Patents by Inventor Jiang Hsieh

Jiang Hsieh 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for reconstruction in helical cone beam volumetric CT
    Publication number: 20060083344
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object utilizing a cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus includes helically scanning the object with a radiation source utilizing the cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus, selecting radiation beams emitted by the radiation source passing through a pixel P, a Tam-window, and a Katsevich window, filtering the selected projection data, and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the filtered selected projection data including projection data within the Katsevich window and outside the Tam-window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Xiangyang Tang, Jiang Hsieh, Roy Arnulf Nilsen
  • Methods and apparatus for generating CT scout images
    Patent number: 7031425
    Abstract: A method for obtaining data includes acquiring Computed Tomography (CT) scout data at a Z location with a first x-ray spectrum, and acquiring CT scout data at the Z with a second x-ray spectrum different from the first x-ray spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Robert F. Senzig, Priya Gopinath, Kelly Lynn Karau
  • Methods and system for detecting components of plaque
    Patent number: 7031426
    Abstract: A method including detecting components of plaque using a multi-energy computed tomography (MECT) system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Maria Iatrou, Ricardo Scott Avila, Peter Michael Edic, Jiang Hsieh, James Walter LeBlanc, Xiaoye Wu
  • Methods and apparatus for image reconstruction
    Publication number: 20060078185
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Fang Dong, Thomas Myers, George Seidenschnur, Anne Conry, Zachary Sopcak, Brian Grekowicz
  • Method and system for target angle heel effect compensation
    Patent number: 7020243
    Abstract: A method of at least partially compensating for an x-ray tube target angle heel effect wherein the method includes providing an x-ray source, providing an x-ray detector having a plurality of detector rows positioned to receive x-rays from the source, and using a filter to increase uniformity of at least one of a projection noise and a spatial resolution, wherein the projection noise and the spatial resolution are non-uniform and are a function of a target angle along a z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Method and system for filtering in medical imaging
    Publication number: 20060062485
    Abstract: A method and system for filtering medical images is described. The described method of filtering medical images includes receiving image data including a plurality of images from an image scan, determining a number of interpolation elements based on a slice thickness of the plurality of images, and filtering the image data using the determined interpolation elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jianying Li, Jiang Hsieh, Xiangyang Tang, Darin Okerlund, Melissa Vass, Kelly Mohr
  • Computed tomography fluoroscopy system
    Patent number: 7006592
    Abstract: A CT Fluoro system which, in one embodiment, includes an integrated controller, image reconstruction algorithms for increasing the speed of image display, and an enhanced image display, is described. The integrated controller enables the radiologist to maintain control of the system throughout the fluoro scan. The image reconstruction algorithms are generally directed to increasing the image frame rate or reducing image artifacts, or both, in the CT fluoro scan. The image display generally provides enhanced images and control to the radiologist during a scan procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fazle Ali, Jiang Hsieh, Robert F. Senzig, Steven C. Davis, Shawn P. Faessler
  • Method, system and storage medium for reference normalization for blocked reference channels
    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
  • Artifact-free CT angiogram
    Publication number: 20060020200
    Abstract: A helical scan is performed with a fan beam or cone beam CT system to acquire a first set of sinogram data sets. The subject is injected with a contrast agent and the identical helical scan is performed to acquire a second set of sinogram data sets. Corresponding projection views are subtracted in the two data sets and a number of different images are reconstructed from the difference data set. One image is a tomographic image produced using a filtered backprojection method and a second image is a topograph produced by selecting and displaying projection views acquired at the same view angle in successive sinogram data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Joshua Medow, Charles Mistretta, Ranjini Tolakanahalli, Jiang Hsieh
  • Method and apparatus for 3D reconstruction of images
    Publication number: 20060018439
    Abstract: A method for producing an image of an object includes scanning an object with an imaging apparatus to collect projection data of the object utilizing cone sampling. The projection data is rebinned in a row-wise, fan-to-parallel fashion to produce rebinned data and the rebinned data is view-weighted to produce view-weighted data. The method further includes filtering the view-weighted data utilizing a row-wise ramp filter to produce filtered data and generating an image of the object utilizing the filtered data and a three-dimensional (3D) backprojection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Xiangyang Tang, Jiang Hsieh, Sandeep Dutta, Roy Helge Nilsen
  • Methods and apparatus for 3D reconstruction in helical cone beam volumetric CT
    Publication number: 20060013357
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object utilizing a cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus includes helically scanning the object with a radiation source utilizing the cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus; selecting radiation beams emitted by the radiation source passing through a pixel P having a smallest cone angle in comparison with that of the conjugate rays of the radiation beam; and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing projection data obtained from the selected radiation beams while avoiding the use of redundant projection data from unselected conjugate rays of the selected radiation beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Xiangyang Tang, Jiang Hsieh, Roy Nilsen
  • Method and system for three-dimensional reconstruction of images
    Publication number: 20060002507
    Abstract: A method and system for three-dimensional reconstruction of images are provided. The method includes receiving projection data from an imaging device scanning an object, identifying projection data corresponding to a conjugate pair of projection rays, and interpolating the projection data corresponding to the conjugate pair of projection rays to reconstruct an image of the object being scanned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Xiangyang Tang
  • Methods and apparatus for helical reconstruction for multislice CT scan
    Patent number: 6980681
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for imaging an object with a computed tomographic (CT) imaging system that includes steps of helically scanning the object with a multi-slice CT imaging system to acquire attenuation measurements of the object, the measurements including more than two conjugate samples for estimation of a projection at a plane of reconstruction of the object; and filtering and backprojecting the attenuation measurements of the object, including the more than two conjugate samples, to reconstruct at least one image slice of the object. An improved sampling pattern and better use of the attenuation samples obtained during a scan is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Non-uniform view weighting tomosynthesis method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6980624
    Abstract: A technique is provided for non-uniform weighting in back-projection calculations in tomosythesis. The non-uniform weighting may include weighting based on a count map of the number of times pixels of individual slices are traversed by radiation in different projections. Weighting may also include non-uniform functions for contributions of features at different slice level to the sensed X-ray attenuation system response inconsistencies are accounted for by further weighting based upon projection maps which may be created in separate system calibration or configuration routines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Baojun Li, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Gopal B. Avinash, Stephen W. Metz, Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for dynamical helical scanned image production
    Patent number: 6977984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing images of an object. The method includes dynamically helically scanning an object on a moving table utilizing a scanning imaging system. During the scan, projection views of the object are acquired and stored together with corresponding table locations. A plane for reconstruction of an image of the object is selected. The stored table locations are used to determine geometric variables applicable to the stored projection views; and the stored projection views are filtered and backprojected utilizing the geometrical variables to reconstruct an image of the object at the reconstruction plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Eugene Clifford Williams, Thomas Louis Toth
  • Systems, methods and apparatus for specialized filtered back-projection reconstruction for digital tomosynthesis
    Publication number: 20050265590
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in one aspect, a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object is constructed from a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of the object using a specialized filter. The specialized filter implements a linear ramp function, a windowing function, and/or a polynomial function. The 3D image is back-projected from the filtered two-dimensional images, yielding a 3D image that has improved visual distinction of overlapping anatomic structures and reduced blurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Baojun Li, Stephen Metz, John Sabol, Gopal Avinash, Jiang Hsieh
  • Method, system and storage medium for reference normalization for blocked reference channels
    Publication number: 20050226366
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Jean-Baptiste Thibault, Fang Dong, Jian Li, Edward Chao, Scott McOlash
  • Methods and apparatus for CT smoothing to reduce artifacts
    Publication number: 20050201605
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object includes scanning an object using a computed tomographic (CT) imaging apparatus to acquire projections of the object. A set of thresholds are determined utilizing the projections, and selected smoothing kernels are associated with the thresholds. The method further includes utilizing the smoothing kernels and the projections to produce smoothed projections in accordance with the thresholds and filtering and backprojecting the smoothed projections to generate an image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Jianying Li, Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for artifact reduction in computed tomography imaging systems
    Patent number: 6944260
    Abstract: Some configurations of the present invention provide a method for reconstructing an image of an object of a computed tomographic imaging system having a detector array and a radiation source, wherein an arc of the detector array is not concentric to a focal spot of the radiation source. The method includes scanning the object with the computed tomographic imaging system to obtain a fan beam dataset, rebinning the fan beam dataset into a set of parallel datasets; and reconstructing an image utilizing the set of parallel datasets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Edward Henry Chao, Brian James Grekowicz, Jean-Baptiste Thibault
  • Methods, apparatus, and computer readable mediums for performing perfusion studies
    Patent number: 6934353
    Abstract: A method for conducting a perfusion study includes performing an initial full scan of an area of interest in an object, and performing at least one subsequent partial scan of the area of interest to detect motion of a contrast agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Jiang Hsieh, Yuchuan Wei