Scatter Compensating Patents (Class 378/7)
  • Patent number: 11911204
    Abstract: At least one standard image representing a standard object having different thicknesses, the at least one standard image being obtained by imaging the standard object by radiation in a state in which an object is interposed between the standard object and a radiation detector is acquired, a relationship between the thickness of the standard object and a radiation attenuation coefficient of the standard object, which corresponds to an energy characteristic of the radiation, the relationship reflecting an influence of beam hardening by the standard object and the object, is derived, a primary ray component corresponding to the thickness of the standard object included in the standard image is derived based on the relationship between the thickness of the standard object and the radiation attenuation coefficient of the standard object, a scattered ray component corresponding to the thickness of the standard object included in the standard image is derived based on a difference between the standard image and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11890128
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic positioning system of computed tomography equipment and a method for automatically positioning computed tomography equipment. By the system and the method of the present invention, a geometric locating correction is able to be made on the equipment before operating it. After the correction, the focal spot of the X-ray tube of the computed tomography equipment and the center of the X-ray detector are on the same straight line, so that a projection image close to the real image can be obtained to avoid offset or distortion in subsequent 3D mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL YANG MING CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jyh-Cheng Chen, Chien-Heng Liu, Shih-Chun Jin
  • Patent number: 11872071
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for processing energy spectra of radiation transmitted by an object irradiated by an ionising radiation source, in particular X-ray radiation, for medical imaging or non-destructive testing applications. The method uses a detector comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel being capable of acquiring a spectrum of the radiation transmitted by the object. The method makes it possible, based on a plurality of detected spectra, to estimate a spectrum, referred to as the scattering spectrum, representative of radiation scattered by the object. The estimation involves taking into account a spatial model of the scattering spectrum. Each acquired spectrum is corrected taking into account the estimated scattering spectrum. The invention makes it possible to reduce the influence of the scattering, by the object, of the spectrum emitted by the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUEES DE LYON
    Inventors: Odran Pivot, Joachim Tabary, Clarisse Fournier, Jean Michel Letang, Simon Rit
  • Patent number: 11839503
    Abstract: An anti-scatter grid, a detector with such an anti-scatter grid and a radiation imaging system including such a detector with an anti-scatter grid are provided. The anti-scatter grid includes at least one grid wall. The parameters of the grid wall may be adjusted to arrive a uniform scatter-to-primary ratio. The parameters of the grid wall comprise thickness, height, shape, or position of the grid wall, or width of interspace between two grid walls. The detector includes the anti-scatter grid, at least one photosensor, and at least one scintillator. The radiation system includes a radiation generator, a radiation detector with the anti-scatter grid, and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yanfeng Du
  • Patent number: 11821853
    Abstract: A fast industrial CT scanning system and a method are provided. The scanning system includes X-ray sources, detectors, a rotating table, control boxes, and a control unit. The X-ray sources, the detectors, the rotating table, and the control boxes are all connected to the control unit. The rotating table is used for placing a specimen detected. Three X-ray sources are annularly and uniformly arranged at an interval of 120° by taking an axis of the rotating table as a center. Distances from the three X-ray sources to the specimen detected are equal. Each X-ray source is mounted in a corresponding control box. Three detectors are annularly and uniformly arranged at an interval of 120° by taking the axis of the rotating table as a center. Distances from the three detectors to the specimen detected are equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Shandong University
    Inventors: Jipeng Wang, Xuguang Gao, Jiyuan Luan, Taiheng Liu, Junfeng Sha, Meng Qi
  • Patent number: 11790577
    Abstract: A method includes providing a target object and acquiring measured images of the target object. Each of the measured images is acquired by filtering radiation from the target object by a mask having multiple holes and detecting filtered radiation by a detector. The method further includes providing an estimated image of the target object and calculating an updating factor for each of the measured images. The calculating of the updating factor includes partitioning a mathematical representation of the mask into multiple first regions; for each of the first regions, deriving a separate forward projection from the estimated image of the target object and the respective first region; and comparing the respective measured image of the target object with the forward projections. The method further includes updating the estimated image of the target object based on the updating factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ARGOSPECT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Zhiping Mu
  • Patent number: 11779296
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for correcting for signal variations in pixels of a main photoelectric conversion element in a radiation detection apparatus due to focal spot position drifts. Edge reference detectors are positioned next to a main detector, in a fan beam coverage but outside a scan field of view. The signal variations of the edge reference detectors under an anti-scatter-grid shadow are used to estimate a real-time focal spot movement, which is used to estimate a shadow/signal variation on the main detector that are in the scan field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhan Xiaohui, Qiang Yi, Zhihong Ye
  • Patent number: 11723612
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to X-ray detectors and more particularly to a system and a method for integrating an anti-scattering grid with scintillators to significantly enhance the performance of flat panel X-ray detector. In particular, the performance of a flat panel X-ray detector may be enhanced by photon counting detector pixels configured underneath the septa of a 2D antiscatter grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventor: Cem Altunbas
  • Patent number: 11538160
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method for scattering correction of an image. The method may include obtaining an image of a subject and a reference image of air. The method may also include identifying an OOI from the image, the OOI including one or more pixels. For each pixel of the one or more pixels of the OOI, the method may also include determining an equivalent thickness of the OOI corresponding to the each pixel based on a pixel value of the each pixel and the reference image, and determining a scatter correction coefficient of the each pixel based at least in part on the equivalent thickness of the OOI corresponding to the each pixel. The method may further include correcting the pixel value of the each pixel using the corresponding scatter correction coefficient for each pixel of the one or more pixels of the OOI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peng Yao, Zhou Yuan
  • Patent number: 11517197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that uses a deep learning (DL) network to reduce noise and artifacts in reconstructed medical images, such as images generated using computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The DL network can operate either on pre-reconstruction data or on a reconstructed image. The DL network can be an artificial neural network or a convolutional neural network (e.g., using a three-channel volumetric kernel architecture). Different neural networks can be trained depending on the noise level, scanning protocol, or the anatomic, diagnostic or clinical objective of the reconstructed image (e.g., by partitioning the training data into noise-level range and training respective DL networks for each range). Further, the DL networks can be trained to mitigate artifacts, such as the cone-beam artifact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Zhou, Zhou Yu, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 11474050
    Abstract: A radiation detector module includes a frame, a module circuit board connected to the frame, detector units that each include radiation sensors disposed above the frame and electrically connected to the module circuit board, and an optically and infrared radiation opaque, X-ray transparent, electrically insulating detector shield covering a top surface and at least one side surface of the radiation sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: REDLEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Read, Keira Flanagan, Michael Ayukawa, Jeffrey Allan Walton
  • Patent number: 11428828
    Abstract: A method of investigating a specimen using a tomographic imaging apparatus comprising: A specimen holder, for holding the specimen; A source, for producing a beam of radiation that can be directed at the specimen; A detector, for detecting a flux of radiation transmitted through the specimen from the source; A stage apparatus, for producing relative motion of the source with respect to the specimen, so as to allow the source and detector to image the specimen along a series of different viewing axes; A processing apparatus, for assembling output from the detector into a tomographic image of at least part of the specimen, which method comprises the following steps: Considering a virtual reference surface that surrounds the specimen and is substantially centered thereon; Considering an incoming point of intersection of each of said viewing axes with this reference surface, thereby generating a set of such intersection points corresponding to said series of viewing axes; Choosing discrete viewing axes in sa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Andrew Kingston, Shane Latham, Adrian Sheppard, Glenn Myers, Benoit Recur, Heyang Li, Trond Karsten Varslot
  • Patent number: 11393139
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing streak artifacts in a multiplanar reconstruction image are provided. The method may include: retrieving a first image volume from image data, the first image volume including multiple images, at least one of which includes a streak artifact including multiple streaks of a streak width along a first direction; determining a second image volume and a third image volume based on the first image volume; determining an initial error image volume based on the second image volume and the third image volume; determining a revised error image volume based on the initial error image volume; smoothing the revised error image volume to generate a final error image volume; correcting the first image volume according to the final error image volume; and, generating, based on the corrected first image volume, a corrected image volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stanislav Zabic
  • Patent number: 11348292
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of imaging reconstruction. The method of imaging reconstruction includes providing a target object, a detector, and a mask disposed between the target object and the detector; acquiring a measured image of the target object by the detector; providing an estimated image of the target object; partitioning the mask into multiple regions; for each of the regions, deriving a forward projection from the estimated image of the target object and the respective region, thereby acquiring multiple forward projections; comparing the measured image of the target object with the forward projections; and updating the estimated image of the target object based on a result of the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ARGOSPECT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Zhiping Mu
  • Patent number: 11298095
    Abstract: Methods for quantitatively separating x-ray images of a subject having three or more component materials into component images using spectral imaging or multiple-energy imaging with 2D radiographic hardware implemented with scatter removal methods. The multiple-energy system may be extended by implementing DRC multiple energy decomposition and K-edge subtraction imaging methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: XenseLab, LLC
    Inventors: Ying Zhao, YongSheng Chao
  • Patent number: 11219418
    Abstract: A method for determining a CT focal point includes determining a first intensity of first radiation incident on a first detector unit of a scanner, wherein the scanner may include a non-uniform anti-scatter grid (ASG) and a radiation source, and the non-uniform ASG may be configured according to a first focal point of the radiation source. The method also includes determining a second intensity of second radiation incident on a second detector unit of the scanner, wherein the first radiation and the second radiation are emitted from the radiation source with a second focal point. The method further includes determining a displacement of the second focal point from the first focal point based on the first intensity and the second intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yifeng Jiang
  • Patent number: 11185303
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a radiographic image generated by a radiation detector irradiated with radiation from a radiography apparatus including the radiation detector in which plural pixels, each of which includes a conversion element that generates a larger amount of charge as it is irradiated with a larger amount of radiation, are arranged; and a correction unit that corrects scattered ray components caused by scattered rays of the radiation included in the radiographic image on the basis of region information indicating a region of the radiation detector irradiated with radiation transmitted through a subject, using scattered ray correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 11178346
    Abstract: A signal processing system (SPS) and related method. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving at least two data sets, comprising a first data set and second data set. The first data set is generated by an X-ray detector sub-system (XDS) at a first pixel size and the second data set generated at a second pixel size different from the first pixel size. An estimator (EST) is configured to compute, based on the two data sets, an estimate of a charge sharing impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Ewald Roessl
  • Patent number: 11169098
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an x-ray backscatter apparatus for non-destructive inspection of a part. The apparatus comprises an emission shaping mechanism that is configured to receive an electron emission from a cathode and to adjust a shape of the electron emission from a circular cross-sectional shape into a first elliptical cross-sectional shape. The x-ray source further comprises an anode that is configured to convert the electron emission into an unfiltered x-ray emission having a second elliptical cross-sectional shape. The apparatus also comprises an x-ray filter that comprises an emission aperture having a cross-sectional area smaller than an area of the second elliptical cross-sectional shape of the unfiltered x-ray emission. The x-ray filter is located relative to the unfiltered x-ray emission to allow only a portion of the unfiltered x-ray emission to pass through the emission aperture and form a filtered x-ray emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Morteza Safai
  • Patent number: 11160517
    Abstract: It is possible to reduce the weight of an anti-scatter collimator and to improve uniformity of scattered radiation shielding rate. A radiation imaging device has a radiation source, a radiation detector that detects radiation emitted from a focus of the radiation source, and an anti-scatter collimator provided between the radiation source and the radiation detector. The anti-scatter collimator has a septum provided at a predetermined interval along a radiation incident direction on a boundary between pixels of the radiation detector. The upper end of a top septum corresponds with a radiation incident surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masafumi Onouchi
  • Patent number: 11103201
    Abstract: An anti-scatter grid, a detector with such an anti-scatter grid and a radiation imaging system including such a detector with an anti-scatter grid are provided. The anti-scatter grid includes at least one grid wall. The parameters of the grid wall may be adjusted to arrive a uniform scatter-to-primary ratio. The parameters of the grid wall comprise thickness, height, shape, or position of the grid wall, or width of interspace between two grid walls. The detector includes the anti-scatter grid, at least one photosensor, and at least one scintillator. The radiation system includes a radiation generator, a radiation detector with the anti-scatter grid, and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yanfeng Du
  • Patent number: 11024061
    Abstract: A method for scattered radiation correction acquires radiographic projection image data for a first portion of a subject that lies within a field of view of an imaging apparatus and characterizes the surface contour of the subject that includes at least a second portion of the subject that lies outside the field of view of the imaging apparatus. The surface contour of the subject is characterized according to the reflectance images. The surface contour characterization is registered to the field of view. Scattered radiation is estimated according to the projection image data and the surface contour characterization. The acquired radiographic projection image data is updated according to the estimated scattered radiation. An image of the field of view is displayed according to the conditioned acquired radiographic projection image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert
  • Patent number: 11000253
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing a moving image obtained by irradiating an object with radiation, includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain an amount of change between frames in the moving image; an estimating unit configured to estimate, based on the amount of change, a scattered ray component of the radiation scattered by the object in a frame of the moving image; and a scattered ray reducing unit configured to generate an image by subtracting the scattered ray component from the frame of the moving image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Omi
  • Patent number: 10996355
    Abstract: A method for correcting a detector configured to generate object radiographs and an arrangement to implement the method is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) providing the detector having setting values for a gain and offset correction, (b) capturing a plurality of object radiographs of a test object by the detector and generating a reconstructed three-dimensional representation of the test object based on of the object radiographs, (c) determining at least one quality value of the reconstructed three-dimensional representation, repeating the steps (b) and (c) at least once, wherein before the repetition, a parameter set is generated and a measurement sequence is implemented on the basis thereof, at least one setting value for a gain and offset correction of the detector being determined anew based on the measurement sequence; and (e) determining a preferred gain and offset correction based on overall determined quality values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kimmig
  • Patent number: 10852257
    Abstract: A method for the inspection of contained flowable materials within containers, such as detecting an explosive liquid in a luggage, and an apparatus for performing the method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Kromek Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Keith Powell
  • Patent number: 10846855
    Abstract: A method for converting scan information of computed tomography scanner into bone parameters includes the steps of: providing a computed tomography scanner; providing a test object and two phantoms of known components; using the computed tomography scanner to obtain a corresponding test object scan information and two phantoms scan information; receiving the test object scan information and the two phantoms scan information through a computing device; using the computing device to calculate an energy attenuation coefficient of the computed tomography scanner through a physical function model including the known components and the two phantoms scan information; providing the computing device with an energy correction coefficient; and enabling the computing device to obtain a bone parameter of the test object through a true relationship function that includes the energy attenuation coefficient, the test object scan information and the energy correction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP., CHINA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yi-Wen Chen, Cheng-Ting Shih, Hung-Chuan Hsu, Yi-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 10820878
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging method comprises the steps of: providing a set of at least one training material, the set comprising different materials and/or different thicknesses of the or each material; obtaining observed x-ray images of the at least one training material with a pixellated detector; building a database in a simulator of simulated scatter kernels for variable parameters within the simulator for each of the at least one training material; generating a transfer function between parameters of the simulator and parameters of the observed image which is independent of sample type and thickness; generating a whole image scatter estimate; predicting the direct radiation for each scatter kernel; applying the transfer function to the scatter estimate and the direct radiation or the inverse of the transfer function to the observed intensity values; performing the calculation Z?S?D<threshold to provide scatter free data and/or a scatter free image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: IBEX INNOVATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil Loxley, Paul Scott
  • Patent number: 10813616
    Abstract: A method rotates a radiation source and a detector over a sequence of acquisition angles about a subject and acquires, at each acquisition angle, a 2D projection image. A simulation subset is formed that contains some, but not all, of the acquired 2D projection images, wherein subset membership is determined according to relative signal change between successive 2D projection images. Scatter is characterized for the acquired sequence of projection images according to the formed simulation subset. One or more of the acquired sequence of projection images is corrected using the scatter characterization. An image volume is reconstructed and stored according to the sequence of scatter corrected projection images. One or more images of the reconstructed image volume are rendered to a display or transmitting the stored image volume data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert
  • Patent number: 10818049
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing streak artifacts in a multiplanar reconstruction image are provided. The method may include: retrieving a first image volume from image data, the first image volume including multiple images, at least one of which includes a streak artifact including multiple streaks of a streak width along a first direction; determining a second image volume and a third image volume based on the first image volume; determining an initial error image volume based on the second image volume and the third image volume; determining a revised error image volume based on the initial error image volume; smoothing the revised error image volume to generate a final error image volume; correcting the first image volume according to the final error image volume; and, generating, based on the corrected first image volume, a corrected image volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stanislav Zabic
  • Patent number: 10762384
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing system includes a radiation image capturing apparatus, an irradiation apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus generates a first radiation image of a subject based on a signal value generated by the radiation image capturing apparatus with no grid attached irradiated by the irradiation apparatus; performs a low-pass filter process on a pixel value of the first radiation image using a scattering kernel, thereby generating a low frequency image; estimates a body thickness of the subject based on the signal value; estimates a scattered ray content rate based on the body thickness; calculates a scattered ray component in the first radiation image based on the low frequency image and the scattered ray content rate; and subtracts the scattered ray component from the first radiation image, thereby generating a second radiation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryohei Ito, Tatsuya Takagi, Keita Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10653896
    Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus incorporating multi-source focusing therapy and conformal and intensity-modulated therapy is disclosed. The radiotherapy apparatus includes a base, a movable couch, a gantry, at least one therapeutic head, and a counterweight. The therapeutic head includes a shielding part, a source carrier received in the shielding part, provided with a focusing radioactive source for focused therapy and a conformal radioactive source for conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy, a switch part configured for controlling on/off the source, a shielding door configured for controllably shielding the radiation beams of the radioactive sources; and a collimator assembly. By using this apparatus, accurate multi-source focused therapy and conformal therapy can be implemented in a single current Gamma Knife device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: OUR NEW MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Shiqun Xiao, Haifeng Liu
  • Patent number: 10482579
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus, which is configured to perform smoothing processing on a mapping image obtained by detecting a signal emitted from one of a plurality of analysis areas of a specimen. The image processing apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor configured to execute a program stored in the memory to perform: processing for calculating a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of signal intensity data being intensity information on the signal of one of pixels within the mapping image, and determining a degree of smoothing to be used for the smoothing processing based on the difference; and processing for performing the smoothing processing based on the determined degree of smoothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihisa Mori, Naoki Kato
  • Patent number: 10460999
    Abstract: A metrology device includes a light source and an image sensor. The light source is configured for providing an X-ray illuminating a wafer. The image sensor is configured for detecting a spatial domain pattern produced when the X-ray illuminating the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Su-Horng Lin, Chi-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 10338011
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-modality detection systems and methods. One illustrative multi-modality detection system may include a distributed radiation source configured to irradiate an object under detection, a primary collimator configured to separate rays of the distributed radiation source into two parts, wherein one part is for CT detection and the other part is for XRD detection, a CT detection device configured to perform a CT detection to acquire a CT image of the object under detection, and an XRD detection device configured to perform an XRD detection to acquire an XRD image of the object under detection, wherein the CT detection and the XRD detection are performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Tianyi Yang Dai, Qingping Huang, Yunda Sun, Xin Jin
  • Patent number: 10292672
    Abstract: A frequency decomposition unit performs frequency decomposition for a first radiographic image to acquire a plurality of band images. A scattered radiation removal unit calculates a scattered radiation component that is caused by a subject and is included in a second radiographic image which has a linear relationship with the amount of radiation, using the second radiographic image, and removes the scattered radiation component from the second radiographic image to acquire a scattered-radiation-removed radiographic image. A conversion function determination unit determines a conversion function for converting at least one of the band images according to the scattered radiation component included in the second radiographic image. A reconstruction unit converts the band image, using the conversion function, and generates a converted band image. The reconstruction unit reconstructs the scattered-radiation-removed radiographic image and the converted band image to acquire a processed radiographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10295481
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to detection systems and methods. One illustrative detection system may include a distributed radiation source having a plurality of radiation source focus points, which irradiate an object under detection, wherein the plurality of radiation source focus points are divided into a certain number of groups, and a primary collimator that limits rays of each of the radiation source focus points such that the rays emit into an XRD detection device. An XRD detection device may include a plurality of XRD detectors that are divided into the same number of groups as the radiation source focus points, wherein XRD detectors in a same group are arranged to be separated by XRD detectors in other groups, and rays of each of the radiation source focus points are received by XRD detectors having the same group number as the group number of the radiation source focus point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Tianyi Yang Dai, Ji Zhao, Xin Jin, Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 10249066
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing streak artifacts in a multiplanar reconstruction image are provided. The method may include: retrieving a first image volume from image data, the first image volume including multiple images, at least one of which includes a streak artifact including multiple streaks of a streak width along a first direction; down sampling the first image volume along the first direction at an image increment equal to the streak width to generate a second image volume; equalizing the second image volume along a second direction to generate a third image volume; up sampling the third image volume along the first direction to generate a fourth image volume; determining an error image volume based on the fourth image volume and the first image volume; correcting the first image volume according to the error image volume; and generating, based on the corrected first image volume, a corrected image volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stanislav Zabic
  • Patent number: 10178977
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a grid is provided between an X-ray generator and a flat panel detector. Processing circuitry configured to convert original image based on X-rays having passed through the grid and detected into a plurality of pieces of frequency band data, remove interference fringes contained in at least one piece of frequency band data among the pieces of frequency band data, reduce noise contained in the pieces of frequency band data, correct a scattered radiation of the original image based on a scattered radiation contained in the X-rays having passed through the grid and a scattered radiation contained in X-rays having passed through a grid that removes scattered radiation to a larger extent than the grid, and synthesize a plurality of pieces of frequency band data to generate image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hisanori Kato, Yasuhiro Sugawara, Yoshimasa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10154825
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image processing device including: a scattered radiation correction data acquisition section that acquires scattered radiation correction data as a result of radiation being irradiated onto a radiographic imaging device that images a radiographic image; a pixel region acquisition section that acquires information indicating a size of an effective pixel region of the radiographic imaging device; an exposure range acquisition section that acquires information indicating an imaging exposure range of radiation for imaging an imaging subject with the radiographic imaging device; an image data acquisition section that acquires image data as a result of imaging a radiographic image of the imaging subject; and a correction section that corrects the image data acquired by the image data acquisition section using the scattered radiation correction data, in a case in which the imaging exposure range includes an area outside of the effective pixel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Enomoto, Takashi Tajima, Yasufumi Oda, Takeshi Kuwabara, Daiki Harada, Yuichi Hosoi, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
  • Patent number: 10136873
    Abstract: A frequency decomposition unit performs frequency decomposition for a first radiographic image to acquire a plurality of band images. A scattered radiation removal unit calculates a scattered radiation component that is caused by a subject and is included in a second radiographic image which has a linear relationship with the amount of radiation, using the second radiographic image, and removes the scattered radiation component from the second radiographic image to acquire a scattered-radiation-removed radiographic image. A conversion function determination unit determines a conversion function for converting at least one of the band images according to the scattered radiation component included in the second radiographic image. A reconstruction unit converts the band image, using the conversion function, and generates a converted band image. The reconstruction unit reconstructs the scattered-radiation-removed radiographic image and the converted band image to acquire a processed radiographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10107620
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes observation units that observe an object from different directions and an image processor. Each of the observation units includes an objective lens, a lens array, and an image pickup element, receives light with the image pickup element, the light being modulated by the object and passing through the objective lens and the lens array, and outputs image signals having a phase difference. The image processor measures a shape of the object in terms of the relative distance from a reference point based on the image signals from the observation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kanto Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10068368
    Abstract: The inner volume of an inhomogeneous three-dimensional object is visualized by a plurality of simulated visual rays. For a respective visual ray entering the object volume, i) a scatter position is determined along the visual ray, ii) a scatter direction is selected in dependence on a random process, and iii) the visual ray is scattered at the scatter position in the selected scatter direction. Steps i) to iii) are repeated until the visual ray is absorbed in the object volume or exits the object volume, wherein the exiting visual ray is incident on an illumination source and, in dependence on a brightness and/or color value of the illumination source, an illumination contribution of the visual ray to a respective visualization pixel is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Engel
  • Patent number: 10012602
    Abstract: A mathematical scattered radiation model with a number of parameters is specified. A test object is scanned with an X-ray system to generate a first raw dataset. The test object is scanned again to generate a second raw dataset, this time with an intermediary X-ray mask having at least one X-ray transparent region and at least one X-ray non-transparent region between the X-ray source and the test object. Parameter values are determined based on the first raw dataset and on the second raw dataset, and the scattered radiation model is calibrated with the parameter values. An examination object is scanned with the X-ray system to generate a third raw dataset and the third raw dataset is processed with the calibrated scattered radiation model to generate a corrected third raw dataset. A set of X-ray image data is generated from the examination object based on the corrected third raw dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lang, Nicole Maass, Frank Dennerlein
  • Patent number: 9978158
    Abstract: A method includes receiving at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals, each set corresponding to a different basis material and filtering the at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals with an anti-correlation filter that at least includes a regularization term with balancing regularization factors, thereby producing de-noised basis material line integrals. An imaging system (100) includes a projection data processor (116) with an anti-correlation filter (118) that filters at least two sets of noisy basis material line integrals, each set corresponding to a different basis material, thereby producing de-noised basis material line integrals, wherein the anti-correlation filter includes a regularization term with regularization balancing factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Bernhard Johannes Brendel
  • Patent number: 9583228
    Abstract: A scattered radiation grid of a CT detector is disclosed and includes a plurality of detector elements arranged in multiple cells in the phi direction and in the z direction of a CT system, having a plurality of free passage channels arranged to correspond to the detector elements, and walls fully enclosing the free passage channels at the longitudinal sides thereof. According to an embodiment of the invention, the walls of the scattered radiation grid are produced using a 3D screen-printing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mario Eichenseer, Andreas Freund, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9551675
    Abstract: A computed tomography system and an X-ray collimator thereof are provided, which have a good collimator effect. The X-ray collimator includes a plurality of first plates extending in the circumferential direction of the computed tomography system and a plurality of second plates extending in the axial direction of the computed tomography system. The first plates and the second plates are inserted and engaged. Two adjacent first plates and two adjacent second plates define a through hole, and the extensions of the side walls of the through hole intersect at the focal spot of an X-ray source, so that the X-rays can pass through the through hole in a straight line. Since the extensions of the side walls of the through holes intersect at the focal spot of the X-ray source, the through holes are aligned with the radiation direction of corresponding X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Yu
  • Patent number: 9510792
    Abstract: A detector includes a photon-counting detector (PCD) layer and a cathode layer arranged adjacent to the PCD layer. The detector further includes a plurality of pixilated anodes arranged adjacent to the photon-counting detecting layer on a side opposite to the cathode layer. The detector also includes a plurality of collimator segments arranged above the cathode layer so as to block a portion of X-ray photons emitted from an X-ray source from reaching the anodes, where each collimator segment is arranged above a portion of at least one anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Yuexing Zhang, Yu Zou, Miesher L. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 9314220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor comprising a radiation source having a focal spot for radiating beam towards a subject, detection means for generating signals responsive to energy attenuation of said beam and a circular body having a cavity for housing the radiation source, and a circle arc-shaped surface on which the detection means are mounted. The circle arc-shaped surface is placed opposite to the cavity with respect to the subject, said cavity comprising an inside surface mounted with a shield for shielding the radiation not towards the subject. In this way, the conventional housing for radiation source and shielding are removed, resulting in reduction of focal spot motion caused by motion of the conventional housing. Furthermore, this invention proposes to mount the detection means directly on the circular body without an intermediate structural housing that reduces the detector modules motion relative to the focal spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Randall Peter Luhta, Ronald Sharpless, Lester Miller
  • Patent number: 9265475
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus, can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, a first scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images can be modulated based on a first scaling function and a SPR to generate a second scatter intensity distribution through the plurality of projection images, which can be combined with the original plurality of projection images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Yang, Nathan J. Packard, Robert A. Senn
  • Patent number: 9212851
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are described herein. One method includes dividing an enclosure into a number of first field elements and a number of second field elements, determining radiance of a number of first imaging elements and a number of second imaging elements of the enclosure using images of the enclosure, estimating a radiance field and converged parameters of the number of first field elements of the enclosure using initialized parameters of the number of first field elements and the determined radiance of the number of first imaging elements, and estimating a radiance field and converged parameters of a number of second field elements of an enclosure using converged parameters of the number of first field elements, the estimated radiance of the number of first field elements, and the determined radiance of the number of second imaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Martin, Sharath Venkatesha, Kwong Wing Au, Kurt Kraus