Imaging Patents (Class 378/62)
  • Patent number: 11971369
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham S. Grader
  • Patent number: 11950952
    Abstract: A method, performed by a mobile X-ray detector, of processing an X-ray image, including generating the X-ray image of an object by detecting an X-ray transmitted through the object and converting the detected X-ray into an electrical signal; detecting a power supply stoppage which prevents transmission of the generated X-ray image from the mobile X-ray detector to a workstation; based on the detecting of the power supply stoppage, storing the X-ray image in a nonvolatile memory inside the mobile X-ray detector; and after storing the X-ray image, deactivating the mobile X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Uncheol Kim, Sungwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 11927715
    Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are provided for detecting object that may be hidden under clothing, ingested, inserted, or otherwise concealed on or in a person's body. An imaging assembly and mechanisms for vertically moving the imaging assembly may be configured to reduce the overall form factor of such imaging systems, while still retaining an ability to perform full/complete imaging of a subject. A calibration system assembly can be included, comprising a first calibration assembly and second calibration assembly to perform fine-grained adjustments to the positioning of the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TEK84 INC.
    Inventor: Steven Winn Smith
  • Patent number: 11925497
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for capturing a single image with multiple exposures is provided. An imaging device may be provided comprising a source configured to emit a wave for a time period and a detector configured to receive a signal indicative of the wave. A wave may be emitted for a time period and a signal may be received indicative of the emitted wave. A first image dataset may be saved with a first timestamp referencing a first time within the time period. A second image dataset may be saved with a second timestamp referencing a second time within the time period. The second time may occur after the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Mazor Robotics Ltd.
    Inventor: Noam Weiss
  • Patent number: 11922603
    Abstract: A processor acquires a first radiographic image and a second radiographic image that include the same subject and have different S/N ratios. The processor derives a processing content of a first graininess suppression process on the first radiographic image having a higher S/N ratio of the first radiographic image and the second radiographic image and derives a processing content of a second graininess suppression process on the second radiographic image on the basis of the processing content of the first graininess suppression process. The processor performs a graininess suppression process on the second radiographic image on the basis of the processing content of the second graininess suppression process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11915418
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing device including a hardware processor. The hardware processor: obtains a static image and a dynamic image of a same subject by radiographic imaging; detects, on the static image, a first analysis target area; detects, on the dynamic image, a second analysis target area corresponding to the first analysis target area; analyzes the second analysis target area of the dynamic image to generate a functional information representative from change caused by biological motion; deforms and positions the second analysis target area so that the second analysis target area corresponds to the first analysis target area; overlays the functional information representative of the deformed and positioned second analysis target area on the static image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Noritsugu Matsutani
  • Patent number: 11890123
    Abstract: A multimodal system for breast imaging includes an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from the x-ray source after passing through a breast. The system includes an x-ray detector translation system operatively connected to the x-ray detector so as to be able to translate the x-ray detector from a first displacement from the breast to a second displacement at least one of immediately adjacent to or in contact with the breast. The system includes an x-ray image processor configured to: receive a CT data set from the x-ray detector, the CT data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the first displacement; compute a CT image of the breast; receive a mammography data set from the x-ray detector, the mammography data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the second displacement; and compute a mammography image of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John M. Boone, George W. Burkett
  • Patent number: 11860319
    Abstract: A phase-contrast imaging detector includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a detection material that generates a measurable parameter in response to X-ray photons. Each pixel also includes a plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The sub-pixel resolution readout structures are in an alternating pattern with a spacing therebetween that is larger than a frequency of a phase-contrast interference pattern but small enough to enable charge sharing between adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures when an X-ray photon hits between the adjacent sub-pixel resolution readout structures. The phase-contrast imaging detector also includes readout circuitry configured to read out signals from the plurality of sub-pixel readout structures. The plurality of sub-pixel resolution readout structures includes two or more electrodes having alternating arms that form an interleaved comb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Wiedmann, Biju Jacob, Brian David Yanoff
  • Patent number: 11839506
    Abstract: This X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus is provided with: an imaging unit; an X-ray image acquisition unit for acquiring an X-ray image; a blood vessel extracted image acquisition unit for acquiring a blood vessel extracted image; a composite image generation unit for generating a second composite image in which the X-ray image and the blood vessel extracted image are composed; and a region of interest setting unit for setting a region of interest in which a device is reflected. The composite image generation unit is configured to generate the second composite image by aligning the positions of the X-ray image and the blood vessel extracted image, based on the device and the blood vessel image reflected in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Takaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11836946
    Abstract: Methods and systems for guiding a patient for a medical examination using a medical apparatus. For example, a computer-implemented method for guiding a patient for a medical examination using a medical apparatus includes: receiving an examination protocol for the medical apparatus; determining a reference position based at least in part on the examination protocol; acquiring a patient position; determining a deviation metric based at least in part on comparing the patient position and the reference position; determining whether the deviation metric is greater than a pre-determined deviation threshold; and if the deviation metric is greater than a pre-determined deviation threshold: generating a positioning guidance based at least in part on the determined deviation metric, the positioning guidance including guidance for positioning the patient relative to the medical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai United Imaging Intelligence Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ziyan Wu, Shanhui Sun, Arun Innanje
  • Patent number: 11838644
    Abstract: An exposure record totalizer includes: a hardware processor that adds up a first exposure record of a first exposure image and a second exposure record of a second exposure image, when a radiography system generates the first exposure image through first exposure and the second exposure image through second exposure, and that links information about a third exposure record to a third exposure image generated on the basis of the first exposure image and the second exposure image, the third exposure record being generated by the hardware processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Miyake, Koutarou Kanamori
  • Patent number: 11831994
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain information representing a setting of a target region that is a target of automatic exposure control, and information representing a radiation transmission characteristic of an object corresponding to the target region, a setting unit configured to set a candidate region based on the target region, a monitoring unit configured to monitor a radiation dose during incidence in the candidate region, a specifying unit configured to specify, as a detection region, a region where the monitored radiation dose falls within a range determined in accordance with the radiation transmission characteristic, and an output unit configured to output the radiation dose monitored in the detection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11816764
    Abstract: For partial volume correction, the partial volume effect is simulated using patient-specific segmentation. An organ or other object of the patient is segmented using anatomical imaging. For simulation, the locations of the patient-specific object or objects are sub-divided, creating artificial boundaries in the object. A test activity is assigned to each sub-division and forward projected. The difference of the forward projected activity to the test activity provides a location-by-location partial volume correction map. This correction map is used in reconstruction from the measured emissions, resulting in more accurate activity estimation with less partial volume effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Michal Cachovan
  • Patent number: 11818483
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels each including an avalanche diode, a quench unit reducing the avalanche multiplication of the avalanche diode, a pulse conversion unit converting an output signal of the avalanche diode into pulses, and a signal generation unit generating an accumulation signal obtained by accumulating the number of pulses, a detection unit detecting whether or not the width of the pulse is not smaller than a predetermined width, and a voltage control unit controlling a reverse bias voltage applied to the avalanche diode within a range not lower than the breakdown voltage of the avalanche diode based on the result of the detection. The voltage control unit lowers the reverse bias voltage within a range not lower than the breakdown voltage when the accumulation value of pixels whose pulse width is not smaller than a predetermined width is not smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Sasago, Yukihiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 11803615
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an extraction unit configured to extract a two-dimensional feature regarding a part of a person in an image, a conversion unit configured to convert the two-dimensional feature into a three-dimensional feature regarding a human body structure, and a training data generation unit configured to generate training data using the three-dimensional feature and a label indicating a physical state of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11798306
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for occupancy detection are described herein. One device includes instructions to receive an image of a portion of a facility captured by an imaging device, the image defined by a field of view, and set a first occupancy detection threshold for a first part of the field of view and a second occupancy detection threshold for a second part of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert Townsend, Sahand Ghanoun
  • Patent number: 11793479
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus includes: a two-dimensional array of radiation detecting elements that generate one or more electric charges in proportion to a dose of incident radiation; and a control unit that performs control, at least, to read the electric charges from the radiation detecting elements and generate image data. An image capturing mode is switchable between a controlled mode in which the radiographic image capturing apparatus is under control of an external console and a stand-alone mode in which the radiographic image capturing apparatus autonomously performs image capturing without the control of the console. When the image capturing mode is switched to the controlled mode or the stand-alone mode, the control unit changes its own process so as to meet the switched image capturing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA INC.
    Inventors: Akira Hiroshige, Wataru Matsushita, Nobuyuki Miyake, Hidetake Tezuka, Tetsu Hosoki, Tomonori Gido
  • Patent number: 11790576
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method capable of improving structural component detectability with respect to a noise component in a medical image. The medical image processing apparatus includes: a separation unit that separates the medical image into a first component including a structural component as a main component and a second component including a noise component as a main component; a modulation unit that modulates the second component with a spatial frequency; and a correction unit that generates a corrected image based on the first component and the modulated second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisashi Takahashi, Taiga Gotou, Koichi Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 11779287
    Abstract: A computed tomography method seeking higher resolutions without imposing a dose increase is described. A mask (10) forms a plurality of X-ray beam lets (14) which are passed through a subject (6), and images are captured on X-ray detector (8). The subject (6) is moved with respect to the X-ray detector and mask, including a rotation around a y axis, and a computed tomography image is reconstructed from the plurality of measured datapoints. The beam lets (14) are of small size. FIGS. 4-8 are blurred, FIGS. 10, 11 and 16b contain too small letters/numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: UCL Business Ltd
    Inventors: Charlotte Hagen, Fabio Alessio Vittoria, Marco Endrizzi, Alessandro Olivo
  • Patent number: 11754515
    Abstract: A transmission type small-angle scattering device of the present invention includes a goniometer 10 including a rotation arm 11. The rotation arm 11 is freely turnable around a ?-axis extending in a horizontal direction from an origin with a vertical arrangement state of the rotation arm being defined as the origin, and has a vertical arrangement structure in which an X-ray irradiation unit 20 is installed on a lower-side end portion of the rotation arm 11, and a two-dimensional X-ray detector 30 is installed on an upper-side end portion of the rotation arm 11 to form a vertical arrangement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Matsushima, Kiyoshi Ogata, Sei Yoshihara, Yoshiyasu Ito, Kazuhiko Omote, Hiroshi Motono, Shigematsu Asano, Katsutaka Horada, Sensui Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11756240
    Abstract: A standalone image reconstruction device is configured to reconstruct the raw signals received from a radiology scanner device into a reconstructed output signal. The image reconstruction device is a vendor neutral interface between the radiology scanner device and the post processing imaging device. The reconstructed output signal is a user readable domain that can be used to generate a medical image or a three-dimensional (3D) volume. The apparatus is configured to reconstruct signals from different types of radiology scanner devices using any suitable image reconstruction protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai United Imaging Intelligence Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Arun Innanje, Shanhui Sun, Abhishek Sharma, Zhang Chen, Ziyan Wu
  • Patent number: 11730435
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mammography apparatus includes: a breast placement stage on which a breast is placed; a compression plate that compresses the breast placed on the breast placement stage; a supporting arm that supports the breast placement stage in such a manner that the stage can be tilted; and processing circuitry that controls driving of the compression plate in such a manner that the breast placed on the breast placement stage tilted by the supporting arm is supported from below and compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11734921
    Abstract: Methods of providing digital images of living tissue that may include: obtaining data of a propagating wavefield through living tissue; obtaining a reference digital image of the living tissue; selecting a holographic computational method of wavefield imaging; selecting a wavefield based on one or more parameters; calculating a sampling ratio by dividing a number of data samples in the data subset by a number of image samples in the data subset; decimating the data subset; generating a new digital image based on the selected holographic computational method of imaging, the decimated data subset, and parameters corresponding to the data subset; and determining a quantitative difference measure between the reference digital image and the new digital image based on the changing of one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of field sampling, imaging sampling, and image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Eurem Geo-Focus Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Norman Neidell
  • Patent number: 11717243
    Abstract: A medical information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor. The processor acquires an examination room image obtained by capturing the inside of an examination room in which a medical imaging apparatus including a movement mechanism is installed. The processor specifies identification information of a target object depicted in the examination room image using the examination room image. The processor specifies three-dimensional shape data corresponding to the identification information of the target object using the identification information of the target object. The processor specifies the position of the three-dimensional shape data in a virtual three-dimensional space using depth information indicating distance from an examination-room image capturing device to the target object depicted in the examination room image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11715205
    Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing tissue of a subject are disclosed. The method includes retrieving a time series of angiography images of tissue of a subject, defining a plurality of calculation regions, generating a time-intensity curve for each respective calculation region, calculating a rank value for each respective calculation region based on one or more parameters derived from the time-intensity curve; and generating a viewable image in which on the image position of each calculation region an indication is provided of the calculated rank value for that calculation region. Also disclosed are methods and systems for generating first and second time-intensity curves for respective first and second calculation regions, calculating first and second rank values for the respective calculation regions based on first and second pluralities of parameters selected to approximate the respective time-intensity curves, and generating a spatial map of the first and second calculated rank values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: Lina Gurevich, Jorgen Walle-Jensen
  • Patent number: 11707242
    Abstract: Methods are provided for dynamically visualizing information in image data of an object of interest of a patient, which include an offline phase and an online phase. In the offline phase, first image data of the object of interest acquired with a contrast agent is obtained with an interventional device is present in the first image data. The first image data is used to generate a plurality of roadmaps of the object of interest. A plurality of reference locations of the device in the first image data is determined, wherein the plurality of reference locations correspond to the plurality of roadmaps. In the online phase, live image data of the object of interest acquired without a contrast agent is obtained with the device present in the live image data, and a roadmap is selected from the plurality of roadmaps. A location of the device in the live image data is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Pie Medical Imaging B.V.
    Inventors: Theo van Walsum, Hua Ma, Jean-Paul Aben, Dennis Koehn
  • Patent number: 11686691
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that obtains a radiation image by an energy subtraction method. Each pixel includes a conversion element that converts radiation into an electrical signal and a reset portion that resets the conversion element. Each pixel performs an operation of outputting a first signal corresponding to an electrical signal generated by the conversion element in a first period, and an operation of outputting a second signal corresponding to an electrical signal generated by the conversion element in the first period and a second period. Radiation having first energy is emitted in the first period, and radiation having second energy is emitted in the second period. In each pixel, the reset portion does not reset the conversion element during a period that includes the first period and the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Kosuke Terui, Katsuro Takenaka, Yoshiaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 11633163
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an imaging system includes activating an emitter of a plurality of emitters of a stationary distributed x-ray source unit to emit an x-ray beam toward an object within an imaging volume, where the x-ray source unit does not rotate around the imaging volume, receiving the x-ray beam at a subset of detector elements of a plurality of detector elements of one or more detector arrays, sampling the plurality of detector elements to generate a total transmission profile, an attenuation profile, and a scatter measurement, generating a scatter-corrected attenuation profile by entering the total transmission profile, the attenuation profile, and the scatter measurement as inputs to a model, and reconstructing one or more images from the scatter-corrected attenuation profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Jed Douglas Pack, Mingye Wu, Chad Allan Smith, Jean-Baptiste Thibault
  • Patent number: 11612373
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus for a C-arm, including: a movement control unit which moves a C-arm which irradiates a radiation onto a bone of a subject located on a table and detects the radiation which penetrates the bone to generate a projection image for the bone, along a predetermined route; an image acquiring unit which acquires a plurality of projection images generated by the moving C-arm at every predetermined interval; and an image processing unit which generates a combined projection image in which the plurality of acquired projection images is combined, and the predetermined interval may be an interval at which a continuous panoramic image may be generated by connecting the plurality of acquired projection images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Sang Ho Park
  • Patent number: 11607802
    Abstract: Generating and utilizing action image(s) that represent a candidate pose (e.g., a candidate end effector pose), in determining whether to utilize the candidate pose in performance of a robotic task. The action image(s) and corresponding current image(s) can be processed, using a trained critic network, to generate a value that indicates a probability of success of the robotic task if component(s) of the robot are traversed to the particular pose. When the value satisfies one or more conditions (e.g., satisfies a threshold), the robot can be controlled to cause the component(s) to traverse to the particular pose in performing the robotic task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Seyed Mohammad Khansari Zadeh, Daniel Kappler, Jianlan Luo, Jeffrey Bingham, Mrinal Kalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11602319
    Abstract: A system can have an x-ray source that generates a series of individual x-ray pulses for multi-energy imaging. A first x-ray pulse can have a first energy level and a subsequent second x-ray pulse in the series can have a second energy level different from the first energy level. An x-ray imager can receive the x-rays from the x-ray source and can detect the received x-rays for image generation. A generator interface box (GIB) controls the x-ray source to provide the series of individual x-ray pulses and synchronizes detection by the x-ray imager with generation of the individual x-ray pulses. The GIB can control x-ray pulse generation and synchronization to optimize image generation while minimizing unnecessary x-ray irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Arundhuti Ganguly, Gary F. Virshup, Michelle Richmond, Billy Dan Jones
  • Patent number: 11587236
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for refining lesion contours with combined active contour and inpainting. The mechanism receives an initial segmented medical image having organ tissue including a set of object contours and a contour to be refined. The mechanism inpaints object voxels inside all contours of the set. The mechanism calculates an updated contour around the contour to be refined based on the in-painted object voxels to form an updated segmented medical image. The mechanism determines whether the updated segmented medical image is improved compared to the initial segmented medical image. The mechanism keeps the updated segmented medical image responsive to the updated segmented medical image being improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Giovanni John Jacques Palma, Yi-Qing Wang
  • Patent number: 11564643
    Abstract: In order to reduce a radiation dose delivered to an object or an observer, a facility for monitoring handling of the object has an optical unit configured to direct ionizing radiation onto the object and also a filter element in order to attenuate a part of the ionizing radiation. An imaging unit may detect portions of the ionizing radiation passing through the object in order to create an image of the object. A view acquisition system may acquire a viewing movement, and a control unit is configured, during a first operating mode, to control a position of the filter element as a function of the viewing movement. The control unit is configured to identify a predefined sequence of viewing movements and, as a function thereof, to switch into a second operating mode. The position of the filter element is controlled during the second operating mode as a function of an image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Nekovar, Mohammad Sharifi
  • Patent number: 11551352
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an x-ray imaging system. In one embodiment, a method for an x-ray imaging system includes acquiring, with the x-ray imaging system, a first image as an x-ray tube current of the x-ray imaging system is ramping to a target x-ray tube current, determining a corrected brightness of the first image, the corrected brightness including a measured brightness of the first image corrected by a feedback x-ray tube current relative to the target x-ray tube current, and updating the target x-ray tube current based on the corrected brightness of the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Xiaosong Liu, Yanhua Shi
  • Patent number: 11529114
    Abstract: A control device of a mammography apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a radiographic image as radiography information in a case in which the radiographic image of the breast is captured and a generation condition setting unit that sets generation conditions in a case in which an ultrasound image of the breast is generated, on the basis of the radiographic image acquired by the acquisition unit. The generation condition setting unit analyzes the radiographic image to detect the amount of mammary glands in the breast and sets, as the generation conditions, an amplification factor of an ultrasound image signal and a dynamic range which is a width of a grayscale value of the ultrasound image assigned to a value of the ultrasound image signal, according to the detected amount of mammary glands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Matsuura, Ayako Muramoto, Takeyasu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11529112
    Abstract: Data in X-ray images of a medical device is processed in order to reduce vibration artifacts in differential phase contrast imaging. A proportionality factor between an object induced phase shift for a first x-ray energy bin and an object induced phase shift for a second x-ray energy bin is provided. At least one of a dark field signal and an object induced phase shift is determined from a detected intensity value of a pixel for the first energy bin and a detected intensity value of the pixel for the second energy bin using the proportionality factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mattias Bartels, Thomas Koehler, Ewald Roessl
  • Patent number: 11523787
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital breast tomosynthesis system including: an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays; a C-arm configured to receive the X-ray tube and rotate about a first rotation axis during an X-ray exposure period; an X-ray detector configured to convert the X-ray, which is emitted from the X-ray tube and passes through a breast, into image information; and a focal spot controller configured to operate in conjunction with a movement of the X-ray tube caused by a rotation of the C-arm, in which the focal spot controller controls a position of a focal spot of the X-ray with various methods. As a result, the position of the focal spot of the X-ray tube may be controlled by the simple structure and method, thereby eliminating blurring of a projection image that affects the determination of quality of a three-dimensional image, and thus significantly improving sharpness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Young Sup Roh
  • Patent number: 11504084
    Abstract: A radiographing control apparatus includes a hardware processor. A radiographic imaging apparatus is exposed to a radiation from an irradiating apparatus through the subject. The hardware processor retrieves pre-exposure image data which the radiographic imaging apparatus generates by performing a pre-exposure to the subject at a pre-exposure dose of less than a dose of a subsequent main exposure, and calculates a total dose required to obtain diagnostic image data to be used for diagnosis. The hardware processor outputs a main exposure dose based on the calculated total dose to the irradiating apparatus and the radiographic imaging apparatus. The hardware processor retrieves main exposure image data which the radiographic imaging apparatus generates by performing the main exposure to the subject at the main exposure dose, and combines the main exposure image data with the pre-exposure image data to generate the diagnostic image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Takagi
  • Patent number: 11504083
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining one or more target examination parameters is provided. The methods may include obtaining target examination information of a subject and generating one or more initial examination parameters based on the target examination information. The methods may further include obtaining one or more historical examination parameters associated with the subject and updating at least one of the one or more initial examination parameters based on the one or more historical examination parameters to obtain one or more target examination parameters. The one or more target examination parameters may be used for performing a target examination on the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Yongqin Xiao
  • Patent number: 11497460
    Abstract: An apparatus, for dose measurement designed for use in an x-ray device, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a mirror element designed to inject a light field into an x-ray beam penetrating through the mirror element; and a measuring device to measure radiation-induced changes to a carrier material. The carrier material is part of the mirror element and/or another component of the apparatus, which lies in the radiation field of the x-ray device when used normally in an x-ray device. A corresponding method for dose measurement and to an x-ray device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Albert Hutterer, Jaroslaw Iwicki, Stephan Kreuzer, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 11490869
    Abstract: A radiographic image detection device subtracts a first offset image from a radiographic image to generate a primary corrected image, subtracts a second offset image from an immediately preceding offset image to generate an offset difference image, performs gain correction on the primary corrected image on the basis of a first gain image to generate a secondary corrected image, performs gain correction on the offset difference image on the basis of a second gain image to generate a gain-corrected offset difference image, performs a low-pass filtering process on the gain-corrected offset difference image, and subtracts the gain-corrected offset difference image subjected to the low-pass filtering process from the secondary corrected image to generate a tertiary corrected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasufumi Oda
  • Patent number: 11471121
    Abstract: The radiography apparatus is driven by power supplied from the battery. In the radiography apparatus, a radiation source that emits radiation to a subject, a radiation detector that receives the radiation transmitted through the subject and outputs a radiographic image, and an image processing device that performs image processing on the radiographic image are integrated. A CPU of the image processing device acquires a remaining level of the battery. The CPU performs control to operate both a first processing block that performs a noise suppression process and a visibility improvement process as first image processing and a second processing block that performs a density correction process as second image processing in a case in which the remaining level of the battery is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidenori Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11457886
    Abstract: A mobile digital fluoroscopy system is disclosed comprising a mobile X-ray system carrier unit, a mobile control unit and an interconnecting table. The X-ray system carrier unit comprises a kV unit, a x-control unit and a first and a second X-ray system each having a transmitter and a receiver. The respective first and second X-ray systems are configured to be mounted to a G-arm and to enable X-ray imaging in mutually intersecting planes. The mobile control unit comprises a 1st inverter, a 2nd inverter, a 1st transmitter generator, a 2nd transmitter generator and a display system. The kV unit is configured to control transmitters to emit or not to emit X-ray energy, to receive image data from the receivers and to send image data via a network connection in said cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Scanflex Healthcare AB
    Inventor: Volker Neumann
  • Patent number: 11432788
    Abstract: A control system includes a radiation emission apparatus and a radiographic imaging apparatus that generates image data by receiving radiation A first apparatus of the radiation emission apparatus and the radiographic imaging apparatus includes a first timer that performs time measurement to periodically generate first time measurement information. A second apparatus of the radiation emission apparatus and the radiographic imaging apparatus includes a second timer that performs time measurement to periodically generate second time measurement information. The first apparatus includes an interface that transmits the first time measurement information to the second timer. At least one apparatus includes a hardware processor which adjusts the operation of the first or second timer based on adjustment conditions in a state where the second timer does not acquire the first time measurement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kohei Isogai, Hidetake Tezuka, Nobuyuki Miyake, Kentaro Hara, Masahiro Kuwata, Koji Kashima
  • Patent number: 11426139
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes an image generator configured to generate a plurality of first images and a plurality of second images, and an image processor configured to align common regions between the plurality of first images and generate a difference long image by splicing images obtained by subtracting a plurality of corrected images from the plurality of second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Tanno, David Thibault Pelletier
  • Patent number: 11420230
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical effect layers (OEL) comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical oblate magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate, spinneable magnetic assemblies and processes for producing said optical effect layers (OEL). In particular, the present invention relates to spinneable magnetic assemblies and processes for producing said OELs as anti-counterfeit means on security documents or security articles or for decorative purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Cédric Amerasinghe, Edgar Mueller, Evgeny Loginov, Mathieu Schmid, Claude-Alain Despland
  • Patent number: 11419570
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes a capturing room and a console. The capturing room includes a bucky apparatus, a radiation irradiating apparatus and a detecting unit. A plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses can be loaded on the bucky apparatus. The radiation irradiating apparatus is able to simultaneously irradiate radiation to the plurality of portable radiation image capturing apparatuses. The console is associated with the capturing room and obtains capturing order information. The console allows the portable radiation image capturing apparatuses to advance to a capturing possible state when the console judges that capturing in the capturing order information is long length capturing. The console allows only one of the portable radiation image capturing apparatuses to advance to the capturing possible state when the console judges that the capturing is not the long length capturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Wataru Matsushita, Kenroku Ubukata, Hidetake Tezuka, Tomonori Gido, Fumikage Uchida, Hisashi Yonekawa, Hirotaka Hara
  • Patent number: 11404236
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode vertically spaced apart from the cathode electrode, an emitter on the cathode electrode, a gate electrode disposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, the gate electrode including an opening at a position corresponding to the emitter, and a spacer provided between the gate electrode and the anode electrode. The spacer includes an insulator and conductive dopants doped in the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yoon-Ho Song, Jun-Tae Kang, Jin-Woo Jeong, Jae-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11382592
    Abstract: A method for increasing accuracy of positioning an X-ray device relative to an examination subject using a camera system includes recording a first data set, acquiring original positioning information pertaining to the X-ray device and specifying a target position of the X-ray device relative to the original position. The X-ray device is positioned out of the original position into a first approach position using the original positioning information, and a second data set is recorded. A deviation between the target position and the first approach position is determined by a reconciliation between the first data set and the second data set. The X-ray device is positioned out of the first approach position into a second approach position using the determined deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Gemmel, Gerhard Kleinszig, Bjoern Kreher, Holger Kunze, Jessica Magaraggia, Markus Weiten
  • Patent number: 11375969
    Abstract: Medical radiography requires specialist control of radiography equipment to achieve good imaging results. Typical errors that can occur consist of an inappropriate field of view being accidentally applied. This results in a “cropping effect” in which portions of the region of interest of a patient which would be of clinical use are omitted from the image. Conventionally, the only solution is to re-take the entire image with a more appropriate (and inevitably larger) field of view selected. This is undesirable, because it might require recall of the patient from another location, and the patient will be subject to two exposures, thus undesirably increasing their X-ray dosage. The present application proposes to use an anatomical atlas to analyse an X-ray image output from an initial exposure, in particular to assess whether significant anatomical elements are missing from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Stewart Young, Daniel Bystrov, Jens Von Berg