Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080226018 | CONTRAST-ENHANCED CONE BEAM X-RAY IMAGING, EVALUATION, MONITORING AND TREATMENT DELIVERY - A method of imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using X-ray cone beam computed tomography or cone beam digital tomography comprises the step of introducing an effective amount of a contrast agent to the uncompressed region of interest. A system for imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or cone beam digital tomography (CBDT) comprises an X-ray source transmitting an X-ray to the uncompressed region of interest, an image acquisition system acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional projection images data for a CBCT or CBDT data set with at least one of the projection images acquired in 35 milliseconds or less, and a processor generating a three-dimensional computed tomography image data set resolving voxels with dimensions of 0.4 mm or less in at least two orthogonal directions. | 09-18-2008 |
20080287728 | MARKER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A marker system includes a structure having a first surface and a second surface, a first marker located on the first surface, and a second marker located on the second surface, wherein the first marker and the second marker are arranged so that they face approximately a same direction, and so that they can be simultaneously viewed by an optical device, and wherein a first distance between the first marker and the optical device is different from a second distance between the second marker and the optical device when the first and the second markers are simultaneously viewed by the optical device. | 11-20-2008 |
20090060311 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING X-RAY IMAGES - A method includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of an object, determining a level of correlation between the first and second images, and using the determined level of correlation between the first and second images to obtain information regarding a motion of the object. | 03-05-2009 |
20090088622 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA WITH IMAGE DATA - A method of processing image data that includes obtaining image data, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data with the determined phase within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 15 seconds, after the image data is obtained. A system for processing image data that includes a processor configured for obtaining image data, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data with the determined phase within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 15 seconds, after the image data is obtained. A method of processing image data that includes obtaining image data during an image acquisition session, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data after the image data is obtained but before the image acquisition session is completed. | 04-02-2009 |
20100061596 | Video-Based Breathing Monitoring Without Fiducial Tracking - A method of determining a similarity with a portion of a physiological motion, includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, and correlating the determined level of similarity between the first and second images with a portion of the physiological motion. A computer product having a set of instructions, an execution of which causes a method of determining a similarity with a portion of a physiological motion to be performed, the method includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, and correlating the determined level of similarity between the first and second images with a portion of the physiological motion. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063419 | Systems and methods for determining a state of a patient - A method of monitoring a patient includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, obtaining a third image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and third images, analyzing a time series of values that includes the determined level of similarity between the first and second images and the determined level of similarity between the first and third images, and determining a state of the patient based at least on a result of the act of analyzing. | 03-11-2010 |
20100067739 | Sequential Stereo Imaging for Estimating Trajectory and Monitoring Target Position - A method for determining a position of a target includes obtaining a first image of the target, obtaining a second image of the target, wherein the first and the second images have different image planes and are generated at different times, processing the first and second images to determine whether the target in the first image corresponds spatially with the target in the second image, and determining the position of the target based on a result of the act of processing. Systems and computer products for performing the method are also described. | 03-18-2010 |
20100069742 | Systems and Methods for Tracking and Targeting Object in a Patient Using Imaging Techniques - A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a contrast-enhanced image of a portion of a patient, the portion of the patient having an object, obtaining a non-contrast-enhanced image of the portion, wherein the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image are created at different times, and determining a position of the object using the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image. A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a contrast-enhanced image of a portion of a patient, the portion of the patient having an object, obtaining a non-contrast-enhanced image of the portion, and determining a position of the object using the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image, wherein the act of determining the position is performed is substantially real time. | 03-18-2010 |
20100158198 | EYEWEAR FOR PATIENT PROMPTING - An apparatus for prompting a patient includes a structure configured to be mounted to a patient support, a screen coupled to the structure, and a projector located at a distance away from the screen. A method of prompting a patient that is being supported on a patient support includes adjusting a position of a screen relative to a projector, the screen having a surface, placing the screen in front of the patient such that the patient can see the surface, and providing an image on the screen using the projector. | 06-24-2010 |
20100183118 | REAL-TIME MOTION TRACKING USING TOMOSYNTHESIS - One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a method for determining a movement of a target region using tomosynthesis. The method includes the steps of accessing a first set of projection radiographs of the target region over a first processing window defined by a first range of projection angles, accessing a second set of projection radiographs of the target region over a second processing window defined by a second range of projection angels, wherein the first processing window slides to the second processing window during treatment of the target region, and comparing a first positional information derived from the first set of the projection radiographs and a second positional information derived from the second set of the projection radiographs with the first positional information to determine the movement of the target region. | 07-22-2010 |
20100289821 | PATIENT VISUAL INSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR SYNCHRONIZING BREATHING WITH A MEDICAL PROCEDURE - A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a result of an activity being performed by the patient and a first target result to be achieved by the activity. A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a time and a target result to be achieved by an activity. A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a position of a portion of the patient and a first target position for the portion. | 11-18-2010 |
20110058647 | REAL-TIME MOTION TRACKING USING TOMOSYNTHESIS - One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a method for determining a movement of a target region using tomosynthesis. The method includes the steps of accessing a first set of projection radiographs of the target region over a first processing window defined by a first range of projection angles, accessing a second set of projection radiographs of the target region over a second processing window defined by a second range of projection angles, wherein the first processing window moves to the second processing window, and comparing a first positional information derived from the first set of the projection radiographs and a second positional information derived from the second set of the projection radiographs with the first positional information to determine the movement of the target region. | 03-10-2011 |
20120253178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRIGGERING AN IMAGING PROCESS BASED ON NON-PERIODICITY IN BREATHING - A method of triggering an imaging process includes obtaining breathing signals, analyzing the breathing signals to identify a non-periodicity in a subject's breathing, and generating a signal to cause an imaging process to begin in response to the identified non-periodicity. A computer product having a set of instructions stored in a non-transitory medium, wherein an execution of the instructions causes a method to be performed, the method includes obtaining breathing signals, analyzing the breathing signals to identify a non-periodicity in a subject's breathing, and generating a signal to cause an imaging process to begin in response to the identified non-periodicity. A system for triggering an imaging process includes a processor that is configured for obtaining breathing signals, analyzing the breathing signals to identify a non-periodicity in a subject's breathing, and generating a signal to cause an imaging process to begin in response to the identified non-periodicity. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253217 | PREDICTION OF BREATHING SIGNAL AND DETERMINING NON-PERIODICITY OF BREATHING USING SIGNAL-PHASE HISTOGRAM - A method of processing breathing signals of a subject includes obtaining breathing signals of a subject, obtaining a signal-phase histogram using the breathing signals, wherein the signal-phase histogram comprises a plurality of data points, each of the data points having at least a phase value and a signal value, determining a reference value using at least some of the plurality of data points from the signal-phase histogram, determining whether a difference between the reference value and a signal value that is associated with a current respiratory cycle exceeds a threshold, and generating an output when the difference exceeds the threshold. A method of predicting breathing signal is also provided. | 10-04-2012 |
20140050297 | RADIATION IMAGING USING VERY SLOW ROTATIONAL TECHNIQUE - An imaging system includes a radiation source, a positioner configured to rotate the radiation source along an arc path at a rate less than 0.5 degree/sec, an imager in operative position relative to the radiation source, wherein the radiation source and the imager are configured to obtain a plurality of images while the radiation source is at different positions along the arc path, and a processor configured to determine a digital tomosynthesis image using a subset of the plurality of images. An imaging method includes generating a control signal to control a positioner to rotate a radiation source through an arc path at a rate less than 0.5 degree/sec, obtaining a plurality of images that are generated using radiation from the radiation source while the radiation source is at different positions along the arc path, and determining a digital tomosynthesis image using a subset of the plurality of images. | 02-20-2014 |
20140051992 | LOCALIZATION OF A TARGET USING IN VIVO MARKERS - An apparatus and method of localization of a target using in vivo markers is described. The method may include adjusting a position of a target volume within the body relative to a treatment beam using the in vivo markers. | 02-20-2014 |
20140119623 | TEMPLATE MATCHING METHOD FOR IMAGE-BASED DETECTION AND TRACKING OF IRREGULAR SHAPED TARGETS - An image processing method includes: obtaining an input image; enhancing an object in the input image; and after the input image is enhanced, applying a low-pass filter using a processor to obtain a processed image. A computer product includes a non-transitory medium storing a set of instructions, an execution of which causes a method to be performed, the method comprising: obtaining an input image; enhancing an object in the input image; and after the input image is enhanced, applying a low-pass filter to obtain a processed image. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119631 | TEMPLATE MATCHING METHOD FOR IMAGE-BASED DETECTION AND TRACKING OF IRREGULAR SHAPED TARGETS - A method of generating a template image includes: receiving an input from a user representing identifications of an object in different respective slices of a volumetric image; using the input to determine a volume-of-interest (VOI) that includes voxels in a subset of the volumetric image; and determining the template image using at least some of the voxels in the VOI, wherein the act of determining the template image comprises performing a forward projection of the at least some of the voxels in the VOI using a processor. An image processing method includes: obtaining a volumetric image; performing forward projection of voxels in the volumetric image from different positions onto a first plane using a processor; and summing projections on the first plane resulted from the forward projection from the different positions to create a first image slice in the first plane. | 05-01-2014 |
20140267773 | MARKER SYSTEM WITH LIGHT SOURCE - A marker system includes: a first marker; and a second marker; wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to emit light from one or more light sources coupled to the first marker and the second marker; and wherein the first marker and the second marker are configured to emit the light for detection by a camera. A method performed using a marker system includes: generating light using one or more light sources; emitting the light at a plurality of markers that are coupled to the light sources; and detecting the light emitted from the plurality of markers using a camera; wherein the act of detecting comprises using one or more filters to reduce ambient light to a level that corresponds with a noise level of the camera while allowing light emitted from the markers to be imaged by the camera. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270365 | IMAGE PROCESSING OF IMAGES THAT INCLUDE MARKER IMAGES - An image processing method, includes: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image using a processor; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified. An image processing apparatus, includes: a processor configured for: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified. A computer product having a non-transitory medium storing a set of instructions, an execution of which causes an image processing method to be performed, the method includes: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified. | 09-18-2014 |
20140275705 | PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF TUMOR VISIBILITY FOR IGRT USING TEMPLATES GENERATED FROM PLANNING CT AND CONTOURS - The plan CT is described to generate dual energy (DRR) that stimulates the treatment time radiographs in order to prospectively evaluate the angles in which issues for the template matching algorithm are present, and thus the visibility of the tumor. The present invention uses template matching to quantify the “trackability” of the target from different angles or directions. The peak-to-side lobe ratio is used to measure trackability. The results of this process influence treatment planning. For example, based on the outcome, either less or no dose is planned for the angles in which the location of the templates cannot be verified and thus, the tumor. | 09-18-2014 |
20140353513 | UNIVERSAL KV-MV IMAGERS - An x-ray imaging device may include a detector array and an x-ray converting layer coupled to the detector array. The detector array and the x-ray converting layer may be configured such that x-rays traverse the detector array before propagating in the x-ray converting layer. The x-ray imaging device may also include a buildup layer behind the x-ray converting layer. The x-ray imaging device may be used as a “universal” imager for both MV and kV imaging. | 12-04-2014 |
20140371581 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RADIATION APPLICATION - A method for generating one or more images includes collecting data samples representative of a motion of an object, acquiring image data of at least a part of the object over a time interval, synchronizing the data samples and the image data to a common time base, and generating one or more images based on the synchronized image data. A method for generating one or more images includes acquiring image data of at least a part of an object over a time interval, associating the image data with one or more phases of a motion cycle, and constructing one or more images using the image data that are associated with the respective one or more phases. | 12-18-2014 |
20140376790 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING A POSSIBLE COLLISION BETWEEN AN OBJECT AND A PATIENT IN A MEDICAL PROCEDURE - A method of detecting a possible collision in a medical procedure, includes: obtaining a reference depth image; obtaining an input depth image; determining a composite image using at least a part of the reference depth image and at least a part of the input depth image, wherein the act of determining the composite image is performed using a processing unit; and determining whether there is a possible collision between an object and a patient based on the composite image. | 12-25-2014 |
20150035942 | CAMERA SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN ONE OR MORE AREAS IN A MEDICAL FACILITY - A method of monitoring an object during a medical process includes: using one or more cameras to obtain information regarding an actual three dimensional configuration of an object involved in a medical process; obtaining a three-dimensional model of the object representing a geometry of the object; obtaining a movement model of the object; and processing the information, the three-dimensional model, and the movement model to monitor the object during the medical process, wherein the act of processing is performed using a processing unit. | 02-05-2015 |