Picker International, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Swagelok Company

Donald E Negrelli

Peter C Williams

Leonard F Plut

Mark D Bearer

Rodney Arnold Mattson

Jerome John Griesmer

Joseph S Deucher

Dennis K Everett

Kenneth L Freeman

Anthony D Szpak

Hung Y Wong

John J Barni

Zhongmin Lin

William C Widlicka

John A Shovary

David W Hoffmeyer

Kim S Luckner

P Gerhard Roos

Donald E Kolbfleisch

A ferrule for a conduit fitting includes an interior wall extending along a central axis through the ferrule so that the ferrule can be installed over a conduit end. A first axial side of the ferrule defines a first end portion, a first end camming surface disposed on the first end portion at a first angle with respect to the central axis, and a first end driven surface disposed at a second angle with respect to the central axis, the second angle being greater than the first angle. A second axial side of the ferrule defines a second end portion, a second end camming surface disposed on the second end portion at a third angle with respect to the central axis, the third angle being substantially equal to the first angle, and a second end driven surface disposed at a fourth angle with respect to the central axis, the fourth angle being substantially equal to the second angle. A central boss portion extends radially outward to define a radially outermost surface at an axial center point of the ferrule.

Ferrule for a conduit fitting

A ferrule for a conduit fitting includes an interior wall extending along a central axis through the ferrule between first and second end portions of the ferrule, so that the ferrule can be installed over a conduit end. The first end portion of the ferrule includes an axially outer first end driven surface disposed at a first angle between 70&#xb0; and 90&#xb0; with respect to the central axis, and an axially inner first end camming surface disposed at a second angle between 0&#xb0; and 40&#xb0; with respect to the central axis. The second end portion of the ferrule includes an axially outer second end driven surface disposed at a third angle substantially equal to the first angle, and an axially inner second end camming surface disposed at a fourth angle substantially equal to the second angle.

An x-ray source ( ) transmits a beam of x-rays through an examination region (E). A receiver ( ), in an initial spatial orientation relative to the source ( ), receives the beam and generates a view of image data indicative of the intensity of the beam received. A sensor, such as an accelerometer, detects motion in a selected portion of a mechanical structure (M) supporting the source ( ) and the receiver ( ). Upon detection of motion, the sensor generates a motion signal. In one embodiment, a first accelerometer ( ) is associated with the receiver ( ) and a second accelerometer ( ) is associated with the source ( ). A position calculator ( ) mathematically calculates a position of both the source and receiver based on the acceleration data generated by the accelerometers. An image reconstruction processor, ( ) receives the relative position data, electronically corrects for any misalignment or change in beam travel distance, and reconstructs the views into a volumetric image representation. In another embodiment, a sensor ( ) detects motion of a mechanical structure (M ) and provides a motion signal to a processor ( ). The processor ( ) compares the detected motion with a database loaded with an empirically determined vibration model. Based on this comparison, the processor ( ) then generates a cancellation signal, which controls an electromechanical actuator ( ) to impart an offsetting force or motion to the mechanical structure (M ).

Apparatus and method to correct for position errors in diagnostic imaging

A diagnostic imaging system with a C-arm ( ) for supporting an x-ray source ( ) and a flat panel image receptor ( ). The C-arm further including a coupler ( ) that permits the C-arm ( ) to be removably attached to different ceiling-mounted support structures ( ), and to a mobile cart ( ) for mobile C-arm imaging applications. A transport cart ( ) is provided to transport the C-arm ( ) from a first operating room to a second operating room. A mobile equipment cart ( ) can accompany the transport cart ( ). Alternately, a central control facility ( ) can provide command and control signals for the C-arm.

Ceiling mounted, transportable, surgical C-arm with flat panel image receptor

A penetrating radiation source (,) is disposed on one side of a object (,) which is on a object support (,). A flat panel radiation detector (,) is stationarily disposed on the opposite side of the object (,) than the source (,). A moving system (,) moves the source (,) with respect to the object (,). In each position (X,, Y,, Z,) of the source (,) a center ray of the x-ray beam strikes the detector (,) at a corresponding location (x,, y,, 0). For each position (X,, Y,, Z,) of the source (,), the image (x,, y,, 0) of an object located on a focal plane offsets by a vector displacement (D,) relative to a reference position (x,, y,, z,) of the image when the source is at (X,, Y,, Z,). A processor (,) shifts and interpolates each view by the different vector displacements corresponding to each of the focal planes (L,, L,, . . . ) and integrates the images to generate a series of slice image representations which are stored in a volume image memory (,). In this manner, by adjusting the view offset by an amount corresponding to each of the focal planes, (L,, L,, . . . ) the same data set is used to generate all of the slices of the resultant volume image.

2D and 3D tomographic X-ray imaging using flat panel detectors

A virtual C-arm support system,is used in a radiographic imaging apparatus of the type including an x-ray source,and an x-ray detector,. The support system includes a first positioning system,operatively connected to the x-ray source for selectively positioning the x-ray source in a range of first orientations,relative to the examination region E. A second positioning system,is operatively connected to the x-ray detector,for selectively positioning the x-ray detector in a range of second orientations,relative to the examination region E. A control unit,is in operative command of at least one of the first and second positioning systems to maintain a predetermined spatial relationship between the x-ray source and the detector for each of the ranges of the first and second orientations relative to the examination region. In a second embodiment, the control unit is in operative command of only the first positioning system, the second positioning system being manually movable. The control unit maintains a predetermined spatial relationship between the x-ray source and detector by moving the x-ray source in response to manual movement of the x-ray detector for each of the ranges of first and second orientations of the source and detector relative to the examination region.

Virtual C-arm robotic positioning system for use in radiographic imaging equipment

A gantry (A) has a bore defining a first patient examination region (12). A first x-ray source (B) is mounted to a frame (C) for rotation around the examination region (12). An arc of first radiation detectors (14) detects x-rays which have traversed the examination region. A first image reconstruction processor (18) reconstructs a tomographic image representation from signals generated by the first radiation detectors. An angiographic device (D) is positioned remote from the gantry along a longitudinal axis (25) for generating and displaying angiographic image representations on a display monitor (46). A second examination region is defined along the longitudinal axis (25) between a second x-ray source (36) and an image intensifier tube (38). A second processor (44) reconstructs the angiographic projection image representations from signals generated by the image intensifier tube (38). A C-arm (30) can be suspended from an overhead track (50) for supporting the second x-ray source (36) and the image intensifier tube (38). A common patient support (24-28) extends along the longitudinal axis between the gantry and the angiographic device for positioning a patient within the first and second examination regions. The patient support includes a slide mechanism (60-64) which permits the patient support to be retracted from the gantry. The processors (18, 44) can be a incorporated into a single controller (E) which fuses or combines an image generated by the angiographic imaging subsystem with an image generated by the tomographic imaging subsystem.

Angiographic system incorporating a computerized tomographic (CT) scanner

A gantry (18) that carries an x-ray source (14) and an x-ray detector (16) rotates around a test phantom (10) in a forward direction. A plurality of forward projection images are generated and stored in a forward image memory (42). The angle at which each forward direction projection image is generated is stored in a position memory (56). The gantry is then rotated in a reverse direction and a reverse direction image is generated at generally the same angular positions as in the forward rotation direction. The forward and reverse direction projection images of the phantom are analyzed to determine an offset or error between each corresponding forward and reverse angular image position. The offsets are stored in an angular position look-up table (80) and a pixel reregistration look-up table (82). In subsequent reverse scans, the angular position at which the reverse direction projection images are taken are altered in accordance with the angular offset for the corresponding angular position. The forward sweep images are video pixel position shifted in accordance with the video pixel offset for the corresponding angular position to bring the forward and reverse direction projection images into registration.

Rotational digital subtraction angiography phantom

A counterbalance assembly (A) provides support for diagnostic imaging equipment such as an x-ray source (B). A fluid spring (F) is utilized to counteract the weight of the source and provide controlled movement of the source. A one-way clutch (100) cooperates with an arm assembly (E) that interconnects a source mounting member (D) with a base member (C) to limit movement of the arm and source. A locking assembly (112) is associated with the clutch to selectively actuate and deactuate the clutch.

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Gates Mills, OH, United States of America

Donald E Negrelli