X-ray Or Gamma-ray System Patents (Class 250/370.09)
  • Patent number: 9720100
    Abstract: A method for processing signals collected by pixels of a detector, each pixel being able to collect a signal under the effect of radiation to which the detector is subjected comprises: identifying a pixel, termed the affected pixel, generating a signal greater than a threshold, defining at least one adjacent pixel of the affected pixel, and, for each adjacent pixel: selecting a first comparison group associated with the affected pixel and a second comparison group associated with the adjacent pixel, the first and second comparison groups not comprising any pixel in common, comparing signals collected by each comparison group so as to determine the comparison group that has accumulated the most significant amount of signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, TRIXELL
    Inventors: Amr Habib, Marc Arques
  • Patent number: 9703176
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens holder, a base coupled to the lens holder and integrally formed with a cable by being molded with the cable, and a sealing member positioned at a coupled surface between the lens holder and the base. The lens holder includes a lens barrel including a first concave unit formed at a front surface with a hollow hole part to accommodate a first O-ring, and a second concave unit formed at a periphery to accommodate a second O-ring. A lens unit includes a front lens arranged at a front surface of a lens barrel and includes at least one lens arranged at the hollow hole part of the lens barrel, and a retainer including a recess groove configured to accommodate a third O-ring configured to fix the front lens by being formed at a periphery to be coupled at an inner surface to the periphery of the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Hwan Park, Sang Yeal Han, Min Woo Lee, Jin Ho Lee, Seung Man Jeong
  • Patent number: 9696440
    Abstract: A radiation detector assembly is provided including a semiconductor detector, pixelated anodes, and at least one processor. The pixelated anodes are disposed on a surface of the semiconductor detector, and configured to generate a primary signal responsive to reception of a photon and a secondary signal responsive to an induced charge caused by reception of a photon by at least one adjacent anode. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the pixelated anodes, and configured to define sub-pixels for each pixelated anode; acquire primary signals and secondary signals from the pixelated anodes; determine sub-pixel locations for acquisition events using the primary and secondary signals; generate a sub-pixel energy spectrum for each sub-pixel; apply at least one energy calibration parameter to adjust the sub-pixel energy spectra for each pixelated anode; and, for each pixelated anode, combine the adjusted sub-pixel energy spectra to provide a pixelated anode spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Mark David Fries, Yaron Glazer, Jeffrey Michael Levy, Avishai Ofan, Rotem Har-Lavan
  • Patent number: 9698181
    Abstract: A semiconductor detector device comprises a layer of semiconductor material for generating charge in response to an input event and an array of pixels for collecting charge. Tracks are connected to the pixels to supply signals representing the collected charge to a reader circuit. The pixels are grouped into sets, all the pixels within a set being connected to the same track, the sets of pixels being interwoven so that so that any group of n adjacent pixels capable of collecting charge generated by a single input event is connected to a combination of n tracks that is unique to the group of pixels, where n has a value of one of 2, 3 or 4. This allows detection of position of the area of charge collection on the basis of temporally coincident signals on a combination of at least n tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Oxford University Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Grigore Moldovan, Angus Ian Kirkland, Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 9696432
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing information delivered by a photon detector, comprising: an analogue circuit for generating a signal comprising a series of pulses, each pulse having an amplitude proportional to the energy freed by an interaction of a photon in the detector; an analogue circuit for determining the instant at which the amplitude of a pulse of the signal is maximal; and an element for capturing the value of the signal at said instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
    Inventor: Patrice Ouvrier Buffet
  • Patent number: 9675309
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source to generate and irradiate X-rays; an X-ray detector installed in at least one module of one or more modules, to detect the irradiated X-rays; an Identification (ID) resistor included in the module; a port included in the X-ray detector; and a controller to determine a module in which the X-ray detector has been installed, using the ID resistor and the port. The controller may assign a static Information Provider (IP) address to the module, and determine a module in which the X-ray detector has been installed, based on the static IP address. According to the X-ray imaging apparatuses and a control method thereof, it is possible to determine an installation location of the X-ray detector, and to use the X-ray detector in various modules without having to provide separate X-ray detectors for different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myeong Je Kim
  • Patent number: 9677931
    Abstract: A radiation detection device integrates the number of optical photons in a light pulse. The radiation detection device includes an optical detector pixel array which has a plurality of pixel cells that are triggered by optical photons, a plurality of pixel cell trigger state sensing circuits, and a summing unit. Each pixel cell trigger state sensing circuit generates a digital signal having either a first predetermined amplitude indicative of a triggered pixel cell, or a second predetermined amplitude indicative of a non-triggered pixel cell. The summing unit generates an analog signal whose amplitude corresponds to the number of triggered pixel cells and thereby performs the integration. The analog signal may further cause a timing unit to generate a timestamp when a predetermined accumulated optical photon count condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Mezbah Uddin Shaber
  • Patent number: 9664803
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a counting digital X-ray detector includes performing a threshold value scan in at least one defined X-ray spectrum for irradiating the X-ray detector, which includes a matrix composed of pixel elements, storing count rates of the pixel elements as a function of respective applied threshold values, and from results of a measurement of count rates of the pixel elements, determining or calculating individual correction threshold values for the individual pixel elements. The individual correction threshold values correct a threshold value that is to be applied to the pixel elements for the defined X-ray spectrum such that threshold value noise is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Silke Reitz, Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 9649086
    Abstract: A radiation image capture device includes plural radiation detection panels that each detect incident radiation that has passed through an imaging subject, that each generate a radiation image, and that are disposed in a row in a direction orthogonal to the radiation incident direction. The radiation image capture device designates a display target image from out of plural radiation images respectively generated by the plural radiation detection panels, and transmits the designated display target image to a console. At least a radiation image other than the display target image is stored in an image memory. The console displays on a display section the received display target image and, in response to data indicating a display request for a radiation image other than the display target image, also displays on the display section the radiation image other than the display target image read from the image memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tajima, Takeyasu Kobayashi, Naoyuki Nishino
  • Patent number: 9646731
    Abstract: A direct-converting x-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting x-ray radiation, in particular for use in a CT system. In an embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor material used for detecting the x-ray radiation; at least one collimator; and at least one radiation source, to irradiate the semiconductor material with additional radiation. In at least one embodiment, the at least one collimator includes at least one reflection layer on a side facing the semiconductor material, on which the additional radiation is reflected to the semiconductor material. In another embodiment, a CT system including the direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, and a method for detecting incident x-ray radiation via a direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, in particular for use in a CT system, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Fabrice Dierre, Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Karl Stierstorfer, Matthias Strassburg, Justus Tonn, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9632187
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a positron emission tomography (PET) kit are described. A PET detector kit may include a gantry, a plurality of PET detector modules, and an event processing device. A PET detector module may include a housing, a crystal, a light detector, and a communication component. The housing may include at least one connective element configured to removably and adjustably couple the PET detector module to the gantry. The crystal may be located within the housing. The light detector may be configured to detect light emitted by the crystal. The communication component may be configured to communicate data from the at least one light detector to an event processing device. The event processing device may receive data from the plurality of PET detector modules and may cause the one or more processors to determine coincidence events based on the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ramsey D. Badawi, Simon Cherry, Felipe Godinez, Jonathan Poon, Martin Judenhofer, Jinyi Qi, Abhijit Chaudhari, Madagama Sumanasena, Julien Bec
  • Patent number: 9632013
    Abstract: Various medical systems and methods are described, including a medical monitoring system. The medical monitoring system can have a fluid system configured to receive bodily fluid and optically analyze said fluid to determine analyte concentration. The fluid system can have a removable portion. The removable portion can have an opening with a port. The system can also have a container configured to contain anticoagulant. The container can have a portion configured to mate with the port of the removable portion. The container can be further configured to not fit into a conventional luer fitting. An anti-coagulant insertion apparatus is also described. The apparatus can have a syringe, a dock with a port, and an adapter configured to connect the syringe to the port. The dock can also have a tab configured to move with the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Optiscan Biomedical Corporation
    Inventors: Gil Rivas, Michael Butler, Jeffrey T. Chiou, Eugene Lim
  • Patent number: 9632190
    Abstract: A neutron imaging system, including: a plurality of Li-III-VI2 semiconductor crystals arranged in an array, wherein III represents a Group III element and VI represents a Group VI element; and electronics operable for detecting and a charge in each of the plurality of crystals in the presence of neutrons and for imaging the neutrons. Each of the crystals is formed by: melting the Group III element; adding the Li to the melted Group III element at a rate that allows the Li and Group III element to react, thereby providing a single phase Li-III compound; and adding the Group VI element to the single phase Li-III compound and heating. Optionally, each of the crystals is also formed by doping with a Group IV element activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: Consolidates Nuclear Security, LLC, Fisk University
    Inventors: Ashley C. Stowe, Arnold Burger
  • Patent number: 9618628
    Abstract: A radiology device includes at least one gamma radiation sensor, an acquisition device arranged to acquire data from each gamma radiation sensor, a transmission device arranged to transmit the acquired data outside the device, at least one battery arranged to store electrical energy and to electrically supply each sensor, the acquisition device and the transmission device. The radiology device is arranged to be carried entirely by the user. An application of the present radiology device is the treatment of cancers by administration of radionuclides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AG MEDICAL
    Inventor: David Gray
  • Patent number: 9621822
    Abstract: There is included: a light receiving device configured to receive light and convert the received light into a light detection signal; a pixel transistor connected to the light receiving device and configured to control connection between the light receiving device and a signal line; a low-pass filter configured to be applied with respect to the light detection signal; an A-D converter configured to convert an output signal of the low-pass filter into digital data; and a sequencer configured to, prior to causing the A-D converter to operate to output the digital data, control the pixel transistor to be in an ON state and thereby maintain the light receiving device to be connected to the signal line, in a state in which the low-pass filter is caused to function effectively with respect to the light detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiru Senda, Shinichi Watanabe, Daisuke Kawazoe, Yuichiro Minami
  • Patent number: 9604077
    Abstract: A method of real-time radiotherapy beam visualization is provided that includes disposing a free-form flexible scintillating sheet on a subject of interest, irradiating the subject of interest with a source of ionizing radiation, where the free-forming flexible scintillating sheet emits light when irradiated by the therapeutic photon beam, collecting the emitted light and collecting ambient light reflected from the subject of interest and surrounding objects using a camera, where the collected light is converted to image data by the camera, where the image data is communicated to an appropriately programmed computer, and processing the image data to determine beam characteristics and the characteristics of the subject of interest, using the appropriately programmed computer, where the beam characteristics and the characteristics of the subject of interest are displayed in real-time to a machine operator enabling real-time verification of treatment delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Lei Xing, Dominik Jan Naczynski, Cesare Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9588239
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for generating an output of a detector cell of a photon counting detector array. A counter block generates integration data and photon counting data associated with the photon counting detector array. Responsive to a number of detection events counted during a measurement interval (e.g., a view) not exceeding a first detection event count threshold, a first output may be generated based upon the photon counting data. Responsive to the number of detection events exceeding a second detection event count threshold, a second output may be generated based upon the integration data. Responsive to the number of detection events being between the first detection event count threshold and the second detection event count threshold, a blended output may be generated based upon the photon counting data and the integration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ANALOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Abraham, David Rozas, Anton Deykoon
  • Patent number: 9578262
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a plurality of sensors, a holding unit configured to hold a signal level of each sensor, a monitor unit configured to monitor the signal levels, and a control unit configured to control each sensor so as to detect radiation with a first sensitivity and a second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity, wherein the control unit performs first control to cause the monitor unit to monitor signal levels with the second sensitivity, and performs second control to select some sensors out of the plurality of sensors based on monitoring results obtained in the first control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kanako Dowaki
  • Patent number: 9568615
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device and a driving method of the same that is capable of enlarging a signal amplitude value as well as increasing a range in which a linear input/output relationship operates while preventing a signal writing-in time from becoming long. The semiconductor device having an amplifying transistor and a biasing transistor and the driving method thereof, wherein an electric discharging transistor is provided and pre-discharge is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Kimura
  • Patent number: 9566035
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray detector includes: applying a mask having an opening on a substrate on which a plurality of charge detection units are positioned; filling the opening with a paste including a photoelectric conversion material that absorbs X-rays to generate charges; and forming a photoconductive layer from the paste by separating the mask from the substrate. A thickness of the paste within the opening is thicker in an area adjacent to at least one edge among edges of the opening than in areas around other edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changbum Lee, Sunil Kim, Dongwook Lee, Jaechul Park
  • Patent number: 9553220
    Abstract: A field shaping multi-well avalanche detector and method for fabrication thereof are disclosed. The field shaping multi-well avalanche detector provides stable avalanche multiplication gain in direct conversion amorphous selenium radiation detectors. The detector provides stable avalanche multiplication gain by eliminating field hot-spots using high-density avalanche wells with insulated wells and field-shaping within each well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Amirhossein Goldan, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 9538967
    Abstract: A radiological image sensor has an electronic substrate and an imaging chip held within a housing, the imaging chip having electronics that create a dead space, with a cable attached to the housing at a cable button connector, the dead space being at a short distal side of the generally rectangular sensor opposite the short mesial side at which the cable exits the cable button connector. The mesial side of the sensor either does not have a dead space created by electronics of the imaging chip or the dead space found on the mesial side of the sensor is less than approximately 4 mm, and, preferably, approximately 2 mm or less. The cable can be a flat cable with a length of approximately one meter or less that can be connected to a round cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: CYBER MEDICAL IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Adam Chen, Douglas Yoon
  • Patent number: 9544189
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a proxy automatic configuration (PAC) script based on the location of a device. One example method includes receiving a request for a proxy automatic configuration (PAC) script from a source address associated with a device; determining, based at least in part on the source address, a location of the device; generating a PAC script based at least in part on the determined location of the device; and sending a response to the request for the PAC script including the generated PAC script.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: iboss, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Martini, Peter Anthony Martini
  • Patent number: 9535169
    Abstract: Provided is a radiation detector that prevents a decline in detection efficiency as well as having excellent temporal characteristics. The radiation detector 1, which detects a radiation, includes a scintillator array 10 having a plurality of scintillator cells 11, a photodetector array 20 having a plurality of photodetectors 21, and a photodetector array 30 having a plurality of photodetectors 31. The plurality of photodetectors 21 and the plurality of photodetectors 31 are solid-state photodetectors that can transmit a gamma ray G1, G2. The scintillator cell 11 is separated into a plurality of light emitting regions 11a, 11b by a reflecting region 12, and the reflecting region 12 extends between the incident surface 10a side and the back surface 10b side along a surface SP that is inclined with respect to the incident surface 10a and the back surface 10b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 9535172
    Abstract: A voltage reset method may include: acquiring a voltage that is changed with time by using an input photon; determining a timing for resetting the acquired voltage by using time information in a period where the acquired voltage increases; and/or resetting the acquired voltage on a basis of the determined voltage reset timing. A voltage reset apparatus may include: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a voltage that is changed with time by using an input photon; a determination unit configured to determine a timing for resetting the acquired voltage by using time information in a period where the acquired voltage increases; and/or a reset unit configured to reset the acquired voltage on a basis of the determined voltage reset timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang-Ho Lee, Young Kim, Jin-Myoung Kim, Jae-chul Park
  • Patent number: 9538107
    Abstract: Asilicon imaging detector tile (216) includes a silicon photosensor layer (302) including a plurality of detector pixels (304), each with a photo-transistor (406), and a silicon electronics layer (314), coupled to the silicon photosensor layer, including a current-to-frequency converter and bias control (404) for each of the plurality of photo-transistor. A method includes sensing, with a photo-transistor of a detector pixel of a silicon photosensor layer of an imaging detector and in an absence of x-ray radiation, a dark current, regulating, with bias control, an amount of the dark current transmitted to a current-to-frequency converter of a silicon electronics layer coupled to the silicon photosensor layer, and converting, with the current-to-frequency converter, the amount of the dark current transmitted to the current-to-frequency converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Marc Anthony Chappo
  • Patent number: 9530692
    Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a through wiring, including forming a first insulating film on a first surface and a second surface of a substrate; forming a through hole to pass through the first insulating film formed on the first surface side and the substrate; forming a second insulating film formed from a material different from that of the first insulating film on an inner wall of the through hole; forming a conductive film on the first insulating film formed on the second surface; forming an opening in the first insulating film by processing the first insulating film formed on the second surface; and filling an inner portion of the through hole with a conductive material by electrolytic plating using the conductive film exposed at the bottom portion of the through hole as a seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinan Wang, Hideshi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9521986
    Abstract: A portable radiographic imaging system includes an FPD cassette and a portable console, each of which is configured to wirelessly communicate with a portable relay unit. The relay unit prohibits a radiation generator from emitting radiation when judging that a wireless communication connection has not been established between the relay unit and the radiation generator, and allows the radiation generator to emit radiation when judging that the wireless communication connection has not been established between the relay unit and the radiation generator after an interlock release signal is transferred from the console or the like to the radiation generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ozawa, Masahiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 9519066
    Abstract: A radiation sensor includes a substrate and a polymer multilayer film including alternating layers of a high refractive index polymer and a low refractive index polymer. The high refractive index polymer and the low refractive index polymer each comprise repeat units derived from a photo-crosslinkable monomer. The radiation sensors are useful in preparing various articles, including wearable patches, packaging materials, labels, and window panes. Also described is a method of detecting radiation using the radiation sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: Ryan Hayward, Maria Chiappelli
  • Patent number: 9510794
    Abstract: A radiation image capture device is provided that are capable of obtaining radiation images with better image quality than hitherto in both an imaging mode in which a radiation irradiation duration is comparatively short and radiation images are successively captured, and in an imaging mode in which the radiation irradiation duration is comparatively long. An erasing light source is deactivated throughout an imaging period in a first imaging mode in which a radiation detector generates image data of a radiation image based on radiation irradiated from a radiation source over a first irradiation duration. The erasing light source is activated over an imaging period in a second imaging mode in which the radiation detector generates image data of plural radiation images based on successively irradiated radiation from the radiation source over a second irradiation duration shorter than the first irradiation duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9507033
    Abstract: A process for operating a PET scanner includes acquiring, at a plurality of detector blocks of the PET scanner, emission data of gamma photons of a first energy level originating from annihilation events associated with radioactivity of a phantom in a field of view of the PET scanner. Based on the emission data, an emission block-pair scattering model is generated. The process includes acquiring counts of gamma photons of a second energy level originating from intrinsic background radiation of scintillator crystals of the detector blocks, without any phantom in the field of view, to provide blank scan data for the second energy level. A sinogram is generated based on the blank scan data for the second energy level. The emission block-pair scattering model is added to a scaled version of the sinogram to yield a composite model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold E. Rothfuss, Vladimir Y. Panin
  • Patent number: 9492126
    Abstract: A radiological imaging system for obtaining images of at least a portion of the internal anatomy of a patient is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the radiological imaging system includes a bed extending along a main direction and including a support surface substantially concave to permit the bed to contain at least a portion of the patient. The radiological imaging system further includes a source suitable to emit radiation, and a detector suitable to receive the radiation. Also, the radiological imaging system may include a load-bearing structure suitable to support the bed, the source and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Epica International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory William Stoutenburgh, Damiano Fortuna, Luca Ferretti
  • Patent number: 9480451
    Abstract: An X-ray image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a specifying unit and a decision unit. The specifying unit processes a first X-ray image based on an output signal from an X-ray detector influenced by the action of an electromagnetic field, and specifies noise characteristics unique to noise components which are contained in the first X-ray image and originate from the action of the electromagnetic field on the X-ray detector. The decision unit decides filter characteristics for reducing the noise components which are contained in the first X-ray image and originate from the action of the electromagnetic field on the X-ray detector based on the specified noise characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kobayashi, Shumpei Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9482762
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a gamma ray detector is provided. The gamma ray detector may include a converter element, configured to release an electron when a gamma ray moves at least partially through the converter element. The gamma ray detector may further include a semiconductor detector, arranged to receive the electron and configured to produce a signal when the electron moves at least partially through the semiconductor detector; and an amplifier circuit, coupled to the semiconductor detector and configured to amplify the signal produced by the semiconductor detector. In the gamma ray detector, the converter element may be arranged to at least partially shield the amplifier circuit from electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Kroener, Johannes Hacker
  • Patent number: 9476991
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a 3D high resolution X-ray sensor are described. In one aspect, an indirect X-ray sensor includes a silicon wafer that includes an array of photodiodes thereon with each of the photodiodes having a contact on a front side of the silicon wafer and self-aligned with a respective grid hole of an array of grid holes that are on a back side of the silicon wafer. Each of the grid holes is filled with a scintillator configured to convert beams of X-ray into light. The indirect X-ray sensor also includes one or more silicon dies with an array of photo-sensing circuits each of which including a contact at a top surface of the one or more silicon dies. Contact on each of the photodiodes is aligned and bonded to contact of a respective photo-sensing circuit of the array of photo-sensing circuits of the one or more silicon dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TERAPEDE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Madhukar B. Vora
  • Patent number: 9470803
    Abstract: An X-ray detector may include: a thin film transistor (TFT) unit; and/or a capacitor unit. The capacitor unit may include two or more storage capacitors. The TFT unit may include: a gate electrode on one region of a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode; an active layer on the gate insulating layer; and/or a source electrode and a drain electrode respectively on sides of the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaechul Park, Sunil Kim, Dongwook Lee, Changbum Lee
  • Patent number: 9462989
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an AEC function that can prevent irregularities in photographed images, without being increased in size. The imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape, each of the plurality of pixels including a conversion element for converting radiation or light into an electric charge, a plurality of lines that are connected to the plurality of pixel units and that extend in different directions to each other, a current monitor circuit that monitors currents flowing in the plurality of lines, and an arithmetic unit that calculates a two-dimensional distribution by performing back-projection processing with respect to the currents flowing in the plurality of lines monitored by the current monitor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Sho Sato, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu
  • Patent number: 9462983
    Abstract: A computed-tomography (CT) apparatus that includes a CT scanner including an X-ray source, a plurality of photon-counting detectors (PCDs) arranged in a fixed detector ring to capture incident X-ray photons emitted from the X-ray source, and control circuitry configured to move at least one PCD of the plurality of PCDs, from a first position to a second position, in response to receiving an instruction to perform a scanogram scan of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yuexing Zhang, Xiaolan Wang
  • Patent number: 9461080
    Abstract: Variation in threshold voltages in a device operation is reduced. An insulator layer which is disposed to be opposed to a channel region 41 of a MOS transistor and is formed to have a laminated structure of a silicon nitride film 83 and a silicon oxide film 83 and an inverted signal input unit which inputs a signal obtained by inverting an input signal inputted into a source region 43 of a MOS transistor into a channel region 41 are provided and the inverted signal input unit includes another gate electrode 82 which is formed on an extended portion of the channel region 41 of the gate electrode 81 in a manner to be adjacent to the gate electrode 81 of the MOS transistor and a CMOS circuit 80 which inverts an input signal inputted into the source region 43 of the MOS transistor in accordance with an input value of the input signal and inputs a signal obtained through inversion in the CMOS circuit 80 into another gate electrode 82.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryohichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9444344
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage obtaining apparatus. The voltage obtaining apparatus includes a plurality of conversion units, which are connected to each other in parallel and respectively convert charge packets into voltages, and a control unit that controls a timing when the charge packets are respectively input to the plurality of conversion units. The control unit is configured to control the timing so that a corresponding charge packet is input to an nth conversion unit (where n denotes number of the conversion units) at a timing when an operation of an (n?1)th conversion unit is ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Myoung Kim, Kang-Ho Lee, Jae-chul Park
  • Patent number: 9433394
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: a radiation detector configured to be detachable with respect to a patient platform and detect radiation transmitted through an object in one of a moving image capturing mode and a still image capturing mode; a detection unit configured to detect a shift timing of an image capturing mode; a cooling mechanism configured to cool the radiation detector in one of a first cooling mode and a second cooling mode having a higher cooling capacity than the first cooling mode; and a control unit configured to switch the cooling modes of the cooling mechanism based on detection by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Omura
  • Patent number: 9435894
    Abstract: To provide a radiation image detecting device providing high responsivity and high precision of an emission start judgment, an electronic cassette has a panel unit and a control unit. The panel unit has a two-dimensional array of normal pixels for accumulating signal charge upon receiving X-rays and detection pixels for detecting the X-rays. A signal processing circuit periodically samples a dose signal, corresponding to an X-ray dose per unit of time, from the detection pixels. An emission start judgment unit performs based on the dose signals of the detection pixels a first judgment process for judging whether X-ray emission has been started, and a second judgment process for judging whether a result of the first judgment process is correct. The control unit sets a second sampling cycle SP2 used in the second judgment process longer than a first sampling cycle SP1 used in the first sampling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasufumi Oda
  • Patent number: 9429664
    Abstract: An X-ray detector and an X-ray imaging apparatus including the X-ray detector are provided. The X-ray detector includes a detector element including a cathode electrode and an anode electrode which are spaced apart from each other and a photoconductive layer located between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode and configured to absorb X-rays and generate electric charges, a first temperature controller configured to contact a first surface of the detector element and is configured to control a temperature of the cathode electrode, and a second temperature controller configured to contact a second surface of the detector element opposite to the first surface of the detector element and configured to control a temperature of the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jerome Crocco, Ji-hoon Kang, Sung-kyu Park, Jin-hwan Oh, Sang-min Lee, Min-kook Cho
  • Patent number: 9423513
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes pixels arranged to form an array, sensors including conversion elements dispersed in the array to monitor radiation, a processing circuit for processing signals from the sensors, first signal lines for transmitting a signal from at least one of the sensors to the processing circuit, and second signal lines extending in a direction parallel to the first signal lines and not directly connected to the pixels and the conversion elements or connected to at least one of the pixels and at least one of the sensors. The processing circuit determines a value of a signal generated by each sensor based on a difference between a value of a signal appearing on the first signal line and a value of a signal appearing on the second signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Watanabe, Keigo Yokoyama, Masato Ofuji, Jun Kawanabe, Kentaro Fujiyoshi, Hiroshi Wayama
  • Patent number: 9411055
    Abstract: A photon-counting detector configured to detect photons included in multi-energy radiation. The photon-counting detector includes a pixel area configured to absorb photons incident thereto, and bias circuits configured to supply one of a bias voltage and a bias current to electronic devices in the pixel area, wherein the bias circuits are in the pixel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-kun Yoon, Chang-jung Kim
  • Patent number: 9411049
    Abstract: A proximity sensor may include an array of Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes, each including an anode contact and a cathode contact. A common cathode contact may be coupled to the cathode contacts of the array to define a first connection lead at a back side of the array. A common anode collecting grid contact may be coupled to the anode contacts of the array to define a second connection lead of the array. Circuitry may be coupled with the first and second connection leads and configured to sense at least one of a dark current and a rate of current spikes generated in dark conditions, and generate an output signal representing an estimated distance of an object from the array upon the sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alfio Russo, Massimo Cataldo Mazzillo
  • Patent number: 9389320
    Abstract: An X-ray detector is provided with a plurality of modules each having a plurality of detection elements each composing a pixel, in which the detection elements convert incoming radiations to electric data depending on amounts of the radiations. The plural modules are mutually adjacently arranged on the same surface with a gap having a known width formed therebetween, such that the modules are arranged along at least one of a first X-axis and a first Y-axis, wherein the radiation detector is given a scan direction which is set along one of the first X- and Y-axes and the first Y-axis is perpendicular to the first X-axis. The plural detection elements of each module are two-dimensionally arranged along a second X-axis and a second Y-axis which are set obliquely to the first X-axis and the first Y-axis respectively and which are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TAKARA TELESYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Koichi Ogawa, Tsutomu Yamakawa, Daisuke Hashimoto, Tatsuya Nagano, Hideyuki Nagaoka, Masahiro Tsujita
  • Patent number: 9377418
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator configured to generate and radiate X-rays to a subject, an X-ray detector configured to detect and convert X-rays transmitted through the subject into an image signal, and a controller configured to analyze the image signal of the subject and set gain of the X-ray detector according to detection regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Ha Lee, Kang Ho Lee, Young Hun Sung, Sang Wook Han
  • Patent number: 9360562
    Abstract: To provide a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system that can detect radiation with high accuracy, the radiation imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit in which conversion elements that convert radiation into an electric signal are arranged in a matrix shape; a radiation detection unit configured to detect an irradiation state of radiation; a drive circuit configured to drive the detection unit in accordance with the irradiation state detected by the radiation detection unit; and a radiographing kind setting unit configured to set a radiographing kind, wherein the radiation detection unit changes a radiation detection capability in accordance with the radiographing kind set by the radiographing kind setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Sato, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9357972
    Abstract: A radiological image sensor has an electronic substrate and an imaging chip held within a housing, the imaging chip having electronics that create a dead space, with a cable attached to the housing at a cable button connector, the dead space being at a short distal side of the generally rectangular sensor opposite the short mesial side at which the cable exits the cable button connector. The mesial side of the sensor either does not have a dead space created by electronics of the imaging chip or the dead space found on the mesial side of the sensor is less than approximately 4 mm, and, preferably, approximately 2 mm or less. The cable can be a flat cable with a length of approximately one meter or less that can be connected to a round cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CYBER MEDICAL IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Adam Chen, Douglas C Yoon