259 results about "X ray exposure" patented technology

An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure.

An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure.

An x-ray irradiation apparatus and x-ray exposure apparatus provide improved x-ray generation. The x-ray irradiation apparatus includes a target material feed-out device to provide a target material in a feed-out direction to a specified target position and a laser to provide laser light to the specified target position to cause the target material to emit x-rays. In some configurations, an x-ray generation position control device may be used to determine and control a position of x-ray generation, a rotary mechanism may be operatively connected to the target material feed-out device to axially rotate the target material feed-out device about the feed-out direction, and / or a target feed-out control device may be used to detect and control the position of the target material feed-out device.

An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure.

Disclosed is a navigation-training model comprises a base, a holding device for securing a surgical practice model bone to the base in a predetermined position, and a support for fixing a patient tracker onto the base at a predetermined orientation. With the fixed relative positions of the support and the holding device, constant orientation of the patient tracker and the surgical practice model bone is achieved each time they are placed on the navigation-training model. A navigation-training apparatus having the navigation-training model is also disclosed, which includes a navigation system and a surgical tool with a tool tracker. Fluoroscopic images of the surgical practice model bone are captured once and uploaded into a computer of the navigation system. The practice of the fluoroscopic images-guided orthopedic surgery can thus be carried out with the fluoroscopic images loaded onto the navigation system without the need for further fluoroscopy. This eliminates X-ray exposure and standardizes the procedures of navigation-training.

A radiation anti-scatter device comprising a grid and a grid driver connected to the grid for unidirectionaly moving the grid with a variable grid velocity along a path between a starting and an end position, and a method of providing such grid motion. The variable grid velocity may have a velocity profile V1=k1t for a first period and then V2=k2t-m for a second period, where V1 and V2 are velocity, k1 and k2 are constants, t is time, and m is an exponent having a value greater than 0. The anti-scatter device may be a component of a direct radiographic diagnostic imaging system which includes an image-producing element having an array of radiation detectors aligned in rows, and where the anti-scatter device is a grid having vanes oriented at an angle to the detector rows. Radiation emission may be synchronized with the grid motion to optimize a radiograph for a particular grid, radiation source, or examination procedure. The apparatus implements a method for reducing Moiré patterns in radiographic detectors having an array of sensors by unidirectionaly moving the grid in a single stroke during the radiation exposure with an asymptotically decreasing speed profile such that grid motion is maintained for a plurality of different radiation exposure times.

Breast imaging using any one of a mammography system, a tomosynthesis system, or a fused system that selectively takes either or both of mammography images and tomosynthesis images, further uses a patient shield that moves closer to and further away from the patient's chest and head, between (1) an access position that facilitates the technologist's access to adjust the patient's breast while the breast is being compressed and (b) a protective position in which the shield helps protect the patient from collision with moving components and from x-ray exposure of tissue other than the tissue that is to be imaged.

A diagnostic imaging device is provided to detect cancers in early stages with a high degree of accuracy while minimizing the risk of X-ray exposure that can be caused by the X-ray CT examination, taking advantage of the PET examination which provides a means of efficient early detection of cancers while minimizing the risk of radiation exposure. A PET gantry 20 and a CT gantry 30 are arranged sequentially relative to a common examination table 10, a control unit provided in a console 40 controlling the examination table 10, the PET gantry 20, and the CT gantry 30, and an examination subject 13 laid on a top board 11 of the examination table 10 is inserted into a tunnel 21 of the PET gantry 20 for collecting PET data in order to reconstruct a PET image, display the PET image on an image monitor provided in the console 40, allow a doctor to make a determination as to whether the examination subject 13 should be further subjected to a CT examination by sending it into a tunnel 31 of the CT gantry 30, and allow necessary actions to be taken in accordance with the determination.

A radiation report system includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of records including an exposure dose, an examination protocol, an examination part, a patient's age and a patient's weight with regard to the plurality of radiation examinations using a plurality of radiation diagnosis apparatuses. The plurality of records stored in the storage unit is classified into a plurality of groups based on the examination protocol, the examination part or patient information. An exposure report is created for each group based on the plurality of records stored in the storage unit. The data of the exposure report is served with a client side terminal.

A system for navigating and guiding a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. A transmitter is positioned near a patient's anatomy. A receiver is attached to the surgical instrument. The position of the surgical instrument is tracked using the transmitter and receiver. A processing unit determines the location of the surgical instrument relative to the patient's anatomy and produces images with a pictorial representation of the surgical instrument and the patient's anatomy. The images are displayed on a display. A surgeon can view the images on the display and guide the surgical instrument into position inside the patient. The surgical instrument can be guided inside a patient without continuously producing real time x-ray exposures. Positions of the surgical instrument can be saved and displayed on the display along with the pictorial representation of the surgical instrument in its current position.

A system and method of medical imaging is designed to reduce a patient's X-ray exposure during scanning. The system automatically generates a default noise index from a received set of scan parameter values that specifies a desired tube current of an X-ray source to use during the scanning of a patient. The default noise index can then be overridden to select a preferred noise index based upon a desired diagnostic quality for a particular volume of interest (VOI) and a diagnostic objective.

A medical imaging system adaptively acquires anatomical images using a shape adaptive collimator including multiple different portions of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation into a non-rectangular shape, in response to a control signal. The synchronization processor provides a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive variation in timing of image acquisition within an individual heart cycle and between successive heart cycles of each individual image frame of multiple sequential image frames. The X-ray image acquisition device uses the shape adaptive collimator for acquiring anatomical images of the region of interest with reduced patient X-ray exposure in response to the synchronization signal. A display processor presents resultant images.

A diagnosis apparatus encompasses a probe array (1, 2) made of material having electromagnetic characteristic identical to the electromagnetic characteristic of a target object, the probe array (1, 2) embraces a receptacle 1 having a semispherical inner wall surface, and a plurality of antennas 2, arranged along the inner wall surface, the plurality of antennas 2 carry out electrical measurement of a target region in the target object, a fixing mechanism configured to cover whole of the target region with the probe array (1, 2), bringing skin of the target region into close contact with the inner wall surface, so as to fix a relative position between the target region and the probe array (1, 2), and a measuring, controlling and analyzing mechanism configured to control the plurality of antennas 2, to execute the electrical measurement, and to analyze a data based on the electrical measurement so as to detect an abnormal cell in the target region. The diagnosis apparatus has a high contrast and a high resolution and does not suffer from any X-ray exposure and is low in diagnosis cost and safe, sure, comfortable and high in speed and high in reliability.

The present invention provides an X-ray CT apparatus which realizes an improvement in timing control on transition to an actual scan for contrast agent synchronous imaging and its reliability, and an improvement in reduction in X-ray exposure. The X-ray CT apparatus includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector disposed so as to be opposite to the X-ray source with a subject implanted with a contrast agent being interposed therebetween, a contrast agent synchronous imaging device which performs acquisition of projection data upon the start of the actual scan for the contrast agent synchronous photography while relative operations between the subject and the X-ray source, and the X-ray detector are being accelerated in a predetermined direction, and image reconstructing device which reconstructs a tomographic image, based on the projection data.

A radiological imaging apparatus and method corrects fixed pattern noise (FPN) generated within the apparatus and suppresses increases in random noise attendant upon FPN correction to provide radiological imaging having improved reliability and image quality. The apparatus has a signal processing circuit that digitizes analog output from a read-out circuit, four FPN memories for storing four dark outputs, a light memory for storing a light output after X-ray exposure of a subject, a CPU for controlling the signal processing circuit as well as FPN and light memories, and a shift resister 7 controlled by the CPU. The method involves averaging multiple dark outputs and subtracting the FPN data average so obtained from the light output which includes the X-ray imaged to enhance picture quality. Since the FPN correction uses FPN data that has been averaged over multiple dark outputs, the method also suppresses random noise generated by the FPN correction for enhanced imaging accuracy.

Breast imaging using any one of a mammography system, a tomosynthesis system, or a fused system that selectively takes either or both of mammography images and tomosynthesis images, further uses a patient shield that moves closer to and further away from the patient's chest and head, between (1) an access position that facilitates the technologist's access to adjust the patient's breast while the breast is being compressed and (b) a protective position in which the shield helps protect the patient from collision with moving components and from x-ray exposure of tissue other than the tissue that is to be imaged.

In a method and device for positioning the level of a slice during the generation of a slice exposure of an examination subject with an x-ray examination device, a reference image of the exterior of the examination subject is recorded by a camera on a line of sight proceeding transverse to the direction of examination. The slice level of a subsequent slice exposure is determined using a slice level marking within the reference image.

In a method and system for generating an x-ray exposure of an examination subject extending in a longitudinal direction and exhibiting, in a main projection direction, a geometry that is curved at least in sections, an x-ray source and an x-ray detector are respectively positioned and aligned appropriately with regard to one another and to the section to be acquired of the exposure subject in order to generate partial exposures along a curved course substantially adapted to the geometry of the exposure subject. The partial exposures of the sections subsequently are combined into an overall x-ray exposure of the exposure subject.

In a tomosynthesis system a static focal spot is moved in a direction opposite to and generally synchronized with the directional movement of an x-ray source and X-ray collimator blades are moved during each exposure in synchronization with the shifting of the static focal spot. The synchronized movement of the static focal spot, x-ray tube and collimator blades helps keep the effective focal spot fixed in space relative to the breast, detector or both during the entire duration of the exposure and keeps the x-ray field on the detector and breast static. The shifting collimator blades follow an oscillating pattern over the multiple x-ray exposures of a tomosynthesis scan.

A system and method for improved imaging of a subject through the use of low dose exposure aided positioning is provided. The subject is positioned in an X-ray imaging system and imaged with a low dose pre-shot X-ray exposure to verify the positioning of the subject. If the subject's positioning is acceptable, the subject is then imaged with a full dose X-ray exposure. If the subject's positioning is not acceptable, the subject is repositioned and re-imaged with a low dose pre-shot X-ray exposure until the subject's positioning is acceptable. The low dose pre-shot X-ray exposure may take the form of a low dose X-ray imaging sequence where the radiation dose is less than the radiation dose of a full dose X-ray exposure.

The Intramedullary Nail System with Tang Fixation includes a nail for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the femur and a lag screw for insertion through the nail, into the femoral head of the femur. The nail is affixed to the inside of the femur using only extendable tangs that extend into the bone. Similarly, the lag screw is secured to the inside of the femur and femoral head using only threads and extendable tangs. Thus, the nail is held within the intramedullary canal of the femur, affixed internally by the lag screw and tangs, without the use of screws that penetrate the surface of the bone, and without requiring significant x-ray exposure.

A CT scanner automatically determines a volume of change based upon anatomical changes in a patient. During surgery, the CT scanner takes a sufficient number of two-dimensional initial images using a full field of view. The CT scanner compares the initial images to pre-operative data. Based upon the comparison, the CT scanner automatically determines the volume of change plus some margin to define a volume of interest. The CT scanner then collimates an x-ray source to perform an intra-operative updated CT scan of the volume of interest. The CT scanner updates the pre-operative data with the data from the intra-operative updated CT scan of the volume of interest to form a fully updated three-dimensional CT image. The initial images and the pre-operative data can be taken at a lower resolution than the intra-operative updated CT scan of the volume of interest to reduce the x-ray exposure of the patient.

A mobile x-ray acquisition system has a cart on which is arranged an articulated arm that has a free end at which an x-ray source is carried. Also arranged on the cart is an image evaluation device. An image storage medium can be inserted into the image evaluation device. The image storage medium contains image information generated by an x-ray exposure, and the image information stored in the image storage medium can be imported into the image evaluation device and evaluated therein.

A radiography system allow for user determination of a region of interest on a subject prior to X-ray exposure. The region of interest is defined by user interaction with an image, a pointer system, or the like. The region of interest is then translated to the imaging coordinate system, such as in the plane of a digital detector. The region is then used for exposure control during an imaging sequence, either in an open or closed-loop manner.

A wireless, independent digital imaging sensor utilizes an external charge balance capacitor to establish a sense voltage at a common node between the charge capacitor and the pixel intrinsic capacitors in the sensor panel. A variable width pulse train responds to the sense voltage to control injection of charge to the external capacitor to maintain a constant voltage at the common equal to a reference voltage. An increase in pulse width above a threshold level representative of the onset of X-ray exposure is detected to generate an output control signal used to control subsequent image acquisition functions of the imaging sensor.

The invention provides an intelligent digital X ray exposure control device and method. The device includes a double-camera automatic calibration module, a double-camera target thickness chart reestablishing module, an input parameter standardizing module, an interest area extraction module based on photographed parts, an image error correcting module based on the photographed parts, a sample settraining module based on the photographed parts and an exposure parameter estimation module based on the photographed parts. According to the intelligent digital X ray exposure control device and method, appropriate exposure parameters can be selected intelligently according to the patient information and the actual thickness of the photographed parts. Not only can the imaging quality be ensured,but unnecessary radiation dosage likely to be performed on patients can be reduced, and moreover, a neural network can constantly learn new illness cases during usage to perfect the exposure control effect. During clinical usage, the intelligent digital X ray exposure control device does not rely on clinical experience of technicians and is convenient to operate without limits, and therefore the device is an ideal automatic exposure control system.

A wireless X-ray fluoroscopic imaging system is provided. The system includes an X-ray generation unit configured to perform X-ray exposure for each frame of imaging; a sensor unit configured to output image data; and an image processing unit configured to designate the exposure, wherein the sensor unit includes a first counter configured to be reset and resume counting in response to a beacon signal, and a unit configured to save a readout trigger offset for readout, and starts the readout when a counter value of the first counter matches the readout trigger offset, and the image processing unit includes a second counter configured to be reset and resume counting in response to the beacon signal, and a unit configured to save an exposure trigger offset for the exposure, and starts the exposure when a counter value of the second counter matches the exposure trigger offset.

The invention relates to An X-ray exposure indicator device comprising a solid X-ray sensitive material that upon X-ray exposure undergoes a chromatic change, wherein the exposure indicator device does not significantly change color when subjected to UV or visible radiation.

A handswitch configured to be held by an operator of an x-ray system, configured for using handswitchable equipment to operate the x-ray system, is disclosed. The handswitch includes an exterior housing so dimensioned as to fit into a hand of the operator. An exposure switch is disposed on the exterior housing and is configured to initiate an x-ray exposure. A tactile feedback mechanism is configured to indicate, to the operator of the x-ray system, transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system.