Picker International, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Philips Medical Systems (cleveland), Inc.

Philips Medical Systems, Inc.

Pieter Gerhard Roos

Rodney Arnold Mattson

Joseph S Deucher

Kenneth L Freeman

Andrew J Ivan, Jr

Andrew J Ivan

Dennis K Everett

Leonard F Plut

Marc Piscitelli

Dominic J Heuscher

Marc Anthony Chappo

Randall Peter Luhta

Jeffrey Harold Yanof

Frank C Valentino

Donald T Green

Paul M Stivender

Michael A Lopez

Kurtis M Molter

Leonard F Plutt

A fluoroscopic imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an x-ray source for projecting x-rays through a subject. The x-ray source has a voltage and a current associated therewith. The apparatus also includes an x-ray detector for detecting radiation which has passed through the subject and a monitor for displaying an image indicative of the detected radiation. The image defines a field of view. In addition, the fluoroscopic imaging apparatus includes an operator interface for selecting a region of interest within the field of view. In response to image data within the region of interest, an image of the region of interest can thereafter be enhanced.

X-ray image enhancement

A CT scanner ( ) includes a reconstruction processor ( ) and a mosaic X-Radiation detector ( ). The mosaic detector includes plural detector elements ( ) arranged in abutting relationship and configured for the desired imaging application. The detector elements include scintillating crystals ( ) in optical communication with a back-illuminated photodiode array ( ) or modified top-surface photodiode array ( ) for converting emitted light into electrical charge. The photodiode array is mounted on a carrier substrate ( ) via bump ( ) bonding. The carrier substrate provides a conductive path routing the photodiode array output through to contacts on the back side for connection to readout electronics ( ). The carrier substrate and readout electronics are contained within the footprint defined by the photodiode array, allowing the detector elements to be abutted on any and all sides, thus permitting the mosaic detector to be tailored to any desired size and shape.

Solid state x-radiation detector modules and mosaics thereof, and an imaging method and apparatus employing the same

A frame (A) of a diagnostic imaging device such as a CT scanner or an MRI device has a bore defining a patient examination region ( ). A first x-ray source (B) is mounted to a frame (C) for rotation around the examination region ( ). An arc of first radiation detectors ( ) detects x-rays which have traversed the examination region. A first image reconstruction processor ( ) reconstructs a tomographic image representation from signals generated by the first radiation detectors. A fluoroscopy device (D) is mechanically coupled to the diagnostic scanner for generating and displaying at least substantially real-time fluoroscopic projection image representations on a display monitor ( ). A second x-ray source ( ) transmits x-rays to an amorphous silicon flat panel radiation detector ( ). A second image reconstruction processor ( ) reconstructs the fluoroscopic projection image representations from signals generated by the flat panel radiation detector ( ). A C-arm ( ) supports the second x-ray source ( ) and the flat panel radiation detector ( ) in a plane offset from a plane of the C-arm. A movable mounting structure (E) is mechanically connected with the gantry (A) and the C-arm ( ) to move the C-arm between a stored position and an operating position adjacent the bore.

Fluoro-assist feature for a diagnostic imaging device

A patient supported on a patient support (12) is moved into a bore (22) of a planning imaging device, such as a CT scanner (20). A three-dimensional diagnostic image in three-dimensional diagnostic image space is generated and stored in a memory (130). The patient is repositioned outside of the bore with a region of interest in alignment with a real time imaging device, such as a fluoroscopic imaging device (40). A surgical planning instrument (60), such as a pointer or biopsy needle (62), is mounted on an articulated arm (64). As the instrument is inserted into the region of interest, fluoroscopic images are generated and stored in a memory (140). The coordinate systems of the CT scanner, the fluoroscopic device, and the surgical instrument are correlated (102, 104, 112, 120) such that the instrument is displayed on both the CT images (134) and the fluoroscopic images (50), such that cursors move concurrently along the fluoroscopic and CT images, and the like. In a preferred embodiment in which the cursor on the CT image display is at an intersection of transverse, sagittal, and coronal planes, the displayed planes change as the cursor moves coordinating the displayed CT image planes with the position of the cursor on the fluoroscopic image.

Integrated fluoroscopic projection image data, volumetric image data,

An x-ray source (30) transmits a beam of x-rays through an examination region (E). A detector (28), 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 first accelerometer (40), capable of generating acceleration data in at least one dimension, is associated with the detector. A second accelerometer (42), capable of generating acceleration data in at least one dimension is associated with the source. A position calculator (60) mathematically calculates a position of both the source and detector based on the acceleration data generated by the accelerometers. An image reconstructor (62) 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.

Apparatus and method to determine the relative position of a detector

An x-ray source assembly (28) includes an x-ray tube with an adjustably sized focal spot (22) for fluoroscopic viewing and radiographic recording. The x-ray source is spaced from an object to be imaged by a first distance (q). An x-ray image receptor assembly is position at a second distance (p-q) away from the object to be imaged. The second distance is greater than or equal to the first distance. A system (40) minifies electronic images from an image receptor (24) for fluoroscopic viewing and radiographic and cineradiographic image recording to a size that is approximately the size of the object being imaged. In this manner, the displayed images have a level of perceived detail that is substantially equal to images generated from radiation receptors positioned contiguous to the subject.

Image minifying radiographic and fluoroscopic x-ray system

A gantry (10) includes a large diameter bearing having an outer race (12) and an inner race (16) which surrounds an examination region. An x-ray tube (18) and collimator (52) are mounted to the inner race, as is a flat panel detector (20) and a mechanical mechanism (50) for moving the flat panel detector closer to and further from the examination region. A timing and control circuit (30) controls a motor (22) which indexes the inner race around the examination region, an x-ray power supply (32) which pulses the x-ray tube in a fluoroscopic mode at discrete positions around the examination region, and a read out circuit (34) which reads out a frame of data after each pulse of the x-ray tube. The read out frames of data are stored in a frame memory (36) and reconstructed by a reconstruction processor (38) into a volumetric image representation for storage in a volume image memory (40). A video processor (42) reformats individual frames from frame memory (36) or selected portions of volume image representation from the volume image memory (40) into appropriate format for display on a video monitor (44). A magnification control (54) coordinates adjustment of the collimator (52) and movement of the flat plate detector toward and away from the examination region.

Method and apparatus for acquiring volumetric image data using flat

A medical diagnostic imaging device (A) compensates for non-uniform line correlated noise generated in an image receptor (26). The image receptor receives x-rays transmitted from an x-ray source (12) and generates a raster line of image data. The image receptor includes an active area (30), a first reference zone (32) bounded on a first side of the active area, and a second reference zone (34) bounded on a second side of the active area opposite to the first side. The reference zones prevent image information from being received by corresponding pixels of the raster line. The outputs of a first plurality of raster line pixels corresponding to the first reference zone (32) are averaged, and the outputs of a second plurality of raster line pixels corresponding to the second reference zone (34) are averaged. An interpolated offset value for each raster line pixel is determined based on i) the average output values of the first plurality and second plurality of raster line pixels, and ii) the location of the pixel within the raster line. The output value of the raster line pixel is modified based on the interpolated offset value calculated.

Dual reference blacklevel clamping device and method for video line

A frame (A) of a diagnostic imaging device such as a CT scanner or an MRI device has a bore defining a 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. A fluoroscopy device (D) is mechanically coupled to the diagnostic scanner for generating and displaying at least substantially real-time fluoroscopic projection image representations on a display monitor (60). A second x-ray source (32) transmits x-rays to an amorphous silicon flat panel radiation detector (36). A second image reconstruction processor (58) reconstructs the fluoroscopic projection image representations from signals generated by the flat panel radiation detector (36). A C-arm (30) supports the second x-ray source (32) and the flat panel radiation detector (36) in a plane offset from a plane of the C-arm. A movable mounting structure (E) is mechanically connected with the gantry (A) and the C-arm (30) to move the C-arm between a stored position and an operating position adjacent the bore.

A detector assembly for x-ray image acquisition includes a flat panel detector array. The detector assembly also includes a rechargeable battery, an analog to digital converter, and an image memory. The battery provides electrical power to the detector assembly so that image data may be acquired without using a power source external to the assembly. The image data is stored in a memory. The detector is subsequently be connected to a docking station which includes a battery charger. The image data is downloaded, and the battery is recharged.

Growing community of inventors

Bainbridge, OH, United States of America

Pieter Gerhard Roos