Patents Examined by Don Wong
  • Patent number: 10143532
    Abstract: A system for performing a scanning session of a patient's body, the system comprising: a radiation source; a radiation sensor; a patient positioner for placing the patient between the radiation source and the radiation sensor in a fixed position during each scan; at least one Pseudo-Random Grid (PRG) comprising randomly spaced perpendicular gridlines, the PRG being at least partially radiopaque and positioned between the radiation source and the radiation sensor in a fixed manner with respect to the patient positioner during the scanning session, wherein at least one of said radiation source and said radiation sensor is configured to move independently, and wherein at least one of said radiation source and said radiation sensor is moved to multiple different positions during the scanning session such that energy emitted from the radiation source passes through said PRG and said patient's body and collected by a surface of said radiation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CMT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Dmitry Samsonov, Ami Ben Hayun
  • Patent number: 10126433
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to receive energy impinging on an outer surface of a photon detector having a columnar structure, and to direct the energy within the columnar structure to a position-sensitive readout to image the energy, wherein the position-sensitive readout has position-sensitive elements, and wherein individual ones of the elements are associated with at least one column in the columnar structure to provide intrinsic collimation of the energy from the outer surface to selected portions of the readout. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yike Hu, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 10120084
    Abstract: An x-ray detector apparatus includes at least one x-ray detector (3) having a position for a material under test (2), an x-ray source (1), and a plurality of structures (4) each configured to perturb an x-ray energy spectrum differently. The structures (4) may be placed in the path of the x-ray energy spectrum sequentially or concurrently. A plurality of x-ray detectors (3) may be formed into a linear array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: IBEX INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Gary Gibson, Kurt Scott
  • Patent number: 10121629
    Abstract: In the present invention, a computed tomography system, an X-ray tube used therein and a cathode assembly disposed in the X-ray tube, as well as an associated method of use, is provided that includes a gantry and the X-ray tube coupled to the gantry. The X-ray tube includes the cathode assembly having a pair of emission surfaces for generating an electron beam, where the pair of emission surfaces are disposed in the cathode assembly at angles with respect to one another. The X-ray tube further includes a focusing electrode for focusing the electron beam, an extraction electrode which electrostatically controls the intensity of the electron beam by adjustment of a positive or negative biasing voltage applied to the extraction electrode, a target for generating X-rays when impinged upon by the electron beam and a magnetic focusing assembly located between the cathode assembly and the target for focusing the electron beam towards the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sergio Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 10111630
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes a holding device, a drive unit, a route specify unit, an operation direction detector, and a drive controller. The holding device holds an X-ray tube and is configured to be movable. The drive unit is capable of moving the holding device. The route specify unit specifies a movement route from a current position of the holding device to a target position. The operation direction detector detects operation direction, which is the direction of moving operation that the holding device has received. The drive controller controls the drive unit to stop a driving force when the operation direction differs from the direction of the movement route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Rulin Du, Seiichirou Nagai, Seiichi Nishizuka, Shoji Yashiro
  • Patent number: 10107768
    Abstract: An imaging system operative for providing a volumetric molecular image of an object is disclosed. The imaging system interrogates the object with structured x-ray radiation while continuous relative motion between the object and source is induced during a measurement period. As the radiation passes through the object, the radiation scatters based on the molecular composition within the object, and the scattering changes as a function of time due to the relative motion between the source and object. Coherent scatter radiation is detected and processed to reconstruct an estimate of the three-dimensional molecular structure of the object using a reconstruction algorithm, such as maximum likelihood estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: David Jones Brady, Joel Alter Greenberg, Shuo Pang, Kenneth Patrick MacCabe
  • Patent number: 10098609
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus which aligns an X-ray radiator with an X-ray detector, an X-ray apparatus which aligns an X-ray radiator with an X-ray detector while maintaining a Source to Image-receptor Distance (SID) and a Source to Object Distance (SOD) therebetween, and methods of operating the X-ray apparatuses are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-eui Kim, Do-hyeong Hwang, Seung-hoon Kim, Sung-jin Park, Il-hwan Park
  • Patent number: 10102999
    Abstract: A magnetic assembly for focusing an electron beam includes one or more quadrupole assemblies, each quadrupole assembly having at least a pair of separate opposing members with angular pole extensions of one opposing member facing angular pole extensions of another opposing member. An X-ray tube includes a magnetic assembly for focusing an electron beam extending from a cathode to an anode of the X-ray tube, the magnetic assembly comprising one or more quadrupole assemblies, each quadrupole assembly having at least a pair of opposing members with angular pole extensions of one opposing member facing angular pole extensions of another opposing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael William Gorrilla
  • Patent number: 10080533
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation source (110) with a focal spot (204) that emits a beam of x-ray photons that traverses an examination region (106). The imaging system further includes a photon counting detector array (122) that detects a sub-set of the x-ray photons that traverse an examination region. The imaging system further includes a controller (116) that generates and transmits a pause signal, in response to a calculated drop in an intensity of the emitted the beam of x-ray photons below a predetermined intensity level, which causes the photon counting detector array to pause detecting the sub-set of the x-ray photons. The imaging system further includes a counter (136) that counts, for each of a plurality of counting periods, the x-ray photons of the sub-set detected by the photon counting detector array in the corresponding counting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Heiner Daerr, Thomas Koehler
  • Patent number: 10078056
    Abstract: An X-ray product quality online inspection device of the present invention comprises: a distributed X-ray source having a plurality of targets and being able to generate X-rays for irradiating an inspected product from the plurality of targets in a predetermined sequence; a detector for receiving the X-rays generated by the distributed X-ray source and outputting a signal representing characteristics of the received X-rays; a transport device which is located between the distributed X-ray source and the detector for carrying the inspected product to pass through an X-ray radiation region, wherein the transport device is arranged as a continuous transport mechanism which matches a production line of the inspected product; and a power supply and control device, which is used to supply power to and control the X-ray product quality online inspection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Huaping Tang, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Zhuoyan Liu, Yonggang Wang, Zhanfeng Qin
  • Patent number: 10076294
    Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) gantry system is described herein. The CT gantry system includes a frame, a plurality of support wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, and a gantry resting upon the plurality of support wheels. In some embodiments, the gantry includes two gantry rings, and a cross member extending between the two gantry rings. In other embodiments, the gantry includes a first gantry ring, and a second gantry ring spaced apart from the first gantry ring in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the gantry. In some embodiments, the plurality of support wheels includes a plurality of front support wheels and a plurality of back support wheels. In some embodiments, the gantry includes a front gantry ring resting upon the front support wheels, a back gantry ring resting upon the back support wheels, and a cross member coupled between the front and back gantry rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Samit Kumar Basu, Anthony James Murch, Jared William Moore, Pedro Andres Garzon
  • Patent number: 10070830
    Abstract: An x-ray/gamma ray imaging apparatus includes a pixilated x-ray/gamma ray detector (3) including a member configured to detect incident x-ray/gamma ray wavelength photons, a position for a body under test (2), an x-ray or gamma ray source (1), and a structure configured to perturb the energy spectrum (6), each lying on a common axis. The source is arranged to direct an x-ray gamma ray energy spectrum along the common axis to impinge upon a structure configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum and a positioned body/object under test. The structure and the position for the body under test lie between the source and the detector member, and the structure includes at least three adjacent regions, each region different to immediately adjacent regions and configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum differently. Detected photons are subject to a random noise reduction algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: IBEX Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary Gibson
  • Patent number: 10064586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection data acquisition apparatus (14) for acquiring projection data for being used for reconstructing a computed tomography image. In acquisition intervals projection data are acquired only at certain acquisition rotational positions of a radiation source (2) relative to an object, wherein an acquisition rotational position of a current acquisition interval divides a largest non-acquisition angular region covering rotational positions, at which projection data have not already been acquired, into two smaller non-acquisition angular regions. Because of this acquisition of the projection data, after each acquisition interval the acquisition rotational positions, at which projection data have been acquired already, are relatively homogeneously distributed. This allows for an improved image quality of a computed tomography image which is reconstructed based on the acquired projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Michael Grass
  • Patent number: 10062466
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing radiation scatter in an imaging system having an operational slot for receiving an anti-scatter grid. The apparatus includes an imaging system component having at least one storage slot formed therein for selectively storing an anti-scatter grid when the grid is not in the operational slot of the imaging system. The apparatus further includes an operational slot sensor configured to detect the presence of an anti-scatter grid and/or an imaging property of a grid in the operational slot. The system allows an operator to select an appropriate anti-scatter grid for use in the imaging system from one or more anti-scatter grids that are located within the operational and/or storage slots of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Francois Kotian
  • Patent number: 10048391
    Abstract: An imaging detector module (112) of an imaging system includes at least one detector pixel (114) and self-diagnosing circuitry (116). The self-diagnosing circuitry includes a microprocessor (202) and at least measurement device (210). The microprocessor controls the at least measurement device to measure at least one parameter of the at least one detector pixel, wherein a value of the at least one parameter is indicative of a health state of the imaging system. A method includes employing self-diagnosing circuitry embedded in an imaging detector module to measure at least one parameter of at least one detector pixel of the imaging detector module. A value of the at least one parameter is indicative of a health state of the imaging detector. The method further includes generating, with the self diagnosing circuitry, a signal indicating a health state of the imaging detector module based on the measured at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Patent number: 10039511
    Abstract: A breast tomography system includes an X-ray generation tube including a reflection type target, an X-ray detector facing the X-ray generation tube with an imaginary rotation axis placed therebetween, and a gantry that stores the X-ray generation tube and the X-ray detector and that includes a front panel on the subjectee side. A tube axis of the X-ray generation tube is disposed to extend along the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 10034649
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a collimator comprising a lamp and configured to adjusting an irradiation region of X-rays radiated from an X-ray source; an image acquirer configured to acquire an object image by imaging an object while the lamp is turned on; and a controller configured to acquire an object distance based on the object image and acquire a thickness of the object based on a detector distance and the object distance. The object distance is a distance between the X-ray source and the object, and the detector distance is a distance between the X-ray source and an X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-hoon Kim, Si-won Park, Hye-kyoung Hong, Jin-beom Hong
  • Patent number: 10034361
    Abstract: A line-frequency rotary transformer is provided, including a primary core and a secondary core. The primary core is magnetically couplable to the secondary core. The primary core includes a first plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a first ring couplable to a stator. The primary core includes a primary winding disposed within the first ring and configured to transmit line-frequency AC power. The secondary core includes a second plurality of E-core steel laminates arranged in a second ring couplable to a gantry. The gantry is rotatably couplable to the stator. The secondary core includes a secondary winding disposed within the second ring and is configured to receive a line-frequency AC power induced in the secondary winding through the primary core and the secondary core by the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SMITHS DETECTION, LLC
    Inventors: Erik E. Magnuson, Pedro Andres Garzon, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Patent number: 10028718
    Abstract: Data of a predetermined volume portion of an object under examination is captured by an x-ray system that includes an x-ray source and a detector. The x-ray source is activated to generate x-rays that emerge from the x-ray source, radiate through the volume portion, and after radiating through, impinge on the detector. X-rays impinging on the detector are captured pixel by pixel, in order to capture the data of the predetermined volume portion. With the pixel-by-pixel capture, only a subset of all the pixels of the detector is evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bartl, Anna Jerebko, Tom Weidner
  • Patent number: 10028708
    Abstract: A method records a tomosynthesis data set of a breast of a patient with an X-ray device. The device contains an X-ray detector for the support of the breast, a compression plate for the breast and being parallel to the X-ray detector, and an X-ray source, which is movable in a basic angle interval around a central position, in which the midperpendicular of the detector area corresponds to the central ray of the X-ray source. The tomosynthesis data set is reconstructed from projection images recorded at different projection angles over a recording interval. A recording angle interval that is asymmetrical relative to the central position is used in the case of an asymmetrically positioned breast, in particular for an MLO view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mathias Hoernig