Abstract: A pedestal for use with a patient transport system for multiple imaging systems can include a support member configured to support a patient or object of interest, an elongated planar member coupled to the support member and configured to removably couple and slidably engage an elongated cradle member, and a docking assembly coupled to the elongated planar member configured to engage the receipt of and the removal of the elongated cradle member supportable by the elongated planar member.

Abstract: A patient table with a table pivot member is disclosed. A patient support surface supporting a patient during a medical procedure is supported by a base which includes telescopic members to move the patient support surface vertically. A table pivot member connects the patient support surface to the base. The table pivot member enables the patient support surface to pivot in at least one of tilt and lateral roll directions with respect to the base. An actuating element composed of at least two actuators is connected between the patient support surface and the base to drive the patient support surface in at least one of tilt or lateral roll directions.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the image quality of an X-ray image of a patient in a dual energy X-ray imaging system is provided. The system includes a heart cycle monitor, and X-ray emitter and an X-ray detector. A patient is positioned between the X-ray emitter and the X-ray detector. The heart cycle monitor monitors the cardiac cycle of the patient to detect a cardiac trigger. Once the cardiac trigger has been detected, the X-ray emitter emits high energy and low energy X-rays through the patient and the X-ray detector detects the emissions and forms images. The X-ray detector then performs a number of scrubs. Then the X-ray emitter acquires at least one offset image. The offset and the X-ray images are then combined to form X-ray images that may then be employed for dual energy X-ray processing.

Abstract: A resource management system is described. The resource management system includes a resource manager in communication with two networks, including one network having a plurality of patient monitoring devices connected thereto. The resource manager allows automatic location of patient monitors, automatic status notification as to the status of patient monitors and automatic use metering of patient monitor usage, among other functions.

Abstract: An imaging tube (51) is provided including a cathode (58) and an anode (60). The cathode (58) includes an emission surface (99), which emits a plurality of electrons along an emission axis (56). The anode (60) includes a body (76) having a track (58) on a peripheral section (78) of the body (76). The plurality of electrons are directed to impinge on the track (58) at an impingement angle &agr; approximately equal to or between 15° and 25° relative to the emission axis (56) and are converted into x-rays. A method of generating x-rays within the imaging tube is also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing operator control over a medical diagnostic device includes the steps of assigning each device function in a preselected device function set that implements a preselected medical diagnostic device to at least one function activation area on an image display. Subsequently, the method monitors a touchscreen for a touch, and determines a selected activation area based on the touch and the function activation area. Once the selected activation area is determined, the method performs a device function associated with the selected activation area.

Abstract: An x-ray tube 10 is provided including an anode mounted to a rotatable shaft positioned within a center bore of a stem element, a bearing assembly positioned between the rotatable shaft and the stem element, and at least one liquid metal shunt in thermal communication with both the rotatable shaft and the stem element, located adjacent to the anode between the anode and the bearing assembly, and directing heat generated at the anode away from the bearing assembly by allowing heat to flow from the rotatable shaft into the stem element prior to heat reaching the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system (10) for generating multiple energy x-ray images is provided. The system (10) includes an exposure switch (32) having an “ON”state. A console (14) is electrically coupled to the exposure switch (32) and contains two or more selected imaging program sets. An x-ray generator (18) generates x-rays. An image detector (28) detects the x-rays and generates two or more electronic signals. An image generation controller (20) is electrically coupled to the image detector (28) and controls the sequencing of the two or more electronic signals. An x-ray controller (12) is electrically coupled to the console (14) and the x-ray generator (18). The x-ray controller signals the image generation controller (20) to generate the two or more electronic signals sequentially when the exposure switch (30) is in the ON state and in response to the two or more selected imaging program sets. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for diagnosing multiple ultrasound scanners from a remote location by applying a diagnostic middleware architecture to act as an interface between a web server and diagnostics section within the scanners. A computer that is remote to the scanners interfaces to the web servers of the scanners over a network. The remote computer has a web browser to survey the scanners by communicating with the web servers over the network. The diagnostic middleware architecture initiates execution of diagnostic programs within the scanners in response to client requests received by the web servers from the remote computer over the network. Diagnostic results are generated within the scanners when running the diagnostic programs of the scanners. Log files are generated within the scanners during normal operation of the scanners.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a dynamic range of a medical diagnostic image provided by a medical diagnostic system. A target dynamic range is identified independent of a dynamic range of an original medical image. A presentation map is generated defining a relation between the dynamic range of the original medical image representative of a patient and the target dynamic range. A gray level-optical density model may define the relation between gray levels of the original medical image and target optical densities of the presentation map, the gray level-optical density model being calculated based on film characteristics, selected optical densities for anatomical structure or on a measured dynamic range. A presentation image is created having the target dynamic range based on a the presentation map and original medical image.

Abstract: A method of filtering frequency encoded imaging signals includes receiving the frequency encoded imaging signals in the time domain and demodulating the frequency encoded imaging signals. The method further includes upsampling the frequency encoded imaging signals by an integer upsampling factor, reducing the bandwidth of the frequency encoded imaging signals, and downsampling the frequency encoded imaging signals by an integer downsampling factor. The frequency encoded imaging signals are resampled by a resampling factor substantially equal to the integer upsampling factor divided by the integer downsampling factor.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying detector elements in a solid state X-ray detector susceptible to causing line artifacts due to faulty detector elements that leak charge. A portion of the X-ray detector is covered by a radiation occluding material and the detector is exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to reach a predetermined threshold in the exposed portion of the detector. An image representative of the radiation is acquired and further analyzed to determine whether line artifacts exist. Data lines found to exhibit line artifacts are stored in the image processor.

Abstract: A system and method of servicing a mobile magnet by wireless monitoring is provided. The mobile magnet has a sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the mobile magnet and a computer coupled to the sensor configured to receive sensor data representative of the sensed characteristic. The method includes receiving the sensor data at a remote monitoring station via a wireless communication link with the computer; determining whether the mobile magnet needs service based on the sensor data; and dispatching a service technician to the mobile magnet when the mobile magnet needs service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting the offset induced by Field Effect Transistor (FET) photo-conductive effects in solid state x-ray detectors includes dedicating rows at the beginning and end of an x-ray detector scan. The dedicated rows may be used to measure the “signal” induced by the photo-conductivity of FET switches in solid state x-ray detectors. Since the signal induced by FET photo-conductivity decays over time, the measurements taken at the beginning and end of a detector scan may be used to predict by interpolation the amount of signal contributed by photo-conductive induced offset for each row of the detector scan on a column by column basis.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical imaging table in an imaging apparatus is presented. The imaging table includes a fixed plate, a second stage, a first stage and a gearing system. The first stage includes an imaging tabletop. The gearing system includes a pinion gear and gear racks mounted on the first and second stages. The stages of the system are geared together to move simultaneously. The imaging table is able to extend and or retract smoothly because the stages are geared together. Further, because the imaging table extends through a first stage, a second stage, and a fixed plate, the tabletop of the imaging table is more compact with a larger imaging area.

Abstract: An x-ray system that uses an x-ray source to irradiate a subject with x-rays is provided. A collimator is located proximate to the x-ray source and blocks a portion of the x-rays. A detector receives the x-rays and creates subject data indicative of a subject and collimator data indicative of a collimator. A position detector identifies a position of the collimator with respect to a field of view of the x-ray source. A gating module receives the subject and collimator data and passes at least a portion of the subject data. The gating module blocks at least a portion of the collimator data based on the position of the collimator. A display displays an x-ray image based on the portion of the subject data passed by the gating module.

Abstract: An operating room drape for allowing the presence of a monitor or display panel close to a surgical field while maintaining a sterile field between the monitor and the surgical site. A window in the drape, or all of the drape, is formed of a high clarity material and at least the window is adapted to lie against the monitor screen to provide enhanced visibility. The window may be configured as a separate rectangular insert formed, for example, of a five mil EPV vinyl or other clear polymer medically acceptable material, and sterilized by a process such as ethylene oxide or gamma ray sterilization. The window material may be treated by a process such as corona discharge treatment to enhance its surface adherence properties, while a major portion of the drape, or a release portion, may be non-adherent to facilitate positioning of the window and also removal of the drape following use. The drape itself may constitute a bag.

Abstract: Passive heat transfer apparatus is provided for an X-ray imaging system used in connection with mammaography, to rapidly conduct heat away from the system X-ray tube. The apparatus comprises a thermally conductive support plate located in the tube housing, in spaced apart relationship with the X-ray tube, and further comprises an elongated device for transferring heat by convection, such as a heat pipe. The heat transfer device has a first end joined to the tube, and a second end joined to the support plate. A quantity of selected working fluid sealably contained in the heat transfer device is disposed to transfer heat along the length thereof, from the tube to the support plate, and cooling fins extending through the housing from the support plate dissipate the heat into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: 1 method is provided for obtaining an extended field of view diagnostic ultrasound image. A first image frame and a second image frame of an object of interest are acquired. The image frames are rotated relative to one another. Pixel points, representing spatial points in the object of interest, are identified in the first image frame. Pixel points corresponding to the pixel points in the first image frame are then computed in the second image frame. A rotation angle between the first and the second image frames is calculated based on a least-squares relation between the pixel points. The first and second image frames are combined to form a part of an extended field of view image.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing initiation of a magnetic resonance image (MRI) acquisition to the arrival of a contrast agent in a structure of interest, such as an artery, includes repeatedly performing a first MRI scan until the first MRI scan indicates that the contrast agent has arrived. The first MRI scan acquires a three-dimensional MRI data set from the structure of interest. Preferably, the first MRI scan is a partial MRI scan that produces a low resolution image. Once the first MRI scan indicates that the contrast agent has arrived in the structure of interest, a second MRI scan is performed that acquires a second three-dimensional MRI data set from the structure of interest. The second MRI scan is preferably a full MRI scan that produces a full fidelity image. The manner of data acquisition is advantageously the same for both the first MRI scan and the second MRI scan.