Apparatus and method for reconstructing an image using high-energy-based data
Granted: February 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9563817
An apparatus reconstructs an image using high energy-based data regarding a scene provides access to first image-capture data regarding the scene that is formed using a first image-capture modality and to second image-capture data that is formed using a second (different) image-capture modality. A control circuit executes an iterative image reconstruction process that establishes a first and a second image-representation channel, a fidelity error measure that measures inconsistency of…
Differential reference signal distribution method and system
Granted: February 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9563222
In a reference signal distribution system, a first subsystem is configured to distribute a reference signal to a second subsystem. The first subsystem includes multiple diode-connected devices biased by a reference current and configured to establish a differential voltage between a first node and a second node. The second subsystem includes multiple diode-connected devices driven by the differential voltage and configured to generate a copy current associated with the reference current.
Semiautomatic drawing tool for image segmentation
Granted: January 31, 2017
Patent Number:
9558561
A semiautomatic drawing tool is configured to generate an image segmentation contour that corresponds to a visible edge within a digital image. Individual contour points define the shape and location of the image segmentation contour, and the semiautomatic drawing tool determines the locations of these contour points based on both user input and on the location of a steep luminance gradient that corresponds to the visible edge. The semiautomatic drawing tool determines the location of a…
Shape similarity measure for body tissue
Granted: January 31, 2017
Patent Number:
9558427
A shape similarity metric can be provided that indicates how similar two or more shapes are. A difference between a union of the shapes and an intersection of the shapes can be used to determine the similarity metric. The shape similarity metric can provide an average distance between the shapes. Different processes for determining shapes can be evaluated for accuracy based on the shape similarity metric. New or alternative shape-determining processes can be compared for accuracy against…
Delivery catheter for and method of delivering an implant, for example, bronchoscopically implanting a marker in a lung
Granted: January 17, 2017
Patent Number:
9545506
Systems and methods for treating a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside of the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The…
Proton irradiation using spot scanning
Granted: January 10, 2017
Patent Number:
9539442
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for irradiating a target is disclosed. A proton beam is generated using a cyclotron. A first information is provided to an energy selection system. An energy level for the protons is selected using an energy selection system based on the first information. The first information comprises a depth of said target. The proton beam is routed from the cyclotron through a beam transfer line to a scanning system. A second information is provided to…
X-ray tube aperture having expansion joints
Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number:
9530528
An x-ray tube electron shield is disclosed for interposition between an electron emitter and an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons. The electron shield includes expansion joints to accommodate thermal expansion.
Reducing heel effect in dual energy x-ray images
Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number:
9530196
In some examples, a method to reduce heel effect distortion in dual energy x-ray images includes receiving flood field images generated by x-rays at different energy levels and generating one or more normalize images based on the flood field images. The method may also include applying the one or more normalize images to one or more x-ray images and combining the x-ray images to generate a dual energy x-ray image with reduced heel effect distortion.
X-ray tube cathode with magnetic electron beam steering
Granted: December 20, 2016
Patent Number:
9524845
An x-ray tube cathode with magnetic electron beam steering. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube cathode includes a cathode head and an electron emitter. The cathode head includes electrically conductive and non-magnetic material integrated with magnetic material. The cathode head defines an emitter slot in a portion of electrically conductive and non-magnetic material positioned between two portions of magnetic material. The electron emitter is positioned within the emitter slot.…
Radiation imaging using very slow rotational technique
Granted: December 13, 2016
Patent Number:
9517036
An imaging system includes a radiation source, a positioner configured to rotate the radiation source along an arc path at a rate less than 0.5 degree/sec, an imager in operative position relative to the radiation source, wherein the radiation source and the imager are configured to obtain a plurality of images while the radiation source is at different positions along the arc path, and a processor configured to determine a digital tomosynthesis image using a subset of the plurality of…
X-ray tube aperture body with shielded vacuum wall
Granted: December 6, 2016
Patent Number:
9514911
X-ray tube aperture body with shielded vacuum wall. In one example embodiment, an aperture body for use in an x-ray tube having an anode and a cathode includes an electron shield and a vacuum wall. The electron shield is configured to intercept backscattered electrons from the anode. The vacuum wall is separated by a gap from the electron shield and is shielded from the backscattered electrons by the electron shield. The aperture body also includes an electron shield aperture defined in…
Pixel architecture for imaging devices
Granted: November 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9500752
An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of detector pixels. Each detector pixel comprises a detector element configured to generate a first signal in response to x-ray photons incident thereon, a current mirror configured to generate a second signal representative of the first signal, and a switching transistor configured to allow the second signal and/or the first signal to be transferred out from the detector pixel.
System and methods for treating patients using radiation
Granted: November 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9498167
A radiation system includes a radiation source having an accelerator, the radiation source having a magnetic field associated therewith that is resulted from an operation of the accelerator, and a magnetic field source configured to provide a compensating magnetic field to at least partially counteract against the magnetic field that is resulted from the operation of the accelerator. A radiation system includes a radiation device having a radiation source, a patient support, and a…
System and methods for processing images to measure multi-leaf collimator, collimator jaw, and collimator performance utilizing pre-entered characteristics
Granted: November 1, 2016
Patent Number:
9480860
Systems and methods are proposed for accurate and efficient automatic measurement of jaw and leaf positioning in multi-leaf collimator imaging systems. Specifically, the method enables the automated and objective processing of images to determine characteristics of collimator jaws and MLC leaves. These novel techniques enable verification of collimator component positioning to ensure accurate beam modulation for radiation therapy procedures.
Filament for X-ray cathode
Granted: October 18, 2016
Patent Number:
9472371
Embodiments include an X-ray cathode filament, filament system, process to manufacture the filament and process to use the filament, where the filament includes a planar substrate, such as of tungsten, having a top surface coated with a coating of carburized tungsten (e.g., W2C) and thoria (ThO2). A first electron beam is emitted from the coating through a thermionic effect at a first temperature, such as when the filament is heated to between 1700 and 1900 degrees Celsius by running an…
Electron emitters for x-ray tubes
Granted: October 11, 2016
Patent Number:
9466455
Electron emitters for x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, an electron emitter for an x-ray tube includes an electron filament and a plurality of electrical leads. The electron filament defines a plurality of openings. Each lead is positioned so as to extend through one of the openings and each lead is mechanically and electrically connected to the filament proximate the opening without the presence of braze material.
Radiation therapy planing using integrated model
Granted: October 11, 2016
Patent Number:
9463334
System and method for automatically generate therapy plan parameters by use of an integrate model with extended applicable regions. The integrated model integrates multiple predictive models from which a suitable predictive model can be selected automatically to perform prediction for a new patient case. The integrated model may operate to evaluate prediction results generated by each predictive model and the associated prediction reliabilities and selectively output a satisfactory…
System and method for patient-specific motion management
Granted: September 20, 2016
Patent Number:
9446264
A medical method includes: determining a first probability density function related to a first uncertainty in hitting a target in a treatment of the target; determining a second probability density function related to a second uncertainty, wherein the first uncertainty is attributable to a first source of uncertainty, and the second uncertainty is attributable to a second source of uncertainty that is different from the first source of uncertainty; processing at least the first…
Treatment couch for small isocentric rotations
Granted: September 13, 2016
Patent Number:
9440094
A treatment system for a patient includes a treatment couch to position the patient. The treatment couch includes a couch top and one or more stages to pitch the couch top about a lateral axis and/or roll the couch top about a longitudinal axis, translate the couch top along lateral directions and/or longitudinal directions, rotate the couch top about a vertical axis, and translate the couch top along vertical directions.
Multi-mode cone beam CT radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine with a flat panel imager
Granted: August 23, 2016
Patent Number:
9421399
A multi-mode cone beam computed tomography radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine is disclosed. The radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine both include a rotatable gantry on which is positioned a cone-beam radiation source and a flat panel imager. The flat panel imager captures x-ray image data to generate cone-beam CT volumetric images used to generate a therapy patient position setup and a treatment plan.
