With Movable Source Patents (Class 378/196)
  • Patent number: 7945016
    Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus includes: a generator (18) emitting X-radiation provided with a collimation device collimating the radiation in an appropriate manner using several forms of collimation slits, at least one radiation sensor (20a, 20b) including a first, a second and a third image acquisition surface which are each positioned opposite an appropriate form of slit in order to use the apparatus in panoramic mode, cone beam tomographic mode and mode determining a trajectory which will be used in panoramic mode respectively. In the third mode a form of slit elongated along a plane P is arranged opposite the third surface corresponding to a part of the second surface along a Z-axis perpendicular to the plane P and the assembly is driven in rotation about an axis parallel to the Z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Trophy
    Inventors: Sylvie Bothorel, Vincent Loustauneau, Jean-Marc Inglese
  • Patent number: 7940890
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in imaging an area of interest within a patient's body, including a stationary frame; a rotating assembly mounted on the stationary frame, the rotating assembly including an axle assembly having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, an X-ray source having a focal spot that coincides with the horizontal axis of rotation; a collimator from which a fan-shaped X-ray beam exits towards a detector assembly, and a rotating frame mechanically coupled to the detector assembly and pivoting about the horizontal axis of rotation. The detector assembly includes a linear X-ray detector for detecting radiation of the fan-shaped X-ray beam after the beam passes through the area of interest, and is mechanically coupled to a motor that enables arcuate movement of the detector assembly in a transverse direction. The motor is mechanically coupled to the rotating assembly to enable rotational movement of the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Adani
    Inventor: Vladimir N. Linev
  • Patent number: 7938578
    Abstract: An x-ray apparatus is provided. The x-ray apparatus includes a patient support supported on a support unit in such a manner that it can be repositioned by way of a support arm and an x-ray detector likewise supported on the support arm, embodied in particular as a solid-state detector. The x-ray detector can be moved perpendicular to the patient support by way of a retaining column of a repositioning mechanism and can be rotated relative to the patient support about a first longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the patient support. To increase the flexibility of the x-ray apparatus, the x-ray detector is supported in such a manner that it can be rotated relative to the patient support about a transverse axis extending in a transverse direction of the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Beimler, Joachim Trummer, Dieter Wöhrl
  • Patent number: 7901135
    Abstract: A displacement system for a C-arm arranged on a trolley is provided. The displacement system includes at least a first and at least a second guiding element arranged in a plane or parallel thereto. The first and second guiding element are arranged at right angles to one another and a displacement device arranged in a displaceable fashion along the first and second guiding element, with the displacement device being coupled to the guiding elements such that by rotating the displacement device about a drive axis, the displacement device is moved along the first and second guiding element. As a result, the displacement system prevents jamming as a result of leverage forces during displacement of the C-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Fadler, Norbert Herrmann, Manfred Sechser
  • Patent number: 7889841
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system performs automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy and includes an X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device supports automated movement of an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programmed steps. A multi-step programming interface enables a user to select, (a) a start position for X-ray imaging at a first location of a portion of patient anatomy and (b) an end position for X-ray imaging at a second location of a portion of patient anatomy. A computation processor automatically determines a series of pre-programmed steps comprising multiple incremental distances to be moved by the X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to the portion of patient anatomy in response to predetermined data including, (i) the selected start and end positions, (ii) the length of the portion of patient anatomy imaged in an individual step and (iii) the amount of overlap desired between successive X-ray images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Soroosh Kargar, Weng Lei
  • Patent number: 7874727
    Abstract: According to the invention, an X-ray examination may be simply and rapidly carried out and hence produce a sharp X-ray image with an X-ray source and/or X-ray receiver an X-ray examination system which may be displaced relative to the mounting position thereof by means of an actuator, despite a system construction which may be caused to oscillate at a resonant frequency dependent on the corresponding mounting position, about the mounting position, whereby according to the inventive method, at least one parameter relevant to the resonant frequency, dependent on the corresponding mounting position, is determined, a set guided movement, counteracting the cause of oscillation in order to achieve a movement condition for the X-ray source or X-ray receiver necessary for the X-ray examination, is determined depending on the at least one corresponding parameter and the guided movement of the X-ray source and/or X-ray receiver controlled using the actuator according to the set guided movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Forster, Jens Hamann, Uwe Ladra, Claus-Günter Schliermann, Elmar Schäfers
  • Patent number: 7864918
    Abstract: An X-ray machine for imaging a breast of a female patient comprises a gantry with an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, and a horizontally disposed patient table with a cut-out portion for accommodating a breast of the patient. The gantry is rigidly mechanically suspended from the patient table. The gantry is adapted to rotate about an approximately vertical rotational axis in continuous rotational movement for imaging the breast. The gantry is also adapted to be moved in a vertical direction during said the rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: MIR Medical Imaging Research Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Willi Kalender
  • Patent number: 7857512
    Abstract: The invention can be summarized as follows: A collision protection device for a patient examination table of a medical X-ray device is provided for the purpose of assuring simple and reliable avoidance of collisions between very fast moving device parts of a medical X-ray device and a patient, which collision protection device has a protective element made of an X-ray transparent material, wherein the collision protection device can be arranged relative to the patient examination table and brought into a position such that in said position the protective element mechanically shields at least a part of the lying surface of the patient examination table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Estelle Camus
  • Patent number: 7845851
    Abstract: Iso-centering a volume of interest (VOI) (170) within a patient (168) to undergo examination on a rotational X-ray apparatus (100) is achieved by taking two differently-angled pictures (S210) and updating positional settings (172) for the patient's table (112) responsive to respectively displayed centering of the VOI (152). Alternatively, the operator identifies respective VOI centers (S410, S450) for each of the two displayed pictures, and corresponding table movement is automatically calculated (S420).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Volker Rasche
  • Patent number: 7813478
    Abstract: One provides (101 and 102) two or more X-ray sources (202 and 204) that are independent and discrete from one another. By one approach, these X-ray sources emit corresponding X-rays (203 and 205) using different voltage levels. In particular, these voltage levels can be sufficiently different from one another to readily permit different elements as comprise an object (201) being examined to be distinguished from one another. These X-rays are then emitted (106) from these sources and towards an object to be examined while causing relative motion (207) between such sources on the one hand and the object on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nisius
  • Patent number: 7810994
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray generation control unit configured to control the X-ray tube with a controller and a power supply, and a holding unit configured to hold the X-ray tube. The holding unit includes two support legs to be spread at an arbitrary angle, and a connecting portion configured to turnably connect upper ends of the support legs. The holding unit holds the X-ray tube near the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Ohmura, Masaaki Kobayashi, Katsushi Kato, Hiroyuki Ichiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20100256625
    Abstract: A system and method for treating a target tissue region (e.g., malignant tissue) is provided. A hyperthermic probe is placed into contact with the target tissue region, and the target tissue region is exposed to a therapeutic x-ray radiation beam. The probe is operated to increase the temperature of the target tissue region, thereby facilitating a therapeutic effect of the radiation beam. Image data of the probe containing a fiducial datum is acquired while in contact with the target tissue region, a position of the target tissue region within a treatment coordinate system is determined based on the fiducial datum, and the radiation beam is spatially adjusted relative to the target tissue region based on the determined position of the target tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Paul DiCarlo
  • Patent number: 7806588
    Abstract: In the acquisition of an image series with an x-ray image acquisition that has an x-ray C-arm rotatable around a center point, movement of the patient table is updated so that table is brought into a specific position calculated relative to the angle position of the x-ray C-arm. This position of the patient table is determined as follows. An envelope is established and a point is established that is the center point of a region of interest. In each position of the patient table that matches the position of the x-ray C-arm, the flat panel detector is perpendicular to a line emanating from the point and simultaneously contacts (is tangent to) the envelope. The region of interest is thereby optimally imaged in the image series so that a good 3D reconstruction can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Brunner, Holger Kunze
  • Patent number: 7809109
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-à-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Patent number: 7806591
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a radiation source with an image receiver has a first light source coupled to the radiation source and actuable to direct a first beam of light toward the image receiver and a second light source coupled to the radiation source and actuable to direct a second beam of light toward the image receiver. A reflector element is coupled to the image receiver and is disposed to form, when placed in the path of both first and second light beams, reflected light that indicates the relative alignment of the image receiver to the radiation source. The reflected light may form a pattern indicative of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohui Wang, David H. Foos
  • Patent number: 7801267
    Abstract: A method and system for auto positioning a compression mechanism in a mammography imaging system is disclosed herewith. The method comprises: automatically elevating the compression mechanism upon detection of a breast biopsy device. The breast biopsy device can be detected upon connecting the same to the mammography system or can be detected upon noticing the same on the vicinity of the mammography system. The compression mechanism includes: breast compressor, breast holding paddles and paddle holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Gagan Bindra, Guy Hersemeule
  • Patent number: 7796734
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting personnel or their effects. A first and second carriage each carries a source for producing a beam of penetrating radiation incident on a subject. A positioner provides for synchronized relative motion of each carriage vis-á-vis the subject in a direction having a vertical component. A detector receives radiation produced by at least one of the sources after the radiation interacts with the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mastronardi, Dean Fleury, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Joseph DiMare, Richard Schueller, Alexander Chalmers
  • Patent number: 7796729
    Abstract: A radiotherapy chamber is provided that comprises a substantially air-tight enclosure adapted to accept a patient; a radiation source disposed inside the enclosure; a patient support system disposed inside the enclosure and in working arrangement with the radiation source; and a screw compressor and an outlet flow modulator fluidly connected to the enclosure. A method for treatment of a subject in need thereof using the radiation chamber is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: William J. O'Brien, III, Joseph E. Underwood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7764767
    Abstract: A diagnosis device, in particular an x-ray device, includes a patient couch which is rotatably mounted on a carrier device as well as a diagnosis unit, which is likewise mounted on the carrier device and can be moved along a longitudinal direction in parallel to the patient couch by a motor drive and an adjustment mechanism. A measuring device for measuring a measurement signal of a measured variable correlated with the drive force is provided in order to promptly identify a collision between the diagnosis unit and a patient mounted on the patient couch. A control unit is provided to evaluate the measurement signal. The control unit is designed in order to trigger a reaction when a predetermined value in respect of the measurement signal is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Beimler, Michael Griener
  • Patent number: 7753585
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray device (1) provided with a column (2) and an arm which is upwardly (3) displaceable therealong and on which at least one X-ray picture detector (4) and/or an X-ray transmitter (5) are mounted. A receiving means (6) arranged on the column is used for receiving a picture carrier (7) on the plane part (8). Preferably, said receiving means is embodied in the form of a support for interchangeably receiving the picture carrier in such a way that large-surface images are placeable on the column without affecting the arm operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Swissray International Inc.
    Inventor: Ruedi G. Laupper
  • Publication number: 20100172468
    Abstract: A mobile medical imaging device that allows for multiple support structures, such as a tabletop or a seat, to be attached, and in which the imaging gantry is indexed to the patient by translating up and down the patient axis. In one embodiment, the imaging gantry can translate, rotate and/or tilt with respect to a support base, enabling imaging in multiple orientations, and can also rotate in-line with the support base to facilitate easy transport and/or storage of the device. The imaging device can be used in, for example, x-ray computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene A. Gregerson
  • Patent number: 7748900
    Abstract: There is described an x-ray system with an x-ray source, an x-ray detector and at least one industrial robot having at least three, in particular six, axes of rotation, in which the x-ray source and/or the x-ray detector are/is arranged, directly or by means of a bearer, on the industrial robot, and where the industrial robot is constructed to be mobile, in particular is arranged on a device trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Maschke
  • Patent number: 7744279
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a radiation head with a radiation source and an adjustable angular orientation. A radiation image detection device has a photostimulable medium that records an image according to radiation emitted from the radiation source. A measurement sensor apparatus, preferably inertial, is coupled sequentially to the photostimulable medium to provide three-dimensional data for determining the angular orientation of the photostimulable medium and to the radiation source for determining its angular orientation. There is at least one indicator responsive to the orientation data from the measurement sensor apparatus for indicating an orientation adjustment of the radiation source is needed in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Heath, Yawcheng Lo, Teresa M. Levy, James Doran
  • Patent number: 7744277
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a floor rotating arm which is installed at one end on a floor surface so as to be rotatable around a first rotation axis, a C-arm which is mounted on the other end of the floor rotating arm so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis, an X-ray tube which is mounted on one end of the C-arm, an X-ray detector which is mounted on the other end of the C-arm, and a bed which has a table top provided to be movable along a longitudinal axis. The bed is placed such that the longitudinal axis is spaced apart from the first rotation axis by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Noda, Atsushi Gotoh
  • Publication number: 20100150304
    Abstract: A plurality of radiation sources and a plurality of radiation detectors are integrated into a main imaging unit and a moving member is provided to the main imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20100142669
    Abstract: A CT scanning device includes a scanning gantry, a supporting means for a scanning table, and a supporting base for fixing and supporting the scanning gantry. The scanning gantry is configured to scan a subject and to collect scanning data. The supporting means supports the scanning table, and is mounted on the supporting base and located between the scanning gantry and the supporting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Jingyi Ren, Yongli Pu
  • Patent number: 7734007
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system performs automated imaging of patient anatomy. A collimator includes at least one portion of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation, in response to a control signal. A collimator controller generates the control signal in response to, determining one or more regions of the X-ray detector corresponding to a portion of patient anatomy to be X-rayed in response to X-ray absorbent markers indicating boundaries of the portion of patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of the series of pre-programed steps and determining different positions of the portion of X-ray absorbent material for corresponding individual steps of a series of pre-programed steps in response to the determined regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Soroosh Kargar, Weng Lei
  • Patent number: 7729473
    Abstract: A highly compact, high-performance volumetric imaging system is proposed, that is integrated with a multi-source Cobalt-60 gamma irradiator for high throughput, high accuracy and minimally invasive fractioned treatments of intracranial, orbital and head-and-neck targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Elekta AB (publ)
    Inventors: David A. Jaffray, Kevin John Brown, Gregory Bootsma, Mark Ruschin, Per Carlsson
  • Patent number: 7729469
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray imaging unit, rotating unit configured to rotate a subject about an axis of rotation relative to the X-ray imaging unit, supporting unit configured to support the subject, and a limiting unit configured to limit the range in which the X-ray imaging unit is moveable along the axis of rotation depending on the position of the supporting means relative to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7722251
    Abstract: A device for inspecting contraband in an aviation cargo container includes: a turntable and a scanning system, the scanning system including a radiation source; a detector; a radiation source mounting structure; and a detector mounting structure for mounting the detector. Each of said radiation source mounting structure and said detector mounting structure includes at least one column assembly. The radiation source and the detector are mounted on the column assembly and allowed to synchronously ascend and descend along said column assembly. By combining different movement modes of the turntable and the scanning system, the device of the present invention can scan the object in various scanning modes. The device is stable in structure, convenient in installation, and occupies a small space. The device can inspect aviation containers over two meters long and/or over two meters wide and achieve a relatively high passing rate of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Ziran Zhao, Hua Peng, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Yinong Liu, Li Zhang, Yaohong Liu, Zhizhong Liang, Dongmao Li, Cong Liu, Huabin Tan, Yongpeng Liu, Xinhui Duan, Xueyou Zhou
  • Patent number: 7715524
    Abstract: A grid comprises an alternate assembly of radiation-permeable members and radiation-impermeable members which extend substantially parallel to the chest wall of a subject. When a radiation emitted from a radiation source is applied through a breast of the subject and the grid to a radiation detector, a radiation image of the breast is captured. While the radiation is being applied to the breast, the grid reciprocates in directions perpendicular to the direction in which the radiation-impermeable members extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamakita
  • Publication number: 20100098316
    Abstract: A medical imaging system comprising an x-ray image detector mounted on a robotic arm and an x-ray generator mounted opposite the x-ray image detector. The robotic arm includes two pivots and a plurality of telescoping segments to adjust the height and angle of the x-ray image detector. In some embodiments, the medical imaging system includes a second x-ray image detector and a second x-ray generator and is capable of capturing biplane stereophotogrammetric images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: George Yiorgos Papaioannou
  • Patent number: 7686511
    Abstract: An upright treatment system including a source housing including a radiation source operable to emit an orientated radiation beam, a source positioner operable to rotate the source housing through an elevation angle about a source housing elevation rotation axis which generally intersects a center of gravity of the source housing, and a target positioner operable to position a target linearly along a generally vertical target rotation axis for interception with the radiation beam, wherein the target positioner is further operable to rotate the target about the target rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Moshe Ein-Gal
  • Patent number: 7676021
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that performs radiation imaging of a breast of a subject, which includes a table for laying down the subject; a receiving section that receives a breast of the subject laid on the table in a supine position; a radiation imaging section including a radiation emission unit and a radiation detection unit each located at a position opposing to each other being interposed by the breast of the subject received in the receiving section; and a drive unit that shifts the receiving section to a position suitable for imaging the breast of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Tsujii, Shinsuke Hayashida, Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Katsushi Kato
  • Publication number: 20100054422
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray generation control unit configured to control the X-ray tube with a controller and a power supply, and a holding unit configured to hold the X-ray tube. The holding unit includes two support legs to be spread at an arbitrary angle, and a connecting portion configured to turnably connect upper ends of the support legs. The holding unit holds the X-ray tube near the connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Ohmura, Masaaki Kobayashi, Katsushi Kato, Hiroyuki Ichiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7672425
    Abstract: A x-ray diagnostic apparatus and methods perform Real-Time Digital Radiography with particular application in dental x-ray imaging modalities, such as Orthopantomography, Scannography, Linear Tomography and Cephalography, by using a versatile and robotized mechanical structure, featuring projection movements in the required a real range and automatic adaptation of the same mechanical structure to serve the various x-ray imaging modalities foreseen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Gendex Corp.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Rotondo, Marcello Molteni, Constantino Nettis
  • Patent number: 7661881
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a source that projects a beam of radiation in a first trajectory; a detector located a distance from the source and positioned to receive the beam of radiation in the first trajectory; an imaging area between the source and the detector, the radiation beam from the source passing through a portion of the imaging area before it is received at the detector; a detector positioner that translates the detector to a second position in a first direction that is substantially normal to the first trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the second position. The radiation source can be an x-ray cone-beam source, and the detector can be a two-dimensional flat-panel detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 7660382
    Abstract: The invention relates to an examination apparatus and a method for perfusion studies in a patient (1). According to the method, a rotational X-ray device (10) is moved on a closed, preferably non-planar trajectory (T) while continuously generating projections of the patient (1) after the injection of a contrast agent with an injection device (20). The projections are used by a data processing system (30) in a sliding window technique to reconstruct three-dimensional images of the body volume. The resulting sequence of 3D images may be displayed on a monitor (31) to reveal the desired information about the perfusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Volker Rasche
  • Patent number: 7656998
    Abstract: A unified quality assurance technique to verify alignment of a radiation treatment delivery system. In one embodiment, a radiation treatment source is instructed to move to a preset source position. An image of the radiation treatment source at its actual source position is generated and compared against a reference image to determine whether the radiation treatment source correctly achieved the preset source position. In one embodiment, a positioning system is instructed to move a target detector to a preset target position. An image of the target detector at its actual target position is generated and compared against a reference target image to determine whether the positioning system correctly achieved the preset target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: William T. Main, Eric Earnst, Gopinath Kuduvalli
  • Patent number: 7648272
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a floor rotating arm whose one end is mounted on a floor surface to be rotatable around a substantially vertical first rotation axis, a stand mounted on the other end of the floor rotating arm to be rotatable around a substantially vertical second rotation axis, an arm holder which is mounted on the stand so as to be rotatable around a substantially horizontal third rotation axis, a substantially C-shaped, C-arm which is mounted on the arm holder so as to be slidable/rotatable around a substantially horizontal fourth rotation axis, with an isocenter at which the fourth rotation axis intersects the third rotation axis being located on the first rotation axis when the C-arm is folded above the floor rotating arm, an X-ray generating unit mounted on one end of the C-arm, and an X-ray detecting unit mounted on the other end of the C-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Gotoh
  • Patent number: 7642526
    Abstract: The present invention discloses direction correcting apparatus and method thereof for a movable radiation inspecting system having a moving device. The direction correcting apparatus comprises: a direction detecting device for detecting a moving direction of the moving device and generating a detecting signal indicating the moving direction; a direction control device for controlling the moving direction of the moving device; and a control unit for calculating a deviation value between the moving direction and the predetermined direction based on the detected signal received from the direction detecting device, and the direction control device is driven according to the deviation value to correct the moving direction to the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Xining Xu, Shangmin Sun, Zhongrong Yang, Hua Peng, Guang Yang, Haifeng Hu, Zhijun Li
  • Patent number: 7639782
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic patient table positioning are provided. The method includes determining patient specific scan parameters and positioning the patient with the imaging scanner based on the determined patient specific scan parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Deborah Ruth Zelnik, Pascal Salazar-ferrer
  • Patent number: 7634050
    Abstract: A mammography device comprising at least one X-ray source, a C-arm which supports said source, as well as a console which integrates an X-ray detector, wherein the C-arm and the console are movable relative to one another. The wherein C-arm and the console are mechanically decoupled from one another so that the C-arm and/or the console are movable relative to one another, between an exposure-taking position where the C-arm is in an immediate vicinity of the console, and a position wherein the C-arm and the console are separated from one another and wherein access to said C-arm and/or to said console is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Serge Muller, Aurelie Roncaglioni
  • Patent number: 7634308
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic system is provided, which uses X-rays to image the lower limb of an object under conditions suitable for a flow of an X-ray contrast agent injected into the object. In the system, a C-shaped arm supports both an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector so that an object-laid tabletop is located between both the tube and the detector. For instance, one of the tabletop and the C-shaped arm is relatively moved with respect to the other so that the object is imaged along a body-axis direction thereof. The apparatus is able to perform a fluoroscopic scan to obtain a body-axis directional fluoroscopic image of the agent-injected object and to set imaging parameters, region by region in the body-axis direction, necessary for an imaging scan using the fluoroscopic image. The imaging parameters are used for the imaging scan of the agent-injected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7627083
    Abstract: A system and method for automatic digital radiographic inspection of round aerospace parts (18) and irregularly shaped aerospace parts (19) includes a radiation source (14) and a radiation detector (16) located on opposite sides of the aerospace part to receive the radiation from the radiation source. In operation the radiation source and the radiation detector are manipulated by a robot (10) in six independent axes of motion. The aerospace part is rotated by a part manipulator (20) to provide the seventh axis of motion and the aerospace part is tilted to provide the eighth axis of motion. This allows every portion of the aerospace part to be examined. The radiation detector converts the impinging radiation into electrical signals and the system generates the radiographic images and archives these images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: VJ Technologies
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Ross, Samir Anjelly, James Harcourt Brim, Robert Louis Lukasik
  • Patent number: 7616983
    Abstract: A device for guiding a magnetic element has magnet holders that can be pivoted about vertical axes from an operating position to a rest position, such that a patient to be examined can be examined using imaging devices, having X-ray radiation sources and X-ray detectors respectively attached to C-arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anton Nekovar, Hans-Joachim Reich
  • Patent number: 7613498
    Abstract: A device for supporting a patient is used with a computer-tomography (CT) device. The patient to be examined is to be introduced into an opening in a gantry of the CT device. The patient supporting device has a height-adjustable device disposed laterally with respect to the gantry opening and permits the height of a support for a patient to be adjusted. A support arm extends from the height-adjustable device to a fixture for supporting a stretcher and is rotatable with respect to the height adjustable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Bartels, Peter Knappe, Stefan Leidenberger
  • Patent number: 7609813
    Abstract: An imaging system that includes a radiation source. An image receptor is located to receive radiation emitted by the radiation source. The imaging system further has a servo system that includes a computer operationally coupled to a motor-load element. The servo system is configured to position the radiation source, the image receptor and the object to be scanned. The servo system is configured to measure at set time intervals in real-time a position of the radiation source, the image receptor, and the object. The measured position is used to predict a native hardware motion parameter value for the servo system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Steven E. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7597473
    Abstract: An X-ray recording device has an X-ray detector and an X-ray emitter aligned with one another on a mobile supporting device, the supporting device being supported by retainer on a stand unit and being displaceable along a horizontal translation axis and/or vertical translation axis. The retainer has only one first pivoting arm rotatably mounted on the stand unit for rotation around a first vertical rotational axis and only one second pivoting arm rotatably mounted on the first pivoting arm for rotation around a second vertical rotational axis. This X-ray recording device allows an alteration to the recording range to be undertaken at reduced cost and with a space-saving and stable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Graumann, Erwin Lutz
  • Patent number: 7594751
    Abstract: In a biplane X-ray system, a robot is used for moving at least a pair comprising an X-ray radiation source and an X-ray detector. The robot can be a buckling arm robot bearing an X-ray C-arm. It is also possible for the X-ray radiation source and X-ray detector each to be suspended from the ceiling of the room by means of robot arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albert Grebner, Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Winfried Lurz, Stefan Sattler, Manfred Schönborn