With Display Or Signaling Patents (Class 378/98)
  • Patent number: 8073207
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method for displaying a face detection frame in an image-taking device, which obtains an image signal representing a subject continuously at a predetermined cycle, displays a live video preview on a display device based on the obtained image signal and detects a face of the subject included in the live preview based on the obtained image signal, and superimposes a face detection frame surrounding the detected face of the subject on the live preview for display on the display device, wherein the movement of the image-taking device from the time of obtaining the image used for the face detection is detected, and wherein the display position of the face detection frame is corrected according to the detected movement of the image-taking device on the basis of the display position of the face detection frame relative to the image used for the face detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Ayaki, Tomoyuki Mizuta
  • Publication number: 20110291800
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Butzine, Jeremy Patrick Hannon
  • Patent number: 8064667
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging machine is configured such that a three-dimensional blood-vessel information creating unit creates information concerning a three-dimensional blood-vessel core line and a position of a plaque in a subject blood vessel based on three-dimensional volume data obtained from an image taken by an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. A plaque-depth information image creating unit creates a plaque-depth information image on which the plaque is differently displayed in accordance with whether the plaque is present in front of or in the back of the three-dimensional blood-vessel core line with respect to a projection direction, based on the created information concerning the three-dimensional blood-vessel core line and the position of the plaque. An X-ray image display unit displays the created plaque-depth information image over an X-ray image in a superimposed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kawasaki, Hitoshi Yamagata
  • Patent number: 8054940
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique capable of objectively discriminating the constituent of a subject also in an image in which density difference is not easily discriminated on a gray image obtained by image capturing for medical use using X-rays. An image capturing system for medical use includes: a detecting unit for detecting an X-ray dose by absorbing X-rays passed through a subject in image capturing for medical use and outputting absorbed X-ray dose information; an obtaining unit for obtaining image information of the subject from the absorbed X-ray dose information; an image processing unit for calculating average detection energy in each first predetermined region in the image information; and an output unit for outputting the average detection energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphics, Inc., Institute of National Colleges of Technology
    Inventors: Michitaka Honda, Osamu Toyama
  • Publication number: 20110235874
    Abstract: A medical imaging assembly includes a first imaging plate and a second imaging plate for acquiring a first and a second medical image. A container is configured to receive and hold the first imaging plate and the second imaging plate in a predetermined overlapping orientation. An image reader receives the first and second medical images and produces first and second digital medical images. A processor creates a composite image of the first and second digital images. A method of acquiring a medical image includes identifying an overlapped region of a lower image and an upper image. An alignment transformation is identified by matching the overlapped regions of the upper and lower images. The upper and lower images are aligned based upon the alignment transformation. A composite medical image is created from the upper image and the lower image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: PaloDEx Group Oy
    Inventors: Juuso Siren, Jari Taskinen, Kaapo Paulanto, Tuomas Tolli, Martti Kalke
  • Patent number: 8000445
    Abstract: In three-dimensional X-ray imaging, with C-arm systems, scan setup has to be performed manually under fluoroscopic control. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a scan planning system for planning a data acquisition process is provided, which is adapted to predict a field of view to be reconstructed and an image quality in the field of view with respect to the actual three-dimensional scan parameter set and previously acquired images or other information. The scan planning system may be accomplished by a stand control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Sabine Mollus, Juergen Weese, Jens Wiegert, Robert Johannes Frederik Homan
  • Patent number: 7991118
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system (10) having a pedal-switching mechanism (14) for lateral and frontal imaging. The imaging system (10) is particularly useful for positioning an image-capturing device (18) with respect to a patient disposed on an imaging system (10) and may include a support member (20) configured to support a patient or object of interest, and a c-arm imaging equipment (12) configured to be removable to capture images in various directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Niels Noordhoek
  • Patent number: 7991115
    Abstract: In a medical image diagnostic device, wherein X-Ray CT devices and PET devices are longitudinally disposed, and which has a tubular imaging part for positioning a subject who is placed on the top surface of a bed and collecting image data, an illumination part is provided for producing a suitable level of brightness to the display part, which is for providing information to the subject without having to adopt every imaging position within the tubular imaging part, and to the imaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Matsuzawa, Makoto Nakano
  • Publication number: 20110170667
    Abstract: A system automatically detects and reports a hardware and/or software error in an X-ray system. A system automatically detects and identifies failed components of a distributed X-ray imaging system. Multiple different subsystems of an X-ray imaging system individually include, an executable procedure for detecting a failed component in a respective subsystem and a communication interface for initiating generation and communication of a message identifying the failed component and identifying the respective subsystem including the failed component. A repository stores data identifying failed components within the multiple different subsystems in response to the communicated message. An error processor accesses the repository of data and provides composite information enabling a user to identify failed components within an X-ray imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Ruggiero, Daniel St. John
  • Publication number: 20110142203
    Abstract: A gantry scanner system includes a radiation source, a plurality of detectors and a support frame supporting the detectors. The support frame includes an elongate support member arranged to support the detectors, cable support means arranged to support power cables or signal cables connected to the detectors, and cover means arranged to cover the support member, the cable support means and the detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Publication number: 20110116601
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting X rays and signaling the detection to a computer-assisted surgery processor system comprises an X ray detector unit having an X ray detector adapted to be positioned within a radiation field. The X ray detector emits a detection signal upon being excited by an X ray of a given intensity. A transmitter outputs the detection signal in radio frequency. A receiver receives the detection signal in radio frequency and forwards the detection signal to a computer-assisted surgery processor system to signal the detection of the X ray. A method is provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Ahmed Aoude, Louis-David Parenteau, Mélanie Chassé
  • Publication number: 20110110494
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital radiography system which provides detachable and portable flat panel detectors (hereinafter, referred to as ‘electronic cassettes’) and transreceives data recorded in the electronic cassettes in on-line through a network. The digital radiography system includes bucky trays on which a plurality of portable electronic cassettes is detachably mounted, and a workstation connected with the bucky trays through communication to identify the plurality of portable electronic cassettes mounted on the bucky trays and to download pre-processing files of the identified electronic cassettes through the network or a portable storage device or to store files, generated by the plurality of electronic cassettes, in the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Jong In Lee
  • Patent number: 7936910
    Abstract: In a system for displaying medical images, a first linear array of medical images representing multiple views of a patient taken approximately contemporaneously may be displayed. The images may automatically be ordered within the array based on the represented views. A second linear array of medical images adjacent to the first linear array may contemporaneously be displayed. The images of the second linear array may represent the same views of the patient as in the first linear array taken approximately contemporaneously but at an earlier time from the images of the first linear array. Like views of the patient may be aligned as between the first linear array and the second linear array. Correlation of features between images may thus be facilitated. Alternatively, one or more principal views and one or more non-principal views of a patient in a set of medical images may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: James Hamilton Watt
  • Publication number: 20110096907
    Abstract: A method (100) for positioning and operating components (18, 22) of an X-ray C-arm system (10) during repeated angiographic medical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Ashraf Mohamed
  • Publication number: 20110087132
    Abstract: A tilted needle biopsy assembly is provided for mounting on an x-ray system. Because the biopsy needle is angled relative to at least one of the detector and the x-ray source, x-ray imaging may be performed during the biopsy procedure without interference by the biopsy device. The angled biopsy needle additionally allows improved access to the axilla and chest wall of the patient. The stereotactic biopsy device of the present invention may be coupled to any x-ray system, whether upright or prone, including but not limited to mammography systems, tomosynthesis systems, and combination mammography/tomosynthesis systems. The system flexibly supports the use of any mode of image capture (i.e., scout, two dimensional mammogram, three-dimensional reconstructed volume) for either or both target visualization and target localization. With such an arrangement, a needle biopsy assembly having improved patient coverage is provided for use with a variety of different x-ray imaging platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Ian Shaw, John LaViola, Kathleen Pickett, Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Aaron Fand, Christopher Ruth
  • Publication number: 20110075795
    Abstract: A radiation source and a detection means are moved relative to each other, thereby moving the radiation source to a plurality of positions. A subject is irradiated with radiation from the plurality of positions to obtain a plurality of radiographic images of the subject. A slice image of the subject is reconstructed from the plurality of radiographic images. At this time, a first mode for moving only the radiation source or a second mode for moving both of the radiation source and the detection means is selected based on the condition of radiography, and the plurality of radiographic images are obtained in the selected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Sadato Akahori
  • Publication number: 20110058724
    Abstract: The invention is a directed to an apparatus for tomosynthesis imaging, wherein the apparatus comprises an x-ray source configured to irradiate an object with a beam of x-rays and a detector configured to detect the x-ray beam that passes through the object. The apparatus further comprises a computer programmed to perform a scan, wherein the scan comprises a translation of at least one of the x-ray source and the detector along a path, an acquisition of a tomosynthesis image dataset, and a reconstruction of one or more three-dimensional (3D) volumes adapted to one or more predetermined view directions, wherein at least one of the one or more predetermined view directions is aligned outside of a central view direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Publication number: 20110051896
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus that is connectable to a plurality of radiation sensors includes an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a radiographing site and a radiographing posture of a subject based on an instruction from an operator, a sensor drive status management unit configured to manage drive statuses of the plurality of radiation sensors, and a sensor selection unit configured to select a radiation sensor to be used in performing radiographing from the plurality of radiation sensors based on the acquired information and drive statuses of the plurality of radiation sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7881433
    Abstract: In a display control apparatus, an image receiving portion receives a plurality of images sequentially transmitted from an X-ray imaging apparatus based on a transmission order determined by a transmission-order determining portion, and a capture-order information receiving portion also receives, from the X-ray imaging apparatus, capture-order information indicating a capture order in which each of the images was captured by the X-ray imaging apparatus. The images received by the image receiving portion are stored in an image storage memory. A display controller controls displaying of the images stored in the image storage memory on a display apparatus based on a transmission order for transmitting the images or the capture-order information in accordance with an input imaging condition and an operating status of the X-ray imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Nishii, Koji Takekoshi, Hideto Shiozawa
  • Publication number: 20110019800
    Abstract: An X-ray detector (10) for recording digital X-ray images, has a mobile design, with an energy supply unit (14) that has at least one chargeable high-power capacitor (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Spahn
  • Publication number: 20110013746
    Abstract: Automatic triggering of an intraoral x-ray sensor used in a dental x-ray imaging system. The intraoral sensor has an array of pixels. The array of pixels has a plurality of lines of pixels, and each of the pixels generates an electrical signal correlated to x-ray radiation that impinges that pixel. An electronic control unit is connected to the intraoral sensor to receive electric signals from the array of pixels. The electronic control unit destructively reads pixel clusters in one or more of the plurality of lines of pixels, each of the pixel clusters located at a perimeter of the array of pixels. The electronic control unit is configured to generate a dose-correlated signal based on the signals from each of the pixel clusters in each of the one or more lines of pixels and initiate capture of an image generated with information from each of the pixels in the array of pixels, when the combined signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: IMAGING SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Zeller, Doug Golay
  • Publication number: 20110013747
    Abstract: A method for operating an x-ray image recording device having a movable x-ray detector on an-x-ray c-arm is provided. The x-ray C-arm supports an x-ray source and the x-ray detector which can be moved in the direction of the x-ray source. A variable is calculated which specifies the image quality of an x-ray image to be obtained in a position of the x-ray C-arm in a position of the x-ray detector and/or specifies the exposure dose of an operating person. A measure is taken as a function of the variable which results in a movement of the x-ray detector by the operating person and/or by an automatic movement. X-ray images are recorded in positions of the x-ray detector in which the image quality and/or the exposure dose of an operating person are optimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Rosemarie Banckwitz, Philipp Bernhardt, Johannes Rieber
  • Patent number: 7869859
    Abstract: A medical apparatus including a main unit including an X-ray CT imaging unit configured to image a patient and a display unit provided on the X-ray CT imaging unit and configured to display a name of the patient to be imaged, and a console unit remote from the main unit and including an input unit configured to input condition information of the main unit and individual information including the name of the patient. The console also includes a control unit configured to extract at least one item including the name of the patient in the individual information from the inputted condition information and the inputted individual information. The display unit is configured to display the extracted item including the name of the patient on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shinno, Hiroyuki Ooishi
  • Patent number: 7856085
    Abstract: First, a connection state is detected. Next, a determination is made as to whether a connection is made via a dedicated line. If it is determined that the connection is not made via a dedicated line, image accumulation time is calculated. Then, after drive timing is changed, an imaging operation is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinsuke Hayashida
  • Publication number: 20100310044
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a portable litter including a structural housing and a digital detector positioned in the structural housing to detect X-ray signals corresponding to a region of interest to be imaged. The imaging system further includes at least one X-ray source for generating the X-ray signals, the at least one X-ray source positioned above the portable litter on an open gantry arrangement and configured to generate X-rays from different focal spot locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph John Manak, David Allen Langan, Bernard Erich Hermann Claus
  • Publication number: 20100303207
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a C-arm, a radiation source configured to irradiate a subject with radiation, and a two-dimensional detection device configured to detect the radiation having passed through the subject. The radiation source and the two-dimensional detection device are arranged to face each other across the C-arm, and at least one of the radiation source and the two-dimensional detection device is attached to the C-arm via a sub-arm that is rotatably connected to a frame of the C-arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Hiroyuki Ichiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20100296627
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of photoelectric converters each adapted to perform photoelectric conversion in response to receiving light, and output an electrical signal; a holding unit adapted to hold, for each of the plurality of photoelectric converters, a correction value for correcting photoelectric conversion characteristics of the photoelectric converter; and a correction unit adapted to correct each of the electrical signals output by the plurality of photoelectric converters, using the corresponding correction values, wherein the correction unit corrects each of the electrical signals based on the correction values, which have been increased or decreased in accordance with a prescribed pixel arrangement pattern, and the imaging apparatus comprises a determination unit adapted to evaluate correction results that are based on the correction values increased or decreased in accordance with the prescribed pattern, and determine a presence of a correction error in the correction values held
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Inoue, Hideaki Miyamoto, Hiroyuki Omi
  • Patent number: 7835497
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatic evaluation of tomographic image data records of a patient. In at least one embodiment, a scan of a patient being carried out using a tomography system, a three-dimensional tomographic image data record of at least a part of the patient is reconstructed, the spatial position and orientation of vertebrae is then determined, and medically relevant slice areas are determined automatically with a previously defined diagnostic question relating to the position, orientation and extent of spinal column diagnosis. Finally, with slice images of the relevant slice areas are produced and displayed. In addition, in at least one embodiment, a tomography system includes a computation unit with a memory for program code, with the memory also being used to store a program code which carries out the method steps of the method according to at least one embodiment of the invention during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gabriel Haras
  • Patent number: 7821778
    Abstract: A monitor assembly includes a monitor, for displaying output of a diagnostic device such as a fluoroscope, to which is operationally attached a bracket that is operative to secure (preferably reversibly) the monitor to the diagnostic device so that an operator of the diagnostic device can view the output while operating the diagnostic device and without interrupting the operation of the diagnostic device. Preferably, the monitor is attached to the bracket by a joint assembly that allows the monitor to be translated and rotated relative to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin Herman
  • Patent number: 7822180
    Abstract: A method includes automatically determining a specific mobile device to use from a plurality of mobile devices based on at least one of a battery metric, a patient procedure, and a location of the devices or of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kevin Andrew Coombs
  • Patent number: 7822169
    Abstract: It is described a method for reducing noise of X-ray attenuation data related to a first and second spectral X-ray data acquisition. The method comprises the steps of (a) acquiring data representing the X-ray attenuation behavior of a region of interest, (b) determining a first and a second attenuation-base line integral for the first and the second X-ray acquisition, respectively, and (c) calculating expected first and second signal to noise ratios for the first and the second attenuation-base line integral based on given signal to noise ratios for the first and second spectral X-ray data acquisition, respectively. The method further comprises the steps of (d) repeating the above mentioned steps of determining the attenuation-base line integrals and calculating the expected signal to noise ratios for a further first spectral X-ray data acquisition and (e) selecting improved spectral X-ray data acquisitions in order to enhance the overall signal to noise ratio of a final X-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Andy Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7809110
    Abstract: An X-ray detection technology capable of suppressing a decrease in a signal-to-noise ratio derived from external noise even in a case where it is hard to intercept electromagnetic-wave noise, and offering a wide dynamic range is realized, and an X-ray imaging device utilizing the technology is provided. An electromagnetic-wave noise signal to be mixed in a signal detected by an X-ray detector 2 is inferred from electromagnetic-wave noise signals measured by reference detectors 10A and 10B according to the method of least squares. Noise removal calculation is performed in order to minimize the decrease in a signal-to-noise ratio derived from the electromagnetic-wave noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Hironori Ueki
  • Publication number: 20100246770
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of area sensors arranged adjacent to each other to form an image sensor. A control circuit controls timing for reading out image data from each of the plurality of the area sensors based on area sensor arrangement information concerning the arrangement of each of the plurality of the area sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Niwa
  • Publication number: 20100239070
    Abstract: In the interest of a particularly quick and simple X-ray examination, provision is made for a method for automatically positioning a positionable X-ray source (16) of an X-ray system (24) in respect of a mobile X-ray detector (15) with the following steps: —detecting the position of the mobile X-ray detector (15), —forwarding the position to the X-ray system (24), —determining a position of the X-ray source (16), aligned with the position of the mobile X-ray detector (15), for recording an X-ray image, and —driving the positionable X-ray source (16) to move into the aligned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Cecile Mohr
  • Publication number: 20100239065
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing system comprises a radiation converter for converting radiation that has passed through a subject into a radiographic image, a processor for processing the radiographic image, and a selector for, when a plurality of the radiation converters and/or a plurality of the processors are provided, selecting one radiation converter and one processor that have the most appropriate communication state and associating the selected one radiation converter with the selected one processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Tsubota, Naoyuki Nishino, Yutaka Yoshida, Yasunori Ohta, Masato Hattori
  • Patent number: 7801274
    Abstract: A digital dental image apparatus comprising: an intra-oral image sensor configured to output a raw analog video signal; a processing raw analog video signal (PRAVS) means for processing the raw analog video signal for optimum detection; a digitizing, over sampling, and averaging (DOSA) means for digitizing, over sampling, and averaging the optimized analog video signal; a programmable control and signal processing (PCSP) means configured to generate a control signal to control an over sampling rate of the (DOSA) means; and a low noise power supply that improves the intra-oral image sensor performance. The PCSP means is configured to process the DOSA video signal, and configured to output the processed DOSA video signal to an output network interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Wideband Semiconductors, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Isaksen
  • Patent number: 7792242
    Abstract: There are provided an X-ray CT system and an X-ray CT method in which a subject can be brought as close as possible to an X-ray source at all times while preventing interference of the subject with the X-ray source at the time of rotation, without confirmation by an operator by rotating a rotary stage before CT projection. A subject W placed on a rotary stage 3 is captured by an optical camera 6, and information about a shape, a size and a position relative to a rotational axis R, of the subject W, are acquired by image processing using captured data. Then, interference between the subject W and an X-ray source 1 is monitored on the basis of the information, or the rotary stage 3 is automatically positioned at a location where the subject approaches most closely to the X-ray source 1 without interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kamegawa
  • Publication number: 20100220837
    Abstract: An imaging tomography apparatus has electronic components provided to operate the tomography apparatus, with at least one of the electronic components exhibiting a power consumption in high power operation that is significantly increased relative to power consumption in normal operation. The imaging tomography apparatus has an energy storage that, in high power operation, supplies the at least one electronic component with additional electrical energy to cover an energy demand due to the difference in power consumption between normal operation and high power operation. The provision of the additional electrical power in high power operation by means of the energy storage allows the modules that participate in the power supply of the at least one electronic component to be realized with lower cost. Such participating modules can be, for example: the mains connection, junction boxes with power switches (safeguards); a transformer, a rectifier, cables, slip ring brushes, slip ring tracks, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bressel
  • Publication number: 20100215149
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes a display-image creating unit that creates a display image from three-dimensional medical image data such that a display image of three-dimensional medical image data substantially matches up with an anatomical structure on an acquired image by the X-ray diagnosis apparatus. Moreover, the X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes a display-image changing unit that changes a display image so as to maintain consistency of an anatomical structure in accordance with change in acquiring conditions by the X-ray diagnosis apparatus. Furthermore, the X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes a display unit that displays a display image that is at least one of created and changed by at least one of the display-image creating unit and the display-image changing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisato TAKEMOTO, Hajime Yoshida, Satoru Ohishi
  • Publication number: 20100208864
    Abstract: An imaging-condition setting part that sets a plurality of CT-image imaging conditions, including an electric amount for driving and controlling an X-ray tube during CT imaging, based on a scout image that has been imaged by irradiating X-rays from the X-ray tube, to a subject on a top board, that has been stopped at least one of said first position and said second position; and a calculating part that judges whether there are any detection elements that are expected to detect an X-ray dosage exceeding a predetermined value and outputs the judgment result when the X-ray tube is stopped at least one of the first position and the second position relative to the subject on the top board and X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray tube through driving and controlling based on the electric amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobukatsu SOEJIMA
  • Patent number: 7778454
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or an apparatus for determining the concentration of a substance in a body material that is composed of two different material components in an unknown ratio. In an embodiment of the method, two computed tomography pictures from which two image data records are reconstructed are recorded in conjunction with two different spectral distributions of the x-radiation. The x-ray attenuation values for each voxel of the two image data records are decomposed into three material components. The decomposition is performed on the assumption that the x-ray attenuation value xM of the body material without the substance is composed of the x-ray attenuation values xM1, xM2 of the first and second material component in accordance with the following equation: xM=f*xM1+(1-f)*XM2, f being a volume fraction of the first material component in the body material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Grasruck, Bernhard Krauss
  • Publication number: 20100202589
    Abstract: A cassette allows radiation image information stored therein to be used immediately after an X-ray radiation image is captured in a patient's room, and a mobile X-ray image capturing apparatus incorporates such a cassette. The mobile X-ray image capturing apparatus has a cradle serving as a mount for receiving the cassette which has a radiation detector. The mobile X-ray image capturing apparatus captures a radiation image of the patient (subject) in the patient's room. The cassette serves as a mobile station. While the cassette (mobile X-ray image capturing apparatus) is moving, the radiation image information stored in the cassette is transmitted to a server via a transmitting and receiving terminal, a mobile hospital communication network, and a hospital LAN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohta, Eiichi Kito, Tsuyoshi Tanabe, Takuya Yoshimi
  • Publication number: 20100189210
    Abstract: An X-ray CT system (1000) includes a CT scanner (300) which obtains diagnostic images of a patient, a chemical liquid injector (100) which injects a chemical liquid into a patient whose images are obtained, an operation device (400), I/Fs (320, 421) for transmitting and receiving data between the CT scanner (300) and the operation device (400) and I/Fs (120, 420) for transmitting and receiving data between the chemical liquid injector (100) and the operation device (400). The operation device includes an input section used to set an injection condition for the chemical liquid by the chemical liquid injector (100) and an imaging condition by the CT scanner (300), a control section for controlling operation of the chemical liquid injector (100) and operation of the CT scanner (300) in accordance with the setting and a display section (450) for displaying information relating to the setting of the injection condition and the imaging condition and an obtained image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Shigeru Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20100189217
    Abstract: A storage unit stores a plurality of vectors and a plurality of past electrocardiographic phases in association with each other. Each of the vectors is a vector from a past reference point to a past objective point. A Reference point specifying unit specifies a current reference point on a current image. An electrocardiograph detects a current electrocardiographic phase associated with the current image. A vector specifying unit specifies a specific vector associated with a past electrocardiographic phase corresponding to the detected current electrocardiographic phase among the plurality of vectors. Objective point calculation unit calculates a position of a current objective point on the current image based on the specified vector and the position of the current reference point. A display unit displays the position of the current objective point on the current image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Shingo ABE
  • Publication number: 20100177872
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and/or signalling errors of a radiation therapy apparatus during delivery of a radiation treatment to a target, the radiation therapy apparatus being configurable for a given radiation treatment by means of a beam shaping device. The method includes providing a radiation array detector between the beam shaping device and the target, capable of providing a measured detector response of the radiation treatment; determining a predicted detector response for successive times of the radiation treatment; measuring the measured detector response caused by the radiation beams for corresponding successive times of the radiation treatment; performing a comparison between the measured detector response and the corresponding predicted detector response; signalling in a short reaction time, an error when the comparison results in a difference which exceeds a given threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Lutz Müller, Caterina Brusasco, Björn Hårdemark, Johan Löf, Anders Murman
  • Patent number: 7756250
    Abstract: An X-ray detector to make possible digitization of an existing X-ray imaging apparatus is to be realized. Also an X-ray detector excellent in versatility is to be realized. This is an X-ray detector having a flat panel type detector unit for detecting the two-dimensional intensity distribution of incident X-rays and an interface unit for a detection signal utilizing device, and the interface unit conforms to open standards regarding images for medical use and communication. The interface unit has a first node on the detector unit side, a second node on the detection signal utilizing device side and a network linking them. The network is the Ethernet. The first node and the second node perform communication conforming to TCP/IP. The first node is integrated with the detector unit. The open standards regarding images for medical use and communication are the DICOM standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Shamik Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20100166142
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for detecting high atomic number elements in an article by using radiation having two different energies. The detecting of high atomic number elements can be accomplished by using an algorithm, curve fitting or using a data table. Disclosed herein too is a radiation system that uses the aforementioned method for detecting high atomic number elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yanfeng Du, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Joseph Bendahan
  • Publication number: 20100150311
    Abstract: In an X-ray image capturing device which performs image capturing by receiving image capturing information that includes protocols from an information system, when a protocol which is not associate to a body part is transferred, image capturing of such protocol cannot be performed, or the task of associating to a body part is troublesome and cannot be performed accurately. A configuration is used in which a protocol having unassociated image capturing information and body part is displayed as an undefined protocol, and means to associate the undefined protocol to a body part is called up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Takasawa
  • Patent number: 7724873
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a bed, an X-ray generating unit, an X-ray detection unit, a support which movably supports the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detection unit, an X-ray application switch which triggers generation of X-rays from the X-ray generating unit, an operation unit for moving the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detection unit, an image generating unit which generates an image on the basis of an output from the X-ray detection unit, a display unit which is placed near the bed and displays the image, and a simulation image generating unit which generates a simulation image from stored data during a simulation period in accordance with operation of the X-ray application switch and operation of the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Sakaguchi, Toshihiro Rifu
  • Patent number: 7720523
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a medical imaging device, a medical imaging control subsystem, and an activation unit. The medical imaging control subsystem includes a processing unit and a monitor. The processing unit is in communication with the medical imaging device and the monitor. The activation unit is operatively connected to the medical imaging device and the medical imaging control subsystem, wherein the activation unit is operable to deactivate the medical imaging device and the medical imaging control subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jon C. Omernick, Sabih Qamar-Uz Zaman