1873 results about "Radiography" patented technology

One or more shaped axial bore extending from an accessed posterior or anterior target point are formed in the cephalad direction through vertebral bodies and intervening discs, if present, in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner. An anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (PAIFL) that extends from the anterior or posterior target point, respectively, in the cephalad direction following the spinal curvature through one or more vertebral body is visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment. Preferably, curved anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores are formed in axial or parallel or diverging alignment with the visualized AAIFL or PAIFL, respectively, employing bore forming tools that can be manipulated from proximal portions thereof that are located outside the patient's body to adjust the curvature of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores as they are formed in the cephalad direction. Further bore enlarging tools are employed to enlarge one or more selected section of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bore(s), e.g., the cephalad bore end or a disc space, so as to provide a recess therein that can be employed for various purposes, e.g., to provide anchoring surfaces for spinal implants inserted into the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bore(s).

A system comprised of custom radiographically designed tibial and talar cutting guides, a tibial reaming guide and bit, and instrumentalities for use in total ankle replacement surgery and a computer-based system and method for making the custom radiographically designed tibial and talar cutting guides.

Improved nucleus pulposus implants are provided to better accommodate the disc nucleus space, to provide a modified compressive modulus, to facilitate positioning, to enhance fixation, and to facilitate effective implantation and use. Some implants have sloped upper and/or lower surfaces to provide a “wedge-shaped” implant, while other implants have circumferential grooves, and/or have radiographic markers, and/or are modified by including a material having a compression profile that differs from the compression profile of the predominant material of the implant. Some implants have surface features to enhance fixation to surrounding surfaces.

A scanning unit for identifying contraband within objects, such as cargo containers and luggage, moving through the unit along a first path comprises at least one source of a beam of radiation movable across a second path that is transverse to the first path and extends partially around the first path. A stationary detector transverse to the first path also extends partially around the first path, positioned to detect radiation transmitted through the object during scanning. In one example, a plurality of movable X-ray sources are supported by a semi-circular rail perpendicular to the first path and the detector, which may be a detector array is also semi-circular and perpendicular to the path. A fan beam may also be used. Radiographic images may be obtained and/or computed tomography (“CT”) images may be reconstructed. The images may be analyzed for contraband. Methods of scanning objects are also disclosed.

The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for radiographic imaging (including conventional CT and radiation therapy portal and CT), nuclear medicine, material composition analysis, container inspection, mine detection, remediation, high energy physics, and astronomy. This invention provides novel face-on, edge-on, edge-on sub-aperture resolution (SAR), and face-on SAR scintillator detectors, designs and systems for enhanced slit and slot scan radiographic imaging suitable for medical, industrial, Homeland Security, and scientific applications. Some of these detector designs are readily extended for use as area detectors, including cross-coupled arrays, gas detectors, and Compton gamma cameras. Energy integration, photon counting, and limited energy resolution readout capabilities are described. Continuous slit and slot designs as well as sub-slit and sub-slot geometries are described, permitting the use of modular detectors.

A radiographing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an image processing device comprises an acquisition device which acquires projection data of a first energy spectrum and projection data of a second energy spectrum, and a synthetic image generating device which synthesizes a first image on the basis of the projection data of the first energy spectrum, and a second image on the basis of the projection data of the second energy spectrum according to a predetermined synthetic condition, and generating a synthetic image, and a display device displays the generated synthetic image.

A radiographic imaging device has a first scintillating phosphor screen having a first thickness and a second scintillating phosphor screen having a second thickness. A transparent substrate is disposed between the first and second screens. An imaging array formed on a side of the substrate includes multiple photosensors and an array of readout elements.

A method for optimizing the radiogram image of a subject is provided. The method provides for showing the location of automatic exposure control sensors on the radiograms, along with alignment and targeting projections to optimize the radiation exposure of the subject. By displaying the location of the automatic exposure control sensors on the radiograms along with the image of the subject, the observers can determine whether the radiogram image was taken with appropriate subject alignment. This method also serves as an educational aid in training radiography technicians.

A expandable prosthesis having an imageable structure comprising one or more elements visually distinguishable by an external (e.g., radiographic or ultrasonic) imaging system, the structure being located about a first axis that corresponds to a structural feature of the prosthesis that is configured to perform a specific function particular to that axis. The imageable structure is configured to assist in the rotational orientation of the prosthesis during placement within the implantation site. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises a venous valve that includes imageable elements or structure, such as a pair of radiopaque markers, that defines the orifice of the valve structure such that the orifice can be oriented with a particular anatomical feature under imaging, such as to align the orifice with the long axis of the vessel. In another embodiment, the imageable structure is configured to permit an aperture located about a stent graft to be oriented with a anatomical feature of the vessel, such as a branch vessel opening. The invention includes a method for using imageable structure to confirm that the orientation of the prosthesis within a delivery apparatus is consistent the desired delivery approach to be used.

Implantable in vivo sensors used to monitor physical, chemical or electrical parameters within a body. The in vivo sensors are integral with an implantable medical device and are responsive to externally or internally applied energy. Upon application of energy, the sensors undergo a phase change in at least part of the material of the device which is then detected external to the body by conventional techniques such as radiography, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency imaging or the like. The in vivo sensors of the present invention may be employed to provide volumetric measurements, flow rate measurements, pressure measurements, electrical measurements, biochemical measurements, temperature, measurements, or measure the degree and type of deposits within the lumen of an endoluminal implant, such as a stent or other type of endoluminal conduit. The in vivo sensors may also be used therapeutically to modulate mechanical and/or physical properties of the endoluminal implant in response to the sensed or monitored parameter.

Cavity and sentinel lymph node marking 412 devices, marker delivery devices, and methods are disclosed. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammography, echogenic, or other noninvasive imaging techniques. A composition and method are disclosed for locating the sentinel lymph node in a mammalian body to determine if cancerous cells have spread thereto. The composition is preferably a fluid composition consisting of a carrier fluid and some type of contrast agent; alternatively, the contrast agent may itself be a fluid and therefore not need a separate carrier fluid. This composition is capable of (1) deposition in or around a lesion and migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node, and (2) remote detection via any number of noninvasive techniques. Also disclosed is a method for remotely detecting the location of a sentinel node by (1) depositing a remotely detectable fluid in or around a lesion for migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node and (2) remotely detecting the location of that node with a minimum of trauma and toxicity to the patient. The composition and method may serve to mark a biopsy cavity, as well as mark the sentinel lymph node. The marking methods also may combine any of the features as described with the marking device and delivery device.

A system to illustrate image data of an imaged subjected is provided. The system comprises an imaging system, an input device, an output device, and a controller in communication with the imaging system, the input device, and the output device. The controller includes a processor to perform program instructions representative of the steps of generating a three-dimensional reconstructed volume from the plurality of two-dimensional, radiography images, navigating through the three-dimensional reconstructed volume, the navigating step including receiving an instruction from an input device that identifies a location of a portion of the three-dimensional reconstructed volume, calculating and generating a two-dimensional display of the portion of the three-dimensional reconstructed volume identified in the navigation step, and reporting the additional view or at least one parameter to calculate and generate the additional view.

In order to improve ease of operation in an X-ray photographic system for performing X-ray photography (radiography) for taking a plurality of photographs (radiographs) when a photographic request is received from an external source; when photographs of a plurality of regions are to be taken, an examination system includes a device for changing the input photographic sequence of the regions to be photographed, a device for taking photographs in accordance with the changed photographic sequence, and a device for outputting the photographed results in a desired sequence.

A surgical guide assembly is provided for positioning a drill bit during a dental implant procedure. The guide assembly includes a mounting member configured to mount to one or more teeth adjacent to an edentulous area, a base connected to the mounting member and dimensioned to extend over the edentulous area, a translation member adjustable with respect to the base, and a rotation member adjustable with respect to the translation member. The rotation member includes an aperture configured to receive a radiographic marker or a drill. The translation and rotation members may be configured to adjust one of the mesio-distal (MD) rotational alignment and the buccal-lingual (BL) rotational alignment of the radiographic marker inserted in the aperture while holding the other of the MD and BL rotational alignment mechanically fixed. Also, the translation and rotation members may be configured to adjust the other of the MD and BL translational alignment of the radiographic marker while holding said one of the MD and BL translational alignment mechanically fixed. A method of using the dental implant positioning assembly is also disclosed.

A marking device for defining the margins and orientation of radiography specimens includes a plurality of visually distinctive markers joined by a base that holds the markers until the markers are secured to a specimen. The base serves as a holder for the individual markers as the markers are secured to a specimen with sutures or staples, at which time the markers are disconnected from the base. One or more markers may be secured to a specimen as needed to define the orientation of the specimen. By securing markers to specific locations on a specimen, a surgeon can indicate to radiologists and pathologists the specimen's orientation in the body before removal, thus aiding in future study of the specimen. Since the markers are made either wholly or partially from radiopaque material, the markers are visible when radiographed.

An implant that has a predefined ratio of load bearing surface area to the overall size of the implant body and specifically to the surface area of a centrally located opening of a vertical aperture which connects to a center void area or passage defined by the implant body shape. This invention discloses a critical ratio or balance between loading of contained graft material through the hollow center or central passage of the implant and the implant's frictional load bearing or contact area with e.g., adjacent vertebral bones. Application of this invention to a spinal implant provides an improved integration and integration rate of the graft material or the fusion of the adjacent vertebral bone structures. The ratio between implant load bearing surface area and implant central opening area maximizes implant internal volume and allows a large passage disposed medial laterally to allow for radiographic verification of fusion growth.