1741results about "X-ray/infra-red processes" patented technology

A virtual control system for an operating room establishes virtual control devices to control surgical equipment and patient monitoring equipment and to display control, status and functionality information concerning the surgical equipment and condition information of the patient. The virtual control devices permit direct interaction by the surgeon while maintaining a sterile field, and avoid the use of actual physical devices and electrical cables connecting them to the surgical equipment.

A system for surgical imaging and display of tissue structures of a patient, including a display and an image processor for displaying such images in coordination with a tool image to facilitate manipulation of the tool during the surgical procedure. The system is configured for use with a fluoroscope such that at least one image in the display is derived from the fluoroscope at the time of surgery. A fixture is affixed to an imaging side of the fluoroscope for providing patterns of an of array markers that are imaged in each fluoroscope image. A tracking assembly having a plurality of tracking elements is operative to determine positions of said fixture and the patient. One of the tracking elements is secured against motion with respect to the fixture so that determining a position of the tracking element determines a position of all the markers in a single measurement.

A method for surgical imaging and display including (i.) positioning a defined set of markers disposed in a pattern so as to be imaged in each pose or view of an imaging assembly, the set of markers being fixed in pre-determined positions in a rigid carrier, (ii.) securing a first tracking element against motion with respect to the rigid carrier so that determining a position of the first tracking element in a single measurement determines positions of all the markers of the set, and (iii.) identifying images of at least a subset of the markers in a first view.

There are many, many inventions described herein. In one aspect, what is disclosed is a digital camera including a plurality of arrays of photo detectors, including a first array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a first wavelength and a second array of photo detectors to sample an intensity of light of a second wavelength. The digital camera further may also include a first lens disposed in an optical path of the first array of photo detectors, wherein the first lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the first wavelength, and a second lens disposed in with an optical path of the second array of photo detectors wherein the second lens includes a predetermined optical response to the light of the second wavelength. In addition, the digital camera may include signal processing circuitry, coupled to the first and second arrays of photo detectors, to generate a composite image using (i) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the first array of photo detectors, and (ii) data which is representative of the intensity of light sampled by the second array of photo detectors; wherein the first array of photo detectors, the second array of photo detectors, and the signal processing circuitry are integrated on or in the same semiconductor substrate.

A method of and system for locating a targeted region in a patient uses a CT imaging subsystem and a radiotherapy subsystem arranged so the targeted region can be imaged with the imaging system and treated with a beam of therapeutic X-ray radiation using a radiotherapy subsystem. The beam of therapeutic X-rays is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to, and preferably coplanar with, a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

A method of and system for locating a targeted region in a patient uses a CT imaging subsystem and a radiotherapy subsystem arranged so the targeted region can be imaged with the imaging system and treated with a beam of therapeutic X-ray radiation using a radiotherapy subsystem. The beam of therapeutic X-rays is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to, and preferably coplanar with, a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

The invention relates to a method and a system for the simultaneous reconstruction of the three-dimensional vessel geometry and the flow characteristics in a vessel system. According to one realization of the method, vessel segments (41) of a parametric models are fitted to differently oriented X-ray projections (P1, Pk, PN) of the vessel system that are generated during the passage of a bolus of contrast agent, wherein the fitting takes the imaged contrast agent dynamics and physiological a priori knowledge into account. In an alternative embodiment, the vessel geometry is reconstructed progressively along each vessel, wherein a new segment of a vessel is added based on the continuity of the vessel direction, vessel radius and reconstructed contrast agent dynamics.

Methods for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object, such as an internal organ, using volume visualization techniques are provided. The techniques include a multi-scan imaging method; a multi-resolution imaging method; and a method for generating a skeleton of a complex three dimension object. The applications include virtual cystoscopy, virtual laryngoscopy, virtual angiography, among others.

Disclosed is a method for generating a panoramic image of a region of interest (ROI) which is larger than a field of a view of a radiation based imaging device, comprising, positioning markers along the ROI, acquiring a set of images along the ROI, wherein the acquired images have at least partially overlapping portions, aligning at least two separate images by aligning a common marker found in both images and compensating for a difference between a distance from a radiation source to the marker element and the distance from the radiation source to a plane of interest.

A virtual control system for an operating room establishes virtual control devices to control surgical equipment and patient monitoring equipment and to display control, status and functionality information concerning the surgical equipment and condition information of the patient. The virtual control devices permit direct interaction by the surgeon while maintaining a sterile field, and avoid the use of actual physical devices and electrical cables connecting them to the surgical equipment.

A multiple language user interface system for a thermal comfort controller. The user interface system has a central processing unit coupled to a memory, a language selector and a touch sensitive display unit. The memory can store at least one user interface object and at least one control algorithm. In some embodiments, the user interface system also has a network interface for connecting to the Internet or other network. In some embodiments, the first time the user interface system is powered-up after installation, a first set of user interface objects are displayed on the display unit and the user selects a preferred language. Once a preferred language is chosen, user interface objects can be loaded into the memory and the display unit will display the user interface objects in the preferred language. In some embodiments, control algorithms are loaded into memory.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy systems and methods are provided. One system includes a source of x-ray radiation and an excitation optic disposed between the x-ray radiation source and the sample for collecting x-ray radiation from the source and focusing the x-ray radiation to a focal point on the sample to incite at least one analyte in the sample to fluoresce. The system further includes an x-ray fluorescence detector and a collection optic comprising a doubly curved diffracting optic disposed between the sample and the x-ray fluorescence detector for collecting x-ray fluorescence from the focal point on the sample and focusing the fluorescent x-rays towards the x-ray fluorescence detector.

A virtual control panel controls the functionality of an electrosurgical generator in response to interrogating, preferably optically, an object, such as a user's finger, interacting with a control panel image as an act of control input over the functionality of the generator. The control panel image is presented, preferably by optical projection, on a display surface of a display surface structure. The control panel image may include, in addition to a contact control area where interaction with the object is interrogated, a display area where information describing the functionality of the generator is presented, preferably by optical projection. A virtual pad can be used with the virtual control panel to divide and separate control and display functionality.

Instrumentation and methods are provided for mounting a surgical navigation reference frame to a patient for performing an image-guided surgical procedure on an anatomical component. In one embodiment of the invention, a trocar is positioned within a cannula to form an insertion device adapted for percutaneous introduction into the patient. A bone anchor having a bone engaging portion is inserted through the cannula and is anchored to bone. The bone anchor cooperates with the cannula to form a mounting device adapted for coupling with the surgical navigation reference frame. In one embodiment of the invention, an image-guided surgical procedure is performed at a location remote from the anchoring location. In a specific embodiment, an image-guided surgical procedure is performed adjacent the spinal column, with the bone engaging portion of the bone anchor anchored to the iliac region of the pelvic bone, and more specifically to the iliac crest of the pelvic bone.

An identification station into which data identifying a medical image are input and by means of which the identification data are associated with the medical image, is provided with a speech recognition subassembly and a microphone to allow data input through speech recognition.

Methods for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object, such as an internal organ, using volume visualization techniques are provided. The techniques include a multi-scan imaging method; a multi-resolution imaging method; and a method for generating a skeleton of a complex three dimension object. The applications include virtual cystoscopy, virtual laryngoscopy, virtual angiography, among others.

Pairs of stereo Xray radiographs are obtained from an X-ray imaging system and are digitized to form corresponding pairs of stereo images (602, 604). The pairs of stereo images (602, 604) are adjusted (410) to compensate for gray-scale illumination differences by grouping and processing pixel groups in each pair of images. Distortion in the nature of depth plane curvature and Keystone distortion due to the toed-in configuration of the X-ray imaging system are eliminated (412). A screen parallax for the pair of stereo images is adjusted (414) to minimize depth range so as to enable a maximum number of users to view the stereoscopic image, and particular features of interest.

A method for four-dimensional (4D) image verification in respiratory gated radiation therapy, includes: acquiring 4D computed tomography (CT) images, each of the 4D CT images representing a breathing phase of a patient and tagged with a corresponding time point of a first surrogate signal; acquiring fluoroscopic images of the patient under free breathing, each of the fluoroscopic images tagged with a corresponding time point of a second surrogate signal; generating digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) for each breathing phase represented by the 4D CT images; generating a similarity matrix to assess a degree of resemblance in a region of interest between the DRRs and the fluoroscopic images; computing a compounded similarity matrix by averaging values of the similarity matrix across different time points of the breathing phase during a breathing period of the patient; determining an optimal time point synchronization between the DRRs and the fluoroscopic images by using the compounded similarity matrix; and acquiring a third surrogate signal and turning a treatment beam on or off according to the optimal time point synchronization.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system having the capacity to detect various geometric parameters of alignment. The described system is configured for use with dental x-ray, medical imaging and treatment, and customary and digital radiography apparatus, but is not restricted to such apparatus or applications. The system may include a multiplicity of RF transponders, RF tags, and RF readers, wherein each RF tag may include one or more carrier receive / data transmit coils and wherein each RF reader may include one or more carrier transmit / data receive coils, and wherein each coil of an RF tag or RF reader may resonate at one or more, and / or, at the same or differing frequencies. An RF tag located about an x-ray sensitive film or device, and an RF reader located about a dental x-ray machine or apparatus, are configured to be critically aligned, one to the other, rendering repeat imaging unnecessary.

Methods for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object, such as an internal organ, using volume visualization techniques are provided. The techniques include a multi-scan imaging method; a multi-resolution imaging method; and a method for generating a skeleton of a complex three dimension object. The applications include virtual cystoscopy, virtual laryngoscopy, virtual angiography, among others.

A digital, flat panel, two-dimensional x-ray detector moves reliably, safely and conveniently to a variety of positions for different x-ray protocols for a standing, sitting or recumbent patient. The system makes it practical to use the same detector for a number or protocols that otherwise may require different equipment, and takes advantage of desirable characteristics of flat panel digital detectors while alleviating the effects of less desirable characteristics such as high cost, weight and fragility of such detectors.

A radiation-recording plate (104) can be constructed and arranged to form an image upon exposure from both a front side and a back side. The plate can include a marker (201) detectable in the image (205) after exposure and indicative of which of the front side and the back side the plate is exposed from. The marker may comprise a medium opaque to the radiation coating a region that does not interfere with reading the image when the plate is exposed from either side, or may be a void in the sensitive layer of the plate. The marker may have horizontal asymmetry about a vertical axis relative to a normal image orientation, or the marker may have vertical asymmetry about a horizontal axis relative to a normal image orientation. The marker may further comprise a front side marker and a back side marker whose appearance in an image on the plate indicates exposure from the front side or the back side respectively. A method of identifying a side from which a radiation-recording plate has been exposed to radiation may comprise: incorporating in the plate (104), in a position that substantially does not interfere with an image area of the plate, a marker (201) whose appearance in the image identifies which side the plate is exposed from; exposing the plate to the radiation; and observing the image (205) for the identification of the side of the plate exposed. A method of making a radiation sensitive plate having at least one radiation sensitive layer may comprise: providing a film sensitive to the radiation on a first side of the radiation sensitive plate; and applying a suspension of a heavy metal in a binder to a region of a second side of the radiation sensitive layer.

Instrumentation and methods are provided for performing image-guided spinal surgery using an anterior surgical approach. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a surgical navigation reference device, mounting the reference device to bone at a location remote from the spinal column and in a substantially fixed position relative thereto, accessing a portion of the spinal column from an anterior direction, and performing an image-guided surgical procedure on the spinal column using an anterior surgical approach. In another embodiment, the mounting of the reference device comprises anchoring the reference device to a portion of the patient's pelvic bone, and more specifically the anterior region of the iliac crest. In a further embodiment, the image-guided surgical procedure comprises a spinal implantation procedure wherein a spinal implant is inserted into an intervertebral opening formed along the lumbar region of the spinal column using an anterior surgical approach.

A method for exposing photo-sensitive printing plates comprises applying a patterned coating to the printing plate to form a mask. The coating may be sprayed onto the printing plate and patterned by laser ablation. The method avoids the need to stock printing plates with integral masking layers. In preferred implementations the printing plate is exposed to actinic radiation without dismounting it from the apparatus in which the coating is applied. This minimizes the likelihood that the coating could be damaged in handling. The coating may be a thin sprayed on layer of carbon in a suitable binder.

A volume imaging system which progressively constructs, analyzes, and updates three dimensional models while acquiring cross-sectional data is described. The system constructs and displays three-dimensional renderings, and performs quantitative calculations in real time during the imaging system data collection process, displays interactive three-dimensional renderings in a traditional post-data collection process, as well as prescribes, archives, films, and transmits rendering procedures, parameters, renderings, measurements, and processed data, during data collection and post-acquisition.

A microscope system has a VS image generation means for generating a virtual slide image of a specimen which is constructed by mutually connecting a plurality of microscope images with a first photomagnification photographed and acquired whenever an objective lens and the specimen are relatively moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and which represents the entire image of the specimen, an object-of-interest set means setting an object of interest with respect to the entire image of the specimen represented by the VS image, and a three-dimensional VS image generation means for generating a three-dimensional VS image which is constructed by connecting the microscope images at different focal positions in accordance with the same focal position and which is constructed from the microscope images with a second photomagnification higher than the first photomagnification and represents the image of the object of interest.

An imaging system, methodology, and various applications are provided to facilitate optical imaging performance. The system contains a sensor having one or more receptors and an image transfer medium to scale the sensor and receptors in accordance with resolvable characteristics of the medium, and as defined with certain ratios. A computer, memory, and / or display associated with the sensor provides storage and / or display of information relating to output from the receptors to produce and / or process an image, wherein a plurality of illumination sources can also be utilized in conjunction with the image transfer medium. The image transfer medium can be configured as a k-space filter that correlates receptor size to a diffraction-limited spot associated with the image transfer medium, wherein the receptor size can be unit-mapped within a certain ratio to the size of the diffraction-limited spot.

A method of fabricating an apparatus for an enhanced imaging sensor consisting of pixellated micro columnar scintillation film material for x-ray imaging comprising a scintillation substrate and a micro columnar scintillation film material in contact with the scintillation substrate. The micro columnar scintillation film material is formed from a doped scintillator material. According to the invention, the micro columnar scintillation film material is subdivided into arrays of optically independent pixels having interpixel gaps between the optically independent pixels. These optically independent pixels channel detectable light to a detector element thereby reducing optical crosstalk between the pixels providing for an X-ray converter capable of increasing efficiency without the associated loss of spatial resolution. The interpixel gaps are further filled with a dielectric and or reflective material to substantially reduce optical crosstalk and enhance light collection efficiency.