Patents Examined by Anastasia S. Midkiff
  • Patent number: 8027430
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for adapting a movement model based on an image captured during radiation treatment of a patient. The movement model may, for example, be used in radiotherapy to treat lung cancer. The movement model is typically based on a series of images of a patient captured over a period of time. The movement model and/or one or images included therein may be used to generate a reference image of the patient. The reference image is compared with an image of the patient optionally captured during treatment. The result of this comparison is used to adapt the movement model to conditions during the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Janne Ilmari Nord, Jarkko Yrjänä Peltola
  • Patent number: 7418077
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses and methods for securing a location. Particularly, the present invention is directed towards methods, apparatuses, and integrated systems for the screening of individual passengers and their corresponding carry-on baggage carts with improved throughput, efficiency, and quality. In addition, the current invention is directed towards a carry-on baggage cart specifically designed for the disclosed integrated carry-on baggage cart and passenger screening system of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Rapiscan Security Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Gray
  • Patent number: 7403594
    Abstract: A lamp emits pulse-shaped visible light when a wait period begins. If a radiation emission switch is not pressed in the wait period, X-ray radiation is not emitted from an X-ray source, and no charges are accumulated in photoelectric conversion elements of an X-ray imaging apparatus. In a non-read period, although signals are sequentially read from the photoelectric conversion elements, an output signal does not change. When the radiation emission switch is pressed in synchronization with a radiation-induced signal in a certain wait period, the X-ray source emits X-rays. After irradiation of X-rays, a photoelectric conversion period transitions to an actual read period. In the photoelectric conversion period, X-rays are emitted and transmitted X-ray information of a patient are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements of the X-ray imaging apparatus. In the actual read period, the accumulated information is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7379534
    Abstract: A method to reconstruct an image by utilizing a plurality of projection data items acquired with X-rays that pass through the same pixel location in the same scan field while being transmitted along different paths with a scanner gantry set at the same view angle or an opposite view angle. A helical scan is performed in order to acquire projection data. Two or more projection data items acquired with X-rays that pass through a pixel location Q in the scan field while being transmitted along different paths with the scanner gantry set at the same view angle are synthesized in order to produce reconstruction projection data. A CT image is reconstructed based on the reconstruction projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Akira Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7372940
    Abstract: An X-ray therapy system with equipment for reducing risk that the radiation applied to a patient is other than what is intended. A radiation check is made in which a signal indicative of the radiation to be applied is compared with a reference signal, and/or a configuration check is made using sensors to automatically sense the applicator being used to apply the radiation to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Topel, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pellegrino, Francis P. Carrasco
  • Patent number: 7372942
    Abstract: A dosimeter is provided on or adjacent to a circuit board deployed in a radiation environment. The dosimeter may be read or output a value or values indicating radiation dosage over a period of time. The radiation dosage associated with the circuit board may be used for determining disposition of the circuit board, such as whether to reuse the circuit board as a spare part or otherwise dispose of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas William Raymond, Carlos E. Medina
  • Patent number: 7372936
    Abstract: A radiation computed tomography apparatus that includes a radiation detector having a plurality of radiation detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional manner for detecting radiation passing through a subject, and a reconstructing device for arithmetically reconstructing tomographic image data for a tomographic image of the subject based on projection data for the subject from each of the plurality of radiation detector elements, the projection data obtained from values detected by the plurality of radiation detector elements, wherein the reconstructing device corrects the projection data for each of the radiation detector elements using a corrective value that is correlated with a path length of the radiation through the subject calculated from the projection data, and generates the tomographic image data based on the corrected projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Masatake Nukui
  • Patent number: 7359486
    Abstract: A structure for collecting scattered electrons within a substantially evacuated vessel containing both an electron-emitting cathode and an electron-attracting anode is disclosed herein. The electron-collecting structure includes a two-sided first plate, a two-sided second plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The first plate is both electrically conductive and thermally emissive and is mountable within the vessel so that its first side at least partially faces the anode. The second plate is also thermally emissive and has a first side that is substantially conterminous with the second side of the first plate. Furthermore, the second plate additionally has an internal conduit for conveying a heat-absorbing fluid within. Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication with the conduit in the second plate. During operation, the structure is able to attract scattered electrons and transfer thermal energy attributable to the electrons away from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Madhusudhana T. Subraya, Michael Scott Hebert, Gregory Alan Steinlage
  • Patent number: 7359488
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating an x-ray image. An object is interposed between a detector and an x-ray source. A grid is interposed between the x-ray source and the object. The grid is exposed to primary x-ray energy generated by the x-ray source, thereby exposing the object to a first portion of the primary energy via the interstices of the grid. A second portion of the primary energy is received with first areas of the detector corresponding to the interstices of the grid. Secondary x-ray energy is received with the first areas of the detector and with second areas of the detector corresponding to the elements of the grid. The secondary energy results from scattering of the primary x-ray energy. Image data are generated by altering data from the first areas with reference to data from the second areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Michel Sayag
  • Patent number: 7356118
    Abstract: A non-intrusive inspection system, including apparatuses and methods, for non-intrusively inspecting containers such as, without limitation, those employed to transport items in international commerce. The non-intrusive inspection system is configured to generate and scan a container with multiple bremsstrahlung, or x-ray, beams having multiple spectra and directed at the container in multiple directions and planes separated by one or more angle(s). Using data collected from such scanning, software of the non-intrusive inspection system generates three-dimensional images of the items present in a container, calculates the volumes and densities of such items, computes effective “Z” numbers, and distinguishes between multiple materials, or elements, of such items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ScanTech Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew B. Might, Mark A. Ferderer, Gary F. Bowser
  • Patent number: 7356117
    Abstract: The X-ray inspection system 10 comprises an X-ray electron conversion face 42 for converting an entered X-ray image transmitted through the measurement object into an electronic image, an output fluorescent face 46 for emitting fluorescence when an electronic image is entered, and deflecting means 44 which is installed between the X-ray electron conversion face 42 and output fluorescent face 46, wherein the electronic image which was entered and converted at the X-ray electron conversion face 42 is converged into a predetermined area on the output fluorescent face 46 by the deflecting means 44 so as to make the X-ray fluoroscopic image of the moving measurement object stand still on the output fluorescent face 46. By this, the image of the measurement object can be captured during the time when the X-ray fluorescence image is standing still, so sensitivity can be secured while increasing the resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Makoto Suzuki, Hiroshige Mori, Tomikazu Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7354196
    Abstract: An x-ray device for recording projection images of a patient features a C-arm on the ends of which an x-ray source and an x-ray detector are accommodated. The x-ray detector is accommodated on the C-arm so that translation movements can be executed with the x-ray detector in relation to the C-arm. This allows the angulation area or the area of the x-ray device with which an image can be recorded to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Boese, Martin Kleen, Norbert Rahn
  • Patent number: 7356125
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for collimating electromagnetic radiation, comprising a macrocollimator which has at least two cutouts, and microcollimator structures which are positioned in the cutouts of the macrocollimator and have lamellae that absorb electromagnetic radiation, so that collimator channels are formed which in each case extend such that they are transparent in a transmission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Wolfgang Eckenbach, Ralf Dorscheid
  • Patent number: 7352845
    Abstract: A white X-ray generating means and an X-ray detecting means are respectively moved to a first position and a second position that are separated, X-ray intensities, for each energy, detected at respective positions by the X-ray detecting means are obtained as first data and second data, a third data, that is refraction-X-ray-only data, is obtained based on the difference between the first data and the second data, and data about fluorescent X-ray is obtained from the difference between the first or second data and the third data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Waseda University
    Inventor: Masayuki Uda
  • Patent number: 7349521
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compression paddle comprising a paddle base 12; and a paddle wall 20 comprising a first side-wall 22; and a second side-wall 24; wherein the first side-wall 22 and/or the second side-wall 24 are disposed upon the paddle base 12 and inclined with respect to the paddle base 12 at an angle that is effective to permit an x-ray beam uninterrupted access to an object of interest located on an opposing side of the paddle base 12 from an x-ray source when an angle between a central axis of the x-ray beam and a vertical taken at an inner surface of the first side-wall 22 and/or the inner surface of the second side-wall 24 is about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdulrahman Abdallah Al-Khalidy, Ajay Kapur, Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Henri Souchay, Philip Alexander Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 7349520
    Abstract: An X-ray CT scanner includes a projection-data acquisition unit for acquiring projection data for the three-dimensional region of a subject, an input unit for setting a section in a desired direction in the three-dimensional region in accordance with the instruction of an operator, a reconstruction-region calculation circuit for specifying a plurality of reconstruction portions intersecting the set section, a reconstruction arithmetic circuit for reconstructing a plurality of partial images for the specified reconstruction portions on the basis of the projection data, and an image-data processing circuit for generating an image for the set section on the basis of the plurality of reconstructed partial images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7345417
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting device is manufactured, which is formed laminating an electroluminescent layer (111) including an electroluminescent organic compound and a cathode (109) sequentially on anode (101). The electroluminescent layer (111) has a hole blocking layer (106), and this hole blocking layer (106) is formed of two or more kinds of materials. It is possible to manufacture a high-efficiency and high-reliability organic light-emitting device by introducing the hole blocking layer like this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoko Shitagaki, Satoshi Seo, Harue Nakashima, Hiroko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7342993
    Abstract: A system for low dose x-ray imaging provides for dynamic generation of an x-ray beam with specific shape, and dynamic tracking of a detector with said beam. The detector is rotatable, and translatable along two orthogonal axes, and may mount with a circular detector tray, the tray rotating around a rotation axis. Specific detector shapes include an elongated rectangular matrix, for example with additional detector cells near the rotation center to provide an increased area of continuous detection. Dynamic low-dose x-ray tomosynthesis or limited-angle tomographic imaging is enabled via simultaneous x-ray tube and detector motions during examination, such as fluoroscopic examination of a human body. Data acquired at multiple projection angles is input to a 3D image reconstruction algorithm that provides a refreshed 3D data set during continuing examination. The system may thus also automatically track a point in three-dimensional space, for example continuously locating the tip of a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Guy M. Besson
  • Patent number: 7342992
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus which includes an X-ray source (2) for the emission of a conical X-ray beam and an X-ray detector (3) for the multiple detection of the X-rays after their passage through an object to be examined, being arranged along an object axis (4), while the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (3) are displaced along a trajectory. In order to increase the size of the reconstructable examination zone without increasing the size of the X-ray detector, and in order to minimize the problem caused by projections truncated in the transverse direction, the invention proposes an X-ray apparatus which includes means (12, 14, 15) for changing the position and/or the orientation of the X-ray detector (3) relative to the X-ray source (2) and a control unit (11) for displacing the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (3) along the trajectory and for controlling the position and/or the orientation of the X-ray detector (3) during the detection of the X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Hermann Schomberg
  • Patent number: 7340032
    Abstract: A system for low dose x-ray imaging provides for dynamic generation of an x-ray beam with specific shape, and dynamic tracking of a detector with said beam. The detector is rotatable, and translatable along two orthogonal axes, and may mount with a circular detector tray, the tray rotating around a rotation axis. Specific detector shapes include an elongated rectangular matrix, for example with additional detector cells near the rotation center to provide an increased area of continuous detection. Dynamic low-dose x-ray tomosynthesis or limited-angle tomographic imaging is enabled via simultaneous x-ray tube and detector motions during examination, such as fluoroscopic examination of a human body. Data acquired at multiple projection angles is input to a 3D image reconstruction algorithm that provides a refreshed 3D data set during continuing examination. The system may thus also automatically track a point in three-dimensional space, for example continuously locating the tip of a catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Guy M. Besson