With Image Subtraction Patents (Class 378/98.11)
  • Patent number: 11327031
    Abstract: A photon counting X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: data acquiring circuitry, and processing circuitry. The data acquiring circuitry is configured to allocate energy measured by signals output from a photon counting detector in response to incidence of X-ray photons to any of a plurality of first energy bins so as to acquire a first data group as count data of each of the first energy bins. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a plurality of second energy bins obtained by grouping the first energy bins in accordance with a decomposition target material that is a material to be decomposed in a imaging region, allocate the first data group to any of the second energy bins so as to generate a second data group, and use the second data group to generate an image representing a distribution of the decomposition target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Moriyasu, Taichiro Shiodera, Shuhei Nitta, Tomoyuki Takeguchi, Hidenori Takeshima, Toshiyuki Ono, Takashi Ida, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 11259770
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for x-ray imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an x-ray imaging system comprises acquiring, with an x-ray detector, an image including a noise artifact caused by electromagnetic interference, inputting the image to a trained neural network model to obtain a corrected image with the noise artifact removed, and outputting the corrected image. In this way, row-correlated noise artifacts caused by electromagnetic interference at the x-ray detector are eliminated or cancelled in real time and image quality is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Feng Gao, Mahesh Narayanaswamy
  • Patent number: 11253215
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for correcting scattered radiation in a computed tomography apparatus, wherein x-ray radiation emanating from an x-ray radiation source is divided into a plurality of partial beams by a grid structure such that irradiated regions and non-irradiated regions alternate, wherein a grid position of the grid structure is changed parallel to a detector surface. In a changed grid position, previously non-irradiated regions are irradiated and previously irradiated regions are not irradiated, wherein at least one radiograph of the test object is captured for each of the grid positions, wherein the radiographs captured at different grid positions are used to generate a bright field radiograph from the respectively irradiated regions and a dark field radiograph from the respectively non-irradiated regions and wherein a corrected radiograph is generated on the basis of the bright field radiograph and the dark field radiograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Marco Erler
  • Patent number: 11244433
    Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a medical X-ray device to improve the image quality of an X-ray examination. In one example, the method includes recording at least one first X-ray image of a body region as a mask image; providing a first subsequent image and recording a second X-ray image of the body region, wherein the second X-ray image represents the body region at a later recording time than the first subsequent image; determining a degree of deviation relating to a deviation between the first subsequent image and the second X-ray image; determining an averaging amount in dependence on the degree of deviation; generating a second subsequent image from the second X-ray image or from the first subsequent image together with the second X-ray image, wherein the averaging amount specifies the proportions in which the first subsequent image and the second X-ray image are mixed; and forming an overall image from the mask image and the second subsequent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Boris Stowasser
  • Patent number: 11179123
    Abstract: In a case in which an imaging mode continuously acquiring a plurality of energy subtraction images is performed, a radiation source control unit of a control device performs radiation source control for performing a one-shot imaging operation, in which only one of first radiation and second radiation is emitted, at least once for one two-shot imaging operation in which the first radiation and the second radiation are continuously emitted. In a case in which the imaging mode is performed, a detector control unit performs detector control to direct a radiation detector to output a first radiographic image based on the first radiation and a second radiographic image based on the second radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouichi Kitano
  • Patent number: 11154263
    Abstract: An acquisition unit of a console acquires a first radiographic image and a second radiographic image. The first radiographic image and the second radiographic image are radiographic images which are output from a radiation detector by directing a radiation source to emit first radiation and second radiation in order to perform a moving image capture mode that continuously acquires a radiographic image required for the display of a moving image according to a preset frame interval. A receiving unit receives a request signal to request the generation of an energy subtraction image referred to for diagnosis. A generation unit generates the energy subtraction image in a case in which the receiving unit receives the request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeyasu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11151715
    Abstract: A dynamic analysis system includes: a hardware processor that: extracts an extended lung field region formed of one region including two lungs and a region between the two lungs from a dynamic image obtained by radiography of a dynamic state of a chest of a subject; and generates an analysis result image illustrating an analysis result of a pulmonary function in the extended lung field region by analyzing the dynamic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Noritsugu Matsutani
  • Patent number: 11071514
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system, comprising: an integrating detector including a plurality of pixels, each pixel configured to integrate signal from photons of a radiation beam; and an energy sensing detector overlapping the plurality of pixels of the integrating detector and configured to generate energy information in response to the radiation beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Varex Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan P. Mollov, Arundhuti Ganguly
  • Patent number: 11002877
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a detection device (1) for a system for inspection of cargo, comprising: at least one scintillator (4) configured to re-emit light in response to: interaction with successive first radiation pulses (5) emitted by a generator (6), and/or interaction with second radiation (5) generated by a radioactive source (8) located in the cargo (3) to inspect; at least one first acquisition line (9) configured to measure a quantity associated with the light re-emitted by the at least one scintillator in response to interaction with the successive first radiation pulses; and at least one a second acquisition line (10) configured to measure a quantity associated with the light re-emitted by the at least one scintillator in response to interaction with at least the second radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SMITHS DETECTION FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventor: Guillaume Jegou
  • Patent number: 10830855
    Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosed technology relates to free-breathing cine DENSE (displacement encoding with stimulated echoes) imaging. In some embodiments, self-gated free-breathing adaptive acquisition reduces free-breathing artifacts by minimizing the residual energy of the phase-cycled T1-relaxation signal, and the acquisition of the k-space data is adaptively repeated with the highest residual T1-echo energy. In some embodiments, phase-cycled spiral interleaves are identified at matched respiratory phases by minimizing the residual signal due to T1 relaxation after phase-cycling subtraction; image-based navigators (iNAVs) are reconstructed from matched phase-cycled interleaves that are comprised of the stimulated echo iNAVs (ste-iNAVs), wherein the ste-iNAVs are used for motion estimation and compensation of k-space data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Xiaoying Cai, Frederick H. Epstein
  • Patent number: 10823857
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a plurality of pixels configured to detect radiation, and at least one of the plurality of pixels includes a radiation absorbing layer configured to convert photons incident on the radiation absorbing layer into a first electrical signal, and a photon processor including a plurality of storages configured to count and store the number of the photons based on the first electrical signal. At least one of the plurality of storages is configured to compare the first electrical signal with a first reference value to obtain a second electrical signal, and count and store the number of the photons based on a third electrical signal that is obtained based on a comparison of the second electrical signal with a second reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-kook Cho
  • Patent number: 10733724
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving image data representative of an X-ray image of at least part of a subject comprising tissue, wherein a first part of the X-ray image is directly 5 exposed and a second part of the X-ray image is representative of tissue in a region of the subject; and determining a measure of attenuation in dependence on an energy measure obtained from the first part of the X-ray image and an energy measure obtained from the second part of the X-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: VOLPARA HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Ralph Highnam
  • Patent number: 10578752
    Abstract: The present specification describes an improved multi-energy radiation detector. In one embodiment, the signal generated by the detection medium is converted to digital form directly at the point of signal collection. This avoids the need for power intensive high bandwidth amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters, as it integrates the sensing device and signal processing onto the same silicon substrate to reduce the number of components in the system. In one embodiment, a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is coupled directly to a threshold detector to achieve an intrinsically low power and low noise detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 10498975
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that forms a part of a radiation imaging system is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor unit having a conversion element configured to convert radiation into charges and a switch element configured to transfer the charges. The sensor unit is configured to obtain a radiation image in accordance with radiation that enters the conversion element. The apparatus further includes a control unit configured to control the sensor unit so as to perform one of a plurality of operations. The plurality of operations includes an imaging waiting operation of repetitively switching ON/OFF the switch element, and a standby operation of controlling so as to make a change amount of voltage for controlling the switch element smaller than that of the imaging waiting operation. The control unit executes the standby operation based on a predetermined signal from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shimpei Tezuka, Kazuaki Umekawa
  • Patent number: 10413268
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray assembly having one or more x-ray sources configured to be energized at multiple positions. A control program energizes the one or more x-ray sources in a programmed sequence and controls the timing of the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohui Wang, David H. Foos, Michael D. Heath, Richard A. Simon, Eliot L. Siegel
  • Patent number: 10371825
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation detector which includes a plurality of pixels for detecting radiation, each of the plurality of pixels including a radiation absorbing layer configured to convert incident radiation photons to electric signals; a plurality of comparators configured to compare each of the electric signals with a respective plurality of reference values, in order to classify the photons in a plurality of energy bands; and a plurality of counters configured to count and store the number of photons that are classified in each of the plurality of energy bands, and which have sizes which correspond to the plurality of reference values. Accordingly, the radiation detector may increase a measurable radiation amount without a requirement that sizes of the pixels or the sub-pixels are increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-kook Cho
  • Patent number: 10217230
    Abstract: An X-ray image processing apparatus includes a first difference processing unit for generating a first difference image by performing difference processing between a mask image obtained by capturing an object before an inflow of a contrast medium and a live image after the inflow of the contrast medium, a first obtaining processing unit for obtaining a line-shaped region indicating a region, into which the contrast medium has flowed, using a distribution of pixel values in the first difference image, a second obtaining processing unit for obtaining a peripheral region of the line-shaped region from the first difference image using pixel values of pixels adjacent to the line-shaped region, and a registration processing unit for performing registration between pixels of the live image and the mask image by comparing positions using the line-shaped region and the peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10194874
    Abstract: A method of using computed tomography for determining a volumetric representation of a sample, involving a first reconstruction for reconstructing first reconstructed volume data of the sample from first x-ray projection data of the sample taken by an x-ray system, a second reconstruction for reconstructing second reconstructed volume data of the sample from second x-ray projection data of the sample taken by an x-ray system, characterized by calculating first individual confidence measures for single voxels of the first reconstructed volume data, calculating second individual confidence measures for single voxels of the second reconstructed volume data, and calculating, in a subsequent step, at least one resulting set of individual values for each voxel based on the first individual confidence measures and the second individual confidence measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Eberhard Neuser, Alexander Suppes, Nils Rothe, Michael Hoetter, Anja Frost
  • Patent number: 10117626
    Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with an input signal comprising a first and a second photon event incident on a photon-counting semiconductor detector. A relatively slow charge collection shaping amplifier may receive the input signal and output an indication of a total amount of energy associated with the superposition of the first and second events. A relatively fast charge collection shaping amplifier may receive the input signal and output an indication that is used to allocate a first portion of the total amount of energy to the first event and a second portion of the total amount of energy to the second event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Geng Fu, Peter Michael Edic, Brian David Yanoff, Jianjun Guo, Vladimir A. Lobastov, Yannan Jin
  • Patent number: 10074197
    Abstract: An X-ray computed-tomography (CT) apparatus of an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and processing circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to generate an X-ray. The X-ray detector includes a plurality of X-ray detection elements configured to output a signal based on the X-ray entered therein. The processing circuitry is configured to derive a constraint condition by using at least one piece of projection data out of a plurality of pieces of projection data corresponding energy bins of which differ at least partially, calculate an effective length that is a total length for which the X-ray has passed through a region in which a material to be decomposed is present, and generate image data showing information about the material by using the projection data and the effective length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Nitta, Taichiro Shiodera, Tomoyuki Takeguchi, Hidenori Takeshima, Toshiyuki Ono, Takashi Ida, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 9986957
    Abstract: The radiation detector includes image pixels that each includes a counting pixel, to restore an image. The counting pixel includes a radiation absorption layer, which converts incident photons into an electrical signal, and a photon processor that counts a number of the photons, based on the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-kook Cho
  • Patent number: 9964650
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a plurality of pixels configured to detect radiation, and at least one of the plurality of pixels includes a radiation absorbing layer configured to convert photons incident on the radiation absorbing layer into a first electrical signal, and a photon processor including a plurality of storages configured to count and store the number of the photons based on the first electrical signal. At least one of the plurality of storages is configured to compare the first electrical signal with a first reference value to obtain a second electrical signal, and count and store the number of the photons based on a third electrical signal that is obtained based on a comparison of the second electrical signal with a second reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-kook Cho
  • Patent number: 9907528
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus may include an image acquirer configured to acquire a plurality of X-ray images of an object in different energy bands; and an image processor configured to perform scattering correction on the plurality of X-ray images to remove X-ray scattering from the plurality of X-ray images, perform material separation on the plurality of X-ray images on which the scattering correction has been performed to acquire material information of at least one material included in the object, and repeatedly perform the scattering correction and the material separation depending on whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Mock Yi, Dong-Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung, Jae Hak Lee, Ji Young Choi, Seok Min Han
  • Patent number: 9697603
    Abstract: An image data processing apparatus comprises a data receiving unit for receiving medical image data representative of a region of a subject, wherein the medical image data comprises for each of a plurality of points in the region of the subject a first intensity value and a second intensity value, each point having a respective position on an at least two-dimensional distribution of first intensity against second intensity, and wherein for each point at least one of the first intensity value and the second intensity value is obtained from a contrast-enhanced scan of the region of the subject; and a processing unit for rendering or segmenting the medical image data in dependence on the positions of points in the at least two-dimensional distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Reynolds, Brian Mohr, Marco Razeto
  • Patent number: 9627098
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an x-ray source operable to generate x-ray beams, a collimator comprising one or more leaves configured to modify the x-ray beams, a motorized system operable to move the one or more leaves of the collimator independently in or out of the x-ray beams, and a controller configured to synchronize operation of the x-ray source and the motorized system, allowing modification of the x-ray beams substantially in real time with generation of the x-ray beams. At least one leaf or each of the leaves of the collimator may be configured to modulate a beam quality of the x-ray beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Arundhuti Ganguly
  • Patent number: 9538970
    Abstract: A system and method for generating phase image data by using the same detector to simultaneously operate in two different modes to simultaneously obtain first and second x-ray image data with different spectral weightings. The first and second x-ray image data respectively include first and second pixel-wise measurement signal values. The detector is configured to obtain the first x-ray image data in a first measurement mode and obtain the second x-ray image data in a second measurement mode different from the first measurement mode for generating the phase image data. The generated phase image data includes pixel-wise phase values from the first and second x-ray image data and is determined by determining a phase value at a pixel from a first measurement signal value obtained in the first measurement mode at the pixel, and from a second measurement signal value obtained in the second measurement mode at the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Ewald Roessl
  • Patent number: 9530196
    Abstract: In some examples, a method to reduce heel effect distortion in dual energy x-ray images includes receiving flood field images generated by x-rays at different energy levels and generating one or more normalize images based on the flood field images. The method may also include applying the one or more normalize images to one or more x-ray images and combining the x-ray images to generate a dual energy x-ray image with reduced heel effect distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary F. Virshup, Arundhuti Ganguly
  • Patent number: 9408585
    Abstract: The X-ray imaging apparatus to form a phase contrast image includes an X-ray source that generates X-rays to emit the X-rays to an object; an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays having passed through the object to acquire phase contrast image signals on a per energy band basis; and a quantitative data acquirer configured to calculate approximate quantitative data of two or more constituent substances of the object using a relation between the phase contrast image signals on the per energy band basis and quantitative data of the constituent substances, and estimate quantitative data of the constituent substances by iteratively applying a regularization function to the approximate quantitative data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION
    Inventors: Hyun Hwa Oh, Sung Hoon Kang, Young Hun Sung, Andrew Wesley Stevenson, Stephen William Wilkins, Timur Eugenievich Gureyev, Yakov Nesterets
  • Patent number: 9235892
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of standardizing a digital radiographic medical image, including obtaining a digital radiographic image of a variable attenuation plate to provide at least one reference value of at least one image characteristic, such as optical density and contrast, and standardizing the digital radiographic medical image against the reference values. Also provided are methods for comparing two or more radiographic images including standardizing the images against at least one reference value of at least one image characteristic obtained from a digital radiographic image of a variable attenuation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Donald A. Soboleski
  • Patent number: 9113542
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the temperature stabilization of a direct-converting X-ray detector, including a detector surface having a semiconductor and being divided into a plurality of partial detector surfaces. During the irradiation of the detector surface, heat is generated in the semiconductor by electric power. Electric power generated in the semiconductor is kept constant for each partial detector surface at least during a heterogeneous and/or temporally variable irradiation of the detector surface by feeding-in power-adjusted additional radiation for each partial detector surface. A direct-converting X-ray detector is disclosed for the detection of X-rays. At least one control loop with at least one reference variable is embodied for the energy regulation of the additional radiation, which keeps the temperature in the semiconductor constant for each partial detector surface by keeping the electric power in the semiconductor constant by changing the energy of the additional radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Christian Schröter
  • Patent number: 9014455
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray image generating method in which constituent materials of a target object are separated and mapped to different colors in order to provide one image which has improved distinction between tissues. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator which generates X-rays and irradiates the X-rays toward a target object, an X-ray detector which acquires X-ray data which corresponds to a plurality of energy bands by detecting X-rays which have passed through the target object, and a controller which acquires a plurality of material images in which a plurality of materials constituting the target object are respectively displayed and brightness information from the X-ray data, generates one image by mapping different color channels to the plurality of material images and combining the plurality material images into a single image, and applying the brightness information to the generated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Life Public Welfare Foundation
    Inventors: Hyun-Hwa Oh, Kang-Eui Lee, Seo-Young Choi, Young-Hun Sung, Myung-Jin Chung
  • Patent number: 9008263
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a breast are provided. The apparatus includes an X-ray emission unit that emits an X-ray of a first energy spectrum and an X-ray of a second energy spectrum from above a first region of a breast and emits an X-ray of a third energy spectrum from above a second region of the breast different from the first region of the breast; an X-ray detection unit that generates a plurality of image frames related to the breast by detecting the X-rays emitted and passed through the breast; and an image generation unit that generates image data related to the breast by combining the plurality of image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Eun Jang, Jong Ha Lee, Dong Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung
  • Patent number: 8981310
    Abstract: A radiation detection device 80 according to an embodiment is a radiation detection device for a foreign substance inspection using a subtraction method, and includes a first radiation detector 32 that detects radiation in a first energy range transmitted through a specimen S and generates a first image, a second radiation detector 42 that detects radiation in a second energy range higher than the radiation in the first energy range and generates a second image, a first image processing section 34 that applies image processing to the first image, and a second image processing section 44 that applies image processing to the second image, wherein a first pixel width in an image detection direction of each pixel of the first radiation detector 32 is smaller than a second pixel width in the image detection direction of each pixel of the second radiation detector 42, and the first image processing section 34 and the second image processing section 44 carry out pixel change processing to make the number of pixels o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Toshiyasu Suyama
  • Patent number: 8964938
    Abstract: A buffer on detector elements of an X-ray radiation detector can be used, when acquiring a number of 2D X-ray image data records with the aid of an X-ray angiography system, to acquire 2D image data records at a relatively short interval one after the other with the aid of different X-ray spectra, to allow dual-energy imaging, which may be of particularly good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 8964939
    Abstract: A radiation image acquiring system is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system irradiates X-rays to a subject from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject. The X-ray image acquiring system includes a first detector for detecting X-rays that are transmitted through the subject to generate first image data, a second detector arranged in parallel to the first detector with a dead zone region sandwiched therebetween, for detecting X-rays that are transmitted through the subject to generate second image data, and a timing control section for controlling detection timing of the second detector based on a dead zone width of the dead zone region so that first image data to be generated by the first detector and second image data to be generated by the second detector mutually correspond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Suyama, Tadashi Maruno, Toshihide Sasaki, Junichi Sonoda, Shinji Takihi
  • Patent number: 8894280
    Abstract: Embodiments of radiographic imaging systems and/or methods can operate a digital radiography detector in a multiple modes, where characteristics such as an exposure integration time and dark images (e.g., number timing integration time, etc.) for first and second modes are different. The digital radiography detector can be coupled to a memory that can store a first set of one or more calibration maps for the first mode and a second set of one or more calibration maps for the second mode and a processor. In one embodiment, the processor can form a first calibration-corrected exposure image by modifying a first exposure image from the first mode using the first set of calibration maps and a second calibration-corrected exposure image by modifying a second exposure image from the second mode using the second set of calibration maps in combination with calibration maps for the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Karin Topfer, John W. DeHority
  • Patent number: 8897418
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a pixel-extracting section for extracting pixels determined in advance in each line of an image containing a grid moiré pattern, a FFT processing section for performing one-dimensional FFT to the extracted pixels, a peak-frequency detecting section for detecting a peak frequency from a frequency characteristic for each line having undergone FTT, a frequency-characteristic preparing section for preparing a frequency characteristic for extracting the grid moiré pattern in accordance with the detected peak-frequency, an inverse FFT processing section for performing inverse FFT to the frequency characteristic prepared by the frequency-characteristic preparing section, and an FIR filtering section for performing FIR filtering on the image with use of a value calculated by the inverse FFT processing section as an FIR filter coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8873713
    Abstract: A radiation detection device 80 according to an embodiment is a radiation detection device for a foreign substance inspection using a subtraction method, including a first radiation detector 32 and a second radiation detector 42 that detect radiation transmitted through a specimen S, a timing control section 50 that controls detection timings, and an image correction section 34, wherein a first pixel width Wb1 in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an image detection direction of each pixel of the first radiation detector 32 is smaller than a second pixel width Wb2 in the orthogonal direction of each pixel of the second radiation detector 42, the timing control section 50 synchronizes detection timings of the second radiation detector 42 to detection timings of the first radiation detector 32, and the image correction section 34 sums Wb2/Wb1 pixel data successive in an image from the first radiation detector 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Toshiyasu Suyama
  • Patent number: 8792617
    Abstract: In a method to create dual energy x-ray image data of a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject with an x-ray system, a low-energy x-ray image data of the volume segment is created, a high-energy x-ray image data of the volume segment is created, the low-energy x-ray image data is subtracted from the high-energy x-ray image data to create the dual energy x-ray image data. An x-ray filter that consists essentially of titanium is used in the creation of the dual energy x-ray image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Baetz, Mathias Hoernig, Thomas Mertelmeier
  • Patent number: 8768035
    Abstract: A method for processing X-ray image data includes exposing a digital detector to X-ray radiation. The method also includes sampling data via the digital detector including X-ray image data and offset image data. The method further includes calculating an average offset image without prior knowledge of a total number of offset image frames sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Paul Richard Granfors, Kenneth Scott Kump, Ping Xue, Donald Fayette Langler, Brian John Kost
  • Patent number: 8761340
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for acquiring a high speed dual-energy image pair using a pixilated digital detector. A single pixilated digital detector acquires and encodes two separate images in effectively one image, eliminating the need to read out a first image prior to acquiring a second image. The encoded information is then utilized to obtain two distinct dual-energy images which may be decomposed to form bone and soft-tissue only images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: John Yorkston, David H. Foos, Xiaohui Wang
  • Patent number: 8693634
    Abstract: A method of generating a density enhanced model of an object is described. The method includes generating a customized a model of an object using a pre-defined set of models in combination with at least one projection image of the object, where the customized model is formed of a plurality of volume elements including density information. A density map is generated by relating a synthesized projection image of the customized model to an actual projection image of the object. Gains from the density map are back-projected into the customized model to provide a density enhanced customized model of the object. Because the density map is calculated using information from the synthesized projection image in combination with actual projection images of the structure, it has been shown to provide spatial geometry and volumetric density results comparable to those of QCT but with reduced patient exposure, equipment cost and examination time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic Inc
    Inventors: Krishna Ramamurthi, Kevin Wilson
  • Patent number: 8658960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for excess signal compensation in an imaging system is described. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides for non-linear background, offset (due to time dependent dark current) and/or lag (including constant, linear and non-linear terms, due to image persistence) corrections of large area, flat panel imaging sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Partain, Ivan Mollov, Carlo Tognina, Richard E. Colbeth
  • Patent number: 8634516
    Abstract: An energy subtraction radiographic imaging system for providing energy subtraction images of an object includes an X-ray radiation source configured to generate X-rays having various energy levels transmitting through the object, a radiation imaging apparatus configured to operate in association with operation of the X-ray radiation source for receiving X-rays transmitted through the object, the radiation imaging apparatus including a first imaging device, a second imaging device and an attenuating element disposed between said first imaging device and the second imaging device, the attenuating element configured to substantially absorb the X-rays at lower energy levels and substantially allowing transmission of the X-rays at higher energy levels so that said second imaging device substantially receives the X-rays at higher energy levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Hironori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8600005
    Abstract: An X-ray image acquiring system capable of improving the detection accuracy of a foreign substance contained in a subject is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system irradiates X-rays to a subject having a predetermined thickness from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject in a plurality of energy ranges. The X-ray image acquiring system includes a low-energy detector for detecting, in a low-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R1 extending in a thickness direction within the subject, a high-energy detector for detecting, in a high-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R2 extending in a thickness direction within the subject, and a timing control section for controlling detection timing of X-rays in the low-energy detector and the high-energy detector so that an inspecting region located at a predetermined site within the subject is included in the region R1 and the region R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Suyama, Tadashi Maruno, Toshihide Sasaki, Junichi Sonoda, Shinji Takihi
  • Patent number: 8571178
    Abstract: A motor controller determines a drive speed of a motor for driving a filter such that an area shifting cycle of the filter synchronizes with a cardiac cycle. The filter starts to rotate before radiation emission, and continues to rotate at a constant speed during two successive radiation emissions. An emission controller controls timing of two emissions in accordance with a phase of the filter. The area shifting cycle of the filter and the cardiac cycle are previously synchronized, and thus a high-performance filter switching device for switching or shifting the filter in synchronization with the emission timing becomes unnecessary. Adjusting the area shifting cycle of the filter in accordance with the cardiac cycle realizes two radiation emissions in two successive cardiac cycles. As a result, an exposure time is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tomonari Sendai
  • Patent number: 8542891
    Abstract: Positioning images are created by a projection-image creating unit before imaging, and the positioning images are grouped and stored by a projection-image storage unit for each preset. When imaging is started, a positioning-information calculating unit calculates positioning parameters using the positioning images stored in the projection-image storage unit. An analysis-image-for-synthesis creating unit creates an analysis image using the positioning parameters, and an analysis-image synthesizing and displaying unit synthesizes the analysis image with a live image and displays a synthesized image. When an imaging direction of an X-ray angiography apparatus is changed, a positioning-information updating unit directly updates the positioning parameters based on an amount of change of the imaging direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yokota, Hitoshi Yamagata, Satoshi Wakai
  • Patent number: 8542795
    Abstract: An X-ray radiation detector (100) consists of an arrangement with photodetector elements (12) and a scintillator layer (14) on the same. It is assumed in an exemplary fashion that the scintillator layer (14) subjects an input signal, which describes an object to be imaged, to a convolution with a modulation transfer function. The effect of this can be cancelled, particularly by obtaining a test X-ray image in advance, with the aid of which this modulation transfer function, or a similar variable providing information on the modulation transfer function, is established. If use is made of photodetectors that are based on CMOS technology, use can be made of a particularly thick scintillator layer made of gadolinium oxysulfide, which absorbs a particularly large amount of X-ray radiation. High-contrast X-ray images are obtained in this fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8488861
    Abstract: A system and method of determining hemodynamic parameters of a patient is described. A background image data set is obtained prior to the administration of a contrast agent. A series of image data sets is obtained during the first passage of the bolus through a parenchymal volume. The pre-contrast-agent image is subtracted from image data sets obtained during the first passage of the contrast agent bolus, so that the amount of contrast agent in the volume may be determined. The time series of the amount of contrast agent is computed to determine the arterial input function (AIF) which may be used to determine a tissue impulse response, and hemodynamic parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Yu Deuerling-Zheng, Jan Boese, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 8457378
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device and method for effectively generating a difference image from plural images. The plural images generated by an image generation unit are first associated with radiography date and hour information and stored in a storage unit, at least one reference image and one comparison image are designated by an image designation unit from the stored images, the date and hour information of the designated reference image is compared with that of the designated comparison image by an image comparison unit, a difference process is executed by a difference processing unit based on an operation determined based on the comparison result, and the processed difference image is displayed on a display unit under the control of a display control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Sato