Patents by Inventor Toshihiro Rifu
Toshihiro Rifu 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: 8309910Abstract: A phantom includes a housing enclosing an interior volume and having a plurality of passages formed therein, wherein each passage is fluidly isolated from the interior volume. First and second inserts are included and configured to be positioned in a first passage of the plurality of passages and include materials having a known material density. The material is selected from iodine, hydroxyapatite (HAP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), body fat, fatty plaque, sodium chloride (NaCl), gold (Au), and iron (Fe). The material of the inserts can be different materials or the same material at different densities.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sandeep Dutta, Naveen Chandra, Toshihiro Rifu
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Publication number: 20120243761Abstract: A system and method for estimating vascular flow using CT imaging include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first set of data comprising anatomical information of an imaging subject, the anatomical information comprises information of at least one vessel. The instructions further cause the computer to process the anatomical information to generate an image volume comprising the at least one vessel, generate hemodynamic information based on the image volume, and acquire a second set of data of the imaging subject. The computer is also caused to generate an image comprising the hemodynamic information in combination with a visualization based on the second set of data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Robert F. Senzig, Ravikanth Avancha, Bijan Dorri, Sandeep Dutta, Steven J. Gray, Jiang Hsieh, John Irvin Jackson, Giridhar Jothiprasad, Paul Edgar Licato, Darin Robert Okerlund, Toshihiro Rifu, Saad Ahmed Sirohey, Basel Taha, Peter Michael Edic, Jerome Knoplioch, Rahul Bhotika
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Publication number: 20120155617Abstract: A phantom includes a housing enclosing an interior volume and having a plurality of passages formed therein, wherein each passage is fluidly isolated from the interior volume. First and second inserts are included and configured to be positioned in a first passage of the plurality of passages and include materials having a known material density. The material is selected from iodine, hydroxyapatite (HAP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), body fat, fatty plaque, sodium chloride (NaCl), gold (Au), and iron (Fe). The material of the inserts can be different materials or the same material at different densities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Sandeep Dutta, Naveen Chandra, Toshihiro Rifu
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Publication number: 20120076377Abstract: A system and method for dual energy CT spectral imaging that provides for accurate blood vessel stenosis visualization and quantification is disclosed. The CT system includes an x-ray source configured to project x-rays toward a region-of-interest of a patient that includes a blood vessel in a stenosed condition and having a plaque material therein. The CT system also includes an x-ray detector to receive x-rays emitted by the x-ray source and attenuated by the region-of-interest, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the x-ray detector, and a computer programmed to obtain a first set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a first chromatic energy level, obtain a second set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a second chromatic energy level that is higher than the first chromatic energy level, and identify plaque material in the region-of-interest by analyzing the second set of CT image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Sandeep Dutta, Darin Robert Okerlund, Toshihiro Rifu
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Patent number: 7853309Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus comprises a blood-flow information acquisition unit, a correction value calculating unit and a blood-flow image generating unit. The blood-flow information acquisition unit obtains information of a relative blood flow rate in the myocardium of the subject based on the CT image. The correction value calculating unit obtains a correction value based on the CT image in a concentration transition period defined to be a period from immediately after start of a continuous injection of a contrast medium into the subject until the contrast medium reaching the myocardium increases and is be in a state where it can be considered that the contrast medium is saturated at a constant value. The blood-flow image generating unit generates a blood flow value image in the myocardium by correcting the information of the relative blood flow rate with the correction value.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignees: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Takashi Ichihara, Toshihiro Rifu, Joao A. C. Lima, Richard T. George, Albert C. Lardo
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Patent number: 7724873Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a bed, an X-ray generating unit, an X-ray detection unit, a support which movably supports the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detection unit, an X-ray application switch which triggers generation of X-rays from the X-ray generating unit, an operation unit for moving the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detection unit, an image generating unit which generates an image on the basis of an output from the X-ray detection unit, a display unit which is placed near the bed and displays the image, and a simulation image generating unit which generates a simulation image from stored data during a simulation period in accordance with operation of the X-ray application switch and operation of the operation unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Takuya Sakaguchi, Toshihiro Rifu
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Publication number: 20080212740Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a bed, an X-ray generating unit, an X-ray detection unit, a support which movably supports the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detection unit, an X-ray application switch which triggers generation of X-rays from the X-ray generating unit, an operation unit for moving the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detection unit, an image generating unit which generates an image on the basis of an output from the X-ray detection unit, a display unit which is placed near the bed and displays the image, and a simulation image generating unit which generates a simulation image from stored data during a simulation period in accordance with operation of the X-ray application switch and operation of the operation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Takuya Sakaguchi, Toshihiro Rifu
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Patent number: 7363255Abstract: By providing an apparatus unit replacement assisting method, in which, upon receipt of a request from a first user to replace a first unit comprising part of an apparatus with a second unit, the second unit is offered to the first user at a price after the deduction of the trade-in price of the first unit, and maintenance is performed on the first unit taken from the first user for trade-in, so that the first unit in maintenance status is offered to a second user who wishes replacement with the first unit at a price lower than the price of the first unit when newly purchased, it is possible to reduce the cost incurred when replacing a unit in a CT apparatus or the like on the part of the user, such as a hospital, and facilitate the management of the production line of the apparatus and the dispatch of service persons on the part of the manufacturer while making a contribution to environmental improvement.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuhiro Katada, Toshihiro Rifu, Kiyoshi Nagata
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Patent number: 7330594Abstract: Three-dimensionally reconstructed images are not ideal due to blur or smear that is caused by various sources in an X-ray CT scanner. In order to substantially minimize the blur in the three-dimensionally reconstructed image, a known PSF is weighed according to a combination of predetermined parameters. The parameters include two types of information. One group of the parameters is related to device characteristics of the scanner device while the other is related to the scanning conditions of a particular scan. The improvement is performed in any combination of the X, Y and Z directions. The improved PSF's are used to de-convolute the three-dimensionally reconstructed CT image. As a result, the blur and smear are substantially removed from the three-dimensionally reconstructed image data for good visualization as well as accurate physical measurements in the scanned image. The improved techniques according to the current invention are applicable to two-dimensional image data.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Toshihiro Rifu
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Publication number: 20060241402Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus 1 comprises a blood-flow information acquisition unit, a correction value calculating unit and a blood-flow image generating unit 24e. The blood-flow information acquisition unit obtains information of a relative blood flow rate in the myocardium of the subject P based on the CT image. The correction value calculating unit obtains a correction value based on the CT image in a concentration transition period defined to be a period from immediately after starting of a continuously injection of a contrast medium into the subject P until the contrast medium injected reaches to the myocardium, increases, and will be in a state where it can be considered that the contrast medium is saturated in a constant value. The blood-flow image generating unit 24e generating a blood flow value image in the myocardium by correcting the information of the relative blood flow rate with the correction value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2005Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYInventors: Takashi Ichihara, Toshihiro Rifu, Joao Lima
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Patent number: 7123680Abstract: An X-ray computer tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a data collection apparatus that collects X-ray signals from the X-ray detector repeatedly, a shutter mechanism that is arranged between the X-ray tube and a subject in order to convert an X-ray into a pulse-like X-ray and is constituted such that a ratio of a shutter open period and a shutter close period is variable, a restructuring unit that restructures image data on the basis of the collected X-ray signals, and a control unit that controls the shutter mechanism in order to change the ratio of a shutter open period and a shutter close period during a helical scan.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro Katada, Toshihiro Rifu
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Patent number: 7003076Abstract: A radiation detector of this invention includes a scintillator for converting an X-ray incident from a surface side into light, at least one photodiode chip having a plurality of photodiodes for converting the converted light into electrical signals, at least one switching chip having a plurality of switching elements for reading out a plurality of signals from the plurality of photodiodes, and at least one data acquisition chip having a plurality of data acquisition systems for amplifying the plurality of readout signals and converting the signals into digital signals. The photodiode chip, the switching chip, and the data acquisition chip are commonly mounted on a rigid multilayer wiring board.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Miwa Okumura, Machiko Ono, Toshihiro Rifu, Tomiya Sasaki, Michito Nakayama
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Publication number: 20060008048Abstract: An X-ray computer tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a data collection apparatus that collects X-ray signals from the X-ray detector repeatedly, a shutter mechanism that is arranged between the X-ray tube and a subject in order to convert an X-ray into a pulse-like X-ray and is constituted such that a ratio of a shutter open period and a shutter close period is variable, a restructuring unit that restructures image data on the basis of the collected X-ray signals, and a control unit that controls the shutter mechanism in order to change the ratio of a shutter open period and a shutter close period during a helical scan.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2004Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Kazuhiro Katada, Toshihiro Rifu
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Publication number: 20050220357Abstract: Three-dimensionally reconstructed images are not ideal due to blur or smear that is caused by various sources in an X-ray CT scanner. In order to substantially minimize the blur in the three-dimensionally reconstructed image, a known PSF is weighed according to a combination of predetermined parameters. The parameters include two types of information. One group of the parameters is related to device characteristics of the scanner device while the other is related to the scanning conditions of a particular scan. The improvement is performed in any combination of the X, Y and Z directions. The improved PSF's are used to de-convolute the three-dimensionally reconstructed CT image. As a result, the blur and smear are substantially removed from the three-dimensionally reconstructed image data for good visualization as well as accurate physical measurements in the scanned image. The improved techniques according to the current invention are applicable to two-dimensional image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2004Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventor: Toshihiro Rifu
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Patent number: 6947516Abstract: An X-ray apparatus including an X-ray source, a rotation mechanism which rotates the X-ray source about a rotational axis, and an X-ray detector having a plurality of detection elements. A blocking member defining a slit structure is provided between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The slits of the blocking member include two rows aligned in a channel direction of the detector elements, and two rows staggered in the channel direction, thereby to obtain a CT image with improved spatial resolution. Alternatively, instead of using a blocking member, some of the detection elements of at least one detection segment are staggered in the channel direction with respect to detection elements of another detection segment.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Miwa Okumura, Masahiko Yamazaki, Satoru Nakanishi, Toshihiro Rifu, Souji Miyashita
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Publication number: 20040230504Abstract: By providing an apparatus unit replacement assisting method, in which, upon receipt of a request from a first user to replace a first unit comprising part of an apparatus with a second unit, the second unit is offered to the first user at a price after the deduction of the trade-in price of the first unit, and maintenance is performed on the first unit taken from the first user for trade-in, so that the first unit in maintenance status is offered to a second user who wishes replacement with the first unit at a price lower than the price of the first unit when newly purchased, it is possible to reduce the cost incurred when replacing a unit in a CT apparatus or the like on the part of the user, such as a hospital, and facilitate the management of the production line of the apparatus and the dispatch of service persons on the part of the manufacturer while making a contribution to environmental improvement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Kazuhiro Katada, Toshihiro Rifu, Kiyoshi Nagata
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Publication number: 20040071258Abstract: A radiation detector of this invention includes a scintillator for converting an X-ray incident from a surface side into light, at least one photodiode chip having a plurality of photodiodes for converting the converted light into electrical signals, at least one switching chip having a plurality of switching elements for reading out a plurality of signals from the plurality of photodiodes, and at least one data acquisition chip having a plurality of data acquisition systems for amplifying the plurality of readout signals and converting the signals into digital signals. The photodiode chip, the switching chip, and the data acquisition chip are commonly mounted on a rigid multilayer wiring board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Miwa Okumura, Machiko Ono, Toshihiro Rifu, Tomiya Sasaki, Michito Nakayama
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Patent number: 6658082Abstract: A radiation detector of this invention includes a scintillator for converting an X-ray incident from a surface side into light, at least one photodiode chip having a plurality of photodiodes for converting the converted light into electrical signals, at least one switching chip having a plurality of switching elements for reading out a plurality of signals from the plurality of photodiodes, and at least one data acquisition chip having a plurality of data acquisition systems for amplifying the plurality of readout signals and converting the signals into digital signals. The photodiode chip, the switching chip, and the data acquisition chip are commonly mounted on a rigid multilayer wiring board.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Miwa Okumura, Machiko Ono, Toshihiro Rifu, Tomiya Sasaki, Michito Nakayama
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Publication number: 20020176530Abstract: An X-ray apparatus including an X-ray source, a rotation mechanism which rotates the X-ray source about a rotational axis, and an X-ray detector having a plurality of detection elements. A blocking member defining a slit structure is provided between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The slits of the blocking member include two rows aligned in a channel direction of the detector elements, and two rows staggered in the channel direction, thereby to obtain a CT image with improved spatial resolution. Alternatively, instead of using a blocking member, some of the detection elements of at least one detection segment are staggered in the channel direction with respect to detection elements of another detection segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: KABUSHHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Miwa Okumura, Masahiko Yamazaki, Satoru Nakanishi, Toshihiro Rifu, Souji Miyashita
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Publication number: 20020054659Abstract: A radiation detector of this invention includes a scintillator for converting an X-ray incident from a surface side into light, at least one photodiode chip having a plurality of photodiodes for converting the converted light into electrical signals, at least one switching chip having a plurality of switching elements for reading out a plurality of signals from the plurality of photodiodes, and at least one data acquisition chip having a plurality of data acquisition systems for amplifying the plurality of readout signals and converting the signals into digital signals. The photodiode chip, the switching chip, and the data acquisition chip are commonly mounted on a rigid multilayer wiring board.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventors: Miwa Okumura, Machiko Ono, Toshihiro Rifu, Tomiya Sasaki, Michito Nakayama