Continuous Mechanical Rotation Patents (Class 378/15)
  • Publication number: 20090161818
    Abstract: A detector having a collimator in a position at a specific angle with respect to a therapeutic X-ray beam is mounted to selectively detect only scattering radiation in the direction. To three-dimensionally obtain a distribution of places where scattering occurs in a patient body, a detector is rotated during irradiation and scattering radiation is measured from all of directions. After that, a reconstructing process is performed, and a distribution of occurrence of scattering radiation in the subject is three-dimensionally imaged. Since angles and amounts of X-rays scattered by Compton scattering are known theoretically, if scattering radiation at a certain angle can be detected, the number of scattering radiation at other angles can be also estimated. On the basis of the theory, images of distribution of scattering radiation sources are converted to images of distribution of absorption of radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuo Sakurai, Shigeharu Ohyu, Kyojiro Nambu, Motoji Haragashira, Masahiro Kumakura, Mariko Shibata, Katsuhiko Fujimoto, Yoichi Takada
  • Patent number: 7551711
    Abstract: A CT scanner includes a gantry that supports and houses components of the CT scanner. A camera is mounted to the gantry. As the gantry rotates about an axis of rotation, the camera captures a photographic external image of the patient at a plurality of rotational positions. A computer generates a three dimensional external image from the plurality of external images. The three dimensional external image is registered relative to a three dimensional CT image generated from a plurality of x-ray images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Xoran Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Phillipe Sarment, Miodrag Rakic, Neal Clinthorne, Joseph Webster Stayman
  • Patent number: 7548603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography method in which an examination zone is irradiated along a helical trajectory by a conical radiation beam. The radiation transmitted by the examination zone is measured by means of a detector unit and therefrom the absorption distribution in the examination zone is reconstructed without approximations. The reconstruction comprises a derivation of the measuring values of parallel rays of different projections, an integration of these values along K lines, a weighting of these values and a back projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Claas Bontus, Thomas Köhler
  • Patent number: 7542542
    Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus is capable of adjusting rotational balance of gantry rotating part in a wide range with easy control. A computed tomography apparatus 100 comprises a rotating part 130 having an X-ray tube 102, a rotating part 130 having an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays from the X-ray tube, at least two mass bodies (M1, M2) provided at the rotating part, movable in the direction of circumference, a driving part 72 for moving at least two mass bodies, a sensor (S) for measuring the vibration of the rotating part and a controller 137 for controlling the driving part for driving the mass bodies on a basis of the outputs of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Qinglei Li
  • Patent number: 7539281
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object utilizing a cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus includes helically scanning the object with a radiation source utilizing the cone-beam volumetric computed tomographic imaging apparatus, selecting radiation beams emitted by the radiation source passing through a pixel P, a Tam-window, and a Katsevich window, filtering the selected projection data, and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the filtered selected projection data including projection data within the Katsevich window and outside the Tam-window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiangyang Tang, Jiang Hsieh, Roy Arnulf Helge Nilsen
  • Patent number: 7529335
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating computer tomography images using a 3D image reconstruction method. According to the method, to scan an object to be examined using a cone-shaped bundle of rays originating from a focal point and a planar, preferably multi-line detector for detecting the bundle of rays, the focal point is displaced along a spiral trajectory around the object to be examined. The detector delivers output data corresponding to the detected radiation and image voxels from the scanned examined object are reconstructed from the optionally pre-processed output data, the image voxels reflecting the attenuation coefficients of the respective voxel. Each image voxel is reconstructed separately from projection data, which covers a projection angular range of at least 108° and an approximate weighting is carried out for each voxel considered in order to standardize the projection data using the voxel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Günter Lauritsch, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 7522697
    Abstract: The present invention is to easily associate X-ray projection data and scanning table z-direction coordinate information with each other. Using set parameters of the operations of a scanning gantry and a scanning table, the association of the X-ray projection data and scanning table z-direction coordinate information with each other is executed. Thereafter, image reconstruction is carried out based on the X-ray projection data to obtain a tomographic image. The operation set parameters are stored as part of the X-ray projection data. Alternatively, they are collectively stored even in the case of files separate from the X-ray projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Yusuke Satta, Kazuhiko Sato, Akihiko Nishide, Akira Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7522696
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray data acquisition device for acquiring X-ray projection data transmitted through a subject lying between an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector having a two-dimensional detection plane and detecting X rays in opposition to the X-ray generator, while the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are being rotated about a center of rotation lying there between; an image reconstructing device for image-reconstructing the acquired projection data; an image display device for displaying the image-reconstructed tomographic image; and an imaging condition setting device for setting various kinds of imaging conditions for tomographic image, wherein the X-ray data acquisition device acquires X-ray projection data in sync with an external sync signal by a helical scan with a predetermined range of the subject with a helical pitch set to 1 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Imai
  • Patent number: 7519144
    Abstract: A method of producing CT images at a plurality of positions in phase, wherein data are collected by an axial or helical scan using a multi-row detector, and a plurality of CT images at different slice positions are produced from the data collected by one axial or helical scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Akira Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7515679
    Abstract: Methods and systems for x-ray detector and x-ray source arrangement in cone beam computed tomography systems are provided. An arm having a first end and a second end is mounted onto a support structure such that the arm rotates about a vertical axis. An x-ray source and an x-ray detector are separately attached to each end of the arm at angles in a range of about 2 to 20 degrees from the vertical axis, such that each is adapted to rotate with the arm about the vertical axis. The x-ray source and the x-ray detector are spaced apart to enable an anatomical target to be interposed between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector for cone beam computed tomography scanning, such that the x-ray source and the x-ray detector do not interfere with the target during scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: QR (Quantitative Radiography) SRL
    Inventors: Attilio Tacconi, Pierluigi Mozzo
  • Publication number: 20090080599
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus includes a rotary frame, a mechanism which rotatably supports the rotary frame, an X-ray tube which is mounted to the rotary frame, an X-ray detector which is mounted to the rotary frame, a plurality of rotor magnets which is arranged in the rotary frame, a plurality of stator coils which is opposed to the rotor magnets, an MR sensor which detects a magnetic-flux variation accompanied by a movement of the rotor magnets, and a position specifying unit which specifies a magnetic-pole position of each rotor magnet with respect to each stator coil on the basis of an output of the MR sensor and a convergence time from a vibration start of the rotary frame caused by a short-time excitation of the stator coil to a vibration stop of the rotary frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Yuichi KASUYA
  • Patent number: 7508903
    Abstract: A collimator control method for an X-ray CT apparatus includes changing an aperture of the collimator according to a position of a helical scan on the body axis of the subject in the progress of the helical scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Akihiko Nishide, Masatake Nukui, Katsumi Azu
  • Patent number: 7508904
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus, wherein a drum type rotation frame is rotatably supported by a fixed circular frame so as to surround an outer surface of the drum type rotation frame through a plurality of bearings provided between an inner surface of the fixing circular frame and an outer surface of the drum type rotation frame, for example in ring-like configuration. When the drum type rotation frame receives a large centrifugal acceleration due to a high speed rotation, outside expansion of the drum type rotation frame can be constrained due to both the rigidity of the fixed frame and the rigidity of the plurality of bearings provided on the outer surface of the rotation frame, thereby to maintain the relative positions of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector and prevent deterioration of reconstructed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Harada, Makoto Nakano, Tetsuya Sadotomo, Yasutaka Shindo, Katsumi Gotanda
  • Patent number: 7502438
    Abstract: A receiving medium comprising N components is assigned to a channel comprising N components respectively and provided along the circumference around which a rotating frame rotates. At a position facing the receiving medium corresponding to the rotation, the transmission medium of M components (M?2N, N represents an integer more than 2) are arranged separately in a line along the circumference of the rotating frame. A signal generation device produces the signal containing data relating to an object obtained by detection of the X-ray detector device. When the transmission medium is rotated according to the carrier signal to face any of the receiving medium, a switching device transmits the signal from the channel to one of the corresponding receiving medium. When the interval between the two adjacent transmission medium passes through the receiving medium, the signal from the same channel may be transmitted to the two adjacent transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Sstems Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichi Nakagawa, Michihiro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20090060122
    Abstract: The X-ray-generator irradiates X-rays at a subject. The X-ray-detector detects the X-rays that have permeated the subject. The rotating body on which the X-ray-generator and the X-ray-detector are installed rotates around the subject. The rotating body is rotated by the drive part. The power source supplies electrical power to the drive part. The step-down part lowers the voltage of the regenerative electrical power generated at the drive part during the deceleration of the rotating body. The accumulation part charges the lowered electrical power. The step-up part raises the voltage of the electrical power from the accumulation part and supplies electrical power to the drive part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi KASUYA
  • Publication number: 20090060123
    Abstract: An X-ray CT device including a stationary part; a rotary part rotatable relative to the stationary part; an X-ray tube provided at the rotary part for radiating X-ray beams on an object; an X-ray detector provided at the rotary part opposing the X-ray tube, and that detects the X-ray beams passed through the object; an image processor that generates cross-sectional images of the object based on a detection signal outputted from the X-ray detector; a display that shows the cross-sectional images based on output signals delivered from the image processor; a first transmitting section configured by a rotary step-up transformer having a primary and secondary windings residing at the stationary and the rotary part respectively, and that steps up AC voltage provided by AC power source, and that further executes non-contact power transmission from the stationary part to the rotary part for supplying power to the X-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiro NAKAYAMA, Kazunobu Nagai, Akiyuki Yokoyama, Isamu Nitta, Masato Nagata, Toyomasa Honda, Hidetoshi Kudo
  • Patent number: 7497689
    Abstract: An electrically conductive connection is provided. The electrically conductive connection includes a gantry, rotatable about a pivot axis, and a stand. The connection comprising a wireless electrical contact, and at least one defined rotary position of the gantry. The connection including a slipring and brush or a slipring and non-contact transmission. A radiation therapy system and method for operating a gantry of a radiation therapy system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andres Sommer
  • Patent number: 7492856
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a projection image directly from data acquired by a CT scanner, the method comprising: acquiring an amount of data corresponding to an entire object that is scanned by the CT scanner, wherein the amount of data is generated by an x-ray source that projects a fan beam of x-rays toward a detector array on an opposite side of a gantry of the CT scanner as the object is passed through an opening in the gantry; selecting an imaging plane, the imaging plane corresponding to a view of the object; dividing the imaging plane into a plurality of rows and columns, thus creating a grid of points corresponding to the imaging plane; determining, for each point in the grid, a data point from the acquired data corresponding to an x-ray source position wherein a ray from the x-ray source to the grid point is closest to a perpendicular orientation with respect to the imaging plane, and a detector position where the ray intersects the detector array; and presenting a projection image corres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: GE Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter I. Garms, Ugo Di Girolamo, Matthew Merzbacher
  • Patent number: 7486762
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of CT images via a CT spiral reconstruction of object for examination moving in partial areas in a cyclical manner and a CT device therefor. During scanning of the object to be examined, various rates of advancement are used, irrespective of whether the scanned area is at least partially cyclically displaced or is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Matthias Niethammer
  • Patent number: 7486763
    Abstract: A method for producing a first shadow image with the aid of an X ray computer tomograph at a prescribed first angular position is disclosed. In order to reduce the applied dose, in at least one embodiment the X ray source is operated in a pulsed fashion only when traversing a prescribed sector including the first angular position. Further, when the prescribed first angular position is reached, a first X ray pulse is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Popescu
  • Publication number: 20090028409
    Abstract: An X-ray tube generates X-rays. An X-ray detector detects X-rays generated from the X-ray tube and transmitted through an object to be examined. A rotating frame continuously rotates the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector around the object. A reconstruction unit reconstructs a plurality of first volume data sets with different scan times for the same scan area of the object on the basis of an output from the X-ray detector. An image processing unit generates single second volume data set corresponding to a maximum value, an average value, a median value, or minimum value of the plurality of reconstructed first volume data sets in the temporal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Shinsuke TSUKAGOSHI, Yasuko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20090022267
    Abstract: The supporter supports a patient and is disposed movably along the body axis direction of said patient. The imaging part includes an X-ray-generator and an X-ray-detector. The X-ray-generator irradiates X-rays while rotating around the body axis. The X-ray-detector detects the X-rays that have permeated the patient. The collimator changes the irradiation field of the X-rays to be irradiated. The scan controller controls the movement of the supporter and the imaging part. The image-reconstructing part reconstructs image data based on the X-rays that have been detected by the X-ray detector. The movement amount-detector detects the amount of movement of the patient by the supporter. The collimator controller controls so as to change the size of the opening of the collimator based on the amount of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gen KONDO
  • Publication number: 20090022268
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to realize an X-ray CT apparatus and a scan control method of performing contrast imaging by a helical shuttle scan with a smaller exposure amount. An X-ray CT apparatus for performing contrast imaging by repeating a reciprocating helical scan on a region in a subject repeats the helical shuttle scan (solid-line arrow) including, in shuttle (broken-line arrow) of a helical shuttle scan using an X-ray of a first X-ray dose, a helical scan using an X-ray of a second X-ray dose higher than the first X-ray dose. The start timing of the helical scan using the X-ray of the second X-ray dose is determined on the basis of a change in the CT number of a region of interest of an image captured by a helical scan using the X-ray of the first X-ray dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Masayuki Kudo
  • Patent number: 7468513
    Abstract: An imaging system for acquiring multi-dimensional tomographic image data of an object, the imaging system having (1) a plurality of detectors to acquire image data, the detectors coupled to a supporting structure, wherein at least one of the detectors is adapted to move relative to the object during image data acquisition and wherein the detectors are adapted to rotate independently of each other, provided that image data from the detectors are collected concomitantly during a study time and (2) a data analyzer adapted to acquire and/or reconstruct the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Inventors: Martin Charron, Girish Bal
  • Publication number: 20080310584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating 3D tomographic images of an object (4), according to which a radiation source (1), in particular an X-ray source is displaced in relation to the object (4). The radiation source (1) emits a conical beam of radiation (2) that strikes the object (4), the radiation that has passed through the object (1) and has been weakened in intensity is captured by a detector (5); which is located in, he conical beam (2) behind the object (4) in relation to the radiation source (1). The radiation source (1) and the detector (5) are combined in a source-detector assembly (7), which is rotated about a rotational axis (6) during the generation of images in the reference system that is defined by the object (4). Said rotational axis (6) is modified during the generation of the images and/or the source (1) and/or the detector (5) in the reference system that is defined by the source-detector assembly (7) is/are displaced during the generation of the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Joachim Hey, Dirk Freyer, Manfred Breuer, Gerhard Zundorf, Marc Lievin
  • Patent number: 7466791
    Abstract: A device for transmitting data between a rotating part and a stationary part of a computer tomograph, in which the rotating part comprises at least one data source; a conductor structure; and at least one first transmitter for energizing the conductor structure; and the stationary part comprises at least one data sink for evaluating data; at least one receiver; and a receiver coupler for tapping off signals from the conductor structure and supplying the signals to the at least one receiver; is improved to reduce radiation of high-frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventor: Nils Krumme
  • Patent number: 7466794
    Abstract: A device in accordance with the invention for transmitting data between a rotating part and a stationary part of a computer tomograph comprises at least two couplers and receivers connected therewith for receiving signals from a transmission conductor arrangement. Using an evaluation means, a signal is selected from signals received by the receiver on the basis of at least one given quality criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventor: Nils Krumme
  • Publication number: 20080298539
    Abstract: In an X-ray CT apparatus, the X-ray tube generates an X-ray beam during a line-orbit scan, and the collimator plate shields a part of the X-ray beam other than the part that contributes to image reconstruction. The part of the X-ray beam which contributes to the image reconstruction is applied to a subject along the body axis of the subject. The two-dimensional detector system detects the X rays in the same conditions during a circular-orbit scan, while the X-ray tube and the subject are rotating relative to each other. The reconstruction device performs back projection, thereby reconstructing an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Satoru NAKANISHI
  • Publication number: 20080292171
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography displays, in which with the aid of at least one X-ray source, an examination object is scanned in a rotationally circulating fashion with a measured dose rate dependent on the circulation angle, projection data are collected from a multiplicity of viewing angles, and at least similarly redundant projection data from angularly identical or angularly complementary projection angles with a different measured dose are interpolated with distance weighted relative to a projection value and are used for reconstruction. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, during the distance weighted interpolation of the at least similarly redundant projection data an additional noise optimizing weighting is carried out as a function of the noise present per projection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080285708
    Abstract: A short scan uses only data from about 180° gantry rotation instead of a full 360° turn. In the provided short scan cardiac CT, a periodical axial focal spot movement is performed during gantry rotation, wherein the acquired data used for image reconstruction results from a 180° rotation of the gantry. After the data acquisition, an approximate reconstruction is performed. In a preferred embodiment the focal spot moves on a short scan saddle trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventor: Roland Proksa
  • Patent number: 7447294
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus includes a cylindrical rotary base supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis, an X-ray tube unit mounted on the rotary base, an X-ray detecting unit mounted on the rotary base, and a reinforcing ring fixed to an end of the rotary base, and having a greater rigidity than the rotary base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sadotomo, Tomokazu Harada, Makoto Nakano, Yasutaka Shindo, Katsumi Gotanda
  • Publication number: 20080247506
    Abstract: There is described a system for carrying out and monitoring minimally-invasive interventions with an x-ray device, in which at least one x-ray emitter and a x-ray detector are attached to one or more robot arms of one or more multi-axis articulated-arm robots, with which they are able to be moved for recording images from different projection directions on a predeterminable path around a patient support facility. The system includes a control and evaluation unit with interfaces for catheters and devices for carrying out the minimally-invasive intervention. The control and evaluation unit is embodied for the processing of measurement and/or image data which it receives from the catheters and devices and for control of the catheters and devices for recording the measurement and/or image data. With the proposed system the workflow is covered completely and seamlessly from the examination to the therapy, especially in the treatment of tachycardial arrythmias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Maschke
  • Publication number: 20080226022
    Abstract: X-ray transmission data of a specific direction is extracted from X-ray transmission data obtained by rotating an X-ray tube irradiating an X-ray around an object. The outline of the object is calculated based on the X-ray transmission data of the specific direction. Then, based on this outline, the X-ray transmission data is corrected, and an image of the inside of the object is reconstructed from the corrected X-ray transmission data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naruomi Akino, Satoru Nakanishi, Tetsuya Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7424088
    Abstract: A method of determining an image data value at a point of reconstruction in a computed tomography (CT) image of a scanned object, including obtaining projection data of the scanned object, filtering the obtained projection data with a one-dimensional ramp filter to generate ramp-filtered data, and applying a backprojection operator with inverse distance weighting to the ramp-filtered data to generate the image data value at the point of reconstruction in the CT image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Aleksandr A. Zamyatin, Katsuyuki Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20080212735
    Abstract: An X-ray CT device according to the present invention produces an X-ray beam of a cone shape in the direction of the body axis of a subject from an X-ray source, performs a helical scanning operation in accordance with the relative movement and relative rotational motion of the X-ray source and the subject, processes data that is collected by a data collecting unit, and reconstructs an image by back-projecting the processed data at a reconstruction processing unit. When the moving speed of the bed is defined, a system controlling unit determines the optimal collection condition for a two-dimensional array-type X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Satoru NAKANISHI
  • Patent number: 7418075
    Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus, including: an X-ray helical scanning device including an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector arranged in a gantry, the helical scanning device configured to provide a continuous scan and to obtain projection data of a scanned object arranged on a platform; and control unit configured to control at least one of the X-ray helical scanning device and the platform so as to generate the continuous scan with a helical pitch that is based on a height of a detector row of the X-ray detector projected onto an iso-center of the gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20080192886
    Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a computer that is programmed to rebin cone beam projection data into a series of two-dimensional sinograms based on an optimized ray consistency approach. The computer receives cone beam data from a detector array and is programmed to specify a plurality of view angles for the cone beam data. The computer selects a plurality of measured rays for each of the plurality of specified view angles, the plurality of measured rays having a view angle approximate to the specified view angle as determined by an optimized ray consistency. The computer also forms a two-dimensional sinogram for each of the plurality of specified view angles based on the selected plurality of measured rays. The computer then defines an image surface for each of the plurality of specified view angles based on the selected plurality of measured rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Jed Douglas Pack
  • Patent number: 7409034
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving the tomographic image quality by preventing the tomographic image contrast from degrading and preventing artifact from occurring even if many scattered radiations occur. An X-ray detection array obtains first detection data using the X-ray detection elements corresponding to an area not shielded by a collimator. Further, the X-ray detection array obtains second detection data using the X-ray detection elements corresponding to an area shielded by the collimator. A central processing unit corrects the first detection data based on the detection data including the first and second detection data. Finally, the central processing unit generates a tomographic image for an imaging area of the imaging object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Makoto Gohno
  • Patent number: 7406149
    Abstract: A permanent magnet type motor comprising a rotor main body rotatably supported with respect to a stationary member, a rotor which is provided on an outer periphery face of the rotor main body and which is arranged such that S poles and N poles of a plurality of permanent magnets are provided alternately, a stator composed of a stator core arranged at the outer periphery side or inner periphery side of the rotor, the stator core having winding storage sections, and stator windings stored in the winding storage sections, a sensor fixed to the stationary member so as to be proximal to the permanent magnets, the sensor detecting a position of the permanent magnets, a detection target member having a detector for detecting a magnetic resistance change portion formed on the rotor main body, and a rotational position detecting magnetic sensor arranged at the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akiyuki Yokoyama, Masahiro Kuroda, Tadahiro Nakayama, Shinichi Kominato, Tomokazu Harada, Yoshinori Saito
  • Patent number: 7406148
    Abstract: A method is for imaging with the aid of a multirow computed tomograph. A volume scan of an examination area of a patient is carried out, with the injection of a contrast medium, at a scanning speed in a scanning direction in order to reconstruct one or more images of the examination area. In the method, the scanning speed is adapted to the propagation speed of the contrast medium in the scanning direction. The method permits the contrast medium requirement to be reduced in the case of CT examinations with the administration of contrast medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gudrun Russinger, Johann Russinger
  • Patent number: 7403587
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography method in which an examination area is passed through by a cone-shaped bundle of rays. The bundle of rays comes from a radiation source location which moves around the examination area on an overall trajectory. The overall trajectory consists of a first, closed partial trajectory, at least one second, closed partial trajectory and at least one third partial trajectory which connects the first and the at least one second partial trajectories to one another. Measured values which depend on the intensity in the bundle of rays on the other side of the examination area are acquired by means of a detector unit while the radiation source location is moving on the overall trajectory, and a CT image of the examination area is reconstructed from these measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Claas Bontus, Thomas Köhler, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20080159470
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus that achieves a higher quality of reconstructed CT images by preventing displacements of relative positions of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector from occurring, including a front side rotation frame configured to mount at least one X-ray tube and at least one X-ray detector facing the X-ray tube, and a rear side rotation frame configured to mount rotation units other than the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector in order to access both sides of the gantry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sadotomo, Makoto Nakano
  • Patent number: 7393138
    Abstract: A support cradle for a computer tomorgraph, in which the rotating body together with the X-ray emitter and the X-ray detector, which is situated opposite said emitter, can be ratably mounted. The support cradle includes a suitable pedestal that has two vertical supports, in addition to a gantry, which is mounted between the vertical supports and can be rotated about a horizontal transverse axis. According to the invention, the support cradle comprises a cooling device that is simple to manufacture. Said device is configured at least partially as a hollow section. A cavity in the support cradle acts as a conduit for supplying or evacuating a coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edgar Schindler, Georg Walberer
  • Publication number: 20080123805
    Abstract: There is described a method using an X-ray imaging unit, which has an arched support for the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. In the method, in a scan carried out by moving the support around an examination object a plurality of X-ray images of an area of interest are recorded using different projection angles, from which a three-dimensional image of the area of interest can be reconstructed. In this case the X-ray focus of the X-ray source is guided on a segment of a circular path of at least 180° around the examination object. In the case of a non-centric location of the area of interest, the support is rotated in such a manner prior to each of the X-ray imaging processes around an axis of rotation passing through the X-ray focus that the central ray of the X-ray beam for the X-ray imaging processes passes through the center of the area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 7379526
    Abstract: The present invention aims to reduce exposure at a helical scan in an X-ray CT apparatus using an X-ray area detector typified by a multi-row X-ray detector or a flat panel. When the angle of an X-ray cone beam spread in a z direction is assumed to be Acone, a scanning gantry is tilted by Acone/2 to start X-ray irradiation/data acquisition of the helical scan, after which the X-ray irradiation/data acquisition is completed at the number of revolutions corresponding to “integral number n+0.5”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Akihiko Nishide, Akira Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20080095307
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a rotating mechanism unit which continuously rotates the X-ray tube around a subject to be examined, together with the X-ray detector, a data storage unit which stores projection data corresponding to an output from the X-ray detector in association with the angles of the X-ray tube at the time of data acquisition, a reconstruction processing unit which reconstructs a plurality of images on the basis of a plurality of projection data sets stored in the data storage unit, the plurality of projection data sets corresponding to the same range from a first view angle to a second view angle, and a display unit which displays the plurality of reconstructed images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Fujimaro ISHIDA, Masahiro Ozaki, Masatoshi Kanou
  • Patent number: 7359478
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for compensating for the unavailability of projection data of a scanned object at a selected point, the selected point located outside a detection range of a detector. The method include the steps of obtaining projection data of the scanned object, and compensating for the unavailability of the projection data at the selected point based on the obtained projection data and coordinates of the selected point relative to the detector. The compensating step includes determining at least one complementary projection angle and coordinates of at least one complementary point based on a source projection angle and the coordinates of the selected point relative to the detector, and estimating the projection data value at the selected point based on the acquired projection data, the at least one complementary projection angle, and the coordinates of the at least one complementary point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Aleksandr A. Zamyatin, Katsuyuki Taguchi, Michael D. Silver
  • Patent number: 7359479
    Abstract: An FPD has a detecting plane with detecting elements arranged in rows (u-axis) and columns (v-axis) extending in two intersecting axial directions. In time of primary scanning, the FPD is moved about a sectional axis to maintain the u-axis parallel to a body axis constantly. Consequently, in a reconstruction process, a set of projection points on the detecting plane of X rays having passed through lattice points in one row along the body axis A of an imaginary three-dimensional lattice, is parallel to the u-axis. It is therefore possible to derive all projection data that should be projected back to the lattice points in one row, only from detection signals acquired from the detecting elements in two lines having the set of projection points in between. Thus, the quantity of detection signals required for obtaining the projection data is reduced to perform the reconstruction process at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corproation
    Inventors: Shiro Oikawa, Hisanori Morita
  • Patent number: 7346143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography scanner comprising a gantry, on the rotor of which one or more displaceable masses are arranged. During rotation of the rotor about a rotation axis, the position of each mass can be changed perpendicular to the rotation axis by means of an adjustment unit. By retaining the rotary momentum of the rotor, the rotational speed is increased when the masses are moved toward the rotation axis, and vice versa. As a result, it is possible to maintain a specific ratio between the heart rate of the examined patient and the rotational speed even if the heart rate of the patient changes during the examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Manzke, Michael Grass, Udo Van Stevendaal
  • Publication number: 20080056439
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of CT and X-ray scanning units. More specifically, the invention relates to scanning unit with the capability to scan impressions and patients at the same location. Even more specifically, the invention involves a method of using data and images received from the same scanning unit to fabricate a surgical stint or guide device that snap fits onto a preparation site, and further allows a dental practitioner or a lab to prepare permanent prosthetics using the data and images from the same scanning unit. Even more specifically, the invention relates to a method of allowing the clinician to place high-fidelity teeth back into the correct location within the jaw taus and create models and treatment plans using hi-fidelity 3D images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Tim Thompson, David Phillips