Miscellaneous Patents (Class 378/210)
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Patent number: 11972565Abstract: The systems and method for processing scanning data of a scanning object are provided. The method may include acquiring, in a scanning process, at least two target phases of a motion of the scanning object, wherein the scanning process involves multiple data acquisition time points each of which corresponds to a scanning data set; identifying at least two first time periods during the scanning process, each first time period corresponding to one of the two target phases; determining a second time period that encloses the at least two first time periods; and retrieving once, from the multiple scanning data sets, second scanning data sets for reconstructing phase images each of which corresponds to one target phase, the second scanning data sets being acquired at second data acquisition time points of the multiple data acquisition time points within the second time period.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventor: Shankui Li
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Patent number: 11965950Abstract: A method for generating a perfusion weighted image using arterial spin labeling (ASL) with segmented acquisitions includes dividing an anatomical area of interest into a plurality of slices and performing a multi-band (MB) echo planar imaging (EPI) acquisition process using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire a control image dataset representative of the plurality of slices using a central-to-peripheral or peripheral-to-central slice acquisition order. An ASL preparation process is performed using the MRI system to magnetically label protons in arterial blood water in an area upstream from the anatomical area of interest. Following a post-labeling delay time period, the MB EPI acquisition process is performed to a labeled image dataset corresponding to the slices using the central-to-peripheral or peripheral-to-central slice acquisition order. A perfusion weighted image of the anatomical area is generated by subtracting the labeled image dataset from the control image dataset.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignees: Siemens Healthineers AG, Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Xiufeng Li, Gregory J. Metzger, Essa Yacoub, Kamil Ugurbil, Dingxin Wang
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Patent number: 11587298Abstract: A method to efficiently update and manage outputs of real time or offline 3D reconstruction and scanning in a mobile device having limited resource and connection to the Internet is provided. The method makes available to a wide variety of mobile XR applications fresh, accurate and comprehensive 3D reconstruction data, in either single user applications or multi-user applications sharing and updating the same 3D reconstruction data. The method includes a block-based 3D data representation that allows local update and maintains neighbor consistency at the same time, and a multi-layer caching mechanism that retrieves, prefetches, and stores 3D data efficiently for XR applications. Between sessions of an XR device, blocks may be persisted on the device or in remote storage in one or more cache layers. The device may, upon starting a new session, selectively use the blocks from one or more layers of the cache.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.Inventors: David Geoffrey Molyneaux, Frank Thomas Steinbruecker, Mohan Babu Kandra
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Patent number: 11386990Abstract: Method, system, and program products are disclosed herein for creating a 3D model based on a plurality of received 2D medical images. Once the 2D images are received, a determination is made regarding any potential processing steps required to put the images into a standard view. Once the images are processed, a plurality of points are identified that are associated with a portion of an anatomical landmark. Various historical 2D images are then identified based on a comparison between the plurality of points. Using the historical information, a 3D image is generated of an anatomical feature of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventors: Ryan L. Landon, Daniel Farley, David Lieberman
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Patent number: 11157131Abstract: The present invention relates to a virtual reality-based radiology practice apparatus and method in which the practiser is equipped with a head-mounted display (HMD), wears hand-mounted unit in the hands, manipulates virtual radiography equipment and performs virtual radiation practice in a virtual radiation practice environment provided on audiovisual virtual reality, and the hand motion controller receives the position and angle of the hands of the practiser from the hand-mounted unit, causes the virtual radiography equipment operate, and outputs specific results virtually as the virtual radiography equipment is operated.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: VRAD INC.Inventors: Heasuk Lee, Eunil Cho
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Patent number: 11085887Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a rock sample inspection method. The method may include preparing a sample of formation rock by encapsulating the sample, inserting the sample into a vessel body as part of a test assembly, enclosing the sample within an low compressibility fluid, applying pressure to an interior of the vessel body by tightening a compression screw employing a piston acting on said low compressibility fluid, monitoring the pressure, conducting a test on the sample, and recording results of the test for further analysis.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Abraham S. Grader
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Patent number: 10902650Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein provide beam hardening correction to tomographic reconstruction using a simplification to the Alvarez-Macovski attenuation model. An example method includes simplifying a forward projection model, the forward projection model based on an Alvarez-Macovski (AM) attenuation model, wherein the simplification of the forward projection model simplifies the AM attenuation model for one of photoelectric effect only, constant density, constant atomic number, and density proportional to atomic number, and performing an iterative reconstruction of a sample using the simplified forward projection model, the iterative reconstruction weighted by a first spectrum, wherein measured image data of the sample used in the iterative reconstruction is obtained at a first energy, and wherein a reverse operation of the iterative reconstruction is a non-adjoint to the simplified forward projection model.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: FEI CompanyInventors: Qiheng Yang, Glenn Myers, Shane Latham, Adrian Sheppard, Andrew Kingston
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Patent number: 10838088Abstract: An apparatus, device and method for measuring a gain of a sensor are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a current detection circuit (122) and a processing circuit (124). An input end of the current detection circuit (122) is used for connecting to an output end of a sensor unit (110). The current detection circuit (122) is used for detecting a current signal output by the sensor unit and generating a corresponding detection signal. An input end of the processing circuit (124) is connected to an output end of the current detection circuit (122). The processing circuit (124) is used for calculating energy of dark events occurring in the sensor unit (110) according to the detection signal, generating an energy spectrogram of the dark event, and calculating a gain of the sensor unit (110) based on the energy spectrogram.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: ZHONGPAI S&T (SHENZHEN) CO., LTDInventors: Jianfeng Xu, Zhixiang Zhao, Qiu Huang, Qiyu Peng
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Patent number: 10779751Abstract: Disclosed is a system for acquiring and using image data and generating a three-dimensional reconstruction of a subject. The three-dimensional reconstruction can be used to assist in determining various features, including axis and planes of a subject or members placed relative to the subject. The system can be implemented to plan and perform a procedure relative to the subject.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventor: David E. Macht
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Patent number: 10662742Abstract: A method for predicting hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation may include generating pre-heating data associated with fracturing in a sample from the subterranean formation, determining a first fractal pattern based upon the pre-heating data, and heating the sample with RF power to cause additional fracturing in the sample. The method may include generating post-heating data associated with additional fracturing in the sample after heating with RF power, determining a second fractal pattern based upon the post-heating data, detecting change between the first fractal pattern and the second fractal pattern, and predicting hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean formation based upon the detected change.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Rahmes, Morteza Akbari, Mike McGonagle, Mark Blue
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Patent number: 10519495Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processes which use Extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV) and/or soft X-ray wavelengths to read, image, edit, locate, identify, map, alter, delete, repair and sequence genes are described. An EUV scanning tool which allows high throughput genomic scanning of DNA, RNA and protein sequences is also described. A database which records characteristic absorption spectra of gene sequences is also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Supriya JaiswalInventor: Supriya Jaiswal
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Patent number: 10521936Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for image reconstruction at different X-ray energies that make it possible to achieve image reconstruction with higher accuracy. A device for image reconstruction at different X-ray energies includes: an X-ray source 1 that irradiates a specimen to be imaged 2 with X-rays; an energy-dispersive detector 4 that detects a characteristic X-ray emitted from the specimen to be imaged 2; a signal processing means that quantifies the peak of the characteristic X-ray detected by the detector 4; and an image reconstruction means that reconstructs an image on the basis of a signal from the signal processing means.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TOKYO METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Akira Monkawa, Shoichi Nakanishi, Shinya Abe, Mikiya Kondo, Koh Harada
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Patent number: 10453198Abstract: A method for delineating a metal object for artifact reduction in tomography images is provided. Projection images of a body containing the metal object are received and a volume model of the body is formed on the basis of the projection images. Voxels that are part of a region encompassing the metal object and at least one metal artifact are chosen in the volume model on the basis of segmentation criterion and combined to form a first volume mask. The first volume mask is projected onto the projection images and a respective projection mask is generated. The projection masks are is altered on the basis of pixel values of the projection images. A second volume mask is determined from the altered projection masks. The second volume mask is altered on the basis of voxel values of the volume model and the altered volume mask is supplied as a description of the metal object.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventor: Michael Manhart
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Patent number: 10441241Abstract: The present application relates to a remote exposure control device, a digital radiography system and an exposing method for the system. The remote exposure control device comprises: a power source module, a sensing module electrically connected to the power source module, a processing module electrically connected to the power source module, and a communication module, wherein: the sensing module is electrically connected to the communication module and the processing module respectively; the communication module is configured to communicate with a flat panel detector (FPD) paired with a digital radiography system; and the processing module is configured to, after receiving a trigger signal sent by the sensing module, control the communication module to send an awakening instruction or a power-on instruction to the FPD, so that the FPD is awakened from a sleeping state or a power-off state to a working state.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: CareRay Digital Medical Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jianqiang Liu, Daming Ren, Xianguo Huang, Peng Gao
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Patent number: 10373349Abstract: The invention relates to an image generation apparatus (1) for generating an image of an object. A reconstruction unit (10) reconstructs the image based on provided measured projection values such that costs defined by a cost function are reduced, wherein the cost function depends on differences between calculated projection values, which have been determined by simulating a forward projection through the image, and the provided measured projection values, and wherein a degree of dependence of the cost function on a respective difference depends on the respective difference. This can allow for a consideration of a degree of disturbance of the measured projection values by motion and/or by an incomplete illumination of the object during the reconstruction process, which can lead to a reconstruction of an image having an improved image quality.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Axel Thran, Frank Bergner, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Rolf Dieter Bippus
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Patent number: 10372802Abstract: A system for generating a report based on image data is disclosed. A template selector (1) selecting a template from a plurality of templates, the template defining a structure for the report and data fields to be filled in for the report, wherein the template further defines associations between data fields and view descriptors, wherein a view descriptor defines an image type and a presentation mode of the image type. A data field presenter (2) presenting a representation of the data fields of the template to a user. An image dataset selector (4) automatically selecting at least one image dataset having the image type defined by the view descriptor associated with the selected at least one data field. A view generator (5) automatically generating a view of the at least one selected image dataset based on the presentation mode defined by the view descriptor associated with the selected at least one data field.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Johannes Buurman
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Patent number: 10342500Abstract: In a case where helical scanning, etc., is performed in an X-ray CT apparatus, upsampled projection data that more approximates to an observed value is obtained. There is provided an X-ray CT apparatus that improves spatial resolution of an overall effective field of view without reducing rotation speed, in an FFS method of acquiring projection data through moving of an X-ray focus position to a plurality of positions. The X-ray CT apparatus: converts projection data acquired through helical scanning into projection data of normal scanning performed by one rotation; generates a virtual-counter-data space in which virtual counter data are acquired on substantially coincident X-ray transmission path in the converted projection data; performs upsampling in a view direction; and similarly upsamples FFS projection data in the view direction for focus-shifted projection data obtained by performing the helical scanning while causing the X-ray focus position to shift (virtual counter data space generation).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Hideaki Fujii, Taiga Goto, Tetsuo Nakazawa
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Patent number: 10219770Abstract: A radiographic image captured by irradiating a subject with radiation is acquired. A scattered radiation removal unit removes a scattered component from the radiographic image using at least imaging conditions. A correction information acquisition unit acquires correction information for correcting the degree of removal of the scattered component and changes the imaging conditions on the basis of the correction information. The scattered radiation removal unit performs a process of removing the scattered component from the radiographic image on the basis of the changed imaging conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Jun Enomoto, Takashi Tajima, Takeshi Koishi, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Hirofumi Sawada, Daiki Harada, Takahiro Kawamura, Satoshi Naito, Hideki Yamagishi, Noriaki Ida
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Patent number: 10166406Abstract: Collision free regions are predetermined for one or more class solutions. Each class solution has defined limits for allowed field geometry variations. Collision free regions in planning can be defined as a set of allowed isocenter positions relative to a fixation device. The collision free regions may be visualized by a user to plan for field geometry and isocenter position tradeoffs. Collision free regions in delivery can be defined as a set of allowed couch support coordinates. The treatment fields in a radiation treatment plan can be checked against the collision free regions in delivery to determine whether they will pose any collision risks.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignees: Varian Medical Systems International AG, Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Janne Nord, Joakim Pyyry, Adam Harrington, Sean Herries, Joseph Schumm, Reto Filiberti, Kari Jyrkkälä, Sylvie Spiessens, Roland Meier, Dominique Gasser
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Patent number: 10130322Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mammography device for X-ray photographing an object to be inspected. The mammography device includes: a device body movable in a vertical axis direction and rotatable around a first horizontal axis; a generator fixed to one end portion of the device body; a support part for the object including a detector; a first moving unit moving the device body in the vertical axis direction; a rotating unit rotating the device body around the first horizontal axis; and a controller controlling the first moving unit and the rotating unit, wherein the controller performs a control so that the rotating unit rotates the device body and the first moving unit moves the device body together with the rotation of the device body in order to position a center of an upper surface of the support part for the object on the same horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jin Young Moon
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Patent number: 10061043Abstract: The invention concerns an evaluation apparatus (50) for evaluating gamma radiation events detected by a gamma camera (10) and identifying valid gamma radiation events, said (gamma camera (10) including a scintillator (12) for emitting scintillation photons (42) at photo conversion positions (44) in the scintillator (12) in response to incident gamma rays (22) and resulting gamma radiation events and a position-sensitive photodetector(14) for detecting emitted scintillation photons (42) and obtaining therefrom a spatial signal distribution (24). The invention further concerns a calibration apparatus (56) for in-situ calibrating a position-sensitive photodetector (14) of a gamma camera (10) for the detection of gamma radiation events.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Christoph Werner Lerche, Sarah Lodomez, Volkmar Schulz, Bjoern Weissler
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Patent number: 10054432Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus includes a 3D processing unit that performs 3D imaging of a first area in an inspection area, a 2D processing unit that performs 2D imaging of a second area in the inspection area, an extraction unit that extracts 3D information for a first inspection target from a 3D image of the first area, and 2D information for a second inspection target from a 2D image of the second area, a 3D information estimation unit that estimates 3D information for the second inspection target using the extracted 3D information for the first inspection target, and an inspection unit that inspects the second inspection target using the 2D information for the second inspection target and the estimated 3D information for the second inspection target.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Hironori Kasahara, Shinji Sugita, Takako Onishi
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Patent number: 10006271Abstract: A method for predicting hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation may include generating pre-heating data associated with fracturing in a sample from the subterranean formation, determining a first fractal pattern based upon the pre-heating data, and heating the sample with RF power to cause additional fracturing in the sample. The method may include generating post-heating data associated with additional fracturing in the sample after heating with RF power, determining a second fractal pattern based upon the post-heating data, detecting change between the first fractal pattern and the second fractal pattern, and predicting hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean formation based upon the detected change.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Rahmes, Morteza Akbari, Mike McGonagle, Mark Blue
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Patent number: 9959638Abstract: In one embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray tube that radiates, an X-ray, a detector that outputs a plurality of pieces of pre-compression data on a basis of the X-ray first processing circuitry and second processing circuitry. The first processing circuitry groups the plurality of pieces of pre-compression data to generate grouped data corresponding to the pre-compression data in each group, and generates data for restoration for restoring the pre-compression data, wherein the first processing circuitry transmits the grouped data and the data for restoration to the second processing circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Tomotaka Sasaya
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Patent number: 9898840Abstract: A method of continuous motion digital tomosynthesis includes exposing an object to a programed intensity x-ray beam as an x-ray source travels a pre-determined path, accumulating a signal charge from the x-ray beam, recording the accumulated signal charge into a digital frame image representing raw baseline data, acquiring information on the source's and the detector's position when the recording occurs, compressing the raw baseline data into compressed views, where each respective compressed view is formed by combining the raw data readouts of the respective compressed view, and reconstructing a volumetric breast image by processing each respective compressed view with a reconstruction process function that incorporates the acquired position information and a spatial sampling corresponding to the compressed views. A system configured to implement the method and a computer-readable medium are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Remy Andre Klausz, John Eric Tkaczyk, Henri Souchay, Scott Stephen Zelakiewicz
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Patent number: 9861323Abstract: A method for obtaining tomosynthesis images of an object of interest using an imaging system, wherein the imaging system comprises an X-ray source arranged to facing a detector on which the object of interest is positioned. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of projected 2D images of the object of interest in a plurality of orientations identified relative to a perpendicular to the detector, wherein a zero orientation is closest to the perpendicular and applying at least one filter to the acquired projected 2D images to obtain filtered, projection images of the object of interest. The method further comprises determining a reconstruction slice of the object of interest from the backprojection of at least two of the filtered projections, the set of reconstruction slices being the filtered, reconstructed volume of the object of interest, wherein a filter used on the 2D projection images is an adaptive filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sylvain Bernard, Henri Souchay
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Patent number: 9858688Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for motion compensation in computed tomography imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises reconstructing at least two images from projection data, calculating a motion metric based on the at least two images, selecting a view-weighting function based on the motion metric, and generating a display from the projection data based on the selected view-weighting function. In this way, an image can be reconstructed with the selected view-weighting function which down-weights slices in the image containing motion artifacts. As a result, the image quality of the reconstructed image may be improved with computational efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brian Edward Nett, Caroline Elise Seng
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Patent number: 9715744Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device of obtaining a beam hardening correction coefficient for carrying out beam hardening correction on computed tomography data. The method includes the steps of: firstly, acquiring an original reconstructed image and an original sinogram of an object of a particular size; secondly, obtaining an error-reduced sinogram after processing the original reconstructed image by error reduction; thirdly, sampling and calculating an average value of the original sinogram and an average value of the error-reduced sinogram; fourthly, optimizing the original sinogram according to the error-reduced sinogram to determine a coefficient vector of optimization function for the object of the particular size; and finally fitting the coefficient vector of the optimization function of the original sinogram to obtain the beam hardening correction coefficient for the object of the particular size.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Liu, Xueli Wang, Yanling Qu
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Patent number: 9691167Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for collecting, storing, processing, reconstructing, and interpreting raw scan data from a medical diagnostic imaging scan. Raw data after a scan such as a Computed Tomography (CT) scan is sent to a raw scan database system and image reconstruction system, where image volumes are reconstructed using software from the software bank and sent to a data management system. Raw scan data generated once by a scanner is continuously used at later times to reconstruct images of the patient without having to perform additional patient scans.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc., iTomography CorporationInventors: Michael Frenkel, Alexander Katsevich, Igor Frenkel
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Patent number: 9526467Abstract: Irrespective of the layout, moving path, and moving range of the X-ray source and the detector, a highly precise image is acquired, in a similar manner as an X-ray CT scanner that is capable of acquiring a measured image using a rotation angle of 180 degrees or more. A measured image detected by the detector is converted into a rotationally measured image that is acquired by rotationally moving the X-ray source and the detector along concentric circular paths. Then, the rotationally measured image at every measurement angle is provided with a weight that gives intensity variation equivalent to that of the reconstructed image obtained from the rotationally measured images acquired by the measurement using the rotation angle range of 180 degrees, a reconstruction operation is performed, and a reconstructed image is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventor: Rika Baba
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Patent number: 9418417Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention performs reconstruction processing on a projected image of an object obtained by using a radiation source and a detector in order to obtain a tomographic image in which noise has been reduced regardless of the type of reconstruction filter that is used. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit that selects a reconstruction filter in accordance with an imaging technique; a setting unit that sets an image processing parameter for noise reduction according to the type of the selected reconstruction filter; an image processing unit that performs image processing on the projected image using the image processing parameter; and a reconstruction unit that uses the selected reconstruction filter to perform reconstruction processing on the projected image resulting from the image processing and obtain a tomographic image of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tsuyoshi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9336918Abstract: Observation samples in a sample solution are held due to absorption or the like on a rear face of a first X-ray transmission film. In a mirror body, while an X-ray emission film and X-ray transmission films are bent to be convex outward due to a pressure difference, an X-ray transmission film is bent to be convex toward the X-ray transmission film side due to gas expansion in a second cavity part. This bending results in widening of a gap between the first and second X-ray transmission films in their center part more compared with a gap between their end parts. However, there is almost no change between the X-ray transmission films.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Toshihiko Ogura, Toru Takahashi
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Patent number: 9058658Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and devices for locating a plurality of interested objects in CT imaging. Location of the interested objects in the three-dimensional space can be determined by using three projection images that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The method can rapidly locate interested objects in a CT image without pre-reconstruction of the CT image even if there are a plurality of interested objects in the field of view. The algorithm does not involve interactive steps. The method is rapid and effective, and thus applicable to industrial applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company LimitedInventors: Liang Li, Li Zhang, Zhiqiang Chen, Ziran Zhao, Yuxiang Xing, Yongshun Xiao, Qingli Wang
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Patent number: 9020103Abstract: A versatile beam scanner for generating a far-field scanned pencil beam, and, alternatively, a far-field pencil beam. An angle selector limits the angular extent of an inner fan beam emitted by a source of penetrating radiation. The source and angle selector may be translated, along a direction parallel to a central axis of a multi-aperture unit, in such a manner as to generate a scanned far-field pencil beam, when rings of apertures are interposed between the source and an inspected target, or, alternatively, a far-field fan beam, when no ring of apertures is interposed.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Lee Grodzins
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Patent number: 9014339Abstract: Apparatus for interrupting and/or scanning a beam of penetrating radiation, such as for purposes of inspecting contents of a container. A source, such as an x-ray tube, generates a fan beam of radiation effectively emanating from a source axis, with the width of the fan beam collimated by a width collimator, such as a clamshell collimator. An angular collimator, stationary during the course of scanning, limits the extent of the scan, and a multi-aperture unit, such as a hoop, or a nested pair of hoops, is rotated about a central axis, and structured in such a manner that beam flux incident on a target is conserved for different fields of view of the beam on the target. The central axis of hoop rotation need not coincide with the source axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Omar Al-Kofahi, Peter J. Rothschild
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Patent number: 8989351Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray source (100) with an electron-beam-generator (120) for generating electron beams (B, B?) that converge towards a target (110). Thus the spatial distribution of X-ray focal spots (T, T?) on the target (110) can be made denser than the distribution of electron sources (121), wherein the latter is usually dictated by hardware limitations. The electron-beam-generator (120) may particularly comprise a curved emitter device (140) with a matrix of CNT based electron emitters (141) and an associated electrode device (130).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Wolfgang Chrost
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Patent number: 8971496Abstract: An X-ray waveguide showing a small propagation loss and having a waveguide mode with its phase controlled is provided. The X-ray waveguide including: a core for guiding an X-ray in a wavelength band that a real part of the refractive index of a material is 1 or less; and a cladding for confining the X-ray in the core, in which: the X-ray is confined in the core by total reflection at a interface between the core and the cladding; in the core multiple materials having different real parts of the refractive index are periodically arranged; and a waveguide mode of the X-ray waveguide is such that the number of antinodes or nodes of an electric field intensity distribution or a magnetic field intensity distribution of the X-ray coincides with the number of periods of the periodic structure in a direction perpendicular to a waveguiding direction of the X-ray in the core.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kohei Okamoto, Atsushi Komoto, Wataru Kubo, Hirokatsu Miyata, Takashi Noma
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Patent number: 8964937Abstract: A method of operating a radiotherapy system, comprising: receiving a treatment plan to be carried out using the radiotherapy system; detecting if there is a fault in a component of the radiotherapy system; determining whether the component is needed for delivery of the treatment plan; and if the component is not needed for delivery of the treatment plan, allowing the radiotherapy system to execute the treatment plan.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Elekta AB (publ)Inventors: Paul Berwick, Christopher Knox
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Patent number: 8923483Abstract: A method for controlling the angular orientation of an x-ray image on a display for a viewer displays at least one rotation mode selector on the display. A viewer instruction selects the rotation mode. An overlay displays with the x-ray image, wherein the overlay provides a center of rotation. A viewer instruction identifies a point lying outside the center of rotation. The image is rotated on the display about the center of rotation according to the identified point.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventor: Charles Schneider
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Patent number: 8899831Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes an image acquisition controller for controlling operation of more than one electronic cassette. For signal communication between the image acquisition controller and the electronic cassettes, each electronic cassette may be connected to a communication cable. These communication cables are connected to a switching hub that intermediates communication between the electronic cassettes and the image acquisition controller. The radiographic apparatus includes multiple power supplies corresponding in number to the electronic cassettes. Each electronic cassette may be connected to one power supply through a power cable separately from the communication cable.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Yutaka Yoshida, Yusuke Kitagawa, Katsumi Shimada, Noriaki Ida
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Patent number: 8903038Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an X-ray CT device includes: a front dome cover and rear dome cover that include a fixed cover and a plurality of segmented movable covers; a slide mechanism that enables the movable covers to slide relative to the fixed cover; and a dome-diameter driving unit that controls the slide mechanism to change a dome diameter of a gantry dome.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Yohei Matsuzawa, Tomiya Sasaki, Hiroshi Hori
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Patent number: 8837672Abstract: The concealing of one or more identification symbols into a target object and the subsequent determination or reading of such symbols through non-destructive testing is described. The symbols can be concealed in a manner so that they are not visible to the human eye and/or cannot be readily revealed to the human eye without damage or destruction of the target object. The identification symbols can be determined after concealment by e.g., the compilation of multiple X-ray images. As such, the present invention can also provide e.g., a deterrent to theft and the recovery of lost or stolen objects.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLCInventors: Thomas A. Nance, Kenneth M. Gibbs
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Patent number: 8792610Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray CT imaging including an X-ray irradiation unit configured to irradiate an X-ray toward a subject, an X-ray detector having a plurality of X-ray detection elements along a channel direction and a row direction, a couch on which the subject can be arranged, a rotation unit on which the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detector are oppositely disposed and rotate around the couch, a controller configured to execute a helical scan while fluctuating an X-ray focal spot along a body axis direction of the subject by controlling the X-ray irradiation unit, and an image processing unit configured to generate a reconstructed image based on data acquired by the helical scan, wherein the controller is further configured to set a magnitude of fluctuation of the X-ray focal spot so that data acquisition loci of the helical scan do not overlap each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Hiroaki Miyazaki
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Patent number: 8737701Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of a moving examination object from measured data, the measured data having been acquired during a rotating movement of a radiation source of a computed tomography system around the examination object. In at least one embodiment, first image data are determined from the measured data. Movement information is determined from the first image data by forming the difference between images. Time instants of little movement of the examination object are determined from the movement information, the determined time instants being dependent on the location or site within the examination object. Finally, second image data are reconstructed taking the determined time instants into account. These data can be output as result images.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thomas Allmendinger
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Patent number: 8731133Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWNR) includes a core having a containment shield surrounding a reactor vessel having fuel assemblies that contain fuel rods filled with fuel pellets, and control rods, and a steam generator thermally coupled to the reactor vessel. A flow loop includes the steam generator, a turbine, and a condenser, and a pump for circulating a water-based heat transfer fluid in the loop. The heat transfer fluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles having at least one carbon allotrope or related carbon material dispersed therein, such as diamond nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: University of Florida Research Institute Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Ronald H. Baney, James S. Tulenko, Kevin W. Powers
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Patent number: 8723131Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a portable electronic cassette having a first cable that includes at least one of a signal line and a power line and is provided with a first connector for connecting to another connector, the electronic cassette being configured to acquire an image based on radiation transmitted through an object; a controller having a second cable that includes at least one of a signal line and a power line and is provided with a second connector for connecting to the first connector, the controller being configured to control an imaging operation of the electronic cassette via these cables; and a patient platform having an electronic cassette-housing unit in which the electronic cassette can be installed and a connector holding unit in which the second connector can be fixedly fitted. Here, the first connector has a lock/unlock operation unit configured to detachably connect to the second connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kensuke Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8699667Abstract: A system for applying a target track material to an x-ray tube target includes a controller configured to direct a beam of energy toward an x-ray tube target, and direct a solid stock material toward the beam of energy to cause the solid stock material to melt and deposit as a melted material on the x-ray tube target.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Alan Steinlage, Marshall Gordon Jones, Donald Robert Allen
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Patent number: 8693619Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure (2) supporting x-ray imaging means (21, 22), which x-ray imaging means (21, 22) are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) and movable within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2), which ring-shaped structure (2) supporting the imaging means (21, 22) includes an examination opening (4), whereto the object to be imaged can be positioned for imaging. According to the invention, at least one display (11) is arranged to the apparatus. The display is arranged in functional connection with at least one video camera (12), which at least one video camera (12) is arranged in connection with said ring-shaped structure (2) and as aimed, or so that it can be aimed inside said examination opening (4).Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Planmed OyInventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Sami Tohka
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Patent number: 8622614Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a optional second display (also adjustably mounted). Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus by which mobile radiography carts can provide a securable storage for at least one radiographic detector by blocking at least a portion of a path traveled by the at least one radiographic detector when removed from storage at the mobile radiography apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Evan P. Carmichael, Michael P. Urbon
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Patent number: 8625744Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, devices, systems, and/or methods for real-time detection of a concealed or camouflaged explosive device (e.g., EFPs and IEDs) from a safe stand-off distance. Apparatus, system and/or methods of the disclosure may also be operable to identify and/or spatially locate and/or detect an explosive device. An apparatus or system may comprise an x-ray generator that generates high-energy x-rays and/or electrons operable to contact and activate a metal comprised in an explosive device from a stand-off distance; and a detector operable to detect activation of the metal. Identifying an explosive device may comprise detecting characteristic radiation signatures emitted by metals specific to an EFP, an IED or a landmine. Apparatus and systems of the disclosure may be mounted on vehicles and methods of the disclosure may be performed while moving in the vehicle and from a safe stand-off distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignees: U.S. Department of Energy, Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brandon W. Blackburn, Alan W. Hunt, David L. Chichester