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).

  • Dedicated breast radiation imaging/therapy system
    Patent number: 8964936
    Abstract: System, apparatus and methods specialized for breast and related tissue radiation therapy and imaging of a prone patient but also usable for supine patient if desired or needed. A special treatment radiation source such as a LINAC unit generates radiation of types and energy ranges specifically matched to breast tissue. Any one or more of several imaging technologies may be used to localize the tissue to be irradiated and to generate information for therapy planning, adjustment, and verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Brooks, Jay A. Stein, Andrew P. Smith
  • Breast Tomosynthesis with Display of Highlighted Suspected Calcifications
    Publication number: 20150049934
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • INTEGRATED MULTI-MODE MAMMOGRAPHY/TOMOSYNTHESIS X-RAY SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150049859
    Abstract: A system for multi-mode breast x-say imaging which comprises a compression arm assembly for compressing and immobilizing a breast for x-ray imaging, an x-ray tube assembly, and a x-ray image receptor is provided. The system is configured for a plurality of imaging protocols and modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Thomas Farbizio, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • Methods and systems for dynamically modifying acquisition parameter during image acquisition
    Patent number: 8942343
    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: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • System and method for generating a 2D image from a tomosynthesis data set
    Patent number: 8897535
    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: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMICALLY MODIFYING ACQUISITION PARAMETER DURING IMAGE ACQUISITION
    Publication number: 20140341337
    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: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A 2D IMAGE USING MAMMOGRAPHY AND/OR TOMOSYNTHESIS IMAGE DATA
    Publication number: 20140327702
    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: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin Kreeger, Andrew P. Smith, Ashwini Kshirsagar, Jun Ge, Yiheng Zhang, Haili Chui, Christopher Ruth, Xiangwei Zhang, Liyang Wei, Jay Stein
  • UPRIGHT X-RAY BREAST IMAGING WITH A CT MODE, MULTIPLE TOMOSYNTHESIS MODES, AND A MAMMOGRAPHY MODE
    Publication number: 20140321607
    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: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • Breast tomosynthesis with display of highlighted suspected calcifications
    Patent number: 8873824
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • TOMOSYNTHESIS WITH SHIFTING FOCAL SPOT AND OSCILLATIG COLLIMATOR BLADES
    Publication number: 20140314198
    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: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Thomas Farbizio, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein
  • X-RAY IMAGING WITH X-RAY MARKERS THAT PROVIDE ADJUNCT INFORMATION BUT PRESERVE IMAGE QUALITY
    Publication number: 20140301529
    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: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Zing, Jay Stein, Kenneth F. Defreitas
  • MATCHING GEOMETRY GENERATION AND DISPLAY OF MAMMOGRAMS AND TOMOSYNTHESIS
    Publication number: 20140232752
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Kevin Wilson, Jay A. Stein
  • Upright x-ray breast imaging with a CT mode, multiple tomosynthesis modes, and a mammography mode
    Patent number: 8787522
    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: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc
    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
    Patent number: 8767911
    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: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P Smith, Thomas Farbizio, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein
  • X-ray imaging with x-ray markers that provide adjunct information but preserve image quality
    Patent number: 8768026
    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: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Jay A. Stein, Kenneth F. DeFreitas
  • Methods and systems for dynamically modifying acquisition parameter during image acquisition
    Patent number: 8744041
    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: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • Matching geometry generation and display of mammograms and tomosynthesis images
    Patent number: 8712127
    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 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Kevin Wilson, Jay A. Stein
  • Breast Tomosynthesis with Display of Highlighted Suspected Calcifications
    Publication number: 20140112563
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • System and Method for Generating A 2D Image from a Tomosynthesis Data Set
    Publication number: 20140086471
    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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay Stein
  • BREAST BIOPSY AND NEEDLE LOCALIZATION USING TOMOSYNTHESIS SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140073913
    Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth DEFREITAS, John Laviola, Loren Thomas Niklason, Tao Wu, Joseph L. Mark, Michael E. Miller, Jay A. Stein, Andrew P. Smith