Walter L Phillips

US Patent:

6744848, Jun 1, 2004

Filed:

Feb 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/781787

Inventors:

Martin Stanton - Stowe MA
Alexander Stewart - Waltham MA
Walter Phillips - Arlington MA

Assignee:

Brandeis University - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G01B 1502

US Classification:

378 55, 378 37, 378 62

Abstract:

The present invention provides a system for imaging an object by irradiating it with low doses of radiation, such as x-ray, from a plurality of positions angularly distributed about the object, and analyzing the intensity of the radiation transmitted through the object. A system according to the invention can include a radiation source, a low noise detector, and an image processor. The radiation source emits radiation toward a target scene, containing an object to be imaged, from a plurality of angular positions. In one embodiment, the plurality of angular positions defines an arc about the target scene. In another embodiment, the radiation source moves in a series of steps of varying angular spacing along the arc to generate the multiple images of the scene. The detector is positioned to detect radiation transmitted through the scene and produces radiation transmission data representing the intensity of the radiation transmitted through the scene. The image processor receives the radiation transmission data from the detector and produces a three-dimensional image of the scene.

US Patent:

7356113, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776690

Inventors:

Tao Wu - Woburn MA, US
Alex Stewart - Waltham MA, US
Martin Stanton - Stow MA, US
Walter Phillips - Arlington MA, US
Daniel B. Kopans - Waban MA, US
Richard Moore - Concord MA, US

Assignee:

Brandeis University - Waltham MA

International Classification:

A61B 6/02

US Classification:

378 27, 378 22

Abstract:

A system for three-dimensional tomosynthesis imaging of a target element includes an image acquisition element and a processor. The image acquisition element obtains a plurality of images of the target element from a plurality of angles and includes a radiation source that is positionable at a plurality of angles with respect to the target element and a radiation detector. The radiation detector is positioned so as to detect radiation emitted by the radiation source passing through the target element and determine a plurality of attenuation values for radiation passing through the target element to establish a radiation absorbance projection image of the target element for a particular radiation source angle. The processor is configured to apply an iterative reconstruction algorithm to the radiation absorbance projection images of the target element obtained from a plurality of radiation source angles to generate a three-dimensional reconstruction of the target element.

US Patent:

20080232545, Sep 25, 2008

Filed:

Apr 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/099416

Inventors:

Tao Wu - Woburn MA, US
Alex Stewart - Waltham MA, US
Martin Stanton - Stow MA, US
Walter Phillips - Arlington MA, US
Daniel B. Kopans - Waban MA, US
Richard Moore - Concord MA, US

Assignee:

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY - Waltham MA

International Classification:

A61B 6/00

US Classification:

378 22

Abstract:

A system for three-dimensional tomosynthesis imaging of a target element is provided having an image acquisition element and a processor. The image acquisition element obtains a plurality of images of the target element from a plurality of angles and includes a radiation source that is positionable at a plurality of angles with respect to the target element and a radiation detector. The radiation detector is positioned so as to detect radiation emitted by the radiation source passing through the target element and determine a plurality of attenuation values for radiation passing through the target element to establish a radiation absorbance projection image of the target element for a particular radiation source angle. The processor is configured to apply an iterative reconstruction algorithm to the radiation absorbance projection images of the target element obtained from a plurality of radiation source angles to generate a three-dimensional reconstruction of the target element. The system can gain further accuracy where the iterative reconstruction algorithm is applied using cone-beam forward projection and back projection.