Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan

Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan, R.o.c

Tsinghua University

Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council

Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan

Meei-Ling Jan

Yu-Ching Ni

Fan-Pin Tseng

Sheng-Pin Tseng

Tien-Hsiu Tsai

Ho-Hui Hsieh

Po-Hsiu Kuo

Shiang-Lin Hsu

Chia-Hao Chang

Keh-Shih Chuang

Hsin-Chin Liang

Keh-Shih Chiang

Jay Wu

Ching-Wei Kuo

Ming-Lee Chu

Chung-Hung Chang

Shih-Fan Yu

Tzong-Dar Wu

The invention provides an automatic exposure control method for a digital X-ray imaging device. The automatic exposure control method for a digital X-ray imaging device includes the following the steps. First, a parameter database is provided before imaging scan. A depth information is generated, wherein the depth information by a depth sensor detect the thickness of a region of interest of an object. Imaging exposure parameters, mAs and kV, are estimated according to the depth information and the parameter database. Then, X-ray imaging is performed according to the imaging exposure parameters estimated by the method described in this application. In addition, an automatic exposure control system for a digital X-ray imaging device is also provided.

Automatic exposure control system for a digital X-ray imaging device and method thereof

A scanning system for three-dimensional imaging comprises a bench, a gantry frame, a light source, a sensor and a control unit. The bench is to support a subject to be scanned. The gantry frame is movably mounted at a lateral side of the bench. The light source is movably mounted on the gantry frame so as to emit a light for a radiographic purpose. The sensor is movably mounted at a side of the bench, by opposing to the subject with respect to the bench, so as to receive the light emitted from the light source. The control unit is electrically coupled with the gantry frame, the light source and the sensor so as thereby to perform motion controls upon the gantry frame, the light source and the sensor.

Scanning system for three-dimensional imaging

A projection method of three-dimensional imaging includes the steps of respectively projecting a radiation field emitted from a radiation source with respect to one specific detector of a plurality of detectors and a three-dimensional sub-voxel onto two two-dimensional planes; rotating the specific detector to one specific axis of the two dimensional plane; performing a calculation for obtaining a sub-geometric factor corresponding to each specific detector and each voxel; and, finally, forming a geometric factor by combining each sub-geometric factor defined by each detector and each voxel.

Projection method of three-dimensional imaging

The invention relates to a method for radiation detection signal processing, and more particularly to a method capable of using a periodic signal to control the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor of an integrator. The method can be used for detecting the energy of incident photon of Gamma ray during the happening of an event while reducing dead time, and thereby, the count rate is increased. As the periodic signal is used as the signal for controlling the time of charging/discharging to a capacitor, the charging/discharging time of the integrator is no longer being controlled by the triggering time of the event, and thus, the present method is advantageous in that: the control method and circuit architecture are comparatively simpler since the charging/discharging time of the integrator no longer required to be controlled precisely, and thus the integration error due to insufficient resolution in delay element can be avoided.

Method for radiation detection signal processing

The present invention provides a projection method of 3D ray tracing, so as to construct a geometric factor required for the reconstruction of a medical image in the imaging field. The present invention mainly projects a radiation field and a voxel detected by each detector on two 2D planes, then calculates the geometric ratio of a rectangular unit, corresponding to each voxel on the two 2D planes, to the radiation field, respectively, and multiplies the geometric ratios to obtain a sub-geometric factor with respect to the voxel. The sub-geometric factors gof all voxels i corresponding to all detectors j are combined to form a geometric factor matrix G.

Projection method of 3D ray tracing

A tomographic scanning apparatus for scanning an object under test and retrieving projection-related data of the object with a light/radiation source and a detector operating in conjunction therewith includes an object carrier, a light/radiation source carrier, a detector carrier, a control module, a processing module, and a rail system (or rotating arm). The object carrier is disposed at a center of the rail system or a center of rotating tracks of the rotating arm. The light/radiation source carrier and the detector carrier move along a rail of the rail system or along the rotating tracks of the rotating arm. The carriers have a rotating mechanism, moving mechanism, and/or height adjusting mechanism for performing rotation, horizontal movement, and/or height adjustment. Accordingly, the tomographic scanning apparatus operates in various ways to suit various applications, respectively.

Tomographic scanning apparatus

An apparatus for X-ray photography includes a first X-ray source, a first driving device, and an image detecting device. The first X-ray source has a light emitting end, provided with a block element. The first X-ray source generates an X-ray beam, and the block element is used for constraining a projection field of the X-ray beam, so that the X-ray beam has a first boundary. The X-ray beam is cast onto an object, and the object has a reference center and an imageable area. The first driving device is used for driving the first X-ray source to rotate around the object within an angle range with the reference center of the object as a center, so that when the first X-ray source is located at a first position, the first boundary passes through the reference center.

Apparatus for X-ray photography

The present invention based on not changing hardware design, which means that each imaging detector keep independent considerations, the weighted value of the circuit to be pushed back the weight of the original signal, and then estimate the amount of the original signal in a virtual cascade circuit to renew weighted signal; this estimation process through simplification, only simple addition and multiplication calculations on real numbers need to be implemented. Advantage of the present invention is that the signal data through a simple operation will complete the estimate. Executing the estimate in hardware without increasing storage capacity of the rear-end list mode data, and also to achieve a continuous and effective imaging area to expand and enhance the probe's sensitivity and keep a higher signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio).

Gamma imaging probe position signal processing method

An anthropomorphic phantom for medical imaging systems is disclosed, which is configured with organ models designed to mimic the three-dimensional shape of human organs, and also by the arrangement of plate-like first connecting elements inside their corresponding organ models, lesion phantoms for simulating tumors can be fixedly secured inside the corresponding organ model using a plurality of first connection holes formed on the first connecting element. Therefore, by the distribution of those first connection holes, not only the lesion phantoms can be arranged at any position inside the corresponding organ model at will as required, but also by modularized design of the anthropomorphic phantom, organ models can first be assembled to form a module structure while the whole module structure with the organ model can be moved into and assembled easily with a torso-like humanoid housing of the anthropomorphic phantom by the use of a handle element.

Anthropomorphic phantom for medical imaging systems

The invention provides a method for improving image quality. Through applying variation value during operation of iterated algorithm, this invention can reduce blur phenomenon caused by partial volume effects and improve image accuracy. In an embodiment, by applying the algorithm utilized in the method for improving image quality, this invention further provides an imaging system to detect the distribution of the object, thereby obtaining a clear restored image corresponding to the radiation source.

Method for improving image quality and imaging system using the same

A lesion phantom is disclosed, which is a spherical ball having a cavity formed therein for housing contrast agents or medicines, and is enabled for the quantitative evaluation of a medical image in drug development and evaluation. In an embodiment, the cavity of the lesion phantom is coupled to a tapering ring and is configured to be sealed by a silicon plug, in order to ensure that contrast agents or medicines can be fed into the cavity easily and conveniently without causing any problem, such as overflowing, a bubble residue problem, radioactive contamination, etc. Moreover, by the arrangement of a retractable fixing bar, the positioning of the lesion phantom can be adjusted flexibly at will, and additionally by the tapering of the tapering ring, the lesion phantom can be prevented from being damaged by any extreme, sudden, unjust, or improper force exerted, and thus the lifespan of the lesion phantom can be prolonged.

Lesion phantom preventing imaging contrast agents or medicine from overflow when lesion phantom cavity is filled

A radiation detection signal processing method and a radiation detection signal processing system using the method are provided, which combine trigger signals and time mark information. The method includes: providing a radiation detection signal processing system having a plurality of front-end detectors, where each front-end detector detects a radiation event to generate a corresponding energy signal; generating a corresponding trigger signal according to the corresponding energy signal; generating a first signal and a second signal according to all trigger signals; and obtaining time differences among the trigger signals according to the first signal and the second signal, converting the time differences into a set of time marks, merging all of the trigger signals and the set of time marks into a hybrid time signal, and transmitting the hybrid time signal to a hybrid event coincidence detection circuit.

Radiation detection signal processing method and system

The present invention provides a method for calibrating the crystal-level detection efficiency, which is capable of evaluating the influences caused by the penetration effect of the crystals of a scintillation detector so as to calculate the difference of detection efficiency between crystals correctly and thereby calibrate the difference between crystals appropriately such that the quality of the imaging result is improved accordingly. The method of present invention is simple without modifying the hardware design and consequently the design cost, manpower cost and time cost can be reduced.

Method for calibrating the crystal-level detection efficiency

The present invention provides a method for identifying and sorting sensing signals with respect to crystal locations of a scintillation detector, comprising steps of: (a) providing a crystal map detected by a crystal array, the crystal map having a plurality of peak points, each being represented by a coordinate location; (b) finding a basis point with respect to a specific area enclosing an amount of the peak points within the crystal map; (c) determining the peak point within the specific area having the shortest distance to the basis point, the peak point corresponding to a crystal element of the crystal array; (d) changing the location of the specific area; and (e) repeating steps (b) to (d) for a plurality of times to find all the crystal elements with respect to the peak points respectively.

Method for identifying and sorting sensing signals with respect to crystal location of scintillation detector

A medical inspection apparatus includes a main body and an inspection module. The main body has at least two guide rails and at least two sliding blocks which are slidably coupled to the guide rails respectively, and the inspection module further includes at least one pivot, and each of the sliding blocks is pivotally connected to the inspection module with a pivot, so that the inspection module is capable of sliding on the sliding rail to regulate the height and rotating with respect to the pivot to regulate the inclination. Moreover, the main body has a first supporting component and a second supporting component, so that the combination of the first supporting component and the second supporting component can provide three-ended support for an inspected person.

Growing community of inventors

Taoyuan County, Taiwan

Meei-Ling Jan