Patents Examined by Chih-Cheng Kao
  • Patent number: 11516902
    Abstract: A method is for closed-loop control of an X-ray pulse chain generated via a linear accelerator system. In an embodiment, the method includes modulating a first electron beam within a first radio-frequency pulse duration, wherein the first multiple amplitude X-ray pulse is produced on modulating the first electron beam; measuring time-resolved actual values of the first multiple amplitude X-ray pulse; adjusting at least one pulse parameter as a function of a comparison of the specified multiple amplitude X-ray pulse profile and the measured time-resolved actual values; and modulating a second electron beam within a second radio-frequency pulse duration as a function of the at least one adjusted pulse parameter for production of the second multiple amplitude X-ray pulse, so the X-ray pulse chain is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Sven Mueller, Martin Koschmieder, Marvin Moeller, Benno Cyliax, Stefan Willing
  • Patent number: 11506617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for active grating position tracking in X-ray differential phase contrast imaging and dark-field imaging. The alignment of at least one grating positioned in an X-ray imaging device is measured by illuminating a reflection area located on the grating with a light beam, and detecting a reflection pattern of the light beam reflected by the reflection area. The reflection pattern is compared with a reference pattern corresponding to an alignment optimized for X-ray differential phase contrast imaging, and the X-ray imaging device is controlled upon the comparison of the reflection pattern and the reference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sven Peter Prevrhal, Thomas Koehler, Andriy Yaroshenko
  • Patent number: 11497107
    Abstract: The invention discloses X-ray machine ray tube heat dissipation device which comprises a heat dissipation pool and an X-ray machine ray tube arranged in the heat dissipation pool, wherein the heat dissipation pool is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet, and the water outlet of the heat dissipation pool is communicated with the water inlet of water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianwei Chen, Zhiqiang Zhao, Hongyu Wang
  • Patent number: 11490498
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray inspection apparatus including: an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays; a high-voltage power source configured to supply a tube voltage to the X-ray tube to generate X-rays; an X-ray irradiation control section configured to output a first control signal and a second control signal to the high-voltage power source to control the high-voltage power source; and a determination section configured to count at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal output from the X-ray irradiation control section to the high-voltage power source, compare a counted count value with a preset threshold value, and determine a deterioration state of a component constituting the X-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bunta Matsuhana, Goro Kambe
  • Patent number: 11471118
    Abstract: Methods and devices for tracking an x-ray tube focal spot position are described. As successive images are captured by an image capturing system that includes the x-ray tube, the focal spot may change position. To track the change, one or more artificial targets may be arranged relative to the image capturing system such that an initial image is received that includes the artificial targets at a first position in the initial image. A gain map may be generated based on the initial image, and applied to a subsequent image received that also includes the artificial targets to generate a normalized subsequent image. A shift of the artificial targets from the first position in the initial image to a second position in the normalized subsequent image may be identified, where the shift corresponds to the focal spot's position change. Mathematical and/or physical adjustments may be made to correct for the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventor: Cornell Lee Williams
  • Patent number: 11464472
    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: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein, Kenneth F. Defreitas
  • Patent number: 11458334
    Abstract: A method may include acquiring a first image including a target point and a first reference point, the target point corresponding to at least one part of a subject, the first reference point corresponding to a first marker disposed on the couch of the medical device; determining a first spatial position of the first marker, the first spatial position corresponding to a first working position of the couch; determining a first spatial position of the at least one part of the subject based on the first image and the first spatial position of the first marker; determining a second spatial position of the first marker, the second spatial position corresponding to a second working position of the couch; determining a second spatial position of the at least one part of the subject based on the second spatial position of the first marker and the first spatial position of the at least one part of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Johannes Stahl, Supratik Bose, Li Wang
  • Patent number: 11457521
    Abstract: A method is for spatially influencing a focal spot of an X-ray source that generates X-ray radiation, to an associated X-ray source, to an associated system and to an associated computer program product. The method according to at least one embodiment includes: producing a focal spot on an anode by way of an electron emitter including a plurality of emitter segments, individually controllable to emit electrons; determining at least one actual value of a spatial extent and/or of a position of the produced focal spot; comparing the at least one actual value with a specified reference value of the focal spot; and controlling the emitter segments based upon the comparison of the at least one actual value and the reference value such that the at least one actual value converges toward the reference value, thereby spatially influencing the focal spot of the X-ray source that generates X-ray radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventor: Anja Fritzler
  • Patent number: 11456144
    Abstract: Provided is an arc-shaped multi-focal point fixed anode gate controlled ray source, comprising an arc-shaped ray source housing, a ray tube bracket, a plurality of fixed anode reflected ray tubes and a plurality of gate controlled switches, wherein the plurality of fixed anode reflected ray tubes are fixed on the arc-shaped ray source housing by means of the ray tube bracket, and the focal points of the plurality of fixed anode reflected ray tubes are distributed on the same distribution circle; and the plurality of gate controlled switches are correspondingly connected to the plurality of fixed anode reflected ray tubes. By splicing the plurality of arc-shaped multi-focal point fixed anode gate controlled ray sources into an integral ring stricture, the focal points of all the fixed anode reflected ray tubes therein can be distributed on, the same distribution circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NANOVISION TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jinhui Xing, Zhili Cui, Jian Gao, Hongguang Cao
  • Patent number: 11452487
    Abstract: An X-ray detector module includes a plurality of evaluation circuits, coupled to at least one converter circuit, each evaluation circuit including a multiplicity of pixel electronics circuits for processing the electrical signals from the converter circuit pixel by pixel; and a number of forwarding circuits, a forwarding circuit including at least a first data input for receiving a measured data set from a first evaluation circuit and at least a second data input for receiving a measured data set from a second evaluation circuit, or for receiving at least one forwarded measured data set from a further forwarding circuit of the number of forwarding circuits. Each forwarding circuit is constructed to forward the measured data sets that are received by way of the first data input and second data input to a coupled receiving circuit over a common data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Hosemann
  • Patent number: 11448606
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system, and a corresponding kit and method, includes a movable x-ray imager that includes a first backscatter x-ray detector assembly. The system also includes a second backscatter x-ray detector assembly that is removably attachable with the movable x-ray imager. The movable x-ray imager and the second backscatter x-ray detector include complementary attachment features configured to secure, removably, the second backscatter x-ray detector assembly with the movable x-ray imager to form an attached arrangement having the second and first backscatter x-ray detectors fixedly oriented with respect to each other. The second backscatter x-ray detector assembly forms an outer loop defining an inner opening at which the movable x-ray imager is configured to be received for attachment of the second backscatter x-ray detector assembly with the movable x-ray imager to form the attached arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Viken Detection Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Rothschild, Howard D. Kellogg
  • Patent number: 11450503
    Abstract: An X-ray tube and an X-ray imaging device are disclosed. The X-ray tube comprises: a glass envelope; a cathode assembly, accommodated inside the glass envelope; and a core column structure, connected to the glass envelope and the cathode assembly, such that the cathode assembly is sealed inside the glass envelope. The core column structure comprises: a metal flat plate, wherein the cathode assembly is fixed to the metal flat plate; and a sealing bead, wherein the sealing bead is arranged in the metal flat plate, and an electrically conductive support rod connected to the cathode assembly passes through two ends of the sealing bead. The X-ray tube enables generated heat to be rapidly transferred to a cooling medium via thermally conductive metal to improve heat dissipation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Jing Ping Pan, Ru Bai Cheng
  • Patent number: 11443913
    Abstract: An X-ray radiator and an X-ray assembly are disclosed. The X-ray radiator according to an embodiment has an evacuated X-ray tube housing, mounted to be rotatable about a rotation axis, the X-ray tube housing including an anode and an electron source. The anode is arranged within the X-ray tube housing non-rotatably relative to the X-ray tube housing and is configured to generate X-ray radiation via electrons impacting upon a focal spot of the anode, the electron source being mounted substantially stationary within the X-ray tube housing relative to the rotation axis. The electron source has a main emitter and at least one subsidiary emitter for emitting electrons. The electron emission of the main emitter and/or of the at least one subsidiary emitter is controllable such that a spatial movement of the focal spot due to a movement of the electron source is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Anja Fritzler
  • Patent number: 11438994
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for controlling filament current and apparatus. The method comprises: acquiring a current filament current value (S11); determining a current range within which the current filament current value falls (S12); determining a correspondence between a filament current and a control current according to the current range (S13); and determining the current control current according to the current filament current value and the correspondence (S14). The problem of large errors in the control of filament current caused by nonlinear characteristics of a filament transformer can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Suzhou Powersite Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Shengfang Fan, Qiang Huang, Wanquan Wang
  • Patent number: 11410828
    Abstract: An x-ray source device includes an anode for generating x-rays via an electron beam striking a focal point of the anode, the anode being rotatable about an axis of rotation via an electric motor including a stator and a rotor, the stator including a first coil end, relatively nearer to the anode and a second coil end, relatively further from the anode. A laminated core of the stator is arranged between the first and second coil ends. The first coil end includes a first intersection area, relatively further from the focal point and a second intersection area, relatively nearer to the focal point, with respect to the focal plane. A maximal external radius of the second intersection area is relatively smaller than a maximal external radius of the laminated core in the focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Felix Geier, Oliver Heuermann, Jan Matschulla, Karin Soeldner
  • Patent number: 11404236
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode vertically spaced apart from the cathode electrode, an emitter on the cathode electrode, a gate electrode disposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, the gate electrode including an opening at a position corresponding to the emitter, and a spacer provided between the gate electrode and the anode electrode. The spacer includes an insulator and conductive dopants doped in the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yoon-Ho Song, Jun-Tae Kang, Jin-Woo Jeong, Jae-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11402522
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method, comprising: exposing an image sensor to a scene; measuring, as analog signals, intensities of light from the scene by a plurality of pixels of the image sensor; converting the analog signals to digital signals; and determining a total intensity of light of the scene by calculating a sum of the digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN XPECTVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
  • Patent number: 11404235
    Abstract: An x-ray generating unit includes an x-ray tube that is substantially transparent to x-rays and that defines a vacuum therein. A cathode is disposed within the x-ray tube and defines a plurality of spaced apart cavities. An anode is spaced apart from the cathode and includes a material that emits x-rays when impacted by electrons. A plurality of filaments is each disposed in a different one of the cavities defined by the cathode and each is electrically coupled to the cathode. Each filament emits a focused electron beam directed to a different predetermined spot on the anode upon application of a predetermined voltage between the cathode and the anode, thereby causing the anode to generate x-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: John Thomas Canazon
  • Patent number: 11391680
    Abstract: A support unit and a collimator are relatively rotated about the axis of rotation by a rotation driving device. The collimator has a blocking region that blocks X-rays and a transmission region that allows X-rays to pass therethrough. The transmission region has a vertex positioned on the axis of rotation, and the circumferential length of the transmission region increases proportionally as it advances outward from the vertex. A sample supported by the support unit is irradiated with X-rays by an X-ray source through the transmission region of the collimator, and the fluorescent X-rays from the sample are detected by the detector. The analysis of a composition of a sample is performed based on the fluorescent X-rays detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Yuta Saito
  • Patent number: 11388807
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire set tube current waveform, and specify, based on the set tube current waveform, a period of a first tube current and a period of a second tube current lower than the first tube current. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine a waveform of a grid voltage such that a first grid voltage is applied during a period corresponding to the period of the first tube current and a second grid voltage, which is higher than the first grid voltage, is applied during a period corresponding to the period of the second tube current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yu Sasaki