Transverse Tomography Patents (Class 378/24)
  • Patent number: 8965074
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory unit which stores data of a first projection image and data of a second projection image, which are associated with the same object and are captured in different imaging directions, a display unit which displays the data of the first projection image and the data of the second projection image, a designation operation unit which is configured to designate a plurality of points on the displayed first and second projection images, and an operation supporting unit which generates operation supporting information for supporting an operation of designating, by the designation operation unit, the plurality of points on the second image, which anatomically correspond to the plurality of points designated on the first projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8948339
    Abstract: One object of this invention is to provide a radiation tomography apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image from a plurality of fluoroscopic images. The radiation tomography apparatus can acquire the tomographic image having superior visibility without being influenced by a shadow of a collimator appearing in the fluoroscopic image when radiation is applied only to a portion of an FPD through control of the collimator. In this invention, a boundary between a shadow area where the shadow of the collimator appears in the fluoroscopic image and a non-shadow area is identified, and the shadow area in the fluoroscopic image is complemented by the non-shadow area, etc., whereby a complement image is generated. Then the complement image is used for generating the tomographic image. According to this invention, an extremely dark area where the shadow of the collimator appears is removed and thereafter the tomographic image is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Notohara, Kazuyoshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 8938045
    Abstract: A method of evaluating a reservoir includes a multi-energy X-ray CT scan of a sample, obtaining bulk density and photoelectric effect index effect for the sample, estimation of at least mineral property using data obtained from at least one of a core gamma scan, a spectral gamma ray scan, an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, or an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the sample, and determination of at least one sample property by combining the bulk density, photoelectric effect index, and the at least one mineral property (e.g., total clay content). Reservoir properties, such as one or more of formation brittleness, porosity, organic material content, and permeability, can be determined by the method without need of detailed lab physical measurements or destruction of the sample. A system for evaluating a reservoir also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Dvorkin, Naum Derzhi, Elizabeth Diaz, Joel Walls
  • Patent number: 8385614
    Abstract: A shadow area in a lung-field area of a subject is detected from tomographic images constituting a three-dimensional image representing the subject. A hilum-of-lung area in the lung-field area of the subject is detected from the tomographic images. Further, a slice image that passes through a first point that is a predetermined point in the detected shadow area, a second point that is a predetermined point in the detected hilum-of-lung area, and an arbitrary point that has been set in advance is generated. The generated slice image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Moriya
  • Patent number: 8335357
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory unit which stores data of a first projection image and data of a second projection image, which are associated with the same object and are captured in different imaging directions, a display unit which displays the data of the first projection image and the data of the second projection image, a designation operation unit which is configured to designate a plurality of points on the displayed first and second projection images, and an operation supporting unit which generates operation supporting information for supporting an operation of designating, by the designation operation unit, the plurality of points on the second image, which anatomically correspond to the plurality of points designated on the first projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Coporation
    Inventor: Takuya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8295564
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for marking a location in a medical image, including: providing a first marker within a first medical image, which shows an object, at a first location, determining a second location, which corresponds to the first location, within a second medical image showing the same object, marking the second location with a second marker, which is different to the first marker, and presenting the first medical image, the first marker, the second medical image and the second marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Horst Hahn
  • Patent number: 7916833
    Abstract: An extra-oral digital panoramic dental x-ray imaging system for multi-layer panoramic and transverse X-ray imaging provided with an X-ray source and a digital imaging device providing real time frame mode output and autofocusing. The X-ray source and imaging device are mounted in a mechanical manipulator defining the trajectory of a predetermined image layer. The imaging device communicates with a processor that generates a frames memory from which an image reconstruction mechanism composes the final images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Oy Ajat Ltd.
    Inventors: Tuomas Pantsar, Konstantinos Spartiotis
  • Patent number: 7787677
    Abstract: A presentation method and a presentation device presents an image of an object, wherein a starting image and at least one target image of the object, a first location within the starting image, and a second location within the starting image and the at least one target image are provided. The second location is the location of a reference feature detectable in the starting image and the at least one target image. A corridor is determined in the at least one target image, wherein the corridor contains a circular line, wherein the circular line defines a circle, whose radius corresponds to a distance between the first location and the second location in the starting image and whose centre position corresponds to said second location. Finally, the corridor and the at least one target image are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: MeVis BreastCare GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carl J. G. Evertsz, Anke Bödicker
  • Publication number: 20100142672
    Abstract: An x-ray laminography device includes at least one x-ray detector and at least one x-ray source coupled in coordinated traversal with the at least one x-ray detector. The at least one x-ray source is configured to generate and transmit x-rays. The at least one x-ray detector and the at least one x-ray source traverse an at least partially radial travel path in unison about an object such that the object is illuminated with x-rays from a plurality of oblique radial angles defined between the at least one x-ray source and the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 7708462
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a technique capable of accurately grasping position and angle of a radiation generator at the time of image capturing. At the time of obtaining a plurality of transmission images by detecting radiation emitted from a emitting generator and passing through a specimen via a predetermined member (for example, a diaphragm) by a detector for a plurality of times while changing a relative position relation and a relative angle relation of the emitting generator to the detector, an outer-edge shape of a radiation area irradiated with the radiation on a detection surface of the detector from the emitting generator is recognized. On the basis of the outer-edge shape of the radiation area and an inner-edge shape of a predetermined member, the relative position relation and the relative angle relation of the emitting generator to the detector are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Fujiwara, Osamu Toyama, Sumiya Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 7500782
    Abstract: To avoid manual adjustments, the invention relates to a method for displacing a superimposed measuring surface on a sensor surface of an x-ray detector in an x-ray system, with an x-ray source and the x-ray detector forming a recording system and being at a fixed distance from one another, with the recording system being moveable in a three-dimensional manner relative to an object to be examined, comprising: the superimposed measuring surface is displaced on the sensor surface of the x-ray detector by a first distance in a first direction; and the recording system is moved by a second distance in parallel with the first distance in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, whereby after implementing one of the two steps, the other step is respectively automatically implemented such that a previously superimposed examination area of the object remains superimposed on the displaced measuring surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Judith Regn
  • Patent number: 7493001
    Abstract: A detector module, in at least one embodiment, is disclosed for x-radiation or gamma radiation that includes one or more optical waveguide sections that are arranged next to one another in order to form one or more detector rows and are optically interconnected in serial fashion. The waveguide sections include one or more converter materials for converting incident x-radiation or gamma radiation into optical radiation and are designed in such a way that optical radiation of different wavelength is generated in respectively neighboring regions along the waveguide sections upon incidence of x-radiation or gamma radiation. The present detector module, in at least one embodiment, can be implemented cost effectively with a high number of detector rows, and is of very low weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Popescu
  • Patent number: 7463719
    Abstract: During tomosynthesis a plurality of x-ray images is acquired. The angular position of the x-ray tube is changed from x-ray image to x-ray image. Absorption in the imaged object (patient) and also in the patient table changes as a function of the angle. To compensate for this, backlight is applied while the x-ray images are being acquired. The intensity of the back light is selected as a function of the angle of the x-ray tube to the normal of the flat x-ray detector. Backlight can also be directed during reading, with only the areas already read in each instance being irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mathias Hörnig
  • Patent number: 7430271
    Abstract: A digitized tomosynthesis method, system and apparatus is provided for obtaining 3D volumetric imaging of an object wherein a ray of energy from a source travels through the object to impinge on an energy sensor defining an image plane and the object is rotated about an axis whereby an image is acquired by the energy sensor at successive rotational positions of the object, and wherein the object is rotated about an axis of rotation at a canted angle with respect to the image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Digitome Corporation
    Inventor: Lionell K. Griffith
  • Patent number: 7203350
    Abstract: A method for displaying a computer-generated determination of the likelihood of malignancy in a mammogram lesion. The method requires providing a digitized image of a mammogram, displaying the digitized image, and selecting a region of interest directly on the displayed digitized image. The digitized image is then processed so that classifier data of the lesion in the user-selected region of interest are generated and displayed. A system for displaying a determination of the likelihood of malignancy in a mammogram lesion. The system includes a display for presenting a digitized mammogram and an input device in communication with the display for selectably indicating a region of interest on the displayed mammogram. The system also includes a processor for generating classifier data related to a characterization feature within the region of interest. The classifier data is presented on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Computer Aided Diagnosis Ltd.
    Inventors: Isaac Leichter, Philippe Bamberger, Boris Novak
  • Patent number: 7139364
    Abstract: An X-ray-tomographic imaging apparatus for obtaining image data on a predetermined tomographic section of a subject with efficiency and effectiveness by using a plurality of X-ray projection images achieved by a plurality of X-rays that is made incident on the tomographic section from different directions is provided. The X-ray-tomographic imaging apparatus comprises a solid-image pickup unit that can convert each of the X-ray projection images to a signal and read the signal by a non-destructive reading method and a control unit making the solid-image pickup unit accumulate the signals of the X-ray projection images and read the signals by the non-destructive reading method during the signal accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6973160
    Abstract: An X-ray-tomographic imaging apparatus for obtaining image data on a predetermined tomographic section of a subject with efficiency and effectiveness by using a plurality of X-ray projection images achieved by a plurality of X-rays that is made incident on the tomographic section from different directions is provided. The X-ray-tomographic imaging apparatus comprises a solid-image pickup unit that can convert each of the X-ray projection images to a signal and read the signal by a non-destructive reading method and a control unit making the solid-image pickup unit accumulate the signals of the X-ray projection images and read the signals by the non-destructive reading method during the signal accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6940943
    Abstract: An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object comprises an x-ray source, motion controller, an x-ray detector and a processing unit. The x-ray source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the object and continuously moves along a path relative to the object at a plurality of predetermined locations. The x-ray source transmits x-ray radiation through the region of the object. The motion controller is coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moves the x-ray source along the path relative to the object. The x-ray source minimizes vibration in the imaging system due to continuous movement. The x-ray detector is positioned at a predetermined distance from the x-ray source and detects the x-ray radiation transmitted through the region of the object, thus acquiring x-ray image data representative of the region of the object. The processing unit is coupled to the x-ray detector for processing the x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of the region of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Ajay Kapur, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard
  • Patent number: 6798861
    Abstract: As the operator sets a direction of moving a turn table, a view field FOV (z) of an X-ray detector in the rotation axis direction of the turn table, and the number of imaging times n and gives a continuous imaging command, the imaging operation of collecting X-ray fluoroscopic data while rotating the turn table and the operation of moving the turn table in the setup direction by FOV (z) are repeated and imaging is conducted n times. Then, the provided data is reconstructed to provide tomograms. It is possible to provide a continuous tomogram even if a high imaging magnification is set to provide high-resolution three-dimensional data and a necessary region for the three-dimensional data cannot be covered in the field of view of the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiro Shiota
  • Publication number: 20040017884
    Abstract: Flow method and apparatus for screening chemicals using micro x-ray fluorescence. The invention includes a method and apparatus for screening a mixture of potential pharmaceutical chemicals for binding to at least one target binder. According to the method, after preparing a solution of potential pharmaceutical chemicals with at least one target binder, the solution is flow-separated into at least two separated components. Each component is exposed to an x-ray excitation beam. Any component that emits a detectable x-ray fluorescence signal is isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: George J. Havrilla, Thomasin C. Miller, Benjamin P. Warner, Cris L. Lewis, Cynthia A. Mahan, Cyndi A. Wells
  • Patent number: 6459759
    Abstract: In an X-ray tomography apparatus and a method of taking tomograms inside an object through the use of the X-ray tomography apparatus, positioning of the object and operation for taking tomograms are carried out in accordance with the following procedures. An X-ray beam is irradiated to the object. An X-ray beam transmitting through the object is detected and a transmission image of the object is generated on the basis of the detected X-ray beam. While watching the transmission image of the object on a display, the object is moved by means of a moving mechanism coupled to a drive unit to change an X-ray irradiation area of the object and the object is stopped at a desired position. The moving mechanism is disconnected from the drive unit. The object irradiated with the X-ray beam is rotated by means of a rotating mechanism about a rotation axis inclined with respect to an irradiation axis of the X-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tamotsu Tominaga
  • Patent number: 6381299
    Abstract: Between an X-ray generating system and an X-ray image detecting system arranged opposite to the X-ray generating system, an examination object supporting system is arranged and contains a straight movement table provided on a rotary table supported by a rotary table supporting member, and an examination object supporting member for supporting the examination object under either a standing position or a sitting position on the straight movement table. While the examination object is rotated by the rotary table, the examination object is continuously moved (reciprocating movement) by the straight movement table along a direction parallel to the rotation plane, and X-ray images of the examination object are acquired along a plurality of directions during both the rotating operation and the moving operation. As a result, both an X-ray tomographic image and a three-dimensional image (stereoscopic image) of a wider area than a viewing field of an X-ray I.I. can be acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Rika Baba, Ken Ueda, Hiroyuki Kawai, Hironori Ueki, Koichi Koike, Akira Kuba, Nobuhisa Kasagima
  • Patent number: 6263041
    Abstract: A tomography device, which includes a frame, a table for supporting a patient to be examined, an X-ray source which is pivotable about a pivot shaft in order to direct the X-rays towards the table during operation, and a receiving plate which is displaceable relative to the frame in order to pick up X-rays emitted by the X-ray source during operation. The pivot shaft is journalled in a slide which is displaceable relative to the frame by means of a guide system. The slide also accommodates the receiving plate. Because the receiving plate is part of image intensifier, the image intensifier is connected to the slide, and the slide is displaceable relative to frame, radial movement of plate occurs in a plane which is parallel to the plane of frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Adrianus Van Der Ende
  • Patent number: 6157698
    Abstract: A method for determining the properties of a log, in which a moving log is radiographed by at least more than one X-radiation source, and the radiographic information is received by a detector array measuring radiation. Stemwood and knots of the log are calculated by a principle which is based on a known geometry and density of stemwood and knots. After measurement, the effect of stemwood in radiographic projections, and hence the analysis for locating knots, is eliminated by filtering. The knot mass is then converted from radiographic projections into volumetric elements of a cylindrical coordinate system and, from the value of each volumetric element, an evidence value representative of the presence of a knot in the element is derived. The evidence values of mutually associated elements are then combined, thus producing an aggregate evidence value which permits the knots to be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Bintec Oy
    Inventors: Markku Pietikainen, Heikki Ailisto
  • Patent number: 5943434
    Abstract: In a method for image reconstruction in imaging technology for the implementation of a fast convolution with the transformation length M while allowing slight over-convolution errors, each of p or 2p out of n measured projections of the length N are convolved with a modified filter kernel h (k) using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) simultaneously in one step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5351278
    Abstract: This invention relates to an X-ray tomography apparatus and a method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Koshishiba, Mihoko Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5331553
    Abstract: Images are reconstructed using multi-slice rebinning of raw data to create a stack of two-dimensional data sets. A three-dimensional image is reconstructed slice-by-slice from the data sets and the rebinned data is axially filtered to reduce blurring resulting from the rebinning, the filtering being performed either before or after reconstruction of the three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: UGM Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Muehllehner, Robert M. Lewitt
  • Patent number: 5102776
    Abstract: An x-ray microlithography method and apparatus for integrated circuit wafers is disclosed in which an isotropic x-ray source is formed at the cross point of two crossed conductors. When a high current is passed through the conductors they vaporize and breakdown to form an ionized plasma which is hot enough at the cross point that K-shell x-ray radiation is released uniformly in all directions. The magnetic pressure caused by the current flow at the cross point is strong enough to collapse or pinch the plasma radially so that the x-ray source spot is very small in size and can provide high resolution exposure of an integrated circuit photoresist pattern. Due to the isotropic nature of the x-ray source, multiple circuit wafers can be exposed with a single x-ray pulse by disposing them radially around the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hammer, Daniel H. Kalantar, Nian-Sheng Qi
  • Patent number: 5060246
    Abstract: A computer tomography system includes an X-ray tube having an elongate anode across which a beam spot can be displaced, a scanogram being formed by correctly shifting the profiles measured in the various source positions with respect to one another, followed by superposition. Parts of the object which are situated in a selected layer are thus emphasized in an image, parts of the object which are situated outside the selected layer being blurred. When a point of interest in the object is determined by observation of the scanogram, the same apparatus is used to produce a tomography slice image transverse the scanogram image. An important additional advantage consists in that the permissible power to be applied to the X-ray source may be higher. Furthermore, a scanogram thus obtained is not necessarily disturbed by the failure of one or more detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Willem P. Van Der Brug, Jan Timmer, Petrus N. J. Vis
  • Patent number: 4455668
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment comprises a support pivotal about a shaft which, on one side of the shaft, is provided with an x-ray tube, and on the other side, is provided with an arrangement for the adjustment of an image recording carrier along the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Warden
  • Patent number: 4352986
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments disclose a computer tomograph which also is operable for the preparation of an x-ray shadow image. To this end every detector of the radiation receiver is extended in the longitudinal direction so as to permit the formation of the x-ray shadow image by line-by-line scanning of the radiation receiver with the radiation beam having a fan shape in a plane disposed perpendicularly to such longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Pfeiler
  • Patent number: 4349917
    Abstract: A tomographic x-ray machine has camera and film-plane sections which move about a primary axis for imaging a selected cross-section of an anatomical member onto a film. A "scout image" of the member is obtained at right angles to the plane of the desired cross-section to indicate the cross-section's orientation with respect to the primary axis. The anatomical member is then moved to place it on the primary axis and a second film is located at the same angle that the selected cross-section makes with the primary axis. The second film and the cross-section are then maintained in parallel planes throughout motion of the camera and the second film during tomographic radiography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Kermath Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Moore