A61B6/00

Device and method for performing nuclear imaging
11576641 · 2023-02-14 · ·

Gamma cameras may be used to obtain two-dimensional images of an emitting object, of which the most common form is the “Anger-type” gamma camera. The primary components in a conventional Anger-type gamma camera include, but are not limited to: a plurality of photo-multiplier tubes, a scintillator material, and a collimator. The disclosed invention claims a novel use of a gamma camera which eliminates the collimator. The new method is a method of forming an initial image from the incident radiation, which does not depend on any mechanical or other means of restricting the incident radiation to be passed on to a position-sensitive radiation detector. This method then uses mathematical deconvolution to produce an image of the object without the need for a collimator and without reliance on a pre-existing image.

Systems and methods for controlling motion of detectors having moving detector heads

An imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, at least five detector units mounted to the gantry, a corresponding collimator for each of the detector units, at least one processing unit, and a controller. Each collimator has septa defining plural bores for each pixel of at least some of a plurality of pixels of the detector unit. A corresponding interior septum of the collimator is disposed above an internal portion of a corresponding pixel of the at least some of the plurality of pixels. The at least one processing unit is configured to obtain object information corresponding to the object to be imaged. The controller is configured to control an independent rotational movement of each the detector units used to acquire scanning information by detecting emissions from the object, wherein the controller rotates each of the detector units at a corresponding sweep rate.

Interventional system

The invention relates to an interventional system comprising an introduction element (4) like a catheter for being introduced into an object (9), for instance, a person. A moving unit (2) like a robot moves the introduction element within the object, wherein a tracking image generating unit (3) generates tracking images of the introduction element within the object and wherein a controller (8) controls the tracking image generating unit depending on movement parameters of the moving unit, which are indicative of the movement, such that the tracking images show the introduction element. This control can be performed very accurately based on the known real physical movement of the introduction element such that it is not necessary to, for instance, irradiate a relatively large area of the object for ensuring that the introduction element is really captured by the tracking images, thereby allowing for a reduced radiation dose applied to the object.

Multi-directional x-ray imaging system

An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.

Plaque vulnerability assessment in medical imaging
11576621 · 2023-02-14 · ·

Rather than rely on variation from physician to physician and limited imaging information for assessing plaque vulnerability of a patient, medical imaging and other information are used by a machine-implemented classifier to predict plaque rupture. Anatomical, morphological, hemodynamic, and biochemical features are used in combination to classify plaque.

Systems and methods for deep learning-based image reconstruction

Methods and systems for deep learning based image reconstruction are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a set of imaging projections data, identifying a voxel to reconstruct, receiving a trained regression model, and reconstructing the voxel. The voxel is reconstructed by: projecting the voxel on each imaging projection in the set of imaging projections according to an acquisition geometry, extracting adjacent pixels around each projected voxel, feeding the regression model with the extracted adjacent pixel data to produce a reconstructed value of the voxel, and repeating the reconstruction for each voxel to be reconstructed to produce a reconstructed image.

Imaging planning apparatus and imaging planning method

An imaging planning apparatus according to one embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains a first value of a first index that is related to an X-ray dose and a second value of a second index that is related to an image quality, based on an X-ray imaging condition of a subject set in a predetermined examination. The processing circuitry displays an association chart indicating an association between the first index and the second index on a display unit, displays an acceptable range of the first index and the second index, the acceptable range being based on information related to a diagnostic reference level corresponding to the predetermined examination, in a manner distinguished from a range other than the acceptable range in the association chart, and also displays a mark at a position corresponding to the first value and the second value in the association chart.

Contrast imaging agent with dissolved gas-evolving fluid
11576985 · 2023-02-14 · ·

A diagnostic contrast composition includes a carrier fluid and a non-decaying gas-evolving fluid incorporated in the carrier fluid. The gas-evolving fluid has a vapor pressure sufficient to evolve the gas from a circulatory system within a lung of a patient. The gas-evolving fluid is a composition containing a sufficient quantity of atoms with an atomic number higher than 8 to provide an increased absorption sufficient to increase a Hounsfield Unit measurement in an image in a CT imaging system. The gas-evolving fluid is selected from the group consisting of xenon gas, krypton gas, sulfur hexafluoride, a perfluorocarbon, a brominated perfluorocarbon, and combinations thereof. The carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, saline comprising one or more blood proteins, and saline comprising dissolved lipids.

Contrast imaging agent with dissolved gas-evolving fluid
11576985 · 2023-02-14 · ·

A diagnostic contrast composition includes a carrier fluid and a non-decaying gas-evolving fluid incorporated in the carrier fluid. The gas-evolving fluid has a vapor pressure sufficient to evolve the gas from a circulatory system within a lung of a patient. The gas-evolving fluid is a composition containing a sufficient quantity of atoms with an atomic number higher than 8 to provide an increased absorption sufficient to increase a Hounsfield Unit measurement in an image in a CT imaging system. The gas-evolving fluid is selected from the group consisting of xenon gas, krypton gas, sulfur hexafluoride, a perfluorocarbon, a brominated perfluorocarbon, and combinations thereof. The carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, saline comprising one or more blood proteins, and saline comprising dissolved lipids.

Predictive use of quantitative imaging

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for predicting a disease state of a subject using ultrasound imaging and ancillary information to the ultrasound imaging. At least two quantitative measurements of a subject, including at least one measurement taken using ultrasound imaging, as part of quantified information can be identified. One of the quantitative measurements can be compared to a first predetermined standard, included as part of ancillary information to the quantified information, in order to identify a first initial value. Further, another of the quantitative measurements can be compared to a second predetermined standard, included as part of the ancillary information, in order to identify a second initial value. Subsequently, the quantitative information can be correlated with the ancillary information using the first initial value and the second initial value to determine a final value that is predictive of a disease state of the subject.