G.e. Medical Systems, S.a.

Ge Medical Systems

Robert Heidsieck

Serge Muller

Jean Louis Baudet

Catherine Picard

Jean-Pierre Saladin

Michel Francois Grimaud

Vincent Rit

Sylvie Bothorel

Alain Marie Raymond

Thierry Salmon Legagneur

The stereotaxic images being digitized, a target pixel in a target region of interest is selected, a target window of chosen dimensional characteristics and containing the said target region of interest is generated around the selected target pixel, a set of pixels is determined in a second image, according to a predetermined selection criterion, a second window, of the same dimensional characteristics as the said target window, is generated around each selected pixel, a correlation processing between the grey-scale levels of the pixels of each second window and the grey-scale levels of the pixels of the target window is carried out so as to obtain a correlation value for each second window, and the region of interest homologous to the target region of interest is identified on the basis of the analysis of the set of correlation values thus obtained, so as to minimize the risks of matching error between the homologous regions of interest. The element of interest is then located on the basis of the positions of the two homologous regions.

Method for locating an element of interest contained in a three-dimensional object, in particular during a stereotactic investigation in the X-ray examination of the breast

Removable digital X-ray imaging device intended for mammography, comprising X-ray detectors placed on one edge of the device upon imaging. The device contains box for protecting the X-ray detectors by separating the X-ray detectors from the edge of the device, the device being in rest position.

Detachable device for radiological digital imaging

System for locating cassettes for producing digital images, in a radiography apparatus of the type comprising an X-ray source, means for data processing, a support for the cassette in an active position and a storage space for the cassette in the inactive position. The cassette comprises means for detecting the insertion of the cassette into the support and means for detecting the identification of the cassette.

System for locating cassettes for producing digital images

Cassette device for producing images, for a radiography apparatus of the type comprising a means for receiving mobile cassettes. The cassette comprises a casing of substantially parallelepipedal shape surrounding a means for producing images. The device comprises a means which forms a handle and is arranged on a small face of the casing The means which forms a handle is provided with a stop surface for insertion of the cassette into the reception means of the radiography apparatus.

Cassette for producing images for a radiography apparatus

A process is disclosed which involves automatic position-finding for a point of interest of an object that exhibits high contrast as compared with surrounding tissues, the process being carried out by means of a stereotactic photographic device that includes a digital image acquisition system. The process includes a number of steps for each image belonging to the pair of stereotactic images. An initial analysis of a histogram of the image pixels are made, and a subsequent determination is made of a threshold corresponding to the difference between the high contrast objects and the surrounding tissues. A subsequent determination is made of the threshold of the image, in order to obtain a binary image incorporating two gray levels. This is followed by the filtering of the threshold determined image in the preceding step, based on morphological criteria of the object in which the point of interest is located. This operation is designed to obtain a segmented projection of the object of interest. This is followed by the localization of the point of interest in the image reference mark. Utilization of the process is for stereotactic examinations performed during mammography.

Procedure for automatic position-finding of points of interest during a

A mammograph is disclosed which includes: a positioning device defining a rotation axis, the positioning device including: an arm .beta..sub.2 ; breast support plate connected to the arm .beta..sub.2 ; a movement device connected to the arm .beta..sub.2 ; and a digital detector connected to the movement device, the digital detector having a detection surface defining a plane .pi.; an arm .beta..sub.1 pivotally connected to the positioning device for pivotally rotating said arm .beta..sub.1 around said rotation axis, the arm .beta..sub.1 having an end; and an X-ray tube movably attached to the end of the arm .beta..sub.1, the X-ray tube defining a beam axis .delta. and being pivotable about the rotation axis so as to move in a first direction that is orthogonal with the rotation axis and direct an X-ray beam, emitted by the X-ray tube, along the beam axis .delta.. Pivoting the X-ray tube within an angle .+-..alpha. causes the movement device to move the digital detector laterally within the plane .pi. along a second direction that is perpendicular to the rotation axis and opposite the first direction so as to accommodate a position of the X-ray tube within the angle .+-..alpha. and define a volume of a breast stereotaxically accessible by the X-ray beam as a polyhedron having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface meeting and being defined by an intersection of the beam axis .delta. at an angle .+-..alpha. with the beam axis .delta. at an angle -.alpha., the X-ray beam being entirely incident the digital detector as the movement device moves the digital detector to accommodate pivotal movement of the X-ray tube.

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Rocquencourt, France

Robert Heidsieck