DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claims 1-13 are objected to because of the following informalities:
1.(Proposed Amendments) A spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system, comprising:
a spectral X-ray CT imaging unit comprising an X-ray tube and a dual layer X-ray detector,
wherein a body portion of a subject to be examined can be located between the X-ray tube and the dual layer X-ray detector;
wherein the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit is configured to acquire an initial overall scan of the body portion of the subject comprising a plurality of acquisitions at different projection angles of the initial overall scan;
a processor configured to utilize information on the body portion of the subject from the initial overall scan;
wherein the processor is further configured to determine a voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of a plurality of acquisitions of an implemented overall scan;
wherein the processor is further configured to control the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit to carry out the implemented overall scan of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the processor controlling the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit comprises controlling the X-ray tube to operate at the determined voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions at [[the]] different projection angles of the initial overall scan;
wherein the processor is further configured to receive data from the dual layer X-ray detector for each acquisition of the implemented overall scan;
wherein the processor is further configured to implement a machine learning algorithm to determine material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the processor determining the material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject comprises utilizing the data from the dual layer X-ray detector for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan and the determined voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan; and
wherein the processor is further configured to output the material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities:
4.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the processor determining the material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject further comprises utilizing X-ray spectra associated with each determined voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 5 is objected to because of the following informalities:
5.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1,
wherein the processor is further configured to control the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit to carry out a single 2D scanogram of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the processor is further configured to receive data from the dual layer X-ray detector for the single 2D scanogram of the body portion of the subject
wherein the processor is further configured to determine the information on the body portion of the subject for each projection of the different projection angles of the initial overall scan based on the data from the dual layer X-ray detector for the single 2D scanogram of the body portion of the subject.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 6 and 7 are objected to because of the following informalities:
6.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1,
wherein the processor is further configured to control the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit to carry out two 2D scanograms of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the processor is further configured to receive data from the dual layer X-ray detector for the two 2D scanograms of the body portion of the subject, and
wherein the processor is further configured to determine the information on the body portion of the subject for each projection of the different projection angles of the initial overall scan based on the data from the dual layer X-ray detector for the two 2D scanograms of the body portion of the subject.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 8 is objected to because of the following informalities:
8.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1, further comprising:
at least one visible or infrared camera,
wherein the processor is further configured to control the at least one visible or infrared camera to acquire visible or IR image data of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the processor is further configured to receive the visible or IR image data of the body portion of the subject, and
wherein the processor is further configured to determine the information on the body portion of the subject for each projection of the different projection angles of the initial overall scan based on the visible or IR image data of the body portion of the subject.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities:
9.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the processor determining the voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan comprises a comparison of corresponding information on the body portion of the subject for a projection associated with an acquisition with reference data of different information of body portions versus different voltages for the X-ray tube.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 10 is objected to because of the following informalities:
10.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1,
wherein the processor determining the voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan comprises a determination of a voltage for the X-ray tube that is determined to result in a substantially equivalent signal strength in both a top detector layer and a bottom detector layer of the dual layer X-ray detector for corresponding information on the body portion of the subject for a projection associated with an acquisition.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 11 is objected to because of the following informalities:
11.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1,
wherein the processor determining the voltage for the X- ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan comprises a determination of a voltage for the X-ray tube that is determined to result in a maximum signal to noise ratio for the data from the dual layer X-ray detector for corresponding information on the body portion of the subject for a projection associated with an.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 12 and 13 are objected to because of the following informalities:
12.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 1,
wherein the processor is further configured to determine a current for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan, and
wherein the processor determining the current for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan comprises utilizing corresponding information on the body portion of the subject for a projection associated with an acquisition.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 13 is objected to because of the following informalities:
13.(Proposed Amendments) The spectral X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system according to claim 12,
wherein the processor determining the current for the X- ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan comprises determining a current (underlined) for the X-ray tube that is determined to result in a substantially same X-ray dose received by the body portion of the subject for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions of the implemented overall scan.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 14 is objected to because of the following informalities:
14.(Proposed Amendments) A computer-implemented spectral X-ray CT imaging method, comprising:
locating a body portion of a subject to be examined between an X-ray tube and a dual layer X-ray detector of a spectral X-ray CT imaging unit,
wherein the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit is configured to acquire an initial overall scan of the body portion of the subject comprising a plurality of acquisitions at different projection angles of the initial overall scan;
utilizing information from the initial overall scan on the body portion of the subject and determining a voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of a plurality of acquisitions at different projection angles of an implemented overall scan (see controlling step);
controlling the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit to carry out the implemented overall scan of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the controlling the spectral X-ray CT imaging unit comprises controlling the X-ray tube to operate at the determined voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions at [[the]] different projection angles of the implemented overall scan;
receiving data from the dual layer X-ray detector for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions at different projection angles of the implemented overall scan;
implementing a machine learning algorithm and determining by the machine learning algorithm material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject,
wherein the determining the material decomposition imagery comprises utilizing the data from the dual layer X-ray detector for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions at different projection angles of the implemented overall scan and the determined voltage for the X-ray tube for each acquisition of the plurality of acquisitions at different projection angles of the implemented overall scan; and
outputting the material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claim 1 recites a limitation “the processor is further configured to output the material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject” in lines 27-28. The specification does not describe a processor configured to output the material decomposition imagery of the body portion of the subject at the time the application was filed. There is no description of an output unit or a link between an output unit and a processor. Therefore, the claim contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
With respect to claim 14, the prior art failed to disclose or fairly suggested a computer-implemented spectral X-ray CT imaging method as claimed.
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to the drawings have been fully considered. The objections of the drawings have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to the specification have been fully considered. The objections of the specification have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claims 1-13 have been fully considered. The objections of claims 1-13 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 2 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 2 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 3 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 3 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 4 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 4 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 7 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 7 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 9 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 9 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 10 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 10 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claim 11 have been fully considered. The objections of claim 11 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claims 12 and 13 have been fully considered. The objections of claims 12 and 13 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s amendments filed 01 June 2026 with respect to claims 1-13 have been fully considered. The rejection of claims 1-13 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph, has been withdrawn.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Kojima (U. S. Patent No. 11,896,410 B2) disclosed a photon-counting CT apparatus and a method of correcting a material decomposition map.
Nakashima et al. (U. S. Patent No. 6,990,175 B2) disclosed an X-ray computed tomography apparatus.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Allen C. Ho, whose telephone number is (571) 272-2491. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 10AM - 6PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David J. Makiya, can be reached at (571) 272-2273. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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Allen C. Ho, Ph.D.
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2884
/Allen C. Ho/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2884 Allen.Ho@uspto.gov
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