Patents by Inventor Wenxiang Cong

Wenxiang Cong 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: 10722201
    Abstract: Novel and advantageous systems and methods for performing X-ray imaging by using an X-ray source with source grating functionality incorporated therein are provided. An electron beam can be electromagnetically manipulated such that the X-ray source emits radiation in a pattern that is the same as if the radiation had already passed through a source grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 10643354
    Abstract: Systems and methods for geometric calibration and image reconstruction in computed tomography (CT) scanning using iterative reconstruction algorithms are provided. An iterative reconstruction algorithm can be used to reconstruct an improved image, and then the improved image can be used to adjust inaccurate parameters by using a Locally Linear Embedding (LLE) method. Adjusted parameters can then be used to reconstruct new images, which can then be used to further adjust the parameters. The steps of this iterative process can be repeated until a quality threshold is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Mianyi Chen, Yan Xi, Wenxiang Cong
  • Publication number: 20200111194
    Abstract: A system for generating a high resolution (HR) computed tomography (CT) image from a low resolution (LR) CT image is described. The system includes a first generative adversarial network (GAN) and a second GAN. The first GAN includes a first generative neural network (G) configured to receive a training LR image dataset and to generate a corresponding estimated HR image dataset, and a first discriminative neural network (DY) configured to compare a training HR image dataset and the estimated HR image dataset. The second GAN includes a second generative neural network (F) configured to receive the training HR image dataset and to generate a corresponding estimated LR image dataset, and a second discriminative neural network (DX) configured to compare the training LR image dataset and the estimated LR image dataset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Chenyu You, Wenxiang Cong, Hongming Shan, Guang Li
  • Patent number: 10603001
    Abstract: The present approach generally relates to systems and methods for implementing energy modulated tomographic imaging of nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, a first energy is used to activate probe particles labeling an anatomy or tissue of interest. The probe particles, once activated, emit photons at a different rate and/or spectrum in response to an underlying physiological event, such as action potentials propagating in the labeled anatomy or tissue. The emitted photons may then be detected and used to map or image the occurrence of the physiological event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert John Filkins, Ahmad Nadeem Ishaque, Alok Mani Srivastava, Peter William Lorraine, Holly Ann Comanzo, Xiaolei Shi, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Sam Joseph Camardello, Gregory Boverman, Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Publication number: 20200043205
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a framelet-based iterative algorithm for polychromatic CT which can reconstruct two components using a single scan. The algorithm can have various steps including a scaled-gradient descent step of constant or variant step sizes; a non-negativity step; a soft thresholding step; and a color reconstruction step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Wenxiang Cong, Ye Yangbo, Ge Wang, Shuwei Mao, Yingmei Wang
  • Patent number: 10548543
    Abstract: Novel and advantageous methods and systems for performing spectral computed tomography are provided. An edge-on detector, such as a silicon strip detector, can be used to receive X-rays after passing through a sample to be imaged. An energy resolving process can be performed on the collected X-ray radiation. The CT scanner can have third-generation or fourth-generation geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Yan Xi, Wenxiang Cong, Zaifeng Shi
  • Patent number: 10537299
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an attenuation sinogram for a time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scan using only TOF PET data, and including use of the total amount of tracer provided to the subject of the TOF PET scan, are provided. The total amount of injected tracer can be used to determine the otherwise unknown constant shift present when an attenuation sinogram is estimated using the gradient of the attenuation sinogram. The attenuation sinogram can therefore be accurately and stably determined without any additional knowledge on the attenuation sinogram or map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Qingsong Yang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 10539689
    Abstract: Novel and advantageous methods and systems for performing computed tomography (CT) imaging are disclosed. Electrodes can be connected to appropriate surface sites of a detector element of a CT scanner to capture nearby electron-hole pairs generated by X-rays received on the detector element. This detection can be performed in current-integrating/energy-integrating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong, Zaifeng Shi
  • Patent number: 10489942
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a framelet-based iterative algorithm for polychromatic CT which can reconstruct two components using a single scan. The algorithm can have various steps including a scaled-gradient descent step of constant or variant step sizes; a non-negativity step; a soft thresholding step; and a color reconstruction step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, SHANDONG UNIVERSITY, SHANDONG PROVINCIAL CHEST HOSPITAL, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Wenxiang Cong, Ye Yangbo, Ge Wang, Shuwei Mao, Yingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20190332928
    Abstract: A second order neuron for machine learning is described. The second order neuron includes a first dot product circuitry and a second dot product circuitry. The first dot product circuitry is configured to determine a first dot product of an intermediate vector and an input vector. The intermediate vector corresponds to a product of the input vector and a first weight vector or the input vector and a weight matrix. The second dot product circuitry is configured to determine a second dot product of the input vector and a second weight vector. The input vector, the intermediate vector, the first weight vector and the second weight vector each contain a number, n, elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong, Fenglei Fan
  • Publication number: 20190325621
    Abstract: Tomographic/tomosynthetic image reconstruction systems and methods in the framework of machine learning, such as deep learning, are provided. A machine learning algorithm can be used to obtain an improved tomographic image from raw data, processed data, or a preliminarily reconstructed intermediate image for biomedical imaging or any other imaging purpose. In certain cases, a single, conventional, non-deep-learning algorithm can be used on raw imaging data to obtain an initial image, and then a deep learning algorithm can be used on the initial image to obtain a final reconstructed image. All machine learning methods and systems for tomographic image reconstruction are covered, except for use of a single shallow network (three layers or less) for image reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge WANG, Wenxiang CONG, Qingson YANG
  • Publication number: 20190261930
    Abstract: Methods and systems for stationary computed tomography are disclosed. The methods and systems include a gantry having alternating x-ray sources and x-ray detectors that are stationary during operation of the system. The gantry and pairs of x-ray sources and detectors substantially surrounds an object positioned inside the gantry during operation of the system. Dynamically adjustable collimators are positioned between the x-ray sources and the object. Each of the x-ray sources projects an x-ray beam through the collimators and through the object and the x-ray detectors receive the x-ray beam. The x-ray detectors include means for converting the x-ray beam to raw image data. One or more microprocessors control the x-ray sources and the process raw image data. A data storage device stores instructions, which upon execution by the microprocessor, control the x-ray sources and process the raw image data by converting the raw image data to a digital image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Qingsong Yang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 10285659
    Abstract: Imaging methods and imaging systems are provided. Methods and systems of the subject invention can include the use of nanoparticles (for example, nanophosphors) within a sample to be imaged. X-ray engraving can be performed and/or X-ray excitation can be used to provide energy to the sample. Stimulation with infrared light, such as near-infrared (NIR) light, and/or optical multiplexing can be used to acquire tomographic data of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong, Chao Wang, Fenglin Liu
  • Publication number: 20190102918
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a framelet-based iterative algorithm for polychromatic CT which can reconstruct two components using a single scan. The algorithm can have various steps including a scaled-gradient descent step of constant or variant step sizes; a non-negativity step; a soft thresholding step; and a color reconstruction step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Wenxiang Cong, Ye Yangbo, Ge Wang, Shuwei Mao, Yingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20180353147
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an attenuation sinogram for a time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) scan using only TOF PET data, and including use of the total amount of tracer provided to the subject of the TOF PET scan, are provided. The total amount of injected tracer can be used to determine the otherwise unknown constant shift present when an attenuation sinogram is estimated using the gradient of the attenuation sinogram. The attenuation sinogram can therefore be accurately and stably determined without any additional knowledge on the attenuation sinogram or map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Qingsong Yang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 10092257
    Abstract: Dynamic bowties, imaging systems including a bowtie, and methods of imaging including such bowties or systems are provided. A bowtie can be a three-dimensional (3-D) dynamic bowtie and can include a highly-attenuating bowtie (HB) and a weakly-attenuating bowtie (WB). The HB can be filled with a liquid, and the WB can be immersed in the liquid of the HB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Fenglin Liu, Wenxiang Cong, Qingsong Yang
  • Publication number: 20180249979
    Abstract: Novel and advantageous systems and method for obtaining and/or reconstructing simultaneous computed tomography (CT)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are provided. Structural coupling (SC) and compressive sensing (CS) techniques can be combined to unify and improve CT and MRI reconstruction. A bidirectional image estimation method can be used to connect images from different modalities, with CT and MM data serving as prior knowledge to each other to produce better CT and MRI image quality than would be realized with individual reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ge WANG, Yan XI, Wenxiang CONG, Jun ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20180192981
    Abstract: Novel and advantageous systems and methods for performing X-ray imaging by using an X-ray source with source grating functionality incorporated therein are provided. An electron beam can be electromagnetically manipulated such that the X-ray source emits radiation in a pattern that is the same as if the radiation had already passed through a source grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Publication number: 20180192980
    Abstract: Novel and advantageous systems and methods for performing X-ray imaging by extracting X-ray phase-shift and/or dark-field information through a detector that has built-in G2 functionality are provided. Grating translation can be replaced by an electrical operation in the detection procedure, thereby eliminating the need for the analyzer grating and the typical mechanical stepping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong, Zaifeng Shi, Shuo Pang
  • Publication number: 20180068467
    Abstract: Systems and methods for geometric calibration and image reconstruction in computed tomography (CT) scanning using iterative reconstruction algorithms are provided. An iterative reconstruction algorithm can be used to reconstruct an improved image, and then the improved image can be used to adjust inaccurate parameters by using a Locally Linear Embedding (LLE) method. Adjusted parameters can then be used to reconstruct new images, which can then be used to further adjust the parameters. The steps of this iterative process can be repeated until a quality threshold is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Mianyi Chen, Yan Xi, Wenxiang Cong