Abstract: X-ray equipment in which the X-ray source and X-ray detector can be moved in a simple and uncomplicated manner permits an X-ray picture to be taken only when the X-ray source and X-ray detector are aligned to match one another. This provides the user with information about how this appropriate alignment can be achieved, which helps to avoid failed exposures, and which conforms to radiation hygiene. The X-ray equipment comprises: an evaluation device for determining a suitable trigger setting for an X-ray picture, in which the X-ray source and detector have such positions and alignments that an X-ray picture of the examination object can be taken using the X-ray equipment; a signal device for outputting signals that inform a user how a trigger setting is to be achieved; and a release device for releasing the X-ray equipment for an X-ray picture when the X-ray equipment has a trigger setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Waldemar Lumma, Horst-Hartwig Schwieker
  • Patent number: 7657001
    Abstract: A method for at least reducing the occurrence of differential ghosting in an X-ray image acquired in respect of a subject, wherein a deghost scan is performed at least once daily so as to generate an underlying strong homogeneous ghost so that further differential (non-homogeneous) ghosting during subsequent scans is minimised. The deghost scan comprises acquiring an ‘air’ image, when no subject is present between the X-ray source (4) and detector (5), as a relatively high detector dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter George Van De Haar
  • Publication number: 20100020923
    Abstract: In an X-ray CT scanner having an X-ray tube which applies an X-ray spreading in a body axis direction of a subject, and an X-ray detector having a wide imaging range which detects the X-ray passed through the subject and converts the detected X-ray into an electric signal, a desired image creation time is set by use of a specific CT value curve in a console input unit before scanning with the X-ray. After the scanning, data of the CT value change curve is generated based on the obtained projection data. An image creation range in the generated change curve is determined based on an image creation range set in the console input unit, and the image creation is performed in the image creation unit based on the determined image creation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Atsushi FUKANO, Shigeo KAMINAGA, Hisashi YASUDA, Katsuhito MORINO, Go MUKUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20090323897
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus having high frame rate and picture quality by offset correction has: a sensor array having matrix-shaped pixels each including a converting element and a TFT; a driver for supplying signals to control terminals of the TFTs row by row; a reader for holding a signal into a first or second sampling/holding (S/H) circuit and outputting an image signal; and a controller for controlling the driver and reader. Until the image signal is output after the irradiation of pulsating radiation, the TFT of a pixel is driven so as to output a first signal, the TFT of the pixel to which the first signal has been output is driven so as to output a second electric signal, and the reader outputs the image signal of the signal showing a difference between the first and second signals held in the first and second S/H circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: TOSHIO KAMESHIMA, Tadao ENDO, Tomoyuki YAGI, Katsuro TAKENAKA, Keigo YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20090310745
    Abstract: The aim of the method is to characterize an element (21) comprising a plurality of superposed layers separated from one another by interfaces. It comprises at least the following steps: The element (21) is illuminated with radiation (15) emitted by a source (13); radiation (23) transmitted through the element (21) is collected on a detector (17), this transmitted radiation forming an experimental image of the element (21) on the detector (17), the detector (17) being placed at such a distance from the element (21) that interference fringes appear on the experimental image at the interfaces between the layers; and an approximate value of at least one physical characteristic of at least one given layer is determined by calculation from the experimental image, the determination step being implemented by minimizing the difference between the experimental image and a simulated image of at least part of the experimental image of the element (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Julien Banchet, David Tisseur
  • Publication number: 20090310750
    Abstract: A CPU (201) acquires objective information indicating the objective of X-ray photography before X-ray photography is performed, and sets an X-ray photography mode corresponding to the acquired objective information. After the start of X-ray photography, the CPU then determines whether information communication from an operation unit (110) is normal. Upon determining that information communication is not normal, the CPU performs operation control on X-ray photography in accordance with the set X-ray photography mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chizuru Inoue
  • Patent number: 7634056
    Abstract: In an imaging acquisition system and method, successive x-ray images and successive optical images are respectively acquired from an examination subject. Positional identifiers associated with the examination subject are detected in the optical images, and acquisition of respective x-ray images is triggered only when the identifiers are detected in the optical images. The number of acquired x-ray images is therefore substantially fewer than the number of acquired optical images, and the x-ray images can be acquired with substantially no overlap, thereby avoiding exposing the examination subject to unnecessary radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Graumann, Sorin-Alexandru Neagu, Sven Martin Sutter
  • Publication number: 20090304156
    Abstract: A radiography control apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire data of image-capturing mode and a change unit configured to change the number of times a correction image is captured, the correction image being used to correct a radiographic image in accordance with the acquired image-capturing-mode data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7620142
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a networked scanner environment wherein each scanner is communicatable with one or more databases configured to store data associated with previously executed imaging sessions. The one or more databases may be queried by a user to determine, based on a set of user inputs, an historical evaluation of the prior imaging sessions conducted in accordance with scan parameters similar to the scan parameters of an imminent imaging session. The present invention includes a global database that is accessible by a series of remotely located imaging systems as well as includes one or more databases particular to a specific treatment facility housing one or more imaging scanners. The present invention is also applicable with a stand-alone imaging system having a database local to that particular imaging system for storing and accessing data associated with imaging sessions conducted on that particular imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Toth
  • Patent number: 7613277
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is capable of taking a moving picture by acquisition by a reading circuit of a plurality of radiation image signals on the basis of a plurality of successive times of irradiation of a radiation detector with radiation rays. The radiation detector has a two-dimensional array of pixels. In a period between a start of an n-th time of irradiation with radiation rays and a start of an (n+1)-th time of irradiation with radiation rays, where n is a natural number, a controller switches an operation status of an analog-to-digital converter that converts electric signals read by the reading circuit into digital signals so that power consumption of the analog-to-digital converter is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20090262898
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an evaluation unit configured to obtain priority of each arranged component according to attribute information given to the arranged component and a determination unit configured to obtain an order used for selecting the arranged component according to the result of the evaluation of the evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuno, Keisuke Arima
  • Publication number: 20090257561
    Abstract: To automate positioning operation of an X-ray tube so as to reduce the inspection time. Anatomical program selection means selects a surgery method/imaging object portion so that an imaging condition stored as an anatomical program in advance is called out and set in an X-ray generation device. Here, when an operation switch is pressed, control means moves drive means built in X-ray irradiation means parallel movement holding means and X-ray irradiation means rotation holding means so as to obtain the positional relationship between an X-ray tube and an FPD stored in correspondence with the anatomical program (such as SID and incident angle). The position of the FPD should be matched with the examinee. However, since the positional relationship between the X-ray tube and the FPD is almost constant in accordance with the surgery method/imaging object portion, it is possible to reduce the time required for positioning the X-ray tube by using this configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Tomoharu Okuno, Masahiro Kawano, Mikihiko Kato, Noboru Yamashita, Goro Hirata
  • Publication number: 20090245459
    Abstract: In an X-ray CT apparatus comprised with an X-ray generating means, an X-ray detector disposed opposing to the X-ray generating means, a rotating means for rotating the X-ray generating means and the X-ray detector on a circular orbit of a same rotation center, a control means for controlling so as to irradiate X-rays from the X-ray generating means to an object laid along the rotation center and to detect by the X-ray detector X-ray dose penetrated through the object while rotating the X-ray generating means and the X-ray detector through the rotating means and a reconstruction computing means for performing reconstruction computation by making use of the data of the penetrated X-ray dose obtained under the control of the control means and acquiring a tomographic image, the X-ray CT apparatus further being comprised with an input means being inputted of information with respect to an target tissue of the object to be discriminated in the tomographic image and of an index with respect to correctness of the dis
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION,
    Inventors: Taiga Goto, Koichi Hirokawa, Osamu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7596206
    Abstract: There is described a radiography device for recording dynamic processes and an associated recording method. The radiography arrangement is used to examine patients using an x-ray source, a digital flat detector with a single shot recording function and an operating console for controlling and recording purposes, with the flat detector also being able to display an image sequence at a rate of up to 5 Hertz, which allows the positioning of the region to be examined or the monitoring of pseudo-interventional interventions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Fuhrmann, Mathias Hörnig, Michael Maschke, Doris Pommi
  • Patent number: 7593555
    Abstract: method for simplifying the adjustment of a digital x-ray device for the refinement of the x-ray images, and to an image refining unit for carrying out said method. According to the invention, a pre-determined modification is performed on the image data of the x-ray image by at least one image processing module according to at least one parameter: the or each parameter is supplied to the image processing module from a current set of parameters; the current set of parameters is selected from a plurality of stored standard sets of parameters; an associated model image can be displayed for each standard set of parameters using stored image data; and the standard group of parameters selected by selecting the associated model image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Spahn
  • Publication number: 20090232278
    Abstract: A radiation image detector switchable between an imaging ready state which can detect radiation and an imaging standby state in which power consumption is less than that of the imaging ready state. The detector includes: a switching unit for giving an instruction of switching between the imaging ready state and the imaging standby state; a chargeable or replaceable battery provided as a power supply source for supplying power to a plurality of drive units; and a battery remaining power detecting section for detecting a remaining power of the battery. The radiation image detector includes a control unit for controlling running states of the plurality of drive units to switch between the imaging ready state and the imaging standby state according to the instruction from the switching unit and for controlling the battery remaining power detecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventor: Hiromu Ohara
  • Patent number: 7588369
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for identification of a detector unit in an X-ray imaging apparatus. For this purpose there is a detector unit (1a or 1b or 1c . . . ), selected from a group (10) of different detector array units (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ), and a transmitter-receiver (8) at side(s) of a space (V) for said object or a rack for storing those detector units belonging to said group. Recognition means (11) or a sensor units capable of detecting presence and absence of the detector units is also provided, as well as a communication line (2) for providing identification data concerning the presence (P2) or absence of a single detector unit in a predetermined volume or place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: PaloDEx Group Oy
    Inventors: Vesa Varjonen, Jouni Onnela
  • Patent number: 7577236
    Abstract: There is disclosed a device including: an electron beam generation device 10 which accelerates a pulse electron beam 1 to transmit the beam through a predetermined rectilinear orbit 2; a laser generation device 20 which generates a pulse laser light 3; a laser light introduction device 30 which introduces the pulse laser light 3 onto the rectilinear orbit 2 so as to collide with the pulse electron beam 1; a metal target 42 which generates a particular X-ray 5 by collision with the pulse electron beam 1: and a target moving device 40 capable of moving the metal target between a collision position 2a on the rectilinear orbit and a retreat position out of the orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignees: IHI Corporation, The University of Tokyo, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nose, Daisuke Ishida, Namio Kaneko, Hisaharu Sakae, Mitsuru Uesaka, Atsushi Fukasawa, Katsuhiro Dobashi
  • Patent number: 7577232
    Abstract: An X-ray detector for use in a medical X-ray imaging apparatus comprising a rotary means rotatable relative to an object to be examined, an X-ray generator provided at one side of the rotary means, and an X-ray detecting portion provided at the other side of the rotary means so as to face the X-ray generator. The X-ray detector is provided in the X-ray detecting portion or is detachably mounted in the X-ray detecting portion, the X-ray detector is provided with an imaging portion comprised of a plane electric imaging means extending in a two-dimensional direction used for X-ray CT and has an imaging portion positioning means for moving up and down the imaging portion in the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Akifumi Tachibana, Masanobu Yoshida, Takahiro Yoshimura, Masakazu Suzuki