| SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120136486 | Mitigation of Brake Failure - A method and system for mitigations brake failure in a medical device. The method and system includes a motion system for at least one movable load. Each movable load has a drive, a controller for the drive, and a brake. The controller is adapted to monitor positional parameters of the drive or electrical parameters of the brake or a combination of both. The method involves the step of monitoring the parameters and evaluating the parameters to detect a brake failure of the brake. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120136264 | System for Ventricular Function Abnormality Detection and Characterization - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface for receiving signal data representing an electrical signal indicating electrical activity of a patient heart over multiple heart beat cycles. A filter extracts first signal component data in a first selected bandwidth and first heart cycle portion of the received signal data and second signal component data in a different second selected bandwidth and second heart cycle portion of the received signal data. A signal processor uses the received signal data in calculating a ratio of a first value derived from the first signal component data to a second value derived from the second signal component data. A patient monitor in response to the calculated ratio or value derived from the calculated ratio, generates an alert message associated with the threshold. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134567 | System for Frame Selection for Optimal Registration of a Multi-frame Dataset - An Angiographic X-ray imaging system provides enhanced image feature visualization. At least one repository includes data representing a sequence of X-ray images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired over a time interval and signal data representing electrical activity of the heart of the patient over the time interval. An image data processor determines for individual images of the sequence of X-ray images, characteristics of a portion of the signal data associated with a corresponding image. The characteristics comprise at least one of, (a) a peak to peak value of a portion of the signal data associated with a corresponding image and (b) an average value of a portion of the signal data associated with the corresponding image. The image data processor selects a set of images exclusive of particular images from the sequence of X-ray images in response to the determined characteristics and generates an averaged image from the set of images. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120128221 | Depth-Based Information Layering in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound - Information layering is provided in medical imaging. Two or more types of information are provided in one image. A three-dimensional surface is formed for two-dimensional scanning and/or imaging. The depth or third dimension is mapped to one type of data. Variation in values of this type of data causes variation in the surface away from flat. Data of another type is mapped to the surface, such that each location having a color or gray scale value based on the other type and a depth based on the one type. The surface is rendered using three-dimensional rendering to show the depth information even though both types of data represent a scanned plane. Stereoscopic viewing may allow the user to better visualize the depth information. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126171 | Crystal Growth Atmosphere For Oxyorthosilicate Materials Production - A method of growing a rare-earth oxyorthosilicate crystal, and crystals grown using the method are disclosed. The method includes preparing a melt by melting a first substance including at least one first rare-earth element and providing an atmosphere that includes an inert gas and a gas including oxygen. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123285 | System for Cardiac Condition Characterization Using Electrophysiological Signal Data - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface for receiving signal data representing an electrical signal indicating electrical activity of a patient heart over multiple heart beat cycles. A signal processor uses the received signal data in calculating at least one of, (a) a first signal characteristic value substantially comprising a ratio of a time interval from S wave to T wave, to a time interval from Q wave to S wave and (b) a second signal characteristic value substantially comprising a ratio of a T wave base voltage from a peak of a T wave to a zero base reference voltage, to an R wave base voltage from a peak of an R wave to a zero base reference voltage. A comparator compares at least one of the first and second characteristic values with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor in response to the comparison indicator indicating a calculated signal characteristic value exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120123248 | DARK BLOOD DELAYED ENHANCEMENT MAGNETIC RESONANCE VIABILITY IMAGING TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSING SUBENDOCARDIAL INFARCTS - The technology herein provides a dark blood delayed enhancement technique that improves the visualization of subendocardial infarcts that may otherwise be disguised by the bright blood pool. The timed combination of a slice-selective and a non-selective preparation improves the infarct/blood contrast by decoupling their relaxation curves thereby nulling both the blood and the non-infarcted myocardium. This causes the infarct to be imaged bright and the blood and non-infarct to both be imaged dark. The slice-selective preparation occurs early enough in the cardiac cycle so that fresh blood can enter the imaged slice. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121153 | Method and System for Retrospective Image Combination Under Minimal Total Deformation Constrain for Free-Breathing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Motion Correction - A method and system for retrospective image combination for free-breathing magnetic resonance (MR) images is disclose. A free-breathing cardiac MR image acquisition including a plurality of frames is received. A key frame is selected of the plurality of frames. A deformation field for each frame to register each frame with the key frame. A weight is determined for each pixel in each frame based on the deformation field for each frame under a minimum total deformation constraint. A combination image is then generated as a weighted average of the frames using the weight determined for each pixel in each frame. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119096 | Method and Apparatus for Using Image Cumulative Distribution Function for Tomographic Reconstruction Quality Control - Methods and apparatuses for quality control in image space for processing with an input data set are disclosed. A method includes providing an image object, including multiple voxels, and an input data set. A data model is determined from the image object. A cumulative distribution function (CDF) for the input data set is determined from the data model and the input data set based on a plurality of projections. The CDF is transformed to an image cumulative distribution function (ICDF) in object space. The ICDF represents a number of standard deviations associated with each voxel of the image object. The output of the ICDF is displayed. A nuclear imaging system and a computer readable storage medium are also disclosed. Techniques disclosed herein facilitate efficient quality control for tomographic image reconstruction. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120114215 | Data Management System for Use in Angiographic X-ray Imaging - A data management system automatically manages image buffers to produce images for angiography using a first memory portion, a second memory portion and an image data processor. The first memory portion stores first image frame data representing minimum luminance values of individual pixels of a sequence of medical images. The second memory portion stores second image frame data comprising a difference between the minimum luminance values and corresponding maximum luminance values. The image data processor processes data representing an acquired X-ray image frame of a catheterized vessel using a stored frame of maximum or minimum pixel luminance values and the second image frame data to provide an image with enhanced visualization of a catheter in a vessel. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112083 | High Density, Proportional-Mode, APD Arrays for Individual Scintillator Readout in PET Applications - The present invention is a photodetector including improved photosensors configured of an array of small (sub-millimeter) high-density avalanche photodiode cells utilized to readout a single scintillator. Each photosensor comprises a plurality of avalanche photodiodes cells arranged in an (n×n) array of avalanche photodiode cells (where, n>1) that are coupled to a single scintillation crystal. The overall (n×n) array area as the photosensor is the same as the area of a face of the scintillator and each avalanche photodiode cell has a surface area that is not greater than one square millimeter. The photosensor is also configured to facilitate reading the output of each avalanche photodiode cell in the array. By reading out each small avalanche photodiode cell independently, the noise and capacitance are minimized and thereby provide a more accurate determination of energy and timing. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120108968 | Tissue Density Quantification Using Shear Wave Information in Medical Ultrasound Scanning - Tissue density is quantified using shear wave information in medical ultrasound scanning. Measurements of the tissue reaction to shear waves indicate tissue density. For example, shear wave velocity is linked with density using clinical study information. The shear wave velocity in a region, over the entire tissue, or at various locations is used to determine a corresponding density or densities. The tissue density information is used for categorization, estimation of disease risk, imaging, diagnosis, or other uses. The tissue may be breast tissue or other tissue. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108965 | Facilitating Desired Transducer Manipulation for Medical Diagnostics and Compensating for Undesired Motion - Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating desired transducer manipulation for medical diagnostics and/or compensating for undesired transducer motion. In one embodiment, a transducer is provided with one or more motion sensing elements such as accelerometers, magnetic sensors, etc. During image collection, motion of the transducer is tracked and compared to a desired motion, which may include lack of motion. Feedback may be provided to the operator to facilitate desired manipulation of the transducer. Feedback may be visual feedback, audio feedback or some other form of feedback (for example, tactile feedback). If the operator's technique is deficient, the operator may be prompted to repeat the image collection steps. Various motion templates may be stored according to specific transducer models, examination types, involved anatomy, etc. Motion data may also be used to compensate for undesired motion. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107185 | Interface Between Components of a Chemistry Module Based on a Set of Movable Containers - An apparatus for carrying out a chemical synthesis and related systems and methods are disclosed. The apparatus may comprise at least one rotatable drum comprising at least one slot having at least one chemical reagent or a cartridge, and at least one system block configured to be in communication with the at least one chemical reagent. The system block may comprise at least one means for extracting reagent from the slot. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of slots and a plurality of system blocks, wherein each system block may be in communication with at least one slot of reagent or cartridge. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101779 | Digital Event Timing - Methods, computer-readable mediums, and a circuit are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided which obtains a digital sample. The method calculates a second derivative of the digital sample and thereafter determines when the second derivative passed through a zero crossing point. A master clock value and the second derivative value before and after the second derivate passes through zero are used to calculate a clock fraction and add the clock fraction to the master clock value. Thereafter, an event start signal is triggered to initiates signal processing. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101268 | Microfluidic Chip Capable of Synthesizing Radioactively Labeled Molecules on a Scale Suitable for Human Imaging With Positron Emission Tomography - Described herein are automated, integrated microfluidic device comprising a chemical reaction chip comprising for performing chemical reaction, a microscale column integrated with the chip and configured for liquid flow from the column to at least one flow channel, and wherein the fluid flow into the column is controlled by on-chip valves; and comprising at least two on-chip valves for controlling fluid flow in the microfluidic device. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095321 | Systems and Methods for Reducing Interference in a Dual Modality Imaging System - A magnetic resonance (MR)-positron emission tomography (PET) device dual modality system includes a dual modality detector system, conductors, and a PET processing device. The dual modality detector system includes a plurality of PET detector device having a framing recovery device and PET detectors, and an MR detector device having a magnetic resonance (MR) receiver. The conductors are electrically connected to the PET detectors. The PET processing device transmits modulated timing and frame synchronization signals to the PET detectors via the conductors and the framing recovery device. The frame synchronization signal is missing one or more framing signals, thereby reducing a spectral radiation of the conductors that causes interference to the MR receiver of the MR detector device. The framing recovery device detects the timing and frame synchronization signals and recovers the one or more missing framing signals. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093386 | System for Verifying Data Integrity in an X-Ray Imaging System - An error detection system is used by an image processing subsystem for detecting error in processing medical image data by multiple sequential subsystems using an image data processor. The image data processor in the image processing subsystem analyzes data representing a medical image to identify a sequence identifier associated with a subsystem preceding the image processing subsystem of the multiple sequential subsystems and identifies a position of the image relative to other images in an image sequence comprising multiple consecutive images. The image data processor uses the identified sequence identifier to detect an error in response to identifying at least one of, an unreadable sequence identifier and a missing sequence identifier. The image data processor incorporates a sequence identifier, in image data representing an area of the image associated with the image processing subsystem and initiates generation of an alert message in response to a detected error. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120091341 | Cooling Unit for Cooling a Detection Device in an Imaging System and Detection Devices and Imaging Systems Therefrom - A cooling unit operating in a magnetic field is provided. The cooling unit includes an encasement body having a non-electrically conductive composition and defining a first and second opposing planar surface. The cooling unit also includes a metal conduit disposed in the encasement body substantially parallel to the first surface. Additionally, the cooling unit also includes a series of metal fins disposed in the encasement body and extending from the conduit. In some configurations the fins can be substantially parallel to the first surface. Further, in some configurations, non-electrically conductive inserts having a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the encasement body can be disposed in a portion of the encasement body between one of the first and second surfaces and one or more of the metals fins. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089019 | Solving for Shear Wave Information in Medical Ultrasound Imaging - A shear wave velocity solution is provided for medical ultrasound imaging. Rather than determining shear wave information for each location based on distance from the origin of the shear wave and time to peak displacement for the location, displacement profiles resulting from different combinations of origin and detection locations are correlated. Shear information is detected using displacements from a diverse spatial combination of transmission locations and detection locations. The correlation combination is used in a same function for simultaneously solving for the delays for multiple lateral locations. Spatial diversity and layered correlation may provide for more accurate shear wave estimation. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120089007 | Dual Imaging Acquisition Using Common Time-Base Frequency - Timing in a medical imaging system. The system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem and a non-MRI subsystem. Operation of the non-MRI subsystem involves a timing signal within a radio frequency (RF) cabin of the MRI subsystem. Basing each non-MRI subsystem timing signal on a time base common between the MRI subsystem and the non-MRI subsystem. The non-MRI subsystem can be a medical imaging subsystem. The non-MRI medical imaging subsystem can be a positron emission tomography (PET) subsystem. Each non-MRI subsystem timing signal that based on the common time base can be created using the same model of equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem. At least one stage of the non-MRI subsystem timing signal based on the common time base can be created using the same equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088981 | Matching of Regions of Interest Across Multiple Views - Described herein is a framework for multi-view matching of regions of interest in images. According to one aspect, a processor receives first and second digitized images, as well as at least one CAD finding corresponding to a detected region of interest in the first image. The processor determines at least one candidate location in the second image that matches the CAD finding in the first image. The matching is performed based on local appearance features extracted for the CAD finding and the candidate location. In accordance with another aspect, the processor receives digitized training images representative of at least first and second views of one or more regions of interest. Feature selection is performed based on the training images to select a subset of relevant local appearance features to represent instances in the first and second views. A distance metric is then learned based on the subset of local appearance features. The distance metric may be used to perform matching of the regions of interest. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083692 | PRESSURE CONTROL IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND IMAGING - Contact pressure from a transducer is controlled in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Rather than measuring pressure directly using a pressure sensor on the transducer, the compression of tissue within the patient may be measured using ultrasound scanning. The desired amount of compression in the region of interest for diagnosis may be obtained. For example in breast imaging, the desired compression for imaging a portion of the breast is compared to compression measured from ultrasound data. Once the desired tissue compression is achieved, the pressure applied by the transducer is maintained while the diagnosis scan occurs. For example, a robotic arm locks or otherwise maintains the pressure during scanning. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080645 | Suppression Of Crystal Growth Instabilities During Production Of Rare-Earth Oxyorthosilicate Crystals - Disclosed are a method of growing a rare-earth oxyorthosilicate crystal and a crystal grown using the method. A melt is prepared by melting a first substance including at least one rare-earth element and a second substance including at least one element from group 7 of the periodic table. A seed crystal is brought into contact with the surface of the melt and withdrawn to grow the crystal. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078097 | COMPUTERIZED CHARACTERIZATION OF CARDIAC MOTION IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND - Computerized characterization of cardiac wall motion is provided. Quantities for cardiac wall motion are determined from a four-dimensional (i.e., 3D+time) sequence of ultrasound data. A processor automatically processes the volume data to locate the cardiac wall through the sequence and calculate the quantity from the cardiac wall position or motion. Various machine learning is used for locating and tracking the cardiac wall, such as using a motion prior learned from training data for initially locating the cardiac wall and the motion prior, speckle tracking, boundary detection, and mass conservation cues for tracking with another machine learned classifier. Where the sequence extends over multiple cycles, the cycles are automatically divided for independent tracking of the cardiac wall. The cardiac wall from one cycle may be used to propagate to another cycle for initializing the tracking. Independent tracking in each cycle may reduce or avoid inaccuracies due to drift. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076692 | Modular Component Synthesis Unit - A kit, for synthesizing a compound or element, which includes a modular reagent source, a modular trap and release apparatus, and a modular reaction unit. The modular reagent source includes a reagent. The modular trap and release apparatus is configured to separate components of the reagent. The modular reaction unit which is in fluid communication with the modular reagent source and the modular trap and release apparatus. In addition, the modular reaction unit includes a reaction vessel configured to facilitate a chemical reaction. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076389 | Controlling the Number of Iterations in Image Reconstruction - An iterative reconstruction method to reconstruct an object includes determining, in a series of iteration steps, updated objects, wherein each iteration step includes determining a data model from an input object, and determining a stop-criterion of the data model on the basis of a chi-square-gamma statistic. The method further includes determining that the stop-criterion of the data model has transitioned from being outside the limitation of a preset threshold value to being inside the limitation, ending the iterations, and selecting one of the updated objects to be the reconstructed object. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076376 | Controlling the Number of Iterations in Image Reconstruction - An iterative reconstruction method to reconstruct an object includes determining, in a series of iteration steps, updated objects, wherein each iteration step includes determining a data model from an input object, and determining a stop-criterion of the data model on the basis of a chi-square-gamma statistic. The method further includes determining that the stop-criterion of the data model has transitioned from being outside the limitation of a preset threshold value to being inside the limitation, ending the iterations, and selecting one of the updated objects to be the reconstructed object. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076371 | Phantom Identification - The invention relates to calibration phantoms used in connection with medical imaging devices such as PET, MR, etc., and particularly in connection with hybrid systems such as MR/PET systems. In some cases, the phantoms have distinguishable, machine-readable identification features that allow the imaging system to identify them automatically, without operator intervention. In other cases, even where the phantoms do not have such distinguishable, machine-readable identification features, if the imaging system is appropriately configured with cameras and/or appropriate image analysis software, the imaging system can still identify the phantoms automatically. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120070050 | Time of Flight Scatter Distribution Estimation in Positron Emission Tomography - Estimating time-of-flight (TOF) scatter distribution in a positron emission tomography (PET) system. Obtaining PET TOF projection data: PET random coincidence data and PET TOF prompt coincidence events data. Reducing measured TOF projection data to non-TOF projection data. Reconstructing, unbiased, the non-TOF projection date. Forward projecting unbiased reconstructed non-TOF projection data to estimate TOF trues distribution. Subtracting: The estimated TOF trues distribution and the measured random coincidence, from measured TOF prompt coincidence events. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069967 | System for Recovering from Collision of Components of an X-ray Imaging Unit - A system provides recovery from an X-ray system C-arm and patient table collision. A collision recovery system enables a user to recover from a collision or near collision of movable components of an X-ray imaging system including a movable C-arm hosting an X-ray emitter and detector. The system includes a C-arm position tracking processor for automatically recording C-arm position data indicating a valid stationary position of a C-arm and a path from the valid stationary position to an invalid position of the C-arm enabling retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A user interface enables a user to initiate retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A C-arm is movable to retrace the path to the valid stationary position using the recorded C-arm data in response to user command. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069946 | Compact Radioisotope Generator - Disclosed are a method and apparatus for making a radioisotope and a composition of matter including the radioisotope. The radioisotope is made by exposing a material to neutrons from a portable neutron source. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069020 | Lighting Control for Occlusion-based Volume Illumination of Medical Data - Occlusion-based lighting control is provided in volume rendering of medical data. In addition to altering the brightness of a sample based on the degree of occlusion, the opacity for the sample is also or alternatively altered. For direct volume rendering, the depth of samples along a given ray contributing to the rendered pixel may be limited due to saturation. By varying the opacity, the depth at which samples contribute may be increased for less occluded samples. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120065997 | Automatic Processing of Handwritten Physician Orders - Physician orders are automatically processed. Rather than requiring entry with a user interface in a computerized order entry system, physician orders may be handwritten on a piece of paper or entered on another handwriting device. The orders are scanned or transmitted. Using a lexicon limited to the vocabulary of possible orders, handwriting recognition is applied to the scanned order. By limiting the lexicon, the accuracy of the optical character recognition may be increased. The lexicon may be further limited by determining a diagnosis and/or treatment or imaging modality for the patient and selecting a lexicon limited to orders associated with the diagnosis or modality. The recognized order is then implemented by the computerized order entry system. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065987 | Computer-Based Patient Management for Healthcare - Computer-based patient management is provided for healthcare. Patient data is used to determine a severity, assign a patient to a corresponding diagnosis-related group, and provide a timeline for care at a medical facility. Reminders or alerts are sent to maintain the timeline for more cost effective care. Reminders, suggestions, transitions between care givers, scheduling and other risk management actions are performed. As more data becomes available as part of the care, the care and timeline may be adjusted automatically for more efficient utilization of resources. Accountable care optimization is provided as part of case management. Automated care before any injury or illness and automated care after discharge is provided to optimize the health and costs for a patient. The patient is assigned to the cohort based on the patient data. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065507 | REDUCTION OF MOTION ARTIFACTS IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING WITH A FLEXIBLE ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - Reduction of motion artifacts from flexible transducers are provided in ultrasound imaging. Temporal and/or amplitude modulation of an acoustic radiation force impulse pushing pulse may be designed to control the motion of a moveable transducer. The motion may be controlled to stabilize the transducer in one position or in a predictable (e.g. linear) movement in order to better estimate tissue displacement. Reduced motion artifact may be provided with transmitted waveforms requiring less time and power than required of a brute force approach. For example, pre-loading transmissions may not be provided. As another example, pre-loading transmissions may require less than 10 ms. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060748 | Method and apparatus for continuous crystal growth - A Czochralski (“CZ”) single-crystal growth process system continuously grows crystal boules in a chamber furnace during a single thermal cycle. Finished boules are transferred from the furnace chamber, without need to cool the furnace, to an adjoining cooling chamber for controlled cooling. Controlled cooling is preferably accomplished by transporting boules along a path having an incrementally decreasing temperature. In order to maximize crystal boule yield in a single furnace thermal cycle, the crucible assembly may be recharged with crystal growth aggregate and/or slag may be discharged during the crystal boule growth process without opening the furnace. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120059269 | Worksheet System for Determining Measured Patient Values for Use in Clinical Assessment and Calculations - A system determines measured patient values for use in clinical calculations using an electronic form including, a first area including data fields for presenting values of the parameters associated with a first part of a cardiac catheterization study of a patient and a second area including data fields for presenting values of the parameters associated with a different second part of a cardiac catheterization study of the patient. A user interface enables a user to copy at least one of the parameters comprising a measured value from the first area to the second area as a substitute value eliminating a need for a re-measurement of the value. A calculation processor automatically calculates a cardiac flow value for incorporation in the second area in response to the measured value being copied into the second area. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059242 | Hybrid MR/PET Scanner With Patient Table Split Cable Feed - A hybrid magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system reduces likelihood of artifact distortion in PET images attributable to MR local coil cables and connectors in the patient table. MR local coil cables coupling the MR scanner and the MR local coil connectors are oriented so that they are outside the scanner field of view when performing PET scans. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057674 | System for image scanning and acquisition with low-dose radiation - A medical imaging system adaptively acquires anatomical images using a shape adaptive collimator including multiple different portions of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation into a non-rectangular shape, in response to a control signal. The synchronization processor provides a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive variation in timing of image acquisition within an individual heart cycle and between successive heart cycles of each individual image frame of multiple sequential image frames. The X-ray image acquisition device uses the shape adaptive collimator for acquiring anatomical images of the region of interest with reduced patient X-ray exposure in response to the synchronization signal. A display processor presents resultant images. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055395 | CZOCHRALSKI CRYSTAL GROWTH PROCESS FURNACE THAT MAINTAINS CONSTANT MELT LINE ORIENTATION AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A Czochralski process (“CZ”) crystal growth method and furnace having a heater capable of generating a heating zone, a crucible within the heating zone and capable of retaining a volume of molten crystal growth material forming a melt line oriented in a designated position within the heating zone, a seed growth rod retractable from the crucible with a rod retraction mechanism, for forming a crystal boule thereon proximal the melt line from the molten crystal growth material. The furnace causes relative movement between the crucible and heating zone as the crystal boule is retracted, so that the melt line is maintained in the designated position within the heating zone. In some embodiments relative movement is based at least in part on sensed weight of the growing crystal boule. In other embodiments the crucible growth rod retraction mechanism are fixed relative to each other by a gantry. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120041784 | Computerized Surveillance of Medical Treatment - Medical treatment is automatically surveyed. Drugs or other treatments may be monitored post-market. This surveillance may be accomplished in two ways: (1) Identify patients that potentially match templates consistent with possible adverse reactions, possibly including adverse reactions not associated with the treatment. Potentially, if the match is good enough, a single patient may be sufficient to raise an alert. Alternately, multiple patients partially matching a template may cause an alert. (2) Identify patient clusters with unusual patterns. Multiple patients associated with greater rates of adverse events or event severity not expected with the treatment are identified. The data for surveillance is acquired from multiple sources, so may be more comprehensive for early recognition of adverse effects. Data gathering and surveillance are computerized, so early, cost effective recognition may be more likely. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120033789 | Radiation therapy using predictive target tracking and control points - A system includes determination of a model of a trajectory of a target volume, determination of a treatment plan identifying a portion of the trajectory of the target volume and an irradiation field corresponding to the portion of the trajectory, the portion of the trajectory commencing at a control point of the trajectory, control of a collimator to restrict a treatment beam to the irradiation field, monitoring of the trajectory of the target volume until it is determined that the trajectory is at the control point, and delivery of the treatment beam to the irradiation field in response to determining that the trajectory of the target volume is at the control point. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031325 | Crystal Growth Crucible Lid - A lid for a crystal growth chamber crucible is constructed by forming arcuate sector-shaped portions and coupling them in abutting relationship, for example by welding, to form an annular profile fabricated lid. The arcuate sector-shaped portions may be formed and removed from a lid fabrication blank with less waste than when unitary annular lids are formed and removed from a similarly sized fabrication blank. For example, the sector-shaped portions may be arrayed in an undulating pattern on the fabrication sheet. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120022364 | Board-Level Partitioning in MR-PET Imaging System Integration - A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly of a data processing unit for an integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system, the PCB assembly includes a plurality of PCB layers disposed in a stacked arrangement, first and second PET signal processing circuits carried by a first layer of the plurality of PCB layers, first and second ground plane structures carried by a second layer of the plurality of PCB layers and configured relative to the first and second PET signal processing circuits, respectively, and a ground partition that separates the first PET signal processing circuit from the second PET signal processing circuit on the first layer. The ground partition extends through the first layer to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding between the first and second PET signal processing circuits. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022362 | Data Processing Unit Integration for MR-PET Imaging - An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an MR scanner including a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned, a set of PET detectors disposed between the opening and the magnet, and a plurality of data processing units, each data processing unit being configured for communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors. Each data processing unit includes an RF shield housing, and the RF shield housings of the plurality of data processing units are disposed in a symmetrical arrangement relative to the opening. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022361 | Data Processing Unit Positioning in MR-PET Imaging System Integration - An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an MR scanner including a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned, a set of PET detectors disposed between the magnet and the opening, and a plurality of data processing units, each data processing unit being configured for communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors. The plurality of data processing units are positioned along a side of the MR scanner not having the opening. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019064 | Power Distribution in MR-PET Imaging System Integration - An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an MR scanner including a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned, a set of PET detectors disposed about the opening, a plurality of data processing units each electrically connected with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors, and a plurality of power supply modules, each power supply module being operable to generate a DC power supply for different groups of one or more of the data processing units. Each power supply module is discrete from the other power supply modules. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018645 | Method and Apparatus to Optimize Injected Dose and Scan Time in SPECT Imaging - An apparatus and method are provided for optimizing an amount of radiation dose and acquisition time in cardiac Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. The apparatus and method include providing an organ, acquiring images of the organ at projected views. Then a projected view that projects the organ as an annulus is selected; a region of interest (ROI) is also selected in the projected view, wherein the ROI is in a lateral wall of the organ. An average count in the ROI is determined; and an image quality of a reconstructed image based on the average count is predicted. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018644 | MR-PET Imaging System Integration - A data processing unit for an integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an RF shield housing, a first input port in the RF shield housing configured to receive a PET detector signal, a first filter disposed in the RF shield housing, in communication with the first input port, and configured to remove MR noise from the PET detector signal, a second input port in the RF shield housing configured to receive DC power, a second filter disposed in the RF shield housing, in communication with the second input port, and configured to remove the MR noise from the DC power, and a signal processing circuit disposed in the RF shield housing and powered by the DC power, the signal processing circuit including an analog-to-digital converter to digitize the PET detector signal. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018643 | Dual Amplifier For MR-PET Hybrid Imaging System - PET signals are amplified in a hybrid PET/MR system. An amplifier structure is provided for operation in the magnetic field of the MR magnets. By filtering to remove signals at the MR frequency (e.g., about 123 MHz) as part of the amplification circuit, the amplification circuit may be positioned within the RF cabin, within the magnetic field, and even within a same housing as the MR magnets. MR interference may be reduced by staged amplification. The filtering may be bi-directional, such as using parallel and series traps. Digitization of the PET signals may be provided within the magnetic field with no or little interference with MR operation. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017761 | Room Temperature Chemical Trap for the Purification of Gaseous Methane - A room temperature trap for the purification and concentration of gaseous methane. The trap utilizes the adsorption and desorption properties of microporous spherical carbon molecular sieves to purify and concentrate radiolabelled methane for application in an automated synthesis module without the need for cryogenic cooling. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016251 | System for Respiration Data Processing and Characterization - A system for respiration or cardiac condition characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface that receives data representing a signal indicating concentration of carbon dioxide in patient gases over multiple signal cycles. A signal processor uses the received data in determining multiple amplitude related characteristic values. A comparator compares at least one of the amplitude related characteristic values or a value derived from the amplitude related characteristic values, with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor in response to the comparison indicator indicating an amplitude related characteristic value or a value derived from the amplitude related characteristic values, exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120008745 | Gated Burst Mode Radiation Treatment of Moving Targets - Some aspects include a system, apparatus, and method for obtaining a burst mode treatment plan to be administered by a radiotherapy device, the burst mode treatment plan prescribing parameters for one or more dynamic axes, parameters for one or more static axes, and position parameters for the one or more dynamic axes corresponding to a prescribed delivery period of burst mode irradiation; receiving an indication of occurrences of a substantially periodic treatment opportunity for a target volume of a patient from a gating device, the treatment opportunity being a period of time the target volume is in a position to be irradiated according to the burst mode treatment plan; synchronizing the treatment opportunity and the prescribed delivery period of burst mode irradiation; and irradiating the target volume during the synchronization of the treatment opportunity and the prescribed delivery period of burst mode irradiation. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008744 | Rotational Radiation Treatment of Moving Targets - Some aspects include a system, apparatus, and method for determining that a motion of a patient area of a patient due to breathing is substantially periodic according to a treatment plan, moving a radiotherapy gantry towards a first treatment gantry angle, moving a radiotherapy beam shaping device towards a first treatment shape corresponding to the first treatment gantry angle, determining when a next treatment window is to begin based on a predictive model derived from the motion of the patient area, where the treatment window is a period of time designated for delivery of treatment radiation to the patient area according to the treatment plan, adjusting the moving of the radiotherapy gantry such that the radiotherapy gantry will reach the first treatment angle during the determined next treatment window, and delivering a treatment radiation beam to the patient area during the determined next treatment window. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110311113 | System for Adjustment of Image Data Acquired Using a Contrast Agent to Enhance Vessel Visualization for Angiography - A system provides a roadmap image displaying a vessel structure using an imaging system to acquire data representing multiple temporally sequential individual images of vessels of a region of interest of patient anatomy in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor generates multiple sequential cumulative images corresponding to the individual images and an individual current cumulative image corresponds to a current image of the individual images. The current cumulative image comprises cumulative pixel luminance values and an individual cumulative pixel luminance value is generated from luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual cumulative pixel and present in images comprising a subset of the individual images. The subset comprises contiguous images of the temporally sequential individual images acquired preceding the current image and including the current image. An output processor provides the multiple sequential cumulative images to a destination. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110309242 | Radiation-activated Fiducial Markers for Organ Tracking - A system may include transmission of an activation beam to one or more non-radioactive elements disposed in a patient volume, wherein the elements become radioactive in response to the activation beam, detection of radiation emitted by the one or more now-radioactive elements, determination of respective locations of the one or more now-radioactive elements based on the detected radiation, and transmission of a treatment beam to the patient volume based on the respective locations. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306886 | Volume Mechanical Transducer for Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound - A one-dimensional array is used for transmit operation, allowing connection with an imaging system for planar scanning and avoiding transmit electronics in the transducer array. A multi-dimensional array is used for reception only, avoiding transmit interconnects while providing greater coherence in elevation. Both arrays are moved to scan different planes, allowing acquisition of data representing a volume. This transducer arrangement may be used for scanning breasts for cancer screening. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110305380 | Characterization of Source Trajectory for Radiotherapy - Some embodiments include obtaining a projection image of a plurality of fiducials associated with a coordinate system irradiated by a radiotherapy radiation source at a plurality of discrete locations on a trajectory path model, determination of a projection matrix from projection images of the fiducials irradiated by the radiotherapy radiation source at each of the discrete locations, determination of the actual coordinate of the radiotherapy radiation source in the coordinate system associated with the fiducials at the plurality of discrete locations based on the determined projection matrices, and correlating the trajectory path model of the radiotherapy radiation source to the determined actual position of the radiotherapy radiation source at the discrete locations. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110305376 | Automatic Patient and Device Recognition and Association System - A system associates a patient and patient identifier with a medical device and includes an interface. The interface acquires data representing an image of a patient in a care setting and showing a medical device in the vicinity of the patient and acquires data identifying the patient. An image data processor analyzes the acquired data representing the image to identify the medical device type by, analyzing the acquired data to determine a shape of the medical device, comparing the determined shape of the medical device with predetermined template shapes of known device types and identifying the medical device type in response to the shape comparison indicating a shape match. A data processor associates the identified medical device type with the data identifying the patient. An output processor initiates generation of data indicating an association of the identified medical device type with the data identifying the patient. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301980 | Automated Medical Image Storage System - An automated medical image storage system comprises an interface, a configuration interface and an output processor. The interface acquires a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels and subtracts a mask image representing background detail in the absence of a contrast agent to produce data representing a DSA sequence of digitally subtracted images enhancing vessel structure. The configuration interface enables a user to configure image processing (e.g., pixel shift, edge enhancement) and selection of images from the sequence of images for automatic documented archiving in an archival system by determining criteria to select images associated with one of arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow. The output processor automatically initiates storage of images selected from the sequence of images in response to the determined criteria. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301466 | CARDIAC FLOW QUANTIFICATION WITH VOLUMETRIC IMAGING DATA - A method quantifies cardiac volume flow for an imaging sequence. The method includes receiving data representing three-dimensions and color Doppler flow data over a plurality of frames, constructing a ventricular model based on the data representing three-dimensions for the plurality of frames, the ventricular model including a sampling plane configured to measure the cardiac volume flow, computing volume flow samples based on the sampling plane and the color Doppler flow data, and correcting the volume flow samples for aliasing based on volumetric change in the ventricular model between successive frames of the plurality of frames. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299749 | Medical Image and Vessel Characteristic Data Processing System - An image data processing system automatically indicates an image of a digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image sequence is associated with at least one of, arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow. The system includes an interface for acquiring data representing a DSA sequence of digitally subtracted images enhancing vessel structure. An image data processor automatically indicates an image of the DSA sequence is associated with at least one of, arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow by determining individual minimum luminance intensity level values of individual images of the DSA sequence and using the determined individual minimum luminance intensity level values in identifying images of the DSA sequence are associated with at least one of, arterial, venous, or capillary phases of blood flow. An output processor automatically assigns an attribute to image data to identify vessel phase in response to the identifying images of the DSA sequence, | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110295622 | Healthcare Information Technology System for Predicting or Preventing Readmissions - Hospital readmissions may be prevented. Readmission is prevented by predicting the probability of a given patient to be readmitted. The probability alone may prevent readmission by educating the patient or medical professional. The probability may be predicted during a patient stay and used to generate a workflow action item to reduce the probability, to warn, to output appropriate instructions, and/or assist in avoiding readmission. The probability may be specific to a hospital, physician group, or other entity, allowing prevention to focus on past readmission causes for the given entity. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295621 | Healthcare Information Technology System for Predicting and Preventing Adverse Events - An adverse event may be prevented by predicting the probability of a given patient to have or undergo the adverse event. The probability alone may prevent the adverse event by educating the patient or medical professional. The probability may be predicted at any time, such as upon entry of information for the patient, periodic analysis, or at the time of admission. The probability may be used to generate a workflow action item to reduce the probability, to warn, to output appropriate instructions, and/or assist in avoiding adverse event. The probability may be specific to a hospital, physician group, or other medical entity, allowing prevention to focus on past adverse event causes for the given entity. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295107 | Catheter System for Measuring and Marking Vessel Characteristics - A system marks and measures a Vessel lumen, heart valve or body cavity using a circumference measuring catheter. A catheter system comprises a catheter device including a loop having an adjustable circumference that is adjustable within a vessel. The catheter device includes a means for adjusting the circumference of the loop and a means for measuring adjusted loop circumference. An output unit sends data indicating the measured loop (vessel) circumference or cross-sectional area derived using the measured loop circumference for presentation to a user. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293163 | System for Detecting an Invasive Anatomical Instrument - A system identifies a stent in an image using luminance density and anatomical information. An X-ray imaging system automatically detects and indicates location of an invasive anatomical device in an image. An interface acquires, data representing X-ray images of patient vessels and data identifying a particular vessel containing a medical device. An image data processor employs a model of anatomical vessels to select a region of interest in a vessel identified by the acquired data and automatically determines a location of the medical device in an acquired image by determining at least a portion of an outline of the medical device by detecting a luminance transition in the acquired image using an image edge detector. A display processor initiates generation of data depicting location of the medical device in the acquired image in response to determining the at least a portion of the outline of the medical device. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293162 | Medical Image Processing and Registration System - An image data subtraction system enhances visualization of vessels subject to movement using an imaging system. The imaging system acquires data representing first and second anatomical image sets comprising multiple temporally sequential individual mask (without contrast agent) and fill images (with contrast agent) of vessels respectively, during multiple heart cycles. An image data processor automatically identifies temporally corresponding pairs of images comprising a mask image and a contrast enhanced image and for the corresponding pairs, automatically determines a shift of a contrast enhanced image relative to a mask image to compensate for motion induced image mis-alignment. The image data processor automatically shifts a contrast enhanced image relative to a mask image in response to the determined shift. The image data processor subtracts data representing a mask image of a corresponding pair from a shifted contrast enhanced image of the corresponding pair, to provide multiple subtracted images showing enhanced visualization of vessels. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293067 | System and Method for Dynamic Strobe Arc Therapy - Aspects may include movement of at least one device along a path to change an orientation of a target volume with respect to a radiation beam emitter, determination that the at least one device has reached a start position of a first path section associated with a first radiation treatment beam, emission, while the at least one device moves along the first path section, of the first radiation treatment beam from the radiation beam emitter toward a target volume, determination that the at least one device has reached a stop position of the first path section, ceasing emission of the first radiation treatment from the radiation beam emitter in response to the determination that the at least one device has reached a stop position of the first path section, determination that the at least one device has reached a start position of a second path section associated with a second radiation treatment beam, the start position of the second path section being different from the stop position of the first path section, and emission, while the at least one device moves along the second path section, of the second radiation treatment beam from the radiation beam emitter toward the target volume. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110293065 | System for Positioning and X-ray Imaging a Heart - A system positions a patient for X-ray imaging of a Left Atrium of a heart, using an imaging system for, acquiring data representing a frontal first X-ray image and representing a lateral second X-ray image of a patient. A display processor initiates generation of data representing a first composite display image including the first X-ray image and a first graphical overlay for aligning with vertebra in the first X-ray image. The display processor initiates generation of data representing a second composite display image including the second X-ray image and a second graphical overlay for aligning with vertebra in the second X-ray image. The imaging system is positioned for imaging a heart left atrium in response to movement of a table supporting the patient to align the first graphical overlay with the vertebra in the first X-ray image and to align the second graphical overlay with the vertebra in the second X-ray image. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110286654 | Segmentation of Biological Image Data - Described herein are systems and methods for automated segmentation of image data. According to one aspect of the present technology, systems and methods are provided for detecting regions of interest within biological images. In particular, first and second images of first and second biological samples are received, wherein one or more routine stains have previously been applied to the first biological sample. A region of interest in the first image may be segmented to generate a boundary. The boundary may then be transferred to the second image to segment a corresponding region of interest in the second image. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110283737 | PROCESS FOR SEPARATING GASES AT CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURES - The invention relates to a process employing a multi-directional heat pump and a cryo-trap to separate gases. One embodiment relates to a process that includes heating a gaseous stream comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and a push gas to produce a first intermediate stream comprising an amount of methane; contacting the first intermediate stream with a first trapping material to remove an amount of a component selected from the group consisting of oxygen, water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and combinations thereof from the first intermediate stream to produce a second intermediate stream; introducing the second intermediate stream to a separation zone comprising a surface of a second trapping material; employing a multi-directional heat pump to maintain the separation zone at a retaining temperature; retaining methane in the separation zone, while purging hydrogen from the separation zone; employing the multi-directional heat pump to adjust the separation zone to a releasing temperature; and releasing methane from the separation zone. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110282227 | System for Cardiac Medical Condition Detection - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection processes a heart electrical activity signal in determining multiple first signal characteristic values over multiple heart cycles. A first signal characteristic value substantially comprises a time interval between a peak of a P wave to a peak of a succeeding R wave representing a repolarization time interval in an individual heart cycle and the signal processor uses a peak detector and time detector for identifying the peaks and detecting a time difference between the identified peaks. A comparator compares at least one of the multiple first signal characteristic values or a value derived from the multiple first signal characteristic values with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor in response to the comparison indicator indicating a calculated signal characteristic value exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110272587 | Increasing Edge Sensitivity in a Radiation Detector - An apparatus and method to increase the sensitivity at the edge of radiation detector blocks is disclosed herein. Reduced sensitivity can result from photons entering a first detector block, escaping, and scattering into an adjacent detector, thereby depositing energy into two detectors blocks. Energy lost into adjacent detector blocks can be compensated with energy detected in the adjacent detector block. This can be done, for example, by processing channels from multiple detector blocks with one Field Programmable Gated Array (FPGA) on one Event Process Module (EPM) board. This can enable summing energy of one detector block with energy from an adjacent detector block when the initial interaction occurs at the edge of the first detector block. This can result in a better estimate of the amount of energy associated with the initial photon being detected. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271219 | Adaptive Imaging System Workflow & User Interface System - A system configures a medical imaging system using utilization information. The system includes at least one repository storing records indicating usage and an associated time of usage, of particular features of a medical imaging system. A processor coupled to the at least one repository analyzes the records to determine, (a) frequency of usage of particular features of the medical imaging system and (b) a sequence of usage of the particular features of the medical imaging system and provide utilization data, by identifying in the records particular text strings using predetermined information associating predetermined text strings with corresponding features. An adaptation processor uses the utilization data to modify, delete or add a task to a task sequence employing the particular features. A display processor generates data representing at least one display image enabling a user to perform an adapted task sequence. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110263970 | System for Non-Contrast Enhanced MR Anatomical Imaging - A system for Non-Contrast Agent enhanced MR imaging, includes an MR image acquisition device that acquires first and second datasets representing first and second image slabs individually comprising multiple image slices acquired at fast and slow blood flow portions of a heart cycle and oriented substantially perpendicular in at least one axis to direction of vasculature blood flow, in response to a heart cycle synchronization signal. An image data processor processes imaging datasets representing the first and second image slabs to provide first and second volume datasets representing a 3D volume imaged at the fast blood flow portion and the slow blood flow portion respectively and for providing a difference dataset representing an image difference between the first and second volume datasets and enhancing arterial blood flow. A display processor provides data representing an image showing the enhanced arterial blood flow. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110256057 | Cyclic Azapeptides as Integrin Markers and Methods of Using - The present application is directed to radiolabeled cyclic polyazapeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising radiolabeled cyclic polyazapeptides, and methods of using the radiolabeled cyclic polyazapeptides. Such polyazapeptides can be used in imaging studies, such as Positron Emitting Tomography (PET) or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255763 | Enhanced Visualization of Medical Image Data - Described herein is a technology for enhanced visualization of medical image data. In one implementation, a region of interest is identified in a first set of images along at least one viewing direction. Based on the first set of images, a second set of images is reconstructed to include at least one selectively enhanced rendering of the region of interest. The selectively enhanced rendering may include a three-dimensional rendering or any other type of enhanced rendering to facilitate detection of abnormalities. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110249789 | System for Circulatory Blood Flow Travel Time Determination - An X-ray imaging system automatically calculates blood flow travel time by using an X-ray image acquisition system to initiate acquisition of images at a second anatomical site synchronized with introduction of contrast agent into a patient vessel at a first anatomical site. A detector automatically compares images, acquired at the second anatomical site in response to the introduction of contrast agent, with images of the second anatomical site acquired in the absence of a contrast agent, to detect when contrast agent reaches the second anatomical site via blood flow in a circulatory system of the patient. A calculator automatically calculates a blood flow travel time duration between the first and second anatomical sites based on the time elapsed between time of the introduction of contrast agent and a time the contrast agent reaches the second anatomical site in response to the detection. An output processor automatically generates a message indicating the calculated blood flow travel time. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110249029 | System for Manipulating a Detected Object within an Angiographic X-ray Acquisition - A medical image viewing system comprises an image data processor. The image data processor automatically identifies movement of a particular object within a first image of a sequence of images, relative to the corresponding particular object in a different reference image in the sequence of images. The image data processor automatically determines a transform to apply to data representing the first image to keep the particular object appearing substantially stationary in the first image relative to the corresponding particular object in the reference image, in response to the identified movement. The image data processor stores data, representing the determined transform and associating the determined transform with the first image. A user interface applies the transform acquired from storage to data representing the first image to present the first image in a display showing the particular object substantially stationary relative to the reference image, in response to a user command. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110245669 | System for Cardiac Condition Detection and Characterization - A system monitors and characterizes internal elasticity of a blood vessel to detect abnormality. A catheter system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection, comprises an ultrasound device for emitting ultrasound wave signals within patient anatomy and acquiring corresponding ultrasound echo signals. A signal processor processes the ultrasound echo signals to, determine a signal indicating displacement of a tissue wall over at least one heart cycle and identify a displacement value in the displacement signal. The displacement value indicates a tissue wall displacement occurring at a point within a heart cycle. A comparator compares the tissue wall displacement value with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor, in response to the comparison indicator indicating the tissue wall displacement value exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110235885 | System for Providing Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Medical Images - A method generates a two dimensional (2D) medical image through a three dimensional (3D) imaged volume of patient anatomy at a desired position, by storing 3D image data representing a 3D imaging volume including vessels in the presence of a contrast agent. The 3D image data comprises, data identifying multiple voxels representing multiple individual volume image element luminance values and luminance distribution data for individual voxels of a vessel in the 3D image data. For multiple individual voxels of a 2D image, the method determines composite luminance distribution data of an individual voxel in the 2D image by combining luminance distribution data of the 3D image data of multiple identified voxels substantially lying on a projection line from a source point to the individual voxel and generating data representing the 2D image using the determined composite luminance distribution data of the multiple individual voxels. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230765 | Motion Synchronized Destruction for Three-Dimensional Reperfusion Mapping in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging - Destruction for reperfusion in medical diagnostic ultrasound is synchronized to motion. Perfusion data for a volume is acquired sequentially for different segments of the volume. For a given segment, such as a planar region, motion tracking within the segment is performed. If sufficient registration or correlation exists at the completion of a sequence of scans for the current segment, then a lesser amount of movement is occurring. At this point, the transmission of contrast agent destructive acoustic energy is performed in the next segment. Tracking is repeated for the next segment to synchronize the switch to yet another segment. Other regions for tracking can be used. By controlling transmission of destruction pulses, more reliable perfusion quantities in a volume may be determined. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110227572 | System for Fat Suppression in MR Image Acquisition - A system for fat signal suppression in MR imaging comprises an RF signal generator for generating RF pulses in an MR pulse sequence using one or more RF pulses for echo signal formation including, an RF excitation pulse and an RF refocusing pulse subsequent to said RF excitation pulse. A magnetic field slice select gradient generator generates first and second different slice select magnetic field gradients for corresponding use with the RF excitation pulse and the RF refocusing pulse, respectively, the first and second different slice select magnetic field gradients having substantially different amplitudes. An MR imaging control unit directs acquisition of MR imaging data having fat signal substantially suppressed using the generated RF pulses and different slice select magnetic field gradients. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110218435 | Prediction-Based Flow Estimation for Ultrasound Diagnostic Imaging - Flow estimation is provided. The flow is predicted. A mathematical, logic, machine learning or other model is used to predict flow. For example, the boundary conditions associated with a previous flow, the previous flow, and current boundary conditions are used to predict the current flow. The current flow is corrected using the predicted flow. Velocities may be unaliased based on the predicted flow. The predicted flow may replace the current flow. Prediction may additionally or alternatively be used in determination of lateral or elevational flow. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110209572 | Apparatus and Method For Attaching a Drive System and a Stand to a Ring in a Medicine Gantry - A mounting assembly for attaching the drive system and stand to a ring in a medicine gantry is disclosed. The mounting assembly includes at least one mounting bar (e.g., two mounting bars), at least one mounting plate and at least one adjuster (e.g., a screw). The mounting bar is securable to a portion of the ring. The mounting bar includes a base and at least one transverse face. At least a portion of the base is substantially parallel to a surface of a portion of the ring and at least a portion of the transverse face is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the portion of the ring. The mounting plate is secured to the drive system and is securable to the transverse face of the mounting bar. Movement of the adjuster moves the drive assembly relative to the mounting bar when the mounting plate is adjacent the transverse face of the mounting bar. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110208056 | Volumetric Quantification for Ultrasound Diagnostic Imaging - Volumetric quantification is provided in medical diagnostic ultrasound. By acquiring both B-mode and color flow data without stitching or acquiring in real-time at tens of volumes a second, more reliable quantification may be provided. Using multiple regions of interest in a volume may allow for more accurate and/or complete flow information, such as averaging flow from different locations in the same structure (e.g., use preservation of mass to acquire multiple measures of the same flow). | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110202177 | Intuitive Graphical User Interface for Carrying Out Chemical Reactions - An apparatus and method for chemical synthesis, the method includes accessing a recipe, the recipe including a sequence of one or more processing steps for the chemical synthesis. The processing steps including one or more steps. The recipe is executed by sorting the processing steps and executing the one or more selected steps prior to executing other steps. The chemical synthesis is monitored by providing status data, indicating a status of the execution and enabling input of control data to modify execution based on the status data or user-initiated modification. Information related to the status of the execution is displayed, typically as a graphical representation of a process action. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201951 | System for cardiac arrhythmia detection and characterization - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface that receives a signal representing electrical activity of a patient heart occurring during individual heart cycles of multiple sequential heart cycles. A signal processor decomposes the received signal into multiple signals comprising a heart cycle signal primary wave and one or more heart cycle signal wavelets occurring at corresponding successively higher frequencies. The signal processor determines multiple amplitude representative values of the heart cycle signal primary wave and the one or more heart cycle signal wavelets. A comparator compares the multiple amplitude representative values with corresponding multiple predetermined threshold values to provide comparison indicators. A patient monitor in response to the comparison indicators indicating at least one of the amplitude representative values exceeds a respective predetermined threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the respective predetermined threshold. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201900 | System for Monitoring and Visualizing a Patient Treatment Process - A patient treatment monitoring system includes an interface for receiving multiple different types of patient medical information including data derived from a patient monitoring device and a patient medical imaging device. A data processor processes the received multiple different types of patient medical information to be suitable for presentation in a display image. A display processor initiates generation of data representing a single composite display image including an image element representing multiple sequentially performed individual stages of a treatment process. The individual stages are associated with corresponding different sets of the received multiple different types of patient medical information. The single composite display image includes multiple image areas for displaying one of the corresponding different sets of the received multiple different types of patient medical information, in response to user selection of a particular stage of the individual stages using the image element. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110200227 | ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM MULTIPLE TIME-POINTS - Described herein is a technology for facilitating analysis of data across multiple time-points. In one implementation, first and second images acquired at respective first and second different time-points are received. In addition, first and second findings associated with the first and second images respectively are also received. The first and second findings are associated with at least one region of interest. A correspondence between the first and second findings may be automatically determined by aligning the first and second findings. A longitudinal analysis result may then be generated by correlating the first and second findings. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110192982 | System and Method for Providing Depth of Interaction Detection Using Positron Emission Tomography - A system and method is provided for determining depth of interaction (DOI) information. The system and method includes a detector configured to generate DOI information as a result of radiation emitted from a radiation source. The system and method further includes a plurality of scintillator pixels forming a block, wherein the plurality of scintillator pixels have a first portion and a second portion. A first medium distributed in an alternating pattern of coupling and separation between each of the scintillator pixels in a first portion or second portion of the block is also provided. A plurality of sensors for detecting scintillation events across the plurality of scintillators based on the alternating pattern of coupling and separation between each of the scintillator pixels, wherein DOI information is provided by a position profile of the block, and an image processor for generating a 3 dimensional image from the DOI information are also included. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110190643 | System for Cardiac Status Determination - A system improves detection and diagnosis of blood pressure based cardiac function and tissue activities by analyzing and characterizing cardiac blood pressure signals (including non-invasive and invasive blood pressure, discrete values and continuous waveforms) using pressure signal variation and variability calculation and evaluation. The system combines blood pressure analysis with multi clinical related factors and parameters to detect and quantify cardiac health status and arrhythmia severity. The system determines an accurate time, location and severity of cardiac pathology and events by calculating blood pressure variability and statistical variation. The accurately and reliably identifies cardiac disorders, differentiates cardiac arrhythmias, characterizes pathological severity, predicts the life-threatening events, and supports evaluation of drug delivery effects. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110188706 | Redundant Spatial Ensemble For Computer-Aided Detection and Image Understanding - Described herein is a technology for facilitating computer-aided detection and image understanding. In one implementation, an input set of training images of a target structure, such as an anatomical structure, is received. The input set of training images is spatially realigned to different landmarks to generate multiple bags of training images. At least one of the multiple bags comprises substantially all the training images in the input set, but realigned to a landmark. The multiple bags of training images may be used to train a spatial ensemble of detectors, which can be employed to generate an output result by automatically detecting a target structure in an input image. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110184761 | Method and Apparatus for Estimating Patient Populations - The methods and apparatuses of the present invention provide for a continuous abstraction of randomly sampled patient data and shortened data processing cycle times when an accurate sample population size is unknown at the beginning of the sampling process. The present invention estimates an initial medical patient population size for the purpose of randomly sampling that population. The estimated population size is calculated based on historical patient population data and is corrected at the end of the sample time period. Under-sampling is remediated at the end of the sample time period, during which continuous sampling of the patient data is carried out to provide interim and immediately available sampled patient data. Criteria for medical patient population sizing and sampling are provided by health care organizations responsible for administrating health care quality improvement standards. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110182812 | Imaging Agents for Detecting Neurological Disorders - Imaging agents of formulas (I)-(V) and methods for detecting neurological disorders comprising administering to a patient in need compounds of formulas (I)-(V) capable of binding to tau proteins and β-amyloid peptides are presented herein. The invention also relates to methods of imaging Aβ and tau aggregates comprising introducing a detectable quantity of pharmaceutical formulation comprising a radiolabeled compound of formulas (I)-(V) and detecting the labeled compound associated with amyloid deposits and/or tau proteins in a patient. These methods and compositions enable preclinical diagnosis and monitoring progression of AD and other neurological disorders. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181283 | System for Concurrent Acquisition of MR Anatomical Brain Images and MR Angiograms Without Contrast-Injection - An MR imaging system without the use of a contrast agent, in a first repetition time interval, generates a non-selective magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing an anatomical volume encompassing blood flowing into a selected slab within the volume for blood signal suppression, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a first MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume with a suppressed blood signal. The system in a second repetition time interval succeeding the first repetition time interval, generates a selected slab magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing the selected slab, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a second MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume. An image data processor substantially subtracts imaging data of the first MR imaging dataset from the second MR imaging dataset to provide an image enhancing a vessel structure in the selected slab and also substantially averages imaging data to provide an MR anatomical image. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110178407 | Hard and Soft Backing for Medical Ultrasound Transducer Array - A transducer for multiple purposes is provided. Different backings are used for different elements of a same array. The different backings optimize the respective elements for the desired use. A soft backing (e.g., Z=3 Mrayl) is used behind some elements for ultrasound imaging. A hard backing (e.g., Z=100 MRayl) is used behind other elements for lower frequency operation. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176655 | System and Method for Tomosynthesis - A system and method for tomosynthesis, the method including emitting a respective imaging x-ray from each of a plurality of imaging x-ray sources disposed in a fixed relation with respect to one another, acquiring x-ray absorption projections of an object, each of the x-ray absorption projections associated with an imaging x-ray emitted by a respective one of the plurality of imaging x-ray sources, and performing digital tomosynthesis using the x-ray absorption projections to generate a cross-sectional image of the object. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175608 | System for Blood Flow Velocity Determination using MR Imaging - A system improves accuracy of blood flow peak velocity measurements as well as the speed and precision of an MR data acquisition workflow. A system for blood flow velocity determination in MR imaging comprises an MR imaging system. The MR imaging system acquires a three dimensional (3D) MR imaging dataset of a patient anatomical volume of interest and a one dimensional (1D) MR imaging dataset within the volume of interest automatically aligned in response to 3D vector directional information. An image data processor derives the 3D vector directional information by, deriving velocity magnitude data using the acquired 3D MR imaging dataset, identifying maximum velocity data using the derived velocity magnitude data and transforming the identified maximum velocity data to provide the 3D vector directional information. A calculation processor uses the acquired 1D MR imaging dataset to calculate a blood flow velocity in a direction determined by the 3D vector directional information. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110170667 | Automated Medical Imaging System Fault Detection - A system automatically detects and reports a hardware and/or software error in an X-ray system. A system automatically detects and identifies failed components of a distributed X-ray imaging system. Multiple different subsystems of an X-ray imaging system individually include, an executable procedure for detecting a failed component in a respective subsystem and a communication interface for initiating generation and communication of a message identifying the failed component and identifying the respective subsystem including the failed component. A repository stores data identifying failed components within the multiple different subsystems in response to the communicated message. An error processor accesses the repository of data and provides composite information enabling a user to identify failed components within an X-ray imaging system. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170662 | System for Adjusting Angiographic X-ray Imaging Parameters based on Image Content - An Angiographic X-ray imaging system includes a detector for automatically detecting a transition between different phases of contrast enhanced blood flow in vessels of a portion of patient anatomy, in response to pixel luminance content of at least one image of a sequence of acquired images of the portion of patient anatomy. An X-ray imaging device uses the detector and information associating different sets of X-ray imaging device settings with corresponding different phases of contrast enhanced blood flow in vessels for automatically sequentially acquiring images in different phases using different imaging settings, in response to detection of transitions between different phases. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110166618 | System for Cardiac Arrhythmia Detection - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface for receiving sampled data representing an electrical signal indicating electrical activity of a patient heart over multiple heart beat cycles and for receiving a pace signal indicating occurrence of a heart pace pulse applied to the heart. A signal processor uses the received sampled data and pace signal in calculating, a first signal characteristic value comprising a time interval between occurrence of the pace pulse and a cardiac cycle characteristic and a second signal characteristic comprising an average of the time intervals determined over a multiple heart cycles. A comparator compares at least one of the first and second characteristic values with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor generates an alert message associated with the threshold in response to the comparison indicator indicating a calculated signal characteristic value exceeds the threshold value. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110150714 | Modular System for Radiosynthesis with Multi-Run Capabilities and Reduced Risk of Radiation Exposure - Macro- and microfluidic devices and related technologies, and chemical processes using such devices. More specifically, the devices may be used for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in an efficient, compact and safe to the operator manner. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated, multi-run, microfluidic instrument for the multi-step synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as PET probes, comprising a remote shielded mini-cell containing radiation-handing components. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110145741 | Context Specific X-ray Imaging User Guidance System - A medical imaging device user interface system includes an acquisition processor for automatically acquiring subunit state data representing operational state of multiple individual subunits of a medical imaging system. At least one repository of state information identifies, next operational system states accessible from a current operational state, actions needed to transition from a current operational state to a next individual operational state and operational system states inaccessible from a current operational state. An operational state processor uses the acquired subunit state data and the state information for, identifying a current operational state of a medical imaging system, determining operational system states accessible from the identified current operational state and actions needed to transition from the identified current operational state to a next individual operational state and identifying operational system states inaccessible from a current operational state. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110144495 | Perfusion Imaging of a Volume in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound - A volume is scanned with ultrasound for determining perfusion. A volume is scanned with a more rapid technique for tracking a sub-volume, and the tracked sub-volume is scanned for contrast agent detection with a less rapid technique. For example, a single pulse technique or B-mode scanning is used to track a region over one or more cycles, the location of the tracked region is predicted, and multiple pulse contrast agent detection is performed for the sub-volume at the predicted location. The combinations of scanning provide for real-time or higher temporal resolution reperfusion information at the appropriate tissue. Using a separate scan for motion tracking may provide a more robust prediction of the sub-volume location and a better visualization of the results (e.g., orientation within the organ). In other embodiments, tracking is based on a B mode image derived from the multi-pulse data. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110142320 | Systems and Methods for Computer Aided Diagnosis and Decision Support in Whole-Body Imaging - A system for providing automatic diagnosis and decision support includes: a medical image database; generative learning and modeling modules that build distributional appearance models and spatial relational models of organs or structures using images from the medical image database; a statistical whole-body atlas that includes one or more distributional appearance models and spatial relational models of organs or structure, in one or more whole-body imaging modalities, built by the generative learning and modeling modules; and discriminative learning and modeling modules that build two-class or multi-class classifiers for performing at least one of organ, structure or disease detection or segmentation. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110135176 | System for Processing Medical Images Showing an Invasive Instrument - A medical image data processing system automatically selects images showing an anatomically invasive instrument having a pair of instrument identification marker objects. An image data processor automatically, identifies one or more candidate image objects potentially representing invasive instrument marker objects in multiple images in a sequence of acquired images in response to predetermined size and shape data of marker objects. The image data processor identifies pairs of the identified candidate image objects potentially indicating an invasive instrument, in response to predetermined data associated with relative location of individual marker objects of a pair of identification marker objects of an invasive instrument. The image data processor selects in the multiple images, at least one of the identified pairs of identified candidate image objects in response to predetermined criteria and selects images of the multiple images associated with a selected pair of identified candidate image objects. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110133736 | Coherent Signal Acquisition System for MR Imaging and Spectroscopy - A system processes an MR dataset to provide an MR signal generated by a group of protons having substantially the same proton spin precession angle. The system includes a computation processor for determining phase angles of RF pulses for use in acquiring MR signal data of a desired coherence pathway in response to, predetermined data indicating a number of coherence pathways in multiple MR datasets to be acquired, predetermined information indicating different types of MR signals present in the multiple MR datasets to be acquired and at least one phase equation selected in response to a corresponding at least one type of the types of MR signals present in the MR datasets to be acquired. The number of coherence pathways represents a corresponding number of groups of protons having substantially the same proton spin precession angle. An RF signal generator generates RF pulses for acquiring multiple MR datasets including MR signal data of the desired coherence pathway using the determined phase angles. An MR imaging device performs multiple MR scans to provide the multiple MR datasets using the generated RF pulses. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110127413 | Systems and Methods for Calibrating Time Alignment For A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) System - A representative positron emission tomography (PET) calibration system includes a PET scanner having a ring detector, a phantom that is placed at approximately the center of the ring detector, and a time alignment calibration manager that is coupled to the PET scanner. The time alignment calibration manager detects coincidence events from the phantom, calculates position of time of flight events from the ring detector based on the detected coincidence events, and calculates time offsets for the ring detector using a mean value calculation based on the calculated position of the time of flight events. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110125022 | SYNCHRONIZATION FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ULTRASOUND SCANNING - Multi-directional ultrasound scanning is synchronized. A plurality of wobbler arrays are used sequentially. To limit artifacts caused by motion, the sequential operation is synchronized. While a first wobbler array is scanning, a second wobbler array is moving or active. Once the first wobbler array completes a scan or portion of the scan, the second wobbler array begins the scan without waiting for initiation of the wobbling. The position of the second array may alternatively or additionally be synchronized with the first array or the end of the scan of the first array. The data from the different scans may represent overlapping volumes, so may be combined to form an extended field of view. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110125016 | FETAL RENDERING IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND - A fetal skeleton is rendered with medical diagnostic ultrasound. Ultrasound scans of fetal skeleton may acquire data at a rate sufficient to avoid some fetal movement artifacts as compared to magnetic resonance or computed tomography. To better visualize the fetal skeleton, the ultrasound data is used to segment the fetal bone from tissue. By extracting this information, a skeleton in three dimensions is determined. Information representing internal bone locations may be used for fetal bone imaging. Without repeating the segmentation and without adjustments for volume thickness, the skeleton may be visualized from different orientations. A volumetric or surface rendering is performed, allowing addition of lighting queues not available with MIP or other projection rendering free of segmentation. The lighting queues may better indicate actual size and orientation of bones relative to each other on the rendered image. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110122134 | IMAGE DISPLAY OF A TUBULAR STRUCTURE - Described herein is a technology for facilitating visualization of a tubular structure. Digitized image data of the tubular structure is received and processed to determine a centerline. A first transformation operation is performed on a first set of coordinates representing the tubular structure to generate a transformed tubular structure with a straight centerline. A second transformation operation is then performed locally on a second set of coordinates representing at least one fold of the transformed tubular structure to generate a transformed fold, which is perpendicular to the centerline. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110119084 | System and Method for Ordering Patient Specific Healthcare Services - A system and method for ordering healthcare services wherein a list of selectable orders for medical services for a given patient is dynamically generated based on medical information of the patient (e.g., the patient's condition or set of conditions) and presented to a user (e.g., a physician). In one aspect, a system for ordering patient specific healthcare services comprises a user interface that enables a user to input a medical condition of a patient and to select desired medical services from a list of orderable medical services presented to the user; a services database comprising a plurality of predetermined medical services that are each associated with a medical condition; and an engine for compiling the list of orderable medical services from one or more predetermined medical services in the services database that are associated with the input medical conditions of the patient. A clinical knowledge model is used by the engine to identify a medical condition that is potentially associated with a known or identified medical condition of the patient, based upon potential etiology, potential complication, clinical associations, or any combination thereof. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118590 | System For Continuous Cardiac Imaging And Mapping - A system improves precision and reliability of intra-cardiac catheter position tracking and monitoring. An interventional system for internal anatomical examination includes a catheterization device for internal anatomical insertion. The catheterization device includes, at least one magnetic field sensor for generating an electrical signal in response to rotational movement of the at least one sensor about an axis through the catheterization device within a magnetic field applied externally to patient anatomy and a signal interface for buffering the electrical signal for further processing. A signal processor processes the buffered electrical signal to derive a signal indicative of angle of rotation of the catheterization device relative to a reference. The angle of rotation is about an axis through the catheterization device. A reproduction device presents a user with data indicating the angle of rotation of the catheterization device. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110113287 | System for Automated Generation of Computer Test Procedures - A system automatically generates a workflow report for computerized system testing and other uses. The system comprises at least one processing device including at least one log file including records identifying time stamped actions performed by a user of a computerized processing system and actions performed by the system. A repository includes stored predetermined data patterns associated with workflow tasks performed in a workflow by a user and a system. A parser automatically parses records of the at least one log file to identify workflow tasks performed during a time period using the predetermined data patterns. A report generator automatically generates a workflow report comprising the identified workflow tasks and associated time stamps indicating workflow tasks performed by the system and user during the time period. An output processor provides the generated workflow report to a destination device for access by a user. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110106749 | Personalized Prognosis Modeling in Medical Treatment Planning - Automated treatment planning is provided with individual specific consideration. One or more prognosis models indicate survivability as a function of patient specific information for a given dose. By determining survivability for a plurality of doses, the biological model represented by survivability as a function of dose is determined from the specific patient. Similarly, the chances of complications or side effects are determined. The chance of survivability and chance of complication are used as or instead of the tumor control probability and normal tissue complications probability, respectively. The desired tumor dosage and tolerance dosage are selected as a function of the patient specific dose distributions. The selected dosages are input to an inverse treatment planning system for establishing radiation treatment parameters. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110105931 | System for Determining Patient Heart related Parameters for use in Heart Imaging - A system uses integrated spatio-temporal analysis in X-ray angiography, for example, by using spatial information within each image frame and temporal information between image frames to provide robust and accurate estimation of stroke area and volume, two and three dimensional ejection fraction and to accommodate patient heart variation. A system determines patient heart related parameters for use in patient heart imaging examination. An image data processor processes data representing multiple cardiac images of a patient over multiple heart beat cycles of the patient to derive data representing a distribution curve of a heart section area over multiple heart beat cycle times and indicating heart section area change over a heart beat cycle. An area processor determines a heart section area in response to user command. Also a computation processor determines a heart function parameter in response to the determined heart section area and the indicated heart section area change. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110103669 | Completion of Truncated Attenuation Maps Using MLAA - The present invention is a method of generating a best estimate of an image attenuation map derived from a truncated image attenuation map and PET emissions data for the object being imaged by a morphological imaging modality. The method involves a plurality of steps beginning with the recordation and processing of PET emissions data. Next, the morphological imaging modality records image data which is processed to determine an attenuation map. The attenuation map, for image modalities such as CT and MR scanning systems integrated with PET, is truncated, resulting in a truncated attenuation map image. Pixels for which attenuation data needs to be determined are identified and attenuation coefficients for these pixels are estimated and combined with the truncated attenuation map to generate a full initial attenuation map for the image, which is iteratively processed together with the PET emission data until the improvement change in the emission image reaches a defined threshold improvement level. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110098465 | Nonflow -Through Apparatus And Method Using Enhanced Flow Mechanisms - Methods and apparatus for facilitating the synthesis of compounds in a nonflow-through device are presented. Application of the nonflow-through methods and microfluidic devices to the synthesis of radiolabeled compounds is described. These methods and apparatus enable the introduction of a pressurized gas through a tangential slit into a vortex reactor of the nonflow-through device, while one or more liquids are delivered to the reaction chamber through the same or different inlet ports. The introduction of the pressurized gas produces a cyclonic motion of the mixture within the reactor. Such a mechanism may be used to facilitate the evaporation of various liquids within the reactor at lower temperatures, thus reducing the production of unwanted byproducts that are associated with the use of high temperatures. In addition, thorough mixing of various liquids may be effected rapidly while allowing chemical reactions to take place efficiently within the vortex reactor. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110097245 | Portable Microfluidic Radiosynthesis System for Positron Emission Tomography Biomarkers and Program Code - Methods and devices for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner are disclosed. In particular, the various embodiments of the present invention provide an automated, stand-alone, hands-free operation of the entire radiosynthesis cycle on a microfluidic device with unrestricted gas flow through the reactor, starting with target water and yielding purified PET radiotracer within a period of time shorter than conventional chemistry systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic chip for radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound, comprising a reaction chamber, one or more flow channels connected to the reaction chamber, one or more vents connected to said reaction chamber, and one or more integrated valves to effect flow control in and out of said reaction chamber. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096973 | Automatic Line Identification and Pairing for Nuclear Imaging Collimator Vector Map Characterization - A method for measuring a SPECT collimator's hole orientation angles includes obtaining a set of stepped radiation line images of a line radiation source by scanning/stepping the line radiation source across a first collimator in a first direction; obtaining a second set of stepped radiation line images of the line radiation source across the first collimator in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; and obtaining two sets of stepped radiation line images for a second collimator, wherein one of the two collimators is a reference collimator and the other is a collimator being measured. Calculating the collimator hole orientation angles requires determining offset distances along the two directions for each pair of lines between the reference collimator's line images and the measured collimator's line images by identifying and pairing the lines from the reference collimator line images and the measured collimator line images. The method provides an automated way of identifying and pairing the lines. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096970 | Use of Multifocal Collimators in Both Organ-specific and Non-specific SPECT Acquisitions - A method for obtaining nuclear medical images of a patient in which one or more first images are obtained. The one or more first images can be used to identify one or more regions of interest for subsequent images that focus on the regions of interest. The process can occur iteratively until it is determined, either by a physician or a computer program that sufficient images have been obtained to identify lesions or other pathology within a reasonable level of confidence. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110095172 | Self-Adaptive Tuning Of Gamma Camera - An improved system and method for tuning individual sensors (e.g., photomultiplier tubes) of a multi-sensor imaging system such as e.g., a gamma camera having an array of photo-multiplier tubes is provided that produces a uniform response over the entire system. Individual sensors of a multi-sensor imaging system are tuned based explicitly or implicitly on gain characteristics of individual sensors of the multi-sensor imaging system so as to produce a uniform response over the system. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110089327 | Multimodality Imaging - An imaging system includes interleaved emission detectors and transmission detectors. Emission detectors and transmission detectors can be interleaved along the axis of relative patient motion. Emission detectors and transmission detectors can be interleaved orthogonal to the axis of relative patient motion. Emission detectors can be single photon emission computed tomography detectors and the transmission detectors can be x-ray computed tomography detectors. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110087121 | System for Continuous cardiac pathology detection and characterization - A system determines fractal values, a nonlinear fractal ratio and fractal data patterns in a heart and maps determined fractal values to medical conditions. A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface for receiving sampled data representing an electrical signal indicating electrical activity of a patient heart over at least one heart beat cycle. A signal processor calculates, a first signal characteristic value comprising a first fractal dimension value derived from the sampled data over at least a portion of a heart beat cycle, a second signal characteristic value representing a computed derivative of the first fractal dimension value and a ratio of the first and second signal characteristic values. A comparator compares the calculated ratio with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor, in response to the comparison indicator indicating the calculated signal characteristic value exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085645 | Calibration of Imaging Geometry Parameters - Some embodiments include determination of a first projection image of a phantom based on first imaging geometry parameters associated with a first radiation-based imaging system and on a virtual model of the phantom, acquisition of a second projection image of the phantom based on radiation emitted from the first radiation-based imaging system, the phantom located at a first position, and determination of a difference between the first projection image and the second projection image. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110080996 | Acquisition of Projection Images for Tomosynthesis - Some aspects include acquisition of a first plurality of projection images of a volume using a megavoltage x-ray source, each of the first plurality of projection images associated with a respective one of a first plurality of locations of the megavoltage x-ray source, acquisition of a second plurality of projection images of the volume using a kilovoltage x-ray source, each of the second plurality of projection images associated with a respective one of a second plurality of locations of the kilovoltage x-ray source, and performance of digital tomosynthesis reconstruction to generate a three-dimensional image of the volume based on the first plurality of projection images and the second plurality of projection images. The first axis may be perpendicular to the second axis. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110078145 | Automated Patient/Document Identification and Categorization For Medical Data - A method, including receiving a data source selection from a user or software application, the data source including medical information of a plurality of patients, receiving, from the user or software application, a data pattern that is related to a concept to be explored in the data source, querying the data source to find information that approximately matches the data pattern; and receiving the information from the data source, wherein the information includes unstructured data, assigning a classification to individual parts of the information based on the part's relationship to the data pattern, and outputting the classified information to the user or software application. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075920 | Multi-Level Contextual Learning of Data - Described herein is a framework for automatically classifying a structure in digital image data are described herein. In one implementation, a first set of features is extracted from digital image data, and used to learn a discriminative model. The discriminative model may be associated with at least one conditional probability of a class label given an image data observation Based on the conditional probability, at least one likelihood measure of the structure co-occurring with another structure in the same sub-volume of the digital image data is determined. A second set of features may then be extracted from the likelihood measure. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110071967 | Automatic Labeler Assignment - A method, including receiving multi-labeler data that includes data points labeled by a plurality of labelers; building a model from the multi-labeler data, wherein the model includes an input variable that corresponds to the data points, a label variable that corresponds to true labels for the data points, and variables for the labels given by the labelers; and executing the model, in response to receiving new data points, to determine a level of expertise of the labelers for the new data points. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110064289 | Systems and Methods for Multilevel Nodule Attachment Classification in 3D CT Lung Images - Automated and semi-automated systems and methods for detection and classification of structures within 3D lung CT images using voxel-level segmentation and subvolume-level classification. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110064288 | Systems and Methods for Computer-aided Fold Detection - Described herein is a computer-aided technology for facilitating detection of folds of an object surface. In one implementation, image data is processed to determine curvature characteristics at one or more points of the surface of a region of interest. If the curvature characteristics of one of the one or more points correspond to a hyperbolic curvature, the point is identified as a seed point. A region of a predetermined thickness is grown around the seed point so as to detect the presence of any fold feature within the grown region. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063288 | Transfer function for volume rendering - Described herein is a technology for facilitating visualization of image data. In one implementation, rendering is performed by a computer system to generate a three-dimensional representation of a region of interest from the image data based on a transfer function. In one implementation, the transfer function causes the computer system to render voxels representing a material that is likely to occlude the region of interest from a desired viewpoint as at least partially transparent. In addition, one or more features within the region of interest may be visually distinguished according to a color scheme. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063209 | User Interface for Configuring Image Presentation - A user interface system determines image display presentation characteristics using a displayed image parameter selection control providing image parameter selection data, responsive to the received cursor command data. The displayed image parameter selection control includes a shape having an origin and one or more different sectors associated with one or more corresponding different sets of parameters determining image color or grayscale characteristics and a linear element lying along a line from the origin to a perimeter of the shape and being rotatable about the origin, (a) within a sector to select a value within a range of values determining a first image display characteristic and (b) between sectors to select one of the different sets of parameters determining image color or grayscale characteristics. A display processor initiates display of an image having display presentation characteristics determined by the image parameter selection data. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110060221 | Temperature prediction using medical diagnostic ultrasound - Temperature related information or a temperature characteristic is detected, at least in part, with a medical diagnostic ultrasound system. Anatomy information from an ultrasound scan is used with modeling to determine the temperature or other temperature related parameter. Ultrasound information may be obtained in real-time with application of thermal therapy, so may be used to better control thermal treatment. The anatomy information may be used to align model features measured from a region. The anatomy information may be used as an input into the model. The anatomy information may be used to select an appropriate model, such as selection based on the type of tissue. The anatomy information may be used to correct an output of the model, such as accounting for temperature distribution due to an adjacent vessel. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058720 | Systems and Methods for Automatic Vertebra Edge Detection, Segmentation and Identification in 3D Imaging - Systems and methods for automatic accurate and efficient segmentation and identification of one or more vertebra in digital medical images using a coarse-to-fine segmentation. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058653 | System for Medical Image Processing, Manipulation and Display - A system automatically adaptively adjusts an enlarged region of interest presented as a zoomed image on a secondary live display in response to X-ray filter (e.g., collimator) adjustment. An X-ray medical image user interface system includes one or more displays for displaying medical images. At least one display concurrently presents, a first image window including an X-ray image overview of a portion of patient anatomy and a second image window including an enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview. A collimator position detector provides a collimator signal in response to a detected collimator position. An image data processor automatically identifies the enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview in response to the collimator signal. A display processor generates data representing an image comprising the enlarged region of interest of the X-ray image overview in response to the identification of the enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110054335 | System for Cardiac Pathology Detection and Characterization - A system improves characterization and diagnosis of cardiac electrophysiological activities by analyzing and characterizing cardiac function signals (including surface ECG signals and intra-cardiac electrograms) based on cardiac electrophysiological energy mode and pattern identification and mapping. The system accurately determines a time stamp, location and severity of cardiac pathology and clinical events by calculating a cardiac signal energy mode and energy variation and distribution. The system identifies cardiac disorders, differentiates cardiac arrhythmias, characterizes pathological severity, predicts life-threatening events, and supports evaluation of administration of drugs. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110046378 | Novel Imaging Agents for Detecting Neurological Dysfunction - Disclosed here in are compounds and methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease or a predisposition thereto in a mammal, the method comprising administering to the mammal a diagnostically effective amount of a radiolabeled compound, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of radiolabeled flavones, coumarins, carbazoles, quinolinones, chromenones, imidazoles and triazoles derivatives, allowing the compound to distribute into the brain tissue, and imaging the brain tissue, wherein an increase in binding of the compound to the brain tissue compared to a normal control level of binding indicates that the mammal is suffering from or is at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044788 | Solid Target System and Method for the Handling of a Cu-64 Target - The present invention provides a system and method for a system for accommodating a solid target in an accelerator. The system and method includes a target changer having at least one port for accommodating the solid target, an insert for receiving the solid target in the target changer, a piston for providing a vacuum and a cooling system for the solid target, a cylinder for displacing the piston in one of three positions; and a bracket for securing the insert, piston and cylinder to the target changer. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044534 | HIERARCHICAL CLASSIFIER FOR DATA CLASSIFICATION - Described herein is a framework for constructing a hierarchical classifier for facilitating classification of digitized data. In one implementation, a divergence measure of a node of the hierarchical classifier is determined. Data at the node is divided into at least two child nodes based on a splitting criterion to form at least a portion of the hierarchical classifier. The splitting criterion is selected based on the divergence measure. If the divergence measure is less than a predetermined threshold value, the splitting criterion comprises a divergence-based splitting criterion which maximizes subsequent divergence after a split. Otherwise, the splitting criterion comprises an information-based splitting criterion which seeks to minimize subsequent misclassification error after the split. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110044421 | Target System for the Handling of a Cu-64 Solid, Liquid or Gasseous Target - The present invention provides a system and method for a system for accommodating a solid target in an accelerator. The system and method includes a target changer having at least one port for accommodating the solid target, an insert for receiving the solid target in the target changer, a piston for providing a vacuum and a cooling system for the solid target, a cylinder for displacing the piston in one of three positions; and a bracket for securing the insert, piston and cylinder to the target changer. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110042572 | Method for Improving Clinical Data Quality In Positron Emission Tomography - A method for improving clinical data quality in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The method provides for the processing of PET data to accurately and efficiently determine a data signal-to-noise (SNR) corresponding to each individual clinical patient scan, as a function of a singles rate in a PET scanner. The method relates an injected dose to the singles rate to determine SNR(D | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110034801 | System for Processing Angiography and Ultrasound Image Data - A system provides a single composite image including multiple medical images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using corresponding multiple different types of imaging device. A display processor generates data representing a single composite display image including, a first image area showing a first image of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using a first type of imaging device, a second image area showing a second image of the portion of patient anatomy acquired using a second type of imaging device different to the first type. The first and second image areas include first and second markers respectively. The first and second markers identify an estimated location of the same corresponding anatomical position in the portion of patient anatomy in the first and second images respectively. A user interface enables a user to move at least one of, (a) the first marker in the first image and (b) the second marker in the second image, to correct the estimated location so the first and second markers identify the same corresponding anatomical position in the portion of patient anatomy. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110028856 | System for Heart Performance Characterization and Abnormality Detection - A system improves analysis, diagnosis and characterization of cardiac function signals (including surface ECG signals and intra-cardiac electrograms) based on cardiac electrophysiological activity momentum computation, characterization and mapping. The system calculates an electrophysiological signal momentum of different portions of cardiac signals including a timing, location and severity of cardiac pathology and improves reliability of diagnosis, detection, mapping to an identified medical condition, and characterization. The system improves identification of cardiac disorders, differentiation of cardiac arrhythmias, characterization of pathological severity, prediction of life-threatening events and supports evaluation of drug administration effects. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026790 | System for Performing Coronary Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) - An image data subtraction system receives an electrical signal representing a heart cycle electrical waveform during multiple heart cycles and acquires data representing a first image set comprising multiple temporally sequential individual mask images of vessels of a portion of patient anatomy during the multiple heart cycles in the absence of a contrast agent. The system acquires data representing a second image set comprising a multiple temporally sequential individual contrast enhanced images of vessels of the portion of patient anatomy during the multiple heart cycles in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor automatically uses the electrical signal to identify temporally corresponding pairs of images comprising a mask image and a contrast enhanced image acquired substantially at a same point within a heart cycle. The image data processor, for the corresponding pairs, automatically subtracts data representing a mask image of a corresponding pair from a contrast enhanced image of the corresponding pair, to provide subtracted images. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110021923 | Redistribution Layer in an Ultrasound Diagnostic Imaging Transducer - Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging is performed with a multi-dimensional transducer array and an imaging system for planar scanning. The elements of the array may be distributed on a periodic grid with aperiodic shifts in position. When a one-dimensional array is formed on the array, the aperiodic shifts better distribute acoustic energies, reducing peaks in side lobes. Using a layered structure of switches underneath the acoustic elements, side lobes may be further reduced. The switches are used for interconnecting elements to form macro elements of the one-dimensional aperture on the multi-dimensional array. The switches are distributed on a grid corresponding to the desired imaging frequency. The acoustic elements are distributed with a finer pitch. The finer pitch allows formation of the macro elements for the one-dimensional aperture where the edges of the macro elements have fewer or no periodic patterns. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110021920 | Switch for Aperture Control in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging - Switching is provided in a transducer array of medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. The switching controls the formation of macro elements or aperture for scanning a plane or volume. The switches are implemented with one or more transistors. The control causes the gates of the transistor to float during the “on” connection. While on, the switch connects, allowing ultrasound signals to pass through the switch. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110016977 | Scan Patterns for Electronically Positioned Apertures on an Array - A plane or volume is scanned with ultrasound. Electronic movement of apertures is used during the scanning. Scanning with the apertures is interleaved. The apertures move along the array in opposite directions, preventing or limiting large temporal discontinuity. For example, two apertures begin at similar angles on a two-dimensional array. Planar scans are performed for each aperture location. The apertures are counter rotated (i.e., one clockwise and the other counter clockwise). | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110015532 | Denoising and Artifact Rejection For Cardiac Signal in a Sensis System - A system denoises and rejects artifacts from cardiac signals, by accepting a cardiac signal from a patient, processing the cardiac signal from the patient using a frequency band width controllable choke to separate the cardiac signal into predefined frequencies, filtering each of the predefined frequencies to remove dynamic common noise, joining each of the predefined frequencies into a cardiac signal without the dynamic common noise, and providing feedback control of the filtering of each of the predefined frequencies. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110010486 | REALTIME LINE OF RESPONSE POSITION CONFIDENCE MEASUREMENT - A PET event position calculation method using a combination angular and radial event map wherein identification of the radial distance of the event from the centroid of the scintillation crystal with which the event is associated as well as angular information is performed. The radial distance can be converted to a statistical confidence interval, which information can be used in downstream processing. More sophisticated reconstruction algorithms can use the confidence interval information selectively, to generate higher fidelity images with higher confidence information, and to improve statistics in dynamic imaging with lower confidence information. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110008215 | Modular system for radiosynthesis with multi-run capabilities and reduced risk of radiation exposure - Macro- and microfluidic devices and related technologies, and chemical processes using such devices. More specifically, the devices may be used for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in an efficient, compact and safe to the operator manner. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated, multi-run, microfluidic instrument for the multi-step synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as PET probes, comprising a remote shielded mini-cell containing radiation-handing components. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110006765 | Variable Image Resolution MR Imaging System - A system acquires frequency domain components representing MR image data. An RF coil emits RF pulses for use in acquiring multiple individual frequency components corresponding to individual data elements in a 3D storage array in which the individual frequency components are successively acquired along radii from a designated center representing an origin to a boundary of the storage array. Angles of successive radii with respect to the origin are successively changed to substantially fill the storage array volume during acquisition of an MR dataset representing an MR image. A computation processor determines the angles of successive radii with respect to the origin, in response to data representing a reduction in at least one dimension of the 3D imaging volume represented by the storage array. A storage processor stores individual frequency components, acquired using the emitted RF pulses, in corresponding individual data elements in the array. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110002850 | Nitro-Imidazole Hypoxia Imaging Agent - The present invention relates to novel radioactively labeled bioreducible tracers of Formula I useful for detecting hypoxic tumors or ischemic tissue in vivo. In one embodiment, the tracers consist of a 2-nitroimidazole moiety, a triazole, metabolically stable linker with pharmacokinetics enhancing substituents, and a radioisotope. The preferred in vivo imaging modality is positron emission tomography. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100322499 | System for Detecting Catheterization Devices - A medical image data processing system automatically identifies a catheterization device including marker objects for use in identifying the catheterization device in a medical image for Angiography or another medical procedure. The system includes an image data processor that automatically identifies non-marker objects in a medical image by comparing image data representing individual non-marker objects with image data representing a template non-marker object. The processor automatically identifies catheterization device marker objects by comparing image data representing individual candidate marker objects with image data representing a template marker object and by processing image representative data to provide processed image data excluding image data representing non-marker objects. A user interface generates data representing a display image indicating identified marker objects and an associated catheterization device using the processed image data for presentation to a user. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100318378 | Patient Bed Search and Management System - An automated search system uses data indicating clinical and non-clinical needs of a patient to provide a ranked list of candidate beds, status of beds and availability of a specific type of bed having a particular set of clinical attributes, using a score value derived using configurable rules for comparing patient requirements with bed characteristics. A patient bed search system includes at least one repository including bed information for multiple beds in a healthcare facility comprising multiple clinical attributes including current availability for individual beds of the multiple beds. A bed management processor automatically employs the bed information in providing data representing a candidate list of beds for a particular patient in response to clinical and non-clinical requirements associated with the particular patient and a request to allocate a bed for the particular patient. A user interface generates data representing at least one display image presenting the candidate list of beds for a particular patient. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100317971 | FEEDBACK IN MEDICAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING FOR HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND - Feedback of position is provided for high intensity focused ultrasound. The location of a beam from a HIFU transducer is determined using ultrasound imaging. The ultrasound imaging detects tissue displacement caused by a beam transmitted from the HIFU transducer. The displacement or information derived from the displacement may be used to determine a center line or point location (e.g., foci) of the tissues response to HIFU. The location of the line or point may be displayed in an image, such as an overlay or by color coding. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100317842 | Development of Molecular Imaging Probes for Carbonic Anhydrase-IX Using Click Chemistry - The present application discloses methods for identifying inhibitors with high binding-affinity for the carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) enzyme using click chemistry and uses the candidates thereof as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100312125 | System for Cardiac Pathology Detection and Characterization - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface for receiving digitized electrical signals representing blood pressure waveforms over one or more heart beat cycles. The digitized electrical signals comprise, a first digital data sequence representing normal blood pressure of a patient, a second digital data sequence representing random blood pressure of a normal patient and a third digital data sequence representing a potentially abnormal blood pressure of a patient. A complexity processor calculates first, second and third complexity indices for the corresponding first, second and third digital data sequences respectively. A correlation processor uses the calculated first, second and third complexity indices to calculate one or more measures indicating deviation of the potentially abnormal blood pressure of the patient from a normal value. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100310049 | System for Medical Image Display and Image Filter Selection - A filtered medical image display system includes an interface processor for receiving data. The received data indicates, image characteristics of a first medical image obtained using a medical imaging device and in the absence of an X-ray attenuation filter and imaging device settings. A computation processor uses the image characteristics data and imaging device settings in, computing a change in image display characteristics occurring in a portion of the first medical image in response to filtering a medical imaging beam responsible for producing the portion of the first medical image and determining an adjustment of image display characteristics of the first medical image by scaling image display characteristics of the first medical image including the filtered portion. A display processor uses the determined adjustment in the image display characteristics of the first medical image to generate data representing a second medical image. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308817 | ADAPTING ACQUISITION TIME IN NUCLEAR IMAGING - Methods of determining an acquisition time adapted to a region of interest for a nuclear imaging process of a patient include detecting radiation from at least a first viewing angle during a first test amount of time, generating first test data from the detected radiation, reconstructing a nuclear event distribution from the first test data, determining a test signal-to-noise ratio for the reconstructed nuclear event distribution within the region of interest, and determining the acquisition time using the test signal-to-noise ratio and the first test amount of time. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100303314 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND VISUALIZING CORRESPONDENCE CORRIDORS ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND VOLUMETRIC MEDICAL IMAGES - A method is provided for detecting a corresponding region of interest in digital medical images, the method including receiving a plurality of digital images including a primary image, at least one of the images being a projective image, identifying anatomical landmarks and structures within each of the images and correlating the images based on the identified anatomical landmarks and structures identifying a location of interest in the primary image, and automatically identifying a region of interest in the rest of the images, the region of interest corresponding to the identified location of interest in the primary image. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100287407 | Computer Storage Synchronization and Backup System - A computer data protection system comprises a primary computer storage medium, a backup computer storage medium and a storage management system. The storage management system, in response to a command to write data to a file in the primary computer storage medium, initiates storage of data in a file in the backup computer storage medium and a file in the primary computer storage medium. The storage management system delays returning acknowledgement of completion of an operation to write the data to the primary computer storage medium until completion of storage of the data in the file in the backup computer storage medium and the file in said primary computer storage medium. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286543 | Automated Cardiac Status Determination System - A system fits a curve to a filtered ECG signal, processes the fitted curve (e.g., by applying transforms such as a KL Transform) and derives parameters for use in classifying heart cycle signal portions (such as an ST segment portion) into particular heart cycle signal portion categories associated with particular segment morphology. A system for heart signal classification includes an interface for receiving an electrical signal waveform comprising an R-wave and including an ST segment portion associated with heart electrical activity of a patient over a heart beat cycle. A signal processor processes data representing the electrical signal waveform by fitting a curve to the ST segment and applying a transform to the fitted curve to derive variance data indicating variance in the fitted curve. A signal classifier classifies the ST segment into one of multiple predetermined categories associated with the fitted ST segment curve geometry in response to the derived variance data. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286542 | Heart Electrophysiological Signal Analysis System - A system automatically detects and measures ST deviation of a heart wave ECG signal in the presence of noise and accommodates baseline variation of the signal and other artefacts. A system identifies a particular point in an electrophysiological signal representing heart electrical activity using an interface for receiving an electrical signal waveform comprising an R-wave and including an ST segment portion associated with heart electrical activity of a patient over a heart beat cycle. A signal processor processes data representing the electrical signal waveform by identifying an S point and T point in the electrical signal waveform and determining a first candidate J point in the electrical signal waveform having substantially a maximum distance from a line between the identified S and T points, the distance being measured perpendicularly to the line. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284590 | Systems and Methods for Robust Learning Based Annotation of Medical Radiographs - Systems and methods for performing a medical imaging study include acquiring a preliminary scan. A set of local feature candidates is automatically detected from the preliminary scan. The accuracy of each local feature candidate is assessed using multiple combinations of the other local feature candidates and removing a local feature candidate that is assessed to have the lowest accuracy. The assessing and removing steps are repeated until only a predetermined number of local feature candidates remain. A region of interest (ROI) is located from within the preliminary scan based on the remaining predetermined number of local feature candidates. A medical imaging study is performed based on the location of the ROI within the preliminary scan. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100284588 | System and Method for Candidate Generation and New Features Designed for the Detection of Flat Growths - A method for generating candidates from a digital image includes considering at least one point x that may lie on a polypoid structure, determining whether the point x satisfies a first predetermined set of conditions, for each point x that satisfies the predetermined set of conditions, identifying each neighbor point y within a predetermined distance of point x that satisfies a second predetermined set of conditions, determining a gradient vector v | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100280396 | System for Cardiac Pathology Detection and Characterization - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection includes an interface for receiving an electrical signal comprising a pressure indicative waveform indicating a heart blood pressure of a patient over a heart beat cycle. A timing detector determines multiple different time periods in at least one heart cycle from the pressure indicative waveform. A patient monitor monitors the multiple different time periods and in response to detection of a variation in at least one of the multiple different time periods exceeding a predetermined threshold or range, generates an alert message associated with the variation. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100272339 | Calibration of a Multi-Pinhole SPECT System Without Pre-Knowledge of Point Source Markers 3D Coordinates - A system and method is provided for reconstructing single photon emission computed tomography data acquired with a pinhole collimator without pre-knowledge of 3D coordinates of point source markers. The system and method include reiteratively applying a downhill simplex process to determine a first parameter and a second parameter, keeping a lowest vertex from a previous iteration, randomly resetting starting values for rest vertexes for a current iteration, wherein the lowest vertex is prevented from performing a last iteration, determining whether at least one of a first threshold and a second threshold has been reached, wherein the first threshold comprises a cost function value and the second threshold comprises a predetermined number of iterations of the downhill simplex process, acquiring projection data from the first parameter, determining locations of 2D data from the projection data of the first parameter; and estimating the second parameter by fitting the forward projected data locations to the measured data locations. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100268066 | System for Automated Parameter Setting in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A system automatically calculates optimal protocol parameters for dark-blood (DB) preparation and inversion recovery. The system automatically determines pulse sequence timing parameters for MR imaging with blood related signal suppression. The system comprises an acquisition processor for acquiring data indicating a patient heart rate. A pulse timing processor automatically determines an acquisition time of an image data set readout, relative to a blood signal suppression related magnetization preparation pulse sequence, by calculating the acquisition time in response to inputs including, (a) the acquired patient heart rate, (b) data indicating a type of image contrast of the pulse sequence employed and (c) data indicating whether an anatomical signal suppression related magnetization preparation pulse sequence used has a slice selective, or non-slice selective, data acquisition readout. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264923 | System for Improved MR Image Reconstruction - A system for parallel image processing in MR imaging uses multiple MR imaging RF coils to individually receive MR imaging data representing a slice of patient anatomy. An MR imaging system uses the multiple RF coils to acquire corresponding multiple image data sets of the slice. A coil selection processor determines a prioritized ranking of the multiple RF coils by ranking individual coils of the multiple RF coils based on correlation with remaining coils of the multiple RF coils. The correlation being determined by determining degree of correlation of image data sets acquired by respective coils of the multiple RF coils. The coil selection processor selects a subset of the multiple RF coils using the ranking. An image generator generates a composite MR image using image data sets provided by the selected subset of the multiple RF coils excluding image data sets provide by remaining coils of the multiple RF coils. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264922 | System for Multi Nucleus Cardiac MR Imaging and Spectroscopy - A system for respiratory motion compensated MR imaging or spectroscopy, comprises an MR imaging system. The MR imaging system performs a single imaging scan including, acquiring a first imaging data set representing a spatially localized first imaging region located on a patient diaphragm, using a first RF excitation pulse sequence and by transmitting a nuclei excitation first resonant frequency and receiving data substantially at the first resonant frequency. The MR imaging system derives data representing diaphragm position over a respiratory cycle using the first imaging data set, in the single imaging scan. The MR imaging system in response to determining the diaphragm position is within a predetermined window, acquires a second anatomical imaging data set representing a spatially localized second imaging region using a second RF excitation pulse sequence and by transmitting a nuclei excitation second resonant frequency different to the first resonant frequency and receiving data substantially at the second resonant frequency in the single imaging scan. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100259550 | Method of Visualization of Contrast Intensity Change Over Time in a DSA Image - A system provides a display image enabling a user to visualize and compare blood flow characteristics over time at selected points in an angiographic X-ray image. A system and user interface enables user interaction with a medical vessel structure image to determine individual vessel blood flow characteristics. The system includes a user interface cursor control device and a display processor for generating data representing a single composite display image. The composite display image includes, a first image area showing a patient vessel structure and contrast agent flow through the patient vessel structure over a first period of time and a second image area showing a graph of contrast agent concentration in a particular portion of the vessel structure over a second period of time. The particular portion of the vessel structure is selected in response to user command using the cursor control device. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100241456 | Integrated Point of Care Medication Administration Information System - An integrated point of care medication administration system comprises a point of care medication administration system including an interface for communicating with the at least one repository and information sources and including a processor. The processor uses the information and the interface in automatically acquiring for a particular patient, data representing particular patient parameters and laboratory test results associated with a particular individual medication in response to user initiation of an order for the particular individual medication to be administered to the particular patient. A display device presents at least one display image indicating acquired particular patient parameters and laboratory test results of the particular patient and identifying a particular patient parameter or laboratory test result needing to be acquired prior to administration of the particular individual medication to the particular patient. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100239496 | Imaging agents for detecting neurological disorders - Imaging agents of formula (I) and methods for detecting neurological disorders comprising administering to a patient in need compounds of formula (I) capable of binding to tau proteins and β-amyloid peptides are presented herein. The invention also relates to methods of imaging Aβ and tau aggregates comprising introducing a detectable quantity of pharmaceutical formulation comprising a radiolabeled compound of formula (I) and detecting the labeled compound associated with amyloid deposits and/or tau proteins in a patient. These methods and compositions enable preclinical diagnosis and monitoring progression of AD and other neurological disorders. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100232686 | HIERARCHICAL DEFORMABLE MODEL FOR IMAGE SEGMENTATION - Described herein is a technology for facilitating deformable model-based segmentation of image data. In one implementation, the technology includes receiving training image data ( | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100222646 | Patient Data Mining for Cardiology Screening - A system and method for screening for coronary heart disease is provided. The method includes the steps of retrieving a test for assessing risk of coronary heart disease, the test including a plurality of data fields relating to coronary risk factors; accessing a database to populate the data fields with information of an individual patient; and calculating a risk assessment of the individual patient developing coronary heart disease. A system includes a first database including a plurality of structured computerized patient records; a second database including a knowledge base relating to coronary heart disease, the second database including at least one test for determining coronary heart disease risk; and a processor for retrieving the at least one test from the second database, populating the at least one test with patient information retrieved from the first database and calculating a risk assessment for at least one patient. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100210945 | System for Cardiac Ultrasound Image Acquisition - An ultrasound image acquisition device initiates acquisition of anatomical images of a portion of patient anatomy in response to a heart rate related synchronization signal. The ultrasound image acquisition device includes multiple ultrasound transducers for generating sound waves. The ultrasound transducers are arranged in different transducer groups oriented to enable acquisition of different ultrasound imaging information used in generating a single composite ultrasound image. A synchronization processor derives the heart rate related synchronization signal from a patient cardiac function blood flow related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive activation of a particular group of the different transducer groups for acquisition of ultrasound imaging information used in generating the single composite ultrasound image. A display processor presents the single composite ultrasound image, acquired by the ultrasound image acquisition device, to a user on a reproduction device. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100208957 | Respiratory Motion Compensated Cardiac Wall Motion Determination System - A cardiac wall motion compensation system quantitatively compares images acquired at different phases of cardiac and respiratory movement and excludes motion contributed by respiratory movement. A system compensates for respiratory motion induced tissue displacement in cardiac wall motion determination. The system includes an imaging device for acquiring multiple sequential cardiac images of a patient and a data processor. The data processor processes data representing first and second images selected from the multiple sequential cardiac images, to determine heart wall respiratory motion representative displacement from a ventricle wall positional difference indicated between the first and second images, in response to a respiratory motion representative signal and a heart electrophysiological signal. The data processor subtracts heart wall respiratory motion representative displacement from a heart wall displacement measurement to provide a respiration compensated heart wall displacement value. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100205143 | System for Ordering Acquisition of Frequency Domain Components Representing MR Image Data - A system orders acquisition of frequency domain components representing MR image data for storage in a storage array (e.g., k-space). A storage array of individual data elements stores corresponding individual frequency components comprising an MR dataset. The array of individual data elements has a designated center and individual data elements individually have a radius to the designated center. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field for use in acquiring multiple individual frequency components corresponding to individual data elements in the storage array. The individual frequency components are successively acquired in an order in which radius of respective corresponding individual data elements increases and decreases as the multiple individual frequency components are sequentially acquired during acquisition of an MR dataset representing an MR image. A storage processor stores individual frequency components acquired using the magnetic field in corresponding individual data elements in the array. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204585 | System for Heart Performance Characterization and Abnormality Detection - A system for heart performance characterization receives an electrical signal indicating heart electrical activity of a patient over a heart beat cycle. The electrical signal is acquired at a particular anatomical location. A gating signal generator generates a gating signal for use in identifying a particular portion of the heart beat cycle. An acquisition device, responsive to the gating signal, derives first and second voltage potentials from the received electrical signal. The first voltage potential comprises a voltage potential derived over a time period comprising a heart beat cycle and the second voltage potential comprises a voltage potential derived over a time period comprising a particular portion of the heart beat cycle. A computation processor derives a dynamic impedance representative value by adjusting a baseline impedance value by a ratio of the first and second voltage potentials. The dynamic impedance represents an average impedance at the particular anatomical location over a time period comprising the particular portion of the heart beat cycle. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100185084 | Non-invasive Cardiac Characteristic Determination System - A system uses non-invasive laser, ultrasound or electro-magnetic monitoring, to derive CO/SV, CO/SV deviation, and related cardiac function parameters. The non-invasive system determines cardiac stroke volume and includes an input processor for receiving determined values provided using a measurement processor. The determined values comprise, a blood vessel internal diameter and rate of flow of blood through the blood vessel in a heart cycle. A computation processor calculates a vessel stroke volume comprising volume of blood transferred through the blood vessel in a heart cycle using the measured blood vessel internal diameter and the rate of flow of blood. The computation processor determines cardiac stroke volume by determining a factor for use in adjusting the vessel stroke volume to provide a cardiac stroke volume and adjusting the vessel stroke volume using the determined factor to provide the cardiac stroke volume. An output processor provides data representing the determined cardiac stroke volume to a destination. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100176810 | System for Use in MR Imaging Using Tissue Mechanical Resonance - A system for use in MR imaging using tissue mechanical resonance includes an external wave generator for generating mechanical waves for transmission through patient anatomy. An RF pulse generator generates an RF pulse for exciting nuclei magnetic moments at specific spin frequencies in a particular selected anatomical region of interest. A motion encoding gradient generator generates a motion encoding gradient magnetic field within a time duration of a read-out gradient and synchronized with generation of the mechanical waves. A data processor processes data derived from radio frequency signals resulting from nuclei spin frequencies responsive to the motion encoding gradient magnetic field to detect the mechanical waves propagating through the patient anatomy. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100158341 | System for Automatically Generating a Mask for Digital Subtraction Angiography - A system automatically generates a mask image. An interface receives a signal from an X-ray imaging device indicating X-ray radiation dosage for performing imaging is substantially stable. An image processor automatically processes data representing multiple temporally sequential individual images of a portion of patient anatomy to identify, a first image comprising an image in the multiple temporally sequential individual images determined in response to the received signal. The image processor identifies a second image substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of a contrast agent successively followed by an image indicating presence of a contrast agent, by comparing a difference between measures representative of luminance content of the second image and the image indicating presence of a contrast agent, with a threshold. The image processor also identifies a set of images comprising the first and second images and any sequential intervening images. An image data processor automatically averages the set of images for use as a mask image. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100152598 | System for Heart Performance Characterization and Abnormality Detection - A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection, includes an acquisition device for acquiring an electrophysiological signal representing a heart beat cycle of a patient heart. A detector detects multiple parameters of the electrophysiological signal comprising at least one of, (a) amplitude, (b) time duration, (c) frequency and (d) time-frequency, representative parameters. A signal analyzer calculates at least one ratio of the detected parameters from ratios including, (i) ratio of T wave amplitude to P wave amplitude, (ii) ratio of time duration of ST wave to time duration of PR wave, (iii) ratio of a frequency of a PR wave to a frequency of a RT wave and (iv) ratio of a time-frequency measure of a PR wave to a time-frequency measure of a RT wave. A comparator determines whether a calculated ratio exceeds a predetermined upper limit threshold or a predetermined lower limit threshold. An output processor generates data representing an alert message in response to the calculated ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100148047 | Method for Improving Clinical Data Quality In Positron Emission Tomography - A method for improving clinical data quality in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The method provides for the processing of PET data to accurately and efficiently determine a data single-to-noise ratio (SNR) corresponding to each individual clinical patient scan, as a function of a singles rate in a PET scanner. The method relates an injected dose to the singles rate to determine SNR(D | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100148046 | METHOD FOR COLLABORATIVE TUNING OF GAMMA CAMERA - A system and tuning method to collaboratively calibrate high voltage DAC values and Photomultiplier Tube DAC values of photomultiplier tubes of a gamma camera so that the detector produces a valid energy spectrum over the entire detector surface. A method for tuning a gamma camera having a plurality of photosensors, exposes the photosensors to scintillation photons corresponding to nuclear radiation of known energy; measures an energy output corresponding to each specific photosensor; calculates an average enemy output of all photosensors in the camera; collaboratively adjusts a DAC value corresponding to a voltage applied to a specific photosensor and a DAC | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100145630 | Apparatus and Method for Automated Quality Control - Methods and apparatus to assess current aspects of Quality Control useful for release of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as PET tracers as injectables, in an automated manner, without user interference, and in compliance with regulatory guidelines. The present method and system relates to an integrated automated quality control analysis of a substance utilizing a single sample injection for a plurality of inline quality control tests. A quantitative analysis of the sample via the plurality of quality control tests is conducted. A measurement value of each of the plurality of quality control parameters is determined and a comparison of each measurement value of the plurality of quality control parameters with a predetermined corresponding criterion value is made. A cumulative quality rating for the sample is determined and the validated sample is released based on the quality rating. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141254 | Perfusion Adaptive MR Image Data Processing System - A system adaptively processes MR image data to accommodate variation in perfusion time of a vessel fluid. An MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a first image set comprising multiple different individual images having a set of corresponding different physical slice locations through a patient anatomical volume and being acquired at a corresponding first set of times and in a first order relative to a time of blood tagging of a patient. The MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a second image set comprising multiple different individual images having the set of corresponding different physical slice locations through the patient anatomical volume and being acquired at substantially the corresponding first set of times and in a second order, different to the first order, relative to the time of blood tagging of the patient. At least one computer combines and averages image data representing the same corresponding image slice in both the first and second image sets and acquired at different times relative to the time of blood tagging of the patient and sends the combined and averaged image data representing the same corresponding image slice to a destination. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100131289 | System and User Interface for Workflow & Task Schedule Configuration - In an embodiment of the present inventions, a work flow process may be generated by decomposing functions of a clinical information system into discrete tasks including an individual task associated with a first pre-configured executable procedure for implementing the individual task and associating a user selectable image element with the pre-configured first executable procedure used in implementing the individual task. In a currently envisioned embodiment, integratable work flow processes according to the present invention may be provided to a vertical application system. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100127702 | SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING A MAGNETIC FIELD FOR MR AND OTHER USE - An MR magnetic field inhomogeneity compensation system acquires multiple MR data sets representing luminance intensity values of individual image elements comprising corresponding multiple different image versions of at least a portion of a first imaging slice of patient anatomy including fat and water components. The compensation system employs the multiple MR data sets in solving corresponding multiple simultaneous nonlinear equations to calculate local frequency offset associated with magnetic field inhomogeneity at the individual image element location, for an individual image element of the image elements. The local frequency offset comprises a difference between proton spin frequency at the location and a nominal proton spin frequency. The compensation system derives data representing an electrical signal to be applied to magnetic field generation coils to substantially compensate for determined offset frequencies at the plurality of individual locations. A magnetic field generation coil generates a magnetic field in response to applying the electrical signal to substantially compensate for the magnetic field inhomogeneity at the individual image element location. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100121654 | Integrated Medication and Infusion Monitoring System - A System manages IV pumps so that clinicians automatically receive alerts, decisions, and actions required to maintain a patient IV medication therapy according to a prescribed treatment protocol. An infusion pump monitoring system, includes an acquisition processor for acquiring fluid infusion parameters comprising a patient identifier, infusion fluid identifier and a rate of fluid infusion, for administration of an infusion fluid to a patient at a point of care using an infusion pump. The system also includes a repository of patient medical record information. A fluid infusion monitor uses acquired fluid infusion parameters for automatically searching a patient medical record in the repository for information concerning rate of fluid infusion of a particular infusion fluid and determining if a rate of a previously administered dose of the particular infusion fluid was lower than a rate indicated in the fluid infusion parameters. An interface processor automatically initiates generation of a message indicating a potential adverse reaction to the particular infusion fluid in response to a determination of a lower rate being employed for previously administering the particular infusion fluid. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100113762 | Apparatus and Method Using Rotary Flow Distribution Mechanisms - Methods and apparatus for facilitating the synthesis of compounds in a batch device are presented. Application of the batch type microfluidic devices to the synthesis of radiolabeled compounds is described. These methods and apparatus enable the selective introduction of multiple reagents via an enhanced rotary flow distribution valve through a single inlet port of the synthetic device. The sequential introduction of multiple reagents through a single inlet port allows an optimal delivery of highly concentrated reagents into the reactor and facilitates the synthesis of the desired products with a minimal loss of materials during transfers, which is critical to the synthesis of radiolabeled biomarkers. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100102239 | MULTIMODALITY IMAGING SYSTEM - The application discloses multimodality imaging systems that include a gantry with a stationary unit and a rotating unit rotatable around a rotation axis and providing an opening extending along the rotation axis through which a subject is insertable, a support table coupled to the stationary unit for supporting a subject, a table drive unit coupled to the support table for translating the support table in a direction extending along the rotation axis, and a CT source coupled to the rotating unit, the CT source being configured to emit a fan beam through the opening, a CT detector coupled to the rotating unit opposite the CT source, the CT source being configured to detect the fan beam, a nuclear imaging detector coupled to the rotating unit, the nuclear imaging detector being configured to detect nuclear radiation emitted from within the opening in a direction differing from a propagation direction of the fan beam. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100099974 | System for Generating a Multi-Modality Imaging Examination Report - A system processes medical report data associated with different types of imaging modality devices to provide a composite examination report. An acquisition processor in the system acquires multi-modality medical imaging examination report data for examinations performed on a patient by different types of imaging modality device. A report processor processes acquired multi-modality medical imaging examination report data items by, in response to predetermined selection riles, selecting between individual data items in the acquired multi-modality medical imaging examination report data items to provide a single individual data item for incorporation in a composite report. The report processor maps individual data items including the single individual data item in the acquired multi-modality medical imaging examination report data items to corresponding data fields in a composite report data structure in memory in response to predetermined mapping information. An output processor outputs data representing the composite report to a destination device. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100097259 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PATIENT MONITORING SIGNALS - A patient monitoring signal processing system adaptively varies medical signal data rate. The system uses an analog to digital converter for digitizing an analog cyclically varying input signal derived from a patient in response to a sampling clock input. The sampling clock determines frequency of analog to digital sampling of the analog input signal by the analog to digital converter. A detector detects first and second different signal portions within a cycle of the cyclically varying input signal. A control processor coupled to the analog to digital converter and the detector, provides the sampling clock and adaptively determines first and second different frequencies of the sampling clock to be used in sampling within detected corresponding first and second different signal portions of the cyclically varying input signal in response to predetermined information indicating a frequency of a signal component of the cyclically varying input signal in the first signal portion is higher than a frequency of a signal component of the cyclically varying input signal in the second signal portion. Also the first frequency is higher than the second frequency of the first and second different frequencies. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100095340 | Medical Image Data Processing and Image Viewing System - A system enables a diagnosing physician to assess an effect of medical video clip data compression. A medical image data processing and image viewing system includes an acquisition processor for acquiring image data representing a sequence of reduced resolution medical images and corresponding full resolution medical images. An image navigation processor detects, a pause in user navigation through the sequence of reduced resolution medical images and continued presentation of a particular reduced resolution medical image of the sequence on a display. An acquisition control processor automatically initiates acquisition by the acquisition processor of data representing a full resolution medical image corresponding to the particular reduced resolution medical image for presentation on the display in response to a detected pause. A display processor initiates generation of data representing a composite display image including at least one of the particular reduced resolution medical image and the corresponding full resolution medical image. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090114 | IMPLEMENTATION OF COLORED WAVELENGTH SHIFTERS IN PHOSWICH DETECTORS - A phoswich device for determining depth of interaction (DOI) includes a first scintillator having a first scintillation decay time characteristic, a second scintillator having a second scintillation decay time characteristic substantially equal to the first scintillation decay time, a photodetector coupled to the second scintillator, and a wavelength shifting layer coupled between the first scintillator and the second scintillator, wherein the wavelength shifting layer modifies the first scintillation decay time characteristic of the first scintillator to enable the photodetector to differentiate between the first decay time characteristic and the second decay time characteristic. The phoswich device is particularly applicable to positron emission tomography (PET) applications. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100088117 | Multi-Mode Medical Data Reporting System - A multi-mode system and method for exchanging patient medical record information and data an order for a medical procedure for a patient between different medical information systems for producing medical report data is provided. The system comprises a repository including a first set of clinical data items employing a first set of codes, terms and identifiers associated with a plurality of different patients accessible by a parent medical information system application. A user interface initiates generation of data representing at least one display image. The at least one display image includes a first image element for, in a first mode of operation, initiating execution of the parent medical information system application and enabling access to the plurality of data items in the repository. The display window further includes a second image element for, in a second mode of operation, initiating execution of a child medical information system application for processing a second set of clinical data items employing a second different set of codes, terms and identifiers. A mapping processor adaptively switches from using the first set of codes terms and identifiers in the first mode to using of the second set of codes, terms and identifiers in the second mode and employs a map associating the first set of codes, terms and identifiers with the second set of codes, terms and identifiers in response to configuration data enabling the child medical system application to access data stored in the repository, in response to user selection of the second image element. A data interface is conditioned for using said map in automatically transferring a value of a selected individual data item from said repository to a data field employed by said child medical information system application when operating in said second mode for outputting medical report data. | 04-08-2010 |
