Including Object Support Or Positioning Patents (Class 378/195)
  • Patent number: 11413003
    Abstract: Setting an x-ray emission unit includes acquiring image data with the aid of a number of image recording units. A body region to be recorded of an examination object is identified based on the image data. Position data of the body region to be recorded is established, and the x-ray emission unit is set using the position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Anne-Katrin Becker, Georg Buchheim, Frank Dennerlein, Franziska Dinse, Philip Hafner, Sultan Haider, Clemens Jörger
  • Patent number: 11141118
    Abstract: A system includes a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus. In an embodiment, the gantry includes an X-ray source, and a radiation protection booth, which can be installed or suspended relative to the gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Lerch, Matthias May, Carsten Thierfelder
  • Patent number: 11109826
    Abstract: A fluoroscope assembly having a contoured support arm with opposing first and second end portions, an adjustment element coupled to the first end portion or the second end portion, and an imaging head or an X-ray detector coupled to the adjustment element. The adjustment element is movable to adjust a position of the imaging head or the X-ray detector relative to the first and second end portions. The X-ray detector is coupled to the second end portion of the support arm. The adjustment element is configured to allow the imaging head or the X-ray detector to be moved between an aligned position, with the imaging head aligned with the X-ray detector for generating an X-ray image, and a misaligned position wherein the imaging head and the X-ray detector are misaligned and not in a suitable position to obtain an X-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Onyx Technical Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Eaves
  • Patent number: 11045375
    Abstract: A robotic operating table according to one or more embodiments may include: a patient placement table; a robotic arm comprising a plurality of joints, and having a first end supported on a base and a second end supporting the table; and an operation device comprising a preset position registration setting unit that registers an anesthetization position, a surgical operation position, and an imaging position and sets one of the registered anesthetization, surgical operation, and imaging positions as a movement destination of the table, and a move-operation receiving unit that receives, from a user, a move operation to move the table. When the move-operation receiving unit is operated while one of the registered anesthetization, surgical operation, and imaging positions is set as the movement destination of the table, the robotic arm may move the table to the set one of the registered anesthetization, surgical operation, and imaging positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: MEDICAROID CORPORATION, SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaro Yano, Yoshiyuki Tamura, Toru Mizumoto, Kenichi Nakagawa, Yuuki Suzuki, Hidetoshi Yoshioka, Yuko Hidaka, Yuichi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 11042967
    Abstract: A center of gravity of a chest front image is obtained by a center of gravity calculation using pixel values in the chest front image, and a vicinity pixel position of the center of gravity is set as a center position P of a circular search region having a radius of a predetermined length. The shortest line segment of four line segments obtained by drawing perpendicular lines down from the center position P of an irradiation field to boundary lines of the upper, lower, left and right irradiation fields. The line segment, which is a radius of the circular search region, is rotationally displaced for each predetermined angle ?, and the profile of the average value for each predetermined angle ? is obtained. From the displacement angle ? of the line segment in which the average value becomes minimum, the orientation of the subject from the head to the abdomen reflected in the chest front image is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Miyajima, Junya Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 10912953
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods and systems for producing an adaptive pencil beam having an adjustable lateral beam size and Bragg-peak width. According to one disclosed embodiment, an apparatus for producing an adaptive pencil beam is disclosed. The apparatus includes a set of momentum band expanders configured to widen a momentum spread of a pencil beam, where a momentum band expander is selected from the set of momentum band expanders to receive the pencil beam, and a slit at dispersive focus of two dipole magnets to adjust a width of a Bragg-peak of the pencil beam. According to another disclosed embodiment, a method for producing an adaptive pencil beam with an adjustable lateral beam is disclosed. The method includes selecting a scatter foil, or setting of a defocusing/focusing magnet, and adjusting a lateral size of the pencil beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Particle Therapy GMBH
    Inventor: Joerg Wulff
  • Patent number: 10881360
    Abstract: A method for determining a deformation measurement of a couch in a medical procedure may include determining a first deformation measurement of the couch at a reference point, the first deformation measurement corresponding to a first working position of the couch. The method may also include determining a second deformation measurement of the couch at the reference point, the second deformation measurement corresponding to a second working position of the couch. The method may further include determining a difference between the first deformation measurement and the second deformation measurement and causing an adjustment of one of the first working position and the second working position of the couch based on the difference between the first deformation measurement and the second deformation measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Johannes Stahl, Supratik Bose, Li Wang
  • Patent number: 10863954
    Abstract: An apparatus for medical examinations includes a first arm that is rotatable about an axis, the first arm being configured to carry a radiation source or a radiation detector. The apparatus for medical examinations also includes a second arm that is rotatable about the axis, the second arm being configured to carry a radiation source or a radiation detector. The second arm is attached to the first arm and is rotatable relative to the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Fadler, Oliver Hornung
  • Patent number: 10825251
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a medical process that involves a particle accelerator, includes: a processing unit configured to obtain medical information, obtain a viewing direction of a user of the apparatus, and process the medical information based on the viewing direction of the user of the apparatus to create a graphical representation of the medical information for presentation to the user of the apparatus; and a screen for displaying the graphical representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Jarkko Peltola, Mikko Juhani Vainio, Janne I. Nord, Santtu Tuomo Tapani Ollila, Anri Maarita Friman, Ronan MacLaverty
  • Patent number: 10741296
    Abstract: An imaging table includes: a bucky apparatus to which a radiation imaging apparatus capable of being installed; a top plate connected to the bucky apparatus and allowing a subject to get on the top plate; and a rotation mechanism arranged to connect the bucky apparatus and the top plate in a relatively rotatable manner. The imaging table of the present invention can easily correspond to a plurality of imaging techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshito Sasaki, Tomoaki Ichimura, Shinichi Takeda, Kota Nishibe, Tomohiro Hoshina, Akiya Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10624594
    Abstract: A radiological imaging system including a bed extending along a main direction, and a load-bearing structure supporting the bed in a raised position. The system includes a collapsible gantry having a circular trajectory of expansion lying on a positioning plane, and the collapsible gantry includes a source to emit radiation and a detector to receive the radiation. The gantry also includes a casing housing the source and the detector. The casing includes a fixed arched module and a mobile arched module. There is a rotation mechanism suitable to rotate the collapsible gantry in relation to the bed and the load-bearing structure to vary the inclination of the positioning plane in relation to the main direction. There is also a kinematic expansion mechanism connected to the casing to translate the mobile arched module with respect to the fixed arched module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: IMAGINALIS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Damiano Fortuna, Leonardo Manetti
  • Patent number: 10595802
    Abstract: An apparatus for medical examinations includes a first arm that is rotatable about an axis, the first arm being configured to carry a radiation source or a radiation detector. The apparatus for medical examinations also includes a second arm that is rotatable about the axis, the second arm being configured to carry a radiation source or a radiation detector. The second arm is attached to the first arm and is rotatable relative to the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Fadler, Oliver Hornung
  • Patent number: 10548545
    Abstract: An imaging system comprising a scanner and a transport mechanism mounted to a base of the scanner, wherein the transport mechanism includes a movement mechanism for moving the scanner precisely, relative to an object being scanned, during scanning, and further wherein the movement mechanism comprisesan element which engages a floor and moves along the floor so as to move the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: NeuroLogica Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Eric M. Bailey, Daniel Allis
  • Patent number: 10433806
    Abstract: An operation device (200) for wirelessly operating an X-ray imaging device (1) is held in a removable manner in a holder (100) included in the X-ray imaging device (1). The operation device (200) includes a control unit (211) that provides a notification when detecting that a predetermined condition is satisfied while the operation device (200) remains removed from the holder (100). This structure provides various notifications including a notification for preventing the operation device from being left or lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kokichi Tobita, Koichi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 10405820
    Abstract: A method for display of a fluoroscopic image sequence during ongoing image acquisition acquires and renders a first image of a subject on a display according to a first parameter setting, modifies the first parameter setting according to an operator instruction entered following acquisition of the first image, and applies the modified first parameter setting for acquiring and rendering one or more subsequent fluoroscopic images of the subject in the fluoroscopic image sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohui Wang, Samuel Richard, David H. Foos
  • Patent number: 10283088
    Abstract: The medical information providing method includes: capturing a room image of an inside of an examination room in which an object is positioned for medical examination; obtaining diagnostic information of the object; and displaying the diagnostic information which is overlaid on the room image according to a first mode, on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-hyun Ban, Woong Lee, Jeong-ho Han, Keum-yong Oh, Chang-lae Lee
  • Patent number: 10169851
    Abstract: Embodiments describe an accurate and rapid method for assessing spinal bone density on chest or abdominal CT images using post-processed colored images. Post-processing of CT images for the purposes of displaying the spine is followed by color enhancement of routine unenhanced or contrast enhanced CT images to improve diagnostic accuracy, inter-observer agreement, reader confidence and/or time of interpretation as it relates to assessing bone density of the spine. CT images are post-processed (without changes to the standard-of-care CT imaging protocol and without additional cost or radiation for the patient) to straighten the spine for improved visualization of multiple segments. The color-enhanced images can be displayable simultaneously with the grayscale images. Methods and systems are provided for performing opportunistic bone density screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: COLOR ENHANCED DETECTION, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Dennis Smith
  • Patent number: 10145806
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes: an X-ray source that radiates X-rays upon an object to be measured; a frame upon which the X-ray source is mounted; an anti-vibration mechanism that attenuates vibration applied to the frame; and a shift mechanism that shifts the frame and the anti-vibration mechanism integrally together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihisa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10136867
    Abstract: A radiological imaging system including a bed and a load-bearing structure supporting the bed. The system also includes a gantry defining a main axis of expansion, and the gantry has a source suitable to emit radiation and a detector with a sensitive surface suitable to detect the radiation. The gantry also has an internal inner guide suitable to rotate the detector around the main axis of expansion defining an inner sliding trajectory, and an internal outer guide suitable to rotate the source around the main axis of expansion defining an outer sliding trajectory. In one embodiment, the distance from the source to the main axis of expansion is greater than the distance from the detector to the main axis of expansion. The gantry also includes a casing housing the source, the detector, the internal inner guide, and the internal outer guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: IMAGINALIS SRL
    Inventors: Damiano Fortuna, Leonardo Manetti
  • Patent number: 10076296
    Abstract: The present invention relates to positioning of an X-ray source. In order to provide an improved user interface for facilitating the X-ray imaging positioning, a transportable handheld planning device (10) for visualizing projected X-ray radiation for medical X-ray imaging is provided, that comprises a first structure (12) for representing a central axis (14) of a projected X-ray radiation (16), and a second structure (18) for representing a cross-sectional area (20) of the projected X-ray radiation. The first structure is manually positionable by a user in relation to an object to be examined. The second structure is adjustable by a user such that the size and proportions of the cross-sectional area are adjustable in relation to the object to be examined. Further, a current spatial position of the first structure and a current size and proportions of the cross-sectional area are detectable by a measurement arrangement (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jörg Sabczynski, Sabastian Peter Michael Dries
  • Patent number: 10028788
    Abstract: A robotic surgery system having a mobile base and a first moveable support structure coupled between the mobile base and a first element of a fluoroscopic imaging system. The first element is a source element or a detector element, and a second element of the imaging system is a source element or a detector element. The second element is configured to be repositionable relative to patient tissue disposed between the first and second elements. The system further includes a coupling member configured to fixedly couple the first element to the second element, and a surgical instrument for conducting a procedure on the patient tissue. The system further includes a second moveable support structure coupled between the coupling member and the surgical instrument. The second moveable support structure includes one or more actuators which may be controlled to electromechanically characterize movement of the surgical instrument relative to the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventor: Hyosig Kang
  • Patent number: 10014623
    Abstract: A high voltage connector is provided. The high voltage connector includes multiple electrical conductors, and at least one autotransformer. The high voltage connector is configured to couple a high voltage cable to an X-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Stephane Gautrais, Yannick Louvrier, Nicolas Levilly
  • Patent number: 9880111
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes a plurality of electronic cassettes having FPDs. One of the plural electronic cassettes for use in imaging is selected by input operation. Control is performed in a first mode operation being normal for the electronic cassette selected in the selecting step. Control is performed in a second mode operation being auxiliary of which driving power is lower than in the first mode operation for one of the electronic cassettes in an unselected state in the selecting step. Assuming that irradiation of the radiation is detected in the second mode operation, error information is displayed in relation to selecting the electronic cassette in the selecting step. For example, the first and second mode operations are pixel reset in which charge stored in pixels are swept in an FPD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasufumi Oda
  • Patent number: 9743897
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first actuator in which an X-ray source unit is provided in a main body may be rotatable independently from a second actuator in which an X-ray detecting unit is provided. A mammography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first actuator in which an X-ray generating unit is provided; a second actuator in which an X-ray detecting unit is provided; a rotary arm to which the first actuator and the second actuator are rotatably connected; a first drive source connected to the rotary arm and configured to deliver a driving force to the first actuator; and a second drive source connected to the rotary arm and configured to deliver a driving force to the second actuator, wherein the first actuator is rotatable due to the driving force delivered from the first drive source and the second actuator is rotatable due to the driving force delivered from the second drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Soo Kim, Hyung-Won Yoon, Young Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 9683952
    Abstract: Disclosed is a test stand that supports and stabilizes a handheld XRF analyzer, and holds a body of sample to be tested. The test stand allows both horizontal and vertical analysis positions of the analyzer. The preferred embodiment of the test stand comprises a shielded X-ray chamber in which samples are tested and which affixes to the XRF analyzer's window via a spring loaded handle, a stabilizing base to which the analyzer's handle is situated, and a stanchion for horizontal mounting of the XRF analyzer. In the horizontal orientation, the chamber contains an adjustable platform and soil sample retainer to facilitate the positioning of the sample to be tested. The stanchion can be stored under the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Michael Shields, Michael Drummy, David Joyce, Matthew Thomas Susa
  • Patent number: 9633753
    Abstract: A mobile transport and shielding apparatus, which holds an x-ray analyzer for transport between operating sites, and also serves as a shielded, operational station for holding the x-ray analyzer during operation thereof. The x-ray analyzer is removably insertable into the apparatus and is operable either within the mobile transport and shielding apparatus, or outside of the apparatus. The apparatus may provide means to control, power, cool, and/or charge the x-ray analyzer during operation of the analyzer; and also means to transport the analyzer (e.g., a handle).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: X-RAY OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Pomerantz, John H. Burdett, Rory D. Delaney
  • Patent number: 9585596
    Abstract: A wireless device communicates with a medical image capturing apparatus to adjust a position of a table supporting an object to be imaged. An operator adjusts a position of the wireless device, the apparatus measures the wireless device's position, and adjusts the table based on the measured position. A method may include measuring distances between the wireless device and each of a plurality of respective detection units arranged along an axis. An axial distance may be measured between a reference point and the wireless device using measured distances and locations of the detection units relative to the reference point. The table is moved with respect to a gantry aperture of the apparatus based on the calculated axial distance. Controlled table movement may be movement into the gantry aperture and/or table height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-hyun Bae, Ji-hun Ahn
  • Patent number: 9443302
    Abstract: Modeling an object in 3-D space may be accomplished various embodiments disclosed herein. An exemplary method of creating a 3-D model includes receiving roentgenograms of an object and at least one reference marker. In some embodiments, the roentgenograms may each include an image of at least one object marker. The exemplary method may further include determining 3-D positions of the x-ray source using the images of the at least one reference marker. The location of the 3-D positions of the x-ray source may allow a 3-D model of the imaged object to be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: AMEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC., TEXAS SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
    Inventors: Petr Stanislavovich Vvedenskiy, Konstantin Evgenevich Mikheev, Dmitry Alexandrovich Sivachev, Alexander Alexandrovich Morenko, Alexander Cherkashin, Mikhail Samchukov
  • Patent number: 9335280
    Abstract: A mobile transport and shielding apparatus, which holds an x-ray analyzer for transport between operating sites, and also serves as a shielded, operational station for holding the x-ray analyzer during operation thereof. The x-ray analyzer is removably insertable into the apparatus and is operable either within the mobile transport and shielding apparatus, or outside of the apparatus. The apparatus may provide means to control, power, cool, and/or charge the x-ray analyzer during operation of the analyzer; and also means to transport the analyzer (e.g., a handle).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: X-RAY OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Pomerantz, John H. Burdett, Rory D. Delaney
  • Patent number: 9289180
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a first x-ray image detector, a first x-ray generator, and a motorized turntable. The first x-ray image detector and the first x-ray generator are each mounted on a base and positioned opposite each other such that x-rays are projected from the first x-ray generator to the first x-ray image detector through a first imaging volume. The motorized turntable is positioned below the first imaging volume and between the first x-ray image detector and the first x-ray generator and is configured to rotate an imaging subject within the imaging volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: George Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 8998487
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source; a housing configured to accommodate the X-ray source; and a plurality of supporting legs each connected to the housing via a movable connecting portion and configured to support the housing, wherein each of the supporting legs can change, by the movable connecting portion, a support angle made by a ground plane and the supporting leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Watanabe, Hiroyuki Tokuda, Hitomi Ogasawara, Takashi Ogura, Jun Murata
  • Publication number: 20150023475
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for obtaining repeatable images of a patient are disclosed herein. Mechanical fixtures may be attached to a mobile imaging device and a patient support platform to allow them to be placed at a fixed relationship to one another. Additionally, devices for measuring movement of the mobile imaging device with respect to the patient support platform are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Charles R. Gordon, James E. Deaton, Blake Brookshire
  • Patent number: 8899832
    Abstract: A mobile patient positioning stand having vertical rails allowing a shield to be manually moved up and down to different heights based on the height of anatomy of the patient desired to be imaged. The shield may be positioned at a shield height for a certain height of anatomy of a patient so that markers on the shield identify multiple image areas within the total image area. After the shield is positioned, an image detector and a source of radiation may be vertically positioned to provide images at the multiple image areas. Vertical positioning of the detector may be determined by the markers or by equal height detector alignment markers on the shield. The multiple image areas may be connected by aligning stitching markers in the images, that may be on the shield. This aligning may be done by an automated computer software process that recognizes the stitching markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Fabrizio
  • Publication number: 20140328468
    Abstract: A mobile transport and shielding apparatus, which holds an x-ray analyzer for transport between operating sites, and also serves as a shielded, operational station for holding the x-ray analyzer during operation thereof. The x-ray analyzer is removably insertable into the apparatus and is operable either within the mobile transport and shielding apparatus, or outside of the apparatus. The apparatus may provide means to control, power, cool, and/or charge the x-ray analyzer during operation of the analyzer; and also means to transport the analyzer (e.g., a handle).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Steven M. Pomerantz, John H. Burdett, Rory D. Delaney
  • Patent number: 8876378
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes at least a tabletop support, an arm, a position storing unit, and a mechanism controlling unit. The tabletop support supports a tabletop movably in a longitudinal direction, a raising/reclining direction, and an upper/lower direction of the tabletop. The arm holds an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector movably in an approaching/separating direction with respect to the tabletop support. The position storing unit stores a photographing position of the arm and a photographing position of the tabletop in association with each other. When the arm is at a retraction position, the mechanism controlling unit moves the tabletop in the raising/reclining direction and the upper/lower direction to maintain a position in at least the upper/lower direction of a region of the object corresponding to a photographing position of the arm stored by the position storing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuji Zaiki
  • Patent number: 8842806
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a breast of a patient has a gantry with a radiation source and a sensor, the source and sensor rotatable in an arcuate orbit about a central axis and within a plane of revolution, wherein the arcuate orbit spans more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees, and wherein the gantry has a gantry cover that is disposed to be in contact with at least the chest wall of the patient. The gantry cover has a central opening about the central axis for insertion of the breast that is to be imaged and a peripheral cutout portion that defines the end-points of the arcuate orbit and that provides a space for positioning a portion of the patient's anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Packard, Samuel Richard, Dong Yang
  • Patent number: 8840303
    Abstract: A crane including support means arranged to support a load and to move the load along a path, and a scanner including a radiation source and radiation detection means arranged to scan a scanning volume. The path is arranged to pass through the scanning volume so that the scanner can scan the load as it moves along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 8770838
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a first x-ray image detector, a first x-ray generator, and a motorized turntable. The first x-ray image detector and the first x-ray generator are each mounted on a base and positioned opposite each other such that x-rays are projected from the first x-ray generator to the first x-ray image detector through a first imaging volume. The motorized turntable is positioned below the first imaging volume and between the first x-ray image detector and the first x-ray generator and is configured to rotate an imaging subject within the imaging volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: George Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 8764291
    Abstract: A patient table usable in an X-ray image acquisition arrangement including a table plate connected to a table base via at least one movable joint. The table plate is movable using at least one actuator. To set or re-establish an accurate position/orientation of the movable table plate, the patient table includes a positioning system including a first sensor arrangement for providing position data of the at least one movable joint and a second sensor arrangement for providing position data of the table plate. The accurate position data provided by the second sensor arrangement may be used in a method for improved three-dimensional roadmapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Daniel Simon Anna Ruijters
  • Publication number: 20140139215
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. GREGERSON, Russell STANTON, Michael CONNOR, Michael ALLEN, Paul SEBRING, Robert POWELL
  • Patent number: 8731634
    Abstract: A medical imaging system for imaging a region of interest (ROI) in a patient. The imaging system includes an imaging modality unit having a field of view (FOV) and an examination platform. The examination platform has a pair of opposite ends and a platform surface extending therebetween along an examination axis. The platform surface extends into the FOV. The imaging system also includes a patient transport belt that is supported by the examination platform and extends along the platform surface between the ends of the examination platform. The imaging system also includes a motor that is operatively coupled to and configured to move the transport belt along the platform surface in a direction along the examination axis. The motor moves the transport belt so that a predetermined portion of the transport belt is within the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Yossi Birman
  • Patent number: 8690424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus including a support structure (1) which supports a substantially ring-shaped structure, an O-arm (2) supporting imaging means (21, 22), to which O-arm (2) is arranged an examination opening (4). The ring-shaped structure (2) supporting the imaging means is arranged movable with respect to said support construction (1) at least in vertical direction. A patient stool (30) is arranged to be positioned in connection with the apparatus, as well as positioning means (32, 33, 34) in connection with said examination opening (4) for positioning the patient stool (30) in the examination opening (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Jouni Kinnunen
  • Patent number: 8684599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). The cross-section of an outer cover (3) of the O-arm (2) in a direction perpendicular with respect to the central axis of the O-arm is arranged for its predominant portion substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle but to comprise a cut, within the sector covered by which cut the distance from the center of said arch of the circle to the edge of the outer cover (3) is shorter than within the portion of the outer cover (3) being substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Lauri Seppälä, Tapio Laukkanen, Pentti Hyvärinen
  • Patent number: 8681932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus for imaging extremities, which apparatus includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure supporting imaging means (2), which imaging means include a source of radiation (21) and a receiver of image information (22), which imaging means are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) substantially to the opposite sides of each other and to be moved inside said ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2). The apparatus according to the invention is arranged with at least one padding element (15) to at least one such point whereto the patient can when positioning oneself to be imaged, in connection with the actual patient positioning and/or during the actual imaging, depending on the imaging mode in question touch, lean on, kneel, sit on or step on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Tapio Laukkanen
  • Patent number: 8667655
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a drive system to a ring in a medical imaging gantry, the ring defining a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a ring having an outer race and an inner race rotatively mounted within the outer race, the inner race defining inner race teeth about a portion of its circumference, The apparatus also includes a drive system having a drive gear, defining drive gear teeth that are engaged with the inner race teeth, and defining tooth clearance there between. A mounting assembly is also included having at least one mounting bar rigidly attached to the outer race outer facing surface, the mounting bar including a transverse face being substantially perpendicular to the ring outer race circumference, at least one mounting plate secured to the drive system and transverse face of the at least one mounting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Campbell, Jeff Scribner
  • Publication number: 20130279662
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having an imaging unit power feeding mechanism configured to receive electric power from an external device; a pedestal including a pedestal power feeding mechanism configured to feed the electric power to the imaging unit; and a holder configured to position and hold the imaging unit so that a position of the imaging unit power feeding mechanism coincides with a position of the pedestal power feeding mechanism even if the imaging unit power feeding mechanism is moved with respect to the pedestal power feeding mechanism within a predetermined imaging plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Kensuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8546773
    Abstract: A radiotherapy technique for providing a radiation source having a radiation path that intersects a treatment area, activating the radiation source, and moving the radiation source in three dimensions about the treatment area, wherein the radiation source is continually directed substantially toward an isocentric point within the treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: John P. Stokes
  • Patent number: 8525833
    Abstract: A method of generating a three-dimensional volumetric representation of a subject. The method includes capturing a first image of the subject with a first capture device from a first perspective, accessing a stored volumetric model of the subject, and approximating a first orientation of the stored volumetric model that corresponds to the first perspective. A digitally simulated radiograph is generated from the stored volumetric model and compared to the captured first image. A second image is also captured at the same time as the first picture, but from a different perspective. A second orientation of the stored volumetric model is approximated that corresponds to the second image. A second digitally simulated radiograph is generated and compared to the second image. Based on the approximated orientations, a three-dimensional volumetric representation of the subject is generated by positioning the stored volumetric model according to the first orientation and the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: George Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 8451973
    Abstract: A compression unit of a mammography apparatus includes an arrangement to tension at least one compression band in a first fixing unit and second fixing unit arranged on both sides of a subject table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mathias Hoernig
  • Publication number: 20130114797
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes at least a tabletop support, an arm, a position storing unit, and a mechanism controlling unit. The tabletop support supports a tabletop movably in a longitudinal direction, a raising/reclining direction, and an upper/lower direction of the tabletop. The arm holds an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector movably in an approaching/separating direction with respect to the tabletop support. The position storing unit stores a photographing position of the arm and a photographing position of the tabletop in association with each other. When the arm is at a retraction position, the mechanism controlling unit moves the tabletop in the raising/reclining direction and the upper/lower direction to maintain a position in at least the upper/lower direction of a region of the object corresponding to a photographing position of the arm stored by the position storing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Ryuji ZAIKI