Patents Examined by Chih-Cheng Kao
  • Patent number: 10962677
    Abstract: In examples, it is disclosed an inspection system comprising: a secondary source of radiation configured to generate secondary electromagnetic radiation for inspection of a load in response to being irradiated by primary electromagnetic radiation from a primary generator of electromagnetic radiation; and one or more detectors configured to detect radiation from the load after interaction with the secondary inspection beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SMITHS HEIMANN SAS
    Inventor: Guillaume Jegou
  • Patent number: 10959688
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source (108) configured to rotate about an examination region (106) and emit radiation that traverses the examination region. The imaging system further includes an array of radiation sensitive pixels (112) configured to detect radiation traversing the examination region and output a signal indicative of the detected radiation. The array of radiation sensitive pixels is disposed opposite the radiation source, across the examination region. The imaging system further includes a rigid flux filter device (130) disposed in the examination region between the radiation source and the radiation sensitive detector array of photon counting pixels. The rigid flux filter device is configured to filter the radiation traversing the examination region and incident thereon. The radiation leaving the rigid flux filter device has a predetermined flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Roland Proksa, Thomas Koehler, Ewald Roessl, Heiner Daerr, Michael Grass, Axel Thran
  • Patent number: 10959694
    Abstract: A mammography system using a tissue exposure control relying on estimates of the thickness of the compressed and immobilized breast and of breast density to automatically derive one or more technic factors. The system further uses a tomosynthesis arrangement that maintains the focus of an anti-scatter grid on the x-ray source and also maintains the field of view of the x-ray receptor. Finally, the system finds an outline that forms a reduced field of view that still encompasses the breast in the image, and uses for further processing, transmission or archival storage the data within said reduced field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenxue Jing, Georgia Hitzke, Donald Kennedy, Andrew Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 10962489
    Abstract: Provided are an operation guide system, an operation guide method, and an operation guide program, which are capable of allowing a user to easily understand measurement of an X-ray optical system to be selected. A quantitative phase analysis device includes qualitative phase analysis result acquisition means for acquiring information on a plurality of crystalline phases contained in a sample, and weight ratio calculation means for calculating a weight ratio of the plurality of crystalline phases based on a sum of diffracted intensities corrected with respect to a Lorentz-polarization factor, a chemical formula weight, and a sum of squares of numbers of electrons belonging to each of atoms contained in a chemical formula unit, in the plurality of crystalline phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo Toraya, Akihiro Himeda
  • Patent number: 10952692
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein, Kenneth F. Defreitas
  • Patent number: 10952698
    Abstract: A method and apparatuses are provided to estimate, for two or more detector elements in an array of photon-counting detector elements, respective energy spectra of an X-ray beam incident on the corresponding detector elements from an X-ray source, the energy spectra being estimated by modeling X-ray attenuation as a function of X-ray energy when an X-ray beam is transmitted through a filter and set, for each detector element of the two or more detector elements, a first energy threshold of an energy range that is detected by the each detector element, the first energy threshold of the each detector element being based on the estimated energy spectra of the each detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Kevin Christopher Zimmerman, Cai Liang
  • Patent number: 10945697
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to generate image data based on a detection result obtained by detecting X-rays transmitted through a subject with a detector. The processing circuitry is configured to specify a boundary between a first region and a second region in the image data, based on anatomical landmarks in the image data, and adjust setting of scan conditions relating to a tube current value in accordance with information relating to a position of the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Goto, Shinsuke Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 10948623
    Abstract: In one aspect, it is disclosed a system for inspection of a load, comprising: a detection device configured to detect, after transmission through the load, successive radiation pulses emitted at a predetermined frequency by a source, the load being in movement in an inspection direction, at an inspection speed with respect to the system, the detection device comprising a matrix of a plurality of arrays of detectors, wherein the matrix has a width associated with the inspection direction, the width of the matrix being based on the inspection speed of the load and the predetermined frequency of the successive radiation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SMITHS HEIMANN SAS
    Inventor: Guillaume Jegou
  • Patent number: 10948613
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for detecting X-ray is disclosed. In one example, the apparatus comprises an X-ray absorption layer and a controller. The X-ray absorption layer comprises a first pixel and a second pixel. The controller is configured for determining that carriers generated by a first X-ray photon are collected by the first pixel and the second pixel, and resetting signals associated with the carriers collected by the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN XPECTVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
  • Patent number: 10943759
    Abstract: An X-ray tube includes a vacuum housing, an electron gun, and an anode that includes a target emitting X-rays and a target supporting portion supporting the target. The target supporting portion has an anode main body portion and a protrusion portion including a side surface portion. The anode main body portion includes an outer circumferential surface extending in a direction of a tube axis, and a connection portion formed between the side surface portion of the protrusion portion and the outer circumferential surface. An angle formed by the outer circumferential surface and the connection portion is an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ishii, Ryosuke Yabushita, Tutomu Inazuru
  • Patent number: 10930464
    Abstract: A method for generating X-ray radiation, the method including providing a liquid target in a chamber, directing an electron beam towards the liquid target such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid target to generated X-ray radiation, estimating a number of particles produced from the interaction between the electron beam and the liquid target by measuring a number of positively charged particles in the chamber and eliminating a contribution from scattered electrons to the estimated number of particles, and controlling the electron beam, and/or a temperature in a region of the liquid target in which the electron beam interacts with the target, such that the estimated number of particles is below a predetermined limit. Also, a corresponding X-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: EXCILLUM AB
    Inventors: Per Takman, Tomi Tuohimaa
  • Patent number: 10912952
    Abstract: A high-energy radiation treatment system can comprise a laser-driven accelerator system, a patient monitoring system, and a control system. The laser-driven accelerator system, such as a laser-driven plasma accelerator or a laser-driven dielectric microstructure accelerator, can be constructed to irradiate a patient disposed on a patient support. The patient monitoring system can be configured to detect and track a location or movement of a treatment volume within the patient. The control system can be configured to control the laser-driven accelerator system responsively to the location or movement of the treatment volume. The system can also include a beam control system, which generates a magnetic field that can affect the radiation beam and/or secondary electrons produced by the irradiation beam. In some embodiments, the beam control system and the patient monitoring system can comprise a magnetic resonance imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Clayton
  • Patent number: 10908103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray fluorescence, XRF, spectrometer, for measuring X-ray fluorescence emitted by a target, wherein the XRF spectrometer comprises an X-ray tube with an anode to emit a divergent X-ray beam, a capillary lens that is configured to focus the divergent X-ray beam on the target, an aperture system that is positioned between the anode of the X-ray tube and the capillary lens and comprises at least one pinhole, and a detector that is configured for detecting X-ray fluorescence radiation emitted by the target, wherein the at least one pinhole is configured for being inserted into the divergent X-ray beam and for reducing a beam cross section of the divergent X-ray beam between the anode and the capillary lens. The present invention further relates to an aperture system for a spectrometer, to the use of an aperture system for adjusting the focal depth of a spectrometer and to a method for adjusting the focal depth of as spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: BRUKER NANO GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Waldschläger, Roald Alberto Tagle Berdan
  • Patent number: 10905390
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile radiation generation apparatus which reliably prevents the unsteady motion of a carriage unit with a simple structure and facilitates the positioning of an operation panel even in a case in which a wheel of the carriage unit is a caster. Each of a front wheel and a rear wheel of a carriage unit is a caster that swivels about a swivel axis extending in a vertical direction. An operation panel is provided in a main body unit mounted on the carriage unit. The operation panel rotates about an axis that extends in the Z-axis direction with respect to the carriage unit. The carriage unit includes a front pedal that is provided closer to the front wheel than a support and locks both the rotation and swivel of the caster at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Ryosuke Ogura
  • Patent number: 10905389
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile radiation generation apparatus which reliably prevents the unsteady motion of a carriage unit with a simple structure and facilitates the fine adjustment of the position of a radiation emitting unit. Each of a front wheel and a rear wheel of a carriage unit is a caster that swivels about a swivel axis extending in a vertical direction. A support that vertically stands on the carriage unit supports a base end of an arm unit having a free end to which an X-ray emitting unit is attached. The arm unit rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the swivel axis with respect to the carriage unit. The carriage unit includes a front pedal that is provided closer to the front wheel than the support and is used to lock both the rotation and swivel of the caster at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Ryosuke Ogura
  • Patent number: 10900912
    Abstract: The X-ray analysis apparatus of the present invention comprises a sample stage for supporting a sample, a goniometer having an axis of rotation, and an X-ray detector arranged to be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the goniometer, wherein the X-ray detector is arranged to receive X-rays from the sample directed along an X-ray beam path. The X-ray analysis apparatus further comprises a first collimator, a second collimator and a third collimator each having a first configuration and a second configuration. In its first configuration, the collimator is arranged in the X-ray beam path. In its second configuration the collimator is arranged outside of the X-ray beam path. A first actuator arrangement is configured to move the first collimator and the second collimator between the first configuration and the second configuration by moving the first collimator and the second collimator in a lateral direction that intersects the X-ray beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MALVERN PANALYTICAL B.V.
    Inventors: Detlef Beckers, Milen Gateshki, Jaap Boksem, Fabio Masiello
  • Patent number: 10900847
    Abstract: Thermal pattern sensor comprising several pixels located on a substrate, each pixel comprising a pyroelectric capacitor, the pyroelectric capacitor comprising a pyroelectric material located between two electrically conducting electrodes, the pyroelectric material comprising a sol-gel matrix in which first particles made of a first material and second particles made of a second material are dispersed. The first material being chosen from among calcium, lanthanum, tantalum, barium, lead and/or strontium oxides, the second material being chosen from among titanium, antimony, tin, zinc, gallium, vanadium and/or manganese oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Mohammed Benwadih, Christine Revenant-Brizard
  • Patent number: 10898070
    Abstract: A microlens in radiography in providing healthcare services, including medical and dental fields. The microlens preferably is included as a component of a detector. The detector preferably comprises a converter, a plate, a filter, the microlens, and a collector including photosensitive areas. Low light images are received at the converter and transmitted directly or through the plate to the filter and then to the microlens. The microlens collects, refines and focuses the low light image that would have otherwise fallen onto the non-sensitive areas of the collector, thereby enabling low light detection efficiency at the sensitive areas, and thereby increasing the collector fill factor and quantum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: REAL TIME IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Uzbelger Feldman
  • Patent number: 10896798
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray unit, an X-ray system, and a method for manufacturing an X-ray system. The X-ray system comprises an X-ray unit, a cathode, and an anode. The X-ray unit comprises a vacuum tube and a magnet system. The vacuum tube is configured to encase a cathode, an anode, and a drift way for an electron beam moving between the cathode and the anode. The magnet system is configured to focus the electron beam and the magnet system is fused to the vacuum tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Thorben Repenning
  • Patent number: 10888286
    Abstract: A mobile CBCT imaging system is constructed on a mobile base. A scanning ring having an x-ray source, one or more curved detectors each with a curved grid, is connected to the mobile base. The scanning ring is configured to be spatially positioned as desired by an operator. The source is configured to revolve about an imaging axis and to emit radiographic energy toward the imaging axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohui Wang, David H. Foos, Timothy J. Wojcik, Craig F. Hofmann