Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jay L. Chaskin
  • Patent number: 6385285
    Abstract: Method of reconstruction of a three-dimensional image of an element of interest comprises a phase of acquisition of digital radiographic images by rotation of an camera around the organ, a phase of marking the position of the element of interest from image to image, and a phase of reconstruction of the three-dimensional image of the element of interest from acquired images and positions of the element of interest successively located in the successive images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, S.A.
    Inventors: Régis Vaillant, Laurent Launay, Jean Lienard, Francisco Sureda
  • Patent number: 6332014
    Abstract: A method for improving the quality of a fluoroscopic image where the image out of an image sequence of images which satisfies a predetermined minimum motion criterion is stored and this stored image is continuously displayed. The images may be acquired using a pulsed cardiac fluoroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems S.A.
    Inventors: Vladislav Boutenko, Bernard Callier, Huburt Hacquard, François Kotian
  • Patent number: 6324870
    Abstract: Metal collar device of the type used for integrating a glass part and a metal part of different coefficients of expansion. The collar is circular and comprises a first portion intended to be in contact with the metal part, a second portion intended to be in contact with the glass part and a bonding portion placed between said first and second portions. The second portion is not as thick as the first portion and as the bonding portion, so that it can adjust to the expansion of the glass part by exerting stresses on the latter below the limit of resistance of said glass part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Chabin, Emile Gabbay
  • Patent number: 6324080
    Abstract: A conversion apparatus having transistors, comprising means for inverting a DC voltage in order to obtain an AC voltage, means for filtering the AC voltage, including at least one parallel inductor Lp, the device being capable of operating above a resonant frequency Fp. The conversion apparatus comprises means for predicting a zero crossing of the instantaneous current I1p in the parallel inductor Lp, and means for causing a transistor of the device to switch if a zero crossing of the current I1p is predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Laeuffer
  • Patent number: 6320928
    Abstract: A set of digital two-dimensional projected images of an object is acquired for different positions of a camera rotating around an object. The projected images are calibrated into a volume containing the object and divided into voxels, the space coordinates of which are identified in a chosen calibration frame of reference. A pretreatment is applied on each acquired image in order to elaborate a rectified image having a predetermined spatial orientation selected as a function of a chosen specific axis of the calibration frame of reference, and an iterative algorithm of algebraic image reconstruction between each rectified image and the set of voxels is applied by successively treating the voxels in a predetermined order linked to the choice of said specific axis, which makes it possible to minimize the duration of reconstruction of the three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, S.A.
    Inventors: Régis Vaillant, Yves Trousset, Romain Boucherie, René Romeas
  • Patent number: 6315446
    Abstract: Radiology instrument comprising an X-ray tube linked with a plane detector. A support device comprises a pedestal of overall L-shape resting on the floor, with a substantially horizontal base, a substantially vertical post and an axis of rotation passing through one end of the base, the post being fixed to the other end of the base and being parallel to the axis, a bracket which is fixed to the top of the post and can rotate about a horizontal axis, and a C-shaped arm which is mounted on the bracket and is capable of rotating about an axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis by sliding on bracket, the tube and the detector being mounted on bow and facing one another, the axis of the bracket the axis of the arm being secant at a point in space referred to as the isocenter. The instrument comprises a means for moving the isocenter continuously along a longitudinal axis of a patient held static.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignees: GE Medical Systems S.A., General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold James Kidd, Bernard Callier
  • Patent number: 6314313
    Abstract: Device and process for simulating a patient's body for the testing of a three-dimensional vascular X-ray apparatus of the type comprising a means for emitting an X-ray beam, a means for receiving the X-ray beam, a means for displaying the images obtained, and a means for controlling the injection of opacifying liquid into the patient's vessels. The simulation device comprises a stationary part for simulating the patient's bones and soft tissues and a moving part for simulating the patient's opacified blood vessels, so as to be able to perform at least one acquisition of an image of the stationary part alone and at least one acquisition of an image of the stationary part and the moving part, and to obtain an image of the moving part by means of image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems S.A.
    Inventors: Rene Romeas, Laurant Launay, Yves Lucien Marie Trousset, Regis Vaillant
  • Patent number: 6304632
    Abstract: The movement of an anti-scatter grid in a radiography apparatus is a continuous curve having point symmetry with respect to the point whose time coordinate is equal to half the exposure time, and for which the space derivative of the time variable has two linear portions which are symmetrical with respect to a symmetry axis passing through the middle of the range of movement of the grid. The grid is moved with a high rate of movement close to the starting position and the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, S.A.
    Inventors: Andreas Rick, Serge Muller, Jean-Luc Baudry
  • Patent number: 6296386
    Abstract: Cassette device for producing images, for a radiography apparatus of the type comprising a means for receiving mobile cassettes. The cassette comprises a casing of substantially parallelepipedal shape surrounding a means for producing images. The device comprises a means which forms a handle and is arranged on a small face of the casing The means which forms a handle is provided with a stop surface for insertion of the cassette into the reception means of the radiography apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems SA
    Inventors: Robert Heidsieck, Jean-Pierre Saladin, Alain Marie Raymond, Catherine Picard, Jean Louis Baudet
  • Patent number: 6292536
    Abstract: The method consists of forming a preexposure image and deriving from it a mean preexposure detector signal level and converting it into a preexposure dose level, determining the equivalent radiologic thickness, estimating a composition of width examined and establishing a configuration of exposure and an exposure mA.s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems SA
    Inventors: Claire Chichereau, Agnes Le Roux
  • Patent number: 6224257
    Abstract: Device for simulating a patient's body for the testing of a vascular X-ray apparatus of the type comprising a means for emitting an X-ray beam, and a means for receiving the X-ray beam after it has passed through a part of the patient's body, the X-ray beam being centered on an axis. The device comprises at least one metal wire disposed at least partially transversely relative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventors: Laurant Launay, Rene Romeas, Yves Lucien Marie Trousset, Regis Vaillant
  • Patent number: 6223068
    Abstract: The radiology instrument contains a source emitting X-radiation, a radiological image receiver, a chassis arranged between the X-ray source and the image receiver in order to accommodate an object to be radiographed, and a positioning and guiding device which can be connected to the chassis and can intercept the X-radiation so as to position and guide probes intended to interact with the object. The positioning and guiding device has first means forming a retractable guide grid having holes whose respective axes converge towards the focal point of the source when the first means intercept the conical radiation, and a retractable positioning grid with holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, S.A.
    Inventors: René Romeas, Eric Maurincomme
  • Patent number: 6215675
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for regulating a converter having transistors, in which the value of a number N1 of state variables is measured and stored, then action is carried out on a number N2 of control variables. N1 being greater than N2, the value of the control variables is calculated, at a given instant, for a number P of periods such that the product of N2 multiplied by P is greater than or equal to N1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Jacques Laeuffer, Thierry Planas
  • Patent number: 6213805
    Abstract: A boot/ring comprising an annular core made of a closed-cell elastomer foam entirely coated with elastomer foam entirely coated with an elastomer covering that can withstand the electric insulating and cooling liquid contained in connector, at the connector operating temperature. Application: to high-voltage connectors for X-ray apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Hans Jedlitschka, Jacques Siruel
  • Patent number: 6215849
    Abstract: A digitized secondary image which promotes predetermined elements of interest of the object is created from each primary image, digital processing for two-dimensional mutual resetting of the secondary images is carried out per pair of consecutive images, for each current reset secondary image a region common to the said current image and to the following reset secondary image is defined which is bounded by the two respective median horizontal lines of the two reset secondary images, and the digitized overall radiographic picture is created from the upper region of the first reset secondary image of the succession, lying above the common region of this first image, from the lower region of the last reset secondary image of the succession, lying below the common region of this last image, and from the common regions of each pair of reset secondary images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems SA
    Inventors: Jean Liénard, Anne Marie Rougée
  • Patent number: 6201890
    Abstract: A method for converting a digital image to an analog-simulative film-like digital image is described wherein input pixel values (designated X) from the original digital image are converted to film-like output values (designated Y) wherein Y=AXp+B. The input values X, which range from Xmin to Xmax, are divided into consecutive intervals wherein different values of A, p, and B are applied for each interval. Most preferably, three intervals are defined so as to correspond to low, medium, and high light/radiation response intervals on film. In a low light/radiation region wherein X<X1, A is generally chosen to be less than 1 to provide range compression at the low end of the input dynamic range, and p is generally chosen to be greater than 1 to provide increasing light response. In a high light/radiation region wherein X>X2, p is generally chosen to be less than 1 to provide range compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shuanghe Shi, James Martin Hill, Kenneth Scott Kump
  • Patent number: 6185279
    Abstract: A casing for an electromagnetic radiation source includes a window made of a material that is transparent to the radiation emitted by the source and which includes at least one chamber in which a material that is opaque to electromagnetic radiation can move. The chamber is designed such that the material that is opaque to radiation can be introduced from the exterior of the chamber. Inside the chamber, the material that is opaque to radiation surrounds a region for passage of a radiation beam such that the area of the beam passage region varies as a function of the volume of opaque material in the chamber, by virtue of which parasitic extrafocal radiation is eliminated from the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems SA
    Inventor: Edmond Chambron
  • Patent number: 6175613
    Abstract: The unsharpness of a radiological image is estimated by four independent passes which recursively implement the same exponential function, and the unsharpness (Idk−1) estimated for the previous image (IMk−1) is subtracted from the current image (IMk).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems S.A.
    Inventors: Vladislav Boutenko, R{acute over (e)}my Andre Klausz, R{acute over (e)}gis Vaillant
  • Patent number: 6148062
    Abstract: A filter having compensating plates, each having a first plate element which can be moved translationally with respect to a frame and a second plate element which can be moved relative to the first plate element so that, when the plates are in an active position, the thickness of absorbent material through which the X-ray beam passes is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, S.A.
    Inventor: Rene Romeas
  • Patent number: D443061
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Jan Olof Bergström, Peter Wiberg