Patents by Inventor Osamu Tsujii

Osamu Tsujii 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).

  • Publication number: 20090232272
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a multi X-ray generating unit in which multiple X-ray foci are disposed in two-dimensional form at a predetermined pitch in a first direction, and a slit unit having multiple slit members each disposed opposite to its respective X-ray focus. Each slit member has multiple slits arranged in the first direction, and each of the slits forms a slice-formed X-ray beam whose lengthwise direction is a second direction that is different from the first direction. The two-dimensional detection unit detects the X-ray intensity of the formed X-ray beams at the detection surface. The X-ray imaging apparatus executes X-ray imaging at multiple positions while moving the multi X-ray generating unit and the slit unit in the first direction by the amount of the predetermined pitch, while keeping the relative positional relationship therebetween, and reconstructs an X-ray image based on the obtained X-ray intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Keiji Tsuchiya, Masahiko Okunuki
  • Publication number: 20090232270
    Abstract: A multi X-ray generating apparatus which has a plurality of electron sources arranged two-dimensionally and targets arranged at positions opposite to the electron sources includes a multi electron source which includes a plurality of electron sources and outputs electrons from driven electron sources by selectively driving a plurality of electron sources in accordance with supplied driving signals, and a target unit which includes a plurality of targets which generate X-rays in accordance with irradiation of electrons output from the multi electron source and outputs X-rays with different radiation qualities in accordance with the generation locations of X-rays. The generation locations and radiation qualities of X-rays from the target unit are controlled by selectively driving the electron sources of the multi electron source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: MASAHIKO OKUNUKI, Osamu Tsujii, Satoshi Shimizu, Takashi Ogura
  • Patent number: 7575374
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes a detection section including photoelectric conversion elements that detect radiation that has been transmitted through a subject. The apparatus has a substantially rectangular detection surface; and a housing that contains the detection section. The housing has a handle in an area along a longer side of the detection surface when viewed along a direction normal to the detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Watanabe, Makoto Saito, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7570790
    Abstract: An apparatus having image processing function performs image processing method. In the image processing method, a first portion of data is acquired as a data stream obtained from image data that has been sequentially converted and encoded, then the acquired data is decoded to obtain a two-dimensional image. The two-dimensional image is analyzed to determine a region of interest within the two-dimensional image. Then, a second portion of data is acquired as a data stream obtained from the image data based on the region of interest. Thus, areas that are useful to the diagnosis can be displayed promptly and in detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 7564998
    Abstract: A first cross section image other than an axial image of a subject is generated from a radiation image. A nodule in the first cross section image is detected. A second cross section image including the detected nodule is generated from the radiation image. A feature amount of the second cross section image is calculated. It is determined based on the calculated feature amount whether not the detected nodule is a diagnostic pathology. A diagnostic image including the detected nodule is output on the basis of the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7537385
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes a detection section including photoelectric conversion elements that detect radiation that has been transmitted through a subject. The apparatus has a substantially rectangular detection surface; and a housing that contains the detection section. The housing has a handle in an area along a longer side of the detection surface when viewed along a direction normal to the detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Watanabe, Makoto Saito, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7507970
    Abstract: This invention has as its object to realize a radiation image sensing apparatus which can adjust (AEC-controls) the amount of incoming light or dose without requiring high-speed driving. Since a second photoelectric conversion element (108) which is used to detect the total dose of radiation that enters a conversion unit is formed independently of pixels having first conversion elements (101) that are formed in the conversion unit on a single substrate, the need for reading out the outputs from the first conversion elements (101) at high speed for the purpose of adjustment of the dose of incoming radiation can be obviated, and another sensor used to adjust the dose need not be added, thus simplifying the structure of a radiation image sensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Kobayashi, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuku, Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20090060309
    Abstract: A radiation image processing apparatus which processes non-spiral projection data obtained by radiation imaging performed by rotating a radiation generator and a two-dimensional radiation detector relative to a subject reconstructs the non-spiral projection data into first volume data subjected to an averaging process in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotation and second volume data not subjected to the averaging process. The radiation image processing apparatus performs planar reconstruction calculation using the first volume data to generate a cross section image in a first plane perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis and performs planar reconstruction calculation using the second volume data to generate a cross section image in a second plane parallel to the direction of the rotation axis. The resulting cross section images are displayed on a display apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu TSUJII, Yuichi NISHII, Hiroyuki URUSHIYA, Kazuhiro MATSUMOTO, Hiroyuki SHINBATA
  • Publication number: 20090022269
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that performs radiation imaging of a breast of a subject, which includes a table for laying down the subject; a receiving section that receives a breast of the subject laid on the table in a supine position; a radiation imaging section including a radiation emission unit and a radiation detection unit each located at a position opposing to each other being interposed by the breast of the subject received in the receiving section; and a drive unit that shifts the receiving section to a position suitable for imaging the breast of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Shinsuke Hayashida, Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Katsushi Kato
  • Patent number: 7440538
    Abstract: In an apparatus without a helical movement, a reconstruction error considerably increases as a radiation angle increases. In a prior art embodiment, for example, a one-side value of the radiation angle is 9.5 degrees, and it is predicted that the reconstruction error at its periphery considerably increases. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a radiation generating source for radiating radiation to a subject, a rotating unit for rotating the subject exposed to the radiation from the radiation generating source, and a two-dimensional detector for detecting radiation, a distance between the radiation generating source and the two-dimensional detector is approximately set to a value equal to or more than 240 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7386157
    Abstract: N images in a respiratory cycle which are radiographed in year P are input, and binary lung field images are extracted from the respective front chest images. Lung field areas S and lung field heights are then calculated. In forming area and height variation waveforms, regions of the N input images are obtained and plotted. Each image is determined as an image belonging to the inspiration mode or expiration mode. The respective images are sorted and stored. Similar processing is performed for N images in a respiratory cycle which are radiographed in year P+1, and the resultant images are stored. Difference images are obtained from the basic images radiographed in year P+1 and the reference images radiographed in year P for each mode by image analysis, thereby extracting changes over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Tago, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7382859
    Abstract: Since a notification unit (130) notifies a radiographer of the driving state of an X-ray detector (110), he/she can identify that the X-ray detector (110) is set in a detection signal accumulation state. When the irradiation button of an X-ray generation apparatus is then pressed, a subject can be irradiated with X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Nokita, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7368724
    Abstract: According to a radiation imaging apparatus, any separate AEC sensor need not be prepared. Additionally, the apparatus main body can be made compact. To accomplish this, the radiation imaging apparatus has a first optical conversion element that converts incident radiation into an electrical signal, and generates image information on the basis of the electrical signal output from the first optical conversion element. Below a portion that is aligned to the gap between the first optical conversion elements, a plurality of second optical conversion elements which detect the incident amount of the radiation from the gap are formed. Exposure control for the radiation or control of the optical conversion elements is executed on the basis of the detection result by the second optical conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiko Morii, Masakazu Morishita, Osamu Tsujii, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 7357574
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus which has an imaging system having a radiation source to irradiate a subject with radiation and a radiation detector to detect the radiation irradiated from the radiation source, and a radiographic imaging table to arrange the subject within the imaging system includes an arm holder which supports upward arms of the subject arranged on the radiographic imaging table, and a holder supporting member which supports the arm holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Hidero Matsumoto, Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20080015902
    Abstract: In step S1, image data obtained by imaging is input to an image input unit (1). In step S2, the diagnosis result obtained by a doctor using the image data obtained by imaging is input as diagnosis information to a diagnosis information input unit (2). In step S3, a keyword table (7) is searched for a keyword input to the diagnosis information input unit (2) or a diagnosis information analyzing unit (3). In step S4, a parameter determining unit (5) selects an initial value parameter used in an image search unit (4) from an initial value table (8) on the basis of the input keyword. In steps S5 and S6, the image search unit (4) determines the optimization degree of the selected parameter by applying the parameter to the input image on the basis of the area or connectivity of a morbid region, and also extracts a morbid region by using a general computer aided diagnosis technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7315606
    Abstract: In an X-ray imaging apparatus, which has a radiation source for generating radiation, and a detector for detecting the amount of radiation of the radiation, a subject is relatively rotated with respect to radiation which is radiated from the radiation source in the direction of the detector, and radiation amount data for image reconstruction is acquired in a predetermined rotation section. At this time, a desired observation direction perpendicular to the rotation axis in association with the subject is designated, and the position of the predetermined rotation section is determined on the basis of the designated observation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7295690
    Abstract: In step S1, image data obtained by imaging is input to an image input unit (1). In step S2, the diagnosis result obtained by a doctor using the image data obtained by imaging is input as diagnosis information to a diagnosis information input unit (2). In step S3, a keyword table (7) is searched for a keyword input to the diagnosis information input unit (2) or a diagnosis information analyzing unit (3). In step S4, a parameter determining unit (5) selects an initial value parameter used in an image search unit (4) from an initial value table (8) on the basis of the input keyword. In steps S5 and S6, the image search unit (4) determines the optimization degree of the selected parameter by applying the parameter to the input image on the basis of the area or connectivity of a morbid region, and also extracts a morbid region by using a general computer aided diagnosis technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7277525
    Abstract: An object is rotated by a rotation device 15 in X rays 25 generated by a X-ray generation device 11. The rotation device 15 makes constant the integration value of the X rays 25 reaching a two-dimensional X-ray sensor 12 during each charge integration time during which a plurality of image data are acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20070221857
    Abstract: This invention has as its object to realize a radiation image sensing apparatus which can adjust (AEC-controls) the amount of incoming light or dose without requiring high-speed driving. Since a second photoelectric conversion element (108) which is used to detect the total dose of radiation that enters a conversion unit is formed independently of pixels having first conversion elements (101) that are formed in the conversion unit on a single substrate, the need for reading out the outputs from the first conversion elements (101) at high speed for the purpose of adjustment of the dose of incoming radiation can be obviated, and another sensor used to adjust the dose need not be added, thus simplifying the structure of a radiation image sensing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Kobayashi, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20070187610
    Abstract: According to a radiation imaging apparatus, any separate AEC sensor need not be prepared. Additionally, the apparatus main body can be made compact. To accomplish this, the radiation imaging apparatus has a first optical conversion element that converts incident radiation into an electrical signal, and generates image information on the basis of the electrical signal output from the first optical conversion element. Below a portion that is aligned to the gap between the first optical conversion elements, a plurality of second optical conversion elements which detect the incident amount of the radiation from the gap are formed. Exposure control for the radiation or control of the optical conversion elements is executed on the basis of the detection result by the second optical conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiko MORII, Masakazu MORISHITA, Osamu TSUJII, Minoru WATANABE, Takamasa ISHII