Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of improved medical device navigation. Certain embodiments include acquiring a first image of a patient anatomy, a second image of patient anatomy, and creating a registered image based on the first and second images. Certain preferred embodiments teach systems and methods of automated image registration without the use of fiducial markers, headsets, or manual registration. Thus the embodiments teach a simplified method of image registration that allows a medical device to be navigated within a patient anatomy. Furthermore, the embodiments teach navigating a medical device in a patient anatomy with reduced exposure to ionizing radiation. Additionally, the improved systems and methods of image registration provide for improved accuracy of the registered images.

Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for efficiently customizing an imaging system, such as a medical diagnostic imaging system. Based on images typically produced by one or more imaging systems, the present technique forms a plurality of image subject matter groups each having a plurality of related image types/views and one representative image type/view. Each customer is then provided with a plurality of predefined image style options for each of the plurality of representative image types/views. The predefined image style selected for each of the plurality of representative image types/views is then applied to each of the plurality of related image types/views in the respective image subject matter group. The imaging system is then automatically customized based on the foregoing predefined image style selections.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first image of a subject at a first position, changing a position between the detector and the subject, obtaining a second image, and pasting the first and images to obtain a composite image. The first image and the second image may have an amount of overlap equal to no more than about 30 percent of a field of view of the detector in a direction of movement between the first image and the second image, and, according to some embodiments, may have an overlap of about 4 percent to about 16 percent. This may, in some embodiments, amount to an amount of overlap of about 1.5 cm to about 6.5 or 12 cm. In some embodiments, the span of overlap of the images is at least about 30 cm. The geometry of the images may be used to help paste the images together appropriately.

Abstract: The present technique involves remote processing and comparison of medical diagnostic images obtained over a period of time. A remote processing system is provided to match and subtract the medical diagnostic images, which may be received from users and gathered from remote image storage systems. Users are able to interact with the remote processing system through uniform interfaces, which may be disposed at medical institutions to provide platform independent interaction with, and remote processing by, the remote processing system. The technique also uses compression routines to facilitate network transfers of images between the uniform interface and the remote processing system.

Abstract: A device for use in image pasting is described. The device includes a digital x-ray detector capable of automatic digital imaging without the use of an image intensifier; the detector preferably being a flat-panel detector. Additionally, an image pasting system using a solid-state detector is described. The system can connect the detected images to a display via a network (such as a WAN, a LAN, or the internet). Further, an image geometry measurement device for use in pasting x-ray images is disclosed. The geometry measurement device helps determine the relative position of two images to be used in image pasting. This information can be used alone, or in connection with an image pasting algorithm. Still further, methods of forming composite images are disclosed using a flat-panel detector and using the geometry of the images. The disclosed devices and systems can be integrated with other digital image pasting technology.

Abstract: A device for use in image pasting is described. The device includes a digital x-ray detector capable of automatic digital imaging without the use of an image intensifier; the detector preferably being a flat-panel detector. Additionally, an image pasting system using a solid-state detector is described. The system can connect the detected images to a display via a network (such as a WAN, a LAN, or the internet). Further, an image geometry measurement device for use in pasting x-ray images is disclosed. The geometry measurement device helps determine the relative position of two images to be used in image pasting. This information can be used alone, or in connection with an image pasting algorithm. Still further, methods of forming composite images are disclosed using a flat-panel detector and using the geometry of the images. The disclosed devices and systems can be integrated with other digital image pasting technology.

Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for efficiently customizing an imaging system, such as a medical diagnostic imaging system. Based on images typically produced by one or more imaging systems, the present technique forms a plurality of image subject matter groups each having a plurality of related image types/views and one representative image type/view. Each customer is then provided with a plurality of predefined image style options for each of the plurality of representative image types/views. The predefined image style selected for each of the plurality of representative image types/views is then applied to each of the plurality of related image types/views in the respective image subject matter group. The imaging system is then automatically customized based on the foregoing predefined image style selections.

Abstract: The present technique involves remote processing and comparison of medical diagnostic images obtained over a period of time. A remote processing system is provided to match and subtract the medical diagnostic images, which may be received from users and gathered from remote image storage systems. Users are able to interact with the remote processing system through uniform interfaces, which may be disposed at medical institutions to provide platform independent interaction with, and remote processing by, the remote processing system. The technique also uses compression routines to facilitate network transfers of images between the uniform interface and the remote processing system.