Abstract: An example CT scanner assembly includes a gantry having a first end and a second end rotatable about a first axis, an x-ray detector adjacent the first end, and an x-ray source adjacent the second end. The x-ray source directs an x-ray beam toward a portion of the x-ray detector. The x-ray source translates along a second axis aligned with the first axis when the gantry rotates.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system includes a CT scanner that takes a plurality of x-ray images of a patient. A patient tracker including locators is attached to the patient, and a registration appendage is removably secured to the patient tracker in a known position and orientation. The registration appendage includes radio-opaque markers arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern. The registration appendage is viewable in a CT scan in situations where the locators of the patient tracker are outside of a field of view of the CT scanner.

Abstract: A surgeon selects a volume of interest by placing an untracked “marker” in a patient near an area where an update is desired. During surgery, when an updated CT scan is requested, the CT scanner performs a scan of the patient using a full field of view to take a series of two-dimensional initial images of the patient from a plurality of angularly spaced positions about the patient. The position of the untracked marker is determined by the CT scanner in or more of the initial images. The volume of interest is defined as the position of the untracked marker, plus some margin. The CT scanner then collimates the x-ray source to scan only the volume of interest. The CT scanner then completes the update scan of the volume of interest and updates a previous CT scan(s) to create a fully updated CT image, reducing x-ray exposure of the patient.

Abstract: A CT scanner automatically determines a volume of change based upon anatomical changes in a patient. During surgery, the CT scanner takes a sufficient number of two-dimensional initial images using a full field of view. The CT scanner compares the initial images to pre-operative data. Based upon the comparison, the CT scanner automatically determines the volume of change plus some margin to define a volume of interest. The CT scanner then collimates an x-ray source to perform an intra-operative updated CT scan of the volume of interest. The CT scanner updates the pre-operative data with the data from the intra-operative updated CT scan of the volume of interest to form a fully updated three-dimensional CT image. The initial images and the pre-operative data can be taken at a lower resolution than the intra-operative updated CT scan of the volume of interest to reduce the x-ray exposure of the patient.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.

Abstract: A CT scanner according to the present invention is particularly useful for scanning the spine and extremities, such as knees, and ankles, especially while the patient is in an upright position. The CT scanner generally includes a source and detector that are rotatable about a generally upright axis. The source and detector are also moved along the upright axis during rotation to perform a helical scan. The source and detector are mounted to an inner ring, which is rotatably mounted within an outer ring. The outer ring is fixedly mounted to a carriage that is movable along an upright rail.

Abstract: A surgical imaging system includes spaced-apart first and second x-ray sources mounted above a patient support surface. An x-ray detector mounted below the patient support surface generates first x-ray images based upon x-rays from the first x-ray source and second x-ray images based upon x-rays from the second x-ray source. These first and second x-ray images are used to generate a stereofluoroscopic image via a stereo display for a surgeon performing image-guided surgery. The stereofluoroscopic imaging system may be used in conjunction with robotic surgery. A surgical robot operatively controls a surgical tool in an area between the first x-ray source and the x-ray detector, and between the second x-ray source and the x-ray detector. The system may optionally include a first video camera mounted proximate the first x-ray source and a second video camera mounted proximate the second x-ray source.

Abstract: The CT scanning system of the present invention includes a source and detector mounted to a c-arm. The c-arm is positioned on a mounting plate and ball screw to rotate about an axis centered within the c-arm and to also translates along the axis of rotation. A computer controls the rotation of the CT scanner, the x-ray source, and collects the data from the detector to create an image. The CT scanner first takes a scout scan prior to the full acquisition of the data. The scout scan is a single two-dimension image. The CPU draws locating marks on the scout scan image to indicate the desired location. When proper alignment is verified, the processor then controls the motor to perform one complete revolution of the c-arm, during which time the computer collects multiple images from the detector.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a plurality of cone-beam x-ray sources offset along a CT axis. A detector is positioned opposite the x-ray sources. The x-ray sources and detector are rotatable about the CT axis. The x-ray sources direct x-rays through the patient that are received by the detector at a plurality of rotational positions, thereby generating projections from the plurality of x-ray sources that are used to construct the three-dimensional CT image of the patient.

Abstract: A CT scanning system provides the ability to scan a patient's lower extremities while the patent is upright, i.e. either standing on the foot, or at least putting some load on the foot, or with the ankle at a given angle. The CT scanning system provides a generally horizontal upper support surface on which the patient's foot is supported. A gantry supporting an x-ray source and x-ray detector are rotated about a z-axis through the support surface. With the CT scanning system, the patient's lower extremities can be scanned while under load.

Abstract: A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.

Abstract: A high spatial resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is provided. The system includes a support structure including a gantry mounted to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. The system further includes a first assembly including an X-ray source mounted on the gantry to rotate therewith for generating a cone X-ray beam and a second assembly including a planar X-ray detector mounted on the gantry to rotate therewith. The detector is spaced from the source on the gantry for enabling a human or other animal body part to be interposed therebetween so as to be scanned by the X-ray beam to obtain a complete CT scan and generating output data representative thereof. The output data is a two-dimensional electronic representation of an area of the detector on which an X-ray beam impinges. A data processor processes the output data to obtain an image of the body part.

Abstract: A high spatial resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is provided. The system includes a support structure including a gantry mounted to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. The system further includes a first assembly including an X-ray source mounted on the gantry to rotate therewith for generating a cone X-ray beam and a second assembly including a planar X-ray detector mounted on the gantry to rotate therewith. The detector is spaced from the source on the gantry for enabling a human or other animal body part to be interposed therebetween so as to be scanned by the X-ray beam to obtain a complete CT scan and generating output data representative thereof. The output data is a two-dimensional electronic representation of an area of the detector on which an X-ray beam impinges. A data processor processes the output data to obtain an image of the body part.

Abstract: A CT scanner is reconfigurable to multiple orientations and positions. The scanner includes a gantry on which the x-ray source and x-ray detector are mounted. The gantry is mounted on a support and is rotatable about a scan axis relative to the support. The support is movable and/or pivotable relative to a frame, such that the scan axis can be vertical or horizontal.

Abstract: The CT scanning system of the present invention includes a source and detector mounted to a c-arm. The c-arm is positioned on a mounting plate and ball screw to rotate about an axis centered within the c-arm and to also translates along the axis of rotation. A computer controls the rotation of the CT scanner, the x-ray source, and collects the data from the detector to create an image. The CT scanner first takes a scout scan prior to the full acquisition of the data. The scout scan is a single two-dimension image. The CPU draws locating marks on the scout scan image to indicate the desired location. When proper alignment is verified, the processor then controls the motor to perform one complete revolution of the c-arm, during which time the computer collects multiple images from the detector.

Abstract: The present invention is an image-guided robotic surgical system including a CT scanning system. The CT scanning system first performs a low-dose scan of a general area of interest of the patient's body and an image is generated on a display. Using the image a region-of-interest, within the patient's body is defined. Limited field-of-view scans are used to update the region-of-interest image while data gathered during the initial scan is used for area outside the region-of interest.

Abstract: A method, processor and computed tomography (CT) machine for generating images utilizing high and low sensitivity data collected from a flat panel detector having an extended dynamic range. Hardware modifications for extending the dynamic range include grouping pixel rows and pixel columns into clusters of two. The sensitivity of the rows/columns is modified by positioning optical masks that have different transparencies for different rows/columns. Software modifications for extending the dynamic range include taking two correlated exposure scan measurements at each angle and combining the two data sets into one scan prior to image reconstruction. This method uses a spatially varying pixel exposure method where several adjacent pixels are clustered and each cluster has a different sensitivity. The signals of these clusters are combined to form one image effectively producing an increased dynamic range.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a tracking system. The tracking system determines the position and orientation of the surgical instrument relative to the patient and relative to a 3D image of the patient. The relative locations of the surgical instrument and 3D image are shown on a display. The tracking system also determines the position and orientation of a CT scanner that takes x-ray update images of a selected area of interest of the patient. A computer stores data at least partially representing an area of a patient. The computer generates a 3D image or model of the area of interest based upon the update images of the area of interest and based upon the data. The area of interest can be selected on the computer display, automatically based upon the tracked positions of the surgical instrument, or through the use of an interest indicator instrument.

Abstract: A surgical imaging system includes spaced-apart first and second x-ray sources mounted above a patient support surface. An x-ray detector mounted below the patient support surface generates first x-ray images based upon x-rays from the first x-ray source and second x-ray images based upon x-rays from the second x-ray source. These first and second x-ray images are used to generate a stereofluoroscopic image via a stereo display for a surgeon performing image-guided surgery. The stereofluoroscopic imaging system may be used in conjunction with robotic surgery. A surgical robot operatively controls a surgical tool in an area between the first x-ray source and the x-ray detector, and between the second x-ray source and the x-ray detector. The system may optionally include a first video camera mounted proximate the first x-ray source and a second video camera mounted proximate the second x-ray source.

Abstract: A CT scanner according to the present invention is particularly adapted for scanning the extremities of a patient. The CT scanner includes an x-ray source and x-ray detector mounted for rotation and translation along an axis parallel to a table for supporting the patient's extremity. The source and detector are mounted opposite one another on an inner circumference of an inner ring. The inner ring is rotatable about the axis within an outer ring mounted on at least one carriage. The carriage is movable parallel to the axis. During scanning, the inner ring rotates within the outer ring while the rings and carriage move along the axis, thereby producing a helical scan of the extremity.