Fixing Blurry Tomography Scans from Patient Movement
This patent describes a method for creating clearer 3D medical scans by using two different X-ray scans to detect and correct for patient movement during the imaging process.
Original patent title: “Apparatus and method for reconstructing tomography images using motion information”
This patent describes a method for creating clearer 3D medical scans by using two different X-ray scans to detect and correct for patient movement during the imaging process. Granted to Samsung Electronics Co in 2019 with 23 claims and 2 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2036.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a tomography apparatus that creates sharper 3D images by accounting for patient movement. It works by taking two separate X-ray scans of an object, like a patient, using X-ray generators that emit different energy levels and rotate over different angular ranges (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). From these two images, the system determines how much the object moved over time, called "motion information" (Claim 1). Then, it uses this motion information to reconstruct a final, clear image of the object as it looked at a specific moment, effectively removing blur caused by movement (Claim 1). For example, if a patient slightly shifts during a CT scan, this technology can identify that movement and adjust the final image to compensate.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover tomography systems that use only a single X-ray generator to acquire all data for motion detection and correction.
- Does not cover systems that determine motion information without comparing two distinct images acquired with different X-ray energies or angular ranges.
- Does not cover methods that correct for motion by physically restraining the object rather than computationally adjusting the image data.
- Does not cover tomography where the X-ray generators rotate over a full 360 degrees for each image acquisition used for motion detection.
- Does not cover systems that only detect object motion but do not then use that motion information to reconstruct a target image.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in using multiple X-ray acquisitions, potentially with different energies and angular ranges, to derive specific motion information. This motion data is then fed back into the image reconstruction process to create a sharper, motion-corrected final image.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Medical CT scanners
Industrial computed tomography for quality control
Security scanners at airports
Dental cone beam CT (CBCT)
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Patient movement during medical imaging, even slight breathing or shifting, can cause blurry or distorted images, making diagnoses difficult. This patent addresses that fundamental challenge in medical tomography, aiming to improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Better images mean doctors can see details more clearly, leading to more accurate medical assessments.
Filed
August 4, 2016
Granted
June 4, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Philips, and Canon Medical Systems are continuously developing advanced CT and tomography systems with motion correction capabilities. Samsung, the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, also has a strong presence in medical imaging equipment, building on technologies like this to enhance their product offerings.
Market impact
This type of technology has a direct impact on the quality and reliability of medical diagnoses. By enabling clearer images despite patient movement, it helps reduce the need for repeat scans and improves the confidence of medical professionals in their interpretations. It contributes to the ongoing advancement of diagnostic imaging, making it more efficient and effective.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a tomography apparatus that creates sharper 3D images by accounting for patient movement. It works by taking two separate X-ray scans of an object, like a patient, using X-ray generators that emit different energy levels and rotate over different angular ranges (Claim 1). From these two images, the system determines how much the object moved over time, called "motion information" (Claim 1). Then, it uses this motion information to reconstruct a final, clear image of the object as it looked at a specific moment, effectively removing blur caused by movement (Claim 1). For example, if a patient slightly shifts during a CT scan, this technology can identify that movement and adjust the final image to compensate.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in using multiple X-ray acquisitions, potentially with different energies and angular ranges, to derive specific motion information. This motion data is then fed back into the image reconstruction process to create a sharper, motion-corrected final image.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover tomography systems that use only a single X-ray generator to acquire all data for motion detection and correction.
- Does not cover systems that determine motion information without comparing two distinct images acquired with different X-ray energies or angular ranges.
- Does not cover methods that correct for motion by physically restraining the object rather than computationally adjusting the image data.
- Does not cover tomography where the X-ray generators rotate over a full 360 degrees for each image acquisition used for motion detection.
- Does not cover systems that only detect object motion but do not then use that motion information to reconstruct a target image.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$107K – $343K
Midpoint $215K · 10.1 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Rifu, T., Lee, K., Lee, D., & KIM, D. (2019). Fixing Blurry Tomography Scans from Patient Movement (U.S. Patent No. 10,307,129). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10307129/apparatus-and-method-for-reconstructing-tomography-images-using-motion-informati
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fixing Blurry Tomography Scans from Patient Movement cover?
This patent describes a method for creating clearer 3D medical scans by using two different X-ray scans to detect and correct for patient movement during the imaging process.
Who owns patent US 10307129?
Samsung Electronics Co owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on August 4, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10307129 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Patient movement during medical imaging, even slight breathing or shifting, can cause blurry or distorted images, making diagnoses difficult. This patent addresses that fundamental challenge in medical tomography, aiming to improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Better images mean doctors can see details more clearly, leading to more accurate medical assessments.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover tomography systems that use only a single X-ray generator to acquire all data for motion detection and correction.
Same assignee
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