Patents by Inventor Avi Bar Shalev
Avi Bar Shalev 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).
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Publication number: 20230301606Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: IIan Levin, Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev, Avishai Ofan
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Patent number: 11696732Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ilan Levin, Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev, Avishai Ofan
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Publication number: 20190117173Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Ilan Levin, Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev, Avishai Ofan
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Patent number: 10245000Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining a volume of interest in a physiological image based upon an anatomical image. The method and system acquires an anatomical image of a volume of interest using a first imaging modality. A physiological image is acquired using a second imaging modality different from the first imaging modality. An outline of the volume of interest is defined on the anatomical image and applied to the physiological image to define the volume of interest m the physiological image. Based upon the outline, the system and method assigns binary values to voxels within the outline to more accurately define the volume of interest.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Avi Bar-Shalev, Jonathan Sachs, Yaron Hefetz
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Patent number: 10188358Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ilan Levin, Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev, Avishai Ofan
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Patent number: 9895114Abstract: An imaging system includes a rotating gantry, a bed, plural nuclear medicine (NM) imaging detectors, and a processing unit. The rotating gantry has a bore. The NM detectors are disposed about the bore of the gantry. The NM detectors each have an in-plane field of view, and are configured to pivot about a corresponding axis with respect to the gantry to change the in-plane field of view. The processing unit is configured to acquire first NM imaging information at a first gantry rotational position, with the in-plane fields of view of the NM imaging detectors parallel to a predetermined direction; actuate the gantry to rotate to a second gantry rotational position; actuate the NM imaging detectors to pivot such that the in-plane fields of view are parallel to the predetermined direction; acquire additional NM imaging information at the second gantry rotational position; and reconstruct a planar image of the object.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yaron Hefetz, Jonathan Sachs, Gil Kovalski, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Publication number: 20180008209Abstract: An imaging system includes a rotating gantry, a bed, plural nuclear medicine (NM) imaging detectors, and a processing unit. The rotating gantry has a bore. The NM detectors are disposed about the bore of the gantry. The NM detectors each have an in-plane field of view, and are configured to pivot about a corresponding axis with respect to the gantry to change the in-plane field of view. The processing unit is configured to acquire first NM imaging information at a first gantry rotational position, with the in-plane fields of view of the NM imaging detectors parallel to a predetermined direction; actuate the gantry to rotate to a second gantry rotational position; actuate the NM imaging detectors to pivot such that the in-plane fields of view are parallel to the predetermined direction; acquire additional NM imaging information at the second gantry rotational position; and reconstruct a planar image of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Jonathan Sachs, Gil Kovalski, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Patent number: 9811903Abstract: Systems and method for identifying bone marrow in medical images are provided. A method includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) volume data set corresponding to an imaged volume and identifying voxels in the 3D CT volume data set having a Hounsfield Unit (HU) value below a bone threshold. The voxels are identified without using image continuity. The method further includes marking the identified voxels as non-bone voxels, determining definite tissue voxels based on the identified non-bone voxels and expanding a region defined by the definite tissue voxels. The method also includes segmenting the expanded region to identify bone voxels and bone marrow voxels and identifying bone marrow as voxels that are not the bone voxels.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Avi Bar-Shalev, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar
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Patent number: 9763631Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a gantry, a bed, nuclear medicine (NM) imaging detectors, and a processing unit. The NM imaging detectors are disposed about the bore of the gantry. The processing unit is operably coupled to the imaging detectors, and is configured to acquire first NM imaging information of the object with the imaging detectors in a first axial position, iteratively actuate the gantry in a series of steps between the first axial position and the second axial position, acquire additional NM imaging information of the object at each of the steps, and reconstruct an image of the object using the first NM imaging information and the additional NM imaging information.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yaron Hefetz, Jonathan Sachs, Gil Kovalski, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Patent number: 9737278Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for multi-window imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises segmenting an image reconstructed from acquired projection data into segments, converting pixel values based on a mapping for each segment to generate converted segments, and outputting, to a display device, a composite image comprising a combination of the converted segments. The composite image includes a border delineating the converted segments. In this way, multiple windows collectively covering a large dynamic range may be combined into a single image.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Publication number: 20170123085Abstract: Nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system includes a gantry defining a bore and a table positioned within the bore. The system also includes a plurality of detector units coupled to the gantry. Each of the detector units is configured to rotate about a unit axis. The plurality of detector units include first and second detector units. The system also includes at least one processor configured to execute programmed instructions stored in memory, wherein the at least one processor, when executing the programmed instructions, rotates the first and second detector units as the first and second detector units acquire image data and generates a composite persistence image based on the image data. The table is configured to be moved within the bore in response to inputs from a user or commands from the at least one processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Yariv Grobshtein, Shiran Golan, Yaron Hefetz, Gil Kovalski, Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Michael Kogan, Sergio Steinfeld, Michael Gaisinsky, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Publication number: 20170086768Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for multi-window imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises segmenting an image reconstructed from acquired projection data into segments, converting pixel values based on a mapping for each segment to generate converted segments, and outputting, to a display device, a composite image comprising a combination of the converted segments. The composite image includes a border delineating the converted segments. In this way, multiple windows collectively covering a large dynamic range may be combined into a single image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Patent number: 9579072Abstract: Nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system includes a plurality of detector units coupled to a gantry. The detector units configured to face toward a center of the bore and including a series of first detector units and a second detector unit. The system also includes at least one processor that, when executing programmed instructions, performs the following operations. The at least one processor rotates the first detector units such that the first detector units face in a common first direction that is generally toward the bore. A working gap exists between the detector FOVs of the respective first detector units. The at least one processor rotates the second detector unit such that the second detector unit faces in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The detector FOV of the second detector unit covers the working gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yariv Grobshtein, Shiran Golan, Yaron Hefetz, Gil Kovalski, Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Michael Kogan, Sergio Steinfeld, Michael Gaisinsky, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Patent number: 9402595Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a plurality of detector units and a controller. The plurality of detector units are distributed about a bore. The bore is configured to accept an object to be imaged, and the detector units are radially articulable within the bore. The controller is operably coupled to the plurality of detector units and configured to control the positioning of the detector units. The controller is configured to position an external group of the plurality of detector units at a predetermined intermediate position corresponding to a ring having a radius corresponding to a total number of detector units, and to position an internal group of the plurality of detector units radially inside the ring.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sergio Steinfeld, Avi Bar-Shalev, Yaron Hefetz, Gil Kovalski
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Publication number: 20160166220Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining a volume of interest in a physiological image based upon an anatomical image. The method and system acquires an anatomical image of a volume of interest using a first imaging modality. A physiological image is acquired using a second imaging, modality different from the first imaging modality. An outline of the volume of interest is defined on the anatomical image and applied to the physiological image to define the volume of interest m the physiological image, Based upon the outline, the system and method assigns binary values to voxels within the outline to more accurately define the volume of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Avi Bar-Shalev, Jonathan Sachs, Yaron Hefetz
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Patent number: 9320485Abstract: A method for motion correcting molecular breast imaging (MBI) images includes obtaining a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of a breast using a MBI system, selecting a reference image from the plurality of 2D images, selecting a feature of interest in the reference image, determining a location of the feature of interest in the reference image, calculating a correction value based on a difference in the location of the feature of interest in the reference image and a location of the feature of interest in a plurality of non-reference images, and aligning the non-reference 2D images with the reference image based on the calculated correction value.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS ISRAEL, LTDInventors: Reuven Brenner, Osnat Zak, Avi Bar-Shalev, Nurit Rivka Warski
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Publication number: 20160073975Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a gantry, a bed, nuclear medicine (NM) imaging detectors, and a processing unit. The NM imaging detectors are disposed about the bore of the gantry. The processing unit is operably coupled to the imaging detectors, and is configured to acquire first NM imaging information of the object with the imaging detectors in a first axial position, iteratively actuate the gantry in a series of steps between the first axial position and the second axial position, acquire additional NM imaging information of the object at each of the steps, and reconstruct an image of the object using the first NM imaging information and the additional NM imaging information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Jonathan Sachs, Gil Kovalski, Avi Bar-Shalev
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Publication number: 20150327831Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ilan Levin, Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev, Avishai Ofan
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Publication number: 20150235363Abstract: Systems and method for identifying bone marrow in medical images are provided. A method includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) volume data set corresponding to an imaged volume and identifying voxels in the 3D CT volume data set having a Hounsfield Unit (HU) value below a bone threshold. The voxels are identified without using image continuity. The method further includes marking the identified voxels as non-bone voxels, determining definite tissue voxels based on the identified non-bone voxels and expanding a region defined by the definite tissue voxels. The method also includes segmenting the expanded region to identify bone voxels and bone marrow voxels and identifying bone marrow as voxels that are not the bone voxels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Avi Bar-Shalev, Ravindra Mohan Manjeshwar
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Publication number: 20150208999Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a plurality of detector units and a controller. The plurality of detector units are distributed about a bore. The bore is configured to accept an object to be imaged, and the detector units are radially articulable within the bore. The controller is operably coupled to the plurality of detector units and configured to control the positioning of the detector units. The controller is configured to position an external group of the plurality of detector units at a predetermined intermediate position corresponding to a ring having a radius corresponding to a total number of detector units, and to position an internal group of the plurality of detector units radially inside the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sergio Steinfeld, Avi Bar-Shalev, Yaron Hefetz, Gil Kovalski