Patents by Inventor Emi TAMURA

Emi TAMURA 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: 11076823
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to one embodiment includes a photon counting detector and a processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements configured to detect X-rays. The processing circuitry is configured to set a control parameter corresponding to a position of each detecting element of the plurality of detecting elements in the photon counting detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Hiroaki Nakai, Toshiyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 10959684
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector includes a first detection area detecting the X-rays and a second detection area detecting the X-rays. The first detection area includes a first scintillator having a first fluorescence decay time, the second detection area includes a second scintillator having a second fluorescence decay time shorter than the first fluorescence decay time. The second detection area is arranged at both ends of the first detection area with respect to a channel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakai, Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Mikihito Hayashi, Tooru Kato, Naoki Sugihara
  • Patent number: 10769822
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector, and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements each of which outputs signals corresponding to numbers of photons that are counted. The processing circuitry generates pieces of first projection data on a basis of the signals from the plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry generate second projection data by bundling together, in spatial units, pieces of first projection data from a predetermined number of detecting elements among the plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry reconstructs a material decomposition image on a basis of the second projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 10667774
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Kato, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 10524745
    Abstract: A data acquisition device according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to compare the reference waveform of a signal, which is output from a detector that detects radiation, with the waveform of a detection signal based on the radiation, which enters the detector through the subject and which is detected by the detector. The processing circuitry is configured to estimate the information about the radiation, which enters the detector through the subject, in accordance with a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi Tamura
  • Patent number: 10497152
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a photon counting detector, and a processing circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to generate X-rays. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements each configured to output a signal in response to any of the X-rays becoming incident thereto after having passed through an examined subject. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, within a reconstruction region, a first region on which a spectrum reconstructing process is to be performed and a second region on which an energy integral reconstructing process is to be performed, on the basis of output values related to energy spectra based on the signals output by the detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to generate an image on the basis of the determined first region and the determined second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Miyazaki, Hiroaki Nakai, Naoki Sugihara, Tooru Kato, Mikihito Hayashi, Emi Tamura
  • Patent number: 10217246
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus includes a detector, and processing circuitry. The detector is configured to output, at each incidence of an X-ray photon, a signal enabling measurement of an energy value of the X-ray photon. Processing circuitry is configured to estimate an energy range to be used for imaging based on an imaging condition and to reconstruct X-ray CT image data using counting information to which an energy value within the energy range is associated among pieces of counting information that are collected from individual signals output by the detector at each incidence of an X-ray photon that has been irradiated from an X-ray tube and has passed through a subject, and in which a counting value and an energy value of X-ray photons incident to the detector are associated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takuzo Takayama, Yasuo Saito, Emi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20190029622
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The data acquisition circuitry acquires count data concerning a count number of the detected X-rays for energy bands. The memory circuitry stores data of a response function that associates incident X-rays on the X-ray detector with a response characteristic of a system including the X-ray detector and the data acquisition circuitry. The processing circuitry calculates an X-ray absorption amount of each of a plurality of base substances based on the count data concerning the energy bands acquired by the data acquisition circuitry, an energy spectrum of the incident X-rays, and the response function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20190021687
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru KATO, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Publication number: 20190000409
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to one embodiment includes a photon counting detector and a processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements configured to detect X-rays. The processing circuitry is configured to set a control parameter corresponding to a position of each of the detecting elements in the photon counting detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Emi TAMURA, Hiroaki MIYAZAKI, Hiroaki NAKAI, Toshiyuki ONO
  • Patent number: 10117628
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The data acquisition circuitry acquires count data concerning a count number of the detected X-rays for energy bands. The memory circuitry stores data of a response function that associates incident X-rays on the X-ray detector with a response characteristic of a system including the X-ray detector and the data acquisition circuitry. The processing circuitry calculates an X-ray absorption amount of each of a plurality of base substances based on the count data concerning the energy bands acquired by the data acquisition circuitry, an energy spectrum of the incident X-rays, and the response function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20180300909
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector, and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements each of which outputs signals corresponding to numbers of photons that are counted. The processing circuitry generates pieces of first projection data on a basis of the signals from the plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry generate second projection data by bundling together, in spatial units, pieces of first projection data from a predetermined number of detecting elements among the plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry reconstructs a material decomposition image on a basis of the second projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Emi TAMURA, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20180242927
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector includes a first detection area detecting the X-rays and a second detection area detecting the X-rays. The first detection area includes a first scintillator having a first fluorescence decay time, the second detection area includes a second scintillator having a second fluorescence decay time shorter than the first fluorescence decay time. The second detection area is arranged at both ends of the first detection area with respect to a channel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakai, Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Mikihito Hayashi, Tooru Kato, Naoki Sugihara
  • Publication number: 20180211417
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a photon counting detector, and a processing circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to generate X-rays. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detecting elements each configured to output a signal in response to any of the X-rays becoming incident thereto after having passed through an examined subject. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, within a reconstruction region, a first region on which a spectrum reconstructing process is to be performed and a second region on which an energy integral reconstructing process is to be performed, on the basis of output values related to energy spectra based on the signals output by the detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to generate an image on the basis of the determined first region and the determined second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki MIYAZAKI, Hiroaki NAKAI, Naoki SUGIHARA, Tooru KATO, Mikihito HAYASHI, Emi TAMURA
  • Patent number: 9971047
    Abstract: Provided is a photon-counting type X-ray CT apparatus according to embodiments including a detector, a first collecting unit, a second collecting unit, and an image reconstruction unit. The detector detects an X-ray and outputs a signal. The first collecting unit collects count data of photons of the X-ray for every energy band with a predetermined time width by using the signal output from the detector. The second collecting unit corrects integration data obtained by integrating the signal with the predetermined time width by using the signal output from the detector. The image reconstruction unit corrects the count data by using the integration data. The image reconstruction unit generates a reconstructed image by performing a reconstructing process on the corrected count data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Emi Tamura, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 9867590
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photon counting CT apparatus includes an X-ray source, a photon counting CT detector, and a calibration unit. The X-ray source includes a cathode configured to generate electrons and an anode including a plurality of targets configured to generate a plurality of characteristic X-rays having different energies. The photon counting CT detector detects X-ray photons generated by the X-ray source. The calibration unit calibrates the gain of the photon counting CT detector based on the correspondence relationship between the photon energies of the plurality of characteristic X-rays and outputs from the photon counting CT detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9841389
    Abstract: A photon-counting type X-ray computed tomography apparatus that comprises a high-voltage generator to generate a voltage signal, an X-ray tube to emit X-rays when the X-ray tube receives the voltage signal from the high-voltage generator, an X-ray detector to detect photons derived from the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube, and circuitry to count a number of the detected photons with respect to a plurality of energy bands, detect a number of photons in a first energy band that exceeds an energy level corresponding to a voltage value of the voltage signal, and changing a number of photons at a second energy band based on the detected number of photons in the first energy band, to correct for operational limitations of the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Emi Tamura, Yasuo Saito, Takuzo Takayama, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 9775225
    Abstract: A gantry includes two X-ray source rings and a detector ring. Each X-ray source ring includes a plurality of X-ray sources arrayed circumferentially. The detector ring is provided next to the X-ray source ring and includes a plurality of X-ray detectors arrayed circumferentially. Each of the plurality of X-ray detectors detects X-rays from the X-ray source ring. A data collection circuit collects raw data corresponding to the intensity of the detected X-rays. A reconstruction unit reconstructs the collected raw data into a CT image based on digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Emi Tamura, Yasuo Saito, Takuzo Takayama, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Publication number: 20170119325
    Abstract: A data acquisition device according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to compare the reference waveform of a signal, which is output from a detector that detects radiation, with the waveform of a detection signal based on the radiation, which enters the detector through the subject and which is detected by the detector. The processing circuitry is configured to estimate the information about the radiation, which enters the detector through the subject, in accordance with a comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160095561
    Abstract: According to on embodiment, The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The data acquisition circuitry acquires count data concerning a count number of the detected X-rays for energy bands. The memory circuitry stores data of a response function that associates incident X-rays on the X-ray detector with a response characteristic of a system including the X-ray detector and the data acquisition circuitry. The processing circuitry calculates an X-ray absorption amount of each of a plurality of base substances based on the count data concerning the energy bands acquired by the data acquisition circuitry, an energy spectrum of the incident X-rays, and the response function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi TAMURA