Patents by Inventor Junko Kiyohara

Junko Kiyohara 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: 9855018
    Abstract: Provided are a diagnostic medical image system and the like which enable diagnostic medical images generated in either an imaging system used for general imaging or an imaging system which includes a Talbot imaging device to be accurately associated with imaging order information. In the diagnostic medical image system, a controller groups a plurality of types of diagnostic medical images reconstructed and generated on the basis of a plurality of image signals captured by a second imaging system equipped with a Talbot imaging device and transmits the group to a console; and the console associates one diagnostic medical image generated from one image signal acquired from a first imaging system equipped with an X-ray imaging device with the imaging order information corresponding thereto and, by the same associating method, associates the grouped plurality of types of diagnostic medical images transmitted from the controller with the imaging order information corresponding thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Masaya Hamano, Akira Kurahashi, Norihiro Matsusaka, Junko Kiyohara, Tomoyasu Yokoyama, Satoshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 9665950
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray imaging device and an image processing device including a reconstruction unit and an estimation unit. The X-ray imaging device uses a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer including gratings disposed in a line. The X-ray imaging device obtains sets of moire fringe images by fringe scanning multiple times between which arrangement of the gratings is changed. In the fringe scanning, one of the gratings is moved relatively to the remaining grating. The reconstruction unit generates, on the basis of the sets, a reconstructed image which is a differential phase image, an X-ray absorption image and/or a small-angle scattering image. The estimation unit estimates, on the basis of the reconstructed image, a relative position of the moved grating from a reference position of the grating at each imaging in the fringe scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Junko Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 9629600
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus includes a controller which generates reconstructed image(s) including at least a differential phase image from image signals of an imaged subject. The image processing apparatus measures the thickness of cartilage in the joint in the differential phase image or an image generated from the differential phase image, by reference to at least one of i) an edge of a bone in the joint identified in a reconstructed image or an image generated from the reconstructed image and ii) an edge of the cartilage identified in the differential phase image or the image generated from the differential phase image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Hoshino, Junko Kiyohara, Atsushi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9510799
    Abstract: A medical imaging system creates three kinds of reconstructed images of a diagnosis target site in a subject through X-ray imaging of the diagnosis target site with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau imaging apparatus, the three kinds of reconstructed images being an absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image. The medical imaging system includes: an input unit to receive an input of diagnosis target information for specifying the diagnosis target site, or the diagnosis target site and a disease to be diagnosed in the diagnosis target site; and a control unit to create a combined image of two kinds of reconstructed images among the three kinds of reconstructed images on the basis of the diagnosis target information input through the input unit, and to control a displaying unit to display the combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Chiho Makifuchi, Kazuhiro Kido, Junko Kiyohara
  • Publication number: 20160310099
    Abstract: Provided are a diagnostic medical image system and the like which enable diagnostic medical images generated in either an imaging system used for general imaging or an imaging system which includes a Talbot imaging device to be accurately associated with imaging order information. In the diagnostic medical image system, a controller groups a plurality of types of diagnostic medical images reconstructed and generated on the basis of a plurality of image signals captured by a second imaging system equipped with a Talbot imaging device and transmits the group to a console; and the console associates one diagnostic medical image generated from one image signal acquired from a first imaging system equipped with an X-ray imaging device with the imaging order information corresponding thereto and, by the same associating method, associates the grouped plurality of types of diagnostic medical images transmitted from the controller with the imaging order information corresponding thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Masaya HAMANO, Akira KURAHASHI, Norihiro MATSUSAKA, Junko KIYOHARA, Tomoyasu YOKOYAMA, Satoshi NISHINO
  • Publication number: 20160042533
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray imaging device and an image processing device including a reconstruction unit and an estimation unit. The X-ray imaging device uses a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer including gratings disposed in a line. The X-ray imaging device obtains sets of moire fringe images by fringe scanning multiple times between which arrangement of the gratings is changed. In the fringe scanning, one of the gratings is moved relatively to the remaining grating. The reconstruction unit generates, on the basis of the sets, a reconstructed image which is a differential phase image, an X-ray absorption image and/or a small-angle scattering image. The estimation unit estimates, on the basis of the reconstructed image, a relative position of the moved grating from a reference position of the grating at each imaging in the fringe scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Junko KIYOHARA
  • Publication number: 20150150529
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus includes a controller which generates reconstructed image(s) including at least a differential phase image from image signals of an imaged subject. The image processing apparatus measures the thickness of cartilage in the joint in the differential phase image or an image generated from the differential phase image, by reference to at least one of i) an edge of a bone in the joint identified in a reconstructed image or an image generated from the reconstructed image and ii) an edge of the cartilage identified in the differential phase image or the image generated from the differential phase image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihide HOSHINO, Junko KIYOHARA, Atsushi TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20150131777
    Abstract: A medical imaging system creates three kinds of reconstructed images of a diagnosis target site in a subject through X-ray imaging of the diagnosis target site with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau imaging apparatus, the three kinds of reconstructed images being an absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image. The medical imaging system includes: an input unit to receive an input of diagnosis target information for specifying the diagnosis target site, or the diagnosis target site and a disease to be diagnosed in the diagnosis target site; and a control unit to create a combined image of two kinds of reconstructed images among the three kinds of reconstructed images on the basis of the diagnosis target information input through the input unit, and to control a displaying unit to display the combined image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Chiho Makifuchi, Kazuhiro Kido, Junko Kiyohara
  • Patent number: 9025725
    Abstract: The apparatus includes: an X-ray source a multi slits element a first grating; a second grating; a driving section; a subject placing plate: and an X-ray detector, in which conversion elements to convert intensities of X-rays received thereby to electric signals, are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern so as to read the electric signals as image signals. The driving section moves the multi slits element relative to both the first grating and the second grating in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction of irradiating the X-rays, so that the X-ray detector repeats a processing for reading the electric signals converted from the intensities of X-rays received thereby, every time when the multi slits element moves at predetermined intervals so as to acquire the image signals representing Moire images captured at the predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Junko Kiyohara, Kazuhiro Kido, Chiho Makifuchi
  • Patent number: 8995614
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for displaying medical images and a medical image display system that do not require a medical practitioner to move his/her line of sight at the time of comparing/interpreting images and that can improve accuracy in diagnosis. According to the medical image display system of the present invention: an X-ray imaging device captures an image of a subject according to a first imaging mode by a fringe-scanning imaging device or a second imaging mode by a Fourier transform imaging device; a controller creates at least two images from among an X-ray absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image on the basis of the captured moir image; and said at least two images that have been created are displayed in turn in the same position on a display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumiya Nagatsuka, Junko Kiyohara, Shikou Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8989474
    Abstract: Disclosed in an x-ray imaging device, which uses a Talbot-Lau interferometer, eliminates the effects on image quality of a reconstructed image that arises in such cases as when the direction of a multi-slit or each lattice slit is altered and imaging is performed, and provides reconstructed images favorable for diagnosis. When a plurality of moire images imaged with an imaging subject loaded onto a imaging subject stand (13) and a plurality of moire images imaged without the imaging subject are input, a control unit (51) of a controller (5) corrects signal value differences arising from variations in x-ray strength during imaging respectively between the plurality of moire images with the imaging subject and between the plurality of moire images without the imaging subject, and respectively creates a reconstructed image with the imaging subject and a reconstructed image without the imaging subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kido, Chiho Makifuchi, Junko Kiyohara
  • Publication number: 20140198895
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a radiographing apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The radiographing apparatus is provided with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer and includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a subject table. The image processing apparatus generates at least one of an X-ray absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image of the subject using an image signal and a background signal obtained through subject radiographing and background radiographing, respectively. The background radiographing is performed with a member held instead of the subject. The member has a material and/or thickness to create change in energy spectrum of X-rays equivalent to change in energy spectrum of X-rays created by the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide HOSHINO, Junko KIYOHARA
  • Publication number: 20140010344
    Abstract: A medical image display system is shown. The medical image display system includes, a fringe scanning type capturing apparatus or a Fourier transformation type capturing apparatus; an image processing section; a display section; and a control section. The capturing apparatus includes, an X-ray source; a first grating and a second grating; a subject table; and an X-ray detector. The image processing section generates a plurality of reconstructed images for diagnosis based on an image signal of a subject captured with the capturing apparatus. The display section displays at least two of the plurality of reconstructed images. The control section detects an abnormal candidate on each of the plurality of reconstructed images and controls display order of the plurality of reconstructed images displayed on the display section based on a result of detecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Sumiya Nagatsuka, Junko Kiyohara, Shikou Kaneko, Kazuhiro Kido
  • Publication number: 20130201198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for displaying medical images and a medical image display system that do not require a medical practitioner to move his/her line of sight at the time of comparing/interpreting images and that can improve accuracy in diagnosis. According to the medical image display system of the present invention: an X-ray imaging device captures an image of a subject according to a first imaging mode by a fringe-scanning imaging device or a second imaging mode by a Fourier transform imaging device; a controller creates at least two images from among an X-ray absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image on the basis of the captured moire image; and said at least two images that have been created are displayed in turn in the same position on a display section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Sumiya Nagatsuka, Junko Kiyohara, Shikou Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20130011040
    Abstract: Disclosed in an x-ray imaging device, which uses a Talbot-Lau interferometer, eliminates the effects on image quality of a reconstructed image that arises in such cases as when the direction of a multi-slit or each lattice slit is altered and imaging is performed, and provides reconstructed images favorable for diagnosis. When a plurality of moire images imaged with an imaging subject loaded onto a imaging subject stand (13) and a plurality of moire images imaged without the imaging subject are input, a control unit (51) of a controller (5) corrects signal value differences arising from variations in x-ray strength during imaging respectively between the plurality of moire images with the imaging subject and between the plurality of moire images without the imaging subject, and respectively creates a reconstructed image with the imaging subject and a reconstructed image without the imaging subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kido, Chiho Makifuchi, Junko Kiyohara
  • Publication number: 20120224670
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel X-ray image capturing apparatus to which the Talbot-Lau interferometer is applied. The apparatus includes: an X-ray source a multi slits element a first grating; a second grating; a driving section; a subject placing plate: and an X-ray detector, in which conversion elements to convert intensities of X-rays received thereby to electric signals, are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern so as to read the electric signals as image signals. The driving section moves the multi slits element relative to both the first grating and the second grating in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction of irradiating the X-rays, so that the X-ray detector repeats a processing for reading the electric signals converted from the intensities of X-rays received thereby, every time when the multi slits element moves at predetermined intervals so as to acquire the image signals representing Moire images captured at the predetermined intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Junko Kiyohara, Kazuhiro Kido, Chiho Makifuchi