Patents by Inventor Nathan J. Packard

Nathan J. Packard 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: 10959697
    Abstract: Synchronizing operation between a digital radiographic detector's integration periods and an x-ray generator's x-ray pulse rate by transmitting a frame rate to the detector and the generator. In a first mode, the detector monitors one or more pixels to detect an x-ray pulse. The firing time of the detected x-ray pulse relative to an internal clock of the detector is used to synchronize the detector's integration periods with the pulse rate of the x-ray generator based on the transmitted frame rate and the detected firing time of the x-ray pulses. Successive pulses may also be used to determine a frame rate without prior transmission thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Richard, Xiaohui Wang, Timothy J. Wojcik, Nathan J. Packard
  • Patent number: 10813604
    Abstract: An apparatus having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector configured to be rotated about a standing patient to capture and store a plurality of radiographic images of the patient during the rotation. A portable enclosure surrounds the source, the detector and the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Simon, Nathan J. Packard
  • Patent number: 10789737
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for reconstructing a 3-D volume image using a radiographic imaging system having one or more x-ray sources and a digital detector. A plurality of radiographic images of a subject at various angles are captured in the digital detector. Image data in two or more pixels of the detector that are adjacent to each other in a row direction or a column direction are combined, while pixels adjacent in the other direction are not combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohui Wang, Richard A. Simon, Levon O. Vogelsang, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20200058141
    Abstract: A method accepts patient-specific data for imaging a patient extremity on a cone beam computed tomography apparatus and generates and displays a set of acquisition parameters and dose indication for 2-D projection image capture of the extremity. The generated set of acquisition parameters and dose indication are updated according to one or more operator entered instructions. A set of 2-D projection images of a 3-D volume is acquired according to the updated set of acquisition parameters. The volume is reconstructed according to the acquired set of 2-D projection images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Richard A. SIMON, Lawrence A. RAY, Edward B. GINDELE, Nathan J. PACKARD
  • Publication number: 20200046310
    Abstract: Synchronizing operation between a digital radiographic detector's integration periods and an x-ray generator's x-ray pulse rate by transmitting a frame rate to the detector and the generator. In a first mode, the detector monitors one or more pixels to detect an x-ray pulse. The firing time of the detected x-ray pulse relative to an internal clock of the detector is used to synchronize the detector's integration periods with the pulse rate of the x-ray generator based on the transmitted frame rate and the detected firing time of the x-ray pulses. Successive pulses may also be used to determine a frame rate without prior transmission thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Samuel RICHARD, Xiaohui WANG, Timothy J. WOJCIK, Nathan J. PACKARD
  • Patent number: 10307123
    Abstract: An imaging method, accesses cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data and displays, on a display monitor, at least one view of the CBCT data. The method provides an interface for a user to indicate a tomosynthesis reconstruction plane on the displayed view of the CBCT data; and displays a tomosynthesis image on the display monitor according to the indicated tomosynthesis reconstruction plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Packard, John Yorkston, Richard A. Simon, Levon O. Vogelsang, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 10251612
    Abstract: A method for generating a modulation tube current waveform acquires reflectance images of a subject and generates a surface contour characterization of the subject according to the reflectance images. The surface contour is registered to the imaged field of view. A volume image is formed according to the generated surface contour. A modulation factor for the radiographic volume imaging apparatus is determined at a plurality of modulation points. A modulation tube current waveform is generated using the modulation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20180353145
    Abstract: An apparatus having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector configured to be rotated about a standing patient to capture and store a plurality of radiographic images of the patient during the rotation. A portable enclosure surrounds the source, the detector and the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Richard A. SIMON, Nathan J. PACKARD
  • Publication number: 20180350112
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for reconstructing a 3-D volume image using a radiographic imaging system having one or more x-ray sources and a digital detector. A plurality of radiographic images of a subject at various angles are captured in the digital detector. Image data in two or more pixels of the detector that are adjacent to each other in a row direction or a column direction are combined, while pixels adjacent in the other direction are not combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Xiaohui WANG, Richard A. SIMON, Levon O. VOGELSANG, Nathan J. PACKARD
  • Patent number: 9931098
    Abstract: A method of operating a tomographic imaging system whereby a plurality of radiographic images of an object are captured at a first orientation of the system's source and detector. After the radiographic images are captured and stored, geometric calibration data for the system is measured, corresponding to the first orientation of the system. A three dimensional image of the object is reconstructed using the measured geometric calibration data corresponding to the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank West, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20180040121
    Abstract: A method for generating a modulation tube current waveform acquires reflectance images of a subject and generates a surface contour characterization of the subject according to the reflectance images. The surface contour is registered to the imaged field of view. A volume image is formed according to the generated surface contour. A modulation factor for the radiographic volume imaging apparatus is determined at a plurality of modulation points. A modulation tube current waveform is generated using the modulation factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20170296137
    Abstract: A method of operating a tomographic imaging system whereby a plurality of radiographic images of an object are captured at a first orientation of the system's source and detector. After the radiographic images are captured and stored, geometric calibration data for the system is measured, corresponding to the first orientation of the system. A three dimensional image of the object is reconstructed using the measured geometric calibration data corresponding to the first orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Frank West, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20170143288
    Abstract: An imaging method, accesses cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data and displays, on a display monitor, at least one view of the CBCT data. The method provides an interface for a user to indicate a tomosynthesis reconstruction plane on the displayed view of the CBCT data; and displays a tomosynthesis image on the display monitor according to the indicated tomosynthesis reconstruction plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan J. Packard, John Yorkston, Richard A. Simon, Levon O. Vogelsang, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 9265475
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus, can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, a first scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images can be modulated based on a first scaling function and a SPR to generate a second scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images, which can be combined with the original plurality of projection images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Yang, Nathan J. Packard, Robert A. Senn
  • Publication number: 20150250431
    Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: John Yorkston, Jeffrey H. Siewerdsen, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20140334700
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus, can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, a first scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images can be modulated based on a first scaling function and a SPR to generate a second scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images, which can be combined with the original plurality of projection images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Dong Yang, Nathan J. Packard, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 8842806
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a breast of a patient has a gantry with a radiation source and a sensor, the source and sensor rotatable in an arcuate orbit about a central axis and within a plane of revolution, wherein the arcuate orbit spans more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees, and wherein the gantry has a gantry cover that is disposed to be in contact with at least the chest wall of the patient. The gantry cover has a central opening about the central axis for insertion of the breast that is to be imaged and a peripheral cutout portion that defines the end-points of the arcuate orbit and that provides a space for positioning a portion of the patient's anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Packard, Samuel Richard, Dong Yang
  • Patent number: 8818065
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus, can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, a first scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images can be modulated based on a first scaling function and a SPR to generate a second scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images, which can be combined with the original plurality of projection images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Yang, Nathan J. Packard, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 8705828
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, through the application of a resolution increasing interpolator, a prescribed CBCT routine scanning mode with preset binning can increase a spatial resolution, Nyquist frequency or MTF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Yang, Nathan J. Packard
  • Publication number: 20130259193
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a breast of a patient has a gantry with a radiation source and a sensor, the source and sensor rotatable in an arcuate orbit about a central axis and within a plane of revolution, wherein the arcuate orbit spans more than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees, and wherein the gantry has a gantry cover that is disposed to be in contact with at least the chest wall of the patient. The gantry cover has a central opening about the central axis for insertion of the breast that is to be imaged and a peripheral cutout portion that defines the end-points of the arcuate orbit and that provides a space for positioning a portion of the patient's anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Nathan J. Packard, Samuel Richard, Dong Yang