Abstract: An automatic exposure control for an x-ray system using a large area solid state x-ray detector (26) includes an exposure control (36, 34) arranged to generate data of interest within the data generated by the detector and to adjust the dosage of x-rays to a predetermined level in response to data of interest so that an x-ray image of a patient is generated using the predetermined level.

Abstract: An electronic detent apparatus and method for simulating a mechanical detent comprises a sensor connected to a microprocessor. A servo-motor is connected to the microprocessor and has a motor drive connected to a clutch. The clutch may engage a wheel disposed upon a rail or surface to effect the simulation of a mechanical detent through the microprocessor controlled servo-motor. The method for simulating a mechanical detent comprises the steps of moving an axis and monitoring the position and velocity of the axis. The position and velocity of the axis is then compared to a pre-specified position threshold value and a pre-specified velocity threshold value using a microprocessor disposed on the axis. A servo-motor is activated to accelerate the axis to a pre-specified position using a clutch controlled by the servo-motor when the position and velocity of the axis exceed the pre-specified position and velocity threshold values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting electronic offset and gain variations in solid state x-ray detectors includes dedicating rows at the end of an x-ray detector scan. The dedicated rows may be used to measure the “signal” induced by electronic offset and gain variations in solid state x-ray detectors. The first row may be used to measure the signal induced by electronic offset. The second row may be used to measure to signal induced by gain variations. Measurements of the induced signals taken from the dedicated rows may be used to eliminate structured artifacts from the x-ray image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating the resolution of a medical imaging system measures unadjusted performance of a digital image detector used in the medical imaging system. The method then determines a weighting coefficient for a spatial frequency band processed by the medical imaging system. The weighting coefficient is based on a desired performance of the digital image detector and the unadjusted performance of the digital image detector. The method stores the weighting coefficient for subsequent application to the spatial frequency band by the medical imaging system. Identical or distinct weighting coefficients may be used at multiple spatial resolution levels. A single weighting coefficient may applied to all pixels at a given spatial resolution, or numerous spatial resolution variation compensation coefficients may be used in different regions of each spatial resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sealing a light imaging array and scintillator of an imaging device which prevents light or moisture from entering the sealed cavity while controlling the lateral expansion of the epoxy material during construction. The seal is formed by dispensing a bead of epoxy around substantially the entire perimeter of the active imaging array and scintillator, leaving a slight gap therein. A cover plate is then placed over the scintillator and imaging array to protect against light or moisture entering the sealed cavity from the side of the substrate that is sealed. As the cover plate is attached, it compresses the epoxy. During compression, pressure builds within the sealed cavity. However, the pressure is allowed to escape through the gap in the epoxy bead. The pressure release lowers the outward force against the epoxy bead, which in turn limits the lateral expansion of the epoxy.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system (10) includes a plurality of range gates (71-74) responsive to ultrasound waves for generating a plurality of Doppler signal samples representing different depth increments within a subject (S) being studied. A logic unit (30) generates Doppler frequency signals and generates B-mode data. A display (60) generates a B-mode image and a Doppler image which may be superimposed on the B-mode image. The Doppler image (DI) is arranged to illustrate depth increments within the subject being studied versus Doppler velocity or frequency.

Abstract: A method and systems for obtaining 2D ultrasound images. The methods may comprise the steps of receiving ultrasonic information from a volumetric region of a body, volume scan converting the ultrasonic information from the volumetric region for processing a rendering box, and volume rendering the rendering box for projecting the rendering box onto a 2D slice by using volume rendering techniques. The systems may comprise an ultrasonic transducer for receiving ultrasonic information from a volumetric region of a body, a volume scan converter for processing a rendering box obtained from the volumetric region, and a volume rendering processor for projecting the rendering box onto a 2D slice by using volume rendering techniques for contrast enhancement.

Abstract: An ECG gated ultrasonic imaging compounding system and method for synthesizing a cineloop of a compound ultrasonic image such as a cardiac cycle is presented. In real-time operation, a series of image frames may be recorded at a frame rate over a cardiac cycle and stored in a cineloop memory. A second series of image frames are recorded over a second cardiac cycle. The image frames of the second cardiac cycle are frame-by-frame aligned in time and space with the corresponding image frames from the cineloop memory. The aligned frames are then combined to form a series of synthesized image frames which then replace the original image frames in the cineloop memory. Subsequent series of image frames are also combined with the synthesized image frames in the cineloop memory to form new synthesized image frames which then replace the old synthesized image frames in the image array, and so forth. The series of image frames may be triggered to begin at a cardiac event such as the R-event.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically positioning an image receptor based on the position of a manually positioned diagnostic source assembly in an X-ray imaging device is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the automated tracking system, an operator manually positions a diagnostic source assembly (DSA) over the area of a patient to be imaged. Sensors in the diagnostic source assembly transmit the position of the DSA to a system controller. The system controller then calculates an optimal position of an image receptor based on the position of the DSA. Once the optimal position is calculated, the system controller sends the optimal position to a motor drive, which positions the image receptor in the calculated optimal position. Position sensors in the image receptor then send positional data of the image receptor to the system controller, which verifies that the image receptor is in the calculated optimal position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spatially compounding ultrasound frames by using multiple angle views. Successive image frames of pixel data are processed using a Sum of Absolute Difference registration algorithm. The multiple angle views are achieved by operator manipulation of a probe (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for configurable logging and analysis of performance data for a medical diagnostic imaging system. A medical diagnostic imaging system may be divided into at least one subsystem. The subsystems include data acquisition modules for acquiring desired types of data related to the performance of an associated subsystem. The data acquisition modules acquire raw performance data during the operation of the medical diagnostic imaging system. The data acquisition modules may remotely acquire the raw performance data. The raw performance data may be acquired based upon a configuration file which identifies parameters associated with a desired type of performance analysis. New configuration files may be downloaded to dynamically select at least one parameter for a desired type of performance analysis. Parameters in the configuration file may comprise at least one of a performance variable and a sampling rate for the performance variable.

Abstract: In an ultrasound scanner (90), signals responsive to received ultrasound waves are processed by a B-mode processor (222) and a computer (232). The data processed by the B-mode processor (222) is used to generate a display of a reference image in an area (120) of a display (100), and the data processed by the computer (232) is used to generate a region of interest (140) of the reference image and an enlarged image corresponding to the region of interest in another area (150) of the display (100), thereby improving the spatial resolution and frame rate of the displayed images.

Abstract: An ultrasound system (1) acquires data using a gray scale mode of operation and a color flow mode of operation. A transducer (10) generates receive signals in response to echo ultrasound waves received from a subject (S) being studied. A gray scale receive channel (9G) generates gray scale data representing movement of portions of the subject, in particular that of blood flow or contrast agents in blood or tissue. A color flow receive channel (9C) generates color flow data (e.g., either power data or velocity data) also representing movement of portions of the subject. A processor (30) combines the gray scale flow data with the color flow data and displays the result on a display monitor (19) such that moving portions of the subject are displayed with a colored gray scale image.

Abstract: A method for energy dependent imaging of a region of interest includes the step of exposing an X-ray detector to X-ray photons during an examination period, and separating the X-ray photons into two groups, those with energies above a selected energy threshold, and those with energies below a selected energy threshold. The X-ray photons with energy above the threshold are counted to provide a first energy photon count, while the X-ray photons with energy below the threshold are counted to provide a second energy photon count. The method stores the first energy photon count and the second energy photon count in a memory as examination data, and produces an image by applying an image processing technique to the examination data.

Abstract: An x-ray system (14) reads data from a detector array (22) including detector elements (40) arranged in rows (R1-R280) and columns (C1-C1365). A first group of rows include unneeded data (R1-R127) while a second group of rows include data of interest (R128-R1152). Activation of the detector elements in relation to the exposure of a patient to x-rays to improve efficiency with which the data of interest is read is disclosed. An exposure control (34) activates an x-ray tube (15) to expose the detector to x-rays during a first time period (E1). The first group of rows (R1-R127) are activated at least partially before or during the first time period. The second group of rows (R128-R1152) are activated after the first time period. Data is read from the second group of rows after the first time period.

Abstract: A method is provided to identify pixels in a digital x-ray detector that experience an amount of residual charge that is sufficient to cause an image artifact. A lag artifact threshold is obtained. The lag artifact threshold identifies an amount of residual charge that, when held by the pixels in the digital x-ray detector, will cause image artifacts. A pixel lag experienced by a pixel is determined. The pixel lag may be different for each pixel. Pixels that have a pixel lag exceeding the lag artifact threshold are identified and corrected.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging machine (10) is calibrated by placing a phantom (30) between an x-ray tube (20) and an x-ray detector (310). The phantom causes a first dimension D1,d and a second dimension D2,d to be projected onto the detector. From the projected dimensions and a physical dimension of the phantom (t), a processor (302) calculates the focal distance (FD) of the machine, the source image distance (SID) of the machine, and the object-to-detector distance (ODD).

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for correcting the offset induced by Field Effect Transistor (FET) photo-conductive effects in a solid state X-ray detector. The method and apparatus include reading out twice as many rows (scan lines) as actually exist in the X-ray detector. The additional rows may be read out between the actuation of “real” scan lines on the X-ray detector. The additional row times may be used to measure the “signal” induced by FET photo-conductivity. In a preferred embodiment, the “real” rows may be actuated during odd lines, and even lines will be used to measure the signal induced by FET photo-conductivity. To correct for the offset induced by photo-conductive FETs, an even row signal may be subtracted from the preceding odd row signal. The correction for the offset induced by photo-conductive FETs may occur in addition to normal offset correction.

Abstract: An x-ray system is provided that produces noise at or below ambient levels. The system includes a positioning arm, an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and an acoustic dampening interface mounting between the x-ray tube and a first end of the positioning arm. The acoustic dampening interface may be a rubber isolator that absorbs the vibrations produced by the x-ray tube. The rubber isolator may include a rubber isolation tube positioned within a hole formed in a mounting plate of the x-ray tube. Alternatively, the rubber isolator may include a rubber washer and a rubber isolation layer, or isolation ring.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system generating color flow signals in response to ultrasound signals backscattered from a subject under study includes an apparatus for displaying images in response to the color flow signals. The apparatus includes a memory connected to store first memory values in response to the color flow signals; a logic unit connected to determine a dynamic range compression scheme based on an analysis of the first memory values and to generate second memory values based on the dynamic range compression scheme; a display connected to display a color flow image in response to the second memory values; and a network connectivity module coupled to the system to provide communication with a remote facility over a network, the remote facility providing remote services.