Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a patient using an imaging system is provided. The method includes rotating a detector about a patient, detecting a predetermined distance of the detector from the patient, and automatically moving the detector to within a predetermined range of distance from the patient based on the detected distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for medical imaging are provided. The system includes a gantry assembly having a stator, a first rotor rotatably coupled to the stator, the first rotor configured to rotate about an examination axis at a first rotational speed, and a second rotor rotatably coupled to at least one of the stator and the first rotor, the second rotor configured to rotate about the examination axis at the first and a second rotational speed, the second rotational speed being greater than the first rotational speed, the first and second rotors configured to be locked in position with respect to each other during rotation at the first rotational speed, the first rotor configured to be locked in position with respect to the stator during rotation of the second rotor at the second rotational speed.

Abstract: A method of detecting ionizing radiation is provided. The method includes pixelating a semiconductor substrate such that each pixel comprises a central region and a region of variable response, substantially blocking the ionizing radiation from reaching the region of variable response, and receiving the ionizing radiation with the central region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technique relate to a modular multi-hole collimator assembly configured to have an adjustable length. Each of the two or more multi-hole collimator units has a plurality of holes therethrough. Exemplary embodiments also relate to a modular multi-hole collimator assembly that includes a base multi-hole collimator unit and one or more multi-hole collimator extension units. Each of the base multi-hole collimator unit and the one or more multi-hole collimator extension units has a plurality of holes therethrough. At least one of the plurality of holes through the base multi-hole collimator unit and at least one of the holes through the one or more multi-hole collimator extension units are axially aligned.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a patient using an imaging system is provided. The method includes rotating a detector assembly about an examination axis of the imaging system, maintaining a first detector of the detector assembly at a first distance from the patient while receiving imaging data from the patient, and maintaining a second detector of the detector assembly at a second distance from the patient while receiving imaging data from the patient wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and wherein the resolution of the imaging data from the first detector is smaller than the resolution of the imaging data from the second detector due to the difference between the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: The present invention is of a cryotherapy apparatus which provides multiple cryoprobe operating tips in a configuration which enhances flow of exhaust gasses and thereby facilitates achieving cold temperatures and high thermal transfer capacity. The apparatus comprises a plurality of operating tips insertable in a body, each with a distal gas input lumen, a cryogen expansion chamber and a distal gas exhaust lumen, and a medial portion also insertable in a body and which comprises a medial gas exhaust lumen formed as a manifold communicating with the plurality of distal gas exhaust lumens.

Abstract: The present invention is of a cryotherapy apparatus comprising an uninsulated cryoprobe and an insulating introducer. Preferred embodiments include cryoprobes which are extremely thin and flexible because they lack an insulating layer and/or because their operating tip does not comprise a heat exchanger. Multi-cryoprobe introducers are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of an introducer for delivering multiple thermal ablation probes to an organic target in a compact configuration, which probes are operable to be deployed in a dispersed configuration characterized by known and accurately maintained distances of one treatment head from another, which distances are substantially maintained during insertion of treatment heads into target tissues. In preferred embodiments, distal portions of deployed probe treatment heads are substantially parallel one to another.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing and acquiring radiation data comprises sensing radiation events with a multi-modality detector. The detector comprises solid state crystals forming a matrix of pixels which may be arranged in rows and columns, and has a radiation detection field for sensing radiation events. The radiation events for each pixel are counted by an electronic module attached to each pixel. The electronic module comprises a threshold analyzer for analyzing the radiation events. The threshold analyzer identifies valid events by comparing an energy level associated with the radiation event to a predetermined threshold. The electronic module further comprises at least a first counter for counting the valid events.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a plurality of imaging detectors for acquiring imaging data. The plurality of imaging detectors is configurable to be arranged proximate to an anatomy of interest within a patient. Each of the plurality of imaging detectors has a field of view (FOV) and at least a portion of the plurality of imaging detectors image the anatomy of interest within the respective FOV. A processor receives the imaging data and processes the imaging data to form a multi-dimensional dataset having at least three dimensions.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Methods and systems for imaging a patient using an imaging system is provided. The method includes,rotating a detector assembly about an examination axis of the imaging system, maintaining a first detector of the detector assembly at a first distance from the patient while receiving imaging data from the patient, and maintaining a second detector of the detector assembly at a second distance from the patient while receiving imaging data from the patient wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and wherein the resolution of the imaging data from the first detector is smaller than the resolution of the imaging data from the second detector due to the difference between the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a patient using an imaging system is provided. The method includes rotating a detector about a patient, detecting a predetermined distance of the detector from the patient, and automatically moving the detector to within a predetermined range of distance from the patient based on the detected distance.

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: 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.