Patents by Inventor Yu-Ching Ni

Yu-Ching Ni 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: 11693146
    Abstract: A calculation method for a dual-energy X-ray imaging system is provided. The calculation method for the dual-energy X-ray imaging system includes the following steps. A plurality of material attenuation coefficient ratio of the dual-energy projection image are established according to the reference materials with known material characteristics. The effective atomic number of each reference material and the material attenuation coefficient ratio are used to establish a calibration data set. A rational polynomial approximation method is adopted to obtain the characteristic model related to the material attenuation coefficient ratio of the reference material and the effective atomic number of the reference material. The material attenuation coefficient ratio of the dual-energy projection image of unknown material is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Yu-Ching Ni, Sheng-Pin Tseng
  • Publication number: 20220308252
    Abstract: A calculation method for a dual-energy X-ray imaging system is provided. The calculation method for the dual-energy X-ray imaging system includes the following steps. A plurality of material attenuation coefficient ratio of the dual-energy projection image are established according to the reference materials with known material characteristics. The effective atomic number of each reference material and the material attenuation coefficient ratio are used to establish a calibration data set. A rational polynomial approximation method is adopted to obtain the characteristic model related to the material attenuation coefficient ratio of the reference material and the effective atomic number of the reference material. The material attenuation coefficient ratio of the dual-energy projection image of unknown material is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: CHIA-HAO CHANG, YU-CHING NI, SHENG-PIN TSENG
  • Patent number: 11369268
    Abstract: A brain-function image data augmentation method includes: a step of providing a target database including a plurality of image-data information; a step of, based on a plurality of image-data expected information in an expectation-value database, calculating a ratio of the plurality of image-data expected information with respect to different ages; a step of, based on the plurality of image-data information and the ratio, obtaining image-data ratio information with respect to an estimated age; a step of establishing a relationship for each pair of the image-data information and the image-data expected information; a step of, based on the relationship, the ratio and the image-data information, calculating an estimated image-data information with respect to the estimated age; and, a step of combining linearly the estimated image-data information and the image-data ratio information so as to generate an augmented image-data information with respect to the estimated age.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Yu-Ching Ni, Wen-Bin Lin
  • Patent number: 11311261
    Abstract: A nuclear image processing method is provided. The method includes the following steps: inputting a normalized standard space nuclear image; selecting a voxel of the normalized standard space nuclear image and collecting the values of the neighbor voxels to form a voxel value set; conducting a data augmentation algorithm to generate a voxel distribution function; calculating an expected value of the distribution and calculating a first standard deviation of the portion over the expected value and a second standard deviation of the portion lower than the expected value; repeating the above steps to calculate the expected value, the first standard deviation and the second standard deviation of the necessary voxels, so as to form an image standardization template set including expected value template, first standard deviation template and the second standard deviation template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Ho-Hui Hsieh, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Patent number: 10925572
    Abstract: A geometric calibration method for dual-axis digital tomosynthesis includes the steps of: providing a calibration phantom having a first plate, a second plate parallel to the first plate, and mark points distributed to the first and second plates; arranging any mark point at the first plate not to be vertically collinear with a mark point at the second plate; projecting the calibration phantom onto a planar detector to obtain a projected calibration-phantom image; deriving a conversion relationship between the mark point and the corresponding projected position at the planar detector to further establish a projection matrix related to an imaging system; and, applying the projection matrix to calculate a plurality of geometric parameters. In addition, a geometric calibration system for dual-axis digital tomosynthesis is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Sheng-Pin Tseng, Yu-Ching Ni, Fan-Pin Tseng
  • Publication number: 20200375462
    Abstract: A brain-function image data augmentation method includes: a step of providing a target database including a plurality of image-data information; a step of, based on a plurality of image-data expected information in an expectation-value database, calculating a ratio of the plurality of image-data expected information with respect to different ages; a step of, based on the plurality of image-data information and the ratio, obtaining image-data ratio information with respect to an estimated age; a step of establishing a relationship for each pair of the image-data information and the image-data expected information; a step of, based on the relationship, the ratio and the image-data information, calculating an estimated image-data information with respect to the estimated age; and, a step of combining linearly the estimated image-data information and the image-data ratio information so as to generate an augmented image-data information with respect to the estimated age.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: FAN-PIN TSENG, Yu-Ching Ni, Wen-Bin Lin
  • Publication number: 20200315563
    Abstract: A nuclear image processing method is provided. The method includes the following steps: inputting a normalized standard space nuclear image; selecting a voxel of the normalized standard space nuclear image and collecting the values of the neighbor voxels to form a voxel value set; conducting a data augmentation algorithm to generate a voxel distribution function; calculating an expected value of the distribution and calculating a first standard deviation of the portion over the expected value and a second standard deviation of the portion lower than the expected value; repeating the above steps to calculate the expected value, the first standard deviation and the second standard deviation of the necessary voxels, so as to form an image standardization template set including expected value template, first standard deviation template and the second standard deviation template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: HO-HUI HSIEH, YU-CHING NI
  • Patent number: 10582898
    Abstract: A tomography method includes: a step of having a photon counting detector to undergo a relative motion with respect to an X-Ray source, and capturing 2×N projected energy spectral data at 2×N individual discrete projection angles that divide the relative motion, the N being a positive integer; a step of reforming the 2×N projected energy spectral data at the 2×N individual discrete projection angles and establishing corresponding projection intensity data; and, a step of basing on the projection intensity data and the 2×N projected energy spectral data at the 2×N individual discrete projection angles to calculate the material decomposition images. In addition, a tomography system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Shu-Chun Chang, Fan-Pin Tseng, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Publication number: 20190117172
    Abstract: A tomography method includes: a step of having a photon counting detector to undergo a relative motion with respect to an X-Ray source, and capturing 2×N projected energy spectral data at 2×N individual discrete projection angles that divide the relative motion, the N being a positive integer; a step of reforming the 2×N projected energy spectral data at the 2×N individual discrete projection angles and establishing corresponding projection intensity data; and, a step of basing on the projection intensity data and the 2×N projected energy spectral data at the 2×N individual discrete projection angles to calculate the material decomposition images. In addition, a tomography system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Shu-Chun Chang, Fan-Pin Tseng, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Patent number: 8966954
    Abstract: An anthropomorphic phantom for medical imaging systems is disclosed, which is configured with organ models designed to mimic the three-dimensional shape of human organs, and also by the arrangement of plate-like first connecting elements inside their corresponding organ models, lesion phantoms for simulating tumors can be fixedly secured inside the corresponding organ model using a plurality of first connection holes formed on the first connecting element. Therefore, by the distribution of those first connection holes, not only the lesion phantoms can be arranged at any position inside the corresponding organ model at will as required, but also by modularized design of the anthropomorphic phantom, organ models can first be assembled to form a module structure while the whole module structure with the organ model can be moved into and assembled easily with a torso-like humanoid housing of the anthropomorphic phantom by the use of a handle element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Yu-Ching Ni, Shiang-Lin Hsu, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Patent number: 8971657
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving image quality. Through applying variation value during operation of iterated algorithm, this invention can reduce blur phenomenon caused by partial volume effects and improve image accuracy. In an embodiment, by applying the algorithm utilized in the method for improving image quality, this invention further provides an imaging system to detect the distribution of the object, thereby obtaining a clear restored image corresponding to the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Meei-Ling Jan, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Patent number: 8958865
    Abstract: A lesion phantom is disclosed, which is a spherical ball having a cavity formed therein for housing contrast agents or medicines, and is enabled for the quantitative evaluation of a medical image in drug development and evaluation. In an embodiment, the cavity of the lesion phantom is coupled to a tapering ring and is configured to be sealed by a silicon plug, in order to ensure that contrast agents or medicines can be fed into the cavity easily and conveniently without causing any problem, such as overflowing, a bubble residue problem, radioactive contamination, etc. Moreover, by the arrangement of a retractable fixing bar, the positioning of the lesion phantom can be adjusted flexibly at will, and additionally by the tapering of the tapering ring, the lesion phantom can be prevented from being damaged by any extreme, sudden, unjust, or improper force exerted, and thus the lifespan of the lesion phantom can be prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Shiang-Lin Hsu, Yu-Ching Ni, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20140133723
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving image quality. Through applying variation value during operation of iterated algorithm, this invention can reduce blur phenomenon caused by partial volume effects and improve image accuracy. In an embodiment, by applying the algorithm utilized in the method for improving image quality, this invention further provides an imaging system to detect the distribution of the object, thereby obtaining a clear restored image corresponding to the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: FAN-PIN TSENG, MEEI-LING JAN, YU-CHING NI
  • Patent number: 8666710
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating the crystal-level detection efficiency, which is capable of evaluating the influences caused by the penetration effect of the crystals of a scintillation detector so as to calculate the difference of detection efficiency between crystals correctly and thereby calibrate the difference between crystals appropriately such that the quality of the imaging result is improved accordingly. The method of present invention is simple without modifying the hardware design and consequently the design cost, manpower cost and time cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Tien-Hsiu Tsai, Meei-Ling Jan, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Patent number: 8464378
    Abstract: A medical inspection apparatus includes a main body and an inspection module. The main body has at least two guide rails and at least two sliding blocks which are slidably coupled to the guide rails respectively, and the inspection module further includes at least one pivot, and each of the sliding blocks is pivotally connected to the inspection module with a pivot, so that the inspection module is capable of sliding on the sliding rail to regulate the height and rotating with respect to the pivot to regulate the inclination. Moreover, the main body has a first supporting component and a second supporting component, so that the combination of the first supporting component and the second supporting component can provide three-ended support for an inspected person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Po-Hsiu Kuo, Yu-Ching Ni, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20130104678
    Abstract: An anthropomorphic phantom for medical imaging systems is disclosed, which is configured with organ models designed to mimic the three-dimensional shape of human organs, and also by the arrangement of plate-like first connecting elements inside their corresponding organ models, lesion phantoms for simulating tumors can be fixedly secured inside the corresponding organ model using a plurality of first connection holes formed on the first connecting element. Therefore, by the distribution of those first connection holes, not only the lesion phantoms can be arranged at any position inside the corresponding organ model at will as required, but also by modularized design of the anthropomorphic phantom, organ models can first be assembled to form a module structure while the whole module structure with the organ model can be moved into and assembled easily with a torso-like humanoid housing of the anthropomorphic phantom by the use of a handle element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: YU-CHING NI, Shiang-Lin Hsu, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20130091966
    Abstract: A lesion phantom is disclosed, which is a spherical ball having a cavity formed therein for housing contrast agents or medicines, and is adapted for the quantitative evaluation of a medical image in drug development and evaluation. In an embodiment, the cavity of the lesion phantom is coupled to a tapering ring and is adapted to be sealed by a silicon plug, by that contrast agents or medicines can be fed into the cavity easily and conveniently without causing any problem, such as overflowing, bubble residue problem, radioactive contamination, etc. Moreover, by the arrangement of a retractable fixing bar, the positioning of the lesion phantom can be adjusted flexibly at will, and also by the tapering of the tapering ring, the lesion phantom can be prevented from being damaged by any extreme, sudden, unjust, or improper force exerted, and thus the lifespan of the lesion phantom can be prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: SHIANG-LIN HSU, Yu-Ching Ni, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20120029338
    Abstract: A medical inspection apparatus includes a main body and an inspection module. The main body has at least two guide rails and at least two sliding blocks which are slidably coupled to the guide rails respectively, and the inspection module further includes at least one pivot, and each of the sliding blocks is pivotally connected to the inspection module with a pivot, so that the inspection module is capable of sliding on the sliding rail to regulate the height and rotating with respect to the pivot to regulate the inclination. Moreover, the main body has a first supporting component and a second supporting component, so that the combination of the first supporting component and the second supporting component can provide three-ended support for an inspected person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: PO-HSIU KUO, Yu-Ching Ni, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Publication number: 20110106473
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating the crystal-level detection efficiency, which is capable of evaluating the influences caused by the penetration effect of the crystals of a scintillation detector so as to calculate the difference of detection efficiency between crystals correctly and thereby calibrate the difference between crystals appropriately such that the quality of the imaging result is improved accordingly. The method of present invention is simple without modifying the hardware design and consequently the design cost, manpower cost and time cost can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: TIEN-HSIU TSAI, Meei-Ling Jan, Yu-Ching Ni
  • Patent number: 7778452
    Abstract: An image reconstruction method for structuring planar images into three-dimension images is disclosed in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Meei-Ling Jan, Keh-Shih Chiang, Yu-Ching Ni