Patents by Inventor Andrew P. Smith

Andrew P. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11372534
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 11364005
    Abstract: A method of performing a procedure on a breast of a patient includes compressing the breast of the patient with a paddle of an imaging system and performing an initial imaging procedure on the breast of the patient. The initial imaging procedure includes imaging the breast with an x-ray source at a first energy to obtain a first image and a second energy to obtain a second image. A composite image is generated from the first image and the second image and displayed. A region of interest on the composite image is targeted and a biopsy is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • Publication number: 20220133252
    Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • Publication number: 20220071582
    Abstract: A method and system for producing tomosynthetic images of a patient's breast. An x-ray source that delivers x-rays through a breast immobilized and compressed between a compression paddle and a breast platform and form an image at a digital x-ray receptor panel. Multiple x-ray images are taken as the x-ray source and the receptor move relative to the immobilized breast. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray source travels from ?15° to +15°. The source can travel in an arc around the breast while the receptor travels linearly while remaining parallel and at the same distance from the breast platform. The sets of x-ray image data taken at different angles are combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Baorui Ren, Ian SHAW, Christopher RUTH, Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN
  • Publication number: 20220013089
    Abstract: The invention includes a method including the steps of obtaining a plurality of images, each of the images in the plurality having at least one corresponding region, generating a merged image, the merged image also having the corresponding region. The step of generating includes selecting an image source from the plurality of images to source image data for the corresponding region in the merged image by comparing attributes of the corresponding regions of the plurality of images to identify the image source having preferred attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Kreeger, Andrew P. Smith, Ashwini Kshirsagar, Jun Ge, Yiheng Zhang, Haili Chui, Christopher Ruth, Xiangwei Zhang, Liyang Wei, Jay Stein
  • Patent number: 11191502
    Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein, Ken Defreitas, Ian Shaw, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth
  • Patent number: 11096644
    Abstract: A method and system for producing tomosynthetic images of a patient's breast. An x-ray source that delivers x-rays through a breast immobilized and compressed between a compression paddle and a breast platform and form an image at a digital x-ray receptor panel. Multiple x-ray images are taken as the x-ray source and the receptor move relative to the immobilized breast. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray source travels from ?15° to +15°. The source can travel in an arc around the breast while the receptor travels linearly while remaining parallel and at the same distance from the breast platform. The sets of x-ray image data taken at different angles are combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Baorui Ren, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 11076820
    Abstract: A tomosynthesis system has an x-ray source with an addressable array of electron emitting sections on the cathode. The x-ray source moves rotationally about an imaging target, such as a breast. During the rotation, x-rays are emitting from the x-ray source while the x-ray source continues to move. During the emission of x-rays, different subsets of electron-emitting sections of the addressable array are activated to compensate for movement of the x-ray source. By activating the different subsets of electron-emitting sections, an effective focal spot of the x-ray position appears to retain the same shape, size, and position from the perspective of the imaging target, despite movement of the x-ray source itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, John Laviola
  • Publication number: 20210204894
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein, Kenneth F. Defreitas
  • Publication number: 20210128087
    Abstract: A system for multi-mode breast x-ray imaging which comprises a compression arm assembly for compressing and immobilizing a breast for x-ray imaging, an x-ray tube assembly, and an x-ray image receptor is provided. The system is configured for a plurality of imaging protocols and modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Thomas Farbizio, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • Publication number: 20210113168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for breast x-ray tomosynthesis that enhance spatial resolution in the direction in which the breast is flattened for examination. In addition to x-ray data acquisition of 2D projection tomosynthesis images ETp1 over a shorter source trajectory similar to known breast tomosynthesis, supplemental 2D images ETp2 are taken over a longer source trajectory and the two sets of projection images are processed into breast slice images ETr that exhibit enhanced spatial resolution, including in the thickness direction of the breast. Additional features include breast CT of an upright patient's flattened breast, multi-mode tomosynthesis, and shielding the patient from moving equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay STEIN, Kenneth DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • Patent number: 10978026
    Abstract: The invention includes a method including the steps of obtaining a plurality of images, each of the images in the plurality having at least one corresponding region, generating a merged image, the merged image also having the corresponding region. The step of generating includes selecting an image source from the plurality of images to source image data for the corresponding region in the merged image by comparing attributes of the corresponding regions of the plurality of images to identify the image source having preferred attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Kreeger, Andrew P. Smith, Ashwini Kshirsagar, Jun Ge, Yiheng Zhang, Haili Chui, Christopher Ruth, Xiangwei Zhang, Liyang Wei, Jay Stein
  • Patent number: 10952692
    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: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein, Kenneth F. Defreitas
  • Patent number: 10905385
    Abstract: A system for multi-mode breast x-ray imaging which comprises a compression arm assembly for compressing and immobilizing a breast for x-ray imaging, an x-ray tube assembly, and an x-ray image receptor is provided. The system is configured for a plurality of imaging protocols and modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Thomas Farbizio, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • Publication number: 20200352531
    Abstract: A tomosynthesis system has an x-ray source with an addressable array of electron emitting sections on the cathode. The x-ray source moves rotationally about an imaging target, such as a breast. During the rotation, x-rays are emitting from the x-ray source while the x-ray source continues to move. During the emission of x-rays, different subsets of electron-emitting sections of the addressable array are activated to compensate for movement of the x-ray source. By activating the different subsets of electron-emitting sections, an effective focal spot of the x-ray position appears to retain the same shape, size, and position from the perspective of the imaging target, despite movement of the x-ray source itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, John LAVIOLA
  • Publication number: 20200348835
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 10792003
    Abstract: Systems and methods for breast x-ray tomosynthesis that enhance spatial resolution in the direction in which the breast is flattened for examination. In addition to x-ray data acquisition of 2D projection tomosynthesis images ETp1 over a shorter source trajectory similar to known breast tomosynthesis, supplemental 2D images ETp2 are taken over a longer source trajectory and the two sets of projection images are processed into breast slice images ETr that exhibit enhanced spatial resolution, including in the thickness direction of the breast. Additional features include breast CT of an upright patient's flattened breast, multi-mode tomosynthesis, and shielding the patient from moving equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein, Ken Defreitas, Ian Shaw, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth
  • Publication number: 20200258479
    Abstract: The invention includes a method including the steps of obtaining a plurality of images, each of the images in the plurality having at least one corresponding region, generating a merged image, the merged image also having the corresponding region. The step of generating includes selecting an image source from the plurality of images to source image data for the corresponding region in the merged image by comparing attributes of the corresponding regions of the plurality of images to identify the image source having preferred attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Kreeger, Andrew P. Smith, Ashwini Kshirsagar, Jun Ge, Yiheng Zhang, Haili Chui, Christopher Ruth, Xiangwei Zhang, Liyang Wei, Jay Stein
  • Patent number: 10719223
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 10679095
    Abstract: A method and a system for using tomosynthesis projection images of a patient's breast to reconstruct slice tomosynthesis images such that anatomical structures that appear superimposed in a mammogram are at conforming locations in the reconstructed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Kevin Wilson, Jay A. Stein