Eastman-kodak Company

University of Pittsburgh

Lumisys, Inc.

James F Owen

John C Boutet

Anthony R Lubinsky

Robert W Kulpinski

David Gur

Richard Weil

Yali E Chan

David D Kessler

Bruce R Whiting

Jeffrey J Yaskow

Donald Michael Korn

Nea Y Woo

William F Garbe

Thomas D Baker

Walter F Good

David L Modney

Gary R Unruh

Wayne J Arseneault

John E Becker

Apparatus for measuring the bone density of the extremities of a human body. The apparatus includes an x-ray source for projecting a continuous spectrum x-ray beam through a body extremity region and a calibration wedge positioned adjacent to the body extremity region to produce x-ray images of the body extremity region and the calibration wedge; an x-ray image converter for converting the x-ray images into digital image signals representative of the x-ray images of the body extremity region and of the calibration wedge; and a digital image processor for processing by means of a segmentation technique the digital image signals representative of the x-ray images of the body extremity region and the calibration wedge to automatically determine the bone density of at least a portion of the body extremity region to establish whether or not there has been a loss of bone mass.

Apparatus for measuring the bone mineral content of an extremity

A computed radiography patient identification system which matches a patient with an X-ray image of the patient stored in a stimulable storage phosphor. The system includes a patient identifying bar code uniquely identifying a patient; a stimulable storage phosphor identifying bar code uniquely identifying a stimulable storage phosphor and a portable bar code scanner. The bar code scanner is used to scan the patient bar code and the storage phosphor bar code when a patient is exposed to an X-ray which is stored on the stimulable storage phosphor. Preferably, a mobile X-ray source has an associated set of bar codes identifying X-ray examination types (chest, head, limb, etc.) and/or X-ray exposure conditions. The bar code scanner scans the examination type bar code at the time the X-ray of the patient is taken. The system includes a storage phosphor reader for converting an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor into an X-ray image signal. The bar code identification of such stimulable phosphor is also read out. The storage phosphor reader receives from the portable bar code reader, information relating to patient identification, storage phosphor identification and examination type and matches the patient identification and examination type with the X-ray image signal.

Computed radiography patient identification system

A pallet for holding at least two different size cassettes, each cassette having a pair of side walls, a front wall and back wall. The pallet comprises a support surface for supporting a cassette, a first internal side wall for registering one of the side walls of the cassette placed on the support surface, and a second internal side wall for registering the back wall of a cassette. The first, and second internal side walls of the pallet define a first recess for holding in position a cassette of a first size. A retractable member is provided on the pallet for defining a second recess of a second size within the first recess for holding a cassette of a second smaller size.

Pallet for holding a cassette

An x-ray cassette positioner for use with a plurality of x-ray cassettes. The cassette positioner includes first and second conveyors. The conveyors have a first endless cogbelt and a second endless cogbelt, respectively. The cogbelts are spaced apart. The cogbelts each have a plurality of outwardly extending shelves. The conveyors each have a pair of cogwheels, each pair of cogwheels receives a respective cogbelt. The cogbelts each have a utilization segment and a return segment. The shelves of the utilization segment of said first cogbelt face and are in vertical alignment with corresponding shelves of the utilization segment of the second cogbelt. The aligned shelves define a cassette read site and a plurality of cassette loading sites. A positive drive is operatively connected to both conveyors and drives the conveyors in unison to transfer cassettes loaded in the loading sites serially through the loading sites and the read site. A body encases the conveyors. The body has a portal adjoining the cassette sites. The shelves of the cogbelts have an upper support surface for supporting a cassette of a first size and a lower support surface disposed below and adjacent the upper support surface for supporting a cassette of smaller size.

X-ray cassette positioner and cogbelt for use therewith

Light collector for stimulable phosphor imaging apparatus

Apparatus for reading out an image stored in a transparent stimulable phosphor sheet includes means for maintaining a layer of optical index matching fluid between a light detector and the transparent stimulable phosphor sheet, to provide optical contact between the light detector and the transparent stimulable phosphor, means for scanning a beam of stimulating light in a line across the phosphor sheet, and means for providing relative movement between the transparent stimulable phosphor sheet and the light detector in a direction perpendicular to a scan line.

Stimulable phosphor imaging apparatus

A light collector for collecting and detecting emitted light from a raster scanned photostimulable phosphor sheet in a photostimulable phosphor imaging apparatus includes a generally rectangular slab of transparent material having a thickness greater than 20 mm, a first face of said slab being arranged along the scan line of the photostimulable phosphor, said first face making an angle .theta. of between 10.degree. and 15.degree. with respect to a perpendicular to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a plurality of photomultiplier tubes being arranged at an opposite face of the slab. An elongated mirror is arranged opposite first face for directing light emitted from the phosphor onto said first face of said slab of transparent material.

Transparent sheet light collector for photostimulable phosphor imaging

An image recorded by a photostimulable phosphor image recording medium that is transparent (i.e. substantially non-scattering) to stimulating radiation is read out by scanning the stimulable phosphor with a beam of stimulating radiation of such power and at such a speed effective to completely discharge the photostimulable phosphor in a fraction of the beam spot diameter in the scanning direction, whereby the effective size of the scanning spot is smaller than the beam spot diameter, thereby increasing the resolution of the image signal in the scanning direction.

Method for reading out an image signal stored in a transparent

A light collector for collecting and detecting emitted light from a raster scanned photo-stimulable phosphor sheet in photo-stimulable phosphor imaging apparatus includes a generally rectangular mirror box having two opposite open ends, one of the open ends being arranged along the scan line of the photo-stimulable phosphor, and a plurality of photomultiplier tubes being arranged at the other open end of the mirror box. An elongated mirror is arranged opposite the one open end of the mirror box for directing light emitted from the phosphor sheet into the mirror box.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

James F Owen