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).

  • Cone-beam CT scanner with image reconstruction using multiple sub-images
    Patent number: 6678346
    Abstract: A computed tomography imaging system includes a source of a conical beam of radiation and a two-dimensional detector array arranged on opposite sides of an axis of rotation. Projection data is acquired in a conventional manner as the source and detector array make a full rotation about an object. A conventional half-scan image reconstruction algorithm is applied to the projection data at a plurality of different center-view angles to produce a plurality of sub-images. Image segments, which are centered in each sub-image along the axis of the respective center-view angle, are selected and combined to form a cross-sectional image of the object. The regions of each sub-image preferably are defined by a weighting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for operating a radiation source
    Publication number: 20030235267
    Abstract: A method for operating a radiation source includes providing a radiation source, providing a detector, and operating the radiation source and the detector such that the detector receives a substantially homogenous noise distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Samit K. Basu
  • Methods and apparatus for reconstructing an image of an object
    Publication number: 20030223533
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object includes generating a plurality of projection data, helically interpolating the projection data, rebinning the helically interpolated projection data from a fan-beam format to a parallel-beam format, and reconstructing an image of the object using the parallel-beam format projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Roy Arnulf Helge Nilsen, Mukta C. Joshi, Sandeep Dutta, Robert Wolfe, John A. Fusco, Ferry Tamtoro
  • Methods and apparatus for weighting projection data
    Patent number: 6654442
    Abstract: A method for weighting projection data includes selecting a region that includes a plurality of projection data samples, dividing the region into a plurality of equally sized sub-regions, and weighting the equally sized sub-regions using a location dependent z-smoothing weighting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for computed tomography scanning using a two-dimensional radiation source
    Patent number: 6654440
    Abstract: A method for collecting computed tomography (CT) scan data includes positioning a gantry at a first position, collecting a partial inverted-cone beam projection at a first detector cell at the first gantry position such that the first detector cell defines a focusing position in space, and collecting data from a second detector cell different from the first detector cell as the gantry rotates such that the focusing position remains substantially stationary in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Method and apparatus for filtering projection data of a helical scan
    Patent number: 6647084
    Abstract: A method for filtering projection data of a helical scan of an object includes acquiring projection data representing a helical scan of an object, generating a weighting function based on the acquired projection data, determining a scaling function for the weighting function, and determining a row-filtered weighting function based on the weighting function and scaling function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Method and apparatus for optimizing dosage to scan subject
    Patent number: 6647095
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CT imaging system utilizing a pre-subject cone-angle dependent filter to optimize dosage applied to the scan subject for data acquisition. The cone angle dependent pre-subject filter is designed to have a shape that is thicker for outer detector rows and thinner for inner detector rows. As a result, x-rays corresponding to the outer detector rows undergo greater filtering than the x-rays corresponding to the inner detector rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Co., LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for cardiac imaging with conventional computed tomography
    Patent number: 6639965
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a heart with a scanning computed tomography (CT) imaging system. A cardiac cycle of a patient is measured. The patient's heart is then scanned with the scanning CT imaging system at an angular rate asynchronous to the measured cardiac cycle to obtain image data. An image of the patient's heart is then assembled from chronologically discontinuous segments of the image data. The image is representative of a selected portion of the cardiac cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Tin-Su Pan, Yun Shen, Steve John Woloschek, Mark E. Woodford, Kishore C. Acharya
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING DOSAGE TO SCAN SUBJECT
    Publication number: 20030185345
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CT imaging system utilizing a pre-subject cone-angle dependent filter to optimize dosage applied to the scan subject for data acquisition. The cone angle dependent pre-subject filter is designed to have a shape that is thicker for outer detector rows and thinner for inner detector rows. As a result, x-rays corresponding to the outer detector rows undergo greater filtering than the x-rays corresponding to the inner detector rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Data transmission scheme and system for image reconstruction
    Publication number: 20030185427
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a computed tomography (CT) system includes detecting an error in at least one of a transmitted data sample in the CT system and a data sample to be transmitted in the CT system. The method also includes replacing the erroneous data sample with an error with interpolated data from neighboring data samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Phil E. Pearson, Dennis Harry Pritzkow
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR WEIGHTING PROJECTION DATA
    Publication number: 20030185337
    Abstract: A method for weighting projection data includes selecting a region that includes a plurality of projection data samples, dividing the region into a plurality of equally sized sub-regions, and weighting the equally sized sub-regions using a location dependent z-smoothing weighting function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Image space correction for multi-slice helical reconstruction
    Publication number: 20030171665
    Abstract: A method for facilitating reconstruction of an image includes estimating a gradient for at least one high-density object, generating a gradient image using the estimated gradient, and generating an error-candidate projection using the gradient image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Image space correction for multi-slice helical reconstruction with z-smoothing
    Patent number: 6600802
    Abstract: A method for facilitating a reduction of artifacts includes generating a first image of an object with a scanning system in native mode, generating a second image of the object with the scanning system with z-smoothing greater than any z-smoothing performed in native mode, and generating an artifact-candidate image by taking the difference between the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for multi-slice image reconstruction
    Patent number: 6597756
    Abstract: A method for acquiring views of an object includes acquiring a first quantity of views at a first position on a z-axis, acquiring a second quantity of views different from the first quantity at a second position on the z-axis different from the first position, and acquiring a third quantity of views equivalent to the first quantity at a third position on the z-axis different from the first position and the second position. A method is also described for processing these views to reconstruct the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Samit K. Basu, Jiang Hsieh
  • Hybrid reconstruction for high pitch multi-slice helical cardiac imaging
    Patent number: 6597803
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a method for scanning an object with a multi-slice CT imaging system having multiple detector rows each having an isocenter. The method includes steps of helically scanning an object with the multi-slice CT imaging system to obtain data segments including peripheral data segments, combining data from a first peripheral data segment with an opposite, second peripheral segment to form a data set for reconstruction of an image slice; and reconstructing the combined data into image slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tin-Su Pan, Mark Woodford, Jiang Hsieh, Yun Shen, Kishore Acharya
  • Methods and apparatus for multi-slice image reconstruction
    Patent number: 6587537
    Abstract: A method for generating an adaptively interpolated projection of an object with an imaging system includes generating a first projection using a first interpolation kernel, generating a second projection using a second interpolation kernel, different from the first interpolation kernel, and taking a difference between the first projection and the second projection to generate a differential signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Computer aided acquisition of medical images
    Patent number: 6574304
    Abstract: The invention provides a technique for acquiring subsequent image data in a medical diagnostic context based upon analysis of initial image data. The initial image data is processed via a computer aided diagnosis algorithm to determine whether additional image data acquisition is appropriate. Subsequent acquisition processes may be performed on the same imaging system from which the initial image data originated, or a different imaging system. The imaging systems may also be of different modalities. The subsequent acquisition of image data may be performed automatically without operator intervention, or the prescribed subsequent acquisition sequence may be outputted by the system for execution upon command of an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Gopal B. Avinash, Cherik Bulkes, John M. Sabol
  • Image space compensation scheme for reducing artifacts
    Patent number: 6570951
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing artifacts in an x-ray image generated by a computed tomography imaging system using an image space compensation scheme including obtaining reconstructed image data generated using an image reconstruction algorithm, determining a noise variation characteristic for the reconstruction algorithm, filtering the reconstructed image data so as to create smoothed image data and processing the smoothed image data and the reconstructed image data so as to create corrected image data. Also claimed is a medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for reducing artifacts in an x-ray image, the medium including instructions for causing controller to implement the aforementioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Cone-beam CT scanner with image reconstruction using multiple sub-images
    Publication number: 20030073893
    Abstract: A computed tomography imaging system includes a source of a conical beam of radiation and a two-dimensional detector array arranged on opposite sides of an axis of rotation. Projection data is acquired in a conventional manner as the source and detector array make a full rotation about an object. A conventional half-scan image reconstruction algorithm is applied to the projection data at a plurality of different center-view angles to produce a plurality of sub-images. Image segments, which are centered in each sub-image along the axis of the respective center-view angle, are selected and combined to form a cross-sectional image of the object. The regions of each sub-image preferably are defined by a weighting function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Jiang Hsieh
  • Methods and apparatus for compensating computed tomographic channel ganging artifacts
    Patent number: 6535572
    Abstract: A CT imaging system and method are provided in which groups of adjacent detector elements of a detector array are ganged in an x-direction; and an object is scanned using the ganged groups of adjacent detector elements to acquire projection data. In one embodiment, to reduce degradation of images resulting from the ganged detector elements, an image of the object is reconstructed utilizing the acquired projection data and an adjusted iso-channel of the multislice detector array different from an iso-channel defined for scans performed without utilizing ganged groups of detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Jianying Li, Thomas L. Toth