Holography Or Interferometry Patents (Class 378/36)
  • Patent number: 9014333
    Abstract: An image reconstruction method for differential phase contrast imaging includes receiving data corresponding to a signal produced by an X-ray detector and corresponding to X-rays that passed through a subject and a grating system to reach the X-ray detector. The method also includes performing a fringe analysis on the received data. The fringe analysis includes a non-integer fringe fraction correction utilizing one or more adapted basis functions in the Fourier domain to determine one or more Fourier coefficients. A differential phase image of the subject is generated by utilizing the one or more Fourier coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Immanuel Sperl, Dirk Beque
  • Patent number: 9001967
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a collimator and a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector, where a single arrangement of the beam shaping assembly, the x-ray grating interferometer and a position of the detector is configured to provide spectral information (e.g. at least two images obtained at different relative beam energies).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavlo Baturin, Mark E. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20150092916
    Abstract: A method and system to determine material composition of an object comprises capturing a series of digital radiographic images of the object using a single exposure energy level. An intensity of the captured images is determined as well as phase shift differences. A difference in material composition of the object may be determined based on a combination of the determined intensity and the modulated phase shifts of the captured images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Pavlo Baturin, Mark E. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20150092915
    Abstract: A method, for examining an object using an X-ray recording system, includes aligning the object in the X-ray beam and the X-ray recording system with one another such that regions in the X-ray beam are uncovered for measurement of a free field. During an X-ray image recording, the components are moved relative to one another with a lateral displacement. In a position of the relative lateral displacement of the components, a reference image containing free fields is recorded. The X-ray image recording is generated from partial images during the displacement and the position of the second component relative to the first component is determined for each partial recording such that the displacement distances of the displacements and the reference phases are calculated from a selected set of pixels and the measured intensity values thereof. Finally, the image information is determined from the partial images, the displacements and the reference phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Gisela ANTON, Florian BAYER, Jürgen DURST, Thilo MICHEL, Georg PELZER, Jens RIEGER, Thomas WEBER
  • Publication number: 20150092914
    Abstract: A method, for examining an object using an X-ray recording system, includes during an X-ray image recording, moving components relative to one another with the lateral displacement by displacement distances. The method includes generating the X-ray image recording during the displacement from n partial images, so that the total exposure time of the X-ray image recording is made up from a sum of partial exposure times. In each of the partial images, the intensity is determined in each pixel. The position of the second component relative to the first component is determined for each recording of the partial images. Finally, the image information is determined from the partial images and the displacements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Gisela ANTON, Florian BAYER, Jürgen DURST, Thilo MICHEL, Georg PELZER, Jens RIEGER, Thomas WEBER
  • Publication number: 20150071402
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes: a micro X-ray source array formation part configured to form a micro X-ray source array by partially shielding an X-ray emitted from an X-ray source; and an X-ray detector configured to detect an X-ray transmitted through a test object. The micro X-ray source array formation part includes a plurality of gratings disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. A ratio of X-rays transmitted through all of the plurality of gratings to X-rays generated from the X-ray source varies depending on a position of an X-ray generating point on the X-ray source, and the micro X-ray source array formation part forms a micro X-ray source array of a pattern in accordance with the variation of the ratio of the transmitted X-rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Soichiro Handa
  • Publication number: 20150071403
    Abstract: In a radiographic system and a radiographic image generating method that generate a phase contrast image and an absorption image of an subject, the absorption image in which density irregularity is removed or reduced is generated on the basis of a plurality of pieces of image data obtained for generating the phase contrast image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyasu ISHII
  • Publication number: 20150055744
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an X-ray device, more particularly for phase-contrast imaging in the medical sector. In at least one embodiment, the X-ray device includes an X-ray radiation source, a coherence grid, a phase grid and an X-ray detector from a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels including a lens grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gisela Anton, Oliver Preusche
  • Publication number: 20150055743
    Abstract: An x-ray phase contrast imaging apparatus and method of operating the same. The apparatus passes x-rays generated by an x-ray source through, in succession, a source grating, an object of interest, a phase grating, and an analyzer grating. The x-ray source, the source grating, the phase grating, and the analyzer grating move as a single entity relative to an object of interest. The phase grating and the analyzer grating remain in fixed relative location and fixed relative orientation with respect to one another. The detected x-rays are converted to a time sequence of electrical signals. In some cases, the apparatus is controlled, and the electrical signals are analyzed by, by a general purpose programmable computer provided with instructions recorded on a machine readable medium. One or more x-ray phase contrast images of the object of interest are generated, and can be recorded or displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Srinivasan Vedantham, Andrew Karellas
  • Publication number: 20150055745
    Abstract: A modified phase shifting mask is used to improve performance over traditional Zernike phase contrast imaging. The configurations can lead to an improved imaging methodology potentially with reduced artifacts and more than one order of magnitude gain in photon efficiency, in some examples. Moreover, it can be used to yield a direct representation of the sample's phase contrast information without the need for additional specialized post-acquisition image analysis. The approach can be applied to both wide-field and scanning configurations by using a phase mask including a pattern of phase elements and an illumination mask, having a pattern of holes, for example, that corresponds to a pattern of the phase mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Holzner, Michael Feser
  • Publication number: 20150043710
    Abstract: There is described a radiological image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to obtain a good X ray image in which contrast of the peripheral portions are emphasized by employing the Talbot interferometer method and the Talbot-Lau interferometer method. The apparatus is provided with an X-ray tube, a multi-slit member, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating and an X-ray detector. The second diffraction grating contacts the X-ray detector. A distance L between the multi-slit element and the first diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.5 m, a distance Z1 between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.05 m, and a slit interval distance d0 of the multi-slit element is set to be not less than 2 ?m. With the settings, the abovementioned good X-ray image can be obtained by using the Talbot-Lau interferometer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Hiromu OHARA
  • Publication number: 20150036795
    Abstract: The present invention relates to phase contrast X-ray imaging of an object. In order to provide phase contrast information in more than one direction, an X-ray imaging system is provided that comprises an X-ray source (12), an X-ray detector arrangement (16), and a grating arrangement (18) with a phase-grating structure (46) and an analyser-grating structure (48). The X-ray detector arrangement comprises at least eight line-detector units (40) parallel to each other in a first direction (42), the line-detector units extending linearly in a direction (44) perpendicular to the first direction. The X-ray source, the X-ray detector arrangement and the grating arrangement are adapted to perform an acquisition movement in relation to an object in a scanning direction parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Thomas Koehler
  • Publication number: 20150023465
    Abstract: A source grating includes a first sub-source grating, where first transmitting portions which transmit X-rays, and first shielding portions which shield X-rays, are alternately arranged in a first direction; and a second sub-source grating, where second transmitting portions which transmit X-rays, and second shielding portions which shield X-rays, are alternately arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first sub-source grating is curved so that two positions in the curve align in the first direction. The second sub-source grating is curved so that two positions in the curve align in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Genta Sato
  • Patent number: 8908825
    Abstract: There is described a radiological image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to obtain a good X ray image in which contrast of the peripheral portions are emphasized by employing the Talbot interferometer method and the Talbot-Lau interferometer method. The apparatus is provided with an X-ray tube, a multi-slit member, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating and an X-ray detector. The second diffraction grating contacts the X-ray detector. A distance L between the multi-slit element and the first diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.5 m, a distance Z1 between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.05 m, and a slit interval distance d0 of the multi-slit element is set to be not less than 2 ?m. With the settings, the above-mentioned good X-ray image can be obtained by using the Talbot-Lau interferometer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromu Ohara
  • Patent number: 8908824
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes, a diffraction grating that diffracts an electromagnetic wave emitted from an electromagnetic wave source, a shield grating including a shield portion that prevents transmission of the electromagnetic wave and a plurality of transmission portions that allows the electromagnetic wave to transmit therethrough, and a detector that detects the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the transmission portions of the shield grating. The diffraction grating forms an interference pattern in a grid pattern by diffracting the electromagnetic wave; the shield grating has the plurality of transmission portions arranged two-dimensionally; and a ratio of an area of the transmission portion to the area of a unit pattern composed of a portion of the shield portion and one transmission portion of the plurality of transmission portions is larger than 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Kondoh
  • Publication number: 20140341335
    Abstract: A computation apparatus that calculates information of a subject includes: a calculation unit configured to calculate a spatial distribution of a first first-order phase value, a spatial distribution of a second first-order phase value, and a spatial distribution of a first-order measurement target value, by using the subject data; a calculation unit configured to calculate an error correction function including the first first-order phase value and the second first-order phase value as variables, by using information of the spatial distribution of the first first-order phase value, information of the spatial distribution of the second first-order phase value, and information of the spatial distribution of the first-order measurement target value; and a calculation unit configured to calculate information of a spatial distribution of a second-order measurement target value, corresponding to a spatial distribution obtained by correcting the spatial distribution of the first-order measurement target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Soichiro Handa
  • Publication number: 20140341334
    Abstract: A computation apparatus that calculates subject information by using subject data, includes a calculation unit that calculates spatial distributions of a first-order phase value and a first-order measurement target value by using the subject data, a calculation unit that calculates an error correction function including the first-order phase value as a variable by using information of the spatial distribution of the first-order measurement target value and the spatial distribution of the first-order phase value, and a calculation unit that calculates information of a spatial distribution of a second-order measurement target value corresponding to a spatial distribution obtained by correcting the spatial distribution of the first-order measurement target value by using the error correction function, the information of the spatial distribution of the first-order phase value, and the information of the spatial distribution of the first-order measurement target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Soichiro Handa
  • Publication number: 20140328457
    Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Daniel Stutman, Michael Finkenthal
  • Patent number: 8855265
    Abstract: The present invention generally refers to a correction method for grating-based X-ray differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) as well as to an apparatus which can advantageously be applied in X-ray radiography and tomography for hard X-ray DPCI of a sample object or an anatomical region of interest to be scanned. More precisely, the proposed invention provides a suitable approach that helps to enhance the image quality of an acquired X-ray image which is affected by phase wrapping, e.g. in the resulting Moiré interference pattern of an emitted X-ray beam in the detector plane of a Talbot-Lau type interferometer after diffracting said X-ray beam at a phase-shifting beam splitter grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Juergen Engel, Dieter Geller, Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Publication number: 20140270061
    Abstract: An X-ray Talbot interferometer includes a first grating configured to diffract X-rays from an X-ray source and form an interference pattern, a second grating configured to block a portion of X-rays that form the interference pattern, and a detector configured to detect X-rays from the second grating. An inspection object is disposed between the X-ray source and the second grating. The second grating includes a first shield grating portion in which a shield portion and a transmissive portion are arranged periodically at a first period and a second shield grating portion. The first period is expressed as ps×n×Ls/(Ls+Lf), where ps denotes a size of pixels that the detector has, n denotes a positive integer, Ls denotes a distance from the X-ray source to the first shield grating portion, and Lf denotes a distance from the first shield grating portion to the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kimiaki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20140270060
    Abstract: An X-ray Talbot interferometer includes a source grating configured to spatially split X-rays emitted from an X-ray source, a diffraction grating configured to form an interference pattern with the X-rays from the source grating, and an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays from the diffraction grating. The X-ray Talbot interferometer further includes an angle varying unit configured to vary an angle formed by an optical axis, which is the center of a flux of the X-rays from the X-ray source, and the source grating. The angle varying unit varies the angle formed by the optical axis and the source grating from a first angle to a second angle. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays at least when the optical axis and the source grating form the first angle and when the optical axis and the source grating form the second angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Date, Genta Sato, Chidane Ouchi
  • Publication number: 20140241493
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a metal grating structure, wherein, after a concave part having an insulating layer on an inner surface thereof is formed in a silicon substrate, a portion of the insulating layer formed on a bottom part of the concave part is removed, and the silicon substrate at the bottom part of the concave part is etched to increase the surface area of the bottom part of the concave part as compared with a state before the etching, followed by filling the concave part with metal by an electroforming method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Mitsuru Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20140233697
    Abstract: A method of aligning masks for phase imaging or phase contrast imaging in X-ray apparatus using a pixel-type X-ray detector makes use of non-idealities of all real detectors. A mask may be provided before the sample to generate beams, adjacent to the pixels of the detector or both. The method includes moving the mask into a plurality of translational position increments and identifying the increment for which the intensity has a maximum or minimum. The identified value of the increment may vary over the pixels of the detector. Alignment positions are selected in which steps in a plot of the increment over the area of the detector are minimised and/or aligned with the rows and columns of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Konstantin Ignatyev, Alessandro Olivo, Peter Munro, Robert Speller
  • Publication number: 20140226785
    Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in a radiation path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in a radiation path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dan Stutman, Michael Finkenthal
  • Publication number: 20140198895
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a radiographing apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The radiographing apparatus is provided with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer and includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a subject table. The image processing apparatus generates at least one of an X-ray absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image of the subject using an image signal and a background signal obtained through subject radiographing and background radiographing, respectively. The background radiographing is performed with a member held instead of the subject. The member has a material and/or thickness to create change in energy spectrum of X-rays equivalent to change in energy spectrum of X-rays created by the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide HOSHINO, Junko KIYOHARA
  • Patent number: 8781069
    Abstract: A radiographic phase-contrast imaging apparatus obtains a phase-contrast image using two gratings including the first grating and the second grating. The first and second gratings are adapted to form a moire pattern when a periodic pattern image formed by the first grating is superimposed on the second grating. Based on the moire pattern detected by the radiographic image detector, image signals of the fringe images, which correspond to pixel groups located at different positions with respect to a predetermined direction, are obtained by obtaining image signals of pixels of each pixel group, which includes pixels arranged at predetermined intervals in the predetermined direction, as the image signal of each fringe image, where the predetermined direction is a direction parallel to or intersecting a period direction of the moire pattern other than a direction orthogonal to the period direction. Then, a phase-contrast image is generated based on the obtained fringe images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Murakoshi, Toshitaka Agano, Wataru Ito, Shinji Imai
  • Publication number: 20140185746
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a collimator and a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector, where a single arrangement of the beam shaping assembly, the x-ray grating interferometer and a position of the detector is configured to provide spectral information (e.g. at least two images obtained at different relative beam energies).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Pavlo Baturin, Mark E. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20140177790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reconstructing a representative detailed phase image from a set of fringe pattern interferogram images of an object. The images are captured by an x-ray interferometer having a crossed diffraction grating. A set of captured fringe pattern interferogram images from the x-ray interferometer are provided, the set comprising no more than eight captured fringe pattern interferogram images. The method determines an estimate of an absorption parameter (a), two-dimensional amplitude modulation parameters (mx, my), and two-dimensional phase modulation parameters (?x and ?y) from a closed-form solution using the received set of captured fringe pattern interferogram images, and reconstructs the representative detailed phase image using the parameter estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: DONALD JAMES BONE, SAMPSON SZE CHUNG WONG, KIERAN GERARD LARKIN, RUIMIN PAN
  • Publication number: 20140177789
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly including a collimator and a source grating, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating, and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector, where the phase-contrast digital radiographic imaging system and methods are adjustable for different mean energies of the x-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Pavlo Baturin, Mark E. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20140169522
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an X-ray imaging apparatus and an image processor. The X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer and includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a subject table. The image processor generates a differential phase image, and optionally, one or both of an X-ray absorption image and a small-angle scattering image of the subject on the basis of the image signal of the subject. The image processor specifies a location of an edge of a bone in the joint on the basis of at least one of the generated images; and detects an edge of a cartilage in the joint in the differential phase image on the basis of the specified location of the bone edge to quantitatively measure a feature of the cartilage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshihide HOSHINO
  • Patent number: 8755487
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes first to third absorption gratings. Initially, the third absorption grating is disposed in a Z axis orthogonal to a detection surface of a FPD, and the position of the third absorption grating is adjusted in ?x and ?y directions based on a dose of X-rays having passed through the third absorption grating. Then, the first absorption grating is disposed in the Z axis so as to produce a moiré pattern. The position of the first absorption grating is adjusted in the ?x and ?y directions so that a frequency of the moiré pattern detected by the FPD becomes uniform. Then, the position of the first absorption grating is adjusted in a Z or ?z direction so that the FPD loses the detection of the moiré pattern. After that, the second absorption grating is aligned in a like manner as the first absorption grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Kaneko, Hiroyasu Ishii
  • Publication number: 20140153692
    Abstract: A method forms a representative image from a crossed grating fringe pattern interferogram of an object from an interferometer. The method determines a plurality of spectral lobes from the interferogram and selects from the plurality of determined lobes, two substantially orthogonal sidelobes. The selected sidelobes represent spatial differential phase information of the interferogram. The method applies an inverse Riesz transform to the spatial differential phase information of the selected sidelobes to form a transformed differential phase image, and forms from the transformed differential phase image, a representative image emphasising high frequency detail information of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kieran Gerard LARKIN, Peter Alleine FLETCHER
  • Patent number: 8737561
    Abstract: An X-ray phase grating used for X-ray phase-contrast imaging based on Talbot interference includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are combined so as to be shifted from each other by one half period. The first substrate has a first pattern in which first faces and second faces making an angle of ? (where ??0 and ??90°) with the first faces are periodically arranged. The second substrate has a second pattern in which third faces corresponding to the first faces and fourth faces corresponding to the second faces and making an angle of ? with the third faces are periodically arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Genta Sato
  • Publication number: 20140126690
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an optical device configured to form a periodic pattern using X-rays radiated from an X-ray source, an alignment mark of the optical device, a first detector, a second detector, and a movement unit configured to change at least either a position of the optical device or an angle of the optical device on the basis of a result of detection performed by the second detector. The first detector detects X-rays that have passed through the optical device and a subject, and the second detector detects X-rays that have passed through the alignment mark. The movement unit includes a movement instruction section that instructs the optical device to move on the basis of the result of the detection performed by the second detector and movement sections that move the optical device on the basis of the instruction issued by the movement instruction section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kimiaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8718228
    Abstract: A phase grating used for X-ray phase imaging is provided, in which a pitch can be narrowed by using a diffraction grating with a low aspect ratio. A phase grating used for X-ray phase imaging, characterized in that the phase grating includes a first diffraction grating in which a first projection part whose thickness is formed so that an in-coming X-ray transmits with a phase ?-shifted, and a first aperture part with the same aperture width as a width of the first projection part are cyclically arranged, and a second diffraction grating in which a second projection part with the same width as a width of the first projection part, and a second aperture part with the same aperture width as the aperture width of the first aperture part are cyclically arranged, and the second diffraction grating is formed as displaced on the first diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Aya Imada, Hidenosuke Itoh
  • Patent number: 8681934
    Abstract: An analysis method for use in a radiation imaging apparatus employing intensity information of interference fringes of radiation rays that have passed through a detected object includes the steps of generating first phase information of the detected object wrapped into a range of 2? from the intensity information of the interference fringes; generating information on an absorption intensity gradient of the detected object from the intensity information of the interference fringes; generating a weighting function on the basis of an absolute value of a gradient in the information on the absorption intensity gradient; and generating second phase information by unwrapping the first phase information by using the weighting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Toru Den
  • Patent number: 8644449
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of X-ray imaging, with which the apparatus can be reduced in size and a with which differential phase image or a phase image with consideration of an X-ray absorption effect of an object can be obtained. A displacement of X-rays that have been split by a splitting element and have passed through an object is measured. The displacement can be measured by using a first attenuation element having a transmission amount that continuously changes in accordance with the incident position of X-rays. At this time, an X-ray transmittance of an object that is calculated by using a second attenuation element having a transmission amount that does not change in accordance with the incident position of X-rays is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taihei Mukaide, Kazuhiro Takada, Kazunori Fukuda, Masatoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8638903
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of X-ray imaging, with which the apparatus can be reduced in size and a differential phase image or a phase image with consideration of an X-ray absorption effect of an object can be obtained. X-rays are spatially split, and a first attenuation element in which the transmission amount of X-rays continuously changes in accordance with the displacement when the X-rays pass through an object is used. Transmittance is calculated by using the first attenuation element and a second attenuation element that is different from the first attenuation element with respect to an amount of change or a characteristic of change in the transmission amount of X-rays in a direction of a displacement of the X-rays. A differential phase image and the like of the object are calculated using the transmittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taihei Mukaide, Kazuhiro Takada, Kazunori Fukuda, Masatoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130308750
    Abstract: In a radiographic system and a radiographic image generating method that generate a phase contrast image and an absorption image of an subject, the absorption image in which density irregularity is removed or reduced is generated on the basis of a plurality of pieces of image data obtained for generating the phase contrast image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: FUJIFILM Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130308751
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging. In order to enhance the information acquired by phase-contrast imaging, an analyzer grating (34) for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging is provided with an absorption structure (48). The latter comprises a first plurality (50) of first areas (52) with a first X-ray attenuation, and a second plurality (54) of second areas (56) with a second X-ray attenuation. The second X-ray attenuation is smaller than the first X-ray attenuation, and the first and second areas are arranged periodically in an alternating manner. A third plurality (58) of third areas (60) is provided with a third X-ray attenuation, which lies in a range from the second X-ray attenuation to the first X-ray attenuation, wherein every second of the first or second areas is replaced by one of the third areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Ewald Rössl
  • Publication number: 20130301795
    Abstract: An analysis method for use in a radiation imaging apparatus employing intensity information of interference fringes of radiation rays that have passed through a detected object includes the steps of generating first phase information of the detected object wrapped into a range of 2? from the intensity information of the interference fringes; generating information on an absorption intensity gradient of the detected object from the intensity information of the interference fringes; generating a weighting function on the basis of an absolute value of a gradient in the information on the absorption intensity gradient; and generating second phase information by unwrapping the first phase information by using the weighting function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Toru Den
  • Patent number: 8582718
    Abstract: A method for identifying a substance includes determining a first molecular interference function (MIF) for a first substance. The method also includes determining a second MIF for a second substance. The method further includes generating a residual MIF at least partially based on a comparison of the second MIF to the first MIF. The method also includes identifying the type of substance based on the residual MIF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
  • Publication number: 20130279651
    Abstract: According to a method for manufacturing a metal grating structure of the present invention, in filling a concave portion formed in a silicon substrate (30), for instance, a slit groove (SD) with metal by an electroforming method, an insulating layer (34) is formed in advance on an inner surface of the slit groove (SD) as an example of the concave portion by a thermal oxidation method. Accordingly, the metal grating structure manufacturing method is advantageous in finely forming metal parts of the grating structure. A metal grating structure of the present invention is manufactured by the above manufacturing method, and an X-ray imaging device of the present invention is incorporated with the metal grating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Mitsuru Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8559594
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus analyzes a periodic pattern of a Moiré due to Talbot interference by the Fourier transform method and forms an image. The imaging apparatus includes a first grating having a structure that transmits light beams from a beam source to refract or diffract the light beams and forms a self image based on a first periodic pattern by the Talbot interference at a predetermined position; a second grating that absorbs part of the first periodic pattern and causes a Moiré to be generated based on a second periodic pattern when the second grating is arranged at a position at which the self image is formed. All cross sections of the Moiré with axes in differential directions of a wavefront for the analysis by the Fourier transform method have a two-dimensional periodic structure in which periods of patterns in the second periodic pattern are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chidane Ouchi, Kentaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8537966
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a phase grating, an absorption grating, a detector, and an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit executes a Fourier transform step of performing Fourier transform for an intensity distribution of a Moiré acquired by the detector, and acquiring a spatial frequency spectrum. Also, the arithmetic unit executes a phase retrieval step of separating a spectrum corresponding to a carrier frequency from a spatial frequency spectrum acquired in the Fourier transform step, performing inverse Fourier transform for the separated spectrum, and acquiring a differential phase image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chidane Ouchi, Kentaro Nagai, Toru Den, Hidenosuke Itoh
  • Patent number: 8532252
    Abstract: A two-dimensional X-ray shield grating which may be manufactured more easily and to a manufacturing method to provide therefor is provided. The method of manufacturing the X-ray shield grating includes: a first step of forming a plurality of columnar structures periodically arranged in two directions; and a second step of forming a film which surrounds at least side surfaces of the respective plurality of columnar structures, in which, in the second step, portions of the film formed on side surfaces of columnar structures which are adjacent to each other in the two directions among the plurality of columnar structures are connected to each other in the two directions, and in which the film is formed so that a columnar aperture is formed between columnar structures which are diagonally adjacent to each other with respect to the two directions among the plurality of columnar structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130230135
    Abstract: A joint imaging apparatus includes a subject table and a radiographic unit including a radiation generating section disposed above the subject table to irradiate a joint of a finger, and a detecting section disposed under the subject table to detect radiation passing through the joint. The subject table includes a base unit to fix the wrist, and a subject fixing unit to fix the joint to a predetermined position. The subject fixing unit includes a first fixing member to fix a part on the trunk side of the joint, and a second fixing member to fix a part on the side, opposite to the trunk side, of the joint. A position of the second fixing member is adjustable relative to that of the first fixing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide HOSHINO, Satoshi NISHINO
  • Patent number: 8520799
    Abstract: An analysis method for use in a radiation imaging apparatus employing intensity information of interference fringes of radiation rays that have passed through a detected object includes the steps of generating first phase information of the detected object wrapped into a range of 2? from the intensity information of the interference fringes; generating information on an absorption intensity gradient of the detected object from the intensity information of the interference fringes; generating a weighting function on the basis of an absolute value of a gradient in the information on the absorption intensity gradient; and generating second phase information by unwrapping the first phase information by using the weighting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Toru Den
  • Publication number: 20130202081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to differential phase-contrast imaging, in particular to a structure of a diffraction grating, e.g. an analyzer grating and a phase grating, for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging. In order to provide enhanced phase-gradient based image data, a diffraction grating (14, 15) for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, is provided with a first sub-area (23) comprising at least one portion (24) of a first grating structure (26) and at least one portion (28) of a second grating structure (30). The first grating structure comprises a plurality of bars (34) and gaps (36) with a first grating orientation GO1 (37), being arranged periodically, wherein the bars are arranged such that they change the phase and/or amplitude of an X-ray radiation and wherein the gaps are X-ray transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Ewald Rössl
  • Publication number: 20130177133
    Abstract: There is described a radiological image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to obtain a good X ray image in which contrast of the peripheral portions are emphasized by employing the Talbot interferometer method and the Talbot-Lau interferometer method. The apparatus is provided with an X-ray tube, a multi-slit member, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating and an X-ray detector. The second diffraction grating contacts the X-ray detector. A distance L between the multi-slit element and the first diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.5 m, a distance Z1 between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.05 m, and a slit interval distance d0 of the multi-slit element is set to be not less than 2 ?m. With the settings, the above-mentioned good X-ray image can be obtained by using the Talbot-Lau interferometer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromu OHARA