Testing Or Calibration Patents (Class 378/207)
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Patent number: 10977839Abstract: A method for determining assignment data is carried out in a method for determining a geometry calibration. The 3D calibration phantom features a calibration object with a number of calibration elements, which are arranged so that a descriptor based on the spatial arrangement is projectively invariant. Based upon the descriptor the calibration elements mapped in the 2D transmission element can be assigned to the calibration elements of the calibration object, so that the geometry calibration is determined on the basis of this assignment and the arrangement of the calibration elements in the three-dimensional space as well as on the 2D image.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBHInventors: Andre Aichert, Andreas Maier, Tobias Wuerfl
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Patent number: 10930028Abstract: An imaging method for computed tomographic system (1) includes following steps of: controlling a computed tomographic system (1) to receive a description operation for configuring description data; selecting one of a plurality of imaging parameter sets corresponding to different template data, wherein each imaging parameter set is used to maximize a contrast-to-noise ratio of the three-dimensional imaging data (34) matching with the corresponding template data; and, controlling the computed tomographic system (1) to execute a three-dimensional imaging operation according to the selected imaging parameter set for obtaining the three-dimensional imaging data (34). The present disclosed example has the ability of effectively reducing a technical threshold of operating the computed tomographic system (1) via automatically selecting the suitable one of the complex imaging parameter sets according to the comprehensible description operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Sih-Yu Chen, Jhih-Shian Lee, Wen-Chieh Yang, Fang-Jing Li
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Patent number: 10925572Abstract: A geometric calibration method for dual-axis digital tomosynthesis includes the steps of: providing a calibration phantom having a first plate, a second plate parallel to the first plate, and mark points distributed to the first and second plates; arranging any mark point at the first plate not to be vertically collinear with a mark point at the second plate; projecting the calibration phantom onto a planar detector to obtain a projected calibration-phantom image; deriving a conversion relationship between the mark point and the corresponding projected position at the planar detector to further establish a projection matrix related to an imaging system; and, applying the projection matrix to calculate a plurality of geometric parameters. In addition, a geometric calibration system for dual-axis digital tomosynthesis is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.CInventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Sheng-Pin Tseng, Yu-Ching Ni, Fan-Pin Tseng
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Patent number: 10912181Abstract: A method is for detecting high-voltage flashovers in X-ray equipment including an X-ray emitter and a high-voltage supply. The X-ray emitter has an X-ray tube, surrounded by an insulating medium; and the high-voltage supply has a high-voltage generator and a cable. The cable is at least part of a connecting passage between the high-voltage generator and the X-ray tube. During normal operation of the X-ray equipment, an interference pulse, which occurs due to the high-voltage flashover in the connecting passage, is detected and evaluated with the aid of a measuring device, including a measuring element. As such, an assessment of the condition of the X-ray emitter and of other high voltage-carrying components, and measures that follow, are made using the evaluated interference pulse.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBHInventor: Bernhard Gebert
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Patent number: 10888299Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray detection device and an apparatus and method for calibrating an X-ray detector, the method for calibrating an X-ray detector comprising: retrieving a calibration parameter stored in the X-ray detector relative to the X-ray detector; and calibrating the X-ray detector according to the calibration parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Peijun Chen, Wei Zhao, Yongtao Tan, Rowland Saunders
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Patent number: 10881372Abstract: In an X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray irradiation unit, an X-ray detection unit, a control unit configured to control irradiation of an X-ray, an X-ray image processing unit configured to operate independently of the control unit, and a storage battery for the X-ray image processing unit and the control unit are provided. The X-ray image processing unit is configured to acquire information on a remaining amount of the storage battery from the control unit and perform processing of reducing power consumption of the X-ray image processing unit when the remaining amount of the storage battery is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Keita Gotoh
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Patent number: 10856835Abstract: Phantoms for use in calibrating a dual energy imaging system and methods for their use. The phantoms include a body having at least first and second portions arranged in a through-thickness direction of the body. The first portion defines an anterior surface of the body and contains a first material simulating soft tissue and a second material simulating bone. The second portion contains a third material simulating lung tissue and at least a first object embedded in the third material and formed of a fourth material simulating tumor tissue. The first and second portions of the body are configured such that the second material in the first portion superimposes the first object in the second portion in the through-thickness direction of the body relative to the anterior surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Loyola University ChicagoInventors: John C. Roeske, Rakesh Patel, Maksat Haytmyradov
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Patent number: 10828003Abstract: A digital X-ray detector is provided. The digital X-ray detector includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to obtain an electromagnetic interference (EMI) frequency of an EMI signal, to receive a signal to start a scan, to ensure EMI noise is in a same phase during acquisition of offset images and read images to enable a subtraction of the EMI noise, and to start the scan.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare, LLCInventors: Mahesh Raman Narayanaswamy, Catherine Noel Bailey, Joseph John Kulak, Jeffrey Alan Kautzer, Douglas Albagli, Jeffrey Lange
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Patent number: 10810564Abstract: A decision support system initially determines in response to the creation of a customer ticket a customer's driving style in accordance with user responses and input regarding driving habits and preferences, and calculates a driving style algorithm. The system compares the driving style algorithm to car tire profiles and determines which tires are best suited to the customer's driving style algorithm. Upon said determination, the selected car tires are presented to the customer for final selection in a comprehensive service platform environment for creating, forwarding, performing, and completing customer tickets amongst front end devices comprising a computer kiosk and a customer's mobile device, and a back end device comprising an employee's mobile device. Tickets created via a front end device are forwarded for performance to the back end device, wherein upon completion of service the ticket is finalized and forwarded back to a front end device for review and payment.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Matthew R. Kolton, John T. Stoner, Joyce R. Barbieri, Timothy J. Netzel, Amber C. Holm, Kimberly M. Hughes
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Patent number: 10809337Abstract: A method and a device for reconstructing magnetic resonance images with different contrasts are provided. According to an example of the method, after collecting magnetic resonance signal data recorded in k-space of N contrasts by N number of magnetic scans, a first image for each of the contrasts may be obtained by performing image reconstruction according to the magnetic resonance signal data corresponding to the contrast; an association coefficient of each of the contrasts may be determined according to the first images for the N contrasts; and a second image shared with the N contrasts may be obtained by performing image reconstruction based on the magnetic resonance signal data of the N contrasts and the association coefficient of each of the N contrasts. In this way, a reconstructed image for each of the contrast may be obtained by combining the association coefficient of the contrast with the second image.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Shanghai Neusoft Medical Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Feng Huang
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Patent number: 10804605Abstract: The system and method of calibrating a receiver array using a quaternionic scattering model. The calibration method is model based, quick, and suitable for sparse sampling of the array. The calibration scheme can be cheaply and rapidly deployed, either from operational test data or from rapid ground calibration experiments. The model allows for closed loop calibration repair during actual geolocation or line of bearing collects.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventor: Matthew C. Bromberg
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Patent number: 10725188Abstract: Photon-counting x-ray detectors (3) suffer from a degradation of their performance due to polarization. In order to correct the effects of polarization to the generated x-ray images, the invention suggests (i) exposing the radiation detector (3) to a first radiation pulse emitted by a further radiation source (11) and obtaining a first electric pulse signal generated by the radiation detector (3) in response thereto, (ii) later exposing the 5 radiation detector (3) to a second radiation pulse emitted by the further radiation source (11) during the acquisition of the image and obtaining a second electric pulse signal generated by the radiation detector (3) in response thereto, and (iii) comparing amplitudes of the first and second electric pulse signals and generating the x-ray image based on a result of the comparison. The invention provides a corresponding x-ray device and a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Ewald Roessl, Heiner Daerr
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Patent number: 10706595Abstract: A method for reconstructing an object via tomography is provided. The method includes: acquiring a plurality of projections of the object at different angles via an imaging system; backprojecting each projection of the plurality to generate an intermediate image of each projection via at least one processor of the imaging system; and applying a filter to each intermediate image via the at least one processor. The filter is based at least in part on a noise model and an image model.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Cyril Riddell
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Patent number: 10698125Abstract: Time of flight (TOF) corrections for radiation detector elements of a TOF positron emission tomography (TOF PET) scanner are generated by solving an over-determined set of equations defined by calibration data acquired by the TOF PET scanner from a point source located at an isocenter of the TOF PET scanner, suitably represented as matrix equation Formula I=CS where Formula I represents TOF time differences, C is a relational matrix encoding the radiation detector elements, and S represents the TOF corrections. A pseudo-inverse C?1 of relational matrix C may be computed to solve S=C?1 Formula I. TOF corrections can be generated for a particular type of detector unit by identifying the radiation detector elements in C by detector unit. Further, multi-photon triggering time stamps can be adjusted to first-photon triggering based on Formula II where P1 is average photon count using first-photon triggering and Pm is a photon count using multi-photon triggering.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Sharon Xiaorong Wang, Thomas Leroy Laurence
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Patent number: 10638994Abstract: A method and system for producing tomosynthetic images of a patient's breast. An x-ray source that delivers x-rays through a breast immobilized and compressed between a compression paddle and a breast platform and form an image at a digital x-ray receptor panel. Multiple x-ray images are taken as the x-ray source and the receptor move relative to the immobilized breast. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray source travels from ?15° to +15°. The source can travel in an arc around the breast while the receptor travels linearly while remaining parallel and at the same distance from the breast platform. The sets of x-ray image data taken at different angles are to combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Hologic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Baorui Ren, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
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Patent number: 10605737Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Austin B. Tomaney, Mark F. Oldham
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Patent number: 10603514Abstract: A radiotherapy system comprising at least one pulsed radiation source, at least one imaging system, a control system, and a synchronization system is disclosed. The pulsed radiation source deposits high dose radiation pulses to a target region inside the patient; simultaneously the imaging system is used to monitor the target region, synchronized by the synchronization system. The dose per radiation pulse is high enough to deposit, within few pulses, 1 Gy at a depth of at least 1 cm in water. At each irradiation time step, the pulsed radiation source delivers short pulses of radiation (<1 ms) and the imaging system performs a snapshot of the position, and eventually the shape, of the target region during the irradiation time, with a time resolution better than 200 ms. Being both the pulsed radiation source and imaging system synchronized by the synchronization system with less than 200 ms jitter, this system allows for very precise reconstruction of the map of the dose deposited into the target region.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: FYZIKALNI USTAV AV CR, V.V.I.Inventors: Gabriele Maria Grittani, Tadzio Levato, Carlo Maria Lazzarini, Georg Korn
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Patent number: 10595803Abstract: A signal processing method is disclosed, which includes detecting a total intensity of X-rays passing through an object comprising multiple materials; obtaining at least one set of basis information of basis material information of the multiple materials and basis component information of photon-electric absorption basis component and Compton scattering basis component of the object; estimating a scatter intensity component of the detected X-rays based on the at least one set of basis information and the detected total intensity; and obtaining an intensity estimate of primary X-rays incident on a detector based on the detected total intensity and the estimated scatter intensity component. An imaging system adopting the above signal processing method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xue Rui, Mingye Wu, Yannan Jin, Peter Michael Edic, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man
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Patent number: 10578702Abstract: An imaging phantom having a housing and a dynamic perfusion assembly positioned within the housing. The dynamic perfusion assembly permits the flow of at least one contrast agent into a non-contrast solution at a desired rate. The dynamic perfusion assembly includes a first chamber that receives at least one contrast agent and a second chamber that receives a non-contrast solution. The second chamber receives the at least one contrast agent from the first chamber at the desired rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignees: UAB Research Foundation, Southern Research InstituteInventor: Harrison Kim
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Patent number: 10539689Abstract: Novel and advantageous methods and systems for performing computed tomography (CT) imaging are disclosed. Electrodes can be connected to appropriate surface sites of a detector element of a CT scanner to capture nearby electron-hole pairs generated by X-rays received on the detector element. This detection can be performed in current-integrating/energy-integrating mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong, Zaifeng Shi
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Patent number: 10470723Abstract: The invention relates to an x-ray device (1) for imaging an object (41). A radiation detector (3) of the x-ray device includes detector elements (21) for detecting radiation, each detector element (21) comprising an adjustable sensitive volume, where an x-ray photon entering the sensitive volume produces an electric signal used for generating the image data. Further, the device comprises a control unit (9) configured to control the sensitive volume of at least one of the detector elements (21) in accordance with a geometric structure of the object (41) to be imaged in order to reduce a pile-up effect in the detector element. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for operating the device (1) and to a computer program for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Christoph Herrmann
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Patent number: 10458926Abstract: A phantom body (PB) for use in a differential phase contrast imaging apparatus (IM) for calibration of same. The phantom body (PB) allows for simultaneous calibration of three different image signal channels, namely refraction, phase shift and small angle scattering.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Udo Van Stevendaal, Heiner Daerr, Thomas Koehler, Gerhard Martens, Ewald Roessl
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Patent number: 10383203Abstract: Technology is described for calibrating a deflected position of a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation imager. An x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert a position correction value to the steering signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Meiler, Bradley D Canfield, Colton B Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
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Patent number: 10383202Abstract: Technology is described for electronically aligning a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation detector. In an example, an x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert an offset value to the steering signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Bradley D Canfield, Michael Meiler, Colton B Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
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Patent number: 10373345Abstract: Learning methods and systems are provided for predictive medical image calibration. In various embodiments, a request is received from a user for an image. One or more characteristic of the image is determined. One or more characteristic of the user is determined. A generalized linear model is applied to the one or more characteristic of the image and the one or more characteristic of the user to determine one or more image transformation. The one or more image transformation is applied to the image. The generalized linear model is updated based on any user-applied image transformations.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Dennis G. Moore
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Patent number: 10346957Abstract: In a method for image enhancement of image data of a dental image generation system, comprising a first image generating unit (205, 210) for producing two-dimensional image data and a second image generating unit (250, 255) for producing three-dimensional image data, wherein for an object to be examined (220, 222) the image generation system provides both two-dimensional image data and three-dimensional image data, it is in particular provided that the two-dimensional image data and the three-dimensional image data are merged in such a way that the image quality and/or the information content of the two-dimensional image data or of the three-dimensional image data is improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.Inventors: Johannes Ulrici, Ulrich Schulze-Ganzlin, Ciamak Abkai
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Patent number: 10302713Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for determining absolute three-dimensional reception sensitivity maps for reception coils in a scanner of the magnetic resonance, in particular a scanner having a basic magnetic field strength of at least 3 T, in the presence of a subject under examination that affects the reception sensitivity, spatially resolved subject parameters are determined, which specify electromagnetic properties of the subject under examination, and coil-geometry parameters are determined, which specify the spatial arrangement of the reception coils in the magnetic resonance scanner. The reception sensitivity maps are determined by simulation in a model specified by the subject parameters and the coil-geometry parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Popescu
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Patent number: 10286472Abstract: A processor receives solder paste information, where the solder paste information describes a solder paste used in assembly of a printed circuit board. A processor determines a minimum magnetic force required for removing the solder paste from the printed circuit board based on the solder paste information. A processor receives electromagnet information, where the electromagnet information describes an electromagnet used in cleaning of a misprint of the solder paste on the printed circuit board. A processor determines a minimum amount of power to provide the electromagnet to induce the minimum magnetic force in the electromagnet, where the determination of the amount of power is based on the electromagnet information and the minimum magnetic force. A processor adjusts an amount of power applied to the electromagnet to at least the determined minimum amount of power to clean the misprint of the solder paste from the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Xingquan Dong, Yanlong Hou, LiCen Mu, Ben Wu, WeiFeng Zhang
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Patent number: 10286471Abstract: A processor receives solder paste information, where the solder paste information describes a solder paste used in assembly of a printed circuit board. A processor determines a minimum magnetic force required for removing the solder paste from the printed circuit board based on the solder paste information. A processor receives electromagnet information, where the electromagnet information describes an electromagnet used in cleaning of a misprint of the solder paste on the printed circuit board. A processor determines a minimum amount of power to provide the electromagnet to induce the minimum magnetic force in the electromagnet, where the determination of the amount of power is based on the electromagnet information and the minimum magnetic force. A processor adjusts an amount of power applied to the electromagnet to at least the determined minimum amount of power to clean the misprint of the solder paste from the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Xingquan Dong, Yanlong Hou, LiCen Mu, Ben Wu, WeiFeng Zhang
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Patent number: 10278664Abstract: A first image obtaining unit obtains a plurality of projection images corresponding to different radiation source positions, the projection images being imaged under a first imaging condition for tomosynthesis imaging, and a second image obtaining unit obtains a two-dimensional image imaged with a given radiation source position under a second imaging condition for simple imaging. An image quality correction unit performs image quality correction on the projection images to compensate for a difference of image quality between the projection images and the two-dimensional image based on a difference between the first imaging condition and the second imaging condition. A reconstruction unit reconstructs the projection images having been subjected to the image quality correction and the two-dimensional image to generate a tomographic image of a slice plane of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventor: Junya Morita
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Patent number: 10238360Abstract: In an example, a method for air calibration is provided. An initial scanning condition may be generated from a subject scanning sequence of medical equipment, wherein, the subject scanning sequence is generated when a subject is scanned by the medical equipment to obtain an image of the subject and recorded in association with a subject ID uniquely identifying the subject. An air calibration scanning condition may be obtained by correcting the initial scanning condition. An air calibration may be performed on the medical equipment according to the air calibration scanning condition to generate air calibration data.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Shenyang Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Qinghe Song
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Patent number: 10219775Abstract: A photon-counting X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a detector, a photon counting circuitry, a correcting circuitry, and a calculating circuitry. The X-ray tube irradiates a subject with X-rays. The detector includes a plurality of detection elements that detect photons of X-rays incident on the detection elements. The photon counting circuitry counts the count of X-ray photons for each energy bin set in an X-ray energy distribution, for each position of the X-ray tube, and for each of the detection elements. The correcting circuitry corrects the count of the X-ray photons counted by the photon counting circuitry, based on a detection characteristic, of the detection elements. The calculating circuitry calculates the reliability of a pixel in a reconstruction image, based on the correction.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Nakai, Mikihito Hayashi, Tooru Kato
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Patent number: 10219774Abstract: A quality control phantom comprises a container and a frame to secure quality control accessories in position within the container during radiologic exposure testing.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert, Karin Toepfer
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Patent number: 10172585Abstract: An imaging system such as a medical C-arm x-ray fluoroscopy machine includes a tracking system that tracks a position of an x-ray source and an x-ray detector using sensors which monitor positions of joints which allow relative motions of segments in a support for the x-ray source and detector. Sensor readings are used in a kinematic chain. One or more segments that behave in a non-rigid manner are replaced by a virtual rigid link in the kinematic chain that takes into account deformations of the segments (e.g. under the influence of gravity). Calibration methods permit calibration of the system using images of phantoms.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Torus Biomedical Solutions Inc.Inventor: Shahram Amiri
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Patent number: 10145968Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for efficiently mining multi-threshold measurements acquired using photon counting pixel-array detectors for spectral imaging and diffraction analyses. Images of X-ray intensity as a function of X-ray energy were recorded on a 6 megapixel X-ray photon counting array detector through linear fitting of the measured counts recorded as a function of counting threshold. An analytical model is disclosed for describing the probability density of detected voltage, utilizing fractional photon counting to account for edge/corner effects from voltage plumes that spread across multiple pixels. Three-parameter fits to the model were independently performed for each pixel in the array for X-ray scattering images acquired for 13.5 keV and 15.0 keV X-ray energies. From the established pixel responses, multi-threshold composite images produced from the sum of 13.5 keV and 15.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Garth Jason Simpson, Ryan Douglas Muir, Nicholas Roman Pogranichniy
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Patent number: 10111628Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an overlapping unit configured to overlap a 2-Dimensional (2D) blood vessel image with a 2D fluoroscopy image to acquire a 2D roadmap image corresponding to a first position, a detector configured to detect a location of a surgical tool from the 2D roadmap image corresponding to the first position, and detect a blood vessel corresponding to the location of the surgical tool from a 3-Dimensional (3D) blood vessel image, and a User Interface (UI) processor configured to mark the 2D roadmap image with the location of the surgical tool with an identifier in the detected blood vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae Hak Lee, Dong Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung
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Patent number: 10063438Abstract: A system for securely distributing and managing resources includes a smart device, a resource management device, and a third party system, each having communication interfaces, and memory device, and processing device. In the resource management device, the processing device is configured to: receive from a smart device a set of smart device data via the smart device communication interface; detect within the set of smart device data a subset of data associated with a failure condition of the smart device; and communicate a set of instruction information to a third party system, wherein the instruction information is usable by the third party system to initiate a targeted communication between a host entity system associated with the smart device and the custodian such that maintenance, repair, and/or replacement of the smart device can be effectuated.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Bank of America CorporationInventors: Michael Emil Ogrinz, Evan Sachs, Stephen A. Corrado, Joseph Benjamin Castinado, Matthew Hsieh
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Patent number: 10006758Abstract: CT scanning techniques and systems thereof are disclosed. In various embodiments, a body surface measuring point of a subject on a scanning bed can be identified according to a frontal image captured by a first image capturing device. A measuring projection angle can be acquired using the body surface measuring point. A lateral image of the subject can be captured using a second image capturing device. Based on the lateral image, a vertical distance between the body surface measuring point and the scanning bed, a current height and the initial height of the scanning bed, a horizontal position of the body surface measuring point under the initial height can be acquired. A horizontal position of the body surface measuring point under the current height can be determined based on above acquired parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Shenyang Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Gang Yan
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Patent number: 10001567Abstract: An X-ray detector comprises a directly converting semiconductor layer having a plurality of pixels for converting incident radiation into electrical measurement signals with a band gap energy characteristic of the semiconductor layer, wherein said incident radiation is x-ray radiation emitted by an x-ray source or light omitted by at least one light source. An evaluation unit calculates evaluation signals per pixel or group of pixels from first electrical measurement signals generated when light from said at least one light source at a first intensity is coupled into the semiconductor layer, and second electrical measurement signals generated when light from said at least one light source at a second intensity is coupled into the semiconductor layer. A detection unit determines detection signals from electrical measurement signals generated when x-ray radiation is incident onto the semiconductor layer, and a calibration unit calibrates the detection unit on the basis of the evaluation signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Heiner Daerr
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Patent number: 9993214Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying device including: a display section that displays a pair of mutually related sectional images; a reception section that, for one of the sectional image pair, receives a successive change instruction for a slice position; a generation section that generates a combined sectional image, corresponding to the slice position of the one sectional image, from the other sectional image of the pair; and a controller that, in cases in which the reception section has received the successive change instruction, effects control to switch display of the one sectional image from the one sectional image being displayed to the one sectional image that corresponds to the slice position indicated in the instruction, and, in conjunction with switching, to successively switch display of the other sectional image from the other sectional image that is being displayed to the combined sectional image.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventors: Masakazu Fukuyo, Tomoki Inoue
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Patent number: 9980695Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing artefacts that are caused particularly by disturbance bodies and/or metal bodies in computed tomography (CT) images by means of a regulated iteration process that can be integrated particularly into a process for processing measurement data and preferably into a superordinate process for data alignment.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: UNIVERSITAET ZU LUEBECK INSTITUT FUER MEDIZINTECHNIKInventors: Maik Stille, Thorsten M. Buzug
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Patent number: 9974514Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reducing image artifacts in X-ray image data includes dividing pixels of X-ray image data into a plurality of pixel value regions based on a pixel value of each pixel, wherein each pixel value region has a different range of pixel values. The method also includes generating calibrated X-ray image data for each pixel value region, wherein the respective calibrated X-ray image data for each pixel value region is generated using a different dose of radiation. Further, the method includes calculating a gain slope for each pixel value region based on the calibrated X-ray image data, and calculating a pixel gain correction for the pixels of the X-ray image data based on at least one of the calculated gain slopes.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: James Zhengshe Liu
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Patent number: 9953409Abstract: A tire inspection method includes: capturing a transmission image of a tire including a steel chafer at a bead portion; generating an image at an inspection device from the captured image of a full revolution of the tire with the steel chafer portions extracted using a spatial filter generated in accordance with an incline of the wires of the steel chafer; detecting a locus of a front side edge and a back side edge of the steel chafer; generating an image from the captured image with the steel chafer portions removed; detecting a locus of a turned-up edge of a carcass from this image; and determining at the inspection device the position of the carcass to be appropriate or not on the basis of the locus of the turned-up edge of the carcass.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventor: Hirotaro Tada
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Patent number: 9953441Abstract: A method for processing metal artifacts in a CT image is provided. The method may comprise: performing a first metal artifact processing on the original image to obtain a first processed image COR1 and extracting the high frequency portion of the first processed image COR1 to obtain a first high-frequency image COR1HF; performing a second metal artifact processing on the original image to obtain a second processed image COR2 and extracting the high frequency portion of the processed image COR2 second to obtain a second high-frequency image COR2HF; perform a weighted combination the first processed image COR1, the first high-frequency image COR1HF and the second high-frequency image COR2HF by using a weighting function W to obtain a result image CORImp containing no metal artifact, but information of area near the metal artifact.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Shenyang Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junlong Han, Ling Pang, Shanshan Lou
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Patent number: 9943282Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an estimation unit, a noise reduction unit, and an output unit. The estimation unit estimates a scattered-ray component contained in a radiation image acquired by irradiating an object with a radiation, wherein the scattered-ray component originates from a scattered ray which is a radiation scattered in the object. The noise reduction unit reduces a noise component included in the radiation image in accordance with first noise information obtained from the radiation image and second noise information obtained from a scattered-ray reduction image obtained by reducing the scattered-ray component from the radiation image. The output unit outputs a correction image obtained by reducing the scattered-ray component and the noise component in the radiation image.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Katsumata
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Patent number: 9936934Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for calibrating a CT scan without the use of an external calibration phantom, to enable quantitative assessment of internal body tissues and organs and additionally for any application that would benefit from a calibration of the scan attenuation data, such as viewing CT images in a consistent fashion. Embodiments are described with applications to quantitative assessment of bone density in the spine and hip, mineral content in blood vessels, hepatic-fat content in the liver, and gray-to-white matter ratio in the brain. The primary advantages of the method are that it does not require the use of an external calibration phantom, it is robust across different CT machines and scanner settings, and it is also highly precise, lending itself to a high degree of automation.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: O.N.Diagnostics, LLCInventors: David L. Kopperdahl, David Choen Lee, Tony M. Keaveny
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Patent number: 9931098Abstract: A method of operating a tomographic imaging system whereby a plurality of radiographic images of an object are captured at a first orientation of the system's source and detector. After the radiographic images are captured and stored, geometric calibration data for the system is measured, corresponding to the first orientation of the system. A three dimensional image of the object is reconstructed using the measured geometric calibration data corresponding to the first orientation.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Frank West, Nathan J. Packard
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Patent number: 9903958Abstract: There is provided a method for at least partly determining the orientation of an edge-on x-ray detector with respect to the direction of x-rays from an x-ray source. The method includes obtaining (S1) information from measurements, performed by the x-ray detector, representing the intensity of the x-rays at a minimum of two different relative positions of a phantom in relation to the x-ray detector and the x-ray source, the phantom being situated between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector and designed to embed directional information in the x-ray field when exposed to x-rays. The method also includes determining (S2) at least one parameter associated with the orientation of the x-ray detector with respect to the direction of x-rays based on the obtained information from measurements and a geometrical model of the spatial configuration of the x-ray detector, x-ray source and phantom.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: PRISMATIC SENSORS ABInventors: Martin Sjolin, Fredrik Gronberg
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Patent number: 9897708Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for calculating an output spectrum of a photon-counting detector based on an incident spectrum. The apparatus includes processing circuitry to determine a plane extending from a top face of the photon-counting detector that includes regions that all possible incident rays will transverse; divide the determined plane into subregions; calculate a detector response function for each of the subregions; determine an overall detector response function by summing the calculated detector response function for each of the subregions and normalizing the summation by an area of the determined plane; and calculate the output spectrum based on the overall detector response function and the incident spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Chunguang Cao, Yu Zou, Xiaolan Wang, Miesher L. Rodrigues, Yuexing Zhang
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Patent number: 9886765Abstract: A subject image is acquired. A virtual model of the subject having a predetermined body thickness distribution is acquired. A composite image of an estimated primary X-ray image, which is obtained by estimating a primary X-ray image of the virtual model obtained by radiography from the virtual model, and an estimated scattered X-ray image, which is obtained by estimating a scattered X-ray image of the virtual model obtained by radiography from the virtual model, is generated as an estimated image which is obtained by estimating a radiographic image of the subject obtained by radiography. The body thickness distribution of the virtual model is corrected such that a difference between the estimated image and the subject image is reduced. The corrected body thickness distribution of the virtual model is determined as the body thickness distribution of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Satoshi Naito