Abstract: A fluoroscopy machine includes an x-ray source and detector mounted in spaced relation to a support arm, an image processor and a display device. The display device includes image optics attached to a head mount wearable by a person, such as a physician or technician. The image displayed by the image optics can be processed by the image processor to present an orientationally accurate image corresponding to the head mount wearer's field of view. For example, the image can be processed to correct for angle of rotation, translation and/or perspective distortion.

Abstract: A meat inspection device uses measurements at two x-ray energies to detect bone in meat samples by determining a mass ratio of bone to meat such as would provide a photoelectric absorption and Compton scattering consistent with the attenuation of the x-rays at the two energies. A relative proportion at different locations can be used to develop an image of the bone. The image can be used to determine whether a product has an unacceptable composition of bone.

Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.

Abstract: A scanning ultrasonic apparatus provides measurements of a bone at a number of spatially separated locations. These measurements may produce an image or may be used to automatically identify a measurement region of interest or to align a series of measurements with each other despite possible shifting in the bony member in between measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument employs a digital architecture to provide improved stability to sound speed measurements of human bone in vivo. A digitization of the received ultrasonic signal allows numerical analyses to be applied in determining precise arrival time of the waveform. The microprocessor may initiate the ultrasonic signal transmission and detect its arrival and may control the strength of the transmitted signal and the amplification of the received signal to optimize the signal path.

Abstract: An industrial inspection device uses measurements at two x-ray energy to measure the relative proportions of two materials of a binary industrial composition by determining a mass ratio of a preselected selected first and second material expected to be in the binary composition and such as would provide a photoelectric absorption and Compton scattering consistent with the attenuation of the x-rays at the first and second energy. A relative proportion at different locations can be used to develop an image of one basis material. The image can be used to determine whether a product has an unacceptable composition or inclusions of foreign bodies.

Abstract: A dual energy scanning densitometry system for imaging and measuring bone density maintains acceptable flux by adjusting the x-ray current or scan speed according to preceding scan line data. The amount of acceptable flux is maintained within limits modified by information about the region of the body being scanned so that different precisions may be maintained for different body regions. Scan speed and current may be controlled so that scan speed is maximized within the current limits. Essentially continuous flux control can be achieved.

Abstract: An ultrasonic densitometer has opposed ultrasonic transducers with inflatable bladders containing a coupling fluid. The bladders are affixed to a housing with a simple mounting. The densitometer sizes the bladder diameter so as to be moved into contact to the patient with inflation only. The densitometer further controls the geometry of the inflated bladders so as to provide improved immobilization of the patient. The coupling fluid allows the bladder also to couple the ultrasonic energy to the patient member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument employs a digital architecture to provide improved stability to sound speed measurements of human bone in vivo. A digitization of the received ultrasonic signal allows numerical analyses to be applied in determining precise arrival time of the waveform. The microprocessor may initiate the ultrasonic signal transmission and detect its arrival and may control the strength of the transmitted signal and the amplification of the received signal to optimize the signal path.

Abstract: An accessory for fluoroscopy equipment is provided to support the x-ray tube and detector on a pedestal with respect to a patient limb for quantitative bone densitometry measurement. Software loaded into the associated digital imaging fluoroscopy equipment provides necessary correction of the images for the quantitative accuracy needed for bone densitometry. Alternatively, a specialized detector or extremely low form factor image intensifier may be inserted in the pedestal to be used in lieu of the fluoroscopy equipment detector. A similar software correction is performed on an associated computer when a separate detector must be used.

Abstract: An acoustic array of independently sensitive detecting elements is produced by locating a pattern of electrodes on a piezoelectric polymer film. Sensitivity of the film and a spaced away supporting structure are used to reduce artifacts caused by acoustic reflection in the supporting structure.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system provides automatic adjustment of x-ray tube voltage and current as deduced from two exposures at different voltages. Real-time image distortion removal and image rotation are accomplished by computer processing using a generalized image transformation polynomial. Scatter in the image is reduced by calculating a scatter map based on a blurring of the received image and normalizing the scatter map to point scatter measurements made with an x-ray occluder eliminating direct exposure of certain areas of the image. Improved signal to noise ratio in a moving x-ray image is provided by averaging stationary portions of the image over a longer time than the moving portions of the image. A non-linear white compression function further reduced image noise by transforming the raw image to a gray scale having equal noise intervals.

Abstract: A short form intensifier is provided having a plurality of cameras each providing a portion of the image of the image intensifier to reduce the focal length and hence the distortion of each camera individually. The images may be collected to provide a single contiguous image. Multiple lenses may be associated with different correction factors in associated correction circuitry.

Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.

Abstract: An energy discriminator, for distinguishing between high and low x-ray energies in a energy sensitive x-ray machine divides high energies into asymmetric regions. The flux rates in each of the asymmetric regions being used to locate the high-energy region in the appropriate high-energy location even in regions of spectral monotonicity. Because two clearly defined spectral peaks need not be present for accurate location of spectral regions in the output of the detector, less filtering and lower tube loading is required.

Abstract: An accessory for fluoroscopy equipment is provided to support the x-ray tube and detector on a pedestal with respect to a patient limb for quantitative bone densitometry measurement. Software loaded into the associated digital imaging fluoroscopy equipment provides necessary correction of the images for the quantitative accuracy needed for bone densitometry. Alternatively, a specialized detector or extremely low form factor image intensifier may be inserted in the pedestal to be used in lieu of the fluoroscopy equipment detector. A similar software correction is performed on an associated computer when a separate detector must be used.

Abstract: A projectional densitometry system performs a scan of an individual's left and right femora by using the location of one femur to estimate a starting location for scanning the opposite femur. The estimated starting location of the second femur scan is based on metric data inputted by the operator or extracted from the first femur scan. Alternatively, the densitometry system performs an initial bone-locating scan of both femora, after which it performs a second, density-measuring scan based on the metric data extracted from the initial scan. A special leg positioning device is used to properly orient both femora for scanning, obviating the need to reposition the individual after scanning the first femur.

Abstract: A scanning densitometer provides transverse scanning of the patient with a small angle fan beam to significantly reduce parallax and image overlap blurring. Additional reduction of artifacts in the region of combined scans is obtained by a varying overlap of the scans when they are merged determined by a best matching of an identified structure within the scan. The matching process which reveals an ideal overlap provides height data of the structure allowing correction of magnification for structures which change in height within the patient over the scan.

Abstract: A dual energy densitometer includes a solid statement near x-ray detector which may be swept across the patient with movement of both to produce a matrix of data elements representing attenuation through the patient. Each of these data elements may be characterized as to its material type by the use of the data element values, templates representing general rules to be applied to the bone and operator input. The operator input is provided by a cursor controlled paintbrush which changes classifications of individual pixels based on a selected brush type.

Abstract: An ultrasonometer having opposed ultrasonic transducers with bladders containing a coupling fluid, controls the geometry of the bladder so as to provide immobilization of the patient as well as coupling of the ultrasound to the patient member. The coupling fluid may be hermetically enclosed in sealed chambers slideable toward the patient member or may be fixed in position and use a collar distending the membrane outward by compressing other portions of the membrane inward. A rolling diaphragm-type pump allows inflation of the membranes in an alternative embodiment without exposure of the acoustic coupling liquid to outside contamination. Temperature sensors and heaters communicating with the acoustic coupling fluid to reduce error caused by changes in the fluid's temperature.