Eastman-kodak Company

University of Pittsburgh

Carestream Health, Inc.

Richard Weil

Gary M Diana

Steven P Hiss

Vishwas G Abhyankar

James D Chapman

Wayne W Godlewski

Jane M Volo

Lance H Underwood

Victor C Wong

Badhri Narayan

Robert S Jones

David Gur

Donald R Williams

James F Owen

Robert V Reisch

Robert B Bayley

Robert Breslawski

David L Modney

Robert G Duncan

Rongguang Liang

Douglass L Blanding

John C Boutet

Jeffery Richard Hawver

Seung-Ho Baek

Bruce R Whiting

Walter F Good

Dale L Tucker

An apparatus for obtaining a retinal image of an eye has a control logic processor () for executing a sequence of operations for obtaining the image. A visual target () orients the eye of a patient when viewed. An indicator element () provides a signal that indicates that the patient is in position. A cornea focus detection section () indicates cornea focus, in cooperation with the control logic processor (). An alignment actuator aligns the optical path according to a signal obtained from the cornea focus detection section (). A retina focus detection section () detects retina focus in cooperation with the control logic processor (). A focusing actuator () is controlled by instructions from the control logic processor () according to a signal obtained from the retina focus detection section (). An image capture light source is energized by the control logic processor () for illuminating the retina.

Automated fundus imaging system

A method for decoding data that has been encoded in a monochrome medium utilizing the capability of the medium for grayscale resolution. A document is processed to provide an image in electronic format, in which each pixel has an assigned data value with a given bit depth. A mapping operation is performed for generating a monochrome data word (), preferably having a reduced bit depth. The monochrome data word () can be used to encode multiple data fields (). A printer () then produces a preserved document record () in which the appropriate monochrome data word () determines the grayscale value for each pixel. To decode the stored data, a scanner () is employed to obtain the grayscale value from the preserved document record (). For each pixel, the grayscale value is then decomposed into multiple data fields (), which can then be decoded to provide the information that was originally encoded.

Method of decoding data encoded in a monochrome medium

A method for encoding data in a monochrome media utilizing the capability of the media for grayscale resolution. A document is processed to provide an image in electronic format, in which each pixel has an assigned data value with a given bit depth. A mapping operation is performed for generating a monochrome data word (), preferably having a reduced bit depth. The monochrome data word () can be used to encode multiple data fields (). A printer () then produces a preserved document record () in which the appropriate monochrome data word () determines the grayscale value for each pixel.

Method of encoding data in a monochrome media

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 laser imaging system, such as a storage phosphor system, provides an x-ray image signal. X-ray image processing apparatus includes an image processor for processing the x-ray image signal for an image parameter to produce an image processed x-ray image signal; a database for storing image parameters for producing different versions of an image processed x-ray image signal; and a control system for controlling the image processor and database to create multiple versions of the x-ray image signal, such that each version has different image parameter values.

Noise reduction in a storage phosphor data acquisition system

A laser imaging system, such as a storage phosphor system, provides an x-ray image signal. X-ray image processing apparatus includes an image processor for processing the x-ray image signal for an image parameter to produce an image processed x-ray image signal; a database for storing image parameters for producing different versions of an image processed x-ray image signal and for storing preselected destinations that each version can be sent to; and a control system for controlling the image processor and database to create multiple versions of the x-ray image signal, such that each version has different image parameter values and for routing each version to the preselected destination stored in said database.

Automatic routing to selected destinations of storage phosphor images

A radiographic image workstation for displaying radiographic images. The tonal characteristics of a displayed image can be changed through a real-time window/leveling technique.

Real-time window/leveling on a radiographic workstation

A storage phosphor radiography patient identification system which matches a patient with an x-ray image of the patient stored in a storage phosphor. The system includes a patient identifying bar code--uniquely identifying a patient; a storage phosphor identifying bar code uniquely identifying a 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 storage phosphor. Preferably, a portable x-ray source has a chart having sets of bar codes identifying x-ray examination type information. The bar code scanner scans the examination type bar codes at the time the x-ray of the patient is taken. The storage phosphor has a non-volatile read/write memory adhered to it. The bar code scanner has a memory probe which transfers the patient ID, storage phosphor ID and exam time information from the bar code scanner to the storage phosphor memory. The system includes a storage phosphor reader for converting an x-ray image stored in a storage phosphor into an x-ray image signal and for reading the bar code identification of the storage phosphor. The storage phosphor reader receives from the storage phosphor memory through an internal memory probe, 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.

Storage phosphor radiography patient identification system

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 radiographic imaging system includes a quality control workstation for processing a digital radiographic image signal in either a pass-through mode or a manual mode. In the pass-through mode, the digital radiographic image signal is automatically processed according to preselected image parameter values to produce one or more versions of image processed digital radiographic images which are automatically routed to preselected destinations. In the manual mode, a preselected version of image processed digital radiographic image is displayed to be verified by a user. The user can also change image parameters to change the displayed radiographic image. The user then routes the image processed radiographic image signals to preselected destinations or user selected destinations. Preferably, the digital radiographic image signal is produced by a storage phosphor reader which converts a latent radiographic image stored on a storage phosphor into said digital radiographic image signal.

Digital radiographic image quality control workstation operable in

A storage phosphor radiography patient identification system which matches a patient with an x-ray image of the patient stored in a storage phosphor. The system includes a patient identifying bar code - uniquely identifying a patient; a storage phosphor identifying bar code uniquely identifying a 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 storage phosphor. Preferably, a portable x-ray source has a chart having sets of bar codes identifying x-ray examination type information. The bar code scanner scans the examination type bar codes at the time the x-ray of the patient is taken. The storage phosphor has a non-volatile read/write memory adhered to it. The bar code scanner has a memory probe which transfers the patient ID, storage phosphor ID and exam time information from the bar code scanner to the storage phosphor memory. The system includes a storage phosphor reader for converting an x-ray image stored in a storage phosphor into an x-ray image signal and for reading the bar code identification of the storage phosphor. The storage phosphor reader receives from the storage phosphor memory through an internal memory probe, 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.

A cassette of the kind used for holding sheets of film to be exposed during x-ray of a patient is coded so that an x-ray technician or operator can easily distinguish cassettes containing exposed film from those cassettes containing unexposed film. This is accomplished by color coding two adjacent side edges of the cassette with color different from the other side edges of the cassette.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsford, NY, United States of America

Richard Weil