Abstract: This invention relates to an object-oriented system and method for easily and rapidly distributing medical images from existing picture and report storage systems to a plurality of heterogeneous client workstations. The system includes one or more interface engines, for providing image objects with uniform structure regardless of the type of existing system on which they are stored, and image server middleware, for managing the distribution of image objects. The system also includes a security object server, for authorizing user access to the image distribution system and to particular objects, a personalization object server, for providing user interface preferences and client workstation capabilities, and a web server, for downloading initial access pages and user interface components.

Abstract: A digital image (J.sub.o) processing method for automatic extraction of strip-shaped objects, includes a skeletonization operation with steps for forming smoothed images (J.sub.i) at several scales (.sigma..sub.i), and, in each smoothed image (J.sub.i), extracting boundaries of objects, extracting potential median pixels (.OMEGA..sub.iP) associated with the center (.OMEGA..sub.i) of a circle of radius (R.sub.i) proportional (k) to the scale (.sigma..sub.i), tangent to boundaries at a pair of distinct pixels (E.sub.1, E.sub.2), and associated with a measure of dependability regarding alignment of the center (.OMEGA..sub.i) and pixels of the pair, extracting median pixels .OMEGA..sub.iM, and constructing skeletons of objects by tracking in the digital image (J.sub.MED) formed by the extracted median pixels. The step of extracting median pixels .OMEGA..sub.

Abstract: The so-called memory effect occurring in a device for forming X-ray images by means of an X-ray image converter which includes a photoconductor for converting the X-rays into a charge pattern can be reduced by means of a trapping layer which is provided on at least one of the two sides of the photoconductor and reduces the current of charge carriers injected into the photoconductor from this side.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a matrix display panel (10), preferably an active matrix liquid crystal display panel, having display elements (12) in rows and columns and arranged in groups of at least three adjacent display elements, and an optical director (15) in the form of, for example, a lenticular screen overlying the panel (10) and having lenticules (16) extending in the column direction with each lenticule overlying an associated display element group, in which adjacent display elements in a group are arranged so as to partly overlap one another in the column direction (Y). The display elements in a group can, for example, be arranged in a line in the row direction (X) and shaped as non-rectangular parallelograms, or triangles, successive ones being inverted, or interdigitated, or arranged in two or more rows.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR method and an MR device for determining the position of at least one microcoil (11, 12) which is provided in or on an object (1) to be examined which is situated in an examination zone. During the acquisition of microcoil MR signals (S), at least one variable magnetic gradient field acts on the examination zone, so that the k space is scanned at scanning points (k.sub.x (t.sub.i), k.sub.y (t.sub.i)). The position (x, y) of the microcoil (11, 12) is determined from at least three scanning values (S(t.sub.i)) of a microcoil MR signal and the associated scanning points (k.sub.x (T.sub.i), k.sub.y (t.sub.i)) for example by solving a system of equations formed from these values. The MR method can be used for various scanning modes of the k space, and the acquisition of the microcoil MR signals (S) does not require any MR sequences other than the MR sequences required for determining the nuclear magnetization distribution in the examination zone.

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus according to the present invention includes an X-ray detector for deriving an image signal from an X-ray image, and an exposure control system for adjustment of the X-ray examination apparatus on the basis of a relevant part of the X-ray image. The exposure control system is arranged to group pixels of the X-ray image in one or more clusters on the basis of their brightness values and to select the relevant part of the X-ray image from the clusters.

Abstract: The server includes a layer for dynamically generating web pages and other data objects using scripts, such as graphic, audio and video files, in dependence on stored information indicating the user's needs and preferences, including those presumed from stored information as to the user's function, job, or purpose for being at the hospital, and logged usage profiles, the level of the user's access privileges to confidential patient information, and the computer and physical environments of the user. Notably, the content is generated in dependence on the display resolution and lowest bandwidth link between the server and browser to limit the waiting time for downloads as well as the server load.

Abstract: A medical X-ray apparatus is provided with image detector elements 30 which are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. In order to improve the noise behaviour of the read amplifiers 46 during the reading per row, a plurality of column conductors 36 is provided per column so that the read time is prolonged in proportion to the number of column conductors and the stray capacitance is reduced proportionally. Both steps reduce the noise in known manner. In the case of an integrated implementation, the conductors for driving the reading per row cannot be arranged arbitrarily close to one another because of their mutual capacitance, so that these conductors require a comparatively large surface area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray device which includes a primary diaphragm device (3) for limiting the X-ray beam and a control circuit (10) for automatic exposure control, which control circuit includes a detector (9) with at least one measuring field (31) which measures the X-ray dose rate. Whereas in the case of customary exposure control systems the X-ray dose is increased when the radiation beam is strongly limited so that parts of the measuring field (31) are not exposed, which could lead to overexposed X-ray images, the X-ray device according to the invention is provided with means (12, 14, 15, 16, 17) for determining a correction value (K) which is dependent on the dimensions of the exposed area (33) of the measuring field (31) and acts on the control circuit (10) in such a manner that an increase of the X-ray dose is even avoided in the case of a partly non-exposed measuring field (31).

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source (1) for emitting X-rays. An object to be radiologically examined is arranged in an examination space. An X-ray detector (2) derives an image signal, for example an electronic video signal, from an X-ray image of the object. An X-ray filter locally attenuates the X-rays partly. The X-ray filter is arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and the X-ray filter is provided with filter elements whose X-ray absorptivity can be adjusted on the basis of an amount of X-ray absorbing liquid present within the individual filter elements.The X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray collimator for locally intercepting the X-rays. The X-ray collimator is arranged between the X-ray source and the examination space and is provided with collimator elements which can be switched between an X-ray transmitting state and an X-ray intercepting state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fast imaging method based on gradient recalled echoes of nuclear spins whose excitation and echo formation are not contained in the same sequence. The method has an increased susceptibility to variations in the time constant T.sub.2.sup.* of the free induction decay of the MR signal and is used in, for example, functional MR imaging studies that are based on temporary changes in T.sub.2.sup.* which are caused by local changes in magnetic susceptibility e.g. local changes in brain oxygenation state of a human or animal body. In order to reduce the susceptibility of the image quality to motion navigator gradients are generated in each sequence so as to measure a navigator MR signal. From the measured navigator signals a phase correction is determined and the MR signals measured are corrected by means of this phase correction.

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus utilizes an image sensor matrix for picking up an X-ray image, i.e. for converting incident X-rays into electric charges. The X-ray examination apparatus includes a control circuit for controlling the image sensor matrix so as to form a dark signal. The X-ray examination apparatus also includes a correction unit which is arranged to derive the electronic image signal from the primary image and the dark signal. The electronic image signal represents image information in the X-ray image and has not been disturbed by electric charges which have been read with a delay.

Abstract: A device for imaging a turbid medium, for example a breast of a female, includes a holder for receiving the medium, a light source, a photodetector and a processing unit for deriving the image from the intensities measured. The holder is adapted to receive besides the turbid medium also an adaptation medium for influencing a photon path distribution of the turbid medium. The use of different values of optical parameters of the adaptation medium introduces different photon path distributions in the turbid medium. By means of these different photon path distributions the resolution of the image can be improved by utilizing the light sources and/or photodetectors in the same positions. When a liquid is used as the adaptation medium the shape of the adaptation medium can be perfectly matched between the holder and the turbid medium.

Abstract: An image-guided surgery system includes an alignment device (1) which measures the direction of a target position (2) with respect to a starting position (4). Subsequently, the alignment device (1) places one end of the surgical instrument (3) in the starting position and rotates the surgical instrument in such a manner that it is oriented along the measured direction. It is ensured that the end meanwhile remains in the starting position. The image-guided surgery system includes a system of arms (7), one end of which is provided with an alignment member (5) for supporting the surgical instrument. The alignment member is preferably a sphere provided with an opening (6) in which the surgical instrument fits.

Abstract: An image-guided surgery system is used to show a user, for example a surgeon, a position of a surgical instrument in an operating area in the body of a patient during a surgical operation. The image-guided surgery system includes an alignment system for deriving an alignment line through a target position, for selecting a starting plane through an end of the surgical instrument, for deriving a starting point on the alignment line and in the starting plane, and for reproducing a position of said end and of said starting point relative to one another in the starting plane. For example, the positions of the end and the starting point in the starting plane are reproduced in a guide image.

Abstract: A method of determining the spatial and/or spectral distribution of nuclear magnetization in separate regions (which are not coherent in respect of space or frequency) utilizes multi-dimensional RF pulses which are configured such that it is possible to determine the nuclear magnetization distribution in the individual regions from a linear combination of the MR signals occurring subsequent to an excitation (or from MR data derived therefrom). This results in shorter measuring times or a more attractive signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A method of and operation for controlling the motions of a radiation source (24) and a radiation detector, for example a film cassette (25), in relation to an adjusted slice position, for example a slice level (19), in a linear tomography apparatus without coupling rod, which tomography apparatus includes a table (10) for accommodating an object (18) to be imaged by tomography includes adjustment of a light indicator (17), adjustably mounted on the table (10), to the position of the slice in the object (18), measurement of data indicating the adjusted slice position, application of the measured slice position data to a system control unit (22), and adjustment of the source (24) and the radiation detector (25) in relation to the measured slice position (19) in conformity with the data applied.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance apparatus includes an examination zone (29) for receiving an object (37) to be examined, a component (41) of an electrically non-conductive plastic material being located in the examination zone at least when the apparatus is in an operating condition. In order to reduce the visibility of this component (41) in MR experiments, the plastic material contains an additive of a paramagnetic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR method with reduced motion artefacts in which the displacement of a pulsating object, or of a part thereof, which is present in an examination zone is continuously measured relative to a reference position, and in which the reconstruction of an MR image utilizes exclusively MR signals acquired from the examination zone while the displacement from the reference position reaches or falls below a threshold value. This gating is enhanced in accordance with the invention in that prior to the acquisition of the MR signals there are generated phase encoding gradients k.sub.y) which act on the examination zone with different time integrals and that the threshold value (v.sub.s) can be varied in dependence on the respective phase encoding gradient (k.sub.y).

Abstract: A display device has a plurality of display units (D.sub.1, D.sub.2 . . . D.sub.n), each display unit consisting of a number of multiplex-operated display sections, each of which has a plurality of display elements which can be simultaneously but independently switched and each of which has a respective display driver (for example, T.sub.1), and a circuit arrangement for controlling the display device. The circuit arrangement includes a memory (M) in which the information to be output via the display device is stored, a microcontroller (MC) which has at least one synchronous serial interface (2) and a DMA controller (3) for transferring data intended for each time the same display section of the display units (D.sub.1, D.sub.2 . . . D.sub.n) from the memory to the interface, a shift register arrangement (S.sub.1, S.sub.2 . . . S.sub.n) which is connected to the serial interface (2) and which has a parallel output, and storage members (L.sub.1, L.sub.2 . . . L.sub.