Other

University of Utah Research Foundation

Thomson-csf Broadcast, Inc.

James A Nelson

Harrison M Lazarus

Robert A Kruger

James A Sorenson

The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for generating a processed image of a cross-section through a body. Fluoroscopic tomography is achieved wherein a series of video frames of a cross-section of a body can be viewed in real time. In this manner, for example, one can monitor the progress of a bolus of contrast material moving through a blood vessel in the cross-section being viewed. In a form of the disclosure, a recorded series of frames of a principal plane of a body being imaged can be processed to obtain a corresponding series of frames that represent a plane of interest that is spaced from the principal plane, thereby avoiding the necessity of re-exposure for each new plane to be viewed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a body is disposed between a combination of a source of radiation and an associated detector, such that a beam of radiation from the source impinges angularly on the body and passes through to the detector. Relative rotational motion is effected between the beam and the body, such that a principal plane of interest in the body remains substantially in focus during the relative rotational motion. A series of frames of electronic video signals are derived from the detector, at different rotational positions, the frames representing images of the radiation transmission characteristics of the body at a series of successive times. The series of frames are temporally filtered and then displayed. In a preferred embodiment, the temporal filtering step comprises filtering the series of frames of video signals with a filter function having a temporal frequency response that corresponds substantially the temporal frequency of the movement of a bolus of contrast material through the region being imaged.

Apparatus and method for cross sectional imaging of a body

The cannula of a conventional intravascular catheter is placed into the peritoneal cavity through a small shallow incision in antiseptically prepared skin. The stylet or trocar of the conventional catheter is removed; and a stainless steel elongated flexible guide is inserted through the catheter's cannula into the peritoneal cavity. The catheter's cannula is removed and a flexible elongated cannula inserted into the cavity over the guide and secured in place with a suture. Fluid operation means is connected to the elongated cannula by connector means to permit fluid treatment after removal of the guide. Apparatus to effect peritoneal fluid treatment are placed in sterile openable sealed packages for storage and transport.

Peritoneal fluid treatment apparatus, package and method

A safer peritoneal catheter with improved non-plugging characteristics is disclosed. The catheter has very fine sidewall openings which generally have projections associated therewith which tend to prevent the openings from becoming clogged with tissue. The catheter and side holes are sized to facilitate removal of blood and liquids from the peritoneal cavity. The very fine sidewall openings enhance the reliability of the catheter while permitting it to have excellent strength and resistance to breakage.

Peritoneal catheter

A first x-ray film is made of an object which is of the type where the image on the film has underexposed portions with low optical contrast. An optical mask film is made from the first x-ray film by transferring the image of the object from the first x-ray film onto a photographically positive print film with duplicating means and an optical blurring means to produce an optically blurred positive image reflective of the object with exposed portions related to the underexposed portions of the first x-ray film. A second x-ray film is made of the object with the optical mask film positioned and registered with respect to the second x-ray film and with respect to the image reflective of the object to be formed on the second x-ray film by the x-ray means, to produce an optically masked image reflective of the object with the underexposed portions of the first x-ray film on the second x-ray film more exposed and with higher optical contrast with respect to the first x-ray film.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

James A Nelson