Abstract: A system and method for determining an existence, uptake, size and location of a lesion within a breast is provided. The system includes a first detector and a second detector. The breast is positioned between the first detector and the second detector. The first detector acquires a first image data set of the lesion and the second detector acquires a second image data set of the lesion. The system also includes a existence, uptake, size and location determining program that uses the first image data set and the second image data set to calculate existence, uptake, size and location information for the lesion and determines a existence, uptake, size and location of the lesion within the breast based on the calculated existence, uptake, size and location information.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a non-pixelated gamma camera is provided, wherein the method includes determining a linearity map and a uniformity map of a reference isotope; and determining a linearity map and uniformity map of another isotope. Delta maps are calculated based on the maps of the reference isotope and the maps of the other isotope. During recalibration, new maps of the reference isotope are determined, thereby enabling new maps of the other isotope to be created based on the delta maps.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a non-pixelated gamma camera is provided, wherein the method includes determining a linearity map and a uniformity map of a reference isotope; and determining a linearity map and uniformity map of another isotope. Delta maps are calculated based on the maps of the reference isotope and the maps of the other isotope. During recalibration, new maps of the reference isotope are determined, thereby enabling new maps of the other isotope to be created based on the delta maps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system are provided that include an NM calibration source. The NM calibration source includes an isotope source having an energy spectrum with at least one energy peak and a fluorescence layer adjacent the isotope source creating at least one additional energy peak in the energy spectrum.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for computed tomography (CT) imaging are provided. One method includes providing a patient table to move along an examination axis of a rotating gantry of a CT imaging system having at least one imaging detector. The imaging detector includes a pixelated detector array. The method further includes configuring the CT imaging system to perform an overlapping helical CT scan by controlling a speed of the moving patient table along the examination axis through a field of view (FOV) of the at least one imaging detector of the rotating gantry.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for evaluating the operation of pixelated detectors are provided. The method includes obtaining data values for each of a plurality of pixels of a pixelated detector and determining a data consistency metric for each of the plurality of detector pixels. The method further includes identifying, using the determined data consistency metric, any detector pixels that exceed an acceptance criterion as noisy pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for protecting walls of a body cavity during thermal ablation of tissues near that body cavity, while enabling ultrasound monitoring of the ablation process. Heating protective devices and cooling protective devices are provided. Heatable/coolable ultrasound probes and heatable/coolable independent protective devices compatible with ultrasound imaging by moving ultrasound probes are provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a subject using an imaging system are provided. The method includes rotating a first detector and a second detector about a subject and determining a distance of the first detector and the second detector from the subject. The method further includes automatically adjusting the position of at least one of the first detector and the second detector to within a predetermined distance range if the determined distance of one of the first and second detectors is not within the predetermined distance range.

Abstract: A medical imaging system for automatically positioning a structure of interest within a field of view (FOV) of an imaging detector comprises at least one imaging detector for detecting radiation. The imaging detector has a FOV and detects a first image while at a first system position with respect to a predetermined reference point. A structure detecting module detects a structure of interest within the first image and determines whether the structure of interest is within the FOV of the imaging detector. The structure detecting module determines a second system position with respect to the predetermined reference point at which the structure of interest will be positioned within the FOV of the imaging detector, and a controller moves the FOV of the imaging detector to the second system position.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus to support a patient in a prone position on a patient table during a diagnostic imaging scan comprises a head support and an arm support. The head support is configured to extend beyond an end of a patient table and to support a patient's head relative to a table top of the patient table while the patient lies on the patient table in a prone position. The arm support is joined to the head support and is configured to extend below the patient table to support a patient's forearms below the patient table.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a plurality of imaging detectors acquiring imaging data indicative of a patient over a length of time. The plurality of imaging detectors are arranged proximate the patient and remain in a fixed position with respect to the patient. A processor receives the imaging data and divides the imaging data into sub-sets. The processor iteratively processes the sub-sets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe-insertion guiding apparatus for guiding a user towards correct insertion of therapeutic probes into a patient. The apparatus comprises a template which comprises a plurality of apertures sized to accommodate therapeutic probes and to guide insertion of such probes into a body, a probe command receiver for receiving probe insertion commands specifying template apertures through which probes are to be inserted, and at least one of a) a sensory output device operable to indicate to a user which aperture is to receive a next inserted probe, and b) a probe detection device operable to detect insertion of a probe into an aperture. Preferred embodiments include feedback modules providing feedback to a user indicating whether the user's probe did or did not correspond to a probe insertion specified by a received probe insertion command.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for planning and supervising minimally invasive surgery. Included are enhancements to systems for planning, monitoring, and controlling cryosurgery.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a structure of interest comprises a plurality of imaging detectors mounted on a gantry. Each of the plurality of imaging detectors has a field of view (FOV), is independently movable with respect to each other, and is positioned to image a structure of interest within a patient. A data acquisition system receives image data detected within the FOV of each of the plurality of imaging detectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a medical imaging system are provided. The medical imaging system includes an input circuit configured to receive a voltage level signal indicative of a stream of pulses, a voltage level signal shape analyzer configured to determine shape characteristics of the received voltage level signal and an amount of time that the received voltage level signal matches a predetermined shape, and a counting circuit configured to determine a true number of pulses from the shape characteristics and the amount of time.

Abstract: A method of detecting ionizing radiation is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling medical imaging are provided. A proximity sensor arrangement for an imaging system is provided. The proximity sensor arrangement includes at least one light emitter and at least one light detector. The proximity sensor arrangement further includes at least one reflector configured to reflect light waves from the at least one light emitter to the at least one light detector to form at least one light path to determine a proximity to the at least one imaging component of the imaging system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inserting therapeutic probes into a patient are present. Embodiments include an automated probe insertion system and a probe insertion guide comprising a moveable probe guide sleeve; a positioner for positioning said probe guide sleeve; and a controller operable to receive a definition of a locus within a body of a patient and to direct positioning and orienting of said probe guide sleeve so that a probe advanced through said sleeve will advance in direction of said locus. Cryosurgery applications are presented.

Abstract: An integrated VMM (vector-matrix multiplier) module, including an electro-optical VMM component that multiplies an input vector by a matrix to produce an output vector; and an electronic VPU (vector processing unit) that processes at least one of the input and output vectors. Various error reducing mechanisms are also discussed.