With Plural X-ray Energies Patents (Class 378/98.9)
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Patent number: 11944484Abstract: A method and a system for providing calibration for a photon counting CT detector forward model for material decomposition. Various slabs of predetermined material and path lengths are placed in the photon counting CT detector and scanned using one or more stationary X-rays to obtain calibration data and parametrize the forward model.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Xiaohui Zhan, Xiaofeng Niu
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Patent number: 11933743Abstract: An imaging control apparatus obtains a plurality of images at different radiation energies, the images having been obtained as a result of irradiating a subject with radiation whose energy changes during one shot, and detecting, a plurality of times, the radiation that has passed through the subject during the one shot; generates an energy subtraction image by performing energy subtraction processing using a plurality of images; and generates a difference image using a plurality of generated energy subtraction images.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Akira Tsukuda, Kosuke Terui, Sota Torii, Takeshi Noda
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Patent number: 11553888Abstract: An apparatus for radiopharmaceutical quantification of a body part includes a processor configured to receive at least one gamma image of a body part acquired by at least one gamma camera configured to detect gamma and/or X-rays. The at least one gamma image comprises spectral energy data that includes data resulting from decay of at least one radiopharmaceutical. The processor is configured to determine an activity of the at least one radiopharmaceutical at a plurality of spatial positions in the body part and determines a spatial distribution of the at least one radiopharmaceutical in the body part. The determination for a spatial position of the plurality of spatial positions comprises correlating a generated synthetic spectrum to an experimental spectrum generated from the spectral energy data for at least one position in the at least one gamma image that corresponds to that spatial position.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Cecilia Hindorf, Erik Larsson, Gustav Brolin, Tomas Ohlsson
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Patent number: 11320562Abstract: A method for optimising detector performance in a dual-energy detector system including high-energy X-ray detection and low-energy X-ray detection. The method includes one or more steps from a group including: utilising different scanning rates for high-energy X-ray detection and low-energy X-ray detection; utilising different integration times for high-energy Xray detection and low-energy X-ray detection; and/or utilising different diode sizes for high-energy X-ray detection and low-energy X-ray detection.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventor: Richard Parmee
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Patent number: 11237293Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided detector for an inspection system, including at least one first scintillator configured to, in response to interaction with a pulse of inspection radiation, re-emit first light in a first wavelength domain, at least one second scintillator configured to, in response to interaction with the pulse of inspection radiation, re-emit second light in a second wavelength domain different from the first wavelength domain, and at least one first sensor configured to measure the first light and the second light.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: SMITHS HEIMANN SASInventors: Guillaume Jegou, Jean-Michel Faugier
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Patent number: 11158095Abstract: A system for reducing artifact bloom in a reconstructed image of an object is provided. The system includes an imaging device, and a controller. The imaging device is operative to obtain one or more slices of the object. The controller is in electronic communication with the imaging device and operative to: generate the reconstructed image based at least in part on the one or more slices; and de-bloom one or more regions within the reconstructed image based at least in part on a contrast medium enhancement across at least part of a volume of the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 10806413Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for acquiring image data of a subject. The image data can be collected with an imaging system with at least two different energy characteristics. The image data can be reconstructed using reconstruction techniques.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventors: David A. Garlow, Robert P. Cloutier
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Patent number: 10692213Abstract: A system and related method for retrieving, for a first image structure (S1) in an initial image (IG1), a corresponding image structure (S2) in a second image (IG2). The system accepts as input a location of the first structure (S1) in the initial image (IG1) along with an additional structure property such as spectral information to so reduce ambiguity.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Buelow, Klaus Erhard
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Patent number: 10682527Abstract: A radiation dose received by a patient from a radiation therapy system can be verified by acquiring a cine stream of image frames from an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) that is arranged to detect radiation exiting the patient during irradiation. The cine stream of EPID image frames can be processed in real-time to form exit images providing absolute dose measurements at the EPID (dose-to-water values), which is representative of the characteristics of the radiation received by the patient. Compliance with predetermined characteristics for the field can be determined during treatment by periodically comparing the absolute dose measurements with the predetermined characteristics, which can include a predicted total dose in the field after full treatment and/or a complete irradiation area outline (CIAO). The system operator can be alerted or the irradiation automatically stopped when non-compliance is detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Christof Baltes, Todd Holmes
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Patent number: 10573028Abstract: As set forth herein low energy signal data and high energy signal data can be acquired. A first material decomposed (MD) image of a first material basis and a second material decomposed (MD) image of a second material basis can be obtained using the low energy signal data and the high energy signal data. At least one of the first or second MD image can be input into a guide filter for output of at least one noise reduced and cross-contamination reduced image. A computed tomography (CT) imaging system can be provided that includes an X-ray source and a detector having a plurality of detector elements that detect X-ray beams emitted from the X-ray source. Low energy signal data and high energy signal data can be acquired using the detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Roshni Bhagalia, Debashish Pal
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Patent number: 10416323Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes a pixel array, a scanning circuit for scanning a plurality of rows of the pixel array in accordance with a selected mode of a plurality of modes, and a readout circuit configured to read out signals from pixels on a selected row in scanning by the scanning circuit. The plurality of modes include a first mode of performing image capturing at a first frame rate and a second mode of performing image capturing at a second frame rate lower than the first frame rate. The number of times of scanning on the plurality of rows by the scanning circuit in one frame period in the second mode is larger than that of scanning on the plurality of rows by the scanning circuit in one frame period in the first mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takuya Ryu, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Hideyuki Okada, Eriko Sato, Shinichi Takeda
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Patent number: 10111638Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to perform material decomposition based on spectral computed tomography (CT) projection data generated using registered reconstructed images. Registration is performed in the image domain, whereas material decomposition is performed in the sinogram domain. In the sinogram domain, material decomposition can include beam-hardening corrections. For at least two energy components, CT images are reconstructed, and registration is performed among the CT images. In certain implementations, the registered images are forward projected, and material decomposition is based on the resultant forward projections. In other implementations, motion images are generated from differences between the reconstructed CT images pre- and post-registration. The projection data is then corrected using forward projections of the motion images, and material decomposition is performed using the motion-corrected projection data.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Tang Qiulin, Yu Zhou, Satoru Nakanishi, Richard Thompson
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Patent number: 10083520Abstract: The radiographic image generation method includes acquiring a plurality of radiographic images corresponding to a number of radiation dose portions by emitting radiation to an object by dividing a radiation exposure dose into the radiation dose portions, and by detecting the emitted radiation, and matching the plurality of acquired radiographic images, by shifting all or a portion of data of a plurality of the acquired radiographic images such that the corresponding articles within a plurality of the acquired radiographic images are positioned at a same relative position in each of the acquired radiographic images.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Hyun Hwa Oh, Dong Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung, Kang Eui Lee
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Patent number: 9989657Abstract: A readout circuit for reading out an output current from a photoelectric conversion element which collectively outputs currents generated in a plurality of pixels, each of which includes an avalanche photodiode, includes a current mirror circuit configured to receive the output current and output first and second currents having magnitudes in proportion to the output current, a photon counting circuit configured to count the number of photons incident on the photoelectric conversion element on the basis of the first current, an integral circuit configured to integrate the second current to generate a voltage signal, and a signal processing unit configured to determine a magnitude of light incident on the photoelectric conversion element on the basis of a counting result output from the photon counting circuit and a magnitude of the voltage signal output from the integral circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Shigeyuki Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Ohta, Michito Hirayanagi, Hiroki Suzuki, Shunsuke Adachi
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Patent number: 9913622Abstract: According to an embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire projection data that is based on a spectrum representing an amount of X-rays with respect to energy of a radiation having passed through a subject; select a plurality of materials; generate, from the projection data, first density images for each of the selected materials; generate a monochromatic image of specific energy from the first density images; reconstruct the projection data corresponding to the specific energy to generate a reconstructed image; compare the monochromatic image and the reconstructed image; and provide a notification indicating a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Takashi Ida, Toshiyuki Ono, Shuhei Nitta, Hiroaki Nakai
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Patent number: 9638810Abstract: A detector array (112) includes at least one detector pixel (306) with a cavity (400) that defines a three dimensional volume. A surface of the cavity includes at least two photosensitive regions and a non-photosensitive region there between, defining at least two sub-pixels (306i, 3062) which detect light photons traversing within the three dimensional cavity and produce respective signals indicative thereof. The detector array further includes a scintillator (302), including a first sub-portion that is located in the cavity and which emits the light photons in response to absorbing x-ray photons.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Marc Anthony Chappo, Randall Peter Luhta
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Patent number: 9561013Abstract: A movable radiographing apparatus has a wireless communication function and includes a radiation generating unit including a radiation source, an arm portion configured to support the radiation generating unit, a support pillar configured to support the arm portion, and a moving unit configured to support the support pillar and including a GUI to be operated by the user. The movable radiographing apparatus further includes a connector unit to and from which an external antenna for wireless communication is attachable and detachable, wherein the connector unit is provided on at least one of the radiation generating unit, the arm portion, the support pillar, and the moving unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Keiji Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 9445030Abstract: A radiation image capturing apparatus, comprising a sensor configured to monitor an irradiating dose of radiation, a switch configured output a sensor signal from the sensor, a readout unit configured to read out the sensor signal via a signal line, and a controlling unit, wherein the controlling unit performs first control of repeatedly performing, while the sensor is irradiated, a series of operations including a first operation of setting the switch to a conductive state and a second operation of setting the switch to a non-conductive state, second control of reading out the sensor signal in the first operation as a first signal and a potential of the signal line in the second operation as a second signal, and third control of calculating the irradiating dose of radiation based on the first signal and the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoyuki Yagi, Toshio Kameshima, Katsuro Takenaka, Atsushi Iwashita, Eriko Sato, Hideyuki Okada, Takuya Ryu, Kosuke Terui
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Patent number: 9400332Abstract: An imaging method includes obtaining a first image data for a subset of a target region, the subset of the target region having a first metallic object, obtaining a second image data for the target region, and using the first and second image data to determine a composite image. A imaging system includes a first detector configured to provide a first projection data using a first radiation having high energy, and a second detector configured to provide a second projection data using a second radiation having low energy, wherein the first detector has a first length, the second detector has a second length, and the first length is less than 75% of the second length.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Josh Star-Lack, Michael Green, Heinrich Riem, Timothy Guertin
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Patent number: 9341582Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a tomography method and a tomography system capable of tomographic imaging targeted uniquely to the test object among subjects under test. The method involves performing a process of generating projection data about the region of interest by selecting one reference projection data set from a plurality of projection data generated in a tomography process using a plurality of X-ray energy levels and by subtracting from the reference projection data set the product of an attenuation coefficient and the transmission length of the material configuring any region other than the region of interest detected by detector elements of detectors, and performing an image reconstruction computing process to generate a tomographic or stereoscopic image of the region of interest through image reconstruction based on the projection data about the region of interest generated in the projection data generating process.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Yasushi Nagumo, Noriyuki Sadaoka
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Patent number: 9234966Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus including pixels; driving lines; a driving circuit; bias lines; an acquisition unit configured to acquire an evaluation value based on a current flowing in the bias line; a determination unit configured to compare the evaluation value with a comparison target value to determine whether radiation is irradiated; a control unit configured to control the acquisition unit and the determination unit; and a storage unit configured to store the evaluation value used in the determination process, is provided. A comparison target value used in a given determination process is based on one or more evaluation values used in one or more determination processes which are performed before the given determination process and in which it is determined that radiation has not been irradiated.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Eriko Sugawara, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Sho Sato, Atsushi Iwashita, Hideyuki Okada
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Patent number: 9158128Abstract: This invention discloses an energized Ophthalmic Device with incorporated low energy consuming modes. In some embodiments, media inserts with incorporated low energy consuming modes are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Adam Toner, Daniel B. Otts, James Daniel Riall, Scott R. Humphreys, Frederick A. Flitsch, Camille Higham
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Patent number: 9113839Abstract: The present specification discloses an X-ray system for processing X-ray data to determine an identity of an object under inspection. The X-ray system includes an X-ray source for transmitting X-rays, where the X-rays have a range of energies, through the object, a detector array for detecting the transmitted X-rays, where each detector outputs a signal proportional to an amount of energy deposited at the detector by a detected X-ray, and at least one processor that reconstructs an image from the signal, where each pixel within the image represents an associated mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at a specific point in space and for a specific energy level, fits each of pixel to a function to determine the mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at the point in space; and uses the function to determine the identity of the object under inspection.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Rapiscon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward James Morton, Francis Baldwin
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Patent number: 9070181Abstract: A technique is provided for extracting one or more features of interest from one or more projection images. The technique includes accessing projection images comprising at least one feature of interest enhanced by a contrast agent, generating a contrast agent null image based on the projection images, generating a bone mask based on the contrast agent null image, and generating a bone extracted image based on the bone mask.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xiaoye Wu, David Allen Langan, James Vradenburg Miller, Yogisha Mallya, Srikanth Suryanarayanan
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Patent number: 9012857Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation sensitive detector array (110). The detector array includes at least two scintillator array layers (116). The detector array further includes at least two corresponding photosensor array layers (114). At least one of the at least two photosensor array layers is located between the at least two scintillator array layers in a direction of incoming radiation. The at least one of the at least two photosensor array layers has a thickness that is less than thirty microns.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen, Amiaz Altman, Igor Uman, Rafael Goshen
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Patent number: 9008263Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a breast are provided. The apparatus includes an X-ray emission unit that emits an X-ray of a first energy spectrum and an X-ray of a second energy spectrum from above a first region of a breast and emits an X-ray of a third energy spectrum from above a second region of the breast different from the first region of the breast; an X-ray detection unit that generates a plurality of image frames related to the breast by detecting the X-rays emitted and passed through the breast; and an image generation unit that generates image data related to the breast by combining the plurality of image frames.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwang Eun Jang, Jong Ha Lee, Dong Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung
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Patent number: 8989346Abstract: From radiation images obtained by driving radiation tube with a plurality of tube voltages, including a normal tube voltage, a density gradient with respect to at least two sections of a reference substance having different radiation transmission characteristics is obtained for each of the plurality of tube voltages prior to obtaining a bone mineral density. If a radiation image captured for obtaining a bone mineral density is determined to have been captured under a tube voltage other than the normal tube voltage, an image signal representing the image and/or a bone mineral density analysis result is corrected so as to correspond to that which should have been obtained if the image had been captured under the normal tube voltage based on the relationship between the density gradient in the image and the density gradient in the radiation image captured under the normal tube voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Kenji Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 8989344Abstract: A system and a method for measuring an ash content and a calorific value of a coal are provided. The system comprises: an X ray device, disposed over the coal and configured to emit an X ray to the coal; at least one X ray measuring device, disposed over the coal and configured to measure an energy spectrum of an X ray reflected by the coal; a distance sensor, disposed over the coal and configured to measure a distance between the coal and the at least one X ray measuring device; and a computing device, configured to receive the energy spectrum and the distance from the at least one X ray measuring device and the distance sensor and to compute the ash content and the calorific value of the coal according to the energy spectrum and the distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Tsinghua UniversityInventors: Hongchang Yi, Qian Lin, Jianping Cheng
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Patent number: 8981310Abstract: A radiation detection device 80 according to an embodiment is a radiation detection device for a foreign substance inspection using a subtraction method, and includes a first radiation detector 32 that detects radiation in a first energy range transmitted through a specimen S and generates a first image, a second radiation detector 42 that detects radiation in a second energy range higher than the radiation in the first energy range and generates a second image, a first image processing section 34 that applies image processing to the first image, and a second image processing section 44 that applies image processing to the second image, wherein a first pixel width in an image detection direction of each pixel of the first radiation detector 32 is smaller than a second pixel width in the image detection direction of each pixel of the second radiation detector 42, and the first image processing section 34 and the second image processing section 44 carry out pixel change processing to make the number of pixels oType: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventor: Toshiyasu Suyama
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Patent number: 8964938Abstract: A buffer on detector elements of an X-ray radiation detector can be used, when acquiring a number of 2D X-ray image data records with the aid of an X-ray angiography system, to acquire 2D image data records at a relatively short interval one after the other with the aid of different X-ray spectra, to allow dual-energy imaging, which may be of particularly good quality.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Spahn
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Patent number: 8964939Abstract: A radiation image acquiring system is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system irradiates X-rays to a subject from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject. The X-ray image acquiring system includes a first detector for detecting X-rays that are transmitted through the subject to generate first image data, a second detector arranged in parallel to the first detector with a dead zone region sandwiched therebetween, for detecting X-rays that are transmitted through the subject to generate second image data, and a timing control section for controlling detection timing of the second detector based on a dead zone width of the dead zone region so that first image data to be generated by the first detector and second image data to be generated by the second detector mutually correspond.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Toshiyasu Suyama, Tadashi Maruno, Toshihide Sasaki, Junichi Sonoda, Shinji Takihi
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Patent number: 8942349Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to dual-energy imaging, and in particular, techniques to produce and process dual-energy images using a dual-energy imaging system. One embodiment provides a method for generating at least one image of a region of interest in a patient, the method comprising: obtaining at least two radiological images of the region of interest identified with at least one marker arranged on and/or around the patient, wherein a first image is acquired with a first X-ray energy and a second image is acquired with a second X-ray energy; and determining a final radiological image of the region of interest by linearly combining the two radiological images to obtain an image without the markers.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent Bismuth, Sebastien Gorges
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Patent number: 8873713Abstract: A radiation detection device 80 according to an embodiment is a radiation detection device for a foreign substance inspection using a subtraction method, including a first radiation detector 32 and a second radiation detector 42 that detect radiation transmitted through a specimen S, a timing control section 50 that controls detection timings, and an image correction section 34, wherein a first pixel width Wb1 in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an image detection direction of each pixel of the first radiation detector 32 is smaller than a second pixel width Wb2 in the orthogonal direction of each pixel of the second radiation detector 42, the timing control section 50 synchronizes detection timings of the second radiation detector 42 to detection timings of the first radiation detector 32, and the image correction section 34 sums Wb2/Wb1 pixel data successive in an image from the first radiation detector 32.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventor: Toshiyasu Suyama
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Patent number: 8861681Abstract: Methods and systems for active resonant voltage switching are provided. One active resonant switching system includes a voltage switching system having one or more active resonant modules to provide a switching voltage output. Each of the resonant modules includes a plurality of switching devices configured to operate in open and closed states to produce first and second voltage level outputs from a voltage input. The resonant modules also include a capacitor connected to the switching devices and configured to receive a discharge energy during a resonant operating cycle when switching an output voltage from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, wherein the capacitor is further configured to restore system energy when switching from the second to first voltage level. The resonant modules further include a resonant inductor configured to transfer energy to and from the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Antonio Caiafa, Peter Michael Edic, Colin Richard Wilson
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Patent number: 8761485Abstract: Provided is a method and system of processing a multi-energy X-ray image. Through the method and system, a plurality of target images may be acquired using an X-ray detector enabling an energy separation to be performed in a predetermined time interval, with respect to a target where a contrast agent is applied, and a signal processing may be performed on the acquired target images, thereby detecting and reading benign/malignant lesions or masses.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwang Eun Jang, Dong Goo Kang, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Sung Su Kim, Seok Min Han
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Patent number: 8699657Abstract: The present invention relates to an examination apparatus and a corresponding method to realize a Spectral x-ray imaging device through inverse-geometry CT.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Gereon Vogtmeier
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Patent number: 8699662Abstract: A method of and apparatus for obtaining radiation transmission data from a liquid in such manner that allows some data about relative proportions of constituent ingredients to be derived is described. A radiation source and a radiation detector system able to resolve transmitted intensity across a plurality of frequencies within the spectrum of the source are used to produce transmitted intensity data for each such frequency. Measured data is compared numerically to a mass attenuation data library storing mass attenuation data, individually or collectively, for a small number of expected constituent ingredients of the liquid to fit each intensity data item to the relationship given by the exponential attenuation law: I/IO=exp [?(?/?) ?t] in respect of the constituent ingredients and derive therefrom an indication of relative proportions of each constituent ingredient.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Kromek LimitedInventors: Ian Radley, Max Robinson, Gary Gibson
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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: 8600005Abstract: An X-ray image acquiring system capable of improving the detection accuracy of a foreign substance contained in a subject is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system irradiates X-rays to a subject having a predetermined thickness from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject in a plurality of energy ranges. The X-ray image acquiring system includes a low-energy detector for detecting, in a low-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R1 extending in a thickness direction within the subject, a high-energy detector for detecting, in a high-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R2 extending in a thickness direction within the subject, and a timing control section for controlling detection timing of X-rays in the low-energy detector and the high-energy detector so that an inspecting region located at a predetermined site within the subject is included in the region R1 and the region R2.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Toshiyasu Suyama, Tadashi Maruno, Toshihide Sasaki, Junichi Sonoda, Shinji Takihi
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Patent number: 8571178Abstract: A motor controller determines a drive speed of a motor for driving a filter such that an area shifting cycle of the filter synchronizes with a cardiac cycle. The filter starts to rotate before radiation emission, and continues to rotate at a constant speed during two successive radiation emissions. An emission controller controls timing of two emissions in accordance with a phase of the filter. The area shifting cycle of the filter and the cardiac cycle are previously synchronized, and thus a high-performance filter switching device for switching or shifting the filter in synchronization with the emission timing becomes unnecessary. Adjusting the area shifting cycle of the filter in accordance with the cardiac cycle realizes two radiation emissions in two successive cardiac cycles. As a result, an exposure time is shortened.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Tomonari Sendai
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Patent number: 8536552Abstract: A collimator is disclosed for a radiation detector including at least three spacing elements arranged on a radiation exit face of the collimator. In at least one embodiment, they are embodied so as to mount the collimator in a stable manner with respect to a radiation converter of the radiation detector. The at least three spacing elements enable a very precise and stable alignment of the collimator in respect of the radiation converter despite manufacturing-related curves or unevennesses in the radiation exit face and/or the mounting surface on the part of the radiation converter. At least one embodiment of the invention also relates to a manufacturing method for such a collimator, as well as a method for manufacturing a radiation detector.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Freund, Claus Pohan, Gottfried Tschöpa, Stefan Wirth, Jan Wrege
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Patent number: 8483360Abstract: The techniques described herein provide for correcting projection data that comprises contamination due to source switching in a multi energy scanner. The correction is a multi-neighbor correction. That is, it uses data from at least two other views of an object (e.g., generally a previous view and a subsequent view) to correct a current view of the object. The multi-neighbor correction may use one or more correction factors to determine how much data from the other two views to use to correct the current view. The correction factor(s) are determined based upon a calibration that utilizes image space data and/or projection space data of a phantom. In this way, the correction factor(s) account for source leakage that occurs in multi energy scanners.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventors: Andrew Litvin, Julia Pavlovich, Aleksander Roshi, Sergey Simanovsky, Ram Naidu
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Patent number: 8457274Abstract: Methods and systems for x-ray inspection of an object using pulses whose spectral composition varies during the course of each pulse. A temporal sequence of pulses of penetrating radiation is generated such that the spectral content of each pulse evolves with time. The pulses are formed into a beam that is scanned across the object and detected after traversing the object. The detector signal is processed to derive at least one material characteristic of the object, such as effective atomic number, on the basis of temporal evolution of the detector signal during the course each pulse of the sequence of pulses. The time intervals may be predetermined, or else adapted based on features of the detected signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: American Science and Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Anatoli Arodzero, Martin Rommel, Aleksandr Saverskiy, Rajen Sud
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Patent number: 8447009Abstract: A method and a computed tomography scanner are disclosed for carrying out an angiographic examination of a patient, wherein the utilized computed tomography scanner includes at least one recording system mounted on a gantry such that it can rotate about a z-axis. Projection data is acquired from at least one prescribed angular position of the gantry for at least two different energies of X-ray radiation. The projection data is subsequently combined to form a resulting projection image by evaluating the projection data corresponding to the respective angular position, in which projection image at least one substance, which should be displayed selectively, is imaged with a high image contrast compared to the respective individual projection data. This procedure extends the field of application of the computed tomography scanner to projection-based angiography examinations, which were previously restricted to C-arm systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Flohr, Michael Grasruck, Bernhard Schmidt, Martin Sedlmair
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Patent number: 8422636Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray source, a detector that receives x-rays emitted from the x-ray source, a DAS configured to count photon hits in the detector that occur at photon energies above at least a low keV threshold, a medium keV threshold, and a high keV threshold, and a computer operably coupled to the DAS. The computer is programmed to vary each of the medium keV threshold and the high keV threshold over a continuous keV range during data acquisition to define low, medium, and high keV bins that are based on the low, medium, and high keV thresholds, obtain photon counts in the low, medium, and high keV bins in a plurality of keV threshold combinations, calculate a noise variance as a function of at least one of the keV thresholds, and identify a noise minimum and low, medium, and high keV thresholds that correspond thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: GE Medical Systems Israel, Ltd.Inventors: Lev Greenberg, Daniel Rubin, Baruch Rosner, Galit Naveh, Reuven Levinson, Jerome Stephen Arenson, Shalom Rosenberg
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Patent number: 8391439Abstract: A radiation detector (24) includes a two-dimensional array of upper scintillators (30?) which is disposed facing an x-ray source (14) to convert lower energy radiation events into visible light and transmit higher energy radiation. A two-dimensional array of lower scintillators (30B) is disposed adjacent the upper scintillators (30?) distally from the x-ray source (14) to convert the transmitted higher energy radiation into visible light. Upper and lower photodetectors (38?, 30B) are optically coupled to the respective upper and lower scintillators (30?,30B) at an inner side (60) of the scintillators (30?,30B). An optical element (100) is optically coupled with the upper scintillators (30?) to collect and channel the light from the upper scintillators (30?) into corresponding upper photodetectors (38?).Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Simha Levene, Olga Shapiro, Ami Altman, Naor Wainer
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Patent number: 8384314Abstract: An electromagnetic wave having a phase velocity and an amplitude is provided by an electromagnetic wave source to a traveling wave linear accelerator. The traveling wave linear accelerator generates a first output of electrons having a first energy by accelerating an electron beam using the electromagnetic wave. The first output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a first beam of x-rays. The electromagnetic wave can be modified by adjusting its amplitude and the phase velocity. The traveling wave linear accelerator then generates a second output of electrons having a second energy by accelerating an electron beam using the modified electromagnetic wave. The second output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a second beam of x-rays. A frequency controller can monitor the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave from the input to the output ends of the accelerator and can correct the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave based on the measured phase shift.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Accuray, Inc.Inventors: Paul Dennis Treas, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
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Patent number: 8374814Abstract: An X-ray detection signal processing apparatus of the present invention is such that after a signal from a preamplifier has been converted into a digital signal at a high speed by means of a high speed analog-to-digital converter (1), a process for removing influences brought about by a component that has been decayed by a differential time constant in the preamplifier is performed on a digital basis in a digital signal processing block (2). An event detecting unit (3) within the digital signal processing block (2), smoothen the signal from the high speed analog-to-digital converter (1) for a predetermined shaping time with the use of a filter function for high speed shaping, detects as an event information the timing at which the smoothened signal exceeds a predetermined threshold and attains the maximum value, and add such event information to the signal from the high speed analog-to-digital converter (1).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Rigaku CorporationInventor: Yukio Sako
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Patent number: 8363917Abstract: A CT system includes a generator configured to energize an x-ray source to a first kilovoltage (kVp) and to a second kVp, and a computer that is programmed to acquire a first view dataset with the x-ray source energized to the first kVp and a second view dataset with the x-ray source energized to the second kVp, generate a base correction image using the first view dataset and the second view dataset, and reconstruct a pair of base material images from the first view dataset and from the second view dataset. The computer is also programmed to estimate artifact correlation in the pair of base material images using the base correction image, generate a pair of final base material images and a final monochromatic image, and correct one of the pair of final base material images and the final monochromatic image at a keV value using the estimated artifact correlation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jiahua Fan, Naveen Chandra, Andrew Johnson, Jiang Hsieh, Fang Dong, Mary Sue Kulpins, Peter Crandall
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Patent number: 8363779Abstract: A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and a controller. The controller is configured to apply a first kVp for a first time period, apply a second kVp for a second time period, integrate two or more view datasets during the first time period, integrate one or more view datasets during the second time period, and generate an image using the datasets integrated during the first time period and during the second time period.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Naveen Chandra, Xiaoye Wu, Thomas L. Toth, Jiang Hsieh