Systems for immobilizing a patient are disclosed. The system includes at least one preform formed from a low melting temperature thermoplastic, the preform being configured to be formed to the anatomy of the patient, at least one frame coupled to the at least one preform, and at least one support configured to support the anatomy of the patient. The system also includes at least one lock mechanism coupled to at least one of the frame and the support and configured to couple the at least one frame to the at least one support, and at least one adjuster mechanism coupled to at least one of the at least one frame and the at least one support and configured to selectively adjust a distance between the at least one frame and the at least one support while the at least one frame is coupled to the at least one support.

An array of force sensors for determining a position of an object, detecting motion of object, and tracking motion of objects in 3D space are described herein. In particular, an array of force sensors can be used to monitor anatomical motion during medical procedures, such as head motion during cranial radiosurgery, to maintain a desired alignment with the anatomical feature. Alerts can be posted to the medical machine operator and the radiosurgery system or scanner can make compensatory adjustments to maintain the desired alignment either after suspension of treatment or dynamically during treatment. Methods of detecting a position, movement or tracking motion of an anatomical feature are also provided herein.

An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus for obtaining an image from a patient has a radiation source; a first digital imaging sensor that provides, for each of a plurality of image pixels, at least a first digital value according to a count of received photons that exceed at least a first energy threshold; a mount that supports the radiation source and the first digital imaging sensor on opposite sides of the patient's head; a computer in signal communication with the digital imaging sensor for acquiring a first two-dimensional image from the first digital imaging sensor; and a second digital imaging sensor that is alternately switched into place by the mount and that provides image data according to received radiation.

Three dimensional x-ray imaging systems are described in this application. In particular, this application describes a 3D dental intra-oral imaging (3DIO) system that collects a series of 2D image projections. The x-ray imaging system comprises a housing, an x-ray source attached to a articulating or motion gantry configured to move the source within the housing to multiple positions, an x-ray detector array located on an opposite side of an object to be imaged from the x-ray source, where the detector array is synchronized with the x-ray source to capture 2D images of the object when the x-ray source is located in multiple imaging positions, and a processor configured to accept the 2D images and reconstruct a 3D image. The multiple imaging positions can be located on a plane substantially parallel to the x-ray detector array. Other embodiments are described.

An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus for obtaining an image from a patient has a radiation source and a digital imaging sensor that provides, for each of a number of image pixels, at least a first digital value according to a count of received photons that exceed at least a first energy threshold. A mount supports the radiation source and the digital imaging sensor on opposite sides of the patient's head. There can be a computer in signal communication with the digital imaging sensor for acquiring one or more two-dimensional images.

Described herein are systems and methods of processing immobilization molds for application of treatment, A computing system may generate a three-dimensional mold model of immobilization mold within with a subject is to be positioned for application of a treatment. The computing system may subtract a three-dimensional scan of at least a portion of the subject from the three-dimensional mold model to define an opening therein. The computing system may remove, from the three-dimensional mold model, a first portion to define an imprint in the opening from a first axis along which the subject is to enter. The computing system may remove, from a second portion of the three-dimensional mold model remaining with the removal of the first portion, inward protrusions into the imprint of relative to the second axis intersecting the first axis.

An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus for obtaining an image from a patient has a radiation source; a first digital imaging sensor that provides, for each of a plurality of image pixels, at least a first digital value according to a count of received photons that exceed at least a first energy threshold; a mount that supports the radiation source and the first digital imaging sensor on opposite sides of the patient's head; a computer in signal communication with the digital imaging sensor for acquiring a first two-dimensional image from the first digital imaging sensor; and a second digital imaging sensor that is alternately switched into place by the mount and that provides image data according to received radiation.

A three-dimensional model for a patient fixation device that serves to immobilize at least a portion of a particular patient when capturing CT image information of that patient is accessed and then registered with the pixels that correspond to the patient fixation device in the CT image. The model can specify rules of movement for each of a plurality of structural elements that comprise the patient fixation device and that are capable of movement relative to one another. By one approach the aforementioned registration occurs on a part-by-part basis for each of the structural elements. Following registration, the CT image can be automatically segmented.

A system for robotic surgery makes use of an end-effector which has been configured so that any selected one of a group of surgical tools may be selectively connected to such end-effector. The end-effector makes use of a tool-insert locking mechanism which secures a selected one of the surgical tools at not only a respective, predetermined height and angle of orientation, but also at a rotational position relative to an anatomical feature of the patient. The tool-insert locking mechanism may include interchangeable inserts to interconnect multiple tools to the same end-effector. In this way, different robotic operations may be accomplished with less reconfiguration of the end-effector. The end-effector may also include a tool stop which has a sensor associated with a moveable stop mechanism which may be positioned to selectively inhibit tool insertion or end-effector movement.

An X-ray device for carrying out X-ray scans is configured for a simplified procedure. The X-ray device has an image receptor which operates in conjunction with an X-ray generator to carry out X-ray scans of a patient, and a patient table. A tabletop of the patient table which is used to position the patient during the X-ray scans, is immovable in the table plane. Instead, the image receptor is disposed in a longitudinally and transversely movable manner relative to the tabletop parallel to the table plane.