2863 results about "Computed tomography" patented technology

A method and system for physiological gating is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of physiological activity or movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to predictive actuation of gating system components. Yet another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to physiological gating of radiation treatment based upon the phase of the physiological activity. Gating can be performed, either prospectively or retrospectively, to any type of procedure, including radiation therapy or imaging, or other types of medical devices and procedures such as PET, MRI, SPECT, and CT scans.

An x-ray scanning imaging apparatus with a rotatably fixed generally O-shaped gantry ring, which is connected on one end of the ring to support structure, such as a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, in a cantilevered fashion. The circular gantry housing remains rotatably fixed and carries an x-ray image-scanning device that can be rotated inside the gantry around the object being imaged either continuously or in a step-wise fashion. The ring can be connected rigidly to the support, or can be connected to the support via a ring positioning unit that is able to translate or tilt the gantry relative to the support on one or more axes. Multiple other embodiments exist in which the gantry housing is connected on one end only to the floor, wall, or ceiling. The x-ray device is particularly useful for two-dimensional multi-planar x-ray imaging and / or three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging applications

An x-ray scanning imaging apparatus with a generally O-shaped gantry ring, which has a segment that fully or partially detaches (or “breaks”) from the ring to provide an opening through which the object to be imaged may enter interior of the ring in a radial direction. The segment can then be re-attached to enclose the object within the gantry. Once closed, the circular gantry housing remains orbitally fixed and carries an x-ray image-scanning device that can be rotated inside the gantry 360 degrees around the patient either continuously or in a step-wise fashion. The x-ray device is particularly useful for two-dimensional and / or three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging applications.

The present invention relates to a method of designing an orthopedic implant in which a plurality of samples of the bone are selected and a CT scan of each of the samples of the bone is taken so that the data from the CT scan can be used to generate a 3D graphical solid body model of each of the sample of the bone. The 3D graphical models are placed into a category of one or more of average, small, and large, and the center of mass and an X, Y and Z plane for each model is determined. The 3D graphical models for one category is assembled and aligned at the center of mass to create a categorized composite 3D graphical solid body model of the bone. The categorized composite 3D graphical model is sectioned at a specified interval to create a lofted contoured surface of a selected thickness which is cut to create a categorized implant profile. The categorized implant profile is graphically fit on the categorized composite 3D graphical model and on the 3D graphical model of each of the sample of the bone in a category to check for conformity to the surface of the bone. The categorized implant profile is used to create a design of the implant.

A high spatial resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is provided. The system includes a support structure including a gantry mounted to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. The system further includes a first assembly including an X-ray source mounted on the gantry to rotate therewith for generating a cone X-ray beam and a second assembly including a planar X-ray detector mounted on the gantry to rotate therewith. The detector is spaced from the source on the gantry for enabling a human or other animal body part to be interposed therebetween so as to be scanned by the X-ray beam to obtain a complete CT scan and generating output data representative thereof. The output data is a two-dimensional electronic representation of an area of the detector on which an X-ray beam impinges. A data processor processes the output data to obtain an image of the body part.

A method and apparatus for locating an internal target region during treatment without implanted fiducials is presented. The method comprises producing a plurality of first images that show an internal volume including the internal target region, then producing a live image of the internal volume during treatment and matching this live image to one of the plurality of first images. Since the first images show the internal target region, matching the live image to one of the first images identifies the position of the target region regardless of whether the second image itself shows the position of the target region. The first images may be any three-dimensional images such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. The live image may be, for example, an x-ray image. The invention may be used in conjunction with a real-time sensor to track the position of the target region on a real-time basis.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tooth prosthesis, for insertion in a jawbone, including an implant and an abutment on top of the implant. The method includes: defining a shape of the prosthesis and its location in the jawbone by using first data from a first CT scan image of the jawbone and second data from a second image of a gypsum cast, correlating first and second data by extracting from the first data first position reference data of a first reference in the first image, and from the second data second position reference data of a second reference in the second image, the second reference being identical to the first reference; performing a geometric transformation on the second data and / or the first data to have a coincidence of the second image with the first image and to combine the first and second data into composite scan data.

This invention is a system, method, and article of manufacture for imaging tubular structures of the human body, such as the digestive tract of a living person, with a medical imaging device such as a computed tomography (CT) scanner and a computer work station. The system comprises receiving a first image data set representative of a portion of the colon in a prone position and a second image data set representative of a portion of the colon in a supine position, at a series of viewpoints. At each of the viewpoints, an image is generated of the colon in the prone and supine positions. The prone and supine images of the colon are simultaneously displayed on a screen display in a dual view mode.

A method and system useful for planning a dental restorative procedure of a patient and for producing at least one dental restoration or product related thereto to be used in said dental restorative procedure are disclosed. Input data from different sources, e.g. 3D data from a CT scan of a patient with a dental impression tray including a previously prepared dental impression of the patient in the patient's mouth, is matched with data from a high resolution 3D scan of the same dental impression. The resulting data is for instance matched by means of fiducial markers arranged at the dental impression tray. Thus reliable planning and production are enabled by means of the same, matched data set. In this manner the dosage to which the patient is exposed to may be reduced in comparison to previous methods.

The present invention provides, in general, compositions comprising a hydrogel and an agent, for example a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent, for locoregional delivery. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the hydrogel compositions are detectable by Magnetic Responance and CT Scan and are used for locoregional delivery of therapeutic agents, for example chemotherapeutic agents. The invention also features polymer matrix compositions comprising nanoparticles that can be loaded after polymerization with bioactive agents, for example a diagnostic agent or therapeutic agent.

The present invention provides for an improved scanning process having a first stage to rapidly identify a threat location and a second stage to accurately identify the nature of the threat. The improved scanning process maintains a high degree of accuracy while still providing an operationally desirable high throughput. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for identifying an object concealed within a container. It comprises a first stage inspection system having a Computed Tomography system to generate a first set of data and a plurality of processors in data communication with the first stage inspection system. The processors process the first set of data and are used to identify at least one target region. A second stage inspection system is then used to generate an inspection region, which is then positioned relative to the target region and made to at least partially physically coincide with the target region. A second set of data is produced specifically from the inspection region, which has a high degree of specificity for the material in the inspection region.

The present invention provides an endoscope for in vivo imaging the cells, tissue, organs or body cavities of humans or other animals to observe and locate, diagnosis and / or treat disease. Illumination sources, image detectors, sensors may be provided alone or in combination on the removable tip allowing functional alterations or optimization for a particular procedure. Endoscope features such as an instrument channel supporting tissue sampling, suction, treatment, micro-surgery, optical computed tomography, confocal microscopy, laser or drug treatments, injections, gene-therapy, marking, implanting or other medical techniques are maintained.

Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are commonly used to assess patients with known or suspected pathologies of the lungs and liver. In particular, identification and quantification of possibly malignant regions identified in these high-resolution images is essential for accurate and timely diagnosis. However, careful quantitative assessment of lung and liver lesions is tedious and time consuming. This disclosure describes an automated end-to-end pipeline for accurate lesion detection and segmentation.

A system includes a detector and a processing unit. The detector includes multiple pixels configured to detect computed tomography (CT) events and nuclear medicine (NM) imaging events. The CT events correspond to X-rays emitted from a X-ray source through an object to be imaged, and the NM imaging events correspond to gamma rays emitted from a radiopharmaceutical that has been administered to the object. The detector is configured for photon counting detection of the CT events and the NM imaging events. The processing unit includes at least one processor and at least one memory comprising a tangible and non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The processing unit is configured to, based on corresponding energy levels of the CT events and the NM imaging events, identify CT information corresponding to the CT events and identify NM information corresponding to the NM imaging events.

A structure to generate x-rays has a plurality of stationary and individually electrically addressable field emissive electron sources with a substrate composed of a field emissive material, such as carbon nanotubes. Electrically switching the field emissive electron sources at a predetermined frequency field emits electrons in a programmable sequence toward an incidence point on a target. The generated x-rays correspond in frequency and in position to that of the field emissive electron source. The large-area target and array or matrix of emitters can image objects from different positions and / or angles without moving the object or the structure and can produce a three dimensional image. The x-ray system is suitable for a variety of applications including industrial inspection / quality control, analytical instrumentation, security systems such as airport security inspection systems, and medical imaging, such as computed tomography.

An ablation system including an image database storing a plurality of computed tomography (CT) images of a luminal network and a navigation system enabling, in combination with an endoscope and the CT images, navigation of a locatable guide and an extended working channel to a point of interest. The system further includes one or more fiducial markers, placed in proximity to the point of interest and a percutaneous microwave ablation device for applying energy to the point of interest.

A method and system for physiological gating is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of physiological activity or movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to predictive actuation of gating system components. Yet another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to physiological gating of radiation treatment based upon the phase of the physiological activity. Gating can be performed, either prospectively or retrospectively, to any type of procedure, including radiation therapy or imaging, or other types of medical devices and procedures such as PET, MRI, SPECT, and CT scans.

A system (10) and method are provided for analyzing and displaying images rendered from data sets resulting from a scan of a patient. The images displayed include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of selected portions of a patient's anatomy, for example, a tubular structure such as a colon.

A method, system and computer readable medium for automated detection of lung nodules in computed tomography (CT) image scans, including generating two-dimensional segmented lung images by segmenting a plurality of two-dimensional CT image sections derived from the CT image scans; generating three-dimensional segmented lung volume images by combining the two-dimensional segmented lung images; determining three-dimensional lung nodule candidates from the three-dimensional segmented lung volume images, including, identifying structures within the three-dimensional segmented lung volume images that meet a volume criterion; deriving features from the lung nodule candidates; and detecting lung nodules by analyzing the features to eliminate false-positive nodule candidates from the nodule candidates.

A process for creating a dental model to avoid periodontal defects during planned dental work includes obtaining CT scan data and optical scan data of a patient's dentition and integrating the CT scan data and the optical scan data by at least one of surface to surface registration, registration of radiographic markers, and registration of optical markers of known dimensions, to produce a dental model that includes the dentition and underlying bone and root structures. The process then segments anatomic sites of the tooth roots and underlying bone. A plan for the dental work is then generated based on the segmented anatomic sites, whereby the plan avoids periodontal defects based on the knowledge of the anatomic sites of the roots and underlying cortical bones in the dental model.

A method and apparatus for automated liver segmentation in a 3D medical image of a patient is disclosed. A 3D medical image, such as a 3D computed tomography (CT) volume, of a patient is received. The 3D medical image of the patient is input to a trained deep image-to-image network. The trained deep image-to-image network is trained in an adversarial network together with a discriminative network that distinguishes between predicted liver segmentation masks generated by the deep image-to-image network from input training volumes and ground truth liver segmentation masks. A liver segmentation mask defining a segmented liver region in the 3D medical image of the patient is generated using the trained deep image-to-image network.

Geometries and configurations are provided for CT systems in which rotational loading is reduced, permitting higher speeds and lighter structures to be implemented in the systems. In certain embodiments a distributed and addressable rotating radiation source is provided with a rotating detector. In other embodiments a distributed and addressable stationary radiation source is provided with a rotating detector. In yet other embodiments a distributed and addressable radiation source is provided that rotates with respect to a stationary detector. The sources may be ring-like, arcuate and / or lines extending at least in the Z-direction. Sources may include a large number of distributed emitters arranged in lines, arcs and one- or two-dimensional arrays.

Disclosed are an optical navigation positioning system based on CT (computed tomography) registration results and a navigation method thereby. The system comprises a preoperative CT image guide input module, an image segmentation module, a body surface initial-registration module, a preoperative CT image and intraoperative two-dimensional ultrasound image module and an intraoperative navigation module. By combining virtual reality and intraoperative ultrasound, intraoperative positioning errors caused by factors such as breathing are compensated, and accordingly a target point for coronary artery bypass grafting is accurately positioned and navigated. Cardiac and coronary vessel tree in preoperative cardiac CT image data is manually segmented and reconstructed, an augmented virtual reality environment integrating endoscope and virtual endoscope is built by the aid of optical navigation apparatus and CT-ultrasound-based intraoperative registration error correction, and accordingly the target point of coronary artery bypass grafting is accurately positioned and navigated.

Radiolabeled epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) irreversible inhibitors and their use as biomarkers for medicinal radioimaging such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and as radiopharmaceuticals for radiotherapy are disclosed.

The invention provides a liver tumor segmentation method and device based on a CT (Computed Tomography) image. The method comprises the following steps: performing Gaussian denoising on CT image data of a liver, converting the denoised CT image data into standardized data of which a gray average is 0 and a variance is 1, and performing down-sampling operation; extracting a lesion slice and a normal tissue slice from a gold standard image of the CT image of the liver, and classifying the lesion slice and the normal tissue slice into a positive sample and a negative sample; constructing a multi-level depth convolutional neural network, training a model through a stochastic gradient descent to obtain a network model, and acquiring a coarse segmentation binary image of a tumor and a pixel-classification probability image through a classifier; performing morphological erosion operation on the coarse segmentation binary image of the tumor to obtain a foreground image needed by graph cut, performing subtraction operation on the binary image of a liver and the coarse segmentation binary image of the tumor, and performing the morphological erosion operation to obtain a background image corresponding to normal tissues of the liver; and constructing an undirected graph, and obtaining a finial segmentation region of the tumor through a graph cut optimization algorithm.

Computed tomography device comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detecting unit. The x-ray source comprises a cathode with a plurality of individually programmable electron emitting units that each emit an electron upon an application of an electric field, an anode target that emits an x-ray upon impact by the emitted electron, and a collimator. Each electron emitting unit includes an electron field emitting material. The electron field emitting material includes a nanostructured material or a plurality of nanotubes or a plurality of nanowires. Computed tomography methods are also provided.

A multichannel, contactless power transfer system includes a primary power inverter disposed on a stationary side of the system, and an auxiliary power inverter disposed on the stationary side of the system. A rotary transformer has a primary side thereof disposed on the stationary side of the system and a secondary side disposed on a rotating side of the system. The rotary transformer is configured to couple primary power from an output of the primary power inverter to a primary power voltage output on the rotating side of the system, and is further configured to couple auxiliary power from an output of the auxiliary power inverter to at least one auxiliary voltage output on the rotating side of the system.

A system and method for detecting the aortic valve is provided. The method comprises: (a) casting rays on a slice of a computed tomography (CT) dataset of an aorta; (b) computing a Gaussian model for voxels on the slice, wherein the Gaussian model produces a threshold; (c) growing a circle from a point within the aorta until control points of the circle reach the threshold; (d) computing a repulsion vector for each control point reaching the threshold; (e) repositioning the circle according to an average of the repulsion vectors, wherein if the circle is within the aorta, repeating steps (c-e) until the circle is not within the aorta; (f) calculating a statistical value for the circle; (g) projecting a copy of the circle onto an adjacent slice; (h) reducing the radius of the copy of the circle; and (i) repeating steps (c-h) on remaining CT slices until the aortic valve is detected.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for delivering implants through a posterior aspect of a vertebral body such as a pedicle and placing the implant or performing a procedure into the anterior aspect of the vertebral body. A representative apparatus includes an outer cannula, and advancer tube and a drill assembly. It is envisioned that at least one of the outer cannula, the advancer tube or the drill assembly can be viewed in vivo using for example, a CT scan or fluoroscope. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for forming an arcuate channel in bone material. The apparatus includes and advancer tube and a drill assembly.