Object Responsive Control Patents (Class 378/95)
  • Patent number: 11931196
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described herein for using processes and machine learning techniques to optimize medical imaging processes to reduce inadvertent exposure to harmful radiation. A machine learning model may be trained to output recommended medical imaging device operating parameter settings. Available operating parameters of a medical imaging device may be determined, and patient data may be received. The patient data and the available operating parameters may be used as input to the trained machine learning model, which might output recommended operating parameter settings. In turn, this output in addition to other calculations might be used to transmit, to the medical imaging device, data that causes modification of the operating parameters of the medical imaging device. Metadata corresponding to one or more images captured by the medical imaging device may be received, and the trained machine learning model might be further trained based on that metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: RADuxtion, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip R. Kingma, Letrisha Weber
  • Patent number: 11922621
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining, by a processor, a set of ultrasound frames showing a portion of a heart of a subject, identifying a subset of the frames, responsively to the subset having been acquired at one or more predefined phases of at least one physiological cycle of the subject, computing respective image-quality scores for at least the subset of the frames, each of the scores quantifying an image quality with which one or more anatomical portions of interest are shown in a respective one of the frames, and, based on the image-quality scores, selecting, for subsequent use, at least one frame from the subset of the frames. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Roy Urman, Liron Shmuel Mizrahi, Yariv Avraham Amos
  • Patent number: 11825021
    Abstract: A call processing system and method for providing a secondary information channel to a caller. Upon reception of a call from a caller to a customer service representative on a primary access channel determine a device (secondary device) associated with the caller that is separate from the device the caller is using for the primary access channel. The secondary device is to be used to provide a secondary information access channel. The secondary information access channel is complimentary to the primary access channel between the caller and the customer service representative and is utilized to deliver information content to the caller and/or provide other services supportive of the conversation with the company service representative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (“USAA”)
    Inventor: John R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11660471
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to provide a radiation therapy system capable of not only inhibiting treatment time from increasing more effectively than before but also reducing the loads of fluoroscopic radiation photographing apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: HITACHI, LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Koichi Miyazaki, Naoki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11612763
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the monitoring of patient motion via the detection of changes in capacitance, as measured using a capacitance position sensing electrode array. The changes in capacitance may be processed to determine a corresponding positional offset, for example, using a calibration data set relating capacitance to offset for each electrode of the array. The detected positional offset may be employed to provide feedback to a surgeon or operator of a medical device, or directly to the medical device for the control thereof. A medical procedure may be interrupted when the positional offset is detected to exceed a threshold. Alternatively, the detected positional offset may be employed to manually or automatically reconfigure a medical device to compensate for the detected change in position. Various configurations of capacitive position sensing devices are disclosed, including embodiment in incorporating capacitive sensing electrodes with a mask or other support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dalhousie University
    Inventor: James Leonard Robar
  • Patent number: 11601632
    Abstract: A system for detecting and incorporating three-dimensional objects into a video stream reads an input video data stream. The user specifies areas of attention wherein said areas of attention or hotspots. Tracking movement of the hotspots generating a trajectory of said at least one object. Generating a cloud of points and tracking said points to detect configurations of points most similar to the initially defined hotspot. Obtaining a three dimensional topology defining a volume of interest in a three-dimensional space. Building virtual structures or pseudo objects that are placed within a spherical environment generated on the input video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: VR Drive, sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Rogozinski, Radoslaw Gezella, Pawel Tryzno, Piotr Kozinski
  • Patent number: 11528359
    Abstract: A call processing system and method for providing a secondary information channel to a caller. Upon reception of a call from a caller to a customer service representative on a primary access channel determine a device (secondary device) associated with the caller that is separate from the device the caller is using for the primary access channel. The secondary device is to be used to provide a secondary information access channel. The secondary information access channel is complimentary to the primary access channel between the caller and the customer service representative and is utilized to deliver information content to the caller and/or provide other services supportive of the conversation with the company service representative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (“USAA”)
    Inventor: John R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11298028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature distribution determination apparatus for determining a temperature distribution within an object (20), while an energy application element (2) applies energy to the object, especially while an ablation procedure for ablating a tumor within an organ is performed. A time-dependent first ultrasound signal is generated for an ultrasound measurement region within the object and a temperature distribution within the object is determined based on the generated time-dependent first ultrasound signal and based on a position of the energy application element (2) relative to the ultrasound measurement region tracked over time. This can ensure that always the correct position of the energy application element, which may be regarded as being a heat source, is considered, even if the energy application element moves, for instance, due to a movement of the object. This can lead to a more accurate determination of the temperature distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Shriram Sethuraman, Ajay Anand, Sheng-Wen Huang, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Ameet Kumar Jain
  • Patent number: 11287547
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a system for inspection of a human or animal body, comprising: a radiation provider configured to provide ionizing radiation having a radiation dose to the body, for inspection of the body by transmission; a measurement device configured to measure other than the ionizing radiation to determine at least one property associated with a dimension of the body to inspect; and a controller configured to cause the radiation dose provided to the body by the radiation provider to be controlled based on the at least one property determined by the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Rory Doyle
  • Patent number: 11241196
    Abstract: A medical device system for concurrent power and data transfer comprises an elongated conductive member. At least a portion of the elongated conductive member is configured for insertion within an intraluminal space. One or more sensors that are in electrical connection with the elongated conductive member. The medical device system uniquely allocates each of the plurality of unique contiguous segments within a signal space to one of (i) one or more power channels or (ii) one or more signal channels. The medical device system then sends the electrical signals, via the elongated conductive member, to one or more sensors that are in electrical connection with the elongated conductive member. The medical device harvests energy from the electrical signals. The medical device system isolates transmitted data signals within at least one of the one or more signal channels the data signals generated by the one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: XENTER, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Linder, Edwin Meade Maynard, Scott Kenneth Marland, Cory Rex Estes
  • Patent number: 11191501
    Abstract: A system for patient imaging is provided. The system includes an imaging system and a parameter generator to determine parameters of at least a first phase of an injection procedure. The imaging system includes a scanner that has at least one x-ray tube. The parameter generator is programmed to determine at least one of the parameters on the basis of a voltage to be applied to the at least one x-ray tube during an imaging procedure. A method of controlling an injector system is also provided, and the method includes determining injection parameters, at least one of which is determined on the basis of a voltage to be applied to an x-ray tube during the imaging procedure, as well as controlling the injector system at least in part on the basis of the determined injection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: John F. Kalafut, Corey A. Kemper
  • Patent number: 11026753
    Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided for detecting movement of a subject, the system having an optical tracking system including a camera, a display, and a controller electrically coupled to the optical tracking system and the display. The controller has a processor coupled to a memory and is configured to receive a data signal from the optical tracking system and recognize and continuously monitor optical tracking markers on the subject within a field of view of the camera, and provide an alert on the display when movement of the optical tracking markers on the subject falls within predefined parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Kelly Noel Dyer, Gal Sela, Kirusha Srimohanarajah, Sean Jy-shyang Chen, Joshua Lee Richmond, Fergal Kerins
  • Patent number: 10849590
    Abstract: A dynamic state imaging system includes a hardware processor that acquires period information on a period of a subject's dynamic state having periodicity, and controls a radiation imaging apparatus to acquire dynamic state images of a plurality of periods by assigning a same phase as an imaging start timing for each period of the subject's dynamic state, based on the period information, and performing imaging at predetermined time intervals from the imaging start timing for each period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Sho Noji
  • Patent number: 10853688
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes a plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses that each performs an image capturing operation to capture a radiation image based on radiation emitted from a radiation generating apparatus and transmitted through an object, a control apparatus that communicates with the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses, a calculation unit that calculates information about similarity between the radiation image and a reference image, and an image acquisition unit that acquires the radiation image from the radiation image capturing apparatus selected from the plurality of radiation image capturing apparatuses based on the information about similarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadahiko Iijima
  • Patent number: 10835196
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for x-ray imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an image pasting examination comprises acquiring, via an optical camera and/or depth camera, image data of a subject, controlling an x-ray source and an x-ray detector according to the image data to acquire a plurality of x-ray images of the subject, and stitching the plurality of x-ray images into a single x-ray image. In this way, optimal exposure techniques may be used for individual acquisitions in an image pasting examination such that the optimal dose is utilized, stitching quality is improved, and registration failures are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dejun Wang, Srikrishnan V, Gireesha Rao, Katelyn Rose Nye, Nasir Ahmed Desai, Arun Kumar Chandrashekarappa, Huanzhong Li
  • Patent number: 10653378
    Abstract: An image retrieval apparatus that retrieves a candidate medical image in diagnosis of diffuse lung disease based on a position of an abnormal shadow in an organ region in a target medical image, the apparatus includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to map the organ region in the target medical image to an image having a predetermined shape to make it identifiable whether the abnormal shadow is distributed over a first portion in the organ region or a second portion in the organ region, occurrence portions of the abnormal shadow within the first portion and the second portion are organizationally different, and calculate a position of the abnormal shadow after the mapping in the image having the predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takebe, Yasutaka Moriwaki, Masahiko Sugimura, Susumu Endo, Takayuki Baba, Yusuke Uehara
  • Patent number: 10422757
    Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates an article with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit that detects the X-rays transmitted through the article, an inspection unit that generates an X-ray transmission image of the article based on a signal output from the X-ray detection unit and performs inspection of the article based on the X-ray transmission image, and a control unit that controls the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detection unit. The control unit executes a first control of controlling the X-ray irradiation unit such that an irradiation output is increased if a detection output of the X-ray detection unit is decreased when the control unit controls the X-ray irradiation unit such that the irradiation output of the X-ray irradiation unit becomes a first irradiation output. The control unit executes the first control in a state where the article is not irradiated with the X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sugimoto, Kazuhiro Suhara
  • Patent number: 10376232
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically controlling the exposure in an X-ray imaging of a moving object to be irradiated. An embodiment of the method includes generating X-ray images at different times with a predeterminable pulse width of X-ray radiation; determining at least one moving image region from at least two of the generated X-ray images; determining at least one moving edge of the moving image region; selecting at least one pixel of the edge; determining the time dependence of the intensity of the pixel from the generated X-ray images; evaluating the time dependence of the intensity; and changing the pulse width in accordance with the evaluation. Alternatively, the spatial dependency of the intensity can also be evaluated close to the edge. Advantages of ensuring an optimum image quality and reducing negative influences of a sub-optimum parameter selection are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Ertel
  • Patent number: 10337960
    Abstract: A method and a system for fast inspecting a vehicle based on a length measuring device, including: when a subject vehicle enters an inspection region, measuring a first length and a second length of the subject vehicle; determining whether the first length and the second length is respectively larger than or equal to a preset second length threshold; if so, determining whether a gap portion of the subject vehicle between a first portion and a second portion of the subject vehicle appears in a beam emitting region formed by a beam of radiation rays emitted by the system for fast inspecting a vehicle; and when the gap portion appears in the beam emitting region, emitting a beam of radiation rays of a first radiation dose to the subject vehicle according to the gap portion, wherein the subject vehicle moves with respect to the system for fast inspecting a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yanwei Xu, Weifeng Yu
  • Patent number: 10315049
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a system or a non-transitory computer-readable medium of doing the same, for monitoring movement of anatomical features throughout a radiation treatment session. The method may include monitoring the movement of the anatomical features with a first modality. The method may further include obtaining positional information of the anatomical features with a second modality over a finite acquisition time. The method may also include providing an indication of a clinically relevant movement associated with the anatomical features during the finite acquisition time based on the monitored movement from the first modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Elekta LTD.
    Inventors: Jean-François Gauthier, Pierre-Olivier Beaudoin, Marc-André Lalonde, Daniel Lodu, Rui Lopes, Martin Emile Lachaine
  • Patent number: 10285604
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnostic apparatus includes a storage unit, a blood flow information generation unit and a blood flow inhibition index generation unit. The storage unit stores volume data or data of a series of images regarding an organ of an object. The blood flow information generation unit generates, based on the volume data or the data of the series of images, first blood flow information of a first region and second blood flow information of a second region different from the first region. The blood flow inhibition index generation unit generates, based on the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, a blood flow inhibition index representing a degree of inhibition of a blood flow in a blood vessel regarding the first region or the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: Fujita Health University, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ichihara, Takuya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9869644
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for performing radiography. For example, certain embodiments concern X-ray radiography of spontaneous events. Particular embodiments of the disclosed technology provide continuous high-speed x-ray imaging of spontaneous dynamic events, such as explosions, reaction-front propagation, and even material failure. Further, in certain embodiments, x-ray activation and data collection activation are triggered by the object itself that is under observation (e.g., triggered by a change of state detected by one or more sensors monitoring the object itself).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Laura Smilowitz, Bryan Henson
  • Patent number: 9764161
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for positioning a radiation source with respect to one or more regions of interest in a coordinate system. Such systems and methods may be used in emission guided radiation therapy (EGRT) for the localized delivery of radiation to one or more patient tumor regions. These systems comprise a gantry movable about a patient area, where a plurality of positron emission detectors, a radiation source are arranged movably on the gantry, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a coincident positron annihilation emission path and to position the radiation source to apply a radiation beam along the identified emission path. The systems and methods described herein can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or brachytherapy for the treatment of tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: RefleXion Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Mazin, Akshay Nanduri
  • Patent number: 9744289
    Abstract: Injection systems and related methods including an injection device, an operator interface, and modules to determine operational parameters during an MRA imaging procedure. Such parameters may be used to optimize and/or maximize signal intensity during an MRA imaging procedure. The injection system may include a target in-bloodstream contrast agent concentration determination module that determines a target in-bloodstream contrast agent concentration at least partially based on contrast agent type and MRA imager parameters. The injection system may include a contrast agent injection rate determination module that determines a contrast agent injection rate at least partially based on the target in-bloodstream contrast agent concentration, an initial contrast agent concentration, and a cardiac output rate of a patient to be imaged. The injection system may include a diluent injection rate determination module that determines a diluent injection rate at least partially based on the contrast agent injection rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Hynes, Dennis A. Moore, William J. Neubert
  • Patent number: 9655587
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an X-ray system includes a handheld X-ray interface device. The handheld X-ray interface device includes a wireless interface for communicating with an imaging system and a tracking device configured to provide a location and/or to track movement of the handheld X-ray interface device relative to the imaging system, wherein the location or tracked movement of the handheld X-ray interface device is communicated to the imaging system as an input for at least one control function of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Butzine, Jeremy Patrick Hannon
  • Patent number: 9582892
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus comprising: an image capture unit capturing a radiation image; a first decision unit deciding, as a first region of interest, a region of interest from a region of a first radiation image; a first extraction unit extracting the first region of interest from the first radiation image; a form decision unit deciding a first form from the first region of interest; a first display unit enlarging and displaying the first region of interest; a first search unit searching a region of a second radiation image for a second form similar to the first form; a second decision unit deciding a second region of interest from the second radiation image so as to include the second form; a second extraction unit extracting the second region of interest from the second radiation image; and a second display unit enlarging and displaying the second region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 9492135
    Abstract: A dynamic radiographic imaging system includes a detecting section that detects periodic changes of a predetermined site of a subject; a recommended imaging (start) timing specifying section that specifies a recommended imaging start timing based on the detection result; a notifying section that makes a notification to a photographer in multiple stages as the recommended imaging start timing approaches; an operation unit that receives an instruction input from the photographer to start radiation imaging of the subject; and an image capturing control section that controls the radiation imaging in response to the instruction input by the operation unit. The dynamic radiographic imaging thus can be performed at an appropriate imaging timing without depending on the level of skill of the photographer for the body site that periodically changes such as the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamato, Osamu Toyama, Kenta Shimamura
  • Patent number: 9418410
    Abstract: An image processing method includes dividing an image into one or more regions, obtaining a region-based histogram smoothing function for processing the image to have a uniform number of pixels based on a pixel value for each of the divided region, obtaining a global smoothing function for an entire image using the obtained region-based histogram smoothing function, obtaining a local smoothing function for each pixel of the image using the region-based histogram smoothing function applied to a region in a block, and obtaining a sum of weight values of the global smoothing function and the local smoothing function, and determining the pixel value, based on the obtained sum of the weight values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bong-joe Kim
  • Patent number: 9320481
    Abstract: X-ray imaging systems are provided that include an X-ray source and an X-ray detector. A filtering device is positioned between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and includes one or more micro-filters each adapted to transition between an X-ray filtering position and an X-ray non-filtering position. A controller is programmed to control operation of the micro-filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vance Scott Robinson, Ertugrul Berkcan, Peter Michael Edic, Sergiy Zalyubovsky, Marco Francesco Aimi, Yizhen Lin, Yannan Jin, Robert Franklin Senzig
  • Patent number: 9149246
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adaptively correcting exposure parameters during digital radiographic imaging are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bingquan Liu, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9031639
    Abstract: Chemical liquid injector 100 includes two piston driving mechanisms 130 each moving a piston of a syringe forward, main injection condition determining section 171 determining injection conditions for a chemical liquid in main injection, test injection condition determining section 172 determining injection conditions for the chemical liquid in test injection performed prior to the main injection to inject a smaller injection amount of the chemical liquid than that in the main injection, and control section 161 creating an injection protocol in accordance with the injection conditions determined by test injection condition determining section 171 and main injection condition determining section 172 such that the chemical liquid is injected in a series of operations in which the test injection is performed, then a preset injection suspension time is present, and subsequently the main injection is performed, and further controlling operation of piston driving mechanisms 130 in accordance with the injection prot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 9028144
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus which recognizes a marker located at a part to be subjected to X-ray imaging from an image of a subject imaged by a camera and which controls a respective movement of each of an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector to a respective position which corresponds to the recognized marker, and a method for controlling the same. An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube which radiates X-rays toward a subject, an X-ray detector which detects X-rays which propagate through the subject, an imaging unit which generates an image of the subject, a recognizer which recognizes a part to be subjected to X-ray imaging from the image of the subject, and a position controller which controls a movement of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to a position corresponding to the part to be subjected to X-ray imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Choong Hwan Choi, Do Kwan Oh, Woo Sup Han
  • Patent number: 9001965
    Abstract: A method for representing an exposure to radiation of an examination area of an object caused by radiological imaging is proposed. A 3D image of the examination area of the object being examined is acquired. Absorption coefficients of the examination area are determined. The radiation exposure of the examination area caused by radiological imaging is determined and is represented in the 3D image. A termination criterion is queried. The radiation exposure of the examination area is iteratively determined till the termination criterion is fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Lautenschläger, Michael Pflaum
  • Patent number: 9001971
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray generation unit, X-ray detection unit, X-ray beam limiting unit, and X-ray beam limiting control unit. The X-ray generation unit generates X-rays. The X-ray detection unit detects the X-rays generated by the X-ray generation unit and transmitted through an object placed on a tabletop. The X-ray beam limiting unit includes a plurality of filters to harden radiation quality of the generated X-rays. The X-ray beam limiting control unit controls the X-ray beam limiting unit to place a filter between the X-ray generation unit and the object, which filter is specified from the plurality of filters based on the thickness of the object and the distance between the X-ray generation unit and the X-ray detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Shiraishi, Masanori Matsumoto, Shumpei Oohashi
  • Patent number: 8989350
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a radiotherapy system of the present invention includes an irradiation object detecting section configured to calculate a target position based on a position of a specific part of a sample; and a swing position control section configured to control a drive unit to drive a radiation irradiating unit which irradiates a therapeutic radiation, such that the radiation irradiating unit directs to a post-correction target position at a control time after the measurement time. The post-correction target position indicates a position near a position to which the radiation irradiating unit directs rather than the target position in the preparation period before a therapy period, and the target position in the therapy period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shibuya, Yoshimi Oda, Kunio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8971490
    Abstract: An image guided treatment is performed to treat a target. To perform the image guided treatment, measurement data indicative of target motion is acquired. A timing of one or more x-ray images is determined based on the measurement data. Treatment may be performed on the target using the position of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Sohail Sayeh, Matthew A. Core
  • Patent number: 8971493
    Abstract: A medical imaging system adaptively acquires anatomical images using a shape adaptive collimator including multiple different portions of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation into a non-rectangular shape, in response to a control signal. The synchronization processor provides a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive variation in timing of image acquisition within an individual heart cycle and between successive heart cycles of each individual image frame of multiple sequential image frames. The X-ray image acquisition device uses the shape adaptive collimator for acquiring anatomical images of the region of interest with reduced patient X-ray exposure in response to the synchronization signal. A display processor presents resultant images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongxuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8956044
    Abstract: For acquiring an image of a moving region of interest of an object, a corresponding X-ray image acquisition apparatus may include a semitransparent X-ray transmitting device comprised in a collimator which is positioned within a beam of irradiating X-rays thereby at least partly shielding regions on a surface of a detector. After acquiring an X-ray image by detecting X-rays transmitted through the object, the position of the device is automatically adjusted based on image information included in the at least partly shielded region on the detector surface. Taking into account X-ray absorption properties of the device, a virtual image may be calculated, the virtual image corresponding to an X-ray image as if there was no X-ray absorption within the collimator. From this virtual image, the region of interest may be derived, and wedges of said device may be positioned to continuously follow the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Erik Hummel
  • Patent number: 8956045
    Abstract: A cassette holder of an imaging stand is provided with first and second catch members for catching and holding an electronic cassette from above and below. The first catch member has a multi connector connected to a multi terminal of the electronic cassette. The multi connector is offset with respect to a center line of an imaging surface of the cassette holder. The multi terminal is offset with respect to a center line of an irradiation surface of the electronic cassette in the same direction by the same amount as those of the multi connector. In a state where said electronic cassette mounted on a tray is loaded into the cassette holder, the center line of the irradiation surface coincides with the center line of the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tajima, Yusuke Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8923474
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for reconstruction of the coronary arteries and an examination apparatus for reconstruction of the coronary arteries. To provide improved coronary artery information, an apparatus and a method are provided where a gating signal is provided (32) and a first gated X-ray image sequence of one of the left or right branches of the coronary arteries is acquired (34) with injected contrast agent into the one of the left or right branches of the coronary arteries. Further, a second gated X-ray image sequence of the other branch of the coronary arteries is acquired (36) with injected contrast agent into said other branch. Then, a gated reconstructing (38) of the left and the right coronary artery is suggested and a volume data (40, 42) of the coronary arteries is generated. The volume data of the left and right coronary arteries is registered (44) in relation to time and space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard Sebastian Hansis, Michael Grass
  • Patent number: 8913712
    Abstract: There is provided an X-ray CT apparatus that allows easy and correct confirmation of which position a bed can be moved to and which region can be imaged. The X-ray CT apparatus performs imaging for obtaining a scanogram 301 (S101), displays the scanogram 301 (S102), and calculates a transversely movable region 304 (S103). Further, the X-ray CT apparatus inputs size of a bow tie filter 103 (S201), inputs a transverse movement destination of a bed 106 (S105), calculates an imageable region on the basis of the size of the bow tie filter and the transverse movement destination 302 (S202), and displays the imageable region 305 (S203).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ninomiya, Takayuki Kadomura, Hideki Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20140362975
    Abstract: A wireless radiation system comprising: a generator comprising a first wireless communication module; and a radiation detector comprising a digital screen and a second wireless communication module, wherein said wireless radiation detector is configured to display a captured radiation image on said digital screen and to transmit the captured radiation image, using said second wireless communication module, to a server, wherein said first and second wireless communication modules are configured to wirelessly synchronize a radiation generation by said radiation generator and an exposure to the radiation by said radiation detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Beatriz Matesanz Garcia, Ilan Sivan
  • Patent number: 8880153
    Abstract: An angiography system for angiographic examination of a patient is provided. The system has an x-ray emitter and an x-ray image detector attached to the ends of a C-arm, a patient support couch, a system control unit, an image system and a monitor. The system control unit generates a mask image that detects a reference image, effects a registration of the reference image to the C-arm, whereby if necessary a segmentation of the examination object is implemented in the reference image, contrasts image regions lying inside of the segmentation in order to generate a mask image, and subtracts the mask image from fluoroscopy live images acquired by the angiography system without contrast agent in order to form a roadmap image. The image system effects a reproduction of the roadmap images on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marcus Pfister
  • Patent number: 8867705
    Abstract: A method for indicating a position of a radiation energy sensor element in a radiographic imaging system, the method executed at least in part by a computer, identifies the position of the radiation energy sensor element relative to a subject to be imaged and displays the identified position relative to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Xiaohui Wang, David H. Foos
  • Patent number: 8855269
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image display apparatus includes an image storage unit configured to store data of a series of medical images constituting a moving image associated with an object, and a reproduction control unit configured to perform read control of the image storage unit to alternately and repeatedly reproduce and display some of the series of medical images corresponding to a partial period in one cycle associated with cyclic motion of the object in a forward direction and a backward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Arakita, Shinsuke Tsukagoshi
  • Publication number: 20140270081
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for selectively inhibiting radiation from being generated by a radiation source are provided. A radiation source comprises an electrically conductive gate situated between a cathode and an anode. When a voltage potential is created between the gate and the cathode, a flow of electrons between the cathode and the anode is mitigated, thus inhibiting radiation from being generated by the radiation source. When the voltage potential is removed or lessened, electrons may more freely flow between the cathode and the anode to generate radiation. In some embodiments, a calibration, such as a dark calibration, may be performed while the gate mitigates the flow of electrons. Moreover, in some embodiments, an accelerating voltage applied to the radiation source may be held substantially constant when radiation is generated as well as when radiation generation is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Smiths Heimann GmbH, Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Neil Urchuk, Stephen J. Quigley, Hans Weedon, Aissa Abdulmagid, Knut Beneke, Claus Meder, Dirk Naumann
  • Patent number: 8824630
    Abstract: A computing system determines a full motion range of a target, wherein the full motion range of the target defines an internal target volume (ITV). The computing system identifies a partial motion range of the target, wherein the partial motion range is a subset of the full motion range of the target. The computing system generates a partial-ITV based on the identified partial motion range, wherein the partial-ITV is a volume swept by the target as the target moves through the partial motion range, the partial-ITV being smaller than the ITV. The computing system generates a treatment plan to deliver treatment to the partial-ITV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Jay B. West
  • Patent number: 8817949
    Abstract: A control portion (140) detects pressure information fluctuations applied to a radiation sensor portion (120), acquires a radiation image and an offset image from the radiation sensor portion (120) based on the detected pressure information fluctuations, and makes offset correction of the acquired radiation image using the acquired offset image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Hitoshi Inoue, Masaaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8792616
    Abstract: An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus includes: an imaging unit supporting an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit to face each other to take an image of a subject placed on a bed top panel; a control unit to execute a step movement process of at least one of the imaging unit and top panel and take images of the subject at plural stages; and an image processing unit that processes image data taken at the plural stages. The control unit sets plural regions of interest (ROI) in an imaging area of the subject when an image is taken after a contrast medium is injected into the subject, measures a change of an image level in the ROI to detect a flow of the contrast medium, and makes at least one of the imaging unit and top panel move to the next imaging stage based on the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Tanaka, Jun Sakakibara, Makoto Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8761864
    Abstract: A method includes automatically determining at least one gating signal based on a physiological signal from a subject being imaged by an imaging system, automatically determining, based upon prior analysis and knowledge of the imaging system's capabilities, a timing of each of a plurality of exposures within a single or multiple cycles of the physiologic signal, and performing the multiple acquisitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Michael Sabol, Kadri Nizar Jabri, Renuka Uppaluri, Gopal B. Avinash