Patents Assigned to Toshiba Medical Systems
  • Patent number: 9986961
    Abstract: In an X-ray CT apparatus of an embodiment, an X-ray tube emits X-rays. A detector detects the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube and having passed through a subject. Processing circuitry collects projection data based on data detected by the detector. The Processing circuitry generates a reconstructed image from the projection data. A display displays a display image based on the reconstructed image. A input circuitry receives an operation to rotate a first display image based on a first reconstructed image generated by the processing circuitry on a screen of the display, and specify a certain region on a second display image whose axis is in a direction different from a slice direction. The processing circuitry generates a second reconstructed image from the projection data, having higher resolution than that of the first display image, for the certain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Saito, Shinsuke Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 9989549
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent in a reaction cuvette and measures the mixed solution, including a dispensing probe configured to suction the sample from the sample container and to discharge the sample into the reaction cuvette; a detecting unit configured to detect the sample in the sample container by the end part of the dispensing probe contacting the sample; and a washing unit configured to wash a wide range of the external surface containing a broad end part, rather than the end part of the dispensing probe, which keeps the suctioned sample in the sample container in a second downward suction position, rather than a first suction position detected by the detection unit, wherein the washing unit is configured to have a washing tube, wherein the dispensing probe enters into an upper part of the washing tube, and a pump that supplies the washing tube with cleaning liquid and makes the cleaning liquid flow up through the inside of the washing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Kitamura, Tomohiro Sugimura, Takehiko Oonuma
  • Publication number: 20180149723
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes memory circuitry configured to store a predetermined program; and processing circuitry configured, by executing the predetermined program, to set an FSE type pulse sequence in which an excitation pulse is followed by a plurality of refocusing pulses, the plurality of the refocusing being divided into at least a first pulse group subsequent to the excitation pulse and a second pulse group subsequent to the first pulse group, the first pulse group including refocusing pulses having a predetermined high flip angle, and the second pulse group including refocusing pulses having flip angles decreased from the predetermined high flip angle toward a flip angle of zero, and generate an image of an object from respective MR signals corresponding to the plurality of refocusing pulses acquired by applying the fast spin echo type pulse sequence to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Keiichiro Ishi
  • Publication number: 20180146941
    Abstract: A medical image-processing apparatus according to embodiments includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire image data including a blood vessel of a subject. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire an index value relating to blood flow at each position of the blood vessel by performing fluid analysis of a structure of the blood vessel included in the acquired image data. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire information indicating a display condition of the index value, as switching information to switch a display mode at displaying the index value. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a result image in which pixel values reflecting the index value are assigned in a display mode according to the switching information, for an image indicating a blood vessel of the subject. The processing circuitry is configured to cause a display to display the result image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya SAKAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9983283
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and methods to effect accelerated MR image reconstruction for undersampled data acquisitions with radial strip acquisitions of k-space are described. The improved MR image reconstruction is performed by acquiring k-space data in accordance with a data acquisition pattern which comprises a plurality of strips leaving a plurality of undersampled areas therebetween that do not have another undersampled area in a diametrically opposed position of k-space. The acquired k-space data is then used to generate an MR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wayne R. Dannels
  • Patent number: 9983278
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquisition system and a control system. The data acquisition system acquires MR signals from a subject. The control system acquires the MR signals by controlling the data acquisition system to generate image data. The data acquisition system has a WB coil, an RF coil and a breaker circuit. The WB coil applies the RF magnetic field to the imaging area. The RF coil applies the RF magnetic field to the imaging area when an RF pulse has been applied from the control system through a connector. The RF coil is set inside the WB coil. The breaker circuit electrically breaks a part of a circuit constituting the RF coil when the connector of the RF coil has been disconnected to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Okamoto, Manabu Ishii
  • Patent number: 9980690
    Abstract: According to embodiments, in a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, an imaging unit captures a subject in a second X-ray irradiation area narrower than a first X-ray irradiation area. An X-ray image generating unit generates a first X-ray image in the first X-ray irradiation area and a second X-ray image in the second X-ray irradiation area based on an imaging result by the imaging unit. The adjusting unit calculates a statistic of a pixel value of the first X-ray image and adjusts an operating condition of the imaging unit so that the statistic approaches a threshold. A control unit causes the imaging unit and the X-ray image generating unit to generate the X-ray image based on the adjusted operating condition. Subsequently, the control unit performs control for causing the imaging unit and the X-ray image generating unit to generate the second X-ray image based on the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Muroi, Manabu Tanaka, Yoshinori Shimizu, Takuya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9983281
    Abstract: MRI apparatus includes a first radio frequency (RF) communication unit, a second RF communication unit, an image reconstruction unit and a table for loading an object. The first RF communication unit obtains a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal detected by an RF coil device, and wirelessly transmits a digitized NMR signal via an induced electric field. The second RF communication unit receives the NMR signal via the induced electric field. The image reconstruction unit reconstructs image data based on the NMR signal. The table includes a supporting unit which detachably supports the first RF communication unit to the second radio communication unit so that an interval between the first and second RF communication units enables RF communication via the induced electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadanori Tomiha, Hiroki Motohashi, Manabu Ishii
  • Patent number: 9983286
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured reduce specific absorption rate (SAR) in Fast Advanced Spin Echo (FASE) or Single-shot Fast Spin Echo (SS-FSE) imaging used, for example, in non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (NC-MRA) techniques like fresh blood imaging (FBI). Within RF pulse sequences used to acquire echo data, the refocusing flip angles may be varied in the phase encode direction, and/slice encode direction, such that the refocusing pulse (or pulses) that map echo signals to the k-space center region larger refocusing flip angles than refocusing pulses used to generate echo signals that map to other areas of k-space. In some instances, the TR interval also may be varied for RF pulse sequences such that central K-space have a longer TR than the slices further towards the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Xiangzhi Zhou, Yoshimori Kassai
  • Publication number: 20180144514
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a medical image processing apparatus that comprises circuitry. The circuitry obtains detection data representing detection events of radiation at a plurality of detector elements. The circuitry reconstructs an image by iteratively using an optimization-transfer algorithm to the detection data. The optimization-transfer algorithm uses a quadratic surrogate function that includes a curvature. The curvature is calculated using an inverse-background image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian ZHOU, Evren ASMA, Wenli WANG
  • Publication number: 20180144475
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires image data including image data of a blood vessel of a subject. The processing circuitry performs analysis related to the blood vessel by using the image data, and specifies a region of interest in the blood vessel based on a result of the analysis. The processing circuitry performs fluid analysis on a region other than the region of interest at a first accuracy, and performs fluid analysis on the region of interest at a second accuracy that is higher than the first accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yiemeng HOI, Joseph MANAK, Kazumasa ARAKITA, Jingwu YAO, James BEGELMAN, Victor GORIN
  • Patent number: 9977140
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of processing X-ray projection data including spectral computed tomography (CT) projection data. The spectral CT data is decomposed into material projection lengths using a material-decomposition method that includes an initial-estimate method to provide an initial projection-lengths estimate. The initial-estimate method can include first reconstructing an image using non-spectral CT data, and then subdividing the reconstructed image into materials according to the relative attenuation density of areas within the reconstructed image (e.g., high attenuation areas correspond to a high attenuation material such as bone). The projection length estimates of each material are then obtained by forward projecting the corresponding subdivision of the reconstructed image. Also, the initial estimate can be obtained/refined by selecting the projection lengths with smallest cost-function value from randomly chosen projection lengths within a sample space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Yu Zou, Adam Petschke, Zhou Yu, Chunguang Cao
  • Patent number: 9974464
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive an input of information designating an observation target; extract, from each of magnetic resonance (MR) images included in an MR image group collected by applying a tagging pulse to a region where a fluid flows, a group of regions of the fluid; analyze, by an analyzing method associated with the observation target, the group of regions of the fluid extracted from each of the MR images, thereby deriving an index indicating a dynamic state of the fluid; and cause the index to be displayed on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichiro Shiodera, Shuhei Nitta, Tomoyuki Takeguchi
  • Patent number: 9978163
    Abstract: An exposure management system according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a deviation index related to a difference between a target exposure index indicating an index of an exposure value that is set as a target of an X-ray image taking process and an image-taking-period exposure index indicating an index of an exposure value observed during the X-ray image taking process. The processing circuitry is configured to control so as to cause a display device to display history information from a predetermined time period indicating at least one selected from between image-taking-period exposure indices and deviation indices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichirou Nagai, Yasuhiro Sugawara, Atsushi Kotani, Tsutomu Ichikawa, Toshikatsu Oohashi, Shoji Yashiro
  • Patent number: 9974442
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing volumetric image data to identify vessel regions having a predetermined condition, comprises a measurement unit for measuring at least one vessel parameter, a reference identification unit for obtaining data representing a branch-free vessel and identifying at least one reference section of the branch-free vessel, a calculation unit for calculating an expected value of the parameter in a further section of the branch-free vessel based on at least one measured value of the parameter in the at least one reference section, and a region identification unit for identifying a region of the vessel having the predetermined condition in dependence on both the expected value of the parameter in the further section and a measured value of the parameter in the further section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Costas Plakas, Brian Mohr, Saad Masood
  • Patent number: 9974510
    Abstract: An imaging condition setting unit sets imaging conditions for a pre-contrast enhancement scan, a monitoring scan, and a post-contrast enhancement scan. A ROI setting unit sets a region of interest for the monitoring scan in a reference image generated by a reference image scan executed before the pre-contrast enhancement scan, the monitoring scan, and the post-contrast enhancement scan. The scan control unit controls an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit to sequentially execute, based on the imaging conditions, the pre-contrast enhancement scan, the monitoring scan, and the post-contrast enhancement scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Gatayama, Tatsuya Watanabe, Go Mukumoto, Kazumasa Arakita
  • Patent number: 9974507
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and a processing circuitry. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays that have passed through a subject. The processing circuitry calculates, for each of a plurality of X-ray images that are acquired chronologically, an average of pixel values and a reference value based on the pixel values. The processing circuitry extracts, from the plurality of X-ray images, an X-ray image with a relatively large difference between the average and the reference value, an X-ray image with a relatively large ratio between the average and the reference value, or an X-ray image with a relatively large number of pixels each representing a value equal to or larger than the average or the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Shiraishi, Toshiaki Kawano, Hisayasu Yumiza, Makoto Takanaka
  • Patent number: 9977098
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is configured to carry out sequential imaging, to acquire an actual SAR measurement value at a predetermined timing during the sequential imaging, and to update a subsequent predicted SAE value each time the actual SAR measurement value is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentarou Furuhata, Masashi Ookawa
  • Patent number: 9974511
    Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus according to a present embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains pieces of medical image data, the pieces each being generated in each of multiple time phases and each including bone information. The processing circuitry sets first regions each being included in each of the pieces. The processing circuitry generates pieces of corrected medical image data by aligning the pieces of medical image data so that the first regions are substantially a same position. The processing circuitry specifies second regions each corresponding to a bone moving in the pieces of the corrected medical image data. The processing circuitry displays the second regions so as to be recognized on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Megumu Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20180132814
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnostic apparatus includes a holding device, a driving unit, a first encoder, a second encoder, and processing circuitry. The holding device holds an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector such that the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are rotatable. The driving unit transmits a rotating force of a driving motor to a rotation axis through a power transmission mechanism. The first encoder detects a rotation of the driving motor. The second encoder detects a rotation of the rotation axis. The processing circuitry detects an abnormal state of the power transmission mechanism, based on a time difference between a first pulse output from the first encoder and a corresponding second pulse output from the second encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Koji NODA, Tsuyoshi KOJIMA, Toshio MUROI, Shinji NISHIZAWA, Yoshihito ABE, Junko SHIBATA