Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090003526 | Measurement system and method for the noninvasive determination of properties of an object to be examined and contrast medium for X-ray phase-contrast measurement - A method and a measurement system are disclosed for the noninvasive determination of properties of an object to be examined and to the use of a contrast medium for X-ray phase-contrast measurement. in at least one embodiment of the invention, a mixture (suspension) consisting of a base liquid and a multiplicity of particles contained therein is used, the refractive index of the base liquid being different to the refractive index of the particles. | 01-01-2009 |
20090154640 | FOCUS DETECTOR ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR GENERATING CONTRAST X-RAY IMAGES - In a focus detector arrangement and method for an x-ray apparatus for generating projection or tomographic phase-contrast images of an examination subject, a beam of coherent x-rays is generated by an anode that has areas of different radiation emission characteristics arranged in bands thereon, that proceed parallel to grid lines of a phase grid that is used to generate the phase-contrast images. | 06-18-2009 |
20090310844 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD AND APPARATUS USING FILTERED BACK PROJECTION - In a tomographical image reconstruction method and apparatus to generate an image of an examination subject from a number of digital projection data acquired at different projection angles, a first analytical filter kernel (formed by a first analytical function) is determined for a filtered back projection in the spatial frequency range, this first analytical filter kernel approximating, at least in a range of the spatial frequency, a discrete filter kernel iteratively determined for a model. Back projection is implemented with a second analytical filter kernel calculated from the analytical filter kernel and formed by a second analytical function. | 12-17-2009 |
20090323893 | MAMMOGRAPHY SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD - A mammography system has an x-ray source, a detector and a compression plate arranged in the beam path between the source and the detector. The x-ray source, the detector and the compression plate are mounted on a vertical column such that they respectively pivot around separate pivot axes. The three pivot axes are spaced apart from one another and oriented substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a surface normal of the detector. The x-ray source and the compression plate are held on the vertical column such that they can be displaced in a plane oriented approximately vertical to their pivot axes. The mammography system is operable to obtain two sets of tomosynthesis data respectively with different tube-to-detector distances. | 12-31-2009 |
20100007659 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A TOMOSYNTHETIC 3D X-RAY IMAGE - In a method and device for generating a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, a number of digital x-ray images of an examination subject are acquired at respectively different projection angles, within a limited angle range, using an x-ray source and a digital x-ray detector. At an initial position for a selected projection angle, a spatially-fixed reference point is projected onto a partial region of the acquisition surface of the x-ray detector. For each further projection angle, a corresponding partial region on the acquisition surface is automatically determined. The tomosynthetic 3D image is reconstruction exclusively using image data from the respective partial regions. | 01-14-2010 |
20100020920 | X-RAY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOMOSYNTHETIC SCANNING - In an x-ray system and a method for tomosynthetic scanning of a subject, x-ray radiation is emitted from two x-ray sources that are panned relative to the subject during a tomosynthetic scan. The two x-ray sources each emit an x-ray beam, the respective x-ray beams being parallel to each other with regard to their beam directions proceeding toward the subject. X-rays from the two parallel beams attenuated by the subject are detected by a two-dimensional x-ray detector, that is substantially stationary during the tomosynthetic scan. | 01-28-2010 |
20100034450 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A TOMOSYNTHETIC 3D X-RAY IMAGE - In a method and device for producing a tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image, a number of 2D projection images of an examination subject are acquired using a fixed x-ray source. The x-ray source has multiple, individually controllable emitters that respectively emit a single x-ray dose from various different directions. The tomosynthetic 3D image is reconstructed from the individual 2D projection images, and at least one 2D projection image is composed of multiple individual images. | 02-11-2010 |
20100054402 | METHOD FOR POSITIONING THE BREAST FOR A BIOPSY IN A MAMMOGRAPHY DEVICE, AND MAMMOGRAPHY DEVICE TO IMPLEMENT THE METHOD - In a method and a mammography device, a virtual mask is created from an x-ray image of the breast for positioning the breast for a biopsy. The mask reproduces the image region covered by the breast tissue. A region targeted for the biopsy, and located within the breast tissue, is marked in the mask. The breast is then positioned for the biopsy in the mammography device between a support plate and a compression plate, the compression plate being provided with a recess for introducing the biopsy instrument therethrough. The mask and the compression plate are superimposed to cause the marked region to be located within this recess. The breast is then moved until the position and the contour thereof substantially coincide with the position and contour of the mask. | 03-04-2010 |
20100061614 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN X-RAY IMAGE DURING A MAMMOGRAPHY - In a continuous mammography procedure, the breast of a subject is fixed in place in a retention device, and a first x-ray image is generated by irradiating the breast in the retention device. While the breast is still held in the retention device, the first x-ray image is evaluated to define a condition for generating a second x-ray image. The second x-ray image is then generated according to the defined condition, with the breast still in the same position in the retention device. | 03-11-2010 |
20100091940 | TOMOSYNTHESIS APPARATUS AND METHOD TO OPERATE A TOMOSYNTHESIS APPARATUS - A tomosynthesis apparatus has an x-ray source that generates an x-ray beam emanating from a focus, which is received by a flat panel detector. To set a tomosynthesis angle, the position of the central axis of the x-ray beam of the x-ray source is variable. A collimator diaphragm has a diaphragm aperture that limits the expansion of the x-ray beam at the location of the flat panel detector. The collimator diaphragm is arranged in the beam path between the focus and the flat panel detector. The shape and size of the diaphragm aperture are dynamically varied (adjusted) dependent on the changing tomosynthesis angle, such that the expansion of the x-ray beam at the location of the flat panel detector always essentially corresponds to the detector dimensions. | 04-15-2010 |
20100097229 | METHOD FOR MONITORING THE POWER STATE OF AN X-RAY EMITTER AND/OR AN X-RAY DETECTOR, AND SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD - In a method and system for monitoring the power state of an x-ray emitter and/or an x-ray detector, the x-ray emitter is operated according to a set of test parameters, so as to emit x-rays that strike at least a portion of the detector region of the x-ray detector. At least one value characterizing the operation of the x-ray emitter and/or the x-ray detector is determined, and this detected parameter is compared with a comparable reference parameter value. The power state of the x-ray emitter and/or the x-ray detector is determined based on deviation of the detected parameter from the reference parameter. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097378 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND VISUALIZATION OF PROJECTION DATA - In a device and associated method for reconstruction and visualization of projection data, projection data are stored per slice and are subjected to an image reconstruction procedure in parallel within arbitrary slice planes in a processor-controlled filtering process that is executed n times, wherein volume data that are created can already be made available (loaded) for a direct visualization. | 04-22-2010 |
20100104166 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A STEREOTACTIC IMAGE IN A MAMMOGRAPHY DEVICE - In a method for producing a stereotactic image of a patient fixed in a mammography device for a biopsy, a computerized control and evaluation unit waits for a start signal to be given by an operator, and after receipt of the start signal, automatically implements the following steps. An x-ray apparatus of the mammography device is positioned in a first predetermined imaging position, and a first image of the patient is acquired with the x-ray apparatus in this position. The x-ray apparatus is then pivoted into a second imaging position, different from the first, and a second image of the patient is acquired at the second position. The first and second images are acquired to form a stereotactic image of the patient. | 04-29-2010 |
20100111249 | MAMMOGRAPHY TOMOSYNTHESIS APPARATUS WITH A COMPRESSION PLATE HAVING A RECESS THEREIN - A tomosynthesis apparatus for mammography has an x-ray source for emission of x-ray beams from different directions directed toward a detector, and a compression plate and a support plate arranged in the beam path between the x-ray source and the detector. A breast to be examined is positioned and compressed between the compression plate and the support plate. The compression plate exhibits a concave recess open in the direction of the support plate on the side of the compression plate facing toward the support plate. | 05-06-2010 |
20100183119 | DIAGNOSTIC UNIT HAVING A PROTECTIVE DEVICE - A radiography diagnostic apparatus has a radiation source that emits an x-ray beam, and a protection that is mounted to prevent unwanted body portions of a patient, or operating personnel, from interacting with the x-ray beam. | 07-22-2010 |
20100232673 | REDUCTION OF ARTIFACTS CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF AN X-RAY TUBE IN OBJECT RECONSTRUCTION - An improvement in image quality when determining an image using iterative reconstruction is provided by taking account of focus shifts. In order to take into consideration the influence of focus shift in calculated projections, several different projections are calculated for each section of the focus path on a section-by-section basis. The several different calculated projections for a section are averaged for comparison with a projection recorded in the section. Improved image quality is provided, for example, in tomosynthesis applications in which a large number of recordings are made with a stationary detector. | 09-16-2010 |
20100240970 | METHOD FOR AN IN VIVO MEASUREMENT USING A DEVICE IMPLANTED IN A PATIENT, AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE - An embodiment of the present invention relates to a device, which can be implanted into a patient, for an in vivo measurement. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter for guiding a sample of the patient town analysis unit in the device. A measurement result is determined in the analysis unit by analyzing the sample with the aid of a reagent. In an embodiment, the device furthermore includes an interchange chamber, with the aid of which the reagent can be removed from the device or can be inserted into the device. The interchange chamber has a connector allowing removal or insertion of the reagent while the device is implanted. | 09-23-2010 |
20100247438 | IN VITRO METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING TUMOR DISEASES - An in vitro method is for diagnosing a tumor disease in a patient. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: (i) determining an IVD marker or an IVD marker panel in at least one biological sample of a patient, wherein the IVD marker has a high sensitivity to the tumor disease, (ii) determining the proportion of patients tested positive due to an adapted reference range of the IVD marker/IVD marker panel, wherein the reference range was adapted such that the number of individuals with false negative tests, the number of individuals with false positive tests and the number of individuals ultimately needing to be subjected to imaging diagnostics to clarify false negative and false positive results are balanced in respect of one another such that tumor screening can be carried out, possibly: (iii) deciding to carry out an imaging method specific to the respective tumor disease for clarifying possible false negative and/or false positive IVD results, or (iv) repeating stages (i) and (ii) after a defined time interval, or (v) carrying out an imaging method for imaging the tumor. | 09-30-2010 |
20100321404 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING AN X-RAY IMAGE RECORDED IN THE COURSE OF MAMMOGRAPHY - In a method and apparatus for displaying an x-ray image acquired in a mammographic examination wherein the breast was compressed to a compression thickness, a breast area of the breast in an image area of the x-ray image is determined, and the glandular density of the breast area is determined from brightness levels of the x-ray image in the image area and from the compression thickness. A value that characterizes the glandular density is displayed together with the x-ray image. | 12-23-2010 |
20110046455 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR EXAMINING A PARTICULAR TISSUE VOLUME IN A BODY, AND A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR SEGMENTING THE PARTICULAR TISSUE VOLUME - A tip of an elongate device is navigated into a particular tissue volume in order to examine the particular tissue volume in a body and part of the tissue volume is analyzed in real-time by way of a biosensor. In at least one embodiment, in the process, either the biosensor can be arranged on the tip of the device or the device includes a catheter, by which a substance to be analyzed is transported out of the tissue volume from the tip to the biosensor arranged at the proximal end of the catheter. | 02-24-2011 |
20110087098 | MAMMOGRAPHY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SONOGRAPHIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF A BREAST - A mammography device for examining a breast has a support plate and a compression plate, between which the breast is positioned and compressed during a radiographic examination. An ultrasound transducer for obtaining a sonogram of the breast is brought into direct contact with the breast either by temporary mounting in one of the support plate or the compression plate or by exchanging one of the compression plate or the support plate with another plate that contains the ultrasound transducer. | 04-14-2011 |
20110122992 | X-RAY SOURCE AND X-RAY SYSTEM - An x-ray source has multiple electron sources spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction that is defined as being parallel to the rotation axis of a rotating anode which is common to all of the electron sources. Each electron source emits electrons that strike the anode at respective strike points that are spatially separated from each other along the longitudinal direction, to produce respective emission centers, from which x-rays are emitted, each emission center being associated with respective ones of the x-ray sources. | 05-26-2011 |
20120008739 | MAMMOGRAPHY APPARATUS WITH X-RAY SOURCES ARRANGED AT DIFFERENT DISTANCES FROM THE CHEST - A mammography apparatus has at least one x-ray source to emit x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector with a number of pixels. The mammography apparatus is designed so that the x-ray radiation is emitted into the breast tissue of a patient at a number of positions, and the x-ray radiation is detected by the x-ray detector after it has passed through the breast tissue. The positions have different distances from the shoulder-to-shoulder axis of the patient. | 01-12-2012 |
20120134464 | METHOD TO SHOW A CONCENTRATION OF A CONTRAST AGENT IN A PREDETERMINED VOLUME SEGMENT BY MEANS OF TOMOSYNTHESIS, AND CORRESPONDING TOMOSYNTHESIS APPARATUS - In an imaging method and a tomosynthesis apparatus, a two-dimensional low-energy image of the predetermined volume segment is obtained after administration of a contrast agent, followed by a two-dimensional high-energy image and then a high-energy tomosynthesis of the predetermined volume segment is obtained with a high total radiation dose that is significantly higher than the low radiation dose. The two-dimensional low-energy image is subtracted from the two-dimensional high-energy image to generate a result with which the concentration of the contrast agent is visible. Additionally, in a time interval in which an enrichment or a washing-out of the contrast agent occurs within the predetermined volume segment, a tomosynthesis of the predetermined volume segment is automatically implemented to show the concentration of the contrast agent in the predetermined volume segment. | 05-31-2012 |
20120224668 | METHOD AND X-RAY SYSTEM TO CREATE A DUAL ENERGY X-RAY IMAGE - In a method to create dual energy x-ray image data of a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject with an x-ray system, a low-energy x-ray image data of the volume segment is created, a high-energy x-ray image data of the volume segment is created, the low-energy x-ray image data is subtracted from the high-energy x-ray image data to create the dual energy x-ray image data. An x-ray filter that consists essentially of titanium is used in the creation of the dual energy x-ray image data. | 09-06-2012 |
20120245463 | TOMOSYNTHESIS APPARATUS AND METHOD - A tomosynthesis apparatus has an x-ray source to generate an x-ray beam directed toward an x-ray detector and a support plate and a compression plate between which a breast can be positioned. The compression plate has a compression surface that is concave toward the support plate, and is provided with at least one through-hole into which an ultrasound transducer is inserted for a sonographic data acquisition. | 09-27-2012 |
20120293511 | METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AN AREA TO BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED AND/OR TREATED - In a method and device for displaying an area to be medically examined or treated, first and second image data sets are respectively acquired with first and second different imaging modalities, and the first and second image data sets are brought into geometrical registration with each other. The first data set is displayed, and a selected segment is identified therein. Corresponding data in the second image data set are then determined, based on the registration between the two data sets, and the corresponding segment in the second data set is superimposed on the displayed first image data set, overlying the selected segment therein. The second image data set is displayed so as to be rotatable around its image center. | 11-22-2012 |
20140016741 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - In this device and the associated method, a connection unit that can be attached to an arm bearing an x-ray source and an x-ray receiver is fashioned such that said connection unit compensates for a pivot movement of the arm so that a compression unit arranged at the connection unit remains stationary during a pivot movement. | 01-16-2014 |
20150031986 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT FOR USE WITH A PHASE CONTRAST IMAGING AND X-RAY RECORDING SYSTEM WITH PHASE CONTRAST IMAGING - A medical instrument is provided for use with a phase contrast imaging. The medical instrument includes at least one component, which has a strong small angle scattering of x-rays. Furthermore, a corresponding x-ray recording system with phase contrast imaging for recording an examination object may include such a medical instrument. | 01-29-2015 |
20150036796 | MAMMOGRAPHY APPARATUS - In a mammography apparatus, a deflection of an x-ray source aligned on a radiation detector is predetermined depending on the size of a breast compressed in the compression unit and/or the density of the breast tissue. Given an increasing deflection on an arc-shaped trajectory of the x-ray source, the compression of the breast is reduced at least once so that the path of the x-rays through the breast stays within a predetermined path length, starting from a first compression in a first x-ray acquisition. | 02-05-2015 |