39 results about "Patient exposure" patented technology

An electronic thermometer that reduces patient exposure to all sources of cross-contamination, aids in infection control, and provides a clean, uncontaminated, readily accessible source of probe covers. A probe assembly for an electronic thermometer, which does not require expensive calibration procedures during manufacturing and allows the use of inexpensive thermisters. A memory component such as an EEPROM integrated circuit stores calibration information and identifying information in each particular probe assembly which improves performance and reduces manufacturing costs.

A system and method for using pre-procedural images for registration for image-guided therapy (IGT), also referred to as image-guided intervention (IGI), in percutaneous surgical application. Pseudo-features and patient abdomen and organ surfaces are used for registration and to establish the relationship needed for guidance. Three-dimensional visualizations of the vasculature, tumor(s), and organs may be generated for enhanced guidance information. The invention facilitates extensive pre-procedural planning, thereby significantly reducing procedural times. It also minimizes the patient exposure to radiation.

The present invention relates to an automatic tooth movement measuring method employing a three dimensional reverse engineering technique; and, more particularly, to an automatic tooth movement measuring method employing three dimensional reverse engineering technique, wherein a tooth movement measuring device capable of measuring a movement status of teeth before and after orthodontic treatment by spatially coordinating a three dimensional digital model of the tooth. According to the present invention, the tooth movement measuring device forms two three dimensional models which change corresponding to the point of time and applies a space coordinate to each model. And, by applying a technique superimposing each model, the tooth movement can be measured quantitatively and qualitatively. And, in accordance with the present invention, the tooth movement measuring device is capable of quantitatively and qualitatively measuring the tooth movement by applying space coordinates to the three dimensional digital model by a laser beam scanning without requiring a patient to be exposed to a huge amount of irradiation by such as a computer tomography in measuring the movement of teeth.

Methods and systems for treating tinnitus are provided. Some embodiments include a method of providing a primary audio signal having a primary peak portion substantially centered at about a tinnitus frequency of a patient. The method may also include combining the primary audio signal with a general audio signal to generate a combined sound. The method may also include exposing the patient to the combined sound so that the patient hears the combined sound, to diminish a perception by the patient of tinnitus.

A cryoablation method, system, and device that allows for real-time and accurate assessment and monitoring of PV occlusion and lesion formation without the need for expensive imaging systems and without patient exposure to radiation. The system includes a cryoballoon catheter with a cryoballoon, a distal electrode, a proximal electrode, and a temperature sensor. Impedance measurements recorded by the electrodes may be used to predict ice formation, quality of pulmonary vein occlusion, and lesion formation.

An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray CT system making it possible to readily plan a scan in consideration of past patient exposures. An X-ray CT system performs a scan so as to irradiate X-rays, which are generated from an X-ray tube, to a subject from a plurality of directions, and reconstructs tomographic images of the subject. An information processing method implemented in the X-ray CT system comprises: a step of sampling information on a patient exposure the subject has received during a scan performed for reconstructing tomographic images, which is appended to each of the reconstructed tomographic images, on the basis of identification information with which the subject is identified; a step of creating a distribution of patient exposures calculated relative to an axis orthogonal to the scanning directions on the basis of the sampled information on the patient exposure (an estimated patient exposure, which is estimated in planning a scan, and an exposure limit); and a step of displaying the created exposure distribution.

The invention discloses a method for reducing the radiation dosage, and the method comprises the steps: acquiring first image data related to an ROI (region of interest) of a first object, wherein thefirst image data is corresponding to a first equivalent dosage, and the first image data may be acquired by a first device; obtaining a noise reduction model associated with the first image data anddetermining second image data corresponding to the second equivalent dosage based on the first image data and the noise reduction model, wherein the second equivalent dosage is greater than the firstequivalent dosage. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the steps: determining information related to the ROI of the first object based on the second image data, and recording information related to the ROI of the first object. The present application converts low dosage images into high dosage images through a noise reduction model, and avoids exposure of the patient to excessiveradiation while obtaining equal or higher quality images.

A hemodynamic parameter (Hdp) monitoring system for diagnosing a health condition of a patient and for establishing Hdp marker values or Hdp surrogate marker values for purposes of comparison with Hdp values of a patient is provided. An Hdp monitor senses, measures, and records Hdp values exhibited by the patient during a basal or non-exposure period and furthermore Hdp values exhibited by the patient during or after an exposure period during which the patient is exposed to low-energy electromagnetic output signals. An electrically-powered generator is adapted to be actuated to generate said low-energy electromagnetic carrier output signals for exposing or applying to the patient such output signals during said exposure period.

Methods and systems provide a non-ionizing alternative to conventional mammography X-ray techniques, which expose patients to ionizing radiation, for breast cancer tumor detection, using a miniaturized (wafer scale) array of ultra wide band (UWB) radio frequency (RF) sensors operating at 60 GHz (non-ionizing—no X-ray type accumulative radiations) that have capability to use both linear and polarized sensors, tomography, and suppression of scattering for improved imaging. Coding techniques provide significant processing gain that is essential for the large attenuation of transmitted signals in breast tissue operating at these high frequencies. The increased bandwidth of UWB RF detection provides better depth resolution of breast and body tissue. Using polarization improves detection of abnormal tissues. An extremely miniaturized (wafer scale) cluster of transmitter and receiver antenna elements improves detection at deeper parts of the breast and can detect cancerous cells in dense breasts often not picked up by mammography.

An epidural injection is used in medical procedure to administer medication to a patient's epidural space in the spine, usually to alleviate pain. Although effective in purpose, current medical procedure to administer an epidural injection does contain a flaw that exposes the patient to possible infection, usually manifested as an epidural abscess or bacterial meningitis. A source for infection stems from the manner the epidural catheter, specifically the proximal end not being inserted into the patient, is traditionally handled throughout the procedure—usually freely hanging, susceptible to breaking the sterile field and becoming contaminated. The current invention, an epidural catheter dispenser system, seeks to eliminate this risk of epidural catheter contamination by maintaining the epidural catheter, especially the proximal catheter end, in a sterile dispenser that can be easily manipulated by a physician. The epidural catheter dispenser system defines an inner cavity in which an epidural catheter may be loaded. When ready for use, a distal catheter end is extracted from the dispenser's inner cavity through a dispenser aperture on the dispenser's distal end piece, or top, allowing the physician to direct the epidural catheter into an epidural needle bore and into a patient's epidural space. Because the epidural catheter dispenser system and its epidural catheter contents fit easily into the palm of a physician's hand, the proximal catheter end is permanently in a controlled, contained sterile environment throughout the entire catheter placement procedure until extracted from the dispenser. The current invention minimizes and virtually eliminates the risk of epidural catheter contamination. Thus, the epidural catheter dispenser system provides benefits beyond existing epidural injection procedures including: (1) reduced risk of infection of the patient receiving an epidural injection; (2) easier catheter management for the physician; (3) better control of the medical microenvironment for the physician; and (4) improved medical efficiencies.

When performing an examination or a treatment that requires a high-quality image, the operator operates the foot switch with his or her foot, to increase the magnitude of depression of the foot switch. This increases the x-ray dose per unit time that is emitted towards the examination patient, making it possible to obtain a high quality captured image Or transparent image. In contrast, when, for example, directing a. catheter to a target position, the operator reduces the magnitude of depression of the foot switch by operating the foot switch with his or her foot. This makes it possible to reduce the dose with which the examination patient is exposed, by reducing the x-ray dose per unit time that is emitted toward the examination patient.

A handpiece for laser treatment of a target surface on a patient, such as a skin surface, mitigates the effects of backscattered radiation at high optical power levels that can heat the handpiece to dangerous levels, as well as exposing practitioners and patients to the backscattered light and/or the handpiece structures heated thereby. A standoff affixed to the handpiece is configured to guide the handpiece position with respect to the target surface during use, such that the angle of incidence of treatment light is held near a predetermined angle that is not perpendicular to the target surface. This angle decreases the fraction of treatment light scattered directly back toward the handpiece, and the standoff may additionally be used to set a preferred distance to the target surface. Systems for laser treatment using a handpiece having these features, and methods for laser treatment using the handpiece are also provided.

An X-ray diagnostic device is for mammography examinations and includes an arm for an X-ray tube and an object table having an image receptor. The X-ray tube is able to emit a radiation field towards the image receptor. Further, an X-ray grid is included, that is introducable into the radiation field, as well as an attachment unit that can be attached to the object table. In order to obtain an X-ray diagnostic unit having an arrangement that eliminates the risk of exposing the patient to be examined to an unnecessarily high dose of X-ray radiation, the object table is provided with a sensing arrangement that is connected to a transport device for the X-ray grid. Upon applying the attachment unit to the object table, the attachment unit actuates the sensing arrangement in such a way that the transport device transports the X-ray grid out of the radiation field.

The invention discloses a multifunctional preoperative target positioning device for a foramen intervertebrale mirror. The device comprises a positioning column, a horizontal length measuring rod andan angle measuring rod, wherein the horizontal length measuring rod and the angle measuring rod can slide on the positioning column, and the horizontal length measuring rod and the angle measuring rodcan rotate circumferentially along the positioning column; the angle measuring rod can swing freely; scales are arranged on the horizontal length measuring rod; and the horizontal length measuring rod can be bent. According to the multifunctional preoperative target positioning device for the foramen intervertebrale mirror, target positioning, scale measurement and angle measurement are integrated, and an operation target, an operation approach and the placement direction of a working sleeve can be determined through one-time perspective, so that operation accuracy is improved, the preoperative preparation time is saved, and the ray exposure time of an operator and a patient is shortened.

A process for treating highly localized carcinoma cells that provides precise positioning of a therapeutic source of highly ionizing but weakly penetrating radiation, which can be shaped so that it irradiates essentially only the volume of the tumor. The intensity and duration of the radiation produced by the source can be activated and deactivated by controlling the neutron flux generated by an array of electrically controlled neutron generators positioned outside the body being treated. The energy of the neutrons that interact with the source element can be adjusted to optimize the reaction rate of the ionized radiation production by utilizing neutron moderating material between the neutron generator array and the body. The source device may be left in place and reactivated as needed to ensure the tumor is eradicated without exposing the patient to any additional radiation between treatments. The source device may be removed once treatment is completed.

A method of conditioning a living body of a patient to associate the positive effects of sensory stimulation of the sympathetic ganglia with digital audio representations of allergens or other offending substances to modify errant interpretations of the immune system or other systems involved in a reaction to ultimately cease or reduce negative reactions to such allergens or substances. In addition, a patient's allergies or sensitivities are treated by using digital representations, preferably provided via a computer, as opposed to exposing the patient to the actual substances. Sensory stimulation is used in conjunction with the digital audio signals to condition the body to react more appropriately to the substances without the actual substance being exposed to the patient.

The present invention relates to the innovation that ECFCs are a predictor of the likely result to the exposure of a patient to low dose ionizing radiation by comparing the results of exposure of cells to individuals already exposed to ECFCs.