Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a system for simultaneously displaying an image object generated from an imaging system and a graphical object so that each object is fully visible. More specifically, after generating the image object, a graphical object is generated having a partial opacity value. The image object and graphical object are then sorted and combined so that the graphical object is in front of, or overlays, the image object without blocking or obscuring the information included in the image object. Particularly, a final image is generated by combining a destination value for components of each object.

Abstract: In order to obtain an image with artifacts suppressed when a helical scan is conducted employing a multi-row detector with a scan plane tilted, preprocessing such as sensitivity correction is applied to data collected by a helical scan employing a multi-row detector with a scan plane tilted (S1), tilt correcting processing is applied for correcting view-to-view variation of the positions of channels in the detector rows relative to an axis of translation due to the tilt of the scan plane (S2), multi-slice/helical interpolation processing is applied for calculating interpolated data from proximate data in an image reconstruction plane (S3), and backprojection processing is applied to the interpolated data to produce an image (S4).

Abstract: For the purpose of efficiently correcting a quadratic term component of a static magnetic field, when an inhomogeneity error of a static magnetic field generated by a pair of magnets supported by yokes so that the magnets face each other across a space is to be corrected, a quadratic term component of the static magnetic field is corrected by a quadratic term component of a magnetic field generated by a pair of circular loop coils, and a zero-th order term component of the magnetic field from the pair of circular loop coils is compensated by a zero-th order term component of a magnetic field generated by coils wound around the yokes.

Abstract: For the purpose of improving monitor display condition operating ease and enabling easy display of an arbitrary site, an ultrasonic image based on an echo signal received by an ultrasonic probe 3 is produced by an image producing section 12, a display area is formed on a screen by a display area forming section 17, a displayed range of the ultrasonic image to be displayed in the display area is selected by a displayed range selecting section 14, and scrolling of a selected range and rotation of the displayed range are achieved by a displayed range moving section 15 and a displayed range rotating section 16, respectively, based on a position on the monitor screen specified by the pointing device 3.

Abstract: A puncturing needle guide includes a plate-like body whose width diminishes gradually from one end thereof to the other end thereof; a plurality of holes which are formed in an end surface of the puncturing needle guide at one end thereof and through which a puncturing needle can be passed; a single hole which is formed in an end surface of the puncturing needle guide at the other end thereof and through which the puncturing needle can be passed; a hollow that is formed inside the plate-like body and that allows the plurality of holes and the single hole to communicate with one another; and an attachment which is formed along an edge of the plate-like body in a width direction thereof and by which the plate-like body is attached to an ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: For the purpose of thoroughly reducing the effect of residual magnetization caused by gradient pulses, the strength of a phase rewinding gradient is made half or about half of that of a phase encoding gradient; the strength of a slice rewinding gradient is made half or about half of that of a slice encoding gradient; a killer gradient having an intensity equal to that of the slice selective gradient is applied to the slice axis; and a killer gradient having an intensity equal to that of a readout gradient is applied to the frequency axis subsequent to the readout gradient.

Abstract: For the purpose of obtaining an image without band artifacts, in a pulse sequence for conducting data collection in an SSFP state, the phase of an RF pulse &agr; is adjusted to correct the zeroth-order phase offsets of an FID signal and SE/STE signals and a correction pulse for correcting the first-order phase offsets of the FID signal and the SE/STE signals are incorporated into a read axis pulse.

Abstract: A finished detector module suitable for use in a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The finished detector module includes a substrate; a photosensor array mounted on the substrate; an array of scintillators optically coupled to the photosensor array and separated therefrom by a gap filled with either air or a compliant clear film, and a flexible electrical cable electrically coupled to the photosensor array.

Abstract: For the purpose of reducing the numbers of members and molds to reduce the cost of manufacture, and improving grippability in an ultrasonic probe, a fixing member 6 fitted with an ultrasonic element 3, a broad cable 4, a connector 5, and a connection cable 2 is inserted into a mold, and an ultrasonic lens portion 11, a case 12, and a bushing portion 13 are integrally molded by insert molding. Since an ultrasonic probe 10 is made using a single mold, the number of members is reduced, the number of assembly steps is reduced, and reduction in the cost of manufacture can thus be achieved.

Abstract: In order to provide an aperture position adjusting mechanism in an X-ray CT system with low cost and high accuracy to enable stable reconstruction of X-ray tomographic images, a first shaft (23) is provided with a bore (23a) at a position offset from a center axis, and is rotatably supported by a base plate (20) orthogonally to a pair of rails (21a, 21b). A second shaft (25) is received and is rotatably supported within the bore (23a) through the first shaft (23). The aperture (6) is moved along the rails (21a, 21b) as the second shaft (25) is eccentrically rotated by a motor (7) and, following the eccentric rotation and in a direction opposite to that of the rotation, the first shaft (23) is eccentrically rotated around the center axis of the bore (23a).

Abstract: A method for analyzing a tubular structure in a patient includes receiving a cursor first position within a displayed tubular structure representative of the tubular structure in the patient, determining a path inside the tubular structure based only on the received cursor first position, and moving a cursor along the path by a pre-determined distance in a pre-determined direction to a cursor second position.

Abstract: In order to nullify the adverse effect of an external magnetic field on a static magnetic field generated in an MRI system, small-size coils are used to generate a compensation magnetic field. Thus, the component of the static magnetic field to be applied to a magnetic sensor is canceled. The magnetic sensor can therefore detect the external magnetic field highly precisely. A correction current proportional to the external magnetic field detected highly precisely is fed to BO correction coils. Eventually, the external magnetic field that adversely affects the static magnetic field is canceled.

Abstract: In order to efficiently obtain projection data having a variety of slice widths (slice patterns) in one scan, an X-ray CT apparatus is provided in which an X-ray tube 40 and an X-ray detector 70 are opposed to each other interposing a subject 100, in which detector a multiplicity of X-ray detector elements are linearly arranged in the channel arrangement direction to form a plurality of rows in the subject body axis direction, for reconstructing a CT tomographic image of the subject based on detected signals from the X-ray detector, wherein the X-ray CT apparatus comprises signal duplicating means 81a for duplicating channel detected signals of the X-ray detector 70 and distributing the duplicated signals to a plurality of groups a, b, etc.; and signal combining means 81b that can combine the distributed duplicated signals in each group in an arbitrary pattern across the detector rows for each channel.

Abstract: In order to arrange continuous wave signal paths using fewer switches, a plurality of amplifying circuits 602 for respectively amplifying a plurality of continuous wave input signals, and outputting each respective pair of amplified signals that have mutually opposite phases for each continuous wave input signal; a plurality of selecting circuits 604, each of which selects one signal of the pair of amplified signals from each of the plurality of amplifying circuits; and a matrix switch 608 employing the output signals from the plurality of selecting circuits as input signals are provided.

Abstract: A programmable, medical imaging system which incorporates algorithms for enhancing the usability of the system for clinicians is described. With respect to programmability, and in one aspect, the present invention relates to a programmable system which includes a learn mode usable for script generation. In the learn mode, a user can rehearse a sequence of actions and save those actions to be replayed later. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an algorithm which provides a non-blocking, synchronous interface to an underlying asynchronous architecture. Generally, the algorithm decouples the client-server portion of the application from the synchronous development environment. Using this algorithm, a programmer can develop a non-blocking, highly interactive, client-server application without having to resort to asynchronous programming techniques.

Abstract: To correct motion and magnetic field inhomogeneity phase errors, inverting data collecting read gradients Nr1 and Nr2 are applied to collect correcting data H (n, 1) and H (n, 2) corresponding to focused navigation echoes Ne1 and Ne2, data collecting read gradients r1, . . . , rM which are inverted alternately are applied, and phase encode gradients pdn, p2, . . . , pM are applied at inverting, thereby collecting imaging data F (n, 1), . . . , F (n, M) corresponding to the focused imaging echoes e1, . . . , eM. This sequence is repeated for n=1, . . . , N while changing the magnitude of the phase encode gradient pdn, whereby data F (1, 1) to F (N, M) for filling a k space are collected. Based on the correcting data H (n, 1) and H (n, 2), the imaging data F (n, 1), . . . , F (n, M) are phase corrected.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging coil structure includes a main magnetic field generating magnet, a gradient magnetic field generating coil, a shield, a magnetic field correcting shim plate and a transmission coil stacked in this order. At least the shield and the transmission coil are integrally formed with a joint portion made of a material including FRP that maintains a constant distance between the shield and the transmission coil.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, includes a digital x-ray imaging system which, in one embodiment, collects projection data from a plurality of views and reduces artifacts caused by detector residual signals. More specifically and in one embodiment, volumetric images are generated by collecting projection data for a plurality of views. During inactive periods between the collection of projection data for adjacent views, the x-ray emission is stopped and each detector pixel is simultaneously energized to reduce a residual signal of each pixel. As a result, projection data for a subsequent view is not biased by the residual signal from a previous view.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a detector array for a computed tomographic imaging system having a z-direction corresponding to an image slice thickness direction and that is arc-shaped in a direction transverse to the z-direction. The detector array has a plurality of detector modules configured so that the detector array has active regions of differing thicknesses. This detector array embodiment provides an optimized detector array for certain imaging situations, for example, in cardiac imaging applications in which increased coverage is required only in a relatively small central portion of a field of view.

Abstract: In order for an operator to perceive a lock completion of the mechanical connection between a connector of an ultrasonic probe and a socket of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, the following structure is provided. In the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, the ultrasonic probe includes a connector portion having a lock mechanism (a cam shaft penetrating a connector, a conductive movable contact/lock pin projecting from the cam shaft, and a connector lock releasing handle), and an ultrasonic probe main body. The ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body includes a socket having connection hole H for connecting the connector, a locking confirming contact points for conducting by being in contact with the movable contact/lock pin as the connection with the connector being mechanically locked, LED for illuminating under conduction, and a safety circuit for allowing for starting scanning when conducting.