Patents by Inventor Tapio Laukkanen

Tapio Laukkanen 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: 11006915
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a mammography apparatus, in the invention, a screen or a user interface with a screen is attached to the mammography apparatus, which attachment is realized such that the screen or the user interface with a screen is aligned or can be aligned at least partly towards a lower tray structure of the mammography apparatus. Such screen or a user interface with a screen can be arranged in a functional connection with an information system and patient images recorded earlier in the information system can be displayed on the screen or the user interface with a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: PLANMED OY
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Leo Aspelund
  • Patent number: 10881374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tomosynthesis process in the context of mammography, in which several individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and in which of information thus acquired, tomographic images are synthesized with the help of an applicable image processing software. The mutual geometry of the imaging means of the imaging apparatus when taking these individual images is determined according to the invention by arranging in the imaging apparatus a calibration structure (20), which includes balls (21) or other small objects absorbing X-radiation which are such placed that their projections will become imaged on said individual images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventors: Leo Aspelund, Tapio Laukkanen, Kustaa Nyholm, Jaakko Lahelma
  • Publication number: 20200196970
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a mammography apparatus, in the invention, a screen or a user interface with a screen is attached to the mammography apparatus, which attachment is realized such that the screen or the user interface with a screen is aligned or can be aligned at least partly towards a lower tray structure of the mammography apparatus. Such screen or a user interface with a screen can be arranged in a functional connection with an information system and patient images recorded earlier in the information system can be displayed on the screen or the user interface with a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Leo Aspelund
  • Patent number: 10687773
    Abstract: The invention relates to mammography apparatuses, especially to the user interfaces of mammography apparatuses. A mammography apparatus according to the invention comprises a certain basic structure and a user interface arrangement placed to this basic structure, the user interface arrangement being implemented to enable aligning of the view of the user interface both such that the view is only visible to the operator of the apparatus and such that a patient positioned for imaging can see it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventor: Tapio Laukkanen
  • Patent number: 10575805
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a mammography apparatus, in the invention, a screen or a user interface with a screen is attached to the mammography apparatus, which attachment is realized such that the screen or the user interface with a screen is aligned or can be aligned at least partly towards a lower tray structure of the mammography apparatus. Such screen or a user interface with a screen can be arranged in a functional connection with an information system and patient images recorded earlier in the information system can be displayed on the screen or the user interface with a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Leo Aspelund
  • Patent number: 10213170
    Abstract: The invention relates to positioning of partial volumes of an anatomy in connection with an imaging process. According to the invention, a photograph is taken of an object arranged in an imaging station by a camera arranged in connection with the imaging station, which image of the anatomy is presented on a display but as transferred into a new position with respect to the imaging station. When this image and a substantially real time image taken of the imaging station are presented on a display one upon another, it is possible to follow on the display how the object being imaged positions in relation to said image taken of the anatomy transferred into the new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: PLANMED OY
    Inventors: Juhamatti Malm, Tapio Laukkanen
  • Patent number: 10092254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which is specifically designed for enabling three-dimensional imaging of relatively small volumes from the area of extremities of a patient. The apparatus includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). A positioning support (8) is arranged in connection with said examination opening (4) whose location with respect to the O-arm (2) is arranged adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PLANMECA OY
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Pentti Hyvärinen, Juha Tawast
  • Patent number: 9955928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which is especially designed to enable cranial imaging. The structure of the apparatus includes a gantry (2) comprising imaging means (21, 22) and a positioning support (8) which positioning support (8) is arranged to position the patient's cranium for exposure such that, when exposed, the cranium is scanned by a radiation beam substantially parallel with a plane formed by the facial area of the cranium and substantially only in an area on the facial side of the cranium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PLANMED OY
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Sami Tohka, Lauri Seppala
  • Publication number: 20170319152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which is specifically designed for enabling three-dimensional imaging of relatively small volumes from the area of extremities of a patient. The apparatus includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). A positioning support (8) is arranged in connection with said examination opening (4) whose location with respect to the O-arm (2) is arranged adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Pentti Hyvärinen, Juha Tawast
  • Patent number: 9687202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which is specifically designed for enabling three-dimensional imaging of relatively small volumes from the area of extremities of a patient. The apparatus includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). A positioning support (8) is arranged in connection with said examination opening (4) whose location with respect to the O-arm (2) is arranged adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PLANMED OY
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Pentti Hyvärinen, Juha Tawast
  • Publication number: 20170020471
    Abstract: The invention relates to mammography apparatuses, especially to the user interfaces of mammography apparatuses. A mammography apparatus according to the invention comprises a certain basic structure and a user interface arrangement placed to this basic structure, the user interface arrangement being implemented to enable aligning of the view of the user interface both such that the view is only visible to the operator of the apparatus and such that a patient positioned for imaging can see it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Tapio Laukkanen
  • Publication number: 20170000451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tomosynthesis process in the context of mammography, in which several individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and in which of information thus acquired, tomographic images are synthesized with the help of an applicable image processing software. The mutual geometry of the imaging means of the imaging apparatus when taking these individual images is determined according to the invention by arranging in the imaging apparatus a calibration structure (20), which includes balls (21) or other small objects absorbing X-radiation which are such placed that their projections will become imaged on said individual images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Leo Aspelund, Tapio Laukkanen, Kustaa Nyholm, Jaakko Lahelma
  • Publication number: 20160296180
    Abstract: The invention relates to positioning of partial volumes of an anatomy in connection with an imaging process. According to the invention, a photograph is taken of an object arranged in an imaging station by a camera arranged in connection with the imaging station, which image of the anatomy is presented on a display but as transferred into a new position with respect to the imaging station. When this image and a substantially real time image taken of the imaging station are presented on a display one upon another, it is possible to follow on the display how the object being imaged positions in relation to said image taken of the anatomy transferred into the new position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Planmed OY
    Inventors: Juhamatti Malm, Tapio Laukkanen
  • Publication number: 20160270751
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a mammography apparatus, in the invention, a screen or a user interface with a screen is attached to the mammography apparatus, which attachment is realized such that the screen or the user interface with a screen is aligned or can be aligned at least partly towards a lower tray structure of the mammography apparatus. Such screen or a user interface with a screen can be arranged in a functional connection with an information system and patient images recorded earlier in the information system can be displayed on the screen or the user interface with a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Leo Aspelund
  • Publication number: 20150289827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which is especially designed to enable cranial imaging. The structure of the apparatus includes a gantry (2) comprising imaging means (21, 22) and a positioning support (8) which positioning support (8) is arranged to position the patient's cranium for exposure such that, when exposed, the cranium is scanned by a radiation beam substantially parallel with a plane formed by the facial area of the cranium and substantially only in an area on the facial side of the cranium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Sami Tohka, Lauri Seppala
  • Patent number: 8746974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). The examination opening (4) is arranged for its predominant portion substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle but to comprise an extension, within the sector covered by which extension the distance from the centre of said arch of the circle to the edge of the examination opening (4) is longer than within the prevailing portion of the examination opening (4) being substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Lauri Seppälä, Tapio Laukkanen, Pentti Hyvärinen
  • Patent number: 8693619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure (2) supporting x-ray imaging means (21, 22), which x-ray imaging means (21, 22) are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) and movable within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2), which ring-shaped structure (2) supporting the imaging means (21, 22) includes an examination opening (4), whereto the object to be imaged can be positioned for imaging. According to the invention, at least one display (11) is arranged to the apparatus. The display is arranged in functional connection with at least one video camera (12), which at least one video camera (12) is arranged in connection with said ring-shaped structure (2) and as aimed, or so that it can be aimed inside said examination opening (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Sami Tohka
  • Patent number: 8684599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). The cross-section of an outer cover (3) of the O-arm (2) in a direction perpendicular with respect to the central axis of the O-arm is arranged for its predominant portion substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle but to comprise a cut, within the sector covered by which cut the distance from the center of said arch of the circle to the edge of the outer cover (3) is shorter than within the portion of the outer cover (3) being substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Lauri Seppälä, Tapio Laukkanen, Pentti Hyvärinen
  • Patent number: 8681932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus for imaging extremities, which apparatus includes a support construction (1) which is arranged to support a substantially ring-shaped structure supporting imaging means (2), which imaging means include a source of radiation (21) and a receiver of image information (22), which imaging means are arranged within said substantially ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2) substantially to the opposite sides of each other and to be moved inside said ring-shaped structure supporting the imaging means (2). The apparatus according to the invention is arranged with at least one padding element (15) to at least one such point whereto the patient can when positioning oneself to be imaged, in connection with the actual patient positioning and/or during the actual imaging, depending on the imaging mode in question touch, lean on, kneel, sit on or step on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Tapio Laukkanen
  • Patent number: D728106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Tapio Laukkanen