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).

  • System and method for generating a 2D image from a tomosynthesis data set
    Patent number: 9808215
    Abstract: A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • X-RAY BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS ENHANCING SPATIAL RESOLUTION INCLUDING IN THE THICKNESS DIRECTION OF A FLATTENED BREAST
    Publication number: 20170245818
    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: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFEITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Lauren NIKLASON, Baouri REN, Christopher RUTH
  • X-ray breast tomosynthesis enhancing spatial resolution including in the thickness direction of a flattened breast
    Patent number: 9668711
    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, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein, Ken Defreitas, Ian Shaw, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth
  • TOMOSYNTHESIS WITH SHIFTING FOCAL SPOT AND OSCILLATING COLLIMATOR BLADES
    Publication number: 20170135653
    Abstract: In a tomosynthesis system a static focal spot is moved in a direction opposite to and generally synchronized with the directional movement of an x-ray source and X-ray collimator blades are moved during each exposure in synchronization with the shifting of the static focal spot. The synchronized movement of the static focal spot, x-ray tube and collimator blades helps keep the effective focal spot fixed in space relative to the breast, detector or both during the entire duration of the exposure and keeps the x-ray field on the detector and breast static. The shifting collimator blades follow an oscillating pattern over the multiple x-ray exposures of a tomosynthesis scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Thomas Farbizio, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOW DOSE TOMOSYNTHESIS
    Publication number: 20170135650
    Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason
  • INTEGRATED MULTI-MODE MAMMOGRAPHY/TOMOSYNTHESIS X-RAY SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20170128028
    Abstract: A system for multi-mode breast 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: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Thomas Farbizio, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • UPRIGHT X-RAY BREAST IMAGING WITH A CT MODE, MULTIPLE TOMOSYNTHESIS MODES, AND A MAMMOGRAPHY MODE
    Publication number: 20170086765
    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: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMICALLY MODIFYING ACQUISITION PARAMETER DURING IMAGE ACQUISITION
    Publication number: 20170065238
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically and dynamically modifying an image acquisition parameter for use in tomosynthesis breast imaging. A selected image acquisition parameter is modified in response to a measured characteristic of an imaged object such as a breast, and thus tailored to provide the highest quality image for the particular object. For example, image quality in a breast tomosynthesis system can be improved by dynamically varying motion and other acquisition parameters of the tomosynthesis system in response to physical characteristics of the breast to be imaged (determined during image acquisition), such as the breast thickness, density or composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • IMAGE HANDLING AND DISPLAY IN X-RAY MAMMOGRAPHY AND TOMOSYNTHESIS
    Publication number: 20170024113
    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: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Integrated multi-mode mammography/tomosynthesis X-ray system and method
    Patent number: 9549709
    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: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Thomas Farbizio, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • GAS MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR
    Publication number: 20160343459
    Abstract: A gas monitoring system and method are provided. In one embodiment, a gas monitoring system includes a gas monitoring unit in a reactor containment environment, a gas monitoring unit controller in a reactor non-containment environment, and a high temperature or industry compliant cable interconnecting the gas monitoring unit with the gas monitoring unit controller. Various sensors on the gas monitoring unit detect conditions of the reactor containment environment, including hydrogen gas concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas A. Mitchell, Lora B. Thrun, Stephen R. Cummings, Chad T. Sellers, Andrew P. Smith, William J. Dawson, Scott L. Swartz
  • System and method for low dose tomosynthesis
    Patent number: 9498175
    Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason
  • Methods and systems for dynamically modifying acquisition parameter during image acquisition
    Patent number: 9498176
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically and dynamically modifying an image acquisition parameter for use in tomosynthesis breast imaging. A selected image acquisition parameter is modified in response to a measured characteristic of an imaged object such as a breast, and thus tailored to provide the highest quality image for the particular object. For example, image quality in a breast tomosynthesis system can be improved by dynamically varying motion and other acquisition parameters of the tomosynthesis system in response to physical characteristics of the breast to be imaged (determined during image acquisition), such as the breast thickness, density or composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • Tomosynthesis with shifting focal spot and oscillating collimator blades
    Patent number: 9502148
    Abstract: In a tomosynthesis system a static focal spot is moved in a direction opposite to and generally synchronized with the directional movement of an x-ray source and X-ray collimator blades are moved during each exposure in synchronization with the shifting of the static focal spot. The synchronized movement of the static focal spot, x-ray tube and collimator blades helps keep the effective focal spot fixed in space relative to the breast, detector or both during the entire duration of the exposure and keeps the x-ray field on the detector and breast static. The shifting collimator blades follow an oscillating pattern over the multiple x-ray exposures of a tomosynthesis scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Thomas Farbizio, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein
  • System and method for generating a 2D image from a tomosynthesis data set
    Patent number: 9456797
    Abstract: A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • Image handling and display in X-ray mammography and tomosynthesis
    Patent number: 9460508
    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, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • System and Method for Low Dose Tomosynthesis
    Publication number: 20160270742
    Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason
  • X-RAY BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS ENHANCING SPATIAL RESOLUTION INCLUDING IN THE THICKNESS DIRECTION OF A FLATTENED BREAST
    Publication number: 20160256125
    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: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATING X-RAY GUIDED BREAST BIOPSY
    Publication number: 20160235380
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Julian MARSHALL
  • Automatic delivery of messages
    Patent number: 9414209
    Abstract: Using components such as intermediate short message service centers and active subscriber identity systems, it is possible to deliver a message to a subscriber at a number different from the number which was entered by the message's sender at the time the message was sent. These components can also be used to deliver the message in the event that the sender is unavailable at the time the message is originally sent. Communications between components can be performed in a variety of manners, including using proprietary IP protocols, and the components can be configured to take responsibility for retrying message delivery by providing a delivery confirmation once the message reaches them, rather than providing delivery confirmation once it reaches its ultimate recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Convergys Customer Management Delaware LLC
    Inventors: Rod Makin, Andrew P. Smith, John Bunyan