Patents by Inventor Norbert J. Pelc
Norbert J. Pelc 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).
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Patent number: 11883226Abstract: An x-ray apparatus includes an x-ray source capable of producing an x-ray beam with a focal spot having a spatial shape that is selected to pre-amplify predetermined spatial frequencies exceeding half a cutoff frequency as compared to spatial frequencies below half the cutoff frequency; an x-ray detector capable of detecting the x-ray beam; and a processor adapted to reconstruct an image from the detected x-ray beam using a filter that compensates the pre-amplified predetermined spatial frequencies. The spatial shape comprises two or more disconnected regions that preferably have widths less than that of a nominal focal spot, combined widths greater than or equal to that of a nominal focal spot, and are separated by less than three times a width of a nominal focal spot.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Norbert J. Pelc, Adam S. Wang
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Publication number: 20220257206Abstract: A method of x-ray fluoroscopy images a region of interest at distinct first and second imaging projection angles using digital subtraction x-ray fluoroscopic imaging with a fiducial marker board positioned in a field of view containing the region of interest to produce first and second sets of images. Image segmentation information is determined to identify an anatomical feature in the region of interest imaged in the first set of images and the second set of images. The region of interest is then imaged using x-ray fluoroscopic imaging, again with the fiducial marker board positioned in a third field of view containing the region of interest, but without digital subtraction, to produce a third set of images. A virtual image of the anatomical feature is projected onto the third set of images, computed from the image segmentation information and from a predetermined geometric relationship of markers within the fiducial marker board.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Bryan I. Hartley, Harmeet Bedi, Rene Vargas-Voracek, Norbert J. Pelc
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Publication number: 20220110599Abstract: An x-ray apparatus includes an x-ray source capable of producing an x-ray beam with a focal spot having a spatial shape that is selected to pre-amplify predetermined spatial frequencies exceeding half a cutoff frequency as compared to spatial frequencies below half the cutoff frequency; an x-ray detector capable of detecting the x-ray beam; and a processor adapted to reconstruct an image from the detected x-ray beam using a filter that compensates the pre-amplified predetermined spatial frequencies. The spatial shape comprises two or more disconnected regions that preferably have widths less than that of a nominal focal spot, combined widths greater than or equal to that of a nominal focal spot, and are separated by less than three times a width of a nominal focal spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Norbert J. Pelc, Adam S. Wang
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Patent number: 9521982Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section. A plurality of attenuation elements is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the attenuation elements for moving the attenuation elements. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of attenuation elements. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of attenuation elements, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Scott Hsieh, Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 9488739Abstract: Spectral x-ray imaging using a photon counting x-ray detector (PCXD) transmits a broad spectrum x-ray beam through an object, detects the transmitted x-ray beam with the PCXD and processes the detected signals to determine material characteristics of the object using both the detected signals as a function of detector layer and the detected signals as a function of the particular energy band. Each detector layer of the multiple detector layers produces at least two signals, each signal representing a detected x-ray intensity in a particular energy band, and the depth information contained in the separate read-out channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventor: Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 9435900Abstract: An apparatus for x-ray imaging of an object is provided. An x-ray source for providing alternating x-ray spectrums is placed on a first side of the object. A spectrum separation fixed filter is placed between the x-ray source and the object. An x-ray detector is placed on a second side of the object opposite the x-ray source. A controller controls the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Yuan Yao, Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 9414792Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section. A plurality of wedges is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the wedges for moving the wedges substantially perpendicular to the length of the cross-section of the collimated x-ray beam. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of wedges. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of wedges, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation. A detection system measures the relative position of the plurality of wedges. The detection system comprises an optical sensor and a plurality of optical markers, where each wedge has at least one optical marker attached.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITYInventors: Scott Hsieh, Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 9392984Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section with a length and thickness. A plurality of wedges is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the wedges for moving the wedges substantially perpendicular to the length of the cross-section of the collimated x-ray beam. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of wedges. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of wedges, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Norbert J. Pelc, Scott Hsieh
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Patent number: 9196061Abstract: A method for performing truncation artifact correction includes acquiring a projection dataset of a patient, the projection dataset including measured data and truncated data, generating an initial estimate of a boundary between the measured data and the truncated data, using the measured data to revise the initial estimate of the boundary, estimating the truncated data using the revised estimate of the boundary, and using the measured data and the estimated truncated data to generate an image of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott Hsieh, Norbert J. Pelc, Brian Edward Nett
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Publication number: 20150168570Abstract: Spectral x-ray imaging using a photon counting x-ray detector (PCXD) transmits a broad spectrum x-ray beam through an object, detects the transmitted x-ray beam with the PCXD and processes the detected signals to determine material characteristics of the object using both the detected signals as a function of detector layer and the detected signals as a function of the particular energy band. Each detector layer of the multiple detector layers produces at least two signals, each signal representing a detected x-ray intensity in a particular energy band, and the depth information contained in the separate read-out channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventor: Norbert J. Pelc
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Publication number: 20140328453Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section. A plurality of attenuation elements is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the attenuation elements for moving the attenuation elements. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of attenuation elements. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of attenuation elements, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Scott HSIEH, Norbert J. PELC
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Publication number: 20140294141Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section. A plurality of wedges is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the wedges for moving the wedges substantially perpendicular to the length of the cross-section of the collimated x-ray beam. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of wedges. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of wedges, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation. A detection system measures the relative position of the plurality of wedges. The detection system comprises an optical sensor and a plurality of optical markers, where each wedge has at least one optical marker attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Scott HSIEH, Norbert J. PELC
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Publication number: 20140192950Abstract: A CT apparatus for scanning an object is provided. An x-ray source is provided, wherein the x-ray source provides a collimated x-ray beam with a cross-section with a length and thickness. A plurality of wedges is provided between the source and object. An actuator is connected to the wedges for moving the wedges substantially perpendicular to the length of the cross-section of the collimated x-ray beam. An x-ray detector is located on an opposite side of the object from the x-ray source and is for detecting x-rays that pass through the object and the plurality of wedges. A gantry rotates the x-ray source, the plurality of wedges, and the x-ray detector around an axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: The Board of Directors of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Norbert J. Pelc, Scott Hsieh
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Publication number: 20140126784Abstract: A method for performing truncation artifact correction includes acquiring a projection dataset of a patient, the projection dataset including measured data and truncated data, generating an initial estimate of a boundary between the measured data and the truncated data, using the measured data to revise the initial estimate of the boundary, estimating the truncated data using the revised estimate of the boundary, and using the measured data and the estimated truncated data to generate an image of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventors: Scott Hsieh, Norbert J. Pelc, Brian Edward Nett
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Publication number: 20120314834Abstract: An apparatus for x-ray imaging of an object is provided. An x-ray source for providing alternating x-ray spectrums is placed on a first side of the object. A spectrum separation fixed filter is placed between the x-ray source and the object. An x-ray detector is placed on a second side of the object opposite the x-ray source. A controller controls the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Yuan YAO, Norbert J. PELC
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Patent number: 8331531Abstract: The present invention provides a radiotherapy treatment apparatus that includes a treatment beam, a magnetic field disposed parallel collinear to the treatment beam, and a target that is disposed along the treatment beam. The treatment beam can be a charged particle beam, a proton beam, an electron beam, or a linear accelerator (Linac) beam. The magnetic field is from a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), a megavolt x-ray imager, or a kilovolt x-ray imager and is disposed to operate in coordination with operation of the treatment beam and to narrow the beam. The tumor is disposed to rotate with respect to the treatment beam and the magnetic field, or the treatment beam and the magnetic field are disposed to rotate up to 360° with respect to the target when mounted to a ring gantry. The apparatus can include a rotation angle dependent shim disposed to account for Earth's magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Rebecca Fahrig, Norbert J. Pelc, Kim Pauly, Greig C. Scott, Amit Sawant, Paul J. Keall, Lei Xing, Steven M. Conolly
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Patent number: 8194820Abstract: A method for determining a composition of an object using a spectral x-ray system is provided. X-ray photons of at least two different energies are transmitted through the object. The energy of each detected x-ray photon using a detector in the x-ray system is estimated. A first weighted sum of the number of detected photons of each energy is found using a first weighting function, wherein the first weighting function is dependent on the attenuation coefficient function of a first material. In another embodiment, the photons are binned into two energy bins wherein there is a gap between the energy bins.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Adam S. Wang, Norbert J. Pelc
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Patent number: 7860210Abstract: A method for imaging an object in a computed tomography (CT) system with a plurality of sources comprising a first source and a second source, wherein the plurality of sources together with a detector array are mounted on a rotatable gantry, and wherein an intensity of the second source has unknown fluctuations is provided. Projection data is collected using the first source in a first gantry position. Projection data is collected using the second source in a second gantry position, wherein projection data from the first source in the first gantry position substantially overlaps projection data from the second source in the second gantry position. Data from the first source at the first gantry position is used to correct for source fluctuations of the second source at the second gantry position.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Norbert J. Pelc, Jongduk Baek
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Publication number: 20100239066Abstract: The present invention provides a radiotherapy treatment apparatus that includes a treatment beam, a magnetic field disposed parallel collinear to the treatment beam, and a target that is disposed along the treatment beam. The treatment beam can be a charged particle beam, a proton beam, an electron beam, or a linear accelerator (Linac) beam. The magnetic field is from a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), a megavolt x-ray imager, or a kilovolt x-ray imager and is disposed to operate in coordination with operation of the treatment beam and to narrow the beam. The tumor is disposed to rotate with respect to the treatment beam and the magnetic field, or the treatment beam and the magnetic field are disposed to rotate up to 360° with respect to the target when mounted to a ring gantry. The apparatus can include a rotation angle dependent shim disposed to account for Earth's magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Rebecca Fahrig, Norbert J. Pelc, Kim Pauly, Greig C. Scott, Amit Sawant, Paul J. Keall, Lei Xing, Steven M. Conolly
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Patent number: 7778386Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods for reconstructing x-ray projection data (e.g., one or more sinograms) acquired using a multi-source, inverse-geometry computed tomography (“IGCT”) scanner. One embodiment of a first method processes an IGCT sinogram by rebinning first in “z” and then in “xy,” with feathering applied during the “xy” rebinning. This produces an equivalent of a multi-axial 3rd generation sinogram, which may be further processed using a parallel derivative and/or Hilbert transform. A TOM-window (with feathering) technique and a combines backprojection technique may also be applied to produce a reconstructed volume. An embodiment of a second method processes an IGCT sinogram using a parallel derivative and/or redundancy weighting. The second method may also use signum weighting, TOM-windowing (with feathering), backprojection, and a Hilbert Inversion to produce another reconstructed volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignees: General Electric Company, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Zhye Yin, Jed Douglas Pack, Bruno K. B. De Man, Norbert J. Pelc