Source Or Detector Translation Within Plane Patents (Class 378/11)
  • Patent number: 12130245
    Abstract: A variable zoom X-ray CT method can significantly improve resolution for structures with large in-plane dimensions, for example to detect complex structural damage due to low-velocity impact in large thin composite laminate panels. The variable zoom method comprises emitting an X-ray beam from an X-ray source to project a region of interest (ROI) of a specimen within a field of view (FOV) onto a detector. Projections of the ROI are scanned with the detector while rotating the specimen about a rotational axis of a specimen stage and translating the specimen stage along an acquisition trajectory between the X-ray source and the detector. The acquisition trajectory specifies a source-to-object distance (SOD) between the X-ray source and the rotational axis of the specimen stage at each rotation angle of the specimen stage. A reconstruction computer reconstructs a three-dimensional volume of the specimen from the projections scanned by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Andrew Makeev, Yuriy Nikishkov
  • Patent number: 11937780
    Abstract: A tool, consisting of an enclosure and a rotatable knob retained by, and protruding from, the enclosure. The tool has a tube having a proximal end that is retained by the enclosure, and the tube has an axis of symmetry. A Geneva drive is retained within the enclosure, the Geneva drive consisting of a drive wheel fixedly attached to the rotatable knob and a driven wheel fixedly attached to the proximal end of the tube, so that an axis of rotation of the driven wheel coincides with the axis of symmetry of the tube. Thus, a continuous rotation of the rotatable knob causes the tube to rotate about the axis of symmetry in discrete angular steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yehuda Algawi, Ilya Sitnitsky
  • Patent number: 11730439
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system using multiple pulsed X-ray sources in motion to perform high efficient and ultrafast 3D radiography using an X-ray flexible curved panel detector is presented. There are multiple pulsed X-ray sources mounted on a structure in motion to form an array of sources. The sources move simultaneously relative to an object on a predefined arc track at a constant speed as a group. Each individual X-ray source can move around its static position at a small distance. When an individual source has a speed equal to group speed, but with opposite moving direction, the individual source and detector are activated. This allows source to stay relatively standstill during activation. The operation results in reduced source travel distance for each individual source. 3D radiography image data can be acquired with much wider sweep angle in much shorter time, and image analysis can also be done in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: AIXSCAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianqiang Liu, Manat Maolinbay, Chwen-yuan Ku, Linbo Yang
  • Patent number: 11717246
    Abstract: In a medical image generation method, projection data of a scanned object is acquired during rotation of a radiographic source, and a scout image of the scanned object is generated in one scanning direction using corresponding projection data in two opposite scanning directions in the projection data. The scanning direction is used to represent a relative position relationship between the radiographic source and the scanned object. Using projection data in two opposite directions to generate a scout image in one direction during rotary scanning of a radiographic source can significantly shorten the generation time of the scout image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Xiang Wen, Yi Tian, Tao Tao Li, Guo Qing Zhang, Wen Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 11639905
    Abstract: The present disclosure provide pipe scanning systems suitable for performing integrity and reliability inspection of pipelines, including insulated and non-insulated pipelines. The pipe scanning system may include a track disposed about a surface of the pipeline (e.g., on top of the insulation for insulated pipelines or on top of the pipe for non-insulated pipelines) and a scanning device mounted on the track via a drive carriage. The drive carriage includes components to facilitate movement of the drive carriage and the scanning device along the track such that the scanning device travels about the circumference of the pipeline. The scanning device includes an x-ray emitter and a digital x-ray detector that may capture media content indicative of a scanned section of the pipeline (e.g., a 360° circumferential scan), and the media content may be analyzed to detect the presence of one or more defects, such as corrosion under insulation (CUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Mistras Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Musgrave, Elliott Morris, Kelly Morris
  • Patent number: 11617557
    Abstract: A C-Arm X-ray imaging system using multiple pulsed X-ray sources in motion to perform efficient and ultrafast 3D radiography is presented. X-ray sources mounted on a structure in motion to form an array. X-ray sources move simultaneously relative to an object on a pre-defined arc track at a constant speed as a group. Each individual source can also move rapidly around its static position in a small distance. When a source has a speed that is equal to group speed but with opposite moving direction, the source at one C-arm end and X-ray flat panel detector at other C-arm end are activated through an external exposure control unit so that source stay momentarily standstill. The C-arm provides 3D X-ray scan imaging over a wide sweep angle and in different position by rotation. The X-ray image can be analyzed by an artificial intelligence module for real-time diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AIX Scan, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianqiang Liu, Manat Maolinbay, Chwen-yuan Ku, Linbo Yang
  • Patent number: 11617556
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system with multiple pulsed X-ray source tubes in motion to perform highly efficient and ultrafast 3D radiography is presented. There are multiple X-ray tubes from pulsed sources mounted on a structure in motion to form an array of X-ray tubes. The tubes move simultaneously relative to an object on a pre-defined arc track at a constant speed as a group. Each individual X-ray tube in each individual source can also move rapidly around its static position in a small distance. When a tube has a speed that is equal to group speed but with opposite moving direction, the tube and X-ray flat panel detector are activated through an external exposure control unit so that the tube stay momentarily standstill. It results in much reduced travel distance for each X-ray source tube and much lighter load for motion system. 3D X-ray scan can cover much wider sweeping angle in much shorter time and image analysis can also be done in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AIX Scan, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianqiang Liu, Manat Maolinbay, Chwen-Yuan Ku, Linbo Yang
  • Patent number: 11501944
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for adjusting a focal point position of an X-ray tube. The method may include: obtaining a first thermal capacity and a first position of a focal point of an X-ray tube; obtaining a second thermal capacity of the X-ray tube; determining a second position of the focal point the X-ray tube based on the second thermal capacity; determining a target grid voltage difference of a focusing cup of the X-ray tube based on the first position and the second position of the focal point; and adjusting the X-ray tube based on the target grid voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanfeng Du, Yingbiao Liu
  • Patent number: 11295488
    Abstract: In a console according to an embodiment, a control unit functions as a generation unit that generates a tomographic image from a plurality of projection images, which have been captured by a radiation detector at each of a plurality of imaging positions with different irradiation angles, with radiation sequentially emitted from each of the plurality of imaging positions, using a reconstruction process. In addition, the control unit functions as a derivation unit that derives the degree of enhancement as a parameter value used in a frequency enhancement process which is an example of image processing for a tomographic image, on the basis of the image analysis result of a projection image corresponding to an irradiation angle of 0 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wataru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11045161
    Abstract: A radiographic image processing apparatus includes a specifying unit that specifies an irradiation field region in a radiographic image, a determination unit that determines, based on the irradiation field region, a rotation angle of the radiographic image, a rotation unit that rotates, based on the determined rotation angle, the radiographic image, and a display control unit that performs control to display the rotated radiographic image on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hironori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10782440
    Abstract: The present specification describes a scanning/inspection system configured as a dual-view system using dual-energy sensitive stacked detectors that are partially populated with multi-energy discriminating detectors for overall enhanced energy resolution and therefore improved discrimination of materials through better estimation of material physical properties such as density and effective atomic number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Andrew Hanley
  • Patent number: 10561383
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system (10) for imaging an elongated region of interest of an object, an imaging method for imaging an elongated region of interest of an object, a computer program element for controlling such system for performing such method and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The imaging system (10) comprises an acquisition unit (11) and a processing unit (13). The acquisition unit (11) is a C-arm acquisition unit and configured to acquire first image data of the object to be imaged with a first imaging parameter. The acquisition unit (11) is further configured to acquire second, different image data of an object to be imaged with a second imaging parameter. The second geometric imaging parameter is defined based on object specific data for the volume data to be aligned with the elongated region of interest of the object to be imaged. The processing unit (13) is configured to combine the first and second image data into volume data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Eberhard Sebastian Hansis, Dirk Schäfer, Tobias Klinder, Christian Haase, Hanno Heyke Homann
  • Patent number: 10514343
    Abstract: X-ray microscopy tomography scanning systems are not constrained by continuous scanning trajectories like in medical scanners. In fact, the source and detector can be held stationary during subsequent image capture producing a discrete sampling pattern. For such systems, a method of producing an optimized, even illumination of the object by choosing source/detector locations on a surface of an imaginary cylinder surrounding the object is disclosed. The locations, in one example, form a regular lattice with even coverage on the surface of that cylinder, rather than at locations along a continuous curve such as a helix. Using this method, the effective pitch may be increased beyond the theoretical limit imposed by helical scanning, allowing a greater range of y-axis coverage for the same number of projection angles, corresponding to an increase in throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS X-RAY MICROSCOPY, INC.
    Inventors: William Thompson, Zhifeng Huang
  • Patent number: 10495735
    Abstract: A micro mirror assembly widens the field of view (FOV) of a 3D depth map sensor, alleviating the limitation of limited laser illumination power and limitations on the resolution of the available imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Shintani, Jose Omar Gonzalez Hernandez, William Clay, Pablo Antonio Espinosa, Fred Ansfield, Bibhudendu Mohapatra, Keith Resch, Morio Usami
  • Patent number: 10433797
    Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Fred T. Lee
  • Patent number: 10413256
    Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LiteRay Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Fred T. Lee
  • Patent number: 10372265
    Abstract: Touch sensitivity is enabled using a touch system that comprises a panel configured to conduct signals, along detection lines across a touch surface. A signal processor operates in a sequence of repetitions to: generate data samples that represent detected signal energy on the actual detection lines; generate based on the data samples, an interpolated sinogram comprising interpolation samples that represent fictitious detection lines which have a desired location on the touch surface; and reconstruct a signal interaction pattern for the touch surface based on the interpolated sinogram. The signal processor implements an error correction to counteract the influence of a change in validity status for a data sample among the data samples, by identifying interpolation samples affected by the change in validity status, and by setting each identified interpolation sample to a value that maintains a relative signal transmission of the fictitious detection line from a former repetition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FlatFrog Laboratories AB
    Inventors: Tomas Christiansson, Andreas Bjorklund, Mats Petter Wallander, Nicklas Ohlsson
  • Patent number: 10285660
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a support frame, an input button, and processing circuitry. The support frame supports an X-ray detector which detects X-rays. The input button provides on at least one of an exterior of the support frame and an exterior of the X-ray detector and inputs an instruction to implement an assigned moving operation pattern of a plurality of moving operation patterns concerning movement of at least one of the support frame, the X-ray detector, and a table top. The processing circuitry assigns the input button with an instruction to implement a moving operation pattern, of the plurality of moving operation patterns, which is selected by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Zaiki, Hisayuki Uehara, Masashi Hirasawa, Kazuhiro Taniyama, Kazuo Imagawa, Katsuie Ikawa
  • Patent number: 10258296
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes a first X-ray source, a first detector, a second X-ray source, a second detector, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry controls the first X-ray source, the second X-ray source, the first detector, and the second detector to perform scanning. The processing circuitry acquires first data of a plurality of first detection regions and second data of a plurality of second detection regions, each of the plurality of first detection regions and the plurality of second detection regions including one detection element or a plurality of detection elements in a row direction, and the plurality of first detection regions being offset by an amount corresponding to n (0<n<1) of a length of each of the plurality of first detection regions in the row direction from the respective plurality of second detection regions. The processing circuitry generates image data based on the acquired first data and the acquired second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Hiraoka, Tatsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 10169909
    Abstract: Particular embodiments comprise providing a surface mesh for an object, generating a voxel grid comprising volumetric masks for the mesh, and generating a lit mesh, wherein the lit mesh comprises a shaded version of the mesh as positioned in a scene. The voxel grid may be positioned over the lit mesh in the scene, and a first ray may be traced to a position of the voxel grid. If the traced ray passed through the voxel grid and hit a location on the lit mesh, then one or more second rays may be traced to the hit location on the lit mesh. If the traced ray hit a location in the voxel grid but did not hit a location on the lit mesh, then one or more second rays may be traced from the hit location in the voxel grid to the closest locations on the lit mesh. Finally, color sampled at one or more locations proximate to the position of the voxel grid may be blurred outward through the voxel grid to create a volumetric projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Alexis Angelidis, Jacob Porter Merrell, Robert Moyer, Philip Child
  • Patent number: 10105113
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotating-grating cone beam CT imaging apparatus. This imaging apparatus is composed of a frame, a frame angle sensor, an X-ray source equipped with a rotating grating, a flat panel detector, a main controller and an image reconstruction workstation. Like a general cone beam CT imaging apparatus, this imaging apparatus also adopts an open structure. But unlike the general cone beam CT imaging apparatus, the rotating grating limits X-rays emitted from the X-ray source to a plurality of narrow-angle cone beams or sector beams. In the process that the X-ray source and the detector rotate around an imaging object, projection images of the narrow-angle cone beams or sector beams on the flat panel detector move back and forth continually through the rotation of the rotating grating, so as to acquire projection information about the imaging object in an entire scanning region. Finally, the projection information is reconstructed into a volume image in the image reconstruction workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: Yueqiang Liang, Baosheng Li
  • Patent number: 10010295
    Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: John Yorkston, Robert J. Asento, Jeffrey H. Siewerdsen, David H. Foos
  • Patent number: 9910112
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generation unit. The data acquisition unit acquires an analog MR signal from an object and converts the analog MR signal into a digital MR signal. The image generation unit generates MR image data based on the digital MR signal. The data acquisition unit includes an AD converter, a signal processing part and a noise suppression part. The AD converter converts the analog MR signal, before a down conversion, into the digital MR signal, inside an imaging room. The signal processing part performs signal processing of the digital MR signal, inside the imaging room or outside the imaging room. The noise suppression part suppresses a noise arising caused by a conversion from the analog MR signal, before the down conversion, into the digital MR signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Soejima
  • Patent number: 9895124
    Abstract: In an FFS method that improves spatial resolution by moving an X-ray focal spot to multiple positions to acquire projection data, in order to provide an X-ray CT apparatus and an image reconstruction method that enables to improve spatial resolution of the entire effective field of view without reducing a rotational speed, the X-ray focal spot in the X-ray tube device 101 is shifted to acquire focal shift projection data (FFS projection data), the virtual view generation unit 126 up-samples the FFS projection data (generates a virtual view) in the view direction, and the reconstruction computing unit 127 reconstructs an image using actual data of the FFS projection data in the central region 604 closer to the image center than a predetermined boundary and using the up-sampled projection data in the peripheral region 603 outside the boundary in an image reconstruction computing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Fujii, Tetsuo Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9877690
    Abstract: A C-arm of a medical imaging system, comprising a C-shaped structure, a radiation detector support and a connection linking said support to said C-shaped structure so that said support can move toward and away from an end of said C-shaped structure, wherein said connection is structured so as to be bendable to reduce its bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Bruno Galloni
  • Patent number: 9851888
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 9835730
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for presenting images derived from a photon counting imaging modality. Initially, a first image is derived by binning native projection data in a first manner to create first binned data and generating the first image using the first binned data. A region-of-interest within the object may be identified from the first image, and, based upon the identified region-of-interest, the native projection data may be rebinned in a second, different, manner to create second binned data. Because the second manner of binning the native projection data is different than the first manner, an image resulting from the second binned data may be different than the first image. Moreover, a user interface may be provided for assisting a user in selecting a region-of-interest and/or for specifying desired properties of the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventor: Guy M. Besson
  • Patent number: 9613416
    Abstract: The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for automated reorientation and/or analysis of medical scans and/or images. The methods, systems, and devices for automated analysis of medical scans can be configured to mark, score, grade, and/other otherwise classify medical scans that are more time-sensitive, severe, and/or the like to allow a medical professional reviewing and/or analyzing medical scans to view and/or analyze such scans more efficiently by using a common image orientation and/or taking into account knowledge of the risk of severity, time-sensitiveness, and/or other priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZEPMED, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Bates, Nathan S. White
  • Patent number: 9597044
    Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: John Yorkston, Robert J. Asento, Jeffrey H. Siewerdsen, David H. Foos
  • Patent number: 9541509
    Abstract: A radiation detector is moved along a predetermined axis of movement. Radiation which has passed through a subject is irradiated onto the radiation detector each time the position of the radiation detector changes due to the movement. Signals are read out from the radiation detector each time that radiation is irradiated, to obtain a plurality of radiation images of the subject. Mechanical errors of the radiation detector are detected at each imaging operation, and mechanical error corrected images in which the mechanical errors are corrected are obtained. Amounts of shift of the subject among the mechanical error corrected images are detected, and amounts of movement of the subject during imaging operations are detected based on the amounts of shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Sadato Akahori, Yoshitaka Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9418415
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a trabecular bone analyzer that can quantitatively determine the state of trabecular bone accurately. The trabecular bone analyzer of may perform trabecular bone analysis on a tomographic image D. In the tomographic image D, trabeculae forming a network may appear without overlapping. Therefore, such trabecular bone analysis may more accurately quantify trabecular bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9398886
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 9332907
    Abstract: Segmentation is provided in multi-modal reconstruction of functional information. Rather than using HU values for segmentation, the HU values are converted into linear attenuation coefficients, such as in a ?-map (Mu map). The conversion uses different functions for different ranges of the HU values. Linear attenuation coefficients are less likely subject to variation by patient, protocol, or scanner. The resulting segmentation may be more consistent across various clinical settings, providing for more accurate multi-modal reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Hans Vija
  • Patent number: 9320488
    Abstract: A method for correction of movement artifacts in a computed tomography image that is reconstructed from a plurality of computed tomography projection images is provided. Using all projection images of the plurality of computed tomography projection images, an average position of an examination area of an examination object in the reconstructed image volume is determined by a global optimization method. With the aid of the at least one image volume block that is formed from predeterminable projection images, the movement of the examination area of the examination object in the at least one image volume block is estimated by an optimization method. A corresponding device for correction of movement artifacts in a computed tomography image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Kunze, Yiannis Kyriakou
  • Patent number: 9259193
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection method of 3D ray tracing, so as to construct a geometric factor required for the reconstruction of a medical image in the imaging field. The present invention mainly projects a radiation field and a voxel detected by each detector on two 2D planes, then calculates the geometric ratio of a rectangular unit, corresponding to each voxel on the two 2D planes, to the radiation field, respectively, and multiplies the geometric ratios to obtain a sub-geometric factor with respect to the voxel. The sub-geometric factors gij of all voxels i corresponding to all detectors j are combined to form a geometric factor matrix Gij.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Fan-Pin Tseng, Tien-Hsiu Tsai, Meei-Ling Jan
  • Patent number: 9200947
    Abstract: Systems and methods which use penetrating radiation to obtain novel type of information about objects of interest. This information may be represented as novel type of image. In the present embodiments, penetrating radiation is directed through the object of interest. The attenuated radiation emerging from the object of interest is detected by at least one detector. A plurality of measurements is collected. At least one statistical parameter describing variations of the measurements may be calculated and used for reconstructing an image representing fluctuations of the attenuation of the penetrating radiation in the object of study. At least one other statistical parameter representing the mean attenuation image, the error of the fluctuation image, or the error of the mean attenuation image may also be calculated and used to reconstruct images of the object of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventors: Szabolcs Osvath, Krisztián Szigeti
  • Patent number: 9164046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for three-dimensional representation of a moving structure by a tomographical method. Projection images are recorded by an image recording unit during a rotational run from recording angles between a start angle and an end angle, with a three-dimensional image data reconstructed from the projection images, with a first perfusion measurement with a first contrast agent injection and a first rotational run and with a further perfusion measurement with a further contrast agent injection and a further rotational run, which is started after the preceding perfusion measurement has concluded, with the start time and/or the start angle of the additional rotational run deviating from one another in respect of the time of the contrast agent injection. The method enables a functional three-dimensional time-resolved imaging of perfusion processes with the aid of flexible C-arm x-ray devices, which allow a functional imaging in an interventional environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 9050054
    Abstract: Provided is a medical image diagnostic apparatus, including: an internal image acquiring unit for acquiring a plurality of internal images different in time phase by irradiating a body part of a subject with X-rays; an outer appearance image acquiring unit for acquiring an outer appearance image by photographing the body part of the subject; an analysis unit for analyzing the outer appearance image to acquire first shape information indicating a shape of the body part of the subject and analyzing each of the plurality of internal images to acquire second shape information indicating a shape of the body part of the subject; and a display control unit for displaying the outer appearance image and the each of the plurality of internal images by superimposing one on another so that the body part of the subject included in the outer appearance image and the body part of the subject included in the each of the plurality of internal images are located in the same position based on the first shape information and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kimoto, Kazumasa Arakita, Yoshihiro Ikeda, Shinsuke Tsukagoshi, Yasuko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 9044151
    Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry having a rotatable base and having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and a detector assembly. The detector assembly includes a plurality of detectors positioned to receive x-rays having passed through the object, and an arcuate structure positioned to support the plurality of detectors. A first support frame is attached to the rotatable base at a first axial location and supported at a second axial location, wherein the arcuate structure is attached to the first support frame between the first axial location and the second axial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph Lacey
  • Publication number: 20150131774
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. Provided according to one preferred embodiment is an IGRT apparatus including a barrel-style rotatable gantry structure that provides high mechanical stability, versatility in radiation delivery, and versatility in target tracking. Methods for treatment radiation delivery using the IGRT apparatus include conical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy and cono-helical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy. A radiation treatment head (MV source) and a treatment guidance imaging system including a kV imaging source are mounted to and rotatable with a common barrel-style rotatable gantry structure, or alternatively the MV and kV sources are mounted to separate barrel-style rotatable gantry structures independently rotatable around a common axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Euan S. Thomson
  • Patent number: 9001963
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention a method and apparatus for generating complete scout scans with CT imaging devices having offset detector geometries is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for increasing the reconstructable field of view for CT imaging devices having offset detector geometries is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for image reconstruction for region of interest and full-body imaging with CT imaging devices having offset detector geometries is provided. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a combined x-ray and SPECT imaging system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: David Sowards-Emmerd, Charles Nortmann, Eberhard Hansis, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20150085973
    Abstract: A straight trajectory CT device can be used in radiation imaging. The device includes: a ray-generating unit that generates a ray within a specific range of field angle; a channel for an object to be inspected though which the object to be inspected passes; a first collimator; and a ray receiving unit provided on both sides of the channel for the object to be inspected. The ray beam is received by the ray receiving unit after penetrating the first collimator and the object to be inspected in order. The ray generating unit is static and the first collimator moves in the same direction as the ray receiving unit. This direction is parallel to the channel for the object to be inspected. The device can complete computed tomography with a minimum of one ray receiving unit, thereby simplifying the structure of the device and reducing its cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Mingliang Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Jianmin Li, Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 8817944
    Abstract: In an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray CT imaging, an X-ray generator (13) that generates an X-ray cone beam (BX1) and an X-ray detector (21) that detects the X-ray cone beam (BX1) radiated to an object (specifically, image object (OB)) are revolved for 180 degrees to be opposed to each other with the object being located therebetween. Further, the X-ray generator (13) is moved such that a revolution reference point (CP) that is set on an optical path (CB) of the X-ray cone beam (BX1) goes round of a predetermined oval shape while the X-ray detector (13) and the X-ray generator (21) are revolved for 180 degrees. Setting is made such that a CT image area (CA) to be imaged by the irradiation of the X-ray cone beam (BX1) has an approximately triangular shape through the above-mentioned operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Nihon University, J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Arai, Masakazu Suzuki, Takahiro Yoshimura, Makoto Honjo
  • Publication number: 20140205058
    Abstract: Initial values A?1P?1M?1 . . . A?nP?nM?n of parameters representing a geometric relationship between an X-ray tube, a stage and a flat panel X-ray detector are estimated, a least squares solution (p?w)i of characteristic point three-dimensional coordinates is estimated, and only limited parameters are updated until reprojection square errors converge. Thus, based on known radiographic conditions, initial values of the parameters are estimated, and a nonlinear optimization operation is carried out on only the parameters considered, in view of mechanisms and drive characteristics of the apparatus, to have large errors between the initial values of the parameters and the parameters at a time when radiography is actually carried out. As a result, the calculation can be speeded up, while securing the convergence accuracy of the nonlinear optimization operation, by using the radiographic conditions, i.e. information on tomography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke TAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8768030
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measurement data of a computed tomography system, the examination object having been irradiated simultaneously by a number of X-ray sources while the measurement data was being acquired so that different projections of the examination object associated with the number of X-ray sources were acquired simultaneously for each detector element. In at least one embodiment, different iteration images of the examination object are determined one after the other from the measurement data by way of an iterative algorithm, a computation operation being employed with the iterative algorithm, which is applied to the iteration images and takes the presence of the number of X-ray sources into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 8768042
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing system includes an image reconstructor for processing a plurality of radiographic images of a subject in order to reconstruct a radiographic tomographic image of the subject, and a monitor for displaying at least the radiographic tomographic image. The radiographic image capturing system also includes a region-of-interest setter for setting a region of interest of the subject on the radiographic images or the radiographic tomographic image, a radiographic image extractor for extracting, from among the radiographic images, two radiographic images for viewing the region of interest by way of stereographic vision, and a first stereographic vision display controller or a second stereographic vision display controller for controlling the monitor to display the extracted two radiographic images for stereographic vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Kanagawa, Noriaki Ida, Sadato Akahori, Yasunori Ohta
  • Publication number: 20140177787
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus comprises a platform connected to a frame, a sliding bar, a detector mounted on the sliding bar, an x-ray source, and a control system. The x-ray source includes a collimator to generate an x-ray exposure window. The control system is configured to slide the detector along the sliding bar and synchronously move the collimator to direct the x-ray exposure window to the first detector. The x-ray exposure window movements are registered to the detector movements. The detector interfaces with a processor that processes x-ray image data received from the detector, and generates at least one x-ray image from the x-ray image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Omid Ebrahimi Kia
  • Patent number: 8712007
    Abstract: In a computed tomography apparatus and operating method, a radiation source and radiation detector are rotated around a system axis, and a patient support plate and diaphragm elements of a diaphragm associated with the x-ray source are also movable in the direction of the system axis. Movement of the patient support plate and the diaphragm plates between respective end positions is coordinated during a dynamic computed tomography examination of a subject so as to reduce and homogenize the dose of x-ray radiation to which the subject is exposed during the examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8670601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tomosynthesis method by illuminating an object by means of an X-ray source (1) with a linear trajectory (2), the method comprising breaking down a volume of the object into N fanned out planes (P) formed between the linear trajectory (2) and a detecting plane (4) parallel to the linear trajectory, each fanned out plane of said N planes includes the linear trajectory; and performing anisotropic regularization on at least one fanned out plane (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Régis Guillemaud, Pierre Bleuet, Isabelle Magnin
  • Patent number: 8634631
    Abstract: A dental CT apparatus includes a control system arranged to move a radiation source and an imaging sensor on the opposite sides of an imaging station. The control system includes at least a first imaging mode designed for imaging patients and means for selecting at least one second imaging mode in which the source of radiation and the imaging sensor are driven during an exposure at an angular velocity of less than 4 degrees/second. A digital three dimensional models of teeth are generated based on imaging impressions or models of teeth by a CT apparatus provided with at least one specific imaging mode for the purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Kanerva, Henri Veistera, Jaakko Lahelma