Patents Examined by Irakli Kiknadze
  • Patent number: 11530990
    Abstract: This disclosure includes an imaging system that is configured to image in parallel multiple focal planes in a sample uniquely onto its corresponding detector while simultaneously reducing blur on adjacent image planes. For example, the focal planes can be staggered such that fluorescence detected by a detector for one of the focal planes is not detected, or is detected with significantly reduced intensity, by a detector for another focal plane. This enables the imaging system to increase the volumetric image acquisition rate without requiring a stronger fluorescence signal. Additionally or alternatively, the imaging system may be operated at a slower volumetric image acquisition rate (e.g., that of a conventional microscope) while providing longer exposure times with lower excitation power. This may reduce or delay photo-bleaching (e.g., a photochemical alteration of the dye that causes it to no longer be able to fluoresce), thereby extending the useful life of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventor: Reto P. Fiolka
  • Patent number: 11523789
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a parametric map of a subject's brain includes receiving non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) imaging data and receiving computed tomography perfusion (CTP) data. The method further includes creating a baseline image by utilizing the NCCT data and generating a parametric map using the CTP data and the baseline image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Ke Li
  • Patent number: 11517274
    Abstract: Hybrid detection systems and methods for C-arm interventional x-ray systems are provided. The hybrid detection system can have a changeable x-ray detection system that is coupled to an integrated within a C-arm x-ray imaging system. The changeable x-ray detector system can include an energy-integrating x-ray detector, and a photon-counting x-ray detector. The C-arm x-ray imaging system using only one detector at a time to acquire x-ray imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Ke Li
  • Patent number: 11517280
    Abstract: A reconstruction unit generates a plurality of tomographic images representing a plurality of tomographic planes of a subject by reconstructing a plurality of projection images acquired by performing tomosynthesis imaging. A synthesis unit synthesizes the plurality of tomographic images to generate a composite two-dimensional image. A display control unit displays the composite two-dimensional image on a display, and in a case where one tissue of a first tissue and a second tissue that are present in the subject in association with each other is selected in the displayed composite two-dimensional image, emphasizes and displays the selected one tissue and the other tissue associated with the selected one tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takahisa Arai
  • Patent number: 11517277
    Abstract: The field of view of an X-ray imaging system should be set appropriately to ensure that anatomical information of interest is not omitted. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that the operator of an X-ray system does not allow a patient to leave the X-ray imaging system until it is certain that the correct anatomy has been imaged. This application discusses a technique enable the visualization of a field of view boundary error caused by the incorrect configuration of an X-ray imaging system. Optionally, the boundary error is displayed either on a user display of a system console, or by projecting the field of view error onto the patient in the X-ray system. Thus, an operator of the system may be alerted to the presence of a boundary error, enabling a new X-ray exposure to be taken, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Stewart Young, Daniel Bystrov, Jens Von Berg
  • Patent number: 11519719
    Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing dimensions and material properties of semiconductor devices by transmission small angle x-ray scatterometry (TSAXS) systems having relatively small tool footprint are described herein. The methods and systems described herein enable Q space resolution adequate for metrology of semiconductor structures with reduced optical path length. In general, the x-ray beam is focused closer to the wafer surface for relatively small targets and closer to the detector for relatively large targets. In some embodiments, a high resolution detector with small point spread function (PSF) is employed to mitigate detector PSF limits on achievable Q resolution. In some embodiments, the detector locates an incident photon with sub-pixel accuracy by determining the centroid of a cloud of electrons stimulated by the photon conversion event. In some embodiments, the detector resolves one or more x-ray photon energies in addition to location of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Andrei V. Shchegrov, Antonio Arion Gellineau, Sergey Zalubovsky
  • Patent number: 11510306
    Abstract: An x-ray tube having at least one focusing cup and an anode. The x-ray tube may have a first filament positioned in a first location between the focusing cup and the anode, the first filament having a first size, and a second filament positioned in a second location between the focusing cup and anode, the second filament having a second size that is substantially the same as the first size. The x-ray tube may also include a switching mechanism configured to engage the second filament upon failure of the first filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventor: Guoyun Ru
  • Patent number: 11501474
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a collimator for medical imaging. The collimator includes a perforated plate with a top surface and a bottom surface and holes distributed on the perforated plate. The holes are arranged in a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups forms a first coded aperture pattern and the holes in each of the plurality of groups form a second coded aperture pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: ARGOSPECT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Zhiping Mu
  • Patent number: 11490870
    Abstract: A correction image acquisition process includes: a first gain image acquisition process of reading a pixel signal from a pixel region irradiated with radiation in a state in which a subject is not placed to acquire a first gain image; a pre-irradiation image acquisition process of reading the pixel signal from the pixel region in a state in which the subject is not placed and the radiation is not emitted to acquire a pre-irradiation image; a discarding process of discarding charge accumulated in a pixel of the pixel region after a dose of radiation that saturates the charge is emitted in a state in which the subject is not placed; a post-irradiation image acquisition process of reading the pixel signal from the pixel region to acquire a post-irradiation image after the discarding process is performed; and a second gain image acquisition process of subtracting the pre-irradiation image from the post-irradiation image to acquire a second gain image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasufumi Oda
  • Patent number: 11493459
    Abstract: For the purpose of enabling high-accuracy detection as to whether a molded resin product is a non-defective product or a defective product and advance detection of a molded resin product that may suffer deformation or the like in the future, the present invention relates to an inspection method and a manufacturing method for a molded resin product as well as an inspection device and a manufacturing device for a molded resin product, wherein, in an inspection of a joint interface of a molded resin product divided into a plurality of members, the height positions of defect candidates are measured from the results of detecting X rays radiated via at least two paths when the X rays are transmitted through the molded resin product, which makes it possible to detect a defect with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sugihara, Takahiro Tanino
  • Patent number: 11490872
    Abstract: A system for imaging an object includes an X-ray source operative to transmit X-rays through the object and a detector to receive the X-ray energy of the X-rays after passing through the object and to generate corresponding object X-ray intensity. The system also includes a controller to measure a detector entrance dose with no object being placed on the X-ray beam path and determine a relationship between an X-ray tube electrical parameter and the detector entrance dose. The controller further determines a relationship between the X-ray tube electrical parameter, the detector entrance dose and a detector average pixel intensity and obtains a normalized air map as a function of the X-ray tube electrical parameter based on calibration image data. The controller also generates an air map based on the normalized air map, the detector entrance dose and the detector average pixel intensity and reconstructs an image of the object based on the air map and the measured object X-ray intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Christopher Welsh
  • Patent number: 11495366
    Abstract: An x-ray scanning system includes an x-ray source that produces a collimated fan beam of incident x-ray radiation. The system also includes a chopper wheel that can be irradiated by the collimated fan beam. The chopper wheel is oriented with a wheel plane containing the chopper wheel substantially non-perpendicular relative to a beam plane containing the collimated fan beam. In various embodiments, a disk chopper wheel's effective thickness is increased, allowing x-ray scanning with end point energies of hundreds of keV using relatively thinner, lighter, and less costly chopper wheel disks. Backscatter detectors can be mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicle housing the x-ray source, and slits in the disk chopper wheel can be tapered for more uniform target irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Viken Detection Corporation
    Inventor: Peter John Rothschild
  • Patent number: 11490866
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for an X-ray system. In one example, a mobile X-ray system, comprises a moveable arm comprising an X-ray source arranged at a first end and an X-ray detector arranged at a second end. The mobile X-ray system further comprises an integrated, fluid-circulating cooling arrangement arranged within a housing shared with the X-ray source, wherein passages of the cooling arrangement do not extend outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: David Barker, Nathan Pack
  • Patent number: 11480533
    Abstract: Systems and methods for representing internal defects of an object to determine defect detectability using a multi-scan computed tomography (CT) approach are disclosed. A defect-free object may be scanned using a CT machine. In one or more separate scans, phantom defects may be imaged and the resulting projections combined and reconstructed to represent internal defects. The air-normalized intensities of the object and the phantom defect may be used to represent voids and inclusions. Subtraction of materials may be represented by the quotient of the air-normalized intensities thereof, and the addition of materials may be represented by the product of the air-normalized intensities thereof. A void may be represented by subtracting a phantom defect scan from the object scan. An inclusion may be represented by creating a void, scanning an additional phantom defect, and adding the additional phantom defect in the volume created by the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan E. Schiefelbein
  • Patent number: 11445990
    Abstract: A CPU of a rounding imaging management apparatus functions as a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a creation unit, and an output controller. The first acquisition unit acquires imaging order information indicating content of radiography in the rounding imaging to be performed. The second acquisition unit acquires, from time results data in which a necessary time in the rounding imaging performed in the past is registered, the necessary time. The creation unit creates a rounding plan of the rounding imaging on the basis of the imaging order information and the necessary time. The output controller performs a control for outputting the rounding plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Imamura, Kazuhiro Makino
  • Patent number: 11450502
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus and a consumption level estimation method for an X-ray source, which estimate the consumption level of an X-ray source without measuring grid voltage. An X-ray control part includes: a tube current value setting part setting a tube current value supplied to an X-ray source; a tube current value measurement part measuring a cathode current value as the tube current value by a cathode current detector; a time measurement part measuring the time when the tube current value is set by the tube current value setting part and the time when the tube current value measured by the tube current value measurement part reaches the set value; and a consumption level estimation part estimating the consumption level of a cathode in the X-ray source based one the time until the tube current value reaches the set value after the tube current value has been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bunta Matsuhana, Goro Kambe
  • Patent number: 11439361
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for reducing vibration in a rotating body of a medical imaging system. In an example, a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) for a medical imaging system includes a mount portion including one or more apertures and adapted to fixedly couple to a mount surface within the imaging system; a sprung portion; and a vibrational tuner, where when the mount portion is mounted to the mount surface and during operation of the imaging system, the sprung portion moves relative to the mount surface, an amount of movement of the sprung portion based at least in part on the vibrational tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Mark Reznicek, Chad Allan Smith, Charles Smith, James Kluth
  • Patent number: 11432788
    Abstract: A control system includes a radiation emission apparatus and a radiographic imaging apparatus that generates image data by receiving radiation A first apparatus of the radiation emission apparatus and the radiographic imaging apparatus includes a first timer that performs time measurement to periodically generate first time measurement information. A second apparatus of the radiation emission apparatus and the radiographic imaging apparatus includes a second timer that performs time measurement to periodically generate second time measurement information. The first apparatus includes an interface that transmits the first time measurement information to the second timer. At least one apparatus includes a hardware processor which adjusts the operation of the first or second timer based on adjustment conditions in a state where the second timer does not acquire the first time measurement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kohei Isogai, Hidetake Tezuka, Nobuyuki Miyake, Kentaro Hara, Masahiro Kuwata, Koji Kashima
  • Patent number: 11419571
    Abstract: Mechanical image acquisition systems (such as medical C-arms) frequently accumulate geometrical errors which must be calibrated out using a calibration phantom. A more frequent regime of system calibration implies a less frequent use of the C-arm for clinical applications. The present application proposes to identify common biases between the acquired projection frame sequences from the same mechanical image acquisition system in first and second acquisitions, and to compare this to expected calibration data of the mechanical image acquisition system to generate frame deviation measures. If a resemblance between the first and second sequences of frame deviation measures is obtained, one or more calibration actions are performed (such as alerting the user that calibration should be provided, and/or automatically correcting for the geometry deviation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Haase, Michael Grass, Dirk Schafer
  • Patent number: 11419563
    Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of an X-ray source via a suspension device includes obtaining, during a movement of the suspension device along the rail, a first speed of the suspension device at the first reference point. The first reference point may correspond to a first target position. The method may also include determining whether the first speed of the suspension device at the first reference point is less than a threshold speed. In response to a result of the determination that the first speed of the suspension device at the first reference point is less than the threshold speed, the method may further include actuating a control device to move the suspension device to the first target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jie Gu