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).

  • Patent number: 7039151
    Abstract: A radiation imaging device includes a radiation source which rotates around a subject to be examined and irradiates the subject with radiation, a two-dimensional detector in which a plurality of detection elements for detecting radiation from the radiation source are two-dimensionally arranged, and a grid which is placed in front of the two-dimensional detector to remove scattered radiation of the radiation. This device performs computation with respect to a subject image obtained by the two-dimensional detector by using the subject image and a gain image obtained by the two-dimensional detector, and executes removal of a grid pattern due to the grid and gain correction. The device reconstructs an image on the basis of the subject image obtained using the subject image from which a grid pattern due to the grid is removed and which is gain-corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7031506
    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: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 7023958
    Abstract: A radiation image-acquiring apparatus or a radiation image-acquiring method capable of reducing artifact due to pulsations of a heart of a subject to be examined is disclosed. X-rays generated by an X-ray generating portion and transmitted through the subject are detected as a two-dimensional distribution by a two-dimensional detector while the subject is rotated by a rotating table in an image-acquiring area formed by the X-ray generating portion and the two-dimensional detector, pulsation variations specific to the subject are detected, and a period p of the variation is calculated. A ratio q of a static time relative to the variation period p is then determined, a rotation time for one rotation is calculated based on the variation period p and the ratio q, and a rotating table is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20060062349
    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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7006598
    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: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiko Morii, Masakazu Morishita, Osamu Tsujii, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 7003069
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes an X-ray generator for irradiating a subject with X-rays, a rotating unit for rotating the subject irradiated with the X-rays, a two-dimensional detector for converting X-rays transmitted through the subject into projection-image data, an information extracting unit for extracting information regarding the subject from the projection-image data, a calculating unit for calculating an amount of shift, with respect to a vertical direction, of at least one of the X-ray generator, the two-dimensional detector, and the subject, based on the information extracted, a driving unit for changing a position, with respect to the vertical direction, of at least one of the X-ray generator, the two-dimensional detector, and the subject, and a controlling unit for controlling the driving unit according to the amount of shift calculated by the calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6999552
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation generating section, a compression plate to compress an object, and a compression plate moving section which moves the compression plate. The apparatus detects the image of radiation generated by the radiation generating section and transmitted through the compression plate and object, thereby executing radiography. At this time, radiography is executed while keeping the object compressed by the compression plate and causing the compression plate moving section to move the compression plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20060022118
    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: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Toshiko Morii, Masakazu Morishita, Osamu Tsujii, Minoru Watanabe, Takamasa Ishii
  • Publication number: 20050279943
    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: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Kobayashi, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6967332
    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: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Kobayashi, Masakazu Morishita, Chiori Mochizuki, Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20050238141
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKi KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20050226486
    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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6952465
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus capable of detecting radiation in a stable manner and in an amount suitable for a good image includes AEC detectors arranged in a stripe pattern in the space between pixels converting incident radiation into an electrical signal. The stripes of the AEC detectors are arranged so as not to be parallel to those stripes of an anti-scattering grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Hirai, Masakazu Morishita, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Isao Kobayashi, Osamu Tsujii, Toshikazu Tamura, Hideki Nonaka, Takamasa Ishii
  • Publication number: 20050213802
    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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 6944266
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray generation means for emitting X-rays, and an X-ray detector on which a grid selected from a plurality of different types of grids is removably mountable. The X-ray detector receives the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation means, and obtains an X-ray image. The X-ray detector includes an automatic exposure control (AEC) detector for detecting the quantity of X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation means and for outputting a signal based on the detected quantity. The X-ray imaging apparatus also includes a control means for controlling the X-ray generation means and the AEC detector, where the control means controls the X-ray generation means based on the signal output from the AEC detector, and where the control means controls the AEC detector using correction data to correct an exposure detection element forming a part of the AEC detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Masakazu Morishita, Isao Kobayashi, Osamu Tsujii, Akira Hirai, Toshikazu Tamura, Hideki Nonaka, Takamasa Ishii
  • Publication number: 20050185754
    Abstract: When a command to start imaging is issued, the heart beat of a subject is detected to measure his/her heart beat period. A static period is determined from a cardiac waveform. The duration of one rotation of a rotary table is determined. In accordance with the determined duration of time, the rotary table starts rotating. When a predetermined rotation angle of the rotary table and the predetermined number of views are achieved, emission of X-rays is halted and the rotary table is stopped. Data acquired from the static period are rearranged. An image is reconstructed using the rearranged data. The first reconstructed image may include artifacts and should be evaluated. When artifacts are observed, a command to redetermine the static period is issued to modify the static period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20050175140
    Abstract: When photographing is started, pulsation of a subject is detected and a pulsation period T is measured. A standstill period is determined and the rotation time S of a rotation table is calculated according to the equation S=nT (where n denotes an odd number). When rotation is started and a predetermined speed and a predetermined angle are attained, X-ray exposure is started, and the exposure is stopped when a predetermined number of views are obtained. After scan data is collected, a motion area is detected and data-rearrangement is performed, and a half-scan reconstructed image is created by using the rearranged scan data. When an artifact is identified by reconstructed-image evaluation, a retry is made. Subsequently, a standstill period is changed, the data rearrangement is performed again, and half-scan reconstruction and image evaluation are performed again. When the image evaluation is successful, three-dimension-voxel coupling is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20050147285
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Tago, Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6911988
    Abstract: From a taken image such as a radiation image, plural characteristic amounts (two-dimensional characteristic amounts etc.) are extracted to judge the portion (position) of the object on the taken image, and the result of judgment is displayed. On the image displaying the result of judgment of the object position, the operator confirms whether the object position is correctly judged, and, if the result is erroneous, changes the result of judgment by changing means. Based on the result of judgment changed by the operator or without such change, corresponding image processing parameters are acquired from the parameter table prepared in advance. Such image processing parameters are used for executing the image processing on the taken image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20050129180
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes an X-ray generator for irradiating a subject with X-rays, a rotating unit for rotating the subject irradiated with the X-rays, a two-dimensional detector for converting X-rays transmitted through the subject into projection-image data, an information extracting unit for extracting information regarding the subject from the projection-image data, a calculating unit for calculating an amount of shift, with respect to a vertical direction, of at least one of the X-ray generator, the two-dimensional detector, and the subject, based on the information extracted, a driving unit for changing a position, with respect to the vertical direction, of at least one of the X-ray generator, the two-dimensional detector, and the subject, and a controlling unit for controlling the driving unit according to the amount of shift calculated by the calculating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii