 Patent Application Title |
Patent App Num. |
Date |
| X-ray computed tomography scanner, dose calculation method, and program | 20130108130 | 20130502 |
 An X-ray CT apparatus is provided. The X-ray CT apparatus includes an estimation device configured to estimate a feature quantity that relates to one of image quality and a pixel value of an image obtained by performing an X-ray CT scan on a imaging target under a predetermined scan condition, wherein the feature quantity has a correlative relationship with a dose that is based on data obtained from X-ray imaging performed on the imaging target before a main scan, and a calculation device configured to calculate a dose for the imaging target for a case when an X-ray CT scan is performed under a desired setup scan condition, the dose calculated based on the estimated feature quantity and the correlative relationship between feature quantity and dose.
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| Method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of rock samples using dual energy x-ray computed tomographic imaging | 20130028371 | 20130131 |
 A method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of objects, such as rock samples or well cores, using X-ray computed tomographic imaging techniques is provided. The method effectively compensates for errors in the interpretation of CT scan data and produces bulk densities which have lower residual error compared to actual bulk densities and produces bulk density—effective atomic number trends which are consistent with physical observations.
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| Method and ct system for recording and distributing whole-body ct data of a polytraumatized patient | 20130022256 | 20130124 |
 A method and CT system are disclosed for recording and distributing whole-body CT data of a polytraumatized patient. In at least one embodiment the method includes producing a whole-body topogram including division and assignment of z- coordinate regions of the whole-body topogram to different body regions; performing a whole-body CT scan with the recording of CT raw data; assigning the CT raw data to the different body regions; reconstructing CT image datasets on a computer of the CT system; and sending only body region-specific CT image datasets to a number of remote workstations operated by technical specialists.
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| Ct scan device and auxiliary module thereof | 20130003919 | 20130103 |
 A CT scan device including a CT scanner and an auxiliary table is proposed. The CT scanner has a scanning area and a scanning table, with the scanning table able to shift straight and pass through the scanning area. The auxiliary table is arranged on a side of the CT scanner opposite to another side where the scanning table is disposed, with the auxiliary table having an extension portion and a body, wherein a connection end of the extension portion connects with the body, an abutting end of the extension portion abutting against the scanning table, the extension portion has an inclined surface raised from the connection end to the abutting end, and the scanning table is able to push the auxiliary table moving relatively to... |
| Method for selecting implant components | 20120259597 | 20121011 |
 Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.
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| Computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis | 20120243656 | 20120927 |
| A computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis, more particularly to a computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis in that it can conveniently utilize a computed tomography apparatus for industrial use, the movement between the CT beam transmitter and the detector is decreased, thereby performing an accurate measurement and breaking down infrequently, and especially, it can easily perform a CT scan on a cylinder type (or rod shape) sample having a very long major axis such as a geological resource core sample.
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| Automated imaging contrast agent determination system | 20120236995 | 20120920 |
| A system automatically adaptively determines contrast agent administration parameters for use in a CT scan imaging system. The system includes a repository, input processor, imaging processor and output processor. The repository includes predetermined information associating, a contrast agent type, contrast agent administration parameters, an imaging system X-ray tube voltage and at least one of, (a) a type of imaging procedure and (b) an anatomical region to be imaged. The input processor receives data identifying a type of imaging procedure or an anatomical region to be imaged. The imaging processor uses the information in automatically identifying contrast agent parameters and X-ray tube voltage in response to the received data. The output processor provides output data to a destination device indicating contrast agent parameters for use in administering... |
| Removable handle scan body for impression trays and radiographic templates for integrated optical and ct scanning | 20120230567 | 20120913 |
| A device for use in optical scanning and CT scanning including a radiographic template and at least one shape of known dimension (SKD). The radiographic template includes a plurality of radio-opaque markers and is configured to take an impression of at least one surface of a patient. The SKD is removably attached to the radiographic template and serves as a basis for registration of data of a CT scan of the device with data of an optical scan of the device. The device may further comprise a mounting plate. The SKD is mounted on the mounting plate such that the at least one SKD is in an exact same position with respect to surfaces in a model formed from the impression as when the impression of... |
| Orthodontic treatment integrating optical scanning and ct scan data | 20120214121 | 20120823 |
| 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... |
| Method of planning and performing a spherical osteotomy using the 3-dimensional center of rotation of angulation (cora) | 20120215227 | 20120823 |
| A pre-surgical planning method for performing a spherical osteotomy for the surgical sectioning of a bone includes obtaining a CT scan of a bone. Subsequently manipulating the scan into a three-dimensional CAD format. Utilizing the scan to identify one or more centers of bone correction or 3D CORAs. A surface, configured in the shape of a portion of a sphere, e.g., a semisphere, is then superimposed on the computer representation of the bone. The center of the surface is positioned at a respective center of bone correction. The intersection of the surface and the bone defines a sectioning surface along which the bone is to be cut. Simulating a sectioning of the bone along the sectioning surface and the subsequent realignment of the bone in an... |
| Error simulation for image-guided dental implant treatment planning | 20120197620 | 20120802 |
| A method and system to evaluate image-guided dental implant treatment plans with error simulation. Error sources contributing to the inaccuracy of implant cases come from impressions, stone models, radiographic guides, CT scan and its image processing, surgical guides, as well as the surgical procedures. They are translated into the deviations between the planned and actual implant positions and orientations. The error simulation is to continuously modify and update treatment plans with the possible deviations so that the treatment plans can be visually evaluated along with other evaluation tools.
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| Oral template for integrated ct and optical images for dental implant drilling templates and orthodontic aligners | 20120191421 | 20120726 |
| A method for producing a virtual model of a patient includes placing a radiographic template in contact with a first surface of the patient. The radiographic template includes a plurality of radio-opaque markers and a shape of known dimensions. A negative impression of the first surface is formed by the radiographic template. A first CT scan of the radiographic template and said first surface is performed. The radiographic template is removed from the first surface. A second CT scan of the radiographic template apart from the first surface is performed. The first CT scan and said second CT scan are merged to produce an artifact-corrected image. An optical scan of the radiographic template including the negative impression is performed. The artifact-corrected image and the optical scan... |
| Generating a suitable model for estimating patient radiation dose resulting from medical imaging scans | 20120148131 | 20120614 |
| Techniques are disclosed for estimating patient radiation exposure during computerized tomography (CT) scans. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide efficient approaches for generating a suitable patient model used to make such an estimate, to approaches for estimating patient dose by interpolating the results of multiple simulations, and to approaches for a service provider to host a dose estimation service made available to multiple CT scan providers.
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| Generating an estimate of patient radiation dose from medical imaging scans | 20120148132 | 20120614 |
| Techniques are disclosed for estimating patient radiation exposure during computerized tomography (CT) scans. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide efficient approaches for generating a suitable patient model used to make such an estimate, to approaches for estimating patient dose by interpolating the results of multiple simulations, and to approaches for a service provider to host a dose estimation service made available to multiple CT scan providers.
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| Dose estimation service system configured to support multiple computerized medical imaging scan providers | 20120150505 | 20120614 |
| Techniques are disclosed for estimating patient radiation exposure during computerized tomography (CT) scans. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide efficient approaches for generating a suitable patient model used to make such an estimate, to approaches for estimating patient dose by interpolating the results of multiple simulations, and to approaches for a service provider to host a dose estimation service made available to multiple CT scan providers.
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| Method and apparatus pertaining to computed tomography scanning using a calibration phantom | 20120076259 | 20120329 |
| These various embodiments serve to facilitate improving the accuracy of a computed tomography (CT) process. This can comprise operably coupling at least one calibration phantom to a CT scan table and then, during a CT scan of an object that is disposed on the scan table, also gathering calibration information using that calibration phantom(s). By one approach, this calibration phantom can comprise one or more annular-shaped members. When using a plurality of annular-shaped members, at least some of the annular-shaped members can be disposed concentrically with one another. By one approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, this calibration phantom can comprise one or more pins and/or spherically-shaped members (and/or other shapes of geometric interest). If desired, such spherically-shaped members can be combined... |
| Hybrid method for dental implant treatment planning | 20120046914 | 20120223 |
| A hybrid method for dental implant treatment planning and a corresponding approach to make a surgical guide. After digital treatment planning is performed with CT scan data, a master model is created, which embodies the patient anatomy and entire treatment plan. Jaw bone, tooth surfaces, soft tissues and nerves are all contained by the master model. The plan details including implant sizes and positions, surgical guide drill options, as well as the choice of a surgical kit, are all conveyed by the master model. Meanwhile, models of specially designed “implant inserts (or replicas)” are also generated, which have one end that fits into the implant holes on the master model and another end to make the surgical guide. The master model and inserts are manufactured with... |
| System and method of optimizing a representation of dual energy spectral ct images | 20120039440 | 20120216 |
| An imaging system includes an x-ray source, a detector, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the detector, and a computer operably connected to the DAS. The computer is programmed to obtain CT scan data with two or more incident energy spectra, decompose the obtained CT scan data into projection CT data of a first basis material and a second basis material, generate a first basis material image and a second basis material image using the decomposed projection CT data, generate a first monochromatic image from the first basis material image and the second basis material image at a first energy that is selected based on an amount of correlated noise at the first energy, noise-reduce the first monochromatic image to generate a noise-reduced first... |
| Space-based ct scan system toward an astronomical object | 20120025083 | 20120202 |
| A CT scan system toward an astronomical object, including: a first satellite means for equipping a first satellite with an emitting means, said emitting means being for emitting super penetrating elementary particles; a second satellite means for equipping a second satellite with a detection means, said detection means being for detecting said super penetrating elementary particles; a super penetrating elementary particle measurement means for measuring the super penetrating elementary particles that are emitted from said emitting means, transmitted through said astronomical object, and detected by said detection means on said second satellite, said second satellite being, at the time of a measurement, opposite to said first satellite with respect to said astronomical object in between; and a CT reconstructing means for reconstructing a CT scan image... |
| Method and apparatus for veterinary ct scans | 20120027167 | 20120202 |
| A substantially X-ray transparent animal restraint enclosure having an open base structure and a lid which is configured to substantially close the base structure. The lid is movable from a closed position to an open position to permit the introduction of an animal into the base structure. The base structure has an open-ended slot which is partially obstructed when the lid is closed. The base structure also has an aperture which is not obstructed by the lid. A veterinary CT scan apparatus includes a CT scan gantry or sensor ring, a CT scan table, and a substantially X-ray transparent animal restraint enclosure. A method of performing a CT scan on an animal in a CT scan apparatus having a patient target position is achieved by placing... |
| Registration of aorta to patient via two 2d images for placement of a stent | 20120022366 | 20120126 |
| In a method for visualizing placement of a stent in an aorta of a patient with reduced use of contrast agent, a 3D volume image of the aorta of the patient is provided from a CT scan before placing the stent. An angiography system with a C-arm is provided to take 2D images of the patient. A computer is provided having registration software for registering the 3D volume image and 2D images taken by the angiography system. A first segmentation is performed on the 3D volume image to segment the aorta from remaining parts of the 3D image. A second segmentation is performed using the first segmentation on the 3D volume image to segment a bony structure of the patient from remaining parts of the 3D... |
| Method and system for dental planning and production | 20110008751 | 20110113 |
| 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... |
| Method and apparatus for reorientated resconstruction of computed tomography images of planar objects | 20110007864 | 20110113 |
| A system and method for micro computed tomography (CT) reconstruction of position scan data of planar objects, such as stacked integrated circuit chips and/or PCB, that automatically determines object orientation is disclosed for a preferred orientation of the reconstructed images. The object orientation of the sinogram of the scanning data is determined such that the reconstruction may be performed with any starting position. Additionally, planar object scan reconstructions with either a higher resolution in the thickness dimension without increasing the total computation resource or a faster processing speed under a given resolution in the thickness dimension may be achieved. The tilting angle with respect to the rotation axis may also be determined to perform a image rotation after a multi-slice reconstruction or cone-beam reconstruction.
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| Multiple resource planning system | 20110004490 | 20110106 |
| A system for managing remote doctor medical request workflow may include a workflow module that optimizes assignments of medical requests to remote doctors based on parameterized doctor and scheduling information and may further include a forecasting module that predicts the hospital credentials, state licenses or doctors needed to fulfill a projected volume of future medical requests. In one embodiment, radiologists are parameterized and then matched with requests for radiological readings based on information extracted from DICOM image headers and merged with associated information contained in a medical work order. In this embodiment, the radiologists are parameterized based on their locations, schedules, hospital credentials, state licensing, compensation metrics, and performance metrics and incoming requests for review of CT scans and the like are filtered based on the... |
| method and system of segmenting ct scan data | 20110002523 | 20110106 |
| A method of segmenting CT scan data comprises transforming intensity data into transformed data values. In a first option, the method includes convolving the CT scan data with a mask to obtain energy data wherein the mask has band pass filter characteristics, generating a histogram of the energy data and segmenting the CT scan data based on energy values in the generated histogram. In a second option, the method includes transforming the intensity data into Hounsfield scale data, and segmenting the image based on predefined Hounsfield scale values.
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| Multiple-source imaging system with flat-panel detector | 20100322498 | 20101223 |
| When performing nuclear (e.g., SPECT or PET) and CT scans on a patient, an imaging system (10) includes three or more carbon nanotube x-ray sources (20) are circumferentially spaced along an arc of a rotatable gantry (16) that spans a distance larger than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of a section of a patient (14) to be imaged. The x-ray sources are sequentially pulsed to emit x-rays for scanning a section of a patient (14) including a volume of interest (VOI) (13). Only one source (20) is in an ON state at a time to create a duty cycle, which reduces cooling time for the respective sources as well as radiation dose to the subject. X-rays traversing the patient (14) are received at a flat panel x-ray... |
| X-ray ct scan simulator and x-ray ct scan apparatus | 20100322375 | 20101223 |
| There are provided an X-ray CT scan simulator and an X-ray CT apparatus in which a lesion postulated by an operator can be displayed on a simulation image and a high-precision simulation containing a postulation of occurrence of a new lesion can be performed. They comprise an image storing device for storing a reference image, a target noise value setting device for setting a target noise value of a desired image, a simulated lesion setting device for setting a condition for a simulated lesion postulated by the operator, a simulation image generating device for generating a simulation image containing a simulated lesion by using the reference image on the basis of the set target noise value and the condition for the simulated lesion, and an image... |
| Optical touch apparatus and operating method thereof | 20100321343 | 20101223 |
| An optical touch apparatus is disclosed. The optical touch apparatus comprises a light source emitting module, an optical module, a light sensing module, and a processing module. The optical module and the light sensing module are set around a surface of the optical touch apparatus. The light source emitting module sequentially emits scanning lights uniformly distributed above a direct scanned region of the surface according to a time sequence. When an object forms a touch point on the surface, the object will block the scanning lights and reflected lights reflected by the optical module. The light sensing module generates a sensing result according to the condition the light sensing module receives the scanning lights and the reflected lights. The processing module determines the position of the... |
| Method of making a surgical template used for a computer-guided dental implant surgery | 20100316974 | 20101216 |
| A method of making a surgical template comprises: producing a 3-D geometrical image by a CT scanning performed on a patient's jaw and establishing corresponding implant planning data to obtain a 3-D first digital image, making a positive plaster model of the patient's jaw, scanning the plaster model to obtain a 3-D second digital image, overlapping the second digital image on the first digital image to obtain a computer representation of the plaster model and at least one implant to be mounted according to the implant planning data, drilling the plaster model to form at least one pinhole according to the implant planning data, inserting a pin into the pinhole, producing a negative template body from an assembly of the plaster model and the pin with... |
| Scanning method and system | 20100316279 | 20101216 |
| To improve the scanning effect, a scanning method is provided, which comprises the steps of performing at least one of an nCT scan and a CTA scan on an object so as to obtain a set of images; detecting characteristics of a region of interest based on the set of images; and performing a CTP scan on the region of interest by adopting the characteristics to obtain a CTP image. By deriving the characteristics of the region of interest, e.g. a lesion or an area covering the lesion, before performing the CTP scan, and by adapting the subsequent CTP scan based on the characteristics of the region of interest, the drawback introduced by a limited scan area of the CTP scanner is mitigated, or even overcome.
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| Object scanning system | 20100316189 | 20101216 |
| In an embodiment, a method of using a linear path to transmit X-rays through, sequentially, an object, a scintillator, a lens and an imaging sensor is described. In a further embodiment, an X-ray scanner that uses an amorphous silicon detector plate to detect photons transmitted from a scintillator with lens or fiber coupling is described. In addition, a method for utilizing an amorphous silicon area detector to create digital radiographs of parts which are themselves larger than the active area of the amorphous silicon array is described.
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| Network association in an environment with hidden networks | 20100309815 | 20101209 |
| Embodiments of the invention perform a preliminary scan for information automatically transmitted by available wireless access points. The information transmitted by access points (e.g., identity information) and information derived from the transmission (e.g., signal strength) is used to prioritize the available wireless access points before direct scanning takes place.
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| Rotor and x-ray ct scanners | 20100303209 | 20101202 |
| The invention relates to a rotor comprising a radiation source having a focal spot for radiating beam towards a subject, detection means for generating signals responsive to energy attenuation of said beam and a circular body having a cavity for housing the radiation source, and a circle arc-shaped surface on which the detection means are mounted. The circle arc-shaped surface is placed opposite to the cavity with respect to the subject, said cavity comprising an inside surface mounted with a shield for shielding the radiation not towards the subject. In this way, the conventional housing for radiation source and shielding are removed, resulting in reduction of focal spot motion caused by motion of the conventional housing. Furthermore, this invention proposes to mount the detection means directly... |
| Nuclear medicine spect-ct machine with integrated asymmetric flat panel cone-beam ct and spect system | 20100290584 | 20101118 |
| When performing nuclear (e.g., SPECT or PET) and CT scans on a patient, a volume cone-beam CT scan is performed using a cone-beam CT X-ray source (20) and an offset flat panel X-ray detector (22). A field of view of the X-ray source overlaps a field of view of two nuclear detector heads (18), and the offset of the X-ray detector (22) minimizes interference with nuclear detector head movement about a rotatable gantry (16). Additionally, a locking mechanism (80) provides automatically locking of the X-ray detector (22) in each of a stowed and operation position, improving safety and CT image quality.
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| Method and device for inspection of liquid articles | 20100284514 | 20101111 |
| Disclosed are a method and a device for security-inspection of liquid articles with dual-energy CT imaging. The method comprises the steps of obtaining one or more CT images including physical attributes of liquid article to be inspected by CT scanning and a dual-energy reconstruction method; acquiring the physical attributes of each liquid article from the CT image; and determining whether the inspected liquid article is dangerous based on the physical attributes. The CT scanning can be implemented by a normal CT scanning technique, or a spiral CT scanning technique. In the normal CT scanning technique, the scan position can be preset, or set by the operator with a DR image, or set by automatic analysis of the DR image.
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| Display device and driving method thereof | 20100283776 | 20101111 |
| In an organic light emitting diode display, a plurality of sub-pixels sharing a select scan line that extends in a row direction forms a unit pixel, and the plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a column direction in the unit pixel. A field is divided into a plurality of subfields, and corresponding one of the plurality of sub-pixels emits light in each of the plurality of subfields.
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| Guided puncturing needle and puncturing guiding method | 20100280354 | 20101104 |
| A guide puncturing needle which is integratively used with a scanning and detecting device, such as CT, MRI or the like, and provides puncturing, biopsy, injection, implanting, and the physical diagnose and therapy, such as RF, microwave, freezing, laser and the like, and a puncturing guide method for applying the puncturing needle to puncture are provided. Since the guide puncturing needle is provided with a needle-entering angle guide means (2), a puncturing layer levelling component (31), a needle-entering reference line levelling component (32), whether the CT gantry and the MRI scanning layer are at any angle, the actual needle-entering layer is always adjusted to just superpose to the CT scanning layer, the actual needle-entering angle is always just the same as the needle-entering angle needed for... |
| Compact scanning electron microscope | 20100276592 | 20101104 |
| A slider bearing for use with an apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber (11). The slider bearing comprises: a base plate (20) in contact with the vacuum chamber (11) at one side, said base plate showing a first through-hole (21) in contact with the vacuum chamber (11), a second plate (30), one side of the second plate in contact with the base plate (20), said second plate showing a second through-hole (31), the faces of the base plate and the second plate facing each other being sufficiently smooth to form a non-elastomeric vacuum seal, said base plate (20) and said second plate (30) slidable between a first relative position in which the first through-hole (21) and the second through-hole (31) do not overlap and a second relative... |
| Synchronous interventional scanner | 20100274120 | 20101028 |
| When performing an interventional CT scan on a subject, radiation dose is limited by employing a dynamic collimator (142) that collimates X-rays emitted by an X-ray source (112). The X-ray source (112) and collimator (142) rotate around a VOI (122) in the subject, and move axially along the VOI (122) to maintain the tip of a medical instrument (144) within the field of view of the narrow cone beam. An instrument tracking component (146) maintains information related to previous and current positions of the instrument (144) relative to the VOI (122) and facilitates tracking the instrument as it moves through the VOI (122). A user interface (136) superimposes images of a sub-region of the VOI (122) in which the instrument tip is located onto a pre-generated... |
| Method of reconstructing computed tomography (ct) volumes suitable for execution on commodity central processing units (cpus) and graphics processors, and apparatus operating in accord with those methods (rotational x-ray on gpus) | 20100272342 | 20101028 |
| The invention provides in one aspect methods and apparatus for use with C-arm and other CT systems, e.g., with non-rigid geometries. In such systems, by way of example, calibration can be performed to determine the exact position of the x-ray source and the exact orientation of the detector where each projection measurement is made. Next, a weighting coefficient can be determined for the voxels in each plane of a reconstruction volume at every possible projection. Finally, the order in which to process the voxels during image reconstruction can be determined. Following an actual CT scan procedure in which scans are obtained of a volume to be constructed, a system according to these and related aspects of the invention can use an optimal, pre-calculated processing method, while... |
| Method and apparatus for small pulmonary nodule computer aided diagnosis from computed tomography scans | 20100272341 | 20101028 |
| The present invention is a multi-stage detection algorithm using a successive nodule candidate refinement approach. The detection algorithm involves four major steps. First, a lung region is segmented from a whole lung CT scan. This is followed by a hypothesis generation stage in which nodule candidate locations are identified from the lung region. In the third stage, nodule candidate sub-images or the lung region of the CT scan pass through a streaking artifact removal process. The nodule candidates are then successively refined using a sequence of filters of increasing complexity. A first filter uses attachment area information to remove vessels and large vessel bifurcation points from the nodule candidate list. A second filter removes small bifurcation points.
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| Method and system for threat image projection | 20100266204 | 20101021 |
| A method and system for Threat Image Projection (TIP) data collection and image transformation of the TIP image data for inserting threat images in images of scanned objects, such as scanned luggage. A few scans for each threat object at predefined orientations can be stored in the system database and the system can transformed this image data to closely correspond to arbitrary threat positions in the tunnel. The transformed images can provide a close approximation in accuracy to images obtained by direct scanning at the corresponding appropriate location in the tunnel. The image data in the TIP image database can be scaled for use in other systems that have different geometries from the original system in which they were generated.
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| System for quantification of neovasculature in ct volumes | 20100266190 | 20101021 |
| When quantifying neo-vasculature growth measured using a CT scanner (10), a known blood voxel is identified and adjoining voxels are compared thereto by a quantifier (52) to determine whether they are blood voxels, in order to grow a 3D image of the blood vessels. A removable Hounsfield calibration phantom (56) is positioned in a subject support (12) and concurrently scanned with the subject during each scan, and a Hounsfield unit calibrator (54) automatically calibrates acquired CT data to the phantom. A transport system comprising a plurality of movement-arresting locations facilitates cheaply and repeatably locking a CT detector (20), in six degrees of movement, at a plurality of locations in the scanner gantry.
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| Multiple resource planning system | 20100256986 | 20101007 |
| A system for managing remote doctor medical request workflow may include a workflow module that optimizes assignments of medical requests to remote doctors based on parameterized doctor and scheduling information and may further include a forecasting module that predicts the hospital credentials, state licenses or doctors needed to fulfill a projected volume of future medical requests. In one embodiment, radiologists are parameterized and then matched with requests for radiological readings based on information extracted from DICOM image headers and merged with associated information contained in a medical work order. In this embodiment, the radiologists are parameterized based on their locations, schedules, hospital credentials, state licensing, compensation metrics, and performance metrics and incoming requests for review of CT scans and the like are filtered based on the... |
| Assisted dental implant treatment | 20100255445 | 20101007 |
| Embodiments of systems and methods for planning and/or delivering an oral or facial endosseous implantation in a patient are described. In certain embodiments, systems according to the invention include a processing module; a surface imaging scan and a CT scan which utilizes a locator mouthpiece having a plurality of reference points thereon and can send scanned data to a treatment planning module. A processing module processes the data and the surface data into an output that includes three-dimensional (3-D) representation data indicative of at least one of an oral structure and a facial structure of the patient. In certain embodiments, a system includes a fabrication module that produces a physical model based on the 3-D representation data and indicating a planned location of an endosseous implant.... |
| Sheet-fed image scanning method and scanning device thereof | 20100253984 | 20101007 |
| A sheet-fed image scanning method and a scanning device thereof are provided. Firstly, a contact image sensor (CIS) scanning element is equipped with at least two sheet-feeding rollers respectively and passively connected with a driven roller, so that the to-be-scanned sheet is fed into/out between the sheet-feeding rollers and the driven rollers. Then, the to-be-scanned sheet is scanned by the CIS scanning element when the to-be-scanned sheet is fed in, and the driven roller is elastically ascended or descended according to the thickness of the to-be-scanned sheet. The invention enables non-contact or low-friction contact scanning between the scan glass window of the scanning device and the to-be-scanned sheet to avoid the to-be-scanned sheet being scratched or damaged and assure the constant-distance scanning to obtain high-quality scanned... |
| Radiotherapy apparatus | 20100252754 | 20101007 |
| Realtime beam shape adjustment in response to (for example) online CT scanning of a patient during treatment is assisted by the radiotherapy apparatus comprising a source adapted to emit a beam of therapeutic radiation, a collimator for delimiting the radiation beam, the collimator comprising a plurality of leaves arranged alongside each other and be moveable longitudinally so that the tips of the leaves define a variable edge of the collimator, the leaves being mounted on a support that is moveable laterally with respect to the leaves. In this way, movements of the tumour that are perpendicular to the direction of leaf motion can be accommodated by simply moving the collimator bodily so as to accommodate this. It is preferred that the apparatus also includes a control... |
| Dynamic collimation in cone beam computed tomography to reduce patient exposure | 20100246752 | 20100930 |
| When performing a fly-by or helical CT scan of a subject, radiation dose is limited by positioning a dynamic collimator (142) between the subject and an X-ray source (112). The collimator moves axially with the X-ray source (112) along a volume of interest (VOI) (122) in the subject and gradually opens, such that a narrow portion of the cone beam of X-rays is permitted to pass through the collimator (142) at ends of the VOI (122) and a wider full cone beam is emitted at central portions of the VOI (122). In this manner, tissue surrounding the VOI (122) is not needlessly exposed to X-rays, as would be the case if a full-width cone beam were used for the entire scan of the VOI (122).
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| Method of motion correction in optical coherence tomography imaging | 20100245838 | 20100930 |
| An image data set acquired by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is corrected for effects due to motion of the sample. A first set of A-scans is acquired within a time short enough to avoid any significant motion of the sample. A second more extensive set of A-scans is acquired over an overlapping region on the sample. Significant sample motion may occur during acquisition of the second set. A-scans from the first set are matched with A-scans from the second set, based on similarity between the longitudinal optical scattering profiles they contain. Such matched pairs of A-scans are likely to correspond to the same region in the sample. Comparison of the OCT scanner coordinates that produced each A-scan in a matching pair, in conjunction with... |
| Artifact correction for motion artifacted images | 20100239134 | 20100923 |
| A diagnostic imaging system (8) images a subject at a preselected phase point (46) which occurs in one or more successive pulmonary cycles. A breathing monitor (44) monitors a cyclic physiological parameter in the pulmonary cycle and generates a cyclic pulmonary phase indicative signal. A CT scanner (12) is disposed adjacent an examination region (28) to generate transmission radiation data. A data processor (60) reconstructs an attenuation map (96) from the transmission data by weighting the transmission radiation data such that each of the pulmonary phases contributes substantially equally to the attenuation map.
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| Rotating anode x-ray tube wibh a saddle shaped anode | 20100239063 | 20100923 |
| The rotating anode x-ray tube comprises an anode, whose focal track has the shape of a saddle trajectory. A proper anode angle to enable a high power line focus is always realised along the focal path on the anode. The x-ray tube is for CT scanners and enables a movement of the focal spot along the patient axis during gantry rotation. In this way, cone beam artefacts due to the reconstruction may be avoided.
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| Ct scanner with scatter radiation correction and method of using same | 20090304142 | 20091210 |
| A CT scanner with scatter correction device and a method for scatter correction are provided. The method of correcting CT images from artifacts caused by scattered radiation comprises affixing to the non-rotating frame of the CT gantry a plurality of shields for shielding some of the CT detector elements from direct X ray radiation, while allowing scattered radiation to arrive at said shielded elements; measuring scatter signals from said shielded elements, indicative of scattered radiation intensity; and correcting for scatter by subtracting scatter intensity values estimated from said measured scatter signals from signals measured by unshielded detector elements.
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| Method and apparatus for positioning a subject in a ct scanner | 20090285355 | 20091119 |
| An apparatus and method for optimally positioning a region of interest of a subject for imaging by a CT scanner. The scanner provides a source of one or more X-ray beams, at least one of which is used for acquiring a CT image of the subject, a movable support for the subject, and a controller that controls the X-ray source. To position the region of interest of the subject, the controller operates to illuminate the subject with X-rays to acquire stereo image data for the region of interest and controls the position of the support responsive to the stereo image data.
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| Array ct | 20090285353 | 20091119 |
| Embodiments of an Array CT scanning system for x-ray scanning objects (e.g., scanning airline baggage, packages, and cargo) can include a conveyor configured to transport baggage through a tunnel, a bottom mounted x-ray source configured to provide five fan beams through the tunnel, a side mounted x-ray source disposed at a height higher than the conveyor and configured to provide a fan beam through the tunnel, and a plurality of detectors disposed across the arcs of each of the fan beams. An image processing system can be configured to provide 3D type images of a scanned bag as a function of the information received from the detectors. The images can be derived through interpolation of the scan data. An operator can manipulate the image data and... |
| Network browser based virus detection | 20090282485 | 20091112 |
| A network browser has a Malware detection manager for direct or indirect scanning of files during an upload or download processes for viruses, adware, spyware, etc. The malware detection manager defines and employs a quarantine bin, which is an isolated and secure memory space or directory for temporary placement of file packets during the file transmission while malware detection can commence. The malware detection manager scans for any malware code associated with the packet sequence encountered during a file transmission to and from the Internet, during which it quarantines all the scanned packets in the quarantine bin. Quarantined files can be released if there is a human challenge authorizing the release of the file. The invention also comprises exchanging a Malware free signature between server and... |
| Network browser based virus detection | 20090282485 | 20091112 |
| A network browser has a Malware detection manager for direct or indirect scanning of files during an upload or download processes for viruses, adware, spyware, etc. The malware detection manager defines and employs a quarantine bin, which is an isolated and secure memory space or directory for temporary placement of file packets during the file transmission while malware detection can commence. The malware detection manager scans for any malware code associated with the packet sequence encountered during a file transmission to and from the Internet, during which it quarantines all the scanned packets in the quarantine bin. Quarantined files can be released if there is a human challenge authorizing the release of the file. The invention also comprises exchanging a Malware free signature between server and... |
| Flowometry in optical coherence tomography for analyte level estimation | 20090275812 | 20091105 |
| Optical coherence tomography (herein “OCT”) based analyte monitoring systems are disclosed. In one aspect, techniques are disclosed that can identify fluid flow in vivo (e.g., blood flow), which can act as a metric for gauging the extent of blood perfusion in tissue. For instance, if OCT is to be used to estimate the level of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in tissue, a measure of the extent of blood flow can potentially indicate the presence of an analyte correlating region, which would be suitable for analyte level estimation with OCT. Another aspect is related to systems and methods for scanning multiple regions. An optical beam is moved across the surface of the tissue in two distinct manners. The first can be a coarse scan, moving the beam... |
| Flowometry in optical coherence tomography for analyte level estimation | 20090275812 | 20091105 |
| Optical coherence tomography (herein “OCT”) based analyte monitoring systems are disclosed. In one aspect, techniques are disclosed that can identify fluid flow in vivo (e.g., blood flow), which can act as a metric for gauging the extent of blood perfusion in tissue. For instance, if OCT is to be used to estimate the level of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in tissue, a measure of the extent of blood flow can potentially indicate the presence of an analyte correlating region, which would be suitable for analyte level estimation with OCT. Another aspect is related to systems and methods for scanning multiple regions. An optical beam is moved across the surface of the tissue in two distinct manners. The first can be a coarse scan, moving the beam... |
| Fluorescent material, a method of manufacturing the fluorescent material, a radiation detector using the fluorescent material, and an x-ray ct scanner | 20090261255 | 20091022 |
| An aspect in accordance with the present invention provides, a fluorescent material with garnet structure containing Gd, Al, Ga, and O at least, containing Lu and/or Y, and also containing Ce as an activator, wherein said fluorescent material is expressed as (Gd1-x-zLxCez)3+a(Al1-uGau) 5-aO12, wherein L is Lu and/or Y, wherein 0<a≦0.15, 0<x<1.0, 0.0003≦z≦0.0167 (here, x+z<1.0), and 0.2≦u≦0.6.
... |
| Apparatus and method for tracking feature's position in human body | 20090257551 | 20091015 |
| A CT scanner for scanning a subject is provided, the scanner comprising: a gantry capable of rotating about a scanned subject; at least two cone beam X-Ray sources displaced from each other mounted on said gantry; at least one 2D detector array mounted on said gantry, said detector is capable of receiving radiation emitted by said at least two X-Ray sources and attenuated by the subject to be scanned; a first image processor capable of generating and displaying CT images of a volume within the subject; a second image processor capable of generating projection X-Ray images of said volume, wherein the images are responsive to X-Ray separately emitted by each of said at least two cone beam X-Ray sources; and a third image processor capable of... |
| Ct scanner using injected contrast agent and method of use | 20090252285 | 20091008 |
| A CT scanner includes a first X-ray beam source, and a second X-ray beam source. With such an apparatus, first source is used to monitor buildup of an injected contrast agent in a selected region of interest relative to a patient and at least the second source is used to perform diagnostic scanning when the buildup of the contrast agent reaches a desired level.
... |
| Skin marking tool for radiological imaging material | 20090253981 | 20091008 |
| A marking tool for use in the context of radiological and other medical imaging is disclosed. The product is a marking tool for distributing an imaging material onto a patient's skin to mark that part of the patient's body for imaging. The imaging technician then knows the area of medical interest, such as an internal injury, and can image that area more accurately. The imaging material shows up on a resulting medical image such as an X-Ray, CT Scan, or MRI to direct a radiology professional to the most important area on the image for diagnostic purposes.
... |
| Ct scanner using injected contrast agent and method of use | 20090252285 | 20091008 |
| A CT scanner includes a first X-ray beam source, and a second X-ray beam source. With such an apparatus, first source is used to monitor buildup of an injected contrast agent in a selected region of interest relative to a patient and at least the second source is used to perform diagnostic scanning when the buildup of the contrast agent reaches a desired level.
... |
| Skin marking tool for radiological imaging material | 20090253981 | 20091008 |
| A marking tool for use in the context of radiological and other medical imaging is disclosed. The product is a marking tool for distributing an imaging material onto a patient's skin to mark that part of the patient's body for imaging. The imaging technician then knows the area of medical interest, such as an internal injury, and can image that area more accurately. The imaging material shows up on a resulting medical image such as an X-Ray, CT Scan, or MRI to direct a radiology professional to the most important area on the image for diagnostic purposes.
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| Annealing of single crystals | 20090246495 | 20091001 |
| The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a single crystal comprising a rare-earth halide, having improved machining or cleavage behaviour, comprising heat treatment in a furnace, the atmosphere of which is brought, for at least 1 hour, to between 0.70 times Tm and 0.995 times Tm of a single crystal comprising a rare-earth halide, Tm representing the melting point of said single crystal, the temperature gradient at any point in the atmosphere of the furnace being less than 15 K/cm for said heat treatment. After carrying out the treatment according to the invention, the single crystals may be machined or cleaved without uncontrolled fracture. The single crystals may be used in a medical imaging device, especially a positron emission tomography system or a gamma camera... |
| Methods and apparatus for noise estimation for multi-resolution anisotropic diffusion filtering | 20090232269 | 20090917 |
| A method for reducing noise in a computed tomographic (CT) image includes acquiring both a first set of projection views and a second set of projection views, wherein for each projection view in the first set of projection views there is an associated projection view in the second set of projection views representing the same object scanned at substantially the same time from substantially the same position. The method further includes reconstructing the first set of projection views and the associated second set of projection views to obtain a first image and a second image, respectively. Next, the first image and the second image are combined to obtain a noise map and an amount of noise in a product image is estimated utilizing the noise map.... |
| Methods and apparatus for noise estimation for multi-resolution anisotropic diffusion filtering | 20090232269 | 20090917 |
| A method for reducing noise in a computed tomographic (CT) image includes acquiring both a first set of projection views and a second set of projection views, wherein for each projection view in the first set of projection views there is an associated projection view in the second set of projection views representing the same object scanned at substantially the same time from substantially the same position. The method further includes reconstructing the first set of projection views and the associated second set of projection views to obtain a first image and a second image, respectively. Next, the first image and the second image are combined to obtain a noise map and an amount of noise in a product image is estimated utilizing the noise map.... |
| Method of and system for obtaining linear data for object scanned using non-collimated, poly-energetic x-rays | 20090218498 | 20090903 |
| I is an intensity of the image data, I0 is an intensity of energy produced by the imaging device for outputting the image data, μ is an attenuation coefficient of the one or more objects, and l is the thickness of the one or more objects.
... |
| Method for the detection of lateral flow assay and strip and laser-induced epifluorescence and compact scanner therefor | 20090211345 | 20090827 |
| Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method. The present assay method is advantageous in terms of allowing quantitative point-of-care diagnostics in hospitals, being capable of specifically detecting a disease marker by optimizing a lateral flow assay biochip for diagnosis of a specific disease, allowing more accurate quantitative analysis of analytes, and being capable of simultaneously analyzing several... |
| Impedance-based arc detector for computed tomography scanner and method of use thereof | 20090212786 | 20090827 |
| The present disclosure relates to an impedance-based arc detector for CT scanners and method of use and diagnosis therewith, and more specifically, to a two- or three-way conductive probe detector system and associated signal processing unit to distinguish the location of arc faults on a CT scanner at either the high-voltage cable of an x-ray tube, an anode connected to the x-ray tube, a cathode also connected to the x-ray tube, a high-voltage well, or a power distribution unit of the tube.
... |
| Method for the detection of lateral flow assay and strip and laser-induced epifluorescence and compact scanner therefor | 20090211345 | 20090827 |
| Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method. The present assay method is advantageous in terms of allowing quantitative point-of-care diagnostics in hospitals, being capable of specifically detecting a disease marker by optimizing a lateral flow assay biochip for diagnosis of a specific disease, allowing more accurate quantitative analysis of analytes, and being capable of simultaneously analyzing several... |
| Impedance-based arc detector for computed tomography scanner and method of use thereof | 20090212786 | 20090827 |
| The present disclosure relates to an impedance-based arc detector for CT scanners and method of use and diagnosis therewith, and more specifically, to a two- or three-way conductive probe detector system and associated signal processing unit to distinguish the location of arc faults on a CT scanner at either the high-voltage cable of an x-ray tube, an anode connected to the x-ray tube, a cathode also connected to the x-ray tube, a high-voltage well, or a power distribution unit of the tube.
... |
| Method for the detection of lateral flow assay and strip and laser-induced epifluorescence and compact scanner therefor | 20090211345 | 20090827 |
| Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method. The present assay method is advantageous in terms of allowing quantitative point-of-care diagnostics in hospitals, being capable of specifically detecting a disease marker by optimizing a lateral flow assay biochip for diagnosis of a specific disease, allowing more accurate quantitative analysis of analytes, and being capable of simultaneously analyzing several... |
| Impedance-based arc detector for computed tomography scanner and method of use thereof | 20090212786 | 20090827 |
| The present disclosure relates to an impedance-based arc detector for CT scanners and method of use and diagnosis therewith, and more specifically, to a two- or three-way conductive probe detector system and associated signal processing unit to distinguish the location of arc faults on a CT scanner at either the high-voltage cable of an x-ray tube, an anode connected to the x-ray tube, a cathode also connected to the x-ray tube, a high-voltage well, or a power distribution unit of the tube.
... |
| Method for the detection of lateral flow assay and strip and laser-induced epifluorescence and compact scanner therefor | 20090211345 | 20090827 |
| Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method. The present assay method is advantageous in terms of allowing quantitative point-of-care diagnostics in hospitals, being capable of specifically detecting a disease marker by optimizing a lateral flow assay biochip for diagnosis of a specific disease, allowing more accurate quantitative analysis of analytes, and being capable of simultaneously analyzing several... |
| Impedance-based arc detector for computed tomography scanner and method of use thereof | 20090212786 | 20090827 |
| The present disclosure relates to an impedance-based arc detector for CT scanners and method of use and diagnosis therewith, and more specifically, to a two- or three-way conductive probe detector system and associated signal processing unit to distinguish the location of arc faults on a CT scanner at either the high-voltage cable of an x-ray tube, an anode connected to the x-ray tube, a cathode also connected to the x-ray tube, a high-voltage well, or a power distribution unit of the tube.
... |
| Method for the detection of lateral flow assay and strip and laser-induced epifluorescence and compact scanner therefor | 20090211345 | 20090827 |
| Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method. The present assay method is advantageous in terms of allowing quantitative point-of-care diagnostics in hospitals, being capable of specifically detecting a disease marker by optimizing a lateral flow assay biochip for diagnosis of a specific disease, allowing more accurate quantitative analysis of analytes, and being capable of simultaneously analyzing several... |
| Impedance-based arc detector for computed tomography scanner and method of use thereof | 20090212786 | 20090827 |
| The present disclosure relates to an impedance-based arc detector for CT scanners and method of use and diagnosis therewith, and more specifically, to a two- or three-way conductive probe detector system and associated signal processing unit to distinguish the location of arc faults on a CT scanner at either the high-voltage cable of an x-ray tube, an anode connected to the x-ray tube, a cathode also connected to the x-ray tube, a high-voltage well, or a power distribution unit of the tube.
... |
| Anti-maleware data center aggregate | 20090210944 | 20090820 |
| A method for reducing object scanning load in a network, the method including employing a data-center to provide to a client identifying information and classification information relating to a plurality of objects, at the client, obtaining identifying information for a given object, at the client, comparing the identifying information for the given object to the identifying information relating to the plurality of objects and if identifying information relating to one of the plurality of objects is the same as the identifying information for the given object, relying on the classification information relating to the one of the plurality of objects as provided by the data-center.
... |
| Anti-maleware data center aggregate | 20090210944 | 20090820 |
| A method for reducing object scanning load in a network, the method including employing a data-center to provide to a client identifying information and classification information relating to a plurality of objects, at the client, obtaining identifying information for a given object, at the client, comparing the identifying information for the given object to the identifying information relating to the plurality of objects and if identifying information relating to one of the plurality of objects is the same as the identifying information for the given object, relying on the classification information relating to the one of the plurality of objects as provided by the data-center.
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| Vertically mounted product load sensor for a retail checkout station | 20090188757 | 20090730 |
| A retail checkout station includes a housing having at least a front wall that defines a first substantially vertical surface, a first side wall that defines a second substantially vertical surface, and a second side wall that defines a third substantially vertical surface. A product scanning portion is provided at the housing. The product scanning portion includes a scanning device for scanning products purchased by a consumer. A user interface portion having a display is also provided at the housing. The retail checkout station further includes a product load sensor mounted to one of the first, second and third substantially vertical surfaces of the housing.
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| Method of reducing interferences in positron emission tomography | 20080319315 | 20081225 |
| Methods and compositions are disclosed that lower the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical FDG, a glucose analog, by brown adipose tissue and the myocardium in FDG-PET/CT scans. The composition is substantially carbohydrate free and includes high levels of lipids. The method uses the composition and doses at particular times before the scan. The method has an advantage over fasting methods since it reduces the uptake by brown adipose tissue and/or myocardium that can be mistaken for cancer on FDG-PET or PET//CT scans or obscures sites of cancer adjacent to the heart. In addition, this permits the identification, monitoring and treatment of coronary artery disease on PET or PET/CT scans.
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| Method for transforming and transporting printer data over the internet in a secure and reliable manner | 20080309977 | 20081218 |
| A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided. The method, for example, can—in certain embodiments—include transforming printer data into an extensible markup language (XML). The method can also include encapsulating the transformed printer data. The method can further include transmitting the encapsulated printer data. The transforming the printer data and the encapsulating the printer data can be designed so as to maintain security, reliability, and privacy of the printer data. The method can also, in some embodiments, include capturing complete printer data by reading the encapsulated printer data. The method can further include scanning a network to obtain the printer data, before transforming the printer data into the XML. The scanning can include at least one of the following scans: a simple network management protocol scan,... |
| X-ray ct apparatus and x-ray ct scanning method | 20080292045 | 20081127 |
| The present invention is directed to realize an X-ray CT apparatus for properly performing contrast imaging. An X-ray CT apparatus includes an imaging unit and a control unit for controlling the imaging unit. The control unit includes: a first control unit for performing a monitoring scan to monitor arrival of a contrast agent at a region of interest in a start position of a main scan in an imaging range of the main scan that is set along the body axis of the subject or a first monitoring position that is set before the start position in a scan progress direction and, on arrival of the contrast agent, starting the main scan; and a second control unit for monitoring whether or not the contrast agent has... |
| Ct scanning and contraband detection | 20080292050 | 20081127 |
| CT scanning of transportation containers is performed by generating X-rays at various points at the opposite sides of the containers, detecting the X-rays passing through the containers, and analyzing the data received to determine the presence of contraband. The X-rays are generated by modulating a magnetic field through which a high-energy electron beam passes to deflect the beam successively to different targets positioned around the sides of the container, while the electron beam source remains stationary. The X-rays are detected by an array of cells using X-ray responsive storage phosphor material to emit light which is sent to analyzing and comparing equipment. The targets and detectors and the cargo container are moved relative to one another to scan a selected volume of the container.
... |
| Processes and a device for determining the actual position of a structure of an object to be examined | 20080285710 | 20081120 |
| d) and, using the result of step c), the object to be examined is positioned in such a way that the target position of the structure comes to lie within the volume detected by the CT scanner.
... |
| Collapsible intra-operative ct scanner | 20080285722 | 20081120 |
| A CT scanner includes a gantry including a first arm and a second arm. One of the first arm and the second arm houses an x-ray source that generates x-rays, and the other of the first arm and the second arm houses a complementary flat-panel x-ray detector. The first arm is rotatable about an axis relative to the second arm. During a CT scan, the first arm is in a CT scanning position. When the CT scanner is no longer needed, the first arm is rotated relative to the second arm about the axis, allowing the first arm to move to a collapsed position. If another CT scan is required during a surgical procedure, the first arm is rotated about the axis from the collapsed position... |
| Method for selecting implant components | 20080286722 | 20081120 |
| Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.
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| Method and apparatus for auto-calibration of a ct scanner | 20080279342 | 20081113 |
| A method of and apparatus for automatically calibrating a computed tomography (“CT”) scanning system (100)<is provided including providing (405) a calibration object (130) substantially centered on a translating table (120) for passing through the CT system (100). The system (100) scans (410) the calibration object (130) and provides (420) a preliminary representation such as a display (500) of a sorted sinogram of the object (130). From that preliminary representation, the system (100) determines intercept-related and/or slope-related values for at least a portion (510, 520, 530 or 540) of the preliminary representation and uses these values to calculate (440) one or more predetermined calibrations values.
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| Methods and apparatus for reducing artifacts in computed tomography images | 20080273651 | 20081106 |
| We present an iterative method for reducing artifacts in computed tomography (CT) images. In each iteration, constraints such as non-negativity are applied, then the image is blurred to guide convergence to a smoother image. Next, the image is modified using an algebraic reconstruction algorithm to try to match the projection data to within the experimental error. A mask is calculated which specifies which parts of the image to update during each iteration. The mask allows us to first solve regions of the image that are determined by rays with low photon counts (and thus high error). Then, regions of the image determined by rays with higher photon counts (and thus lower error), are solved using those ray sums. Reducing CT scan artifacts results in clearer and... |
| Automatic detection and quantification of plaque in the coronary arteries of subjects from ct scans | 20080273652 | 20081106 |
| A method automatically detects and quantifies arterial plaque (hard plaque, soft plaque or both) in the coronary arteries of the heart from CT images. The method uses plaque definitions based on subject specific in vivo blood/muscle and fat density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2-D and 3-D voxel connectivity criteria to automatically identify the plaques. The locations of the major arteries are determined in a 3-D coordinate system; and the specific coordinates of the detected plaques are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review, editing and reporting the results.
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| 3d object scanning using video camera and tv monitor | 20080266294 | 20081030 |
| A system creates three-dimensional computer models of physical objects by displaying illumination patterns on a display device to incidentally illuminate a physical object. A video camera acquires images of the object illuminated by the patterns. The patterns can include motion and multiple colors for acquiring images with large variations in surface shading of the object. Shading values from acquired images of the object are analyzed to determine the orientation of points on the object's surface. The system evaluates the quality of acquired images and selects patterns tailored to specific attributes of objects. The points' orientations are determined by comparing the points' shading values with an illumination model or shading values acquired from a calibration shading object. A model surface is fitted to the point's orientations. Applications... |
| Ct system with synthetic view generation | 20080267343 | 20081030 |
| A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.
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| Method and system for reconstructing image volumes from helical scan acquisitiions | 20080267476 | 20081030 |
| A method and computer-readable medium for reconstructing an image volume of an object scanned in helical mode is provided. The method and computer-readable medium include obtaining one or more helical views corresponding to an image volume of an object and determining a plurality of discretized focal lengths within an imaging plane of the reconstructed field of view comprising the image volume. The method then comprises generating a plurality of circular scan sinograms for the plurality of discretized focal lengths. The plurality of circular scan sinograms are generated by interpolating the helical views. The method then comprises selecting one or more circular scan sinograms from the plurality of circular scan sinograms, based on the plurality of discretized focal lengths, wherein the selection is performed within a backprojection... |
| Ultra low radiation dose x-ray ct scanner | 20080267484 | 20081030 |
| A line scan cone beam CT imaging system irradiates an object with an x-ray cone beam for multiple views. A projection data set of the object is acquired at each view. Between views, the cone beam and detector array are translated along parallel lines in opposite directions. An image is generated by converting the cone beam projection data set of the real object into a parallel-beam projection data set corresponding to a virtual object and using a total variation minimization image reconstruction algorithm to reconstruct a virtual image of the virtual object. The reconstruction algorithm includes the constraint that the Fourier transform of the reconstructed virtual image matches the known Fourier coefficients in the set of converted parallel-beam projections of the virtual object. The constructed virtual... |
| Method and apparatus to repeatably align a ct scanner | 20080260095 | 20081023 |
| A CT scanner includes a gantry including a first arm and a second arm. The first arm houses an x-ray source that generate x-rays, and the second arm houses a complementary flat-panel detector. During a pre-operative CT scan, the CT scanner is positioned at a scanning position near the patient. An alignment feature ensures that the CT scanner is repeatably positionable in the scanning position. After the pre-operative scan is complete, the CT scanner is moved to a remote position. If an updated CT scan is needed during the surgical procedure, the CT scanner is moved from the remote position to the scanning position. The alignment feature ensures that the CT scanner is properly positioned in the scanning position.
... |
| Ct-enhanced fluoroscopy | 20080262342 | 20081023 |
| Real-time, enhanced imaging of remote areas, too minute for CT imaging, is made possible through a probe having a radiopaque tip as well as radiopaque volume markers. When deployed, the markers outline the space containing the tip such that both the tip and the volume containing the tip are viewable on a fluoroscope. This device may be used in conjunction with or independently of 3-D volumes created from CT scans and 3-D tip sensors.
... |
| Object scanning system with a sensing device for generating indicating data | 20080251585 | 20081016 |
| Provided is an object scanning system with a sensing device for generating indicating data indicative of at least one object identity and at least a position and orientation of the data and a position and orientation of the sensing device relative to the object. The sensing device includes a housing, and an optical assembly arranged within the housing and configured to scan the object. The sensing device also includes a controller arrangement inside the housing and arranged in signal communication with the optical assembly. The controller arrangement is configured to control operation of the optical assembly and to generate the indicating data for transmission to the scanning system.
... |
| Method and device for the iterative reconstruction of cardiac images | 20080253502 | 20081016 |
| The invention relates to a method and a device for the iterative reconstruction of cross-sectional images of the heart (7) of a patient based on projections (P1, . . . P5) from different directions which are for example generated with a helical cone-beam CT scanner. A cardiac weight function (f) quantifies how near the projections (P1, . . . ) are to a given observation phase (To) of the heart cycle based on simultaneously recorded electrocardiographic signals (ECG). The whole set of projections (P1, . . . ) is divided into subsets (S1, . . . ) which each contain only projections corresponding to a similar cardiac weight (f), and an iterative reconstruction algorithm like ART uses in one update or iteration step all projections of... |
| Acquisition parameter optimization for csct | 20080253509 | 20081016 |
| Whereas the CT image can be acquired in a single revolution, the CSCT image acquisition may require several revolutions. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a CT/CSCT apparatus may be provided which uses CT data acquired during the first revolution to optimize acquisition parameters for the subsequent revolutions. Furthermore, projection data acquired with a pre-scanner may also be used for determining current modulation or setting an optimum voltage for the subsequent CSCT scan.
... |
| Compact scanning fiber device | 20080249369 | 20081009 |
| Scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanning fiber device may include an actuator tube. The scanning fiber device may also include a cantilevered free end portion of an optical fiber. The cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may have an attached end that is coupled with the actuator tube. The cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may also have a free end to be moved by the actuator tube. At least a portion of a length of the cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may be disposed within the actuator tube. Methods of using scanning fiber devices are also disclosed.
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| Pos-centric digital imaging system | 20080249884 | 20081009 |
| A POS-centric digital imaging system for installation at a retail point of sale (POS) station having a countertop surface. The POS-centric digital imaging system includes a system housing having at least one imaging window, and providing a cashier side and a customer side for the POS-centric digital imaging system. An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing subsystem is disposed in the system housing, for generating a 3D imaging volume adjacent the imaging window. A cashier/customer terminal is integrated within the system housing, for simultaneously supporting (i) cashier product scanning/imaging and checkout operations on said cashier side, and (ii) customer payment and other services on said customer side.
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| Advanced csct detector shapes | 20080240342 | 20081002 |
| The application of CSCT to baggage inspection necessitates a large field of view, resulting in a large gantry that has to sustain large centrifugal forces. Accordingly, various CSCT geometries are described which enable smaller gantry sizes. In particular, a CSCT scanner comprising a detector unit that is not focus-centred is described.
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| Ct scan security check device and method | 20080232541 | 20080925 |
| A check process may be performed without rotation of a radiation source or detector. A CT scan security check device may include a radiation source and a detector forming a radiation detection area, a conveyer mechanism conveying an article along a path, and a multidimensional movement mechanism causing a relative displacement between the article and the radiation detection area in a vertical direction and causing the article to rotate about a vertical axis. A CT scan security check method may include: 1) displacing the article relative to the radiation detection area in the vertical direction; 2) rotating the article; 3) during the checked article passing through the radiation detection area, obtaining data regarding a radiation ray that passes through the article; and 4) transmitting the data... |
| Artifact scanning with infrared radiation generated within a cold cathode lamp | 20080224043 | 20080918 |
| Visible and infrared radiation is generated from phosphors within a cold cathode lamp. At least partially transparent media is irradiated with the visible and infrared radiation from the cold cathode lamp. Infrared radiation that passes through the at least partially transparent media is sensed, and an artifact signal is generated from the sensed infrared radiation. The artifact signal corresponds to one or more unwanted artifacts on the at least partially transparent media.
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| Reconstruction algorithm for object point outside the scan-field-of-view | 20080226016 | 20080918 |
| CT scanners have a certain scan-field-of-view defined by the fan-angle of the system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, object points outside the scan-field-of-view may be reconstructed on the basis of a system of linear equations which may be solved iteratively and with reasonable effort. Therefore, explicit regularization techniques may be applied to recover the unknown object function.
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| Data handling and analysis in computed tomography with multiple energy windows | 20080226017 | 20080918 |
| An apparatus includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner (10), a reconstructor (46), a polychromatic corrector (50), a material classifier (54) and an image processor (60). The scanner provides spectral CT information. The reconstructor (46) reconstructs the data from the CT scanner (10) into a volume space. The material classifier (54) determines a material composition of locations in the volume space as a function of their location in an attenuation space. Information indicative of the material composition is presented on a display (62).
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| Direct measuring and correction of scatter for ct | 20080226020 | 20080918 |
| Cone-beam CT scanners with large detector arrays suffer from increased scatter radiation. This radiation may cause severe image artefacts. An examination apparatus is provided which directly measures the scatter radiation and uses this measurement for a correction of the contaminated image data. The measurement is performed by utilizing a 1-dimensional anti-scatter-grid and an X-ray tube with an electronic focal spot movement. Image data is detected at a first position of a focal spot and scatter data is detected at a second position of the focal spot. The image data is corrected on the basis of the scatter data.
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| Tumor grading from blood volume maps | 20080221441 | 20080911 |
| An embodiment of the invention is to make possible a non-invasive grading of a tumor based on parameters determined from a frequency distribution (histogram) of values in a map representing cerebral blood volume (CBV) or cellular metabolism in the tumour. The method is especially applicable to brain tumors such as gliomas where histological grading is difficult. The invention provides a precise and consistent grading since it relies on values selected from the whole tumor (not just from hot spots); since it takes the diversity or heterogeneity of the vascularization into account by analyzing the frequency distribution (not just a mean value); and since it involves and allows for a more automated procedure wherein any subjective contributions from human operators is not critical to the resulting grading.... |
| Method of motion correction in optical coherence tomography imaging | 20080221819 | 20080911 |
| An image data set acquired by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is corrected for effects due to motion of the sample. A first set of A-scans is acquired within a time short enough to avoid any significant motion of the sample. A second more extensive set of A-scans is acquired over an overlapping region on the sample. Significant sample motion may occur during acquisition of the second set. A-scans from the first set are matched with A-scans from the second set, based on similarity between the longitudinal optical scattering profiles they contain. Such matched pairs of A-scans are likely to correspond to the same region in the sample. Comparison of the OCT scanner coordinates that produced each A-scan in a matching pair, in conjunction with... |
| Method for the delivery and redemption of merchant coupon codes | 20080221997 | 20080911 |
| Disclosed is a process by which merchants are able to provide discount offers, such as coupons, incentives, or tokens to consumers. Discount offers are arranged on a web site (or delivered other wise by RF) by category and users are able to pick and choose the offers in which in which they are interested for storage in a personal coupon folder. Merchants are able to bid for placement within each category and are also able to slot their offers in specific users' personal folders. Discount offers are wirelessly delivered from the users' personal folders to a wireless receiving device, where they can be transferred to a display device for direct scanning at the point-of-sale. The display device according to this invention has the capability to communicate... |
| X-ray ct scanner | 20070297562 | 20071227 |
| Provided is an X-ray CT scanner that minimizes or removes artifacts in an image derived from afterglow caused by a detector, and highly precisely prevent degradation in a time resolution by compensating afterglow. An X-ray CT scanner includes an X-ray source that irradiates X-rays to an object, an X-ray detector that is composed of a plurality of X-ray detecting elements which convert X-rays penetrating the object into electric signals, a data correction means that corrects an output of the X-ray detector, and an arithmetic processing means that performs arithmetic processing on an output of the data correction means so as to reconstruct an image. The X-ray CT scanner further includes a first memory means in which data of the response characteristic of the X-ray detector that... |
| Forming three dimensional objects using a decision rule in medical image data | 20070297659 | 20071227 |
| A decision rule is used that examines the computer-aided detected (CAD) regions of interest in a computed tomography (CT) slice pair taken from volumetric medical CT scan to determine whether the detected regions of interest are part of the same object is disclosed. Segmentation is performed after initially detecting a region of interest but before calculating features in order to refine the boundaries of the detected regions of interest. Segmentation occurs in the two-dimensional slices by segmenting the region of interest on each slice. Adjacent slices are examined to determine if adjacent objects are actually part of the same structure. If they are not, the objects are split apart. In this way, three-dimensional objects are formed from two-dimensional segmentations.
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| Method and apparatus for virtual bowel cleaning | 20070297662 | 20071227 |
| A method and an apparatus for virtual bowel cleaning are disclosed. A first CT volume data record of an area of the bowel of interest is produced, in which voxels relating to a bowel content are identified and are suitably modified in order to obtain a modified data record without visible bowel contents, which is then visualized. In at least one embodiment of the method, at least one further volume data record is produced of the area of interest, which was recorded by a CT scanner with a different spectral distribution than the first volume data record which was recorded by a CT scanner, with at least some of the voxels relating to the bowel content being identified on the basis of information about a local... |
| Ophthalmologic photographing apparatus | 20070291230 | 20071220 |
| Horizontal and vertical scanning mirrors for scanning over a large angle, and horizontal and vertical compact scanning mirrors for scanning over a small angle are disposed at pupil-conjugated positions. Light is emitted from a light source to a retina, and reflected light from a broad range of the retina is accumulated by a photodetector. The accumulated light is constructed as a low-magnification retinal image by an image constructing processor. A position for picking up a high-magnification image is indicated on the basis of the constructed low-magnification retinal image. The compact scanning mirrors are rotated so that a high-magnification retinal image is achieved at the indicated pickup position. The photodetector accumulates the reflection light from the retina, and constructs the high-magnification retinal image at the pickup position... |
| Method and apparatus to perform defect scanning | 20070279788 | 20071206 |
| A method of determining defects on a media of an information storage device includes reading information representing data from a magnetized portion of the media, processing the read signal with discrete time signal processing, and detecting a phase shift in the read signal over a selected threshold. The method also includes sending an indication of a defect in the media in response to detecting the phase shift over the selected threshold, determining the location of the media of the defect, and storing the location of the defect in memory.
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| Automatic determination of cephalometric points in a three-dimensional image | 20070274440 | 20071129 |
| A CT scanner generates a three-dimensional CT image that is used to construct a ceph image. The computer automatically outlines various parts of the patient to automatically locate points and/or contours that are displayed on the three-dimensional image. The computer also automatically calculates a plurality of cephalometric points that are displayed on the three-dimensional CT image. Once the contours and the ceph points located, the computer determines angles between certain ceph points and/or the contours and compares the angles to stored standard angles. This provides an objective standard for assessing the appearance of the patient and can be used as a guideline in planning any procedure that may affect the appearance of the patient.
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| Non-contact scanning system | 20070268540 | 20071122 |
| A non-contact scanning system for three dimensional non-contact scanning of a work piece is disclosed for use in various applications including reverse engineering, metrology, dimensional verification and inspection The scanning system includes a scanner carried by an arcuately configured gantry assembly and a fixture for carrying a work piece. The gantry assembly includes a fixed arcuately shaped gantry member and a telescopic arm that is movable in an arcuate direction relative to a rotary table that carries the object to be scanned. A scanner is mounted on the end of the telescopic member and is movable in a radial direction. Objects to be scanned are mounted on a rotary table that is also movable in an X-Y direction or alternatively in the X, Y and Z... |
| Ct scanner with helical path source | 20070268995 | 20071122 |
| An example CT scanner assembly includes a gantry having a first end and a second end rotatable about a first axis, an x-ray detector adjacent the first end, and an x-ray source adjacent the second end. The x-ray source directs an x-ray beam toward a portion of the x-ray detector. The x-ray source translates along a second axis aligned with the first axis when the gantry rotates.
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| X-ray ct apparatus and x-ray ct scanning method | 20070258558 | 20071108 |
| 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... |
| Surgical navigation system including patient tracker with removable registration appendage | 20070253541 | 20071101 |
| A surgical navigation system includes a CT scanner that takes a plurality of x-ray images of a patient. A patient tracker including locators is attached to the patient, and a registration appendage is removably secured to the patient tracker in a known position and orientation. The registration appendage includes radio-opaque markers arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern. The registration appendage is viewable in a CT scan in situations where the locators of the patient tracker are outside of a field of view of the CT scanner.
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| Ct scanner with untracked markers | 20070248206 | 20071025 |
| A surgeon selects a volume of interest by placing an untracked “marker” in a patient near an area where an update is desired. During surgery, when an updated CT scan is requested, the CT scanner performs a scan of the patient using a full field of view to take a series of two-dimensional initial images of the patient from a plurality of angularly spaced positions about the patient. The position of the untracked marker is determined by the CT scanner in or more of the initial images. The volume of interest is defined as the position of the untracked marker, plus some margin. The CT scanner then collimates the x-ray source to scan only the volume of interest. The CT scanner then completes the update scan... |
| Convertible self-checkout system | 20070235531 | 20071011 |
| A convertible self-checkout system includes a base and a stand rotatably mounted to the base. The stand includes an input/output device facing in a first direction and a product scanner, and the stand is positionable relative to the base in at least a first angular position and a second angular position. The input/output device is an interactive video display, and the interactive video display has a first mode corresponding to the first angular position and a second mode corresponding to the second angular position. A sensor determines an angular position of the stand relative to the base and communicates the angular position to the interactive video display. The stand further includes a video display facing in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.
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| Ct scanner with automatic determination of volume of interest | 20070237287 | 20071011 |
| 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... |
| Image-based material decomposition | 20070237288 | 20071011 |
| A CT scanner acquires CT images at different energy levels and registers those images to provide a composite image that is substantially free of beam hardening artifacts and conspicuously provides atomic information of that imaged.
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| Apparatus and method for controlling start and stop operations of a computed tomography imaging system | 20070230657 | 20071004 |
| An apparatus and method for scanning an object with a helical CT scanner, the method comprising: acquiring an amount of data corresponding to the object that is scanned by the CT scanner, wherein the amount of data is generated by an x-ray source that projects a fan beam of x-rays toward a detector array on an opposite side of a gantry of the CT scanner, the fan beam being generated at multiple x-ray source positions as the x-ray source is rotated about the object as the object passes through an opening in the gantry disposed about a conveyor for moving the object through the opening; monitoring a position of the conveyor as the object passes through the opening in the gantry; determining if the conveyor has... |
| Registration of computed tomography (ct) and positron emission tomography (pet) image scans with automatic patient motion correction | 20070232903 | 20071004 |
| A method for combined computed tomography (CT) imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging uses respiration-gated CT imaging in which the optimal criteria for CT scan gating are determined after the PET scan has been performed. After acquisition of first CT scan image data and PET scan image data with strain gauge levels being recorded, optimal gating criteria are calculated based on the strain gauge levels, and a second CT scan is then performed with triggering in accordance with the optimal gating criteria.
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| Compact spect retrofit for a ct scanner | 20070221851 | 20070927 |
| A compact SPECT imaging device generally includes a base assembly, a control tower assembly, a linkage assembly and a pair of detectors. The base assembly includes a plurality of fastening and/or anchoring assemblies such that the base assembly can be detachably fastenably secured between a gantry of an existing CT imaging device and a subject table. Preferably, the detectors of the compact SPECT imaging device are oriented with respect to one another at an angle of 90°. Preferably, the compact SPECT imaging device includes at least one input/output for communicatively connecting a peripheral device, such as a computer that is also connected to an existing CT imaging device.
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| Mobile spect retrofit for ct scanner | 20070221852 | 20070927 |
| A compact mobile SPECT imaging device generally includes a base assembly, a control tower assembly, a linkage assembly and a pair of detectors. The base assembly includes a plurality of wheels such that the base assembly can be removably positioned between a gantry of an existing CT imaging device and a subject table. Preferably, the detectors of the compact mobile SPECT imaging device are oriented with respect to one another at an angle of 90°. Preferably, the compact mobile SPECT imaging device includes at least one electrical input/output for electrically connecting a peripheral device, such as a computer that is also electrically connected to an existing CT imaging device.
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| Intra-operative 3-d reconstruction of bone cement boli using x-rays | 20070219445 | 20070920 |
| The present invention provides method of generating a 3-D image of at least one cement bolus in relation to a bone comprising acquiring a plurality of fluoroscopic images of the bolus during or after a bone cement injection procedure. The method further comprises registering each fluoroscopic image with a CT scan image of the bone. Additionally, the method comprises outlining the bolus in each fluoroscopic image to generate a plurality of silhouettes of the bolus. The method also comprises projecting the silhouettes on to the CT scan image to generate a plurality of back-projections. Moreover, the method comprises identifying a plurality of bolus voxels to generate the 3-D image of the bolus, wherein each bolus voxel comprises an intersection of at least two back-projections. Furthermore, a... |
| Unified workstation for virtual craniofacial diagnosis, treatment planning and therapeutics | 20070207437 | 20070906 |
| An integrated system is described in which digital image data of a patient, obtained from a variety of image sources, including CT scanner, X-Ray, 2D or 3D scanners and color photographs, are combined into a common coordinate system to create a virtual three-dimensional patient model. Software tools are provided for manipulating the virtual patient model to simulation changes in position or orientation of craniofacial structures (e.g., jaw or teeth) and simulate their affect on the appearance of the patient. The simulation (which may be pure simulations or may be so-called “morphing” type simulations) enables a comprehensive approach to planning treatment for the patient. In one embodiment, the treatment may encompass orthodontic treatment. Similarly, surgical treatment plans can be created. Data is extracted from the virtual patient... |
| Device and method for non-contact scanning of contact lens and contact lens mold geometry | 20070195311 | 20070823 |
| The invention relates to an apparatus and method for non-contact/non-destructive measurement of the geometry of molded ophthalmic lenses and the precision molds and tooling used in the manufacture of the ophthalmic lenses. In particular the present system uses micro computed tomography to measure the geometries.
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| Compositions and methods for the direct therapy of tumors | 20070196277 | 20070823 |
| The present invention provides methods for the treatment of tumors, such as spinal metastases, using compositions that permit the introduction of chemotherapeutics intratumorally while concurrently visualizing the procedure. Thus, in certain embodiments, the invention concerns a composition comprising a chemotherapeutic, an alcohol and an iodinated contrast agent (e.g., iodouracil) that may be introduced into the tumor by direct injection through the aid of an imaging device, such as a CT scanner, x-ray machine, fluoroscope or the like. The ability to visualize drug solution permits the faithful introduction of the drug directly into the tumor, as opposed to surrounding tissues, which is enabled through the use of the contrast medium.
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| Self-shielded ct scanner | 20070189442 | 20070816 |
| A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.
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| Variable resolution x-ray ct detector with target imaging capability | 20070181813 | 20070809 |
| Variable-Resolution X-ray (VRX) techniques boost spatial resolution of a Computed Tomographic (CT) scanner in the scan plane by two or more orders of magnitude by reducing the angle of incidence of the x-ray beam with respect to the detector surface. The invention provides a multi-arm multi-angle VRX detector for targeted CT scanning. The detector allows for “target imaging” in which an area of interest is scanned at higher resolution than the remainder of the subject, yielding even higher resolution for the target area than that obtained from prior VRX techniques. In one embodiment, the VRX-CT detector comprises four quasi-identical arms, each containing six 24-cell modules are made of individual custom CdWO4 scintillators optically-coupled to custom photodiode arrays. The maximum scan field is 40 cm for a... |
| Method for generating cardiac ct representations with application of a contrast medium, and multi-tube ct system for carrying out this method | 20070183561 | 20070809 |
| A method is disclosed for generating cardiac CT representations of a beating heart of a patient with the aid of a multi-tube CT system with application of a contrast medium. In at least one embodiment, the method includes carrying out a first CT scan with the multi-tube CT system, wherein at least one tube generates an X-ray spectrum, and reconstructing at least one CT representation of the same cardiac phase with a first temporal resolution; subsequently carrying out a second CT scan with the multi-tube CT system, wherein at least two angularly offset tubes generate different X-ray spectra; reconstructing at least one CT representation of the same cardiac phase per X-ray spectrum with a second temporal resolution; and generating a combined CT representation from results of... |
| Compact scan engine disposed within a scanner housing | 20070170261 | 20070726 |
| A scanner with a compact scan engine having a light source for generating a light beam is provided, optionally with a polygon scan mirror as well. A seat with the compact scan engine attached thereto is utilized, and the scan engine is significantly smaller than the scanner housing.
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| Organic el display device, and method for driving the organic el display device | 20070171153 | 20070726 |
| Scanning switch means 21 to 2m can connect scanning lines S1 to Sm freely to a first potential or a second potential. Drive switch means 71 to 7n can connect drive lines D1 to Dn freely to a drive current source 70 or an off potential. Control means 8 connects the scanning switch means 21 to 2m sequentially with the first potential to select the scanning lines S1 to Sm sequentially and to control the connected states of the drive switch means 71 to 7n. In accordance with the number of the drive lines D1 to Dn to be connected to the drive current source 70, the control means 8 changes the resistances of the scanning switch means 21 to 2m corresponding to the scanning lines... |
| Multi-modality imaging and treatment | 20070167806 | 20070719 |
| A probe includes an ultrasound imaging transducer and a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer. The probe is operatively connected to a localizer which provides information indicative of the position and orientation of the probe in relation to a CT scanner. Information from the ultrasound imaging transducer and the CT scanner is used to assist in planning and performing a HIFU treatment.
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| Folded array ct baggage scanner | 20070147581 | 20070628 |
| A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.
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| Contraband detection systems and methods | 20070147586 | 20070628 |
| In one embodiment, the present invention provides a CT scanner system for use in baggage screening at security checkpoints.
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| System, article and method for tracking an inventory | 20060290471 | 20061228 |
| The present invention pertains to a storage facility containing consumable items that updates an inventory when items are stored, removed and consumed. A product scanner and a computer installed in the facility use RFID technology to determine if an item has been consumed or removed from a locale. Items in the facility have RFID tags attached. The system interrogates the tags and if a tag becomes disabled, displaced or non-existent due to consumption or removal from a locale the system provides instantaneous status. The computer transmits consumption information to a central location for billing, inventory management, market research information and can transmit the same to other processing units such as hand held computers possessed by staff that replenishes the facility. This system prevents used items from... |
| Simultaneous scanning by computed tomography (ct) and single photon emission computed tomography (spect) with automatic patient motion correction | 20060284097 | 20061221 |
| A method for simultaneous CT and SPECT imaging in which CT data is acquired during each SPECT data acquisition window. SPECT scanning requires several seconds or minutes of gamma detection at each of several angular positions. CT scanning requires short duration X-ray pulses at each of several angular positions. In the present invention, the X-rays pulses are timed to occur at approximately a midpoint of time of each SPECT gamma detection period. Preferably, the SPECT gamma detection is disabled during each X-ray pulse. Consequently, there is improved position registration between CT and SPECT data. Also included is an embodiment in which SPECT data is collected synchronously with a patient's breathing. Accurate registration between CT images and SPECT images is provided.
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| Stagger sensor and method for improving modulation transfer function | 20060285178 | 20061221 |
| A stagger sensor and a method for improving modulation transfer function. The method of using the stagger sensor for improving modulation transfer function can be applied to scan an object. The stagger sensor includes a plurality of sensing modules. The method of increasing scanning resolution includes retrieving reference digital data and processing digital data of a computed pixel obtained from an object scanning operation.
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| Multiple source ct scanner | 20060285633 | 20061221 |
| A CT scanner includes a plurality of cone-beam x-ray sources offset along a CT axis. A detector is positioned opposite the x-ray sources. The x-ray sources and detector are rotatable about the CT axis. The x-ray sources direct x-rays through the patient that are received by the detector at a plurality of rotational positions, thereby generating projections from the plurality of x-ray sources that are used to construct the three-dimensional CT image of the patient.
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| Releasablly interconnected ct and spect scanners | 20060285647 | 20061221 |
| Arrangement for taking a CT scan and a SPECT scan of a patient in a single-pass diagnostic procedure. A SPECT scanner and a CT scanner are included. The SPECT scanner is mounted on a SPECT gantry and the CT scanner is mounted on a CT gantry. The SPECT and CT gantries are moveable with respect to one another between a mated operating configuration and a separated maintenance configuration. A pair of receiving brackets is fixedly mounted on the SPECT gantry. A pair of self-locating brackets is fixedly mounted on the CT gantry. Each of the pair of self-locating brackets is configured for assuming a prescribed position relative to a respective one of the pair of receiving brackets when in snug abutment together. A floating connection interconnects... |
| Folded array ct baggage scanner | 20060274879 | 20061207 |
| A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.
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| Methods for noninvasively measuring analyte levels in a subject | 20060276696 | 20061207 |
| A method for noninvasively measuring analytes such as blood glucose levels includes using a non-imaging OCT-based system to scan a two-dimensional area of biological tissue and gather data continuously during the scanning. Structures within the tissue where measured-analyte-induced changes to the OCT data dominate over changes induced by other analytes are identified by focusing on highly localized regions of the data curve produced from the OCT scan which correspond to discontinuities in the OCT data curve. The data from these localized regions then can be related to measured analyte levels.
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| System and method for reconstruction of the human ear canal from optical coherence tomography scans | 20060276709 | 20061207 |
| A method for reconstructing an ear canal from optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan data of an ear comprises extracting frame numbers and line numbers of interference intensities corresponding to one or more markers on an OCT scan guide, receiving reference frame numbers and lines numbers for one or more markers, determining a starting position and direction for the OCT ear scan from the ear scan marker frame and line numbers and the reference marker frame and line numbers, for each scan line, finding a pixel number of a maximum interference intensity value, and determining an offset distance of said pixel from said scan guide, and reconstructing a surface of the ear canal from the distance offset data.
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| Methods and systems to facilitate reducing cone beam artifacts in images | 20060262893 | 20061123 |
| Methods and systems for generating images from a set of projection data acquired during a CT scan is provided. The system includes a computer programmed to utilize at least one of a cone angle dependent view weighting and an image plane dependent view weighting to generate an image.
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| Ct scanner for lower extremities | 20060245539 | 20061102 |
| A CT scanning system provides the ability to scan a patient's lower extremities while the patent is upright, i.e. either standing on the foot, or at least putting some load on the foot, or with the ankle at a given angle. The CT scanning system provides a generally horizontal upper support surface on which the patient's foot is supported. A gantry supporting an x-ray source and x-ray detector are rotated about a z-axis through the support surface. With the CT scanning system, the patient's lower extremities can be scanned while under load.
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| Articulating radio frequency probe handle | 20060247620 | 20061102 |
| A medical probe assembly and method for ablating tissue using radio frequency energy. The medical probe assembly includes an elongated shaft, a needle electrode array, and a hinged handle. The handle has a collar, which when in the up position covers the hinge so that the device can be used as a conventional medical probe. When the collar is in the down position the hinge is exposed, and the handle can be bent to reduce its overall height. With this reduced height the probe can be used while a patient is lying in a CT scanner or an MRI chamber. Therefore, the surgeon can monitor the ablation during the procedure, and thus avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding healthy tissue on the one hand, and insufficient... |
| Ct system with synthetic view generation | 20060239400 | 20061026 |
| A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.
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| Apparatus and method for real time 3d body object scanning without touching or applying pressure to the body object | 20060241430 | 20061026 |
| An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object includes a container for containing a coupling medium for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the organic object disposed therein whereby a simultaneous multiple direction scanning process may be carried out without physically contacting the organic object. The ultrasonic image scanning system further includes ultrasound transducers for transmitting the ultrasonic signal to the organic object through the coupling medium without asserting an image deforming pressure to the organic object. These transducers distributed substantially around a two-dimensional perimeter of the container and substantially at symmetrical angular positions at approximately equal divisions of 360 degrees over a two-dimensional perimeter of the container. The transducers are further movable over a vertical direction alone sidewalls of the container for a real... |
| Printing apparatus and correction data generating method | 20060232835 | 20061019 |
| A printing apparatus for measuring proper density and generating correction data with high accuracy by eliminating influences of adjoining areas. A plurality of scanning coordinates SAx are set to a middle position in a primary scanning direction of each of pixel lines Q on a test chart. Scanning areas SA are set to positions where the scanning coordinates SAx intersect scanning coordinates SAy indicating numerous positions in a secondary scanning direction of the pixel lines Q. Density data of the scanning areas SA is averaged to generate correction data for updating a correction table.
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| Ct scanner | 20060233297 | 20061019 |
| A CT scanner which collects X-ray projection data of a subject and which generates an image in the subject from the projection data, the CT scanner includes tubes which emit X-rays and which include grids to switch emission and stoppage of the X-rays, a unit which generates a high voltage to be supplied to the tubes, a cable which sends the high voltage to each of the tubes, circuits which change potentials of the grids arranged in the tubes, respectively, a control unit which controls the circuits to switch the emission and the stoppage of the X-rays in a pulse manner while the tubes rotate around the subject, detectors arranged to face the tubes, respectively, and a unit which validates an output signal from the detector... |
| Computed tomography with increased field of view | 20060210015 | 20060921 |
| A volumetric computed tomography system with a large field of view has, in a forward geometry implementation, multiple x-ray point sources emitting corresponding fan beams at a single detector array. The central ray of at least one of the fan beams is radially offset from the axis of rotation of the system by an offset distance D. Consequently, the diameter of the in-plane field of view provided by the fan beams may be larger than in a conventional CT scanner. Any number of point sources may be used. Analogous systems may be implemented with an inverse geometry so that a single source array emits multiple fan beams that converge upon corresponding detectors.
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| High tech typewriter system | 20060204311 | 20060914 |
| This invention relates to an integrated system that combines the functions of a typewriter, computer keyboard, compact printing device, a compact scanning device in conjunction with a monitor and computer. This system allows for paper/documents to be scanned through typewriter, automatically placed in position to begin typing, as typing function begins images and/or text are displayed on computer monitor as well as simultaneously placed or edited on a page visible to user. A digital representation of the printed material in digital format is shown on computer monitor for hard copy production, data storage and/or editing. The convenience of having a typewriter system that allows user to visually see printed or edited images and/or text as keys are struck, located within the personal computer system provides for... |
| Thin film transistor array substrate and repairing method thereof | 20060197886 | 20060907 |
| A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate including a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of thin film transistors, a plurality of pixel electrodes and a repairing circuit is provided. The scan lines and the data lines are disposed over the substrate, therefore a plurality of pixel areas are defined. Each thin film transistor is disposed in each pixel area respectively and driven by the corresponding scan line and data line. Each pixel electrode is disposed in each pixel area respectively and electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistor. A repairing method for TFT array substrate is also provided. The method includes connecting the repairing circuit and the defect scan line besides the break to repair and convert... |
| System and method for ct scanning of baggage | 20060198495 | 20060907 |
| The threat determination process for CT scan of baggage eliminates the need for complete reconstruction the bag. The CT scan data is analyzed during scanning to locate potential threats. The analysis is based upon a lineogram representing objects in the bag. The mass, size, location and atomic number of objects are determined based upon the lineogram data. Any potential threats are further subjected to data modification and reconstruction to enhance the view of the potential threat. Dual energy scanning may also be used to determine density for resolution of potential threats.
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| Multiple resource planning system | 20060195339 | 20060831 |
| A system for managing remote doctor medical request workflow may include a workflow module that optimizes assignments of medical requests to remote doctors based on parameterized doctor and scheduling information and may further include a forecasting module that predicts the hospital credentials, state licenses or doctors needed to fulfill a projected volume of future medical requests. In one embodiment, radiologists are parameterized and then matched with requests for radiological readings based on information extracted from DICOM image headers and merged with associated information contained in a medical work order. In this embodiment, the radiologists are parameterized based on their locations, schedules, hospital credentials, state licensing, compensation metrics, and performance metrics and incoming requests for review of CT scans and the like are filtered based on the... |
| Device and method for non-contact scanning of contact lens mold geometry | 20060176491 | 20060810 |
| This invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring the geometry of a precision mold, particularly a non-linear mold used for ophthalmic lenses.
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| Method of motion correction in optical coherence tomography imaging | 20060164653 | 20060727 |
| An image data set acquired by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is corrected for effects due to motion of the sample. A first set of A-scans is acquired within a time short enough to avoid any significant motion of the sample. A second more extensive set of A-scans is acquired over an overlapping region on the sample. Significant sample motion may occur during acquisition of the second set. A-scans from the first set are matched with A-scans from the second set, based on similarity between the longitudinal optical scattering profiles they contain. Such matched pairs of A-scans are likely to correspond to the same region in the sample. Comparison of the OCT scanner coordinates that produced each A-scan in a matching pair, in conjunction with... |
| Electrical connector apparatus, system and method for use with medical devices | 20060166548 | 20060727 |
| The present invention relates to an electrical connector apparatus, system and method for use with medical devices. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a first component comprising a first electrical connector adapted to electrically couple with a medical device, and a second component for establishing a connection with an electrical circuit, preferably a microprocessor. The device of the present invention is especially suited for use with medical devices useful in detecting extravasation in an individual undergoing a fluid injection procedure, because it allows for patient mobility, ease of connection and disconnection and more efficient use of medical equipment such as CT scanning equipment.
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| Asymmetric cone beam | 20060159222 | 20060720 |
| A multislice CT scanner for imaging a patient comprising: an X-ray source that generates a cone beam of X-rays radiated from a focal spot of the X-ray source wherein the X-ray source is moveable in a rotation plane so as to rotate the focal spot about an axial direction along which the patient is moved to position the patient in a field of view of the scanner; and a detector array comprising a plurality of rows of X-ray detectors that generate signals responsive to X-rays in the cone beam, which signals are used to generate an image of the patient; wherein the cone beam is asymmetric with respect to the rotation plane.
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| Non-contact scanning using a magneto-resistive sensor | 20060161112 | 20060720 |
| A device for administering a fluid product includes a measuring assembly for measuring a position between spaced apart elements of the apparatus that can be moved relative to each other. The measuring assembly includes at least one magneto-resistive sensor that is fixed to a first element, such as a casing, and is arranged opposite at least a second element, such as a sleeve, which can be moved relative to said first element. A magnetic device co-operates with the at least one sensor and is formed by a permanent magnet on the first element and a magnetized second element including a magnetic surface profile or including of a number of alternately arranged, different magnetic pole areas.
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| Substrate for exhaust-gas purifying filter catalyst | 20060154817 | 20060713 |
| In the distribution of surface vacancies which open on the surface of the cellular walls of pores, more than 8% of total opening area of all surface vacancies that the pores are open on the surface of the cellular walls is occupied by total opening area of surface vacancies having maximum diameter of from 10 to 50 μm measured by a direct observation method and, in the distribution of inner pores, more than 20% of total cross-sectional area of all pores is occupied by total cross-sectional area of pores having cross-sectional area equivalent to that of a circle having diameter more than 300 μm measured by cross-sectional observation using CT scan. Even when a large amount of PMs are emitted densely at a short time, since... |
| Display device and driving method thereof | 20060145964 | 20060706 |
| In an organic light emitting diode display, a plurality of sub-pixels sharing a select scan line that extends in a row direction forms a unit pixel, and the plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a column direction in the unit pixel. A field is divided into a plurality of subfields, and corresponding one of the plurality of sub-pixels emits light in each of the plurality of subfields.
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| Dual function ct scan | 20060140339 | 20060629 |
| A CT scanner for imaging an ROI of a patient comprising: an X-ray source and detector array that define an FOV of the scanner, a couch on which the patient is supported that moves the patient through the FOV; and a controller that: controls the X-rays source to image a portion of the patient's body that passes through the FOV prior to the ROI with X-rays at a first intensity; estimates an entry position of the couch for which the ROI is expected to enter the FOV from at least one feature in the prior portion image; determines an ROI imaging start position for the couch, responsive to the estimated entry position; and controls the X-ray source to illuminate the FOV with X-rays at a second... |
| Diagnoses and treatment of disorders using an alternative glucose pathway | 20060140903 | 20060629 |
| This invention proposes the existence of an alternate glucose pathway different from that presently accepted and offers different methods of proving this. The proposed alternate glucose pathway considers the cerebral spinal fluid as a major component of the pathway. Based on this, a diagnostic tool for detecting mental disorders and neurological disorders which can not be detected by CT Scan and MRI is proposed. Medications directed at the CSF are also proposed.
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| Combinatorial contraband detection using energy dispersive x-ray diffraction | 20060104414 | 20060518 |
| Articles such as luggage to be carried aboard aircraft are screened by a first stage examination unit (14) such as a CT scanning unit which identifies suspect regions (16) having a relatively high probability of containing contraband. Articles containing such suspect regions are then examined at a physically separate unit (20) by energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXD) with diffraction occurring at locations within the identified suspect regions. Because EDXD examination is concentrated on the suspect regions, the EDXD examination can be performed rapidly.
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