Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi Medical Corporation

Ryuichi Suzuki

Etsuji Yamamoto

Hisatake Yokouchi

Akihide Hashizume

Hideyuki Horiuchi

Tetsuhiko Takahashi

Yoshitaka Bito

Kensuke Sekihara

Shinji Yamamoto

Yukari Onodera

Yoshikuni Matsunaga

Ken Ueda

Kazuo Aisaka

Hidemi Shiono

Kenichi Okajima

Yoichi Onodera

Keiji Umetani

Kenji Takiguchi

Jun Motoike

Saburo Ataka

Hideyuki Ban

Takakazu Huno

Takaji Suzuki

Tsuyoshi Kano

Chiaki Shimbo

Kazuko Terada

Kenji Umetani

Original image coordinate data representing boundary positions of an object detected through the search of the object along predetermined multiple directions is produced in advance. A range image seen from a display plane is produced through the affine transformation process for the detected boundary positions and comparison and substitution processes for distances by means of a Z-buffer. A shading process is performed based on the range image, and the resulting object image is displayed on a CRT screen or the like. This method enables the transformation of voxel-wise original image data into original image coordinate data merely through the sequential access to the original image data, eliminating the need of intricate image processes such as tracking on the object surface, and is capable of displaying a three-dimensional image of the object quickly and also enhancing the picture quality of the displayed image.

Arbitrary viewpoint three-dimensional imaging method using compressed

In an inspection apparatus using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a spatial distribution of homogeneity of a static magnetic field can be quickly measured even when a heterogeneous object is inspected, by measuring simultaneously phase data and a transverse relaxation time at the same spatial position of the heterogeneous object, removing the difference of a phase term due to a chemical shift by anticipating components at that position and obtaining only the phase data resulting from static magnetic field inhomogeneity. A plurality of low-pass filters are provided to a shim power supply unit for driving a shim coil for generating additional static magnetic fields to correct static magnetic field homogeneity so that a low-pass filter having a small time constant is used at the time of adjustment of static magnetic field homogeneity so as quickly adjust static magnetic field homogeneity, and a low-pass filter having a large time constant is used at the time of the actual measurement of the object in order to prevent degradation of S/N of signals.

Inspection method and apparatus using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

A data processing method for image reconstruction in an NMR apparatus for use in the medical field which reduces a computation quantity relating to data extrapolation when truncation artifacts are reduced by data extrapolation. The data processing method is utilized with an inspection apparatus including a magnetic field generation apparatus for generating each of a static magnetic field, gradient magnetic field and RF magnetic field, a signal detection device for detecting NMR signals from an inspection object, a computer for computing detection signals of the signal detection device and for outputting the result of computation by the computer, for obtaining an image by effecting inverse Fourier transform for a measurement signal row representing data of spatial frequency space. An evaluation value representing the magnitude of ringing which occurs because a measured spatial frequency domain is limited in the spatial frequency space is utilized for comparison with a threshold value and signals are extrapolated into spatial frequency domains which are located outside of a measured spatial frequency domain by use of coefficients computed from the signals of the measured spatial frequency domain only when the evaluation is greater than the threshold value so that an image in which the ringing thereof is corrected is obtained.

Data processing method to reduce truncation artifacts in nuclear

This invention relates to a data processing method for suppressing truncation artifacts mixed into two-dimensional images in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Two-dimensional measurement data arrays are obtained on a space frequency domain by the combination of phase encoding and a readout gradient magentic field, and a data position providing the greatest value of the one-dimensional data array constituting the two-dimensional measurement data array is obtained in the readout direction so as to estimate the origin of the space frequency axis in the readout direction. A high-pass filter using the estimated origin as a reference is applied to each one-dimensional data array, and data extrapolation is made for each one-dimensional data array to obtain a data array having an expanded region. Nuclear spin images are obtained by inverse Fourier transformation of these data arrays.

Data processing method in nuclear magnetic resonance measurement

A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus receives nuclear magnetic resonance signals from an object under test with an RF probe which is an array of coils, implements down-frequency conversion with frequency converters for the received signals in multiple channels such that the frequency bands of the converted signals do not virtually overlap, filters the converted signals with band pass filters each operating to cut off frequency bands of other channels, hybridizes the filtered signals of multiple channels to form a hybridized signal, and produces an image from the hybridized signal.

Nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus

This invention relates to a ultra-high speed nuclear magnetic resonance fluid imaging method for selectively reconstructing projected images of a fluid from an echo train generated by the use of a readout gradient magnetic field which inverses periodically. A pulse-like encoding gradient magnetic field is used in combination with a readout gradient magnetic field which inverses periodically, so as to generate an echo train containing alternately echoes whose phase change of magnetization due to a flow is emphasized and echoes whose phase change of magnetization due to the flow is corrected, and subjected sequentially to phase encoding. A data train containing only the echoes whose phase change of magnetization due to the flow is emphasized and a data train containing only the echoes whose phase change of magnetization due to the flow is corrected are formed from sampling data of these echoes, respectively, and two images are then obtained by subjecting them individually to two-dimensional Fourier transform. Both of these images are then subtracted.

Flow imaging method using an MRI apparatus

NMR signals of low concentration solutes are obtained with suppression of NMR signal of solvent by sequentially applying a first RF pulse sequence, a 180.degree. RF pulse and a second RF pulse sequence to an object. Each of the first and second RF pulse sequence includes equally spaced RF pulses which have flip angles in accordance with binominal coefficients. Phase errors due to inhomogeneity of a static magnetic field are cancelled through the two-time application of equally spaced RF pulse sequence.

Method for nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on low concentration

Disclosed is an image display system having a plurality of CRT display screens. The system is of the type in which a number of images of specific portions of a patient having a specific ID code are selected from among a multitude of X-ray image taken by a plurality of shooting methods, and when the regions of interest are specified, a plurality of appropriate images are further selected using the previously stored aptitude values for the regions and shooting methods and displayed on said plurality of CRT display screens. In order that the segments to be inspected can be pointed to on the screen on which the image of the patient is displayed, a memory is provided which is adapted to previously store codes corresponding to the specific image of the patient and to specify the respective regions of the image in such a manner that they correspond to the pixel positions of the image.

Image display system and data input apparatus used therein

An x-ray having the energy bandwidth which extends between above and below the absorption edge energy of an element constituting a contrast agent is emitted from an x-ray source as an x-ray to be projected to an object, the x-ray at the higher energy component than the absorption energy of the contrast-agent constituting element is detected by one x-ray detector, the x-ray, having been transmitted through the one x-ray detector, at the lower energy component than the absorption edge energy of the contrast agent constituting element is detected by another x-ray detector, and a subtraction image is obtained by processing the image data from both detectors.

Spectral type radiation imaging system

An apparatus for classifying leukocytes comprises a sample image preprocessing unit which modifies the pattern of the nucleus of each of predetermined number of leukocytes extracted from the image of a blood sample, a unit for analyzing each of the processed nucleus patterns and broadly classifying each of the leukocytes into a typical or quasi-typical band form neutrophil, a typical or quasi-typical segmented neutrophil, or other neutrophil in an intermixture domain or a leukocyte other than a neutrophil, and a unit for calculating sample estimation indexes from the numbers of typical and quasi-typical neutrophils and the total number of neutrophils, classifying each of the neutrophils in the intermixture domain into a band form or a segmented neutrophil in accordance with the estimation indexes, and adding the numbers of intermixed band form and segmented neutrophils to the numbers of typical or quasi-typical band form and segmented neutrophils, respectively.

Method and apparatus for classifying white blood cells

In a film image reading out device, in which one surface of a film, where images are recorded, is scanned repeatedly with a laser light beam along a scanning line and images are read out by detecting continuously light, which has passed through the film, while moving the film with a low speed in the direction, which is perpendicular to the scanning line, a light diffusing member is disposed closely to the surface opposite to that of the film scanned with the laser light beam and the optical density of the film is detected continuously by leading transmitted and diffused light to a photodetector by means of a bundle of optical fibers.

Film image reading out device

When the laser-stimulable phosphor plate of an information reading apparatus for radiation image is constituted of CsI as the base and 0.0003 to 0.03% in atomic ratio of Na, the output signal of the information reading apparatus can be increased and the decay time thereof can be shortened. When output signals are produced by detecting fluorescence emitted from a fluoroscopic plate disposed in confrontation with the laser-stimulable phosphor plate, there is provided an information reading apparatus for radiation image having an improved S/N ratio and a high efficiency of taking in laser-stimulated luminescence. Further, instead of Na or together with Na, there may be added at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, K, Rb, Cu, Au, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Si, Ti, Zr, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, and Bi. In this case, the total content of these elements is set to be 0.00001 to 1% in atomic ratio.

Information reading apparatus for radiation image

An apparatus for automated classification of white blood cells comprising photo-electric converter means whereby the green and blue lights passing through the blood smear are converted into the respective electric signals, a first means for detecting the zone where the nucleus of white blood cell is present at a certain threshold level determined by the maximum and minimum values of the electric signal corresponding to green color, a second means for discriminating between the nucleus of white blood cell obtained from said first means and the granules and cytoplasm of white blood cell at a certain threshold level determined according to said electric signal corresponding to green color, a third means for discriminating between said cytoplasm and the back-ground at the threshold value determined on the basis of said electric signal corresponding to green color and obtained by adding a certain value to the average density on the back-ground, and a fourth means for discriminating between said nucleus and the red blood cells at a certain threshold level determined on the basis of said electric signal corresponding to blue color.

Apparatus for automated classification of white blood cells

A method wherein at least one standard leukocyte is selected from within a blood film in advance, the values of adjustments are calculated on the basis of the differences between a plurality of characteristic parameters evaluated from the standard leukocyte and the corresponding characteristic parameters previously given, and the characteristic parameters of the other leukocytes in the particular blood film are adjusted with these values of adjustments. Further, using the adjusted characteristic parameters, secondary characteristics are derived.

Cell classification method

An automatic cyto-screening device calculates, from image signals obtained by scanning stained cells, the nuclear area of the cells and the nuclear area/cytoplasmic area ratio, and determines, from the calculated areas, which belong to a normal region, which belong to an abnormal region and an uncertain region in which normal and abnormal cells are present in the mixed state; these three regions are prescribed in advance, depending on the nuclear and cytoplasmic areas. The device also determines, according to the grey histogram of the nuclear density, whether cells which have been determined to belong to the uncertain region are normal or abnormal.

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Kokubunji, Japan

Ryuichi Suzuki