Dynamic Tomography Patents (Class 378/23)
  • Patent number: 12023193
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system using multiple pulsed X-ray source pairs in-motion to perform highly efficient and ultrafast 3D radiography is presented. The sources move simultaneously on arc trajectory at a constant speed as a group. Each individual source also moves rapidly around its static position in a small distance, but one moves in opposite direction to the other to cancel out linear momentum. Trajectory can also be arranged at a ring structure horizontally. In X-ray source pairs each moves in opposite angular direction to another to cancel out angular momentum. When an individual X-ray source has a speed that equals to group speed but an opposite linear or angular direction, the individual X-ray source is triggered through an external exposure control unit. This allows the source to stay relatively standstill during activation. 3D data can be acquired with wider view in shorter time and image analysis is real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: AIxSCAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianqiang Liu, Manat Maolinbay, Chwen-yuan Ku, Linbo Yang
  • Patent number: 11790602
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and method capable of curbing coding efficiency reduction. On the basis of position information indicating positions of points of a point cloud in units of first regions, for each second region composed of a plurality of first regions, a neighboring pattern of each first region including the points is specified by identifying whether or not each neighboring region adjacent to a processing target region includes the points or is positioned outside the second region including the processing target region, a context is selected according to the specified neighboring pattern, and the position information is coded using the selected context. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an information processing device, an image processing device, a coding device, a decoding device, an electronic apparatus, an information processing method, a program, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yano, Tsuyoshi Kato, Satoru Kuma, Ohji Nakagami, Hiroyuki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11481936
    Abstract: A method for establishing a three-dimensional tomosynthesis data record of a target volume from two-dimensional projection images recorded with a recording arrangement including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector in different recording geometries is provided. During or after a reconstruction step, a deconvolution technique is used for reducing image artifacts of the tomosynthesis data record occurring due to lacking information. The projection images are recorded along a linear recording trajectory of the X-ray source. The reconstruction and the use of the deconvolution technique take place in a plurality of different two-dimensional reconstruction planes that are spanned by the recording trajectory and, in each case, a definition point in the target volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Gemmel, Gerhard Kleinszig, Björn Kreher, Holger Kunze, Jessica Magaraggia, Markus Weiten
  • Patent number: 11386992
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for displaying a fused reconstructed image with a multidimensional image are disclosed. An example imaging system receives a selection corresponding to a portion of a displayed multidimensional visualization of a surgical site. At the selected portion of the multidimensional visualization, the imaging system displays a portion of a three-dimensional image which corresponds to the selected multidimensional visualization such that the displayed portion of the at least one of the three-dimensional image or model is fused with the displayed multidimensional visualization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, George Charles Polchin, Yen Ting Ng
  • Patent number: 11096644
    Abstract: 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 combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth DeFreitas, Baorui Ren, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 11029263
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for inspecting a component. The device can have a detector positioning system coupled to a detector and operable to move the detector within five degrees of freedom. The device can have an emitter positioning system operably coupled to the emitter and operable to move the emitter in three dimensions. The device can move the detector to a reference point above the component, the reference point being separated by a radius (?) on the applicate axis from an inspection point on the component. The controller can also receive at least one input from a display, and command the detector to a detector position within a spherical dome centered on the reference point based on the at least one input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Integrated-X, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Fung, Bruk Sahilu, Valentin Macavei, Huy Ly
  • Patent number: 11020066
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of a cabinet x-ray incorporating a stationary x-ray source array, and an x-ray detector, for the production of organic and non-organic images. Stationary x-ray digital cabinet tomosynthesis systems and related methods are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein can include an x-ray tomosynthesis system having a plurality of stationary field emission x-ray sources configured to irradiate a location for positioning an object to be imaged with x-ray beams to generate projection images of the object. An x-ray detector can be configured to detect the projection images of the object. A projection image reconstruction function can be configured to reconstruct tomography images of the object based on the projection images of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the x-ray source or sources are statically affixed in a range from about 350° to and including about 10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Kub Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Butani, Yan Chen, Chester Lowe, Vignesh Mandalapa-Bhoopathy, Edwin Maria-Selvaraj, Roberto Velasco, Peter Yasutake
  • Patent number: 10878560
    Abstract: A radiation image processing apparatus includes a display and a hardware processor. The display displays an image. The hardware processor is configured to perform the following, acquire radiographic moving image data comprising a plurality of frame images, subject the moving image data to predetermined analytical processing, generate an analyzed moving image comprising a plurality of analyzed frame images, select a plurality of specific analyzed frame images from the analyzed frame images of the analyzed moving image, derive a calculation signal value based on signal values of pixels having common coordinates positioned in common coordinates in the selected specific analyzed frame images, and cause a calculated image based on the calculation signal values generated according to coordinates to appear on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Shikou Kaneko, Keiko Itaya, Shinsuke Katsuhara
  • Patent number: 10830712
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of a cabinet x-ray incorporating an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and a real-time camera, either high definition or standard resolution, for the production of organic and non-organic images. The computing device can receive video data from the camera and the x-ray detector and determines, based on the video data, an overlay of the captured x-ray image with the captured real-time image or display images adjacently i.e. Picture-In-Picture (PIP). In particular, the disclosure relates to a system and method with corresponding apparatus for capturing a real-time image simultaneously with the x-ray image allowing a cabinet x-ray unit to attain and optimize images with exact orientation of the 2 images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Kub Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Butani, Yan Chen, Edwin Divakaran Maria-Selvaraj, Chester Lowe, Roberto Velasco
  • Patent number: 10805625
    Abstract: From a bit stream, at least the following are decoded: a stereoscopic image of first and second views; a maximum positive disparity between the first and second views; and a minimum negative disparity between the first and second views. In response to the maximum positive disparity violating a limit on positive disparity, a convergence plane of the stereoscopic image is adjusted to comply with the limit on positive disparity. In response to the minimum negative disparity violating a limit on negative disparity, the convergence plane is adjusted to comply with the limit on negative disparity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Veeramanikandan Raju, Wei Hong, Minhua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10786218
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu Fukuyo, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10748286
    Abstract: A dynamic image processing apparatus includes a hardware processor. The hardware processor extracts (i) a region of interest and/or (ii) a frame image of interest from a series of frame images obtained by dynamic imaging of a subject. Further, the hardware processor stores, of the series of the frame images, only (i) the extracted region of interest, (ii) the extracted frame image of interest or (iii) the extracted region of interest in the extracted frame image of interest in a storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kasai, Akinori Tsunomori
  • Patent number: 10740933
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for displaying a fused reconstructed image with a multidimensional image are disclosed. An example imaging system receives a selection corresponding to a portion of a displayed multidimensional visualization of a surgical site. At the selected portion of the multidimensional visualization, the imaging system displays a portion of at least one of a three-dimensional image or model which corresponds to the selected multidimensional visualization such that the displayed portion of the at least one of the three-dimensional image or model is fused with the displayed multidimensional visualization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, George Charles Polchin, Yen Ting Ng
  • Patent number: 10719223
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 10705001
    Abstract: An apparatus to provide multi-beam imaging of particles includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) configured to generate a plurality of light beams that converge with each other to form a measurement volume within a particle field. The plurality of the VCSELs are configured to provide uniformity in a background illumination of the measurement volume. An imaging optics is coupled to at least one of the plurality of VCSELs. A digital camera is coupled to the imaging optics to obtain a shadow image of a particle passing through the measurement volume at a focal plane of the digital camera. A processor is coupled to the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Artium Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Bachalo, Gregory A. Payne, Khalid Ibrahim, Michael J. Fidrich, Julien Manin
  • Patent number: 10670545
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of a cabinet x-ray incorporating an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and a real-time camera, either high definition or standard resolution, for the production of organic and non-organic images. The computing device can receive video data from the camera and the x-ray detector and determines, based on the video data, an overlay of the captured x-ray image with the captured real-time image or display images adjacently i.e. Picture-In-Picture (PIP). In particular, the disclosure relates to a system and method with corresponding apparatus for capturing a real-time image simultaneously with the x-ray image allowing a cabinet x-ray unit to attain and optimize images with exact orientation of the 2 images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Kub Technologies Inc
    Inventors: Vikram Butani, Yan Chen, Edwin Divakaran Maria-Selvaraj, Chester Lowe, Roberto Velasco
  • Patent number: 10578538
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ARTIUM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William D. Bachalo, Gregory A. Payne, Khalid Ibrahim, Michael J. Fidrich
  • Patent number: 10413262
    Abstract: Disclosed are a mammography system and a mammography imaging method that can prevent a subject from being exposed to radiation more than necessary by setting an optimum imaging condition according to a thickness of a subject's breast, and can obtain a high-quality medical image by setting an optimum FOV and correcting projection data according to the thickness of the breast. The mammography system includes: a mammography imaging device including a detector and an X-ray tube, and obtaining X-ray image data of a subject's breast from multiple angles; a thickness obtaining unit obtaining information on a thickness of the breast; and a rotation angle calculator calculating a rotation angle range of the X-ray tube, based on the information of the thickness of the breast, wherein the mammography imaging device obtains the X-ray image data from multiple angles by performing radiography while rotating the X-ray tube within the rotation angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Rayence Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Il Choi, Woong Bae, Tae Woo Kim, Keun Yeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10290122
    Abstract: A multi-spectral CT imaging method, preferably a CT imaging method, is described. Spectrally resolved projection scan data is acquired from a region to be imaged of an examination object. The data is assigned to a plurality of pre-determined different partial spectra. Spectrally resolved image data is reconstructed with a plurality of attenuation values for each image point of the region to be imaged. The attenuation values are each assigned to one of the pre-determined different partial spectra. Furthermore, an extremal attenuation value is determined for each image point on the basis of the plurality of attenuation values. A representative image data set is determined such that the determined extremal attenuation value is assigned to each image point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Allmendinger, Rainer Raupach, Bernhard Schmidt, Harald Schöndube
  • Patent number: 10291905
    Abstract: A method for depth mapping includes providing depth mapping resources, including a radiation source, which projects optical radiation into a volume of interest containing an object, and a sensor, which senses the optical radiation reflected from the object. The volume of interest has a depth that varies with angle relative to the radiation source and the sensor. A depth map of the object is generated using the resources while applying at least one of the resources non-uniformly over the volume of interest, responsively to the varying depth as a function of the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Zafrir Mor
  • Patent number: 10070835
    Abstract: A device and a related mammography method employing the device are described. The device comprises an x-ray source, an x-ray detector placed under a support plate for supporting an object and arranged to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, and a positioning assembly with an arm having multiple degrees of freedom which is a collaborative robot for positioning the x-ray source with respect to the support plate. A method for performing an imaging procedure, which includes placing an object of interest on the support plate; moving the x-ray source relative to the object of interest along a non-planar trajectory to avoid collision with the object; and activating the x-ray source and the x-ray detector so as to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, thus obtaining a set of x-ray images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Laurence Vancamberg, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Razvan Gabriel Iordache, Aurëlie Boudier
  • Patent number: 10070843
    Abstract: A control device includes: a radiation source controller that is configured to control a radiation source such that, by moving the radiation source, an incident angle of radiation with respect to a detection face of a radiation detector is plural angles including a first angle where an incident direction of radiation with respect to the detection face is a direction of a normal line to the detection face, and plural second angles different from the first angle; and an imaging controller that is configured to effect control of performing radiographic imaging plural times at a position of the radiation source where the incident angle is the first angle, and performing radiographic imaging a number of times that is less than the plural times at each position of the radiation source where the incident angle is one of the second angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naokazu Kamiya
  • Patent number: 10045749
    Abstract: An X-ray system (2) for acquiring an image of an object has an X-ray detector (8), which is segmented into a plurality of neighboring detector tiles. In particular, the image can be a two-dimensional projection image but also a three-dimensional volume of the object reconstructed from a tomosynthesis acquisition. An X-ray detector moving mechanism (18) is adapted for moving the X-ray detector (8) at least between a first X-ray detector position and a second X-ray detector position during operation of the X-ray system. An X-ray source (4), a collimator (22) and the X-ray detector (8) of the X-ray system (2) are adapted for acquiring a plurality of partial X-ray images through the adjacent detector tiles while irradiating the object with X-ray beams from a plurality of tomographic angles ?. The processing unit is adapted for generating a two-dimension image of the object and/or for reconstructing a three-dimensional volume of the object from the acquired partial images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Klaus Erhard, Ewald Roessl
  • Patent number: 9955932
    Abstract: A method for image acquisition includes selectively concealing and exposing an x-ray source to a target object while the x-ray source travels along a first path and moving an x-ray detector along a second path in a first direction while the x-ray source is exposed to the target object. The method further includes moving the x-ray detector along the second path in a second direction generally opposite the first direction while the x-ray source is concealed from the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Henri Souchay
  • Patent number: 9904998
    Abstract: An apparatus (130) and method for automatically or semi-automatically controlling a collimator (COL) of an x-ray imager (100) to collimate imager (100)'s x-ray beam and adjusting an alignment of the x-ray imager (100) in respect of an object (PAT). The collimation and alignment operation is based on 3D image data (3DI) of the object (PAT) to be imaged. The 3D image data (3DI) is acquired by a sensor (S). The sensor (S) operates on non-ionizing radiation. The 3D image data (3DI) describes a shape in 3D of the object (PAT) and anatomic landmarks are derived therefrom to define a collimation window (W) for a region of interest (ROI). Based on the collimation window (W) the collimator (COL)'s setting and imager (100) alignment is adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sascha Andreas Jockel, Christoph Kurze, Dirk Manke
  • Patent number: 9861332
    Abstract: An image obtaining unit obtains a plurality of projection images by imaging a subject with different radiation source positions. A pixel value projecting unit projects pixel values of the projection images on coordinate positions on a desired slice plane of the subject based on the positional relationship between the radiation source position with which each projection image is taken and the radiation detector, while preserving pixel values of the projection images, to obtain a plurality of slice plane projection images. A positional misalignment correcting unit corrects positional misalignment between the slice plane projection images. A pixel value calculating unit generates a tomographic image from the slice plane projection images having been subjected to the correction of the positional misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9693741
    Abstract: A mammographic apparatus that includes X-ray detectors configured to detect X-rays entering the X-ray detectors, and attached to a holding-arm placed on a floor. The mammographic apparatus further includes circuitry configured to move the X-ray detectors between a scanning position and a waiting position. The X-ray detectors in the scanning position face an X-ray tube that generates X-rays across a breast-table, and the X-ray detectors in the waiting position are closer to the holding-arm than are the X-ray detectors in the scanning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kobayashi, Haruki Iwai, Rie Ochiai, Koichiro Watanabe, Kazunari Shima
  • Patent number: 9552660
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an imaging system displays a multidimensional visualization of a surgical site. In some embodiments, the imaging system receives a selection corresponding to a portion of the displayed multidimensional visualization of the surgical site. At the selected portion of the multidimensional visualization, the imaging system displays a portion of a multidimensional reconstructed image which corresponds to the selected multidimensional visualization such that the displayed portion of the multidimensional reconstructed image is fused with the displayed multidimensional visualization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TrueVision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, George Charles Polchin, Yen Ting Ng
  • Patent number: 9155518
    Abstract: For a three-dimensional region including a treatment target site of a patient, a puncture needle scanning region R1 having a slice thickness d1 is set with reference to a cross section (a puncture cross section) including an insertion direction of a puncture needle. Subsequently, in the y-direction substantially perpendicular to the puncture cross section, two treatment target scanning regions R2 (R21 and R22) each being adjacent to the puncture needle scanning region R1 and having a slice thickness d2 are set. Then, based on volume data in the puncture needle scanning region R1 acquired by first three-dimensional scan with ultrasound waves and volume data in the treatment target scanning regions R2 acquired by second three-dimensional scan performed at a lower volume rate than the first three-dimensional scan, image data is generated for the purpose of supporting puncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yamagata
  • Patent number: 9095306
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 9084579
    Abstract: A method and a system for using tomosynthesis projection images of a patient's breast to reconstruct slice tomosynthesis images such that anatomical structures that appear superimposed in a mammogram are at conforming locations in the reconstructed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Baouri Ren, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Kevin Wilson, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 9042512
    Abstract: An approach is disclosed for acquiring multi-sector computed tomography scan data. The approach includes activating an X-ray source during heartbeats of a patient to acquire projection data over a limited angular range for each heartbeat. The projection data acquired over the different is combined. An image having good temporal resolution is reconstructed using the combined projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhye Yin, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Jed Douglas Pack, Kyle Morgan Champley, Kai Zeng
  • Patent number: 8971658
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that includes a classifier that distinguishes objects based on their color shades. A moving window based operator looks at the color class of the adjacent objects and determines if an adjustment is necessary. If at least one of the objects is the type of interest and the color classes of the objects meet the criteria, then the boundary between the objects is subject to be adjusted. Two adjustment modes are discussed: “adjust-tagging” mode and “adjust-color” mode. In the adjust-tagging mode, a specific tag is sent down to the print engine to force the use of high addressability halftones for the boundary pixels in the darker object. In the adjust-color mode, a color lighter (usually white) than that of the lighter object is assigned to the boundary pixels in the lighter object. The width of the modified pixels along the boundary is configurable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Guo-Yau Lin, Jon McElvain
  • Patent number: 8965074
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory unit which stores data of a first projection image and data of a second projection image, which are associated with the same object and are captured in different imaging directions, a display unit which displays the data of the first projection image and the data of the second projection image, a designation operation unit which is configured to designate a plurality of points on the displayed first and second projection images, and an operation supporting unit which generates operation supporting information for supporting an operation of designating, by the designation operation unit, the plurality of points on the second image, which anatomically correspond to the plurality of points designated on the first projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8948339
    Abstract: One object of this invention is to provide a radiation tomography apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image from a plurality of fluoroscopic images. The radiation tomography apparatus can acquire the tomographic image having superior visibility without being influenced by a shadow of a collimator appearing in the fluoroscopic image when radiation is applied only to a portion of an FPD through control of the collimator. In this invention, a boundary between a shadow area where the shadow of the collimator appears in the fluoroscopic image and a non-shadow area is identified, and the shadow area in the fluoroscopic image is complemented by the non-shadow area, etc., whereby a complement image is generated. Then the complement image is used for generating the tomographic image. According to this invention, an extremely dark area where the shadow of the collimator appears is removed and thereafter the tomographic image is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Notohara, Kazuyoshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 8938045
    Abstract: A method of evaluating a reservoir includes a multi-energy X-ray CT scan of a sample, obtaining bulk density and photoelectric effect index effect for the sample, estimation of at least mineral property using data obtained from at least one of a core gamma scan, a spectral gamma ray scan, an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, or an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the sample, and determination of at least one sample property by combining the bulk density, photoelectric effect index, and the at least one mineral property (e.g., total clay content). Reservoir properties, such as one or more of formation brittleness, porosity, organic material content, and permeability, can be determined by the method without need of detailed lab physical measurements or destruction of the sample. A system for evaluating a reservoir also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Dvorkin, Naum Derzhi, Elizabeth Diaz, Joel Walls
  • Patent number: 8897414
    Abstract: Method to process a set of tomosynthesis slices, comprising; acquiring images of an object of interest using a detector of a machine also comprising an X-ray emitter; reconstructing a set of tomosynthesis slices of the object using a calculator, in relation to the acquired images; displaying slices on a display monitor with a first display increment; selecting a region of interest in a slice of interest; and using a second display increment that is finer than the first display increment to display on the display monitor regions of interest belonging to slices in the set, the regions of interest corresponding to the selected region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sylvain Bernard, Henri Souchay
  • Patent number: 8571289
    Abstract: A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ruth, Andrew Smith, Jay Stein
  • Patent number: 8515004
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a method for determining a movement of a target region using tomosynthesis. The method includes the steps of accessing a first set of projection radiographs of the target region over a first processing window defined by a first range of projection angles, accessing a second set of projection radiographs of the target region over a second processing window defined by a second range of projection angles, wherein the first processing window moves to the second processing window, and comparing a first positional information derived from the first set of the projection radiographs and a second positional information derived from the second set of the projection radiographs with the first positional information to determine the movement of the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Hassan Mostafavi
  • Patent number: 8385614
    Abstract: A shadow area in a lung-field area of a subject is detected from tomographic images constituting a three-dimensional image representing the subject. A hilum-of-lung area in the lung-field area of the subject is detected from the tomographic images. Further, a slice image that passes through a first point that is a predetermined point in the detected shadow area, a second point that is a predetermined point in the detected hilum-of-lung area, and an arbitrary point that has been set in advance is generated. The generated slice image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Moriya
  • Patent number: 8363050
    Abstract: In a method and device for generating a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, a number of digital x-ray images of an examination subject are acquired at respectively different projection angles, within a limited angle range, using an x-ray source and a digital x-ray detector. At an initial position for a selected projection angle, a spatially-fixed reference point is projected onto a partial region of the acquisition surface of the x-ray detector. For each further projection angle, a corresponding partial region on the acquisition surface is automatically determined. The tomosynthetic 3D image is reconstruction exclusively using image data from the respective partial regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jasmina Ludwig, Thomas Mertelmeier
  • Patent number: 8335357
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory unit which stores data of a first projection image and data of a second projection image, which are associated with the same object and are captured in different imaging directions, a display unit which displays the data of the first projection image and the data of the second projection image, a designation operation unit which is configured to designate a plurality of points on the displayed first and second projection images, and an operation supporting unit which generates operation supporting information for supporting an operation of designating, by the designation operation unit, the plurality of points on the second image, which anatomically correspond to the plurality of points designated on the first projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Coporation
    Inventor: Takuya Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8295564
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for marking a location in a medical image, including: providing a first marker within a first medical image, which shows an object, at a first location, determining a second location, which corresponds to the first location, within a second medical image showing the same object, marking the second location with a second marker, which is different to the first marker, and presenting the first medical image, the first marker, the second medical image and the second marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Horst Hahn
  • Patent number: 8285020
    Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos A. Gkanatsios, Loren Niklason, Ian Shaw, Christopher Ruth, Andrew P. Smith, Jay A. Stein
  • Patent number: 8259900
    Abstract: A method for detecting nuclear species in a sample by adaptive scanning using nuclear resonance fluorescence may comprise illuminating the target sample with photons from a source; detecting a signal in an energy channel; determining a scan evaluation parameter using the signal detected; determining whether the scan evaluation parameter meets a detection efficiency criterion; adjusting one or more system parameters such that the scan evaluation parameter meets the detection efficiency criterion; and comparing the signal in an energy channel to a predetermined species detection criterion to identify a species detection event. In another embodiment, detecting a signal in an energy channel may further comprise detecting photons scattered from the target sample. In another embodiment, detecting a signal in an energy channel may further comprise detecting photons transmitted through the target sample and scattered from at least one reference scatterer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Passport Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ledoux, William Bertozzi
  • Patent number: 8254519
    Abstract: An X-ray inspection apparatus includes a scanning X-ray source for emitting an X-ray, an X-ray detector drive unit having a plurality of X-ray detectors mounted thereon and being capable of independently driving the plurality of X-ray detectors, and an image acquisition control mechanism for controlling the X-ray detector drive unit and acquisition of image data from the X-ray detectors. The scanning X-ray source emits an X-ray by moving an X-ray focal point position of the X-ray source to each of originating point positions of X-ray emission, which are set for the X-ray detectors such that X-rays are transmitted through a plurality of prescribed inspection areas of an inspection object and enter the X-ray detectors. Image pickup by the X-ray detector and movement of another X-ray detector are concurrently performed in an alternate manner. The image acquisition control mechanism acquires image data, and an operation unit reconstructs an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Sugita, Noriyuki Kato, Masayuki Masuda, Tsuyoshi Matsunami
  • Patent number: 8184891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging system for imaging a region of interest comprising an illumination unit and a detection unit. The imaging system further comprises a grouping unit for grouping the detection values, wherein each group comprises at least one alpha detection value and at least one beta detection value (103). At least one alpha aperture weighting value for the at least one alpha detection value of a group is determined by using at least one position of at least one ray within the aperture (104). Furthermore, at least one beta aperture weighting value for the at least one beta detection value of a group is approximately determined using the at least one alpha aperture weighting value of the group (105). The detection values are than aperture weighted using aperture weighting values (106). The region of interest is reconstructed by backprojecting the weighted detection values (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Roland Proksa
  • Patent number: 8180019
    Abstract: The transmission of photons through a target produces “holes” in the transmitted energy spectrum that are characteristic of the NRF energies of the nuclear isotopes in the target. Measuring the absorption via the transmission of these photons through a target allows the production of tomographic images that are associated with specific nuclear isotopes. Thus three-dimensional density patterns are generated for the elements in a container. The process is very much like standard X-ray tomography but it identifies specific nuclear isotopes as well as their densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Passport Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Bertozzi, Robert J. Ledoux
  • Patent number: 8116546
    Abstract: A malignancy classification method and medium for diagnosing a region of lung tissue based on MRI data are disclosed. The classifying includes: setting time points T1 and T2 measured from injection of a contrast agent. T1 represents a wash-in time point for malignant lung tissue at which a first concentration value of the injected contrast agent is substantially equal to or near a peak for injected contrast agent concentration in the region of lung tissue. Patient concentration values of the contrast agent for the area of lung tissue at time points T1 and T2 are obtained, and a malignancy classification for the region of lung tissue is provided by comparing the obtained sample concentration values with a predetermined malignancy profile. A visual representation of the malignancy classification of the region of lung tissue is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Yeda Research & Development Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hadassa Degani, Edna Furman-Haran
  • Patent number: 7986764
    Abstract: An x-ray laminography device includes at least one x-ray detector and at least one x-ray source coupled in coordinated traversal with the at least one x-ray detector. The at least one x-ray source is configured to generate and transmit x-rays. The at least one x-ray detector and the at least one x-ray source traverse an at least partially radial travel path in unison about an object such that the object is illuminated with x-rays from a plurality of oblique radial angles defined between the at least one x-ray source and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Crowley