Patents Assigned to Hitachi Medical Corporation
  • Patent number: 9129187
    Abstract: An objective is to enable calculation of a distribution of a physical property such as a density inside a measurement object, even when the distribution of the physical property value is non-uniform, within a feasible period of time without causing image deterioration due to phenomena such as refraction and multiple-reflections caused by the non-uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mariko Yamamoto, Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takashi Azuma, Kunio Hashiba
  • Patent number: 9123121
    Abstract: In imaging for labeling only the fluid of a specific region, a high-quality image is acquired in a short time. In order to achieve this, the optimal number of segments N is determined from the flow velocity V and the size ? of a specific region to be labeled when performing imaging by labeling only the fluid of the specific region using a two-dimensional selective excitation pulse as a pre-pulse. In addition, the k-space ordering is determined according to the arrival timing of the fluid to the imaging region. In addition, the optimal flip angle (FA) is determined depending on the type of pre-pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Nishihara, Hiroyuki Itagaki, Kosuke Hirai
  • Patent number: 9119557
    Abstract: An ultrasonic image processing method and device, and an ultrasonic image processing program which can correspond to analytical methods different depending on a region or the purpose of a diagnosis or treatment. The ultrasonic image processing method comprises an image data creation step which stores a detection result obtained by irradiating a subject with ultrasonic waves by an irradiating section and detecting an ultrasonic signal from the subject by a detecting section and creates at least two-frame image data different in detection timing on the basis of the stored detection result, a motion vector distribution image creation step which creates a motion vector distribution image on the basis of a predetermined motion vector analysis through the use of a plurality frames of the image data, and a conversion step which converts a vector distribution image to a scalar distribution image on the basis of a plurality of established regions of interest (ROI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironari Masui, Takashi Azuma
  • Patent number: 9119560
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention includes an image reconstruction unit that, according to scanning conditions, acquires an irradiated X-ray image which is the distribution of the irradiation intensity of X-rays irradiated to an object by an X-ray irradiation unit, performs projection conversion of the irradiated X-ray image and a reconstructed image, and generates an exposure dose image, which is an image showing the distribution of an exposure dose of the object, and also calculates the exposure dose using the projection-converted reconstructed image and an irradiated X-ray image corresponding to a generation region of the reconstructed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryota Kohara
  • Patent number: 9123098
    Abstract: With respect to projection data covering a plurality of sites, in order to create a medical image in which a uniform noise reduction effect is achieved for all sites within the projection data, an arithmetic device (5) determines one or more of proper subsets on the basis of scanning conditions and reconstruction conditions (step 2). Next, the arithmetic device (5) calculates a penalty-term weight for each proper subset on the basis of a detector output weight corresponding to a set element contained in the proper subset (step 3). Then, the arithmetic unit (5) performs an iterative approximation by using the penalty-term weight for each proper subset (step 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisashi Takahashi, Koichi Hirokawa, Taiga Goto, Yoshiaki Sugaya
  • Patent number: 9123156
    Abstract: In order to provide an X-ray CT apparatus and the like that reconstruct an image using an iterative approximation method which ensures stable convergence and can be executed at high speed, a computation device 5 of an X-ray CT apparatus 1 calculates matrices A, B, D, R, and R? on the basis of the scanning conditions input through an input device 6 (step 1). Then, the computation device 5 calculates each element of a matrix I??(SBTDA+?SR) (step 2). Then, the computation device 5 calculates the operator norm ?I??(SBTDA+?SR)? of the matrix I??(SBTDA+?SR) (step 3). Then, the computation device 5 determines a relaxation coefficient ? such that a predetermined conditional expression is satisfied (step 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisashi Takahashi, Taiga Goto, Koichi Hirokawa
  • Publication number: 20150235085
    Abstract: In order to provide an image processing apparatus etc. that can precisely recognize multiple regions with density value fluctuation in an image with a simple operation in a process of recognizing a specific region from the image, a CPU performs threshold determination for a target pixel and the multiple pixels surrounding the target pixel (determination range) included in a three-dimensional original image by applying predetermined threshold conditions and specifies the target pixel as a recognized pixel when the threshold conditions are satisfied. The threshold conditions preferably apply different thresholds between a pixel on the same flat surface with the target pixel and a pixel on the other flat surface. By successively moving the target pixel (determination range) and repeating the above-mentioned threshold determination, it is performed also for the entire three-dimensional original image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Goto
  • Patent number: 9107634
    Abstract: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of producing a three-dimensional image of an object for an organ region within a range of elasticity values desired by an operator and allowing the operator to recognize the region easily, elasticity value data included in a desired elasticity value range among elasticity value data constituting a volume data are selected and rendered. Whereby, a three-dimensional elasticity image in the set elasticity value range is produced. An area corresponding to the elasticity value range is displayed on at least one of a two-dimensional elasticity image and a section image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 9107280
    Abstract: In order to provide an X-ray imaging apparatus including a two-phase anode rotation mechanism driving circuit having a small and light configuration, one end of the main stator coil is connected to a three-phase full-bridge inverter circuit and the midpoint between two semiconductor switches of the first arm, one end of the auxiliary stator coil is connected to the midpoint between two semiconductor switches of the second arm, and the other ends of the main stator coil and the auxiliary stator coil are connected to the midpoint between two semiconductor switches of the third arm. The semiconductor switches are switched using an inverting circuit and a delay circuit so that a first AC voltage is supplied to the one end of the main stator coil and a second AC voltage, which is shifted in phase by 90° from the first AC voltage, is supplied to the one end of the auxiliary stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Hishikawa
  • Patent number: 9101319
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile X-ray device with which the power consumption of the battery of the mobile X-ray device can be reduced efficiently by determining the state of movement of the mobile X-ray device from the states of the components thereof and controlling the supply of electric power to the components in non-movement-related sections, which are sections irrelevant to the movement of the mobile X-ray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Kojima
  • Patent number: 9101289
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a storage unit for storing the elastic volume data generated on the basis of the ultrasonic image data obtained by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined, an input unit for setting a region of interest in the space which is occupied by the elastic volume data, an extraction unit for extracting from the elastic volume data a voxel group having the voxel values within a set elasticity range which is set based on the elasticity value of the voxels in the region of interest, a 3-dimensional elastic image creation unit for generating a 3-dimensional elastic image basis on the elastic volume data of the voxel group which is extracted by the extraction unit or the elastic volume data excluding the extracted voxel group; and an image display unit for displaying the 3-dimensional elastic image generated by the 3-dimensional elastic image creation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsuke Inoue, Tetsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9089874
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus including an ultrasonic probe having plural vibrating elements whose electromechanical coupling coefficients vary in accordance with the magnitude of a bias voltage supplied from a bias voltage supply unit, an ultrasonic image constructing unit for constructing an ultrasonic image on the basis of a reflection echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe, and a display unit for displaying the ultrasonic image is equipped with a calculation unit for calculating the magnitude of the bias voltage with respect to a collapse voltage of the vibrating elements, a storage unit for storing the calculated magnitude of the bias voltage, and a control unit for making the bias voltage supply unit supply the bias voltage to the vibrating elements in accordance with the stored magnitude of the bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Asafusa, Shinichiro Kishi
  • Patent number: 9089873
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which reduce parastic impedances which occurs in upper electrodes and lower electrodes, thereby reducing cross talk. The ultrasonic probe comprises a cMUT chip (20) having a plurality of transducer elements, an acoustic lens (26) on the ultrasonic wave irradiation side of the cMUT chip (20), a backing layer (22) on the back of the cMUT chip (20), and wires connected with the cMUT chip (20). This cMUT chip (20) includes a plurality of upper electrodes (46) and a plurality of lower electrodes (48), and these lower electrodes (48) are connected at two or more portions with wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Asafusa, Makoto Fukada
  • Patent number: 9091744
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring technique which allows in the MRS measurement to suppress with a high degree of precision, incorporation of a signal of unwanted compounds which hinders measurement of a measurement object signal, independent of an imaging object region and the measurement object signal, thereby obtaining a stable and favorable signal spectrum. In the MRS measuring sequence, a spectrum selective inversion RF pulse, having a narrow band characteristic for selectively inverting only a signal peak of a compounds to be suppressed, and phase dispersion-refocusing GC pulses are applied at least one of before and after a region selective RF pulse. This MRS measuring sequence is repeated while changing the echo time TE at predetermined intervals, and nuclear magnetic resonance signals being obtained by the repetition are integrated. The amount of the spectrum selective inversion RF pulse to be applied may be changed according to the echo time TE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirata, Yoshitaka Bito
  • Publication number: 20150201899
    Abstract: In order to provide a technique for simplifying pre-examination input tasks for a medical image imaging apparatus, an imaging support system includes the medical image imaging apparatus 1 generating a medical image of the object 4, the position calculation unit 111 detecting a current position of the medical image imaging apparatus 1, the object candidate search unit 116 searching object candidates to be examined based on the current position, the operation unit 31 receiving a selection operation of an object to be examined from among object candidates, and the imaging condition setting unit 93 setting imaging conditions of the object to be examined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Uchinomiya, Tadashi Nakamura, Konosuke Temmei, Masakazu Okabe, Yuji Sakai
  • Patent number: 9085012
    Abstract: For disposing projections of insulating film protruding into a hollow part in CMUT in order to suppress injection of electrical charge into the insulating film due to contact of a lower surface of a membrane with a lower surface of the hollow part, there are provided a structure of disposed projections preferred for suppressing increase in driving voltage for CMUT and decrease in receiving sensitivity, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuntaro Machida, Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9081075
    Abstract: An image in which an area of interest on an image is optimally susceptibility-emphasized is obtained in susceptibility-emphasized imaging. A measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled in accordance with the size of a desired area of interest of an examinee. Preferably, a target frequency in a K space is determined in accordance with the size of the area of interest, and the measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled so that an echo signal corresponding to the target frequency is measured at a target echo signal or in the neighborhood of the target echo time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Takizawa, Hiroyuki Itagaki
  • Patent number: 9072489
    Abstract: A medical image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes: an image display unit that displays a medical image including a target part of an object; an input unit that inputs feature points of the target part; a contour position estimation unit that estimates a contour position of the target part to generate an initial contour; a contour extraction unit that extracts a contour along the shape of the target part using the feature points and the initial contour; and a control unit that displays a composite image, which is obtained by combining the extracted contour and the medical image, on the image display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Chono, Takahiro Kashiyama
  • Patent number: 9075119
    Abstract: In the magnetic resonance imaging device, the distance between the first and second coils is different in the circumferential direction and has a first region (A1) (?=0, ?) and a second region (A2) (?=?/2) narrower than the first region (A1). In the first coil, wiring patterns (17a, 17b) on the side of a zero-plane (F0) passing through the center of the first coil and perpendicular to the axis direction (z-axis direction) meander in the circumferential direction such that the wiring patterns (17a, 17b) depart from the zero-plane (F0) in the first region (A1) and approach the zero-plane (F0) in the second region (A2). This provides a gradient magnetic field coil capable of configuring wiring patterns without using a loop coil that does not pass through the z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanao Terada, Mitsushi Abe, Yukinobu Imamura, Hiroyuki Takeuchi, Takeshi Yatsuo, Akira Kurome
  • Patent number: 9070212
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging slice setting technique capable of reducing the burden on the operator and having high accuracy and a high degree of freedom. In order to do so, a standard imaging slice is registered in the system in advance, and a GUI allowing the operator to appropriately adjust the standard imaging slice is provided. The standard imaging slice is displayed on a standard image configured to include two-dimensional images in three directions similar to a positioning image, and can be adjusted on the image. At the time of main imaging, the standard image is fitted to the positioning image to specify an imaging slice on the positioning image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Sunaga, Atsushi Shiromaru