Patents by Inventor James W. Leblanc
James W. Leblanc 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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Patent number: 7813474Abstract: A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving a subject to be scanned, a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving a subject to be scanned, an x-ray source configured to project x-rays having multiple energies toward the subject, and a generator configured to energize the x-ray source to a first voltage and configured to energize the x-ray source to a second voltage, the first voltage distinct from the second voltage. The system further includes a controller configured to cause the generator to energize the x-ray source to the first voltage for a first duration, acquire imaging data for at least one view during at least the first duration, after the first duration, cause the generator to energize the x-ray source to the second voltage for a second duration, and acquire imaging data for two or more views during at least the second duration.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoye Wu, James W. LeBlanc, Paavana Sainath, Thomas John Myers, Charles Hugh Shaughnessy, Uwe Wiedmann
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Patent number: 7756239Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system in an example comprises a high frequency electromagnetic energy source, a detector, a data acquisition system (DAS), and a computer. The high frequency electromagnetic energy source emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged and be resolved by the system. The detector receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source. The DAS is operably connected to the detector. The computer is operably connected to the DAS and programmed to employ an inversion table or function to convert N+2 measured projections at different incident spectra into material specific integrals for N+2 materials that comprise two non K-edge basis materials and N K-edge contrast agents. N comprises an integer greater than or equal to 1.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoye Wu, Robert F. Senzig, Deborah Joy Walter, James W. LeBlanc, John Eric Tkaczyk
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Patent number: 7724865Abstract: A system and method of a diagnostic imaging system includes a high frequency electromagnetic energy source that emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged, a detector that receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source and attenuated by the object, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the detector, and a computer operably connected to the DAS. The computer is programmed to obtain CT scan data with two or more incident energy spectra, decompose the obtained CT scan data into projection CT data of two or more basis materials, reconstruct linearly weighted projections of the two or more basis materials, determine an optimized energy for the two or more basis materials within a region-of-interest (ROI), and form a monochromatic image of the projection CT data at the optimized energy using the two or more basis material projections.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoye Wu, John Eric Tkaczyk, James W. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7697659Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David M. Hoffman, John Eric Tkaczyk, James W. LeBlanc, Yanfeng Du, Robert F. Senzig
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Patent number: 7634060Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David M. Hoffman, James W. LeBlanc, John Eric Tkaczyk, Robert F. Senzig, Yanfeng Du
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Patent number: 7573040Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system includes a high frequency electromagnetic energy source that emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged. An energy discriminating (ED) detector receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source. The ED detector includes a first direct conversion layer and a second direct conversion layer. The first direct conversion layer comprises a first direct conversion material and the second direct conversion layer comprises a second direct conversion material that is different from the first direct conversion material. A data acquisition system (DAS) is operably connected to the ED detector and a computer operably connected to the DAS.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: J. Eric Tkaczyk, Wen Li, Yanfeng Du, James W. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7570736Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David M. Hoffman, James W. LeBlanc, John Eric Tkaczyk, Robert F. Senzig, Yanfeng Du
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Publication number: 20090092219Abstract: A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving a subject to be scanned, a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving a subject to be scanned, an x-ray source configured to project x-rays having multiple energies toward the subject, and a generator configured to energize the x-ray source to a first voltage and configured to energize the x-ray source to a second voltage, the first voltage distinct from the second voltage. The system further includes a controller configured to cause the generator to energize the x-ray source to the first voltage for a first duration, acquire imaging data for at least one view during at least the first duration, after the first duration, cause the generator to energize the x-ray source to the second voltage for a second duration, and acquire imaging data for two or more views during at least the second duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Xiaoye Wu, James W. LeBlanc, Paavana Sainath, Thomas John Myers, Charles Hugh Shaughnessy, Uwe Wiedmann
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Publication number: 20090052612Abstract: A system and method of a diagnostic imaging system includes a high frequency electromagnetic energy source that emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged, a detector that receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source and attenuated by the object, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the detector, and a computer operably connected to the DAS. The computer is programmed to obtain CT scan data with two or more incident energy spectra, decompose the obtained CT scan data into projection CT data of two or more basis materials, reconstruct linearly weighted projections of the two or more basis materials, determine an optimized energy for the two or more basis materials within a region-of-interest (ROI), and form a monochromatic image of the projection CT data at the optimized energy using the two or more basis material projections.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Xiaoye Wu, John Eric Tkaczyk, James W. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7466793Abstract: A CT system in an example comprises one or more high frequency electromagnetic energy sources, a detection assembly, a data acquisition system (DAS), and a computer. The one or more high frequency electromagnetic energy sources emit one or more beams of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged. The detection assembly is capable of measuring a plurality of projection data at a same projection path that corresponds to a plurality of distinct incident energy spectra. The detection assembly comprises one or more energy discriminating (ED) detectors and/or one or more energy integration (EI) detectors that receive high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the one or more high frequency electromagnetic energy sources. The data acquisition system (DAS) is operably connected to the one or more ED detectors and/or the one or more EI detectors. The computer is operably connected to the DAS.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoye Wu, James W. LeBlanc, Samit Kumar Basu
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Publication number: 20080230709Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system includes a high frequency electromagnetic energy source that emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged. An energy discriminating (ED) detector receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source. The ED detector includes a first direct conversion layer and a second direct conversion layer. The first direct conversion layer comprises a first direct conversion material and the second direct conversion layer comprises a second direct conversion material that is different from the first direct conversion material. A data acquisition system (DAS) is operably connected to the ED detector and a computer operably connected to the DAS.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: J. Eric Tkaczyk, Wen Li, Yanfeng Du, James W. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7428292Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned. A plurality of x-ray emission sources are attached to the rotatable gantry, each x-ray emission source configured to emit x-rays in a conebeam toward the object. The CT imaging system also includes a plurality of x-ray detector arrays attached to the gantry and positioned to receive x-rays passing through the object. At least one x-ray detector array of the plurality of x-ray detector arrays is configured to receive x-rays from more than one x-ray emission source.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bruno K. B. De Man, Colin R. Wilson, Bernhard Claus, Maria Iatrou, James W. LeBlanc, Dirk Bequé, Samit Kumar Basu, Mark Vermilyea, Zhye Yin
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Patent number: 7415093Abstract: ECG and ultrasound data of the heart are acquired in real-time during a scan. A data acquisition module is controlled during the scan to prospectively gate acquisition of CT data as a function of the real-time ECG data and the real-time ultrasound data. An image is reconstructed from the acquired CT data.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Peter Michael Edic, James W. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7403589Abstract: A detector module for a CT imaging system includes a scintillator to convert x-rays to optical photons. The scintillator is optically coupled to a solid-state photomultiplier with internal gain to receive the optical photons and convert them into a corresponding electrical signal output.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan D. Short, George E. Possin, James W. LeBlanc, Rogerio G. Rodrigues, Kent C. Burr, Aaron J. Couture, Wen Li
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Publication number: 20080170654Abstract: ECG and ultrasound data of the heart are received in real-time during a scan. CT projection data is also acquired and an image is reconstructed based on the CT projection data, ECG data, and ultrasound data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Peter Michael Edic, James W. LeBlanc, Jiang Hsieh
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Publication number: 20080137803Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system in an example comprises a high frequency electromagnetic energy source, a detector, a data acquisition system (DAS), and a computer. The high frequency electromagnetic energy source emits a beam of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged and be resolved by the system. The detector receives high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the high frequency electromagnetic energy source. The DAS is operably connected to the detector. The computer is operably connected to the DAS and programmed to employ an inversion table or function to convert N+2 measured projections at different incident spectra into material specific integrals for N+2 materials that comprise two non K-edge basis materials and N K-edge contrast agents. N comprises an integer greater than or equal to 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Xiaoye Wu, Robert F. Senzig, Deborah Joy Walter, James W. LeBlanc, John Eric Tkaczyk
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Publication number: 20080123803Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned. A plurality of x-ray emission sources are attached to the rotatable gantry, each x-ray emission source configured to emit x-rays in a conebeam toward the object. The CT imaging system also includes a plurality of x-ray detector arrays attached to the gantry and positioned to receive x-rays passing through the object. At least one x-ray detector array of the plurality of x-ray detector arrays is configured to receive x-rays from more than one x-ray emission source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Bruno K.B. De Man, Colin R. Wilson, Bernhard Claus, Maria Iatrou, James W. LeBlanc, Dirk Beque, Samit Kumar Basu, Mark Vermilyea, Zhye Yin
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Publication number: 20080101535Abstract: A CT system in an example comprises one or more high frequency electromagnetic energy sources, a detection assembly, a data acquisition system (DAS), and a computer. The one or more high frequency electromagnetic energy sources emit one or more beams of high frequency electromagnetic energy toward an object to be imaged. The detection assembly is capable of measuring a plurality of projection data at a same projection path that corresponds to a plurality of distinct incident energy spectra. The detection assembly comprises one or more energy discriminating (ED) detectors and/or one or more energy integration (EI) detectors that receive high frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by the one or more high frequency electromagnetic energy sources. The data acquisition system (DAS) is operably connected to the one or more ED detectors and/or the one or more EI detectors. The computer is operably connected to the DAS.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Xiaoye Wu, James W. LeBlanc, Samit Kumar Basu
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Publication number: 20080101532Abstract: ECG and ultrasound data of the heart are acquired in real-time during a scan. A data acquisition module is controlled during the scan to prospectively gate acquisition of CT data as a function of the real-time ECG data and the real-time ultrasound data. An image is reconstructed from the acquired CT data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Peter Michael Edic, James W. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7308073Abstract: A bowtie filter is constructed to have a fluidic envelope filled with attenuating fluid and a displacement insert that can present various x-ray attenuation profiles during a scan. The insert is designed to displace the attenuating fluid to achieve a denied attenuating or filtering profile. The insert can be rotated, twisted, moved, and otherwise contorted within the fluidic envelope as needed during the course of a scan. As the angle, position and shape of the zombie is changed, the x-ray profile of the filter changes. The insert may have a default shape when at rest, but can have its shape changed when external forces are placed thereon. As x-ray filtering needs change during the course of the scan, the insert can be compressed, stretched, and/or contorted to achieve additional filtering profiles.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: J. Eric Tkaczyk, Deborah J. Walter, Xiaoye Wu, Brian C. Bales, James W. Leblanc, Yanfeng Du