Patents by Inventor Loren Niklason

Loren Niklason 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: 9498175
    Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason
  • Patent number: 9460508
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20160270742
    Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason
  • Publication number: 20160256125
    Abstract: Systems and methods for breast x-ray tomosynthesis that enhance spatial resolution in the direction in which the breast is flattened for examination. In addition to x-ray data acquisition of 2D projection tomosynthesis images ETp1 over a shorter source trajectory similar to known breast tomosynthesis, supplemental 2D images ETp2 are taken over a longer source trajectory and the two sets of projection images are processed into breast slice images ETr that exhibit enhanced spatial resolution, including in the thickness direction of the breast. Additional features include breast CT of an upright patient's flattened breast, multi-mode tomosynthesis, and shielding the patient from moving equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • Publication number: 20160081633
    Abstract: An x-ray breast imaging system comprising a compression paddle in which the compression paddle comprises a front wall and a bottom wall. The front wall is configured to be adjacent and face a chest wall of a patient during imaging and the bottom wall configured to be adjacent a length of a top of a compressed breast. The bottom wall extends away from the patient's chest wall, wherein the bottom wall comprises a first portion and a second portion such that the second portion is between the front wall and the first portion. The first portion is generally non- coplanar to the second portion, wherein the compression paddle is movable along a craniocaudal axis. The x-ray breast imaging system also comprises a non-rigid jacket releasably secured to the compression paddle, the non-rigid jacket positioned between the compression paddle and the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy R. STANGO, Kenneth F. FREITAS, Ian SHAW, Jay STEIN, Lynne JAMESON-MEEHAN, Loren NIKLASON
  • Patent number: 9202275
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150327826
    Abstract: Systems and methods for x-ray imaging a patient's breast in combinations of dual-energy, single-energy, mammography and tomosynthesis modes that facilitate screening for and diagnosis of breast abnormalities, particularly breast abnormalities characterized by abnormal vascularity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein, Zhenxue Jing, Baorui Ren, Loren Niklason, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw
  • Publication number: 20150310611
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 9095306
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20150160848
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaos GKANATSIOS, Loren NIKLASON, Ian SHAW, Christopher RUTH, Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN
  • Publication number: 20150157288
    Abstract: The effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images are automatically detected and quantified. In at least one embodiment an indication of detection of the effects of patient motion in tomosynthesis scan images is provided shortly after the scan, e.g., before the patient is discharged or before the breast is decompressed. A patient motion score may be calculated as part of motion quantification. The score may be stored for subsequent retrieval. Images may be presented with reference features to help a technician confirm of the effects of motion in images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Baorui Ren, Loren Niklason, Andrew Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Jay Stein
  • Patent number: 9042612
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 9020579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for x-ray imaging a patient's breast in combinations of dual-energy, single-energy, mammography and tomosynthesis modes that facilitate screening for and diagnosis of breast abnormalities, particularly breast abnormalities characterized by abnormal vascularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein, Zhenxue Jing, Baorui Ren, Loren Niklason, Christopher Ruth, Ian Shaw
  • Publication number: 20150049934
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140321607
    Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. SMITH, Jay A. STEIN, Ken DEFREITAS, Ian SHAW, Zhenxue JING, Loren NIKLASON, Baorui REN, Christopher RUTH
  • Patent number: 8873824
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8787522
    Abstract: A multi-mode system and method for imaging a patient's breast with x-rays in one or more of a CT mode, a narrow-angle tomosynthesis mode, a wide angle tomosynthesis mode, and a mammography mode, using essentially the same equipment, on one or more compressions or immobilizations of the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein, Ken Defreitas, Ian Shaw, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason, Baorui Ren, Christopher Ruth
  • Publication number: 20140112563
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140044230
    Abstract: A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Andrew P. Smith, Zhenxue Jing, Loren Niklason
  • Patent number: 8571292
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hologic Inc
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Jay Stein, Loren Niklason, Andrew Smith