Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Nakai

Hiroaki Nakai 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: 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: 20170261620
    Abstract: A photon counting detector of an embodiment includes X-ray detection elements, a capacitor, and generating circuitry. The X-ray detection elements detect an X-ray and generate an electrical signal. The capacitor is provided for each of the X-ray detection element, and accumulates an electrical signal generated in each of the X-ray detection element. The generating circuitry has low sensitivity to radiation, and generates a digital signal by using an accumulation result of the electrical signal in the capacitors, and reference information that is stored in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru KATO, Hiroaki NAKAI, Mikihito HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170202531
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray generator, an X-ray detector and processing circuitry. The X-ray generator irradiates X-rays to a subject. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays that have passed through the subject. The processing circuitry calculates an estimated spectrum based on an irradiation spectrum, an estimated length and information indicating a distortion of a spectrum occurring in a path of the X-rays passing through the subject, the estimated length representing an estimated value of an X-ray transmission length of a material of decomposition target. The processing circuitry determines an X-ray transmission length of the material of decomposition target based on the estimated spectrum and a detected spectrum that is a spectrum after the X-rays have passed through the subject and that is detected by the X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei NITTA, Toshiyuki ONO, Takashi IDA, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20170167487
    Abstract: A rotary compressor having two cylinders includes crankshaft having first eccentric portion and second eccentric portion connected to each other by connecting portion. The rotary compressor further includes two compressive elements that compress working fluid in cylinder as first piston inserted over first eccentric portion eccentrically rotates in accordance with rotation of crankshaft. Further, first piston inserted over first eccentric portion undergoes assembly by being inserted over first eccentric portion through second eccentric portion. Further, a releasing portion is provided at each of outer diameter portions of first eccentric portion and second eccentric portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: HIROAKI NAKAI, HIROFUMI YOSHIDA, SHINGO OYAGI, YU SHIOTANI, TSUYOSHI KARINO
  • Publication number: 20170150932
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photon counting imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and data acquisition circuitry. The X-ray detector includes a detector pixel including photoelectric conversion cells each configured to individually generate an electrical signal of a predetermined pulse height, and output circuitry configured to generate an energy signal having a pulse height corresponding to energy of the X-rays based on the electrical signals from the photoelectric conversion cells. The data acquisition circuitry corrects the energy signal based on a relationship between an amplification factor and an applied voltage to the detector pixel during a period until the voltage applied to the detector pixel recovers from a breakdown voltage to a reverse bias voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru KATO, Mikihito HAYASHI, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20170146265
    Abstract: A compressor uses a refrigerant containing R1123 (1,1,2-trifluoroethylene) as a working fluid, and uses a polyvinyl ether oil as a compressor lubricating oil. In addition, a fixed scroll and a revolving scroll each having a spiral lap rising from an end plate, and a compression chamber which is formed by meshing the fixed scroll and the revolving scroll, are provided. In addition, a discharge hole which is provided at a center position of the end plate of the fixed scroll, and is open to a discharge chamber, a bypass hole which is provided in the end plate of the fixed scroll, and communicates with the compression chamber and the discharge chamber at a timing different from a timing at which the compression chamber communicates with the discharge hole, and a check valve which is provided in the bypass hole, and allows a flow from the compression chamber side to the discharge chamber side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Akira FUJITAKA, Fuminori SAKIMA, Yoshikazu KAWABE, Atsushi SAKUDA, Hiroaki NAKAI, Shigehiro SATO, Kenji TAKAICHI
  • Publication number: 20170138641
    Abstract: A compressor uses a refrigerant containing R1123 (1,1,2-trifluoroethylene) as a working fluid, and uses a polyol ester oil as a compressor lubricating oil. In addition, a fixed scroll and a revolving scroll each having a spiral lap rising from an end plate, and a compression chamber which is formed by meshing the fixed scroll and the revolving scroll, are provided. In addition, a discharge hole which is provided at a center position of the end plate of the fixed scroll, and is open to a discharge chamber, a bypass hole which is provided in the end plate of the fixed scroll, and communicates with the compression chamber and the discharge chamber at a timing different from a timing at which the compression chamber communicates with the discharge hole, and a check valve which is provided in the bypass hole, and allows a flow from the compression chamber side to the discharge chamber side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Akira FUJITAKA, Fuminori SAKIMA, Yoshikazu KAWABE, Atsushi SAKUDA, Hiroaki NAKAI, Shigehiro SATO, Kenji TAKAICHI
  • Publication number: 20170138645
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a refrigeration cycle formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator to each other. As a refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, a working fluid containing 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (R1123) and difluoromethane (R32) is used. A degree of opening of the expansion valve is controlled such that the refrigerant has two phases at a suction portion of the compressor. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide highly reliable refrigeration cycle device by suppressing occurrence of a disproportionation reaction of R1123.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Fuminori SAKIMA, Akira FUJITAKA, Shigehiro SATO, Kenji TAKAICHI, Yoshikazu KAWABE, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20170119340
    Abstract: A photon-counting X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a detector, a photon counting circuitry, a correcting circuitry, and a calculating circuitry. The X-ray tube irradiates a subject with X-rays. The detector includes a plurality of detection elements that detect photons of X-rays incident on the detection elements. The photon counting circuitry counts the count of X-ray photons for each energy bin set in an X-ray energy distribution, for each position of the X-ray tube, and for each of the detection elements. The correcting circuitry corrects the count of the X-ray photons counted by the photon counting circuitry, based on a detection characteristic, of the detection elements. The calculating circuitry calculates the reliability of a pixel in a reconstruction image, based on the correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki NAKAI, Mikihito HAYASHI, Tooru KATO
  • Patent number: 9595101
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes acquiring circuitry and processing circuitry. The acquiring circuitry is configured to count photons derived from X-rays that have passed through a subject and to acquire a result obtained by discriminating energy levels of the counted photons as a counting result. The processing circuitry is configured to notify the acquiring circuitry of an energy dividing set that is set in accordance with an X-ray absorption characteristic of a substance designated by an operator, to receive the counting result acquired by the acquiring circuitry by allocating a counted value to each of a plurality of energy discrimination regions that are set in the energy dividing set, and to reconstruct image data by using the received counting result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Kato, Daizo Oikawa, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 9568004
    Abstract: A rotary compressor (100) includes a closed casing (1), a cylinder (15), a piston (28), a lower bearing member (7), a vane (33), a suction port (20), a discharge port (41), and a partition member (10). The partition member (10) is attached to the lower bearing member (7) so as to form a refrigerant discharge space (52) serving as a flow path of a refrigerant discharged from a discharge chamber (26b) through the discharge port (41). The lower bearing member (7) is provided with a first recess (7t) on the same side as the suction port (20) with respect to a reference plane, the reference plane being a plane including a central axis of the cylinder (15) and a center of the vane (33) when the vane (33) protrudes maximally toward the central axis of the cylinder (15). A portion of oil stored in an oil reservoir (22) flows into the first recess (7t), and thereby an oil retaining portion (53) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogata, Yu Shiotani, Takumi Hikichi, Kentaro Shii, Tadayoshi Shoyama, Masanobu Wada, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Hirofumi Yoshida, Hiroaki Nakai, Akira Hiwata, Daisuke Funakosi, Ryuichi Ohno, Tsuyoshi Karino
  • Patent number: 9512841
    Abstract: A rotary compressor (100) includes a closed casing (1), a cylinder (15), a piston (28), a lower bearing member (72), a vane (33), a suction port (20), a discharge port (41), and a partition member (64). The partition member (64) is attached to the lower bearing member (72) so as to form a space enclosed by the partition member (64) and the lower bearing member (72) at a position adjacent to the lower bearing member (72). A portion of an oil stored in the oil reservoir (22) flows into the enclosed space, and thereby an oil retaining portion (53) is formed. The oil retaining portion (53) is located on the same side as the suction port (20) with respect to a reference plane (H1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogata, Yu Shiotani, Takumi Hikichi, Kentaro Shii, Tadayoshi Shoyama, Masanobu Wada, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Hirofumi Yoshida, Hiroaki Nakai, Akira Hiwata, Daisuke Funakosi, Ryuichi Ohno, Tsuyoshi Karino
  • Patent number: 9482231
    Abstract: A compression element includes a substantially spiral oil groove which is provided in inner peripheral surfaces of bearings and of the shaft. One end of the oil groove opens at a bearing base portion, and the other end of the oil groove opens at a bearing end. According to this configuration, oil in a gap between the shaft and inner peripheries of the bearings and forcibly discharges, into the hermetic container, gas bubbles generated in a sliding gap between the shaft and the bearings and by action of a viscosity pump generated by the substantially spiral oil groove, and it is possible to provide a rotary compressor capable of preventing seizing and wearing caused by gas-involvement at a bearing sliding portion, and capable of securing reliability when refrigerant including R32 is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Oyagi, Hirofumi Yoshida, Hiroaki Nakai, Yu Shiotani, Ryuichi Ohno, Tsuyoshi Karino
  • Publication number: 20160242720
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire projection data that is based on a spectrum representing an amount of X-rays with respect to energy of a radiation having passed through a subject; select a plurality of materials; generate, from the projection data, first density images for each of the selected materials; generate a monochromatic image of specific energy from the first density images; reconstruct the projection data corresponding to the specific energy to generate a reconstructed image; compare the monochromatic image and the reconstructed image; and provide a notification indicating a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi IDA, Toshiyuki Ono, Shuhei Nitta, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Publication number: 20160135774
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire first projection data that is based on a first spectrum representing an amount of radioactive rays in a unit of energy of the radioactive rays having passed through a subject and detected by a detector. The processing circuitry is configured to generate second projection data by correcting the first projection data based on a response characteristic of the detector. The processing circuitry is configured to operate reconstruction process to the second projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki ONO, Takashi IDA, Shuhei NITTA, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160095564
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon-counting detector, correction circuitry, and reconstruction circuitry. The photon-counting detector includes a plurality of X-ray detection elements detecting X-ray photons applied from an X-ray tube. The correction circuitry corrects detection signals detected by the photon-counting detector for the respective X-ray detection elements, based on a centroid of an X-ray spectrum detected by the photon-counting detector. The reconstruction circuitry reconstructs a CT image based on the corrected detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru KATO, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160095560
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detector, counted result collecting circuitry, count rate calculating circuitry, control circuitry, and image reconstruction circuitry. The detector includes a plurality of detection elements including a plurality of types of detection elements with different response characteristics to an X-ray dose, and outputs a detection signal according to an incidence of an X-ray photon to each of the detection elements. The counted result collecting circuitry collects counted results obtained by counting X-ray photons from detection signals output by the detection elements. The count rate calculating circuitry calculates a count rate from the detection signals output by the detection elements. The control circuitry selects a detection element based on the count rate and respective response characteristics of the detection elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160058404
    Abstract: An X-ray computed-tomography (CT) apparatus of an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and processing circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to generate an X-ray. The X-ray detector includes a plurality of X-ray detection elements configured to output a signal based on the X-ray entered therein. The processing circuitry is configured to derive a constraint condition by using at least one piece of projection data out of a plurality of pieces of projection data corresponding energy bins of which differ at least partially, calculate an effective length that is a total length for which the X-ray has passed through a region in which a material to be decomposed is present, and generate image data showing information about the material by using the projection data and the effective length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei NITTA, Taichiro SHIODERA, Tomoyuki TAKEGUCHI, Hidenori TAKESHIMA, Toshiyuki ONO, Takashi IDA, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160054454
    Abstract: An X-ray computer tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and generating circuitry. The X-ray source radiates X-rays. The X-ray detector includes a scintillator including a first region close to the X-ray source and a second region distant from the X-ray source, an optical sensor that detects scintillator light obtained by converting the X-rays radiated from the X-ray source with the scintillator, and a variable layer that is provided in the scintillator and switchable between a first state in which the variable layer transmits the scintillator light between the first region and the second region and a second state in which the variable layer does not transmit the scintillator light between the first region and the second region. The generating circuitry generates a CT image based on a signal output from the X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru KATO, Hiroaki NAKAI, Mikihito HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20160054453
    Abstract: A photon counting X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: data acquiring circuitry, and processing circuitry. The data acquiring circuitry is configured to allocate energy measured by signals output from a photon counting detector in response to incidence of X-ray photons to any of a plurality of first energy bins so as to acquire a first data group as count data of each of the first energy bins. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a plurality of second energy bins obtained by grouping the first energy bins in accordance with a decomposition target material that is a material to be decomposed in a imaging region, allocate the first data group to any of the second energy bins so as to generate a second data group, and use the second data group to generate an image representing a distribution of the decomposition target material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta MORIYASU, Taichiro SHIODERA, Shuhei NITTA, Tomoyuki TAKEGUCHI, Hidenori TAKESHIMA, Toshiyuki ONO, Takashi IDA, Hiroaki NAKAI