Patents Examined by Pamela R. Hobden
  • Patent number: 6480574
    Abstract: An X-ray tube and an X-ray detector are supported by an arm in such a manner that a distance between the X-ray tube and an image reception plane of the X-ray detector can be changed. A grid is arranged on the image reception plane of the X-ray detector. The arm is supported by an arm support apparatus in such a manner that an angle of the arm can be changed. Moire image data files obtained by the grid are stored in a storage device in association with the distance between the X-ray tube and the image reception plane of the X-ray detector and the angle of the arm. Image data outputted from the X-ray detector is corrected by the moire correction circuit based on the moire image data selectively read from the storage device in accordance with the distance and the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yasunori Goto
  • Patent number: 6477235
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray device is described including the step of coupling a housing that includes diamond to an anode structure that includes diamond. Further, a target metal may be formed on a tip of the anode structure. An X-ray device is also described including a housing made of diamond, a cathode within the housing, and an anode structure that includes diamond. The anode structure may include conductive diamond, while the housing structure may include high resistivity diamond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Victor Ivan Chornenky, Ali Jaafar, Graham Steven Kerslick
  • Patent number: 6477228
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an X-ray diagnosis device for producing X-ray images using an X-ray appliance (1 to 5), for processing the X-ray images with a computation unit (7), and for displaying the X-ray images using a reproduction apparatus (8). According to the invention, the method has the following steps: preprocessing the X-ray images with parameters for full resolution; converting the X-ray images into images with low resolution; processing the images with low resolution with images and/or parameters matched to the reduced resolution; immediately reproducing the images with low resolution; subsequently processing the X-ray images with parameters for full resolution; and reproducing the X-ray images with full resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 6477226
    Abstract: An X-ray analysis device (1) having an X-ray source (2) for illuminating a sample (6) with X-radiation (4), a sample support for receiving the sample (6) and a detector (12,14) for detecting the diffracted or scattered X-radiation or fluorescent X-radiation (4′) emitted by the sample, wherein an X-ray optical construction element of semi-conductor material having a plurality of channels which are essentially transparent to X-radiation (4,4′) is provided in the path of rays between the X-ray source (2) and the detector (12,14), is characterized in that the X-ray optical construction element comprises a semi-conductor wafer (20;30a;30b;40;50) into which micropores (21;31;41) are etched which extend essentially in parallel in the direction of the rays and have diameters of 0.1 to 100 &mgr;m, preferably 0.5 and 20 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bruker AXS Analytical X-Ray Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Lehmann, Rainer Golenhofen
  • Patent number: 6471400
    Abstract: Monitor detectors can be obstructed by the patient and/or the table, leading to image artifacts in a CT scanner. An algorithm for adaptive monitor correction is therefore provided, in which the algorithm replaces obstructed monitor readings with a value consistent with unobstructed monitor readings for the scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Simanovsky, Carl R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6452999
    Abstract: In order to reduce artifacts entering an X-ray tomographic image of a subject in performing a scan at an end portion of a cradle, and offer a reliable diagnosis environment, the cradle has a top surface forming a concave curve as viewed from the front, and has a generally bowl-like shape in a cross section as viewed from the carrying direction. The cradle further has a shape at its end portion which, when points at the same position with respect to the carrying direction on two peripheries along which the top surface and two lateral sides abut are represented as Points A and B, and a point at the center position on a minimal curve connecting Points A and B is represented as Point C, is cut in a plane passing through Points A and C, and through a Point F for descending the plane in a direction opposite to the carrying direction, and which is cut in a plane passing through Points B and C, and through a Point G for descending the plane in a direction opposite to the carrying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Masashi Maida
  • Patent number: 6453008
    Abstract: A radiation detector noise reduction method includes the step of detecting incident radiation with a radiation detecting section, the radiation detecting section having a plurality of pixels arrayed in the form of a matrix, reading out the detection signal from the radiation detecting section through a readouting section, and correcting the readout detection signal with a correction section, wherein the correction step includes the first sub-step of correcting the detection signal on the basis of a first correction value corresponding to noise originating in the radiation detecting section, and the second sub-step of correcting the detection signal on the basis of a second correction value corresponding to noise originating in the readouting section, the second sub-step being executed before the first sub-step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takuya Sakaguchi, Seiichiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 6448550
    Abstract: Solid state illumination using closed loop spectral control. Light emitting diodes producing different colors are mounted in close proximity to photosensors. Spectral content of the light emitting diodes is measured by the photosensors, and these measurements used to adjust light emitting diode currents to achieve the desired spectral characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken A. Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6445771
    Abstract: The shutters (2) in an X-ray device which include at least a radiation source (1), a diaphragm device (8) with shutters (2) and a recording (3) and image processing unit (4), are provided with hole and/or edge patterns (11-14) which reproduce non-anatomical patterns in the radiation image; the shutter edges (15) are detected in the radiation image in the image processing unit on the basis of such patterns, so that only the directly irradiated part of the patient is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thorsten Buzug, Michael Kuhn, Rafael Wiemker
  • Patent number: 6438204
    Abstract: A method uses linear prediction analysis to define a first structure factor component for a first reflection from x-ray crystallography data. The x-ray crystallography data includes a set of cognizable reflections. The method includes expressing the first structure factor component as a first linear equation in which the first structure factor component is equal to a sum of a first plurality of terms. Each term includes a product of (1) a structure factor component for a cognizable reflection from the x-ray crystallography data, wherein the cognizable reflection has a separation in reciprocal space from the first reflection, and (2) a linear prediction coefficient corresponding to the separation between the cognizable reflection and the first reflection. The method further includes calculating values for the linear prediction coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Accelrys Inc.
    Inventor: {haeck over (Z)}eljko D{haeck over (z)}akula
  • Patent number: 6438205
    Abstract: A method reduces the structure factor phase ambiguity corresponding to a selected reciprocal lattice vector. The method includes generating an original phase probability distribution corresponding to a selected structure factor phase of the selected reciprocal lattice vector. The original phase probability distribution includes a first structure factor phase ambiguity. The method further includes combining the original phase probability distribution with a plurality of phase probability distributions of a plurality of structure factor phases of other reciprocal lattice vectors using a phase equation or inequality. The phase equation or inequality defines a mathematical relationship between the selected structure factor phase of the selected reciprocal lattice vector and the plurality of structure factor phases of other reciprocal lattice vectors. The method further includes producing a resultant phase probability distribution for the selected structure factor phase of the selected reciprocal lattice vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Accelrys Inc.
    Inventor: {haeck over (Z)}eljko D{haeck over (z)}akula
  • Patent number: 6438207
    Abstract: An x-ray tube having a cathode and an anode disposed within an evacuated housing is disclosed. The cathode is spaced apart from a target surface formed on the anode and the anode is placed at a positive voltage relative to the cathode so that electrons emitted from the cathode accelerate towards and strike the target surface at a focal spot. The resulting collision produces x-rays. The cathode assembly includes a cathode support base, upon which is mounted a filament for emitting electrons. A first focusing mechanism focuses the emitted electrons into an electron beam. In illustrated embodiments, a pair of deflector plates are also supported upon the cathode support base. Voltage potentials are applied to the deflector plates so as to create a deflection region which alters the trajectory of the electron beam and thereby reposition the focal spot on the anode target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Lynn Chidester, Mark Alan Heber
  • Patent number: 6438196
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of a beating heart includes decomposing at least one electrocardiogram (EKG) RR interval, tagging projection data with cardiac phase information based on the decomposition, and reconstructing an image using the tagged data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Erdogan Cesmeli
  • Patent number: 6434215
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of a beating heart in vivo is described. The method includes acquiring projection data for at least one z-location within a projection space, determining peaks in first order spatial moments for the projection space using the projection data, and reconstructing the image utilizing peaks in the first order spatial moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Erdogan Cesmeli
  • Patent number: 6433480
    Abstract: This invention improves the stability and control of high-pressure glow discharges by means of a microhllow cathode discharge. The microhollow cathode discharge, which is sustained between two closely spaced electrodes with an opening formed in the electrodes, serves as a plasma cathode for the high-pressure glow. Small variations in the microhollow cathode discharge voltage generate large variations in the microhollow cathode discharge current and consequently in the glow discharge current. In this mode of operation the electrical characteristic of this invention resembles that of a vacuum triode. Using the microhollow cathode discharge as a plasma cathode, stable, dc discharges in argon up to atmospheric pressures can be generated. Additionally, parallel operation of these discharges allows for the generation of large volume plasmas at high gas pressure through superposition of individual glow discharges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Old Dominion University
    Inventors: Robert H. Stark, Karl H. Schoenbach
  • Patent number: 6430256
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the three-dimensional atomic structure of systems that are periodic in two dimensions, a-periodic in the third dimension, and are commensurate with an underlying three-dimensional crystal. The system is considered as composed of two components: an unknown system periodic in two dimensions, a-periodic in the third with an unknown structure and a known system also periodic in two dimensions with a known structure. The two systems are commensurate with each other. The method provides the structure of the unknown and therefore of the entire system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventor: Yizhak Yacoby
  • Patent number: 6429434
    Abstract: A transmission source serves to detect activity from a radiation source for correcting attenuation in either PET mode or SPECT mode. The transmission source includes a detector dedicated to collecting attenuation data in PET mode. A collimated radiation source and a detector are positioned with respect to a tomography device such that only a selected strip of the imaging detector of the tomograph is illuminated such that events unrelated to the attenuation are eliminated. The transmission source can either be a coincidence transmission source or a singles transmission source and includes a collimator in which is disposed a radiation source. An opening is defined by the collimator for exposing a selected portion of the imaging detectors of the tomograph device. Positioned behind the radiation source, relative to the imaging detectors, is the dedicated attenuation detector. In a dual head tomograph device, one transmission source of the present invention is disposed opposite each bank of imaging detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventors: Charles C. Watson, Stephen D. Miller, Ronald Nutt, Michael E. Casey, James J. Hamill
  • Patent number: 6426990
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for imaging a selected coronary artery utilizing a computed tomography (CT) imaging system. The method includes utilizing a data compilation of low motion cardiac phases and corresponding coronary artery branch segments to select a cardiac phase corresponding to the selected coronary artery branch segment. A volume of the patient's heart including the selected coronary artery branch segment is scanned to acquire projection data. The projection data includes data acquired during the selected cardiac phase of a plurality of cardiac cycles. Projection data acquired during the selected cardiac phase is selectively utilized to effectively reduce motion artifacts of the selected coronary artery branch segment on a reconstructed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Erdogan Cesmeli
  • Patent number: 6424699
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring x-ray roentgenograms to a digital format for patient hospital or office records is provided. A high resolution digitizer interfaced with computer technology is used to scan each x-ray as it is delivered from the x-ray processor, to encode the x-ray with selected information such as the patient's name and medical record number, and to immediately print a hard paper copy to be included with the patient record. The hard paper copy can be a high resolution plain paper print out. The system can simultaneously store a digital representation of the x-ray picture in a computer readable format for easy access, and/or transmission to another site, at any time. Thousands of x-ray prints can be stored indefinitely on discs, saving vast amounts of storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Elliott B. Weinger
  • Patent number: 6421416
    Abstract: A radiation applicator system is structured to be mounted to a radiation source for producing a predefined dose of radiation for treating a localized volume of tissue, such as the tissue surrounding the site of an excised tumor. The applicator system includes an applicator and, in some embodiments, an adapter. The adapter is formed for fixedly securing the applicator to a radiation source, such as the x-ray source of a radiosurgery system which produces a predefined radiation dose profile with respect to a predefined location along its radiation producing probe. The applicator includes a shank and an applicator head, wherein the head is located at a distal end of the applicator shank. A proximate end of the applicator shank couples to the adapter. A distal end of the shank includes the applicator head, which defines a concave treatment surface for engaging and, preferably, supporting the area to be treated with a predefined does of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Photoelectron Corporation
    Inventors: Alan P. Sliski, Kenneth J. Harte