Patents Assigned to CGR
  • Method and system for calibrating an x-ray scanner by employing a single non-circular standard
    Patent number: 5095431
    Abstract: The invention relates to x-ray scanners and more particularly to a method for calibrating scanners by means of a single standard of elliptical shape, for example. Attenuation measurements are performed with respect to a number of principal angular positions of the scanner about the standard. In addition, a number of meaurements or views are taken on each side of this principal position in order to compute a mean attenuation with respect to each channel. The attenuation curve is then smoothed by filtering and polynomial approximation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Andrei Feldman, Dominique Cornuejols
  • Method for the computing and imaging of views of an object
    Patent number: 5095521
    Abstract: With a digital volume of data representing a non-destructive investigation conducted on a body, an operation is made for the segmentation of objects contained in this digital volume, as well as an operation to display a view of this object from a given viewpoint. To perform the segmentation, the digital volume is explored according to a mode of exploration by which a parameter is assigned to each volume element, of the volume under examination, which belongs to the segmented object. Subsequently, by acting on this parameter, it is possible to modify the segmentation criterion and, hence, the criterion for determining the segmented object, only at certain places in this object. Thus, the legibility of the displayed images is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Trousset, Francis Schmitt
  • Method for the imaging of intra-voxel movements by NMR in a body
    Patent number: 5092335
    Abstract: Movements within volume elements or voxels of a body are depicted by subjecting this body to sequences of electro-magnetic excitation of the SSFP type during an NMR experiment. It is shown that by performing two series of excitation/reading sequences with different sensitization characteristics, it is possible to obtain images of molecular diffusion and/or perfusions in a far quicker and in a far more differentiated way than with standard types of excitation methods, of the spin-echo type for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric CGR SA
    Inventor: Denis Le Bihan
  • Radiation control device with variable active surface of the type sensitive to ionizing radiation
    Patent number: 5083305
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiology system of the mammograph type in which there is provision for a radiation controller. The invention lies in the fact that the input aperture of the detector is masked by a belt that absorbs the X-radiation except at zones, the variable dimensions of which are designed to get adapted to the different shapes of breasts. The belt is driven by a motor 24 and stops at the practitioner's command so that the appropriate zone is in correspondence with the input aperture of the detector 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Marco Tirelli, Rene Romeas, Yves Gregoire
  • System and method for measuring and/or checking the position of a patient in a radio-therapy machine
    Patent number: 5080100
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns radio-therapy machines and installations. The precise position of a patient is verified by means of a device mounted on the movable arm of a mount with isocentric motion. This device includes a system for scanning by a light beam. The position of the source of this light beam corresponds to the position of radiation source. The device further has a system for the optical detection of the point of impact of the light beam on the patient. These two systems enable the position of the point of impact to be determined by means of a data-processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: CGR MeV
    Inventor: Jacques Trotel
  • X-ray tube with low extra-focal radiation
    Patent number: 5065419
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray tube used to obtain radiological images in which sharpness and contrast are improved. To this end, the X-ray tube has an anode consisting, at least partially, of a massive layer made of an X-ray emitting material in which at least one hollow part demarcates a surface exposed to a beam of electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Leguen, Emile Gabbay
  • High-voltage block for an X-ray tube, the block including a cooling tank integrated with its secondary circuit
    Patent number: 5060253
    Abstract: The invention relates to high-voltage power supplies for X-ray tubes in radiological apparatuses. The invention lies in the fact that the secondary windings of the transformer, the capacitors, and the diodes of the rectifier and voltage-doubler circuits, are all disposed in an enclosure made from two half-shells, whereas the primary winding and the magnetic circuit are disposed outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Hans Jedlitschka, Jacques Sireul
  • X-ray tube having a variable focus which is self-adapted to the load
    Patent number: 5060254
    Abstract: Problems of thermal resistance both of the anode and of the cathode of an x-ray tube are solved by constructing a flat cathode which is set within a stair-step focusing device. It is shown that, depending on the shape of this device, the heat output on the anode is constant irrespective of the load on the x-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Sixte de Fraguier, Catherine Thomas, Francois Caire
  • NMR machine phantom and a method of measuring the characteristics of a magnetic field using such a phantom
    Patent number: 5055791
    Abstract: The formation of a NMR machine phantom having a homogeneous material serving for forming the image which is confined to precise positions. The precise positions are evenly distributed in the form of a matrix so that a particular image formation method may be used. The combination of the image formation method and the matrix distribution allows for obtaining information with respect to the field at numerous points and increases the speed at which these points are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick LeRoux, Agnes Malgouyres, Jean Bossaert
  • Radiology installation with a communications network
    Patent number: 5054044
    Abstract: Radiology installation comprising a set of instruments between which there is a flow of data signals. For the transmission of these signals, the installation comprises at least two loops between which the data can flow. Each loop is capable of transmitting data which does not flow through another loop. Preferably, there is a main loop and secondary or specialized loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Thomson-CGR
    Inventors: Philippe Audon, Daniel Courtecuisse
  • Photoconductive detectors of ionizing radiation, and methods of implementation
    Patent number: 5051592
    Abstract: The invention relates to detectors of ionizing radiation which use a photoconductor as the detecting element. The invention lies in an electrode moving in a direction OX through a photoconductive medium disposed between two grids of electrodes extending parallel to OX. During the irradiation time, the grid electrodes of one grid are raised to a positive potential relative to the electrodes of the other grid and electrons and positive ions are created in the photoconductor. The electrons are removed by maintaining the positive potential on the electrodes of said one grid for a period of time longer than the irradiation. During displacement of said moving electrode, only the positive ions give rise to current in the electrodes. The invention is applicable to radiotherapy and radiography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR SA
    Inventor: Jacques Trotel
  • Radiation control device with variable active surface
    Patent number: 5050200
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radiology system of the mammography type wherein there is provision for a radiation controller having a detector of X-radiation having gone through the breast to be observed, of the type having a converter of X-radiation into photon radiation and a photomultiplier tube for the amplifications of photons emitted by the converter. The invention lies in the fact that the converter is masked by a belt opaque to the photon radiation except in the zones for which variable dimensions are planned so as to get adapted to the different shapes of breasts. The belt is driven by a motor which is turned on and off at the practitioner's command, so that the appropriate zone is in correspondence with the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Marco Tirelli, Rene Romeas, Yves Gregoire
  • Method for the automatic resetting of images
    Patent number: 5048103
    Abstract: Images representing one and the same scene, but acquired under conditions such taht the subject has moved, are automatically reset by making an automatic selection of a homogenous population of landmarks and by computing the shift vectors associated with these landmarks. It is shown that, in order to select the landmarks, it is worthwhile to characterize the image by a certain number of characteristic mangitudes representing the solidity of these landmarks. The solidity of the landmarks is the ability of a landmark to be the site of an exact measurement of shift for a required precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Leclerc, Jean Lienard
  • Probe with bar of piezoelectric elements for ultrasound apparatus
    Patent number: 5044370
    Abstract: The electric connection between the control circuits (13,14) of a probe and the metallized faces (5,6) of the piezoelectric elements (2) of said probe is provided by metallizations (6,8) made on parts, support (1) or blade (4) in contact with said metallized faces. The mechanical and electric connection between said metallizations may be provided by a thin layer of conducting glue (19,20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR
    Inventors: Patrick Dubut, Jean-Francois Gelly
  • Device for addition of the power from two alternating signals in a linear accelerator
    Patent number: 5043671
    Abstract: An improvement in a device for the combination of two alternating signals of the same frequency in which two microwave combination devices are associated with two phase shifters to combine the two signals. By coupling the two phase shifters according to a particular coupling relationship, the two alternating signals are combined regardless of the load presented at one of the these two signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: CGR MeV
    Inventor: Duc Tien Tran
  • X-ray tube with a flat cathode and indirect heating
    Patent number: 5044005
    Abstract: Problems of thermal resistance of the cathode of an x-ray tube are solved by constructing a flat cathode in the form of a hollow beam. This ensures rigidity of the cathode which is inherent in its beam shape without being attended by the disadvantages of excessive thermal inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Sixte De Fraguier, Gilles Lemestreallan, Francois Caire
  • Probe provided with a concave arrangement of piezoelectric elements for ultrasound apparatus
    Patent number: 5042492
    Abstract: In order to make a probe having a concave attack face, a continuous acoustic transition blade (5) is used. Said blade is metallized (7) and is common contact with all the front metallizations (6) of the piezoelectric elements of the probe. The rear metallizations (8) of the elements terminate electrically and independently backwards of the probe. As a result, the electric connection of the piezoelectric elements is simplified. Said probe is usable in experiments with ultrsounds where good focusing is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR SA
    Inventor: Patrick Dubut
  • Self-limiting x-ray tube with flat cathode and stair-step focusing device
    Patent number: 5033072
    Abstract: Problems of thermal resistance of the anode of an x-ray tube are solved by constructing a flat cathode which is set within a stair-step focusing device. It is shown that, depending on the shape of this device, the heat output on the anode is limited by a saturation value which is lower than a limit of thermal resistance of the x-ray tube. In order to improve the thermal resistance of the cathode, a cathode is constructed in the form of a hollow beam. This ensures rigidity of the cathode which is inherent in its beam shape without being attended by the disadvantages of excessive thermal inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR S.A.
    Inventors: Guillaume Fournier, Francois Caire, Gilles Lemestreallan
  • Coil, a method of construction of said coil and an imaging device equipped with a coil of this type
    Patent number: 5032764
    Abstract: In order to compensate for the influence of magnetic fields on charged-particle beams, in particular in imaging devices provision is made for a coil constituted by a support plate of substantially constant thickness and by patterns deposited on the support in such a manner as to ensure that the absorption of electromagnetic energy is constant over the entire surface of the coil within a predetermined pass-band.In a first embodiment, the patterns are transparent to the electromagnetic energy of a desired frequency band. In a second embodiment, complementary patterns are employed in order to obtain constant absorption over the entire surface of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric CGR SA
    Inventor: Jacques Beauzamy
  • Ultrasonic probe
    Patent number: D319793
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: CGR Ultrasonic
    Inventor: Patrick Dubut