Beam Detection System Patents (Class 378/19)
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Patent number: 9965875Abstract: A method of generating a synthesized digital projection image, executed at least in part by a computer, acquires x-ray projection images at corresponding acquisition angles, and reconstructs a first volume image. Forward projection generates a preceding forward projection image at a first acquisition angle; a following forward projection image at an adjacent second acquisition angle; and an intermediate forward projection image for an intermediate angle. A synthesized projection image is formed by identifying a candidate patch of pixels from the intermediate forward projection image, matching a first patch of pixels from the preceding forward projection image and identifying a corresponding first acquired patch of pixels from the first acquired x-ray projection image, matching a second patch of pixels from the following forward projection image and matching a second acquired patch of pixels from the forward projection image. The first and second acquired patches are combined.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Ray, Richard A. Simon, Levon O. Vogelsang
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Patent number: 9921400Abstract: A method for manipulating an object for imaging by an imaging device includes the steps of rotating the object about a rotation axis into a plurality of angular positions; capturing an image of the object at each of the plurality of angular positions; and determining a respective translation required of the object for the plurality of angular positions, the translation being along a plane substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis; wherein the respective translation is arranged to align the object to the rotation axis so as to maintain the object within a field of view of the imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: City University of Hong KongInventors: Yajing Shen, Wenfeng Wan, Lijun Zhang
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Patent number: 9917898Abstract: Methods and systems for storing and accessing dental images. The system includes an imaging system for acquiring x-ray projection frames. The imaging system is connected to a local server through a local area network. A cloud server communicates with devices on the local area. The x-ray projection frames are transmitted from the imaging system to the local server. The local server stores the series of related x-ray projection frames according to a specified policy. In one embodiment, the x-ray projection frames are compressed into a compressed image data set using a modified video compression prediction algorithm customized for x-ray images. The x-ray image data (whether compressed or not) is transmitted to the cloud server for storage. The x-ray image data can be accessed from the cloud server by external devices and by other local area networks.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: DENTAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert E. Keating, Bradley S. Carlson, Darryl Day Spencer
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Patent number: 9905607Abstract: The present approach relates to the fabrication of radiation detectors. In certain embodiments, additive manufacture techniques, such as 3D metallic printing techniques are employed to fabricate one or more parts of a detector. In an example of one such printing embodiment, amorphous silicon may be initially disposed onto a substrate and a laser may be employed to melt some or all of the amorphous silicon so as to form crystalline silicon circuitry of a light imager panel. Such printing techniques may also be employed to fabricate other aspects of a radiation detector, such as a scintillator layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: James Zhengshe Liu
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Patent number: 9901318Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator configured to emit X-rays to a subject; an X-ray detection panel including a plurality of light receiving elements each configured to receive X-rays that have passed through the subject, convert the X-rays into an electric signal, and output the electric signal, and a plurality of capacitor modules respectively corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements, each of the plurality of capacitor modules including a plurality of capacitors connected to a corresponding one of the light receiving elements and configured to store the electric signal output from the corresponding light receiving element in at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; and an image processor configured to read out the electric signal stored in the at least one capacitor of each of the plurality of capacitor modules to generate at least one X-ray image.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong-Goo Kang, Sung-Hoon Kang, Sang-Wook Han, Young-Hun Sung, Hyun-Hwa Oh
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Patent number: 9885801Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a detector device comprising a plurality of detector assemblies. Each detector assembly comprises at least one detection crystal units having a first energy response and those having a second energy response, which are both arranged along a first direction at intervals, each detection crystal unit having a first/second energy response including at least one detection crystals having a first/second energy response arranged along a second direction. The at least one detection crystal units having a first energy response and the at least one detection crystal units having a second energy response are, at least partially, alternatively arranged along the first direction when viewed from an incidence direction of the X-ray. The present disclosure also discloses a dual energy CT system having the detector device and a CT detection method using this system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignees: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Xin Jin, Qingping Huang, Le Shen, Yunda Sun
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Patent number: 9880293Abstract: An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray source that projects a beam of X-ray radiation and an X-ray detector positioned to receive the beam of X-ray radiation at a location. The X-ray detector can include: (i) a monolithic substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (ii) a scintillation layer arranged upon the first side and including a first region and a second region, the first region having a first X-ray sensitivity and the second region having a second X-ray sensitivity different than the first X-ray sensitivity, and (iii) a photosensor array arranged upon the second side. The X-ray source and X-ray detector can be configured to adjust the location at which the X-ray detector receives the beam of X-ray radiation such that the location is primarily within the first region or the second region.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Helm, Shuanghe Shi
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Patent number: 9848847Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) image apparatus includes an X-ray source to emit X-rays; and processing circuitry configured to receive a desired detectability index set by a user, the desired detectability index determining for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object; determine an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and cause the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Kirsten Boedeker, Satoru Nakanishi
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Patent number: 9852526Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining a thick-slice image from tilted thin-slice computed-tomography (CT) projection data. Tilted CT projection data is obtained for a series of projection planes, wherein the projection planes are parallel for all scans, and the translation direction between CT scans is not orthogonal to the projection planes (i.e., the projection planes are tilted relative to the translation direction between CT scans). Thin-slice images are reconstructed from the respective CT scans, and then grouped into thick-slice groupings. An offset results among the thin-slice images within a thick-slice grouping due to the tilt of the projection planes. This offset is compensated by interpolating and resampling the thin-slice images onto non-offset pixel grids. The interpolated and resampled thin-slice images are then averaged pixel-by-pixel to obtain thick-slice images having the same tilt angle as the thin-slice images.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Satoru Nakanishi
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Patent number: 9842413Abstract: In a method and apparatus for providing a visualization image and a reference image for a patient, with only one reconstruction being implemented, raw scan data from the patient are reconstructed into a visualization image, and the reference image is generated, without another reconstruction, by applying a filter to the visualization image to obtain a simulated reference image, using a value of a filter parameter that is specific for the patient. The patient-specific filter parameter is determined by comparing image-derived properties of an accessed, previously-reconstructed reference image and the reference image, and the filter parameter is adapted to reduce differences in the image-derived properties of the respective images.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Jens Kaftan, Matthew David Kelly, Julien Michel Yvon Willaime
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Patent number: 9839400Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gantry, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The gantry supports an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The air inlet is provided in the gantry to draw air into the gantry from outside the gantry. The air outlet is provided in a lower section of the gantry to discharge air from the gantry through a path that houses a controller that controls the gantry.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Keisuke Oishi
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Patent number: 9829447Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence analyzer includes a sample stage, a sample moving mechanism, an X-ray source, a detector detecting a fluorescent X-ray generated from the sample irradiated with a primary X-ray, an imaging device imaging the sample, a display device displaying the image on a screen, a pointing device designating a specific position on the screen for allowing an input at the specific position, an image processing device displaying a mark at the input position on the screen by the pointing device and a control device controlling the sample moving mechanism and the image processing device and, when the sample stage is moved, controlling the image processing device to display the mark on the screen with moving the mark in the same moving direction as that of the sample stage by the same moving distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Science CorporationInventor: Isao Yagi
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Patent number: 9823201Abstract: The present specification discloses a multi-view X-ray inspection system having, in one of several embodiments, a three-view configuration with three X-ray sources. Each X-ray source rotates and is configured to emit a rotating X-ray pencil beam and at least two detector arrays, where each detector array has multiple non-pixellated detectors such that at least a portion of the non-pixellated detectors are oriented toward both the two X-ray sources.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.Inventor: Edward James Morton
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Patent number: 9814434Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image display apparatus includes a thin-out processing unit configured to execute thin-out processing for a series of original medical images, a display unit configured to display the series of medical images generated by the thin-out processing as a moving image and a control unit. The control unit controls the thin-out processing unit to change thin-out ratios on a time axis in the thin-out processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Shinsuke Tsukagoshi
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Patent number: 9788804Abstract: An X-ray detector assembly for an imaging system is provided. The X-ray detector assembly includes a block for mounting to a rotating disc, the block including two opposing end surfaces, two opposing side surfaces and at least one mounting surface, and at least two detector chips, each detector chip including an X-ray detecting surface and an opposing block-facing surface, two opposing end surfaces and two opposing side surfaces, and each detector chip having a flexible bus mounted to the opposing block-facing surface of the detector chip adjacent to a side surface of the detector chip. The at least one mounting surface of the block receives the at least two detector chips in side-by-side disposition, with the buses of the at least two detector chips extending along a side surface of the block.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Bailey, Andrew Tybinkowski
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Patent number: 9774794Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus and a radiographic image capturing system are shown. According to one aspect, the radiographic image capturing apparatus includes the following. A scanning driving unit applies voltage to scanning lines. A switching element releases electric charge upon application of the ON-state voltage. A readout circuit converts the electric charge into image data and reads the data. A controller reads the image data. The detecting unit detects start and end of irradiation based on a change in a signal. The controller determines whether a standby time from end of readout to start of readout in next capturing is changed with reference to a first period and a second period. The first period ranges from end of readout to detection of start of irradiation. The second period ranges from detection of end of irradiation to start of readout.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Kazuhiro Sakino
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Patent number: 9770220Abstract: An integrated microtomography and optical imaging system includes a rotating table that supports an imaging object, an optical stage, and separate optical and microtomography imaging systems. The table rotates the imaging object about a vertical axis running therethrough to a plurality of different rotational positions during a combined microtomography and optical imaging process. The optical stage can be a trans-illumination, epi-illumination or bioluminescent stage. The optical imaging system includes a camera positioned vertically above the imaging object. The microtomography system includes an x-ray source positioned horizontally with respect to the imaging object. Optical and x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains in place on the rotating table. The stage and table are included within an imaging chamber, and all components are included within a portable cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Stearns, David G. Nilson, Bradley W. Rice
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Patent number: 9760233Abstract: Touch sensitivity is enabled using a touch system that comprises a panel configured to conduct signals, e.g. by TIR, along detection lines across a touch surface. A signal processor operates to generate data samples indicative of transmitted signal energy on parallel detection lines at a number of different angles across the touch surface; process the data samples for generation of interpolated Fourier coefficients at grid points in a regular grid in a Fourier domain; and operate a two-dimensional inverse Fourier transform on the interpolated Fourier coefficients so as to generate an interaction pattern for the touch surface. The interpolated Fourier coefficients are generated sequentially for individual groups of grid points. Each individual group comprises grid points that have equal distance to an origin in the regular grid, e.g. grid points that are mapped onto each other by one or ore lines of symmetry in the regular grid.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: FLATFROG LABORATORIES ABInventors: Tomas Christiansson, Andreas Björklund, Mats Petter Wallander, Nicklas Ohlsson
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Patent number: 9753157Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100?) and a method for detecting radiation, particularly for detecting X-rays (X) in a CT imaging apparatus (1000?). According to a preferred embodiment, the radiation detector (100?) comprises a conversion element (110) for converting incident radiation (X) into electrical signals which are read out and processed by a readout circuit (120). A heating device comprising the heat source (135?) of a Peltier element is provided with which the conversion element (110) can controllably be heated in order to reduce negative effects, e.g. of polarization, on image accuracy, wherein the heat sink (137?) of the Peltier element is oriented towards the readout circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Christoph Herrmann, Frank Verbakel
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Patent number: 9750472Abstract: A multi-modal imaging system (1) includes a fixed gantry (2), and a swivel gantry (8). The fixed gantry (2) supports a first imaging modality. The swivel gantry (8) connects to the fixed gantry (2) by at least three mounting points (10) and supports a second imaging modality. Selectively the swivel gantry (8) includes a swivel frame (16) and at least three mounting points (10) for mounting the fixed and swivel gantries together in an imaging configuration. The at least three mounting points (10) include at least one hinge (14) which permits the swivel gantry to swivel about the fixed gantry into a service configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Jinling Liu, Dawn Barile, Steven John Plummer, Bruce Eliot Lutheran, Krassimir Todorov Krastev, Johannes Balthasar Maria Soetens
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Patent number: 9753154Abstract: An X-ray detector is disclosed, in particular for a computed tomography system. In an embodiment, the X-ray detector includes a regular arrangement of measuring pixels for covering a measuring surface. A plurality of the measuring pixels of the regular arrangement are constructed as direct converting measuring pixels, and remaining ones of the measuring pixels are constructed as indirect converting measuring pixels.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg
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Patent number: 9743891Abstract: Tomosynthesis imaging methods, systems, and apparatus include a source to emit penetrating particles toward an object, a detector to acquire a series of projection images responsive to the penetrating particles, and a positioning system to position the source with respect to the object and the detector. An imaging system controls the positioning apparatus, source, and detector to acquire images along a primary scan direction with offsets in a secondary scan direction. An oscillatory velocity may be applied to the source to reduce focal spot blur. Tomographic volumes are constructed that are capable of exhibiting super-resolution from data representing the acquired series of projection images taking the primary scan direction and the offsets into consideration.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignees: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Real Time Tomography, LLCInventors: Andrew D. A. Maidment, Raymond J. Acciavatti, Predrag Bakic, Susan Ng, Peter A. Ringer, Johnny Kuo
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Patent number: 9747705Abstract: The present invention is an X-ray system having a source-detector module, which includes X-ray sources and detectors, for scanning an object being inspected, a scan engine coupled to the source-detector module for collecting scan data from the source detector module, an image reconstruction engine coupled to the scan engine for converting the collected scan data into one or more X-ray images, and a scan controller coupled with at least one of the source detector module, the scan engine, and the image reconstruction engine optimize operations of the X-ray system.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.Inventor: Edward James Morton
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Patent number: 9702982Abstract: A control apparatus which receives a radiation image from a radiation imaging apparatus determines, at the time of activation, whether any unreceived radiation image to be received from the radiation imaging apparatus exists. Upon determining that an unreceived radiation image exists, the control apparatus requests the radiation imaging apparatus to transmit the radiation image.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Naoki Yamada
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Patent number: 9700269Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) detector apparatus to increase energy resolution at a high count rate includes a plurality of fixed photon-counting detector (PCD) modules arranged in a ring, each PCD module including two Parallel-Transverse-Field (PTF) PCDs that are tilted with respect to a normal direction to a circumferential direction of the ring. Each PTF PCD includes a rectangular semiconductor crystal having a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face are parallel, a cathode side including a cathode electrode covering the first face, and an anode side including a plurality of anode pixels on the second face. Each PTF PCD includes a collimator attached to a predetermined region of the PTF PCD, wherein the collimator blocks incident the X-rays.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Miesher Lage Rodrigues, Hao Yang, Liang Cai, Gin Chung Wang
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Patent number: 9689996Abstract: Improved imaging systems are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for an improved image sensor assembly for an imaging system, the image sensor assembly having an integrated photodetector array and its associated data acquisition electronics fabricated on the same substrate. By integrating the electronics on the same substrate as the photodetector array, this thereby reduces fabrications costs, and reduces interconnect complexity. Since both the photodiode contacts and the associated electronics are on the same substrate/plane, this thereby substantially eliminates certain expensive/time-consuming processing techniques. Moreover, the co-location of the electronics next to or proximal to the photodetector array provides for a much finer resolution detector assembly since the interconnect bottleneck between the electronics and the photodetector array is substantially eliminated/reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Naresh Kesavan Rao, James Wilson Rose, Christopher David Unger, Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Jonathan David Short
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Patent number: 9679377Abstract: According to embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes input interface circuitry and processing circuitry. The input interface circuitry inputs at least three landmarks in a first and second slice image group. The processing circuitry determines, in each of the first and second slice image group, a first axis connecting two points in the landmarks and a second axis that passes through another point different from the two points and is orthogonal to the first axis. The processing circuitry performs a registration between first slice images belonging to the first slice image group and second slice images belonging to the second slice image group by using the first and second axes in the first slice image group and the first and second axes in the second slice image group.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Yokota, Satoshi Wakai
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Patent number: 9662075Abstract: A method for controlling scanning preparation includes: obtaining a first scanning protocol of a current CT examination, controlling a CT scanner to perform a scanning preparation for a first scanning series according to the first scanning protocol; in case that there are one or more subsequent scanning series, controlling CT scanner to perform scanning preparations for the subsequent scanning series according to the first scanning protocol, where for each subsequent scanning series, the scanning preparation is performed during time interval between end of exposure of scanning series previous to the subsequent scanning series and starting of the subsequent scanning series; and obtaining a second scanning protocol of next CT examination and controlling the CT scanner to perform a scanning preparation for a first scanning series according to the second scanning protocol.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventor: Jinjun Liu
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Patent number: 9636078Abstract: An imaging medical device includes a detector including an active material which is serviceable in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, a primary power supply designed to supply the imaging medical device with power in an operating state, and an ancillary power supply designed to maintain a thermodynamic equilibrium in the active material of the detector in a non-operating state of the imaging medical device to keep the detector in a state of readiness. A method for operating such an imaging medical device is disclosed, wherein in the operating state, the imaging medical device is supplied with power via the primary power supply, and wherein in the non-operating state, a thermodynamic equilibrium is maintained in the active material of the detector, with power supplied by the ancillary power supply. The detector is thereby kept in a state of readiness.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Thorsten Ergler, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler
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Patent number: 9625589Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an X-ray detector (100) for detecting incident X-ray photons (X). The X-ray detector (100) comprises at least one sensor unit (105) in which X-ray photons (X) are converted into sensor signals (s) and at least one flux sensor (104) for generating a flux signal (f) related to the flux of photons (X). The sensor signals (s) are corrected based on the flux signal (f). In a preferred embodiment, the sensor signals (s) represent a spectrally resolved pulse counting. The flux sensor (104) may be integrated into an ASIC (103) that is coupled to the sensor unit (105).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Daerr Heiner, Roger Steadman Booker
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Patent number: 9601223Abstract: Anti-scatter plates are used to attenuate secondary radiation so that it is not detected by a detector array. However, anti-scatter plates often cast dynamic shadows on the detector array which results in noise in signals produced by the detector array. As disclosed herein, an anti-scatter grid comprises at least two anti-scatter plates. A percentage difference in the shadows cast by the first and the second anti-scatter plates is substantially zero (e.g., causing uniform percentage change in shadows cast on the detector array). Additionally, the shadows that are cast by the anti-scatter plates may be substantially static. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by having a top surface of an anti-scatter plate that has a transverse dimension that is less than a bottom surface of the anti-scatter plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventors: Ruvin Deych, Ben Tuval
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Patent number: 9584742Abstract: A method of binning pixels in an image sensor including: dividing a pixel array into a plurality of binning areas, wherein each binning area includes (2n)*(2n) pixels, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than two; and generating binning pixel data in each of the binning areas, wherein the locations of the binning pixel data of each binning area are evenly distributed within the binning area.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Byung-Chul Park, Won-Baek Lee, Byung-Jo Kim, Jin-Ho Seo, Seog-Heon Ham
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Patent number: 9560970Abstract: Systems and methods for integration of a PET detector with a CT gantry are provided. One system includes an x-ray computed tomography (CT) gantry having a rotating portion and a stationary portion within a housing, and including a bore volume therethrough. The system also includes an x-ray source and an x-ray detector coupled to the rotating portion. The system further includes a positron emission tomography (PET) detector, wherein the PET detector is coupled to the stationary portion of the CT gantry, such that the PET detector extends at least partially into the CT gantry with at least a portion of the PET detector within the housing of the CT gantry.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Patrick Rose, Michael D. Maki, Chad Allan Smith
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Patent number: 9549712Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting a focus of a CT device are provided. The method includes: calculating a total focus shift according to scanning data; and correcting, when the CT device is running, a deflection of an electron beam emitted from a ray source of the CT device, based on the total focus shift. The device includes: a shift calculation module, configured to calculate a total focus shift according to scanning data; and a shift correction module, configured to correct, when the CT device is running, a deflection of an electron beam emitted from a ray source of the CT device, based on the total focus shift.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuangxue Li, Xin Xiang, Zhewen Jiang
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Patent number: 9538972Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus, which is capable of quickly acquiring information for determining whether further CT imaging is required, is provided. The X-ray CT apparatus according to the embodiment comprises a reconstruction processor, a setting unit, and a controller. The reconstruction processor carries out first reconstruction processing to be carried out at a first image thickness based on detection data to be sequentially acquired by X-ray scanning of the desired site of a subject, and second reconstruction processing to be carried out at a second image thickness based on all detection data acquired by the X-ray scanning. The setting unit sets the first image thickness based on the second image thickness set in advance.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Go Mukumoto
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Patent number: 9535167Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation source (108) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region, a paralyzable photon counting detector pixel (110) that detects photons traversing the examination region and arriving at an input photon rate and that generates a signal indicative thereof, high flux electronics (122) that produce a total time over threshold value each integration period based on the signal, a reconstruction parameter identifier (124) that estimates the input photon rate based on the total time over threshold value and identifies a reconstruction parameter based on the estimate, and a reconstructor (130) that reconstructs the signal based on the identified reconstruction parameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Roland Proksa, Roger Steadman Booker
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Patent number: 9526465Abstract: For identification of individual electronic cassettes, a different label is attached to each of the electronic cassettes. Selection buttons for selecting one of the electronic cassettes are provided on a console in correspondence with the respective electronic cassettes. A cassette ID is assigned to each of the electronic cassettes, and the console communicates with the selected electronic cassette using the cassette ID assigned to the selected electronic cassette. Data of correspondence between the cassette ID and the label is memorized for each electronic cassette. The same label is displayed on the selection button as the label on the corresponding electronic cassette, allowing confirming whether the electronic cassette actually positioned for imaging coincides with the electronic cassette selected on the console.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Yasuyo Nenoki, Haruka Ikegame
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Patent number: 9507031Abstract: A radiation detector according to this invention has a first reflector frame and a second reflector frame. Each of scintillation counter crystals is inserted in a direction through the first reflector frame and the second reflector frame, whereby two or more scintillation counter crystals are arranged in a first direction and a second direction to form a scintillation counter crystal layer. A position of the first reflector frame provided, in the scintillation counter crystal layer differs from a position of the second reflector frame provided in the scintillation counter crystal layer. With such construction, the radiation detector may be provided of significantly suppressed manufacturing costs without reducing spatial resolution and detecting sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda, Junichi Ohi
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Patent number: 9508127Abstract: A method for reducing a linear artifact in a medical image. The method includes identifying, in the medical image, a region occupied by the linear artifact and isolating, in the region, a signal intensity component attributed to the linear artifact from an overall signal intensity of the region. The method further includes obtaining a corrected signal intensity by subtracting, in the region, the signal intensity component attributed to the linear artifact from the overall signal intensity of the region, and, after obtaining the corrected signal intensity, correcting a contrast in the region to match the contrast in surrounding regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.Inventors: Shinsuke Katsuhara, Ronald Larcom, Satoshi Kasai
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Patent number: 9498168Abstract: A method is disclosed for x-ray CT scanning with a dual-source system, in which two radiation bundles are each delimited by diaphragms such that these radiation bundles are free of mutual points of intersection at least in the examination object. An embodiment of the invention also relates to a dual source CT system, including a controller configured to control radiation-delimiting diaphragms, which delimit and align the radiation bundles such that these run free of mutual points of intersection at least in the examination object.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Thomas Allmendinger
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Patent number: 9495769Abstract: A method is disclosed for the reconstruction of image data of an object under examination from measured data, wherein the measured data has been acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination. A delimited area between the radiation source and a detector represents a field of view, in respect of which measured data can be acquired. During the measured data acquisition, parts of the object under examination were located at least partly outside of the field of view. A reconstruction is carried out of first image data from the measured data. The first image data is modified via a threshold value comparison, and the modified data is processed with a morphological filter, and projection data is calculated. The measured data is modified using the projection data, and, second image data is reconstructed.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Herbert Bruder, Harald Schöndube
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Patent number: 9494534Abstract: A method and system to determine material composition of an object comprises capturing a series of digital radiographic images of the object using a single exposure energy level. An intensity of the captured images is determined as well as phase shift differences. A difference in material composition of the object may be determined based on a combination of the determined intensity and the modulated phase shifts of the captured images.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Pavlo Baturin, Mark E. Shafer
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Patent number: 9488737Abstract: An imaging system includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog pixel value into a first digital pixel value. The imaging system also includes an index value source configured to receive the first digital pixel value from the analog-to-digital converter and to generate a digital index value based on a comparison of the first digital pixel value to a digital reference value. In addition, the imaging system includes a transmitter in communication with the index value source and configured to transmit the digital index value. Further, the imaging system includes an image processing component configured to receive the digital index value and to generate a second digital pixel value based at least in part on the received digital index value and a lookup table of the image processing component.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Richard Larry Anderton, Brian James Grekowicz, Bela Janos Kiraly
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Patent number: 9480444Abstract: An x-ray system, such as a computed tomography system, has an x-ray source, a projection detector arrangement associated with the x-ray source for the acquisition of projection data of an examination subject, and a monitor detector that measures current dose measurement data of the x-ray radiation. The monitor detector is designed and arranged to detect a portion of the x-ray radiation that does not travel through the examination subject. The monitor detector is formed as an energy-resolving detector. Furthermore, a method for the acquisition of projection data of an examination subject a method to generate image data make use of such an x-ray system.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Steffen Kappler
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Patent number: 9482630Abstract: A CT scanner apparatus includes an X-ray source mounted on a gantry of the CT scanner apparatus. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a first X-ray detector mounted on the gantry opposite to the X-ray source, and configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source and transmitted through an object. The CT scanner apparatus also includes a fixed, sparse array of second X-ray detectors. Each of the second X-ray detectors includes a plurality of stacked scintillators and a photosensor adjacent to a sidewall of the stacked scintillators in a side-readout configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Gin Chung Wang, Daniel Gagnon, Michael Silver, Yu Zou
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Patent number: 9474500Abstract: A system and method is provided which allows for the transfer of an image data file such as a medical image data file. Device scan slices of an object are acquired per time point. A portion of the device scan slices of the object, e.g., live body organ, per time point which illustrate a change in the object from a previous time point is selected. At least one optical temporal image in spiral fashion per time interval is formed from the selected portion. The at least one optical temporal image is transmittable as an image data file to a location.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New YorkInventors: Michael Poon, Satya P. Sharma, Arie Kaufman, Rong Zhao, Jacob Sharony
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Patent number: 9476995Abstract: An x-ray detector, especially for a computed tomograph, includes a number of detector modules arranged next to one another in a stacking direction with a front side, which during operation is oriented towards an x-ray source, and with a rear side lying opposite the front side. For screening against x-rays which pass during operation through an installation between two adjacent detector modules, an absorption element is positioned on the rear side of the two adjacent detector modules.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Claus Pohan
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Patent number: 9462988Abstract: A multiple modality imaging system includes a cone-beam computed tomography scanner which acquires CT projection data of a subject in an examination region and a nuclear imaging scanner which concurrently/subsequently acquires nuclear projection data of the subject in the examination region. A CT reconstruction processor is programmed to perform the steps of: in the CT projection data, defining a field-of-view (FoV) with a voxel grid in a trans-axial direction; determining the subject's maximum trans-axial extents; generating an extending FoV by extending the voxel grid of the FoV to at least one extended region outside the FoV that encompass at least the determined maximum trans-axial extents and all attenuation in the trans-axial direction; and iteratively reconstructing the CT projection data into an attenuation map of the extended FoV. At least one nuclear reconstruction processor is programmed to correct the acquired nuclear projection data based on the iteratively reconstructed attenuation map.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Eberhard Sebastian Hansis
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Patent number: 9451924Abstract: Methods and systems provide an integrated display, on a single screen, of images obtained from multiple modalities used in screening a subject. The methods and systems are usable with 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging, by which a single screen displays a screen image from a first modality. A window delineating an area of interest is placed on a first modality image from the first modality, and this area of interest is then displayed on a second modality image from a second modality, thereby providing a combined image representing the area of interest through both modalities. Preferably, the first modality image corresponds and/or is correlated with the second modality image.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sylvain Bernard, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Vincent S. Polkus, Xavier Bouchevreau
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Patent number: 9449385Abstract: An apparatus is provided to reconstruct an image using combined third-generation energy-integrating computed tomography projection data and fourth-generation spectrally resolved computed tomography projection data. The apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to obtain first projection data representing projection data from an energy-integrating detector; obtain second projection data representing projection data from a photon-counting spectrally discriminating detector; and reconstruct a first combined-system basis image and a second combined-system basis image by solving a combined-system matrix equation using the first projection data and the second projection data.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Adam Petschke, Yu Zou, Zhou Yu