Patents by Inventor Meei-Ling Jan

Meei-Ling Jan 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: 10524758
    Abstract: The invention provides an automatic exposure control method for a digital X-ray imaging device. The automatic exposure control method for a digital X-ray imaging device includes the following the steps. First, a parameter database is provided before imaging scan. A depth information is generated, wherein the depth information by a depth sensor detect the thickness of a region of interest of an object. Imaging exposure parameters, mAs and kV, are estimated according to the depth information and the parameter database. Then, X-ray imaging is performed according to the imaging exposure parameters estimated by the method described in this application. In addition, an automatic exposure control system for a digital X-ray imaging device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Meei-Ling Jan, Sheng-Pin Tseng, Chia-Hao Chang
  • Publication number: 20180116622
    Abstract: The invention provides an automatic exposure control method for a digital X-ray imaging device. The automatic exposure control method for a digital X-ray imaging device includes the following the steps. First, a parameter database is provided before imaging scan. A depth information is generated, wherein the depth information by a depth sensor detect the thickness of a region of interest of an object. Imaging exposure parameters, mAs and kV, are estimated according to the depth information and the parameter database. Then, X-ray imaging is performed according to the imaging exposure parameters estimated by the method described in this application. In addition, an automatic exposure control system for a digital X-ray imaging device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: MEEI-LING JAN, Sheng-Pin Tseng, Chia-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 9795347
    Abstract: A scanning system for three-dimensional imaging comprises a bench, a gantry frame, a light source, a sensor and a control unit. The bench is to support a subject to be scanned. The gantry frame is movably mounted at a lateral side of the bench. The light source is movably mounted on the gantry frame so as to emit a light for a radiographic purpose. The sensor is movably mounted at a side of the bench, by opposing to the subject with respect to the bench, so as to receive the light emitted from the light source. The control unit is electrically coupled with the gantry frame, the light source and the sensor so as thereby to perform motion controls upon the gantry frame, the light source and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Meei-Ling Jan, Sheng-Pin Tseng
  • Patent number: 9575016
    Abstract: A projection method of three-dimensional imaging includes the steps of respectively projecting a radiation field emitted from a radiation source with respect to one specific detector of a plurality of detectors and a three-dimensional sub-voxel onto two two-dimensional planes; rotating the specific detector to one specific axis of the two dimensional plane; performing a calculation for obtaining a sub-geometric factor corresponding to each specific detector and each voxel; and, finally, forming a geometric factor by combining each sub-geometric factor defined by each detector and each voxel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C.
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20160123900
    Abstract: A projection method of three-dimensional imaging includes the steps of respectively projecting a radiation field emitted from a radiation source with respect to one specific detector of a plurality of detectors and a three-dimensional sub-voxel onto two two-dimensional planes; rotating the specific detector to one specific axis of the two dimensional plane; performing a calculation for obtaining a sub-geometric factor corresponding to each specific detector and each voxel; and, finally, forming a geometric factor by combining each sub-geometric factor defined by each detector and each voxel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: FAN-PIN TSENG, MEEI-LING JAN
  • Patent number: 9285486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for radiation detection signal processing, and more particularly to a method capable of using a periodic signal to control the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor of an integrator. The method can be used for detecting the energy of incident photon of Gamma ray during the happening of an event while reducing dead time, and thereby, the count rate is increased. As the periodic signal is used as the signal for controlling the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor, the charging/discharging time of the integrator is no longer being controlled by the triggering time of the event, and thus, the present method is advantageous in that: the control method and circuit architecture are comparatively simpler since the charging/discharging time of the integrator no longer required to be controlled precisely, and thus the integration error due to insufficient resolution in delay element can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Sheng-Pin Tseng, Ming-Lee Chu, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Patent number: 9259193
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection method of 3D ray tracing, so as to construct a geometric factor required for the reconstruction of a medical image in the imaging field. The present invention mainly projects a radiation field and a voxel detected by each detector on two 2D planes, then calculates the geometric ratio of a rectangular unit, corresponding to each voxel on the two 2D planes, to the radiation field, respectively, and multiplies the geometric ratios to obtain a sub-geometric factor with respect to the voxel. The sub-geometric factors gij of all voxels i corresponding to all detectors j are combined to form a geometric factor matrix Gij.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Tien-Hsiu Tsai, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Patent number: 9200948
    Abstract: A tomographic scanning apparatus for scanning an object under test and retrieving projection-related data of the object with a light/radiation source and a detector operating in conjunction therewith includes an object carrier, a light/radiation source carrier, a detector carrier, a control module, a processing module, and a rail system (or rotating arm). The object carrier is disposed at a center of the rail system or a center of rotating tracks of the rotating arm. The light/radiation source carrier and the detector carrier move along a rail of the rail system or along the rotating tracks of the rotating arm. The carriers have a rotating mechanism, moving mechanism, and/or height adjusting mechanism for performing rotation, horizontal movement, and/or height adjustment. Accordingly, the tomographic scanning apparatus operates in various ways to suit various applications, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Meei-Ling Jan, Tien-Hsiu Tsai, Ho-Hui Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9161729
    Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray photography includes a first X-ray source, a first driving device, and an image detecting device. The first X-ray source has a light emitting end, provided with a block element. The first X-ray source generates an X-ray beam, and the block element is used for constraining a projection field of the X-ray beam, so that the X-ray beam has a first boundary. The X-ray beam is cast onto an object, and the object has a reference center and an imageable area. The first driving device is used for driving the first X-ray source to rotate around the object within an angle range with the reference center of the object as a center, so that when the first X-ray source is located at a first position, the first boundary passes through the reference center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Ho-Hui Hsieh, Meei-Ling Jan, Tien-Hsiu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9024270
    Abstract: The present invention based on not changing hardware design, which means that each imaging detector keep independent considerations, the weighted value of the circuit to be pushed back the weight of the original signal, and then estimate the amount of the original signal in a virtual cascade circuit to renew weighted signal; this estimation process through simplification, only simple addition and multiplication calculations on real numbers need to be implemented. Advantage of the present invention is that the signal data through a simple operation will complete the estimate. Executing the estimate in hardware without increasing storage capacity of the rear-end list mode data, and also to achieve a continuous and effective imaging area to expand and enhance the probe's sensitivity and keep a higher signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Hsin-Chin Liang, Meei-Ling Jan, Ching-Wei Kuo
  • Publication number: 20150117612
    Abstract: The present invention based on not changing hardware design, which means that each imaging detector keep independent considerations, the weighted value of the circuit to be pushed back the weight of the original signal, and then estimate the amount of the original signal in a virtual cascade circuit to renew weighted signal; this estimation process through simplification, only simple addition and multiplication calculations on real numbers need to be implemented. Advantage of the present invention is that the signal data through a simple operation will complete the estimate. Executing the estimate in hardware without increasing storage capacity of the rear-end list mode data, and also to achieve a continuous and effective imaging area to expand and enhance the probe's sensitivity and keep a higher signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: HSIN-CHIN LIANG, MEEI-LING JAN, CHING-WEI KUO
  • Publication number: 20150115143
    Abstract: A tomographic scanning apparatus for scanning an object under test and retrieving projection-related data of the object with a light/radiation source and a detector operating in conjunction therewith includes an object carrier, a light/radiation source carrier, a detector carrier, a control module, a processing module, and a rail system (or rotating arm). The object carrier is disposed at a center of the rail system or a center of rotating tracks of the rotating arm. The light/radiation source carrier and the detector carrier move along a rail of the rail system or along the rotating tracks of the rotating arm. The carriers have a rotating mechanism, moving mechanism, and/or height adjusting mechanism for performing rotation, horizontal movement, and/or height adjustment. Accordingly, the tomographic scanning apparatus operates in various ways to suit various applications, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: MEEI-LING JAN, TIEN-HSIU TSAI, HO-HUI HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20150117597
    Abstract: A scanning system for three-dimensional imaging comprises a bench, a gantry frame, a light source, a sensor and a control unit. The bench is to support a subject to be scanned. The gantry frame is movably mounted at a lateral side of the bench. The light source is movably mounted on the gantry frame so as to emit a light for a radiographic purpose. The sensor is movably mounted at a side of the bench, by opposing to the subject with respect to the bench, so as to receive the light emitted from the light source. The control unit is electrically coupled with the gantry frame, the light source and the sensor so as thereby to perform motion controls upon the gantry frame, the light source and the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: MEEI-LING JAN, SHENG-PIN TSENG
  • Publication number: 20150115167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for radiation detection signal processing, and more particularly to a method capable of using a periodic signal to control the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor of an integrator. The method can be used for detecting the energy of incident photon of Gamma ray during the happening of an event while reducing dead time, and thereby, the count rate is increased. As the periodic signal is used as the signal for controlling the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor, the charging/discharging time of the integrator is no longer being controlled by the triggering time of the event, and thus, the present method is advantageous in that: the control method and circuit architecture are comparatively simpler since the charging/discharging time of the integrator no longer required to be controlled precisely, and thus the integration error due to insufficient resolution in delay element can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: SHENG-PIN TSENG, MING-LEE CHU, MEEI-LING JAN
  • Patent number: 8966954
    Abstract: An anthropomorphic phantom for medical imaging systems is disclosed, which is configured with organ models designed to mimic the three-dimensional shape of human organs, and also by the arrangement of plate-like first connecting elements inside their corresponding organ models, lesion phantoms for simulating tumors can be fixedly secured inside the corresponding organ model using a plurality of first connection holes formed on the first connecting element. Therefore, by the distribution of those first connection holes, not only the lesion phantoms can be arranged at any position inside the corresponding organ model at will as required, but also by modularized design of the anthropomorphic phantom, organ models can first be assembled to form a module structure while the whole module structure with the organ model can be moved into and assembled easily with a torso-like humanoid housing of the anthropomorphic phantom by the use of a handle element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Yu-Ching Ni, Shiang-Lin Hsu, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Patent number: 8971657
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving image quality. Through applying variation value during operation of iterated algorithm, this invention can reduce blur phenomenon caused by partial volume effects and improve image accuracy. In an embodiment, by applying the algorithm utilized in the method for improving image quality, this invention further provides an imaging system to detect the distribution of the object, thereby obtaining a clear restored image corresponding to the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Meei-Ling Jan, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Patent number: 8958865
    Abstract: A lesion phantom is disclosed, which is a spherical ball having a cavity formed therein for housing contrast agents or medicines, and is enabled for the quantitative evaluation of a medical image in drug development and evaluation. In an embodiment, the cavity of the lesion phantom is coupled to a tapering ring and is configured to be sealed by a silicon plug, in order to ensure that contrast agents or medicines can be fed into the cavity easily and conveniently without causing any problem, such as overflowing, a bubble residue problem, radioactive contamination, etc. Moreover, by the arrangement of a retractable fixing bar, the positioning of the lesion phantom can be adjusted flexibly at will, and additionally by the tapering of the tapering ring, the lesion phantom can be prevented from being damaged by any extreme, sudden, unjust, or improper force exerted, and thus the lifespan of the lesion phantom can be prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Shiang-Lin Hsu, Yu-Ching Ni, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20140140478
    Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray photography includes a first X-ray source, a first driving device, and an image detecting device. The first X-ray source has a light emitting end, provided with a block element. The first X-ray source generates an X-ray beam, and the block element is used for constraining a projection field of the X-ray beam, so that the X-ray beam has a first boundary. The X-ray beam is cast onto an object, and the object has a reference center and an imageable area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: HO-HUI HSIEH, MEEI-LING JAN, TIEN-HSIU TSAI
  • Publication number: 20140138554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection method of 3D ray tracing, so as to construct a geometric factor required for the reconstruction of a medical image in the imaging field. The present invention mainly projects a radiation field and a voxel detected by each detector on two 2D planes, then calculates the geometric ratio of a rectangular unit, corresponding to each voxel on the two 2D planes, to the radiation field, respectively, and multiplies the geometric ratios to obtain a sub-geometric factor with respect to the voxel. The sub-geometric factors gij of all voxels i corresponding to all detectors j are combined to form a geometric factor matrix Gij.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: FAN-PIN TSENG, TIEN-HSIU TSAI, MEEI-LING JAN
  • Publication number: 20140133723
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving image quality. Through applying variation value during operation of iterated algorithm, this invention can reduce blur phenomenon caused by partial volume effects and improve image accuracy. In an embodiment, by applying the algorithm utilized in the method for improving image quality, this invention further provides an imaging system to detect the distribution of the object, thereby obtaining a clear restored image corresponding to the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: FAN-PIN TSENG, MEEI-LING JAN, YU-CHING NI