Patents by Inventor Fang Frank Dong

Fang Frank Dong 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: 7929659
    Abstract: A computed tomographic imaging system is provided for generating computed tomography images. The computed tomographic system includes a processor configured to access image data encoding X-ray projections at a detector position and a plurality of X-ray source beam focal spot positions and to align pixel values for the projections in a direction of deviation of the positions. The processor is also configured to determine a correction factor for at least one of the projections based upon the aligned pixel values and upon a sum of the projections and to correct the pixel values for the at least one of the projections based upon the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoye Wu, Fang Frank Dong, James Walter Leblanc
  • Patent number: 7734079
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing an image of an object with a multi-slice imaging apparatus having a row of detectors are provided. The method includes generating a first partial image using projection data acquired at a first imaging position in a step-and-shoot imaging mode, generating a second partial image using projection data acquired at a second imaging position, and combining the partial images to form a final image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Fang Frank Dong, Thomas John Myers, George Seidenschnur, Anne Marie Conry, Zachary William Sopcak, Brian Grekowicz
  • Patent number: 7720270
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for locally enhancing image data represented as pixels having CT numbers is provided. The image data includes bony structures, and the method comprises segmenting pixels within the image data into areas based on the pixel's CT number. A first area represents a combination of soft tissue and lower density bones and a second area represents higher density bones. A subset of pixels is identified within the first area representative of the lower density bones. An enhancement is applied to the subset of pixels within the first area and to the second area to create an enhanced dataset, and a locally enhanced image is generated based on the image data and the enhanced dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jianying Li, Jiang Hsieh, Fang Frank Dong, Thomas John Myers, George Edward Seidenschnur
  • Publication number: 20100020921
    Abstract: A computed tomographic imaging system is provided for generating computed tomography images. The computed tomographic system includes a processor configured to access image data encoding X-ray projections at a detector position and a plurality of X-ray source beam focal spot positions and to align pixel values for the projections in a direction of deviation of the positions. The processor is also configured to determine a correction factor for at least one of the projections based upon the aligned pixel values and upon a sum of the projections and to correct the pixel values for the at least one of the projections based upon the correction factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fang Frank Dong, Xiaoye Wu, James Walter Leblanc
  • Patent number: 6996206
    Abstract: A method for performing reference normalization for an image created by an imaging system. The imaging system includes a radiation detector array with a right and left edge. The method includes receiving a projection dataset created by the imaging system in response to a varying x-ray tube current. The projection dataset includes a view and predicted fluxes are calculated for the set of reference channels within the view. A right set of reference channels are located proximate at the right edge of the detector array and a left set of reference channels are located proximate to the left edge of the detector array. The method also includes calculating average actual fluxes for the sets of reference channels. Based on the predicted reference fluxes and the average fluxes, a reference correction value for the view is determined. The correction value is applied for the reference correction of the view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Jean-Baptiste Thibault, Fang Frank Dong, Jian ying Li, Edward Chao, Scott Matt McOlash