Patents Examined by David J Makiya
  • Patent number: 9255846
    Abstract: A method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of computer executable instructions for calibrating an uncalibrated thermal imager is provided. The system includes a calibrated pyrometer for determining a first temperature of a Region of Interest under a first condition, and an uncalibrated thermal imager for determining a first average count value over the region of interest under the first condition and for determining a second average count value over the region of interest under a second condition. A temperature sensor for determining a second temperature of the region of interest under a second condition is also provided. Control electronics determine a Planck function that intersects the points (first temperature, first average count value) and (second temperature, second average count value). The uncalibrated thermal imager is calibrated using the Planck function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: LumaSense Technologies Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hodgins, Tim Dubbs, Stefan Warnke
  • Patent number: 9257255
    Abstract: A single-pole x-ray emitter includes an emitter housing, in which an x-ray tube with a vacuum housing and a drive motor are arranged. A cathode that generates an electron beam, and a rotating anode that is struck by the electron beam along a focal path are arranged in the vacuum housing. The vacuum housing includes a drive-side housing wall and an anode-side housing wall, and the rotating anode is held in a torsionally rigid manner on an anode tube that is rotatably mounted on a stationary part of a rotor shaft that is coupled to the drive motor. The stationary part of the rotor shaft is joined to the anode-side housing wall of the vacuum housing via a ring-shaped fixing. The anode tube incorporates a temperature compensation element. The focal path is arranged on a side of the rotating anode that faces away from the anode-side housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ronald Dittrich, Jörg Freudenberger, Jan Matschulla, Ernst Neumeier, Peter Röhrer
  • Patent number: 9250199
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method that can stitch transmission images detected by a two-dimensional detector at different positions of the sample are provided. An X-ray imaging apparatus and an X-ray imaging method include: an X-ray generating unit configured to irradiate a sample with a substantially parallel X-ray; a two-dimensional detector including a detection region; a stage where a support base is mounted is configured to move the support base in a plane along a plane of the detection region; and an imaging control unit configured to generate stitched transmission image data based on a plurality of transmission images of the sample detected by the two-dimensional detector. The imaging control unit is configured to stitch the transmission images at a plurality of mutually different positions in the sample to generate the stitched transmission image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: RIGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Omote, Yoshihiko Takeda
  • Patent number: 9247914
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus including: X-ray generation means that irradiates X-rays from the focus and that has a first portion changing so as to have a first change component and a second portion changing so as to have a second change component, which is different from the first change component; focus position detection means that detects a focus position when the X-rays are irradiated; focus position change amount estimation means that estimates the amount of change in the focus position at an arbitrary point of time with respect to the reference position of the focus using a first amount of change, which changes so as to have the first change component, and a second amount of change, which changes so as to have the second change component; and correction means that corrects the positions of the irradiation region of the X-rays so as to cancel the amount of change in the focus position estimated by the focus position change amount estimation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutaka Konno, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9251992
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a stereo x-ray radiation device that is small and for which handling is simple. One cathode that functions as an emitter and two anodes that function as targets are disposed in a single straight-tube shaped vacuum vessel. The stereo x-ray generating device is characterized by the cathode being a cold cathode disposed in the center part of the vessel, the anodes being disposed each to one end of the vessel, and the spaces between the anodes disposed in the two ends of the vessel and the cathode being constituted such that the same can be moved closer or apart along the axial line of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MICRO-X JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Ishiguro, Masanori Haba
  • Patent number: 9245320
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for correcting artifacts in iterative reconstruction processes. In certain embodiments, weighting schemes may be applied such that less than all of the available scan or projection data is utilized in the iterative reconstruction. In this manner, inconsistencies in the data undergoing reconstruction may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kai Zeng, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Jean-Baptiste Thibault
  • Patent number: 9241679
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filtering radio-frequency electromagnetic beams, in particular x-rays, include a fluid container containing a ferrofluid which at least partially absorbs the electromagnetic beams. A distribution of the ferrofluid within the fluid container can be varied by using an applied magnetic gradient field. An irradiation apparatus and a device for irradiating an object are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Oliver Hayden, Manfred Ruehrig, Frank Sauer, Reiner Franz Schulz, Sandro Francesco Tedde
  • Patent number: 9244028
    Abstract: A device for providing for electron excited x-ray fluorescence may include means for driving two contacting surfaces against each other in a low fluid pressure environment, such that high energy electrons strike a sample under test and provide for x-ray fluorescence of the sample. The sample under test may be in or on a sample holder, whose position with respect to the contacting surfaces is adjustable. For example, the sample holder may be positionable to be a different distances from the contacting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Tribogenics, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Camara
  • Patent number: 9244264
    Abstract: A gimbaled multispectral imaging system and method is described herein. In an general embodiment, the gimbaled multispectral imaging system has a cross support that defines a first gimbal axis and a second gimbal axis, wherein the cross support is rotatable about the first gimbal axis. The gimbaled multispectral imaging system comprises a telescope that fixed to an upper end of the cross support, such that rotation of the cross support about the first gimbal axis causes the tilt of the telescope to alter. The gimbaled multispectral imaging system includes optics that facilitate on-gimbal detection of visible light and off-gimbal detection of infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin H. Brown, Seferino Crollett, Tammy D. Henson, Mathew Napier, Peter G. Stromberg
  • Patent number: 9237873
    Abstract: A system and method for CT projection extrapolation are provided. The method comprises receiving a CT projection for extrapolation. The method also comprises selecting a target patch comprising at least one pixel of a row to be extrapolated. The method further comprises generating a correlation profile between the target patch and one or more source patches, wherein the source patches comprise measured pixels in the CT projection in one or more rows adjacent to the target patch. The projection data is generated for at least one pixel of the target patch based on the correlation profile and the measured pixels of at least one of the source patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhye Yin, Paulo Ricardo Mendonca, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Kai Zeng
  • Patent number: 9234980
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods capable of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of leaching operations. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a coiled tubing directional drilling system capable of treating interior portions of the heap/formation. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a system and method capable of capturing real time temperature and resistivity data pertaining to pregnant solution characteristics in the heap/formation. In one embodiment, the present invention may utilize one or more wire line deployed X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers capable of quantitatively measuring concentrations of desired metals in the heap/formation during leaching operations. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes multiple passes of elemental capture spectroscopy logs acquired at regular time intervals to monitor metal concentrations during leaching operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gilles Mathieu, Kent Lang, Peter Wraight, Roland Banas, James A. Grau, Edward Clayton
  • Patent number: 9232927
    Abstract: A method for collecting multi-energy CT data is provided. A method of reconstruction from multi-energy CT scan is further provided, in which data collection is performed on the first-class object at voltage values of m sampling points of the first-class voltage varied periodically, to obtain n sets of multi-energy first-class scan data {yi}; and a data collection is performed on a double-cylinder correction phantom at the voltage values of m sampling points to obtain combination coefficients, and thus obtaining corresponding combination coefficients Cifirstand Cisecondcorresponding to the case that the first-class scan data is collected in the ith projection angle at the first-class voltage; and the image vectors Xfirst and Xsecond are obtained by calculating a minimum value of the difference between the first-class scan data {yi} and the combination projection data CifirstPi*Xfirst+CisecondPi*Xsecond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shanshan Lou, Jiangwei Zhao, Lixia Tong
  • Patent number: 9232926
    Abstract: There is provided a radiographic imaging device including: a radiographic imaging device main body; and a protective cover that is removably applied to a surface of the radiographic imaging device main body, a thickness including the radiographic imaging device main body in the state in which the protective cover is applied being at most 16 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Noguchi, Yusuke Kitagawa, Takeyasu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9220918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device operating with X-rays, comprising: an X-ray source, from which an X-ray beam that has an intensity maximum along a central ray can be emitted, a rotation unit, with which the X-ray source can be rotated about an isocenter, wherein the central axis of the X-ray beam is oriented eccentrically to the isocenter such that, in particular upon rotation about the isocenter, the central rays emitted from different spatial directions are tangential to an imaginary circle around the isocenter. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a medical device, comprising the following steps: providing an X-ray source, from which an X-ray beam that has an intensity maximum along a central ray is emitted, rotating the X-ray source about an isocenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Oliver Heid
  • Patent number: 9223038
    Abstract: An X-ray detector with photon-counting directly converting detector elements and a method for the temperature stabilization of at least one detector element of an X-ray detector of a CT system are disclosed, wherein the detector elements use a sensor material which converts incident photons of radiation directly into free-moving charge in the sensor material and wherein with the aid of a circuit arrangement (e.g. an ASIC), the number of incident photons in relation to predefined energy ranges (e.g., to imaging) is determined, wherein the total electrical power of at least one detector element is kept constant regardless of the incident intensity of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thilo Hannemann, Edgar Kraft, Daniel Niederlohner
  • Patent number: 9217810
    Abstract: A system can be constructed and operated with at least a wellbore that is connected to a gas detection system. The gas detection system can house a control module, infrared sensor, and first and second pumps in a portable case. The first and second pumps may be respectively positioned on opposite sides of the infrared sensor and configured to provide uniform sample gas flow through the infrared sensor to detect multiple different types of gasses flowing from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: IBALL INSTRUMENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Carl Bright
  • Patent number: 9217674
    Abstract: A terahertz detection device comprises at least one terahertz antenna, a detection microbridge suspended above a substrate comprising a resistive load coupled to the antenna and a resistive bolometric element coupled to the resistive load, a bias circuit for biasing the bolometric element. The device further comprises a skimming microbridge suspended above the substrate, comprising a resistive bolometric element, and substantially identical to the detection microbridge, a reflective metal layer opposite to the skimming microbridge to obtain a destructive interference at the level of the skimming microbridge for a terahertz wavelength, a bias circuit to electrically bias the bolometric element of the skimming microbridge and a read circuit for measuring a difference between the electric signals of the microbridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Ouvrier-Buffet, Jérôme Meilhan, Duy Thong Nguyen, François Simoens
  • Patent number: 9213111
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for radiation detection. The present invention utilized boron-coated detectors as a new alternative to large 3He tubes that will address the timing limitations of 3He-based detectors in active interrogation systems, by providing a 100-times faster ion collection time. This may enable the counting of prompt neutrons starting within 10 ?s following each gamma ray pulse. Current 3He-based detectors can only count delayed neutrons, and the linac pulse rate is severely limited by the lengthy times required to count these very late neutrons. If detection of the prompt component can be achieved, up to 150 times more neutrons can be detected in each pulse and pulse rate can be increased by more than 10 fold, giving a net sensitivity gain of 1500 while using the same detection array and linac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Proportional Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lacy
  • Patent number: 9207127
    Abstract: An infrared detector may be provided that includes: a micro-bolometer active cell which detects infrared and outputs a current signal; and a reference cell which includes a plurality of connected warm cells having the same structure and electrical characteristics as those of the micro-bolometer active cell, has the same electrical resistance value and average self-heating amount as those of the micro-bolometer active cell, and generates a reference current signal for the micro-bolometer active cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Kwyro Lee, Minsik Kim, Jinhyeok Baek, Seunghyun Park
  • Patent number: 9204847
    Abstract: A method and an image data record processing facility are disclosed for correcting image data of an examination object, which includes a first image data record obtained using a first X-ray energy and a second image data record obtained using a second X-ray energy. In this process, a corrected image data record is generated by subtracting from image point values at certain image point positions of the first image data record, image point values, which are assigned to the corresponding image point positions in the second image data record, multiplied by a weighting factor. The weighting factor here is selected as a function of the first X-ray energy used and the second X-ray energy used so that on subtraction a calcium component is removed from the image point values. A method for generating image data and an X-ray system having such an image data record processing facility are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt