Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

General Electric Company

Vincent Stanley Polkus

Jon Charles Omernick

Ping Xue

Robert M Stetz

Anne Lindsay Hall

Stephen Wayne Metz

Jonathan C Boomgaarden

Mohamed Ali Hamadeh

Thomas Murray Leeds

Mark Anthony Hammel

Lucas Delaney

Kenneth Scott Kump

Remy Klausz

Sylvain Bernard

Alexander Ganin

Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller

Manfred David Boehm

Francois Serge Nicolas

Xianfeng Ni

Xavier Bouchevreau

John Jun Zhang

Dale Duemer

Methods and systems provide an integrated display, on a single screen, of images obtained from multiple modalities used in screening a subject. The methods and systems are usable with 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging, by which a single screen displays a screen image from a first modality. A window delineating an area of interest is placed on a first modality image from the first modality, and this area of interest is then displayed on a second modality image from a second modality, thereby providing a combined image representing the area of interest through both modalities. Preferably, the first modality image corresponds and/or is correlated with the second modality image.

Single screen multi-modality imaging displays

An ultrasound medical imaging system and non-ultrasound medical imaging system are combined and communicate via a suitable docking port, which is supported by the non-ultrasound medical imaging system and configured to receive the ultrasound medical imaging system. The systems can communicate directly, indirectly, and/or wirelessly. Each can also be configured for cross-imaging in the other modality, displaying medical imagery from the other modality on respective and/or combined displays, and/or control by a user interface of the other and/or a common user interface. Registry between patient imagery is possible, and improved workflow is provided.

Medical imaging system and method containing ultrasound docking port

A technique for selectively processing data from a digital detector includes determining an image area produced by orientation of a radiation source assembly. The assembly may include a radiation source and a collimator, which may be separately orientable. The image area is computed based upon the orientation of the radiation source assembly that projects a radiation beam towards an imaging plane. Image data from a detector within the imaging plane is selectively processed to improve computational efficiency. The system may also determine whether the image area falls within the imaging surface of the detector and inform an operator or inhibit an exposure if such is not the case.

Image cropping of imaging data and method

A technique for selectively processing data from a digital detector includes determining an asymmetrical image area produced by orientation of a radiation source assembly. The assembly may include a radiation source and a collimator, which may be separately orientable. The image area is computed based upon the orientation of the radiation source assembly that projects a radiation beam towards an imaging plane. Image data from a detector within the imaging plane is selectively processed to improve computational efficiency. The system may also determine whether the image area falls within the imaging surface of the detector and inform an operator or inhibit an exposure if such is not the case.

Image cropping for asymmetrical imaging

A system and method for improved imaging of a patient through the use of low-dose exposure aided positioning is provided. The patient is positioned in the X-ray system and them imaged with a low-dose pre-shot to verify the positioning of the patient. If the patient's positioning is acceptable, the patient is then imaged with a full-dose X-ray exposure. If the patient's positioning is not acceptable, the patient is repositioned and re-imaged with a low-dose pre-shot until the patient's positioning is acceptable. The low-dose pre-shot may take the form of a low-dose X-ray imaging sequence. The present invention thus provides for rapid verification of the proper positioning of the patient in the X-ray system in order to provide for optimal X-ray image quality. Additionally, the X-ray imaging system thus minimizes the additional exposure to X-ray radiation on the part of the patient.

Low-dose exposure aided positioning (LEAP) for digital radiography

The present technique provides a method and system for centering a radiographic imaging system to provide minimal non-diagnostic radiation to a patient. The present technique incorporates a radio-opaque template that is substantially aligned to a light field produced from a light source. The present technique also incorporates a processing module that determines an offset distance from the features of the template to features detectable in data from an x-ray exposure. A processing module determines the offset distance utilizing an algorithm for recognizing the radio-opaque features and determining distances between the features and the detected edges or similar features of the exposure.

Methodology for determining x-ray to light field decentering on digital radiographic image systems

In an X-ray imaging system having a detector and a tube disposed to project an X-ray beam field into the plane of the detector, visual indicators associated with the detector and the X-ray beam field, respectively, are provided for use in aligning the detector and beam field. A computational device is also provided for producing a signal representing offset, caused by X-ray beam angulation, between the geometric center of the beam field and the point at which the central axis of the projected X-ray beam intersects the detector plane. A display device, responsive to the produced signal, enables a system user to compensate for the offset when aligning the detector and beam field.

X-ray imaging system with viewable beam angulation adjustment

A system and method for automatically positioning an image receptor based on the position of a manually positioned diagnostic source assembly in an X-ray imaging device is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the automated tracking system, an operator manually positions a diagnostic source assembly (DSA) over the area of a patient to be imaged. Sensors in the diagnostic source assembly transmit the position of the DSA to a system controller. The system controller then calculates an optimal position of an image receptor based on the position of the DSA. Once the optimal position is calculated, the system controller sends the optimal position to a motor drive, which positions the image receptor in the calculated optimal position. Position sensors in the image receptor then send positional data of the image receptor to the system controller, which verifies that the image receptor is in the calculated optimal position. If the operator wishes to manually adjust the image receptor, they may override the motor drive and do so. The automated tracking system provides for reduced total imaging time and increased cost effectiveness over prior X-ray imaging systems by reducing the number of retakes required to obtain a satisfactory X-ray image. Reducing retakes also results in decreased exposure to radiation by the patient being imaged which is healthier to the patient.

Automated receptor tracking to diagnostic source assembly

A method is provided for determining source-to-image distance (SID) setpoints in a digital imaging system. SID setpoints are determined during a setup and calibration procedure which includes generating radiation beams while varying certain system parameters, such as the radiation source position, and detecting and determining the size of the radiation beams that impact on the digital detector. SID values and a separation gain constant can then be determined based on the calculated sizes of the detected radiation beams and the feedback signals which are representative of the various system parameters that were varied (e.g., source position, etc.) during the setup and calibration procedure. The separation gain constant and the calculated, empirical SID values can then be used to position the radiation source at any user-selected SID based on position sensor feedback signals. The procedure also provides for a calibrated readout of the SID, which can be displayed to a user of the imaging system.

Method and system for determining a source-to-image distance in a digital imaging system

In an X-ray imaging system, an arrangement is provided for readily aligning the system detector with the X-ray beam field, i.e., the projection of the X-ray beam into the plane of the detector. The arrangement is adapted for correcting or compensating for distortion which results from X-ray beam angulation, wherein the beam is projected toward the detector plane at an angle of less than 90&deg;. Initially, the system X-ray tube is positioned to project the X-ray beam at a given beam direction angle &phgr;. A beam width angle &ggr; is then computed, from the given angle &phgr; and from specified values of the source-to-image distance and the length of the projected beam field. Thereupon, an offset value is determined from &ggr; , &phgr; and the source-to-image distance to locate the geometric center of the beam field, and the center of the detector is aligned therewith.

Imaging system with X-ray beam angulation compensation

A method is provided for determining source-to-image distance (SID) setpoints in a digital radiographic imaging system. SID setpoints are determined during a setup and calibration procedure which includes generating x-ray beams while varying certain system parameters, such as the x-ray source position or the size of the collimator opening, and detecting and determining the size of the x-ray beams that impact on the digital detector. SID values and a separation gain constant can then be determined based on the calculated sizes of the detected x-ray beams and the feedback signals which are representative of the various system parameters that were varied (e.g., source position, collimator blade position, etc.) during the setup and calibration procedure. The separation gain constant and the calculated, empirical SID values can then be used to position the x-ray source at any user-selected SID based on position sensor feedback signals. The procedure also provides for a calibrated readout of the actual SID, which can be displayed to a user of the imaging system.

An x-ray imaging machine ( ) is calibrated by placing a phantom ( ) between an x-ray tube ( ) and an x-ray detector ( ). The phantom causes a first dimension D and a second dimension D to be projected onto the detector. From the projected dimensions and a physical dimension of the phantom (t), a processor ( ) calculates the focal distance (FD) of the machine, the source image distance (SID) of the machine, and the object-to-detector distance (ODD).

Automated image chain geometric quantification

A variable self-compensating detent control system for improved positioning accuracy and repeatability is provided. The detent control system provides a system for reducing positioning errors in the positioning of an X-Ray tube in an X-Ray imaging system, such as accurate and repeatable positioning of the X-Ray tube at detents. The control system preferably includes a sensor unit generating positional or velocity signals indicative of the position or velocity of the X-Ray tube and a microprocessor receiving the positional signals and determining an overshoot correction. The overshoot correction is used by the X-Ray system to control a locking system controlling the position of the X-Ray tube. The sensor unit may employ a potentiometer, a digital encoder, or preferably both in combination to determine the positional or velocity signals.

Variable self-compensating detent control system for improved positioning accuracy and repeatability

A method is provided for automatically determining a variable laterally centered setpoint for a digital radiographic imaging system that includes a radiation source and a digital detector. The variable laterally centered setpoint is determined during a setup procedure which involves providing a detector at a detector location, positioning the radiation source at a first source location, detecting a radiation field generated by the source while at the first source location, determining the lateral centerline of the detected radiation field, repositioning the source to a second source location that is laterally displaced from the first location, detecting a second radiation field, and determining the lateral centerline of the second radiation field. A lateral gain constant for the imaging system can then be determined based on the determined centerlines of the first and second radiation fields and feedback signals from position sensors that are representative of the first and second source locations. Based on the lateral gain constant and the source position feedback signal, the source can be laterally centered with respect to the lateral centerline of the detector.

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Delafield, WI, United States of America

Vincent Stanley Polkus