Computer Tomography Program Or Processor Patents (Class 378/901)
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Patent number: 11847738Abstract: One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides techniques for voxelizing a mesh representation associated with a three-dimensional model to generate a volumetric model. A model filling engine associated with a voxelization system identifies a first voxel included in a voxel grid array that intersects with the mesh representation. The model filling engine selects a second voxel at an exterior boundary of the voxel grid array that is not identified as a boundary voxel. The model filling engine marks the second voxel as an exterior voxel. The model filling engine marks all unmarked voxels that are adjacent to the second voxel as exterior voxels. The model filling engine marks all remaining voxels as interior voxels. A model finishing engine associated with the voxelization system generates a volumetric model based at least in part on the first voxel.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventors: Martin Bisson, Olivier Dionne, Martin De Lasa
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Patent number: 11336908Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for compressing images using neural networks. One of the methods includes receiving an image; processing the image using an encoder neural network, wherein the encoder neural network is configured to receive the image and to process the image to generate an output defining values of a first number of latent variables that each represent a feature of the image; generating a compressed representation of the image using the output defining the values of the first number of latent variables; and providing the compressed representation of the image for use in generating a reconstruction of the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: DeepMind Technologies LimitedInventors: Daniel Pieter Wierstra, Karol Gregor, Frederic Olivier Besse
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Patent number: 11210252Abstract: A processor executes firmware to write control data describing transfer descriptors for a bus protocol engine to an address that is associated with a transfer descriptor buffer for the bus protocol engine. The bus protocol engine performs an operation according to the transfer descriptors with a slave device; the processor is part of a first semiconductor package; the bus protocol engine is part of a second semiconductor package other than the first semiconductor package; and the address corresponds to a memory of the second semiconductor package. A first physical interface of the first semiconductor package communicates with a second physical interface of the second semiconductor package to direct the control data to the memory.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LPInventors: Naysen J. Robertson, Robert L. Noonan, David F. Heinrich
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Patent number: 10916037Abstract: A method of generating an image, the method including receiving a two-dimensional pattern in the frequency domain, modifying one or more peripheral properties of the two-dimensional pattern and generating the image based on the modified two-dimensional pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eric Wai Shing Chong, Cameron Murray Edwards
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Patent number: 10699423Abstract: A method for registration of images of tissue slices comprises: receiving a first image of a first tissue slice and a second image of a second tissue slice, both tissue slices being prepared from the same tissue block; determining an unreliable area in the first image showing folded tissue; and registering the first image and the second image by registering an area of the first image and the second image outside of the unreliable area.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Jelte Peter Vink, Marinus Bastiaan Van Leeuwen
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Patent number: 10503999Abstract: Described is a system for detecting salient objects in images. During operation, the system maps an input image into a frequency domain having a spectral magnitude. The spectral magnitude is replaced with weights from a weight matrix W. The frequency domain is then transformed with the weights to a saliency map in the image domain, the saliency map having pixels with pixel values. A squaring operation is then performed on the saliency map by squaring the pixel values to generate a pixel-value altered saliency map. A final saliency map is generated by filtering the pixel-value altered saliency map. A number of devices may then be operated based on the saliency map.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Shankar R. Rao, Andras Horvath
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Patent number: 10488532Abstract: Among other things, a detector unit for a detector array of a radiation imaging modality is provided. In some embodiments, the detector unit comprises a radiation detection sub-assembly and an electronics sub-assembly. The electronics sub-assembly comprises electronic circuitry, embedded within a molding compound, configured to digitize analog signals yielded from the radiation detection sub-assembly and/or to otherwise process such analog signals. The electronics sub-assembly also comprises a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, configured to route signals between the electronic circuitry and a photodetector array of the radiation detection sub-assembly and/or to route signals between the electronic circuitry and digital processing components, such as an image generator, for example.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventors: Daniel Abenaim, Randy Luhta, Martin Choquette
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Patent number: 10332252Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for interpolating acquired data of a tracer distribution. In one embodiment, a method comprises reconstructing the acquired data, and interpolating the reconstructed data with a surface, wherein a slope of the surface at a data point of the reconstructed data is limited by a value of the data point. In this way, interpolation artifacts around objects with high tracer density may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Wayne Deller, Floribertus Heukensfeldt Jansen, Pal Csongor Sprencz
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Patent number: 10261195Abstract: A detector array (112) of an imaging system (100) includes a radiation sensitive detector (202/204/206) configured to detect radiation and generates a signal indicative thereof and electronics (208) in electrical communication with the radiation sensitive detector. The electronics include a current-to-frequency converter (300) configured to convert the signal into a pulse train having a frequency indicative of a charge collected during an integration period. The electronics further include a residual charge collection circuit (322) electrically coupled to current-to-frequency converter. The residual charge collection circuit is configured to store charge collected by the integrator for an end portion of the integration period that does not results in a pulse of the pulse train, utilizing much of the electronics already in the current-to-frequency converter electronics.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Marc Anthony Chappo
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Patent number: 10108172Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to construct a spiral toolpath for machining solid material. A polygon with a polygonal hole in an interior is obtained. A Voronoi diagram of a set of line segments is obtained and modified to provide a modified Voronoi diagram (VD) having a cycle with one or more trees growing out. For each of the trees, a wave model is defined for a wave that starts at time t=0 on leaves on a boundary of the hole and moves through the tree to hit leaves on a boundary of the polygon at time t=1. A polyline spiral curve toolpath is created by travelling around the wave as it moves towards the boundary of the polygon. A pocket is milled in a solid piece of material by following the polyline spiral curve toolpath.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: Mikkel Abrahamsen
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Patent number: 10043273Abstract: A method for registration of images of tissue slices comprises: receiving a first image (18a) of a first tissue slice (14a) and a second image (18b) of a second tissue slice (14b), both tissue slices being prepared from the same tissue block (10); determining an unreliable area (27) in the first image (14a) showing folded tissue (15); and registering the first image (14a) and the second image by registering an area of the first image and the second image outside of the unreliable area.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Jelte Peter Vink, Marinus Bastiaan Van Leeuwen
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Patent number: 9861325Abstract: A method for restoring CT scan data is disclosed. The method may comprise: building a data collecting model with respect to a specific direction of a detector based a response curve of the detector. In some examples, the specific direction can indicate a channel direction and a slice direction of the detector. During a CT scanning, based on the data collecting model, X-ray intensity values detected by the detectors in the specific direction can be acquired. A function can be determined such that it satisfies the data collecting model, a continuity condition and a boundary condition, An X-ray intensity value can be obtained by substituting the coordinate value of a point in the specific direction into the function.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Shanshan Lou, Jiangwei Zhao
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Patent number: 9841387Abstract: An inspection method is provided herein. The inspection method is adapted for an inspection device. The inspection method includes: optically scanning an examining target for generating a scanned image; reconstructing the scanned image for a reconstructed volume; adjusting a slicing direction associated with the examining target for slicing the reconstructed volume into a sliced image; inspecting the sliced image for analyzing one or more features of the examining target; and outputting an inspection result of the examining target.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Test Research, Inc.Inventors: Liang-Pin Yu, Chia-Ho Yen, Hao-Kai Chou, Chun-Ti Chen, Meng-Kun Lee
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Patent number: 9763587Abstract: A method includes accepting from a medical imaging system a plurality of map points, each map point including a respective coordinate on a surface of a body organ measured by bringing a medical probe into proximity with the surface. An operator input, which specifies a spatial density at which the map points are to be displayed, is accepted. A subset of the map points is selected responsively to the operator input. The surface is visualized at the specified spatial density by displaying the selected subset of the map points.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL), LTD.Inventor: Andres Claudio Altmann
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Patent number: 9429418Abstract: A multi view-point image composed of a great number of images according to a shape of an object is generated or an information processing method used for generating a three-dimensional model or performing image processing of arbitrary view-point object recognition is provided, and based on a plurality of captured images obtained by imaging of the object from a plurality of view points by an imaging means, a relative position and orientation with respect to the object relative to the imaging means for each of the plurality of view points is calculated, and based on the calculated plurality of relative positions and orientations, a missing position and orientation of the imaging means in a direction in which imaging by the imaging means is missing is calculated, and an image used for displaying the calculated missing position and orientation on a display means is generated.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Mitarai, Masakazu Matsugu, Hiroto Yoshii
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Patent number: 9330455Abstract: The diagnostic support apparatus includes a feature quantity calculation unit vectorizing a test image into shift-invariant feature quantities, a base representation unit transforming the shift-invariant feature quantities of the test image into a linear combination of base vectors with first coefficients, the base vectors being calculated from a plurality of vectors representing shift-invariant feature quantities of a plurality of normal structural images including no lesion site, a lesion determination unit determining that the test image includes a lesion site when a difference between the first coefficients and second coefficients is greater than a determination threshold value, the second coefficients being used to transform shift-invariant feature quantities calculated from one of the normal structural images into a linear combination of the base vectors, and an output unit outputting a result of the determination by the lesion determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideto Motomura, Yoshikuni Sato, Kazuki Kozuka
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Patent number: 9330335Abstract: A diagnostic support apparatus includes a base vector matching unit configured to match test image base vectors used for a base representation of a test image feature quantity of a test image and normal image base vectors used for a base representation of a normal image feature quantity of a normal image, a lesion determination unit configured to determine that the test image includes an image of a lesion site when a difference between a test image base coefficient and a normal image base coefficient is greater than a threshold, the test image base coefficient being a coefficient with which the test feature quantity is transformed to the base representation, and the normal image base coefficient being a coefficient with which the normal feature quantity is transformed to the base representation, and a determination result output unit configured to output a result of the determination by the lesion determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideto Motomura, Yoshikuni Sato
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Patent number: 9237873Abstract: A system and method for CT projection extrapolation are provided. The method comprises receiving a CT projection for extrapolation. The method also comprises selecting a target patch comprising at least one pixel of a row to be extrapolated. The method further comprises generating a correlation profile between the target patch and one or more source patches, wherein the source patches comprise measured pixels in the CT projection in one or more rows adjacent to the target patch. The projection data is generated for at least one pixel of the target patch based on the correlation profile and the measured pixels of at least one of the source patches.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhye Yin, Paulo Ricardo Mendonca, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man, Kai Zeng
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Patent number: 9036879Abstract: A method for obtaining multi-material decomposition images of an object is presented. The method includes acquiring an image pair from a dual energy computed tomography scan of the imaged object. The method then includes selecting a material basis for multi-material decomposition of the image pair. The method further includes applying a physicochemical model for the material basis. Also, the method includes performing multi-material decomposition using at least one constraint imposed by the physicochemical model.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paulo Ricardo dos Santos Mendonça, Paul Edgar Licato, Rahul Bhotika, Brian William Thomsen
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Patent number: 9031199Abstract: According to one embodiment, in an X-ray computed tomography apparatus including a gantry unit including an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, a bed unit, and a console, the X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a storage unit, a power supply unit, and a power supply control unit. The storage unit stores examination schedule data of the X-ray computed tomography. The power supply unit selectively operates between an active mode of supplying power to at least one of the gantry unit, the bed unit, and the console and a standby mode of stopping supplying power to at least one of the bed unit and the gantry unit and supplying, to the console, power smaller than power supplied in the active mode. The power supply control unit controls switching from the active mode to the standby mode based on the examination schedule data.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Shigeru Katayama
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Patent number: 9028144Abstract: Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus which recognizes a marker located at a part to be subjected to X-ray imaging from an image of a subject imaged by a camera and which controls a respective movement of each of an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector to a respective position which corresponds to the recognized marker, and a method for controlling the same. An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube which radiates X-rays toward a subject, an X-ray detector which detects X-rays which propagate through the subject, an imaging unit which generates an image of the subject, a recognizer which recognizes a part to be subjected to X-ray imaging from the image of the subject, and a position controller which controls a movement of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to a position corresponding to the part to be subjected to X-ray imaging.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Choong Hwan Choi, Do Kwan Oh, Woo Sup Han
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Patent number: 9025848Abstract: In order to generate an X-ray CT image with optimal quality for each part and each region of an object when scanning the object across a plurality of parts using a plane detector, there is provided an X-ray CT apparatus including smoothing means 230 and filtering means 250 for generating a convolution filter on the basis of feature amounts of projection data output from the X-ray detector 12 and superimposing the convolution filter on the projection data, reconstruction means 200 for generating an X-ray CT image of the object by performing a reconstruction operation on the projection data on which the convolution filter is superimposed, and image display means 280 for displaying the image generated by the reconstruction means 200.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventor: Masakazu Okabe
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Patent number: 9008262Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus includes an generation unit, detection unit, processing unit, and reconstruction unit. The generation unit irradiates an object with X-rays. The detection unit includes detection elements corresponding to a plurality of channels, which output detection signals upon detecting X-rays. The processing unit smoothes projection data constituted by numerical values corresponding to signals output from the elements so as to more strongly smooth a portion exhibiting a larger amount of change in the numerical value. The reconstruction unit reconstructs an image by using a plurality of projection data smoothed by the image processing unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Satoru Nakanishi
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Patent number: 8976925Abstract: A cone-beam scanning system scans along a half circle. The reconstruction uses a weighting function which decreases for rows farther from the scan plane to take the redundancy of the projection data into account. Another embodiment uses a circle plus sparse helical scan geometry. Image data can be taken in real time.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: University of RochesterInventors: Ruola Ning, Dong Yang
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Patent number: 8971493Abstract: A medical imaging system adaptively acquires anatomical images using a shape adaptive collimator including multiple different portions of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation into a non-rectangular shape, in response to a control signal. The synchronization processor provides a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive variation in timing of image acquisition within an individual heart cycle and between successive heart cycles of each individual image frame of multiple sequential image frames. The X-ray image acquisition device uses the shape adaptive collimator for acquiring anatomical images of the region of interest with reduced patient X-ray exposure in response to the synchronization signal. A display processor presents resultant images.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Hongxuan Zhang
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Patent number: 8964933Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes, an X-ray source which irradiates an object with X-rays spreading in a slice direction, an X-ray detector including a plurality of X-ray detection elements which are juxtaposed in the slice direction and detect X-rays transmitted through the object, a reconstruction unit which includes a back-projection unit which obtains back-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area by performing back projection of data acquired by the X-ray detector and an interpolation unit which interpolates the data, and performs reconstruction processing for an image, and a setting unit which sets central positions of a plurality of pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-ray detection elements in the slice direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Satoru Nakanishi, Satoshi Saito
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Patent number: 8957894Abstract: A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquiring image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignees: Mistretta Medical, LLC, CMS Medical, LLCInventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Charles M. Strother
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Patent number: 8942350Abstract: A radiographic system includes: a radiographic apparatus; a radiation generator that irradiates radiation to the radiographic apparatus; and a console which forms a radiation image based on an image data transmitted from the radiographic apparatus, wherein when a radiation image capturing is completed, a controller transmits thinned-out data in which read-out image data are thinned at a prescribed ratio, to the console, which displays a preview image on a display section based on the thinned-out data, when a rejection operation that rejects the preview image through an input section is conducted, the console transmits a stop signal that instructs the radiographic apparatus to stop a series of processing, and wherein when the controller receives the stop signal, the controller stops the series of processing currently in progress, and returns an operation state of each functional section to an operation state before the radiation image capturing is carried out.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.Inventor: Ryotaro Iwase
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Patent number: 8923483Abstract: A method for controlling the angular orientation of an x-ray image on a display for a viewer displays at least one rotation mode selector on the display. A viewer instruction selects the rotation mode. An overlay displays with the x-ray image, wherein the overlay provides a center of rotation. A viewer instruction identifies a point lying outside the center of rotation. The image is rotated on the display about the center of rotation according to the identified point.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventor: Charles Schneider
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Patent number: 8913712Abstract: There is provided an X-ray CT apparatus that allows easy and correct confirmation of which position a bed can be moved to and which region can be imaged. The X-ray CT apparatus performs imaging for obtaining a scanogram 301 (S101), displays the scanogram 301 (S102), and calculates a transversely movable region 304 (S103). Further, the X-ray CT apparatus inputs size of a bow tie filter 103 (S201), inputs a transverse movement destination of a bed 106 (S105), calculates an imageable region on the basis of the size of the bow tie filter and the transverse movement destination 302 (S202), and displays the imageable region 305 (S203).Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Ninomiya, Takayuki Kadomura, Hideki Imaizumi
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Patent number: 8903039Abstract: Radiographic images for different imaging directions taken by applying radiation to a subject from the different imaging directions are obtained, and a plurality of tomographic images of the subject are generated based on the obtained plurality of radiographic images. Then, compression processing in the direction perpendicular to slice planes of the generated tomographic images is applied to the tomographic images to generate compressed tomographic images, wherein a range of the imaging directions is obtained, and a compression rate of the compression processing is set based on the obtained range of the imaging directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Jun Masumoto, Masahiko Yamada, Hiroaki Yasuda, Yasuko Yahiro, Nobuhiko Kashiwagi, Ayako Muramoto, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa
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Patent number: 8861674Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography apparatus for imaging an object. The computed tomography apparatus comprises a radiation source (2) for generating modulated radiation (4) traversing the object and a detector (6) for generating detection values depending on the radiation (4) after having traversed the object, while the radiation source (2) and the object are moved relative to each other. A weight providing unit (14) provides modulation weights for weighting the detection values depending on the modulation of the radiation (4) and a reconstruction unit (15) reconstructs an image of the object, wherein the detection values are weighted based on the provided modulation weights and an image of the object is reconstructed from the weighted detection values. This can allow to optimize the dose application to the object by modulating the radiation accordingly, wherein the reconstructed images still have a high quality.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Roland Proksa, Ewald Roessl
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Patent number: 8830234Abstract: A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquiring image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignees: Mistretta Medical, LLC, CMS Medical, LLCInventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Charles M. Strother
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Patent number: 8823704Abstract: A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquired image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image. Selective combination typically involves registering frames of the time-series of 2D images with the 3D image, projecting pixel values from the 2D image frames “into” the 3D image, and weighting the 3D image with the projected pixel values for each frame of the time-series of 2D images.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Mistretta Medical, LLC, CMS Medical, LLCInventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Charles M. Strother
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Patent number: 8804909Abstract: A method for regulating the acquisition of an analog input signal from a digital X-ray panel is provided. The method includes opening a switch disposed between an integrator and the digital X-ray panel prior to an integrator event or upon detection of a fault in the digital X-ray panel to decouple the integrator from the digital X-ray panel, wherein the integrator is configured to integrate the analog input signal from the digital X-ray panel. Also, a system for data acquisition is provided. Further, a method for fault protection of the digital X-ray panel is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Naresh Kesavan Rao, Richard Gordon Cronce, German Guillermo Vera, Jianjun Guo
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Patent number: 8792610Abstract: An apparatus for X-ray CT imaging including an X-ray irradiation unit configured to irradiate an X-ray toward a subject, an X-ray detector having a plurality of X-ray detection elements along a channel direction and a row direction, a couch on which the subject can be arranged, a rotation unit on which the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detector are oppositely disposed and rotate around the couch, a controller configured to execute a helical scan while fluctuating an X-ray focal spot along a body axis direction of the subject by controlling the X-ray irradiation unit, and an image processing unit configured to generate a reconstructed image based on data acquired by the helical scan, wherein the controller is further configured to set a magnitude of fluctuation of the X-ray focal spot so that data acquisition loci of the helical scan do not overlap each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Hiroaki Miyazaki
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Patent number: 8792614Abstract: A method for the optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans is disclosed. The disclosed method is equally-applicable to robotic radiosurgery as well as other types of radiosurgical delivery, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). A population-based heuristic approximation is used to perform a global search, and subsequently, a deterministic local trajectory search is employed to further refine the initial solution.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventors: Matthew R. Witten, Owen Clancey
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Patent number: 8774354Abstract: A system for recording computed tomography image data of an object in an object area comprises an X-ray source and an X-ray detector arranged at either side of the object area, the X-ray source having a flying focal spot from which X-rays is emitted and the X-ray detector comprising pixels arranged in at least one row for recording images of the object. A device is provided for rotating the X-ray source and the X-ray detector with respect to the object around an axis of rotation, while the at least one row of pixels record images of the object.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Xcounter ABInventor: Christer Ullberg
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Patent number: 8731265Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes, an X-ray source which irradiates an object with X-rays spreading in a slice direction, an X-ray detector including a plurality of X-ray detection elements which are juxtaposed in the slice direction and detect X-rays transmitted through the object, a reconstruction unit which includes a back-projection unit which obtains back-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area by performing back projection of data acquired by the X-ray detector and an interpolation unit which interpolates the data, and performs reconstruction processing for an image, and a setting unit which sets central positions of a plurality of pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-ray detection elements in the slice direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Satoru Nakanishi, Satoshi Saito
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Patent number: 8699670Abstract: In a method for geometrically correct association of at least two 3D image data of a patient, a marker field that defines a reference and is dimensionally stable and can be imaged in an x-ray image, is fixed in a stationary position relative to the patient. An x-ray apparatus is brought into first and second 3D acquisition positions. In each of the 3D acquisition positions, the x-ray apparatus acquires first 2D x-ray images for the associated 3D image data in various positions. The first and second 3D acquisition positions are selected such that a second 2D x-ray image that includes an image of at least a portion of the marker field is acquired in at least one respective position. The respective attitudes of the 3D acquisition position and the 3D image data in the reference system are determined from the image of the marker field in the second 2D x-ray image. First and second image data are geometrically correctly associated with one another according to their respective attitude.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Rainer Graumann, Gerhard Kleinszig
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Patent number: 8693630Abstract: These various embodiments access target information regarding a radiation-therapy treatment volume for a given patient as well as non-target information regarding at least one structure other than the radiation-therapy treatment volume that also comprises a part of the given patient. These embodiments then provide for accessing uncertainties information regarding spatial uncertainties as pertain to at least one of the target information and the non-target information and using that uncertainties information to characterize at least one radiation-therapy treatment plan optimization consideration with respect to a preference of usage to thereby provide preference considerations. These preference considerations are then used to influence a follow-on radiation-therapy treatment plan optimization process when developing a treatment plan for the radiation-therapy treatment volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AGInventors: Janne Nord, Lasse Toimela, Marko Rusanen
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Patent number: 8693634Abstract: A method of generating a density enhanced model of an object is described. The method includes generating a customized a model of an object using a pre-defined set of models in combination with at least one projection image of the object, where the customized model is formed of a plurality of volume elements including density information. A density map is generated by relating a synthesized projection image of the customized model to an actual projection image of the object. Gains from the density map are back-projected into the customized model to provide a density enhanced customized model of the object. Because the density map is calculated using information from the synthesized projection image in combination with actual projection images of the structure, it has been shown to provide spatial geometry and volumetric density results comparable to those of QCT but with reduced patient exposure, equipment cost and examination time.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hologic IncInventors: Krishna Ramamurthi, Kevin Wilson
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Patent number: 8687871Abstract: A method of computed-tomography and a computed-tomography apparatus in which x-ray projection data is acquired at a number of views for a scan of an object. Partial images are created from data for a desired number of said views. Full scan images are created from plural ones of the partial images. Non-overlapping time images are created from the full-scan images. Gradient images are also created. An improved image is created by weighting respective ones of the full scan and non-overlapping time images using the gradient image. The improved image has increased sharpness with reduced noise.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Sachin Moghe, Ilmar Hein
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Patent number: 8687762Abstract: A CT system for scanning a patient is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a tube/detector system, which can be set by a control device in respect of tube voltage and/or dose power; a patient couch, which can be displaced in a controlled fashion at least in the direction of a system axis; and a computer system, which can control the CT system. In at least one embodiment, the system includes an evaluation unit for a prescribed logical decision tree, which is integrated into the computer system, and which determines examination and scan parameters for the CT system on the basis of the input of at least one patient parameter described in a parameter list and operates the CT system using these examination and scan parameters.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ute Feuerlein, Stefan Käpplinger
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Patent number: 8660235Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography apparatus comprising a radiation source (2) and a detector (6) for generating detection values depending on a conical radiation beam (4). A weight providing unit (12) provides, for combinations of voxels of an image and detection values, weights for weighting the detection values, and a beam shaper shapes the conical radiation beam (4) such that for at least a part of the detection values the inverse of the variance of a respective detection value is positively correlated with an average of the weights corresponding to the combinations of the voxels, which correspond to the respective detection value, and the respective detection value. This shaping of the conical radiation beam improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the weighted detection values.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventor: Thomas Koehler
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Patent number: 8654119Abstract: A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquiring image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image. Selective combination typically involves registering frames of the time-series of 2D images with the 3D image, projecting pixel values from the 2D image frames “into” the 3D image, and weighting the 3D image with the projected pixel values for each frame of the time-series of 2D images.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignees: Mistretta Medical, LLC, CMS Medical, LLCInventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Charles M. Strother
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Patent number: 8643642Abstract: A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquired image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image. Selective combination typically involves registering frames of the time-series of 2D images with the 3D image, projecting pixel values from the 2D image frames “into” the 3D image, and weighting the 3D image with the projected pixel values for each frame of the time-series of 2D images.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignees: Mistretta Medical, LLC, CMS Medical, LLCInventors: Charles A. Mistretta, Charles M. Strother
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Patent number: 8630474Abstract: For filtered back-projection of a projection image data set, the projection image data set is cosine-weighted. The cosine-weighted projection image data set within the image plane of the projection image data set is subjected to a two-dimensional Radon transformation. The Radon transform of the cosine-weighted projection image data set differentiated with respect to the distance from an image origin of an image coordinate system. The derivative of the Radon transform is redundancy-weighted. The redundancy-weighted derivative is subjected to a two-dimensional Radon back-transformation. The Radon back-transform is differentiated and back-projected with respect to an image column coordinate. A differentiation step width entering into the differentiation is varied depending on depth.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Frank Dennerlein, Frederic Noo
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Patent number: 8622615Abstract: A calibration device for location of a CT X-ray generator and detector includes a splitting window, a splitting window bracket configured to support the splitting window, an integral bracket, and a spring including a first end connected to the splitting window bracket and a second end connected to the integral bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Jingyi Ren, Shuqin Dong, Jiaqin Dong
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Patent number: 8611499Abstract: A method for monitoring the X-ray dosage administered to a patient by a radiation source when using an X-ray device is proposed. The X-ray device is in particular a C-arm X-ray device. A location-dependent dosage value on the surface of the patient is determined with reference to parameters which describe the recording geometry and the radiation that is administered. The surface is described by a patient model in particular. A representation of the dosage value and/or of a value derived therefrom is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Martin Spahn