Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spatially compounding ultrasound frames by using multiple angle views. Successive image frames of pixel data are processed using a Sum of Absolute Difference registration algorithm. The multiple angle views are achieved by operator manipulation of a probe (2).

Abstract: A joining method designed to minimize the temperature needed to obtain a high strength braze joint between a molybdenum alloy substrate and a graphite disk used in a rotating anode X-ray tube target used for computed tomography applications. The method consists of two separate brazing operations. The first brazing operation joins a thin molybdenum sheet to the graphite disk using a pure metal braze to form a plated graphite subassembly. The second brazing operation joins the plated graphite subassembly to the molybdenum alloy substrate using a highly specialized braze alloy having a melt temperature below the recrystallization temperature of said molybdenum alloy substrate and a remelt temperature after brazing above the recrystallization temperature of said molybdenum alloy substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for configurable logging and analysis of performance data for a medical diagnostic imaging system. A medical diagnostic imaging system may be divided into at least one subsystem. The subsystems include data acquisition modules for acquiring desired types of data related to the performance of an associated subsystem. The data acquisition modules acquire raw performance data during the operation of the medical diagnostic imaging system. The data acquisition modules may remotely acquire the raw performance data. The raw performance data may be acquired based upon a configuration file which identifies parameters associated with a desired type of performance analysis. New configuration files may be downloaded to dynamically select at least one parameter for a desired type of performance analysis. Parameters in the configuration file may comprise at least one of a performance variable and a sampling rate for the performance variable.

Abstract: A method for configuring and monitoring a system unit in a medical diagnostic system includes establishing a communication connection between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility, communicating characteristic information regarding operation of the system unit in the medical diagnostic system from the remote facility to the medical diagnostic system, configuring the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the characteristic information regarding operation of the system unit, and monitoring the operation information of the system unit in the medical diagnostic system using an operator workstation at the medical diagnostic system. A corresponding apparatus includes a storage medium coupled to the system unit which stores information for the system unit in the medical diagnostic system and a communication interface configured to allow communications between the medical diagnostic system and a remote facility.

Abstract: In an ultrasound scanner (90), signals responsive to received ultrasound waves are processed by a B-mode processor (222) and a computer (232). The data processed by the B-mode processor (222) is used to generate a display of a reference image in an area (120) of a display (100), and the data processed by the computer (232) is used to generate a region of interest (140) of the reference image and an enlarged image corresponding to the region of interest in another area (150) of the display (100), thereby improving the spatial resolution and frame rate of the displayed images.

Abstract: An image handling system configured to provide configurable user preferences is disclosed herein. The image handling system includes an imaging device, an image manager, and an image workstation. The system is configured to permit a user of the image workstation to specify user preferences of a graphical user interface (GUI). The user preferences are stored in the image manager such that subsequent access to the image workstation using a user identifier causes the image workstation to automatically retrieve and configure the user preferences on that image workstation.

Abstract: An ultrasound system (1) acquires data using a gray scale mode of operation and a color flow mode of operation. A transducer (10) generates receive signals in response to echo ultrasound waves received from a subject (S) being studied. A gray scale receive channel (9G) generates gray scale data representing movement of portions of the subject, in particular that of blood flow or contrast agents in blood or tissue. A color flow receive channel (9C) generates color flow data (e.g., either power data or velocity data) also representing movement of portions of the subject. A processor (30) combines the gray scale flow data with the color flow data and displays the result on a display monitor (19) such that moving portions of the subject are displayed with a colored gray scale image.

Abstract: A method for generating an image of an object using a computed tomography (CT) imaging system, which includes at least one x-ray detector array and at least one rotating x-ray source projecting an x-ray beam, includes the steps of identifying a physiological cycle of the object (the cycle comprising a plurality of phases); selecting at least one phase of the object; collecting at least one segment of projection data for each selected phase of the object during each rotation of each x-ray source; generating a projection data set by combining the projection data segments; generating a cross-sectional image of the entire object from the projection data set; and communicating the image or data associated with the image to a remote facility. The remote facility provides remote services over a network.

Abstract: A method for energy dependent imaging of a region of interest includes the step of exposing an X-ray detector to X-ray photons during an examination period, and separating the X-ray photons into two groups, those with energies above a selected energy threshold, and those with energies below a selected energy threshold. The X-ray photons with energy above the threshold are counted to provide a first energy photon count, while the X-ray photons with energy below the threshold are counted to provide a second energy photon count. The method stores the first energy photon count and the second energy photon count in a memory as examination data, and produces an image by applying an image processing technique to the examination data.

Abstract: An x-ray system (14) reads data from a detector array (22) including detector elements (40) arranged in rows (R1-R280) and columns (C1-C1365). A first group of rows include unneeded data (R1-R127) while a second group of rows include data of interest (R128-R1152). Activation of the detector elements in relation to the exposure of a patient to x-rays to improve efficiency with which the data of interest is read is disclosed. An exposure control (34) activates an x-ray tube (15) to expose the detector to x-rays during a first time period (E1). The first group of rows (R1-R127) are activated at least partially before or during the first time period. The second group of rows (R128-R1152) are activated after the first time period. Data is read from the second group of rows after the first time period.

Abstract: A method is provided to identify pixels in a digital x-ray detector that experience an amount of residual charge that is sufficient to cause an image artifact. A lag artifact threshold is obtained. The lag artifact threshold identifies an amount of residual charge that, when held by the pixels in the digital x-ray detector, will cause image artifacts. A pixel lag experienced by a pixel is determined. The pixel lag may be different for each pixel. Pixels that have a pixel lag exceeding the lag artifact threshold are identified and corrected.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for correcting the offset induced by Field Effect Transistor (FET) photo-conductive effects in a solid state X-ray detector. The method and apparatus include reading out twice as many rows (scan lines) as actually exist in the X-ray detector. The additional rows may be read out between the actuation of “real” scan lines on the X-ray detector. The additional row times may be used to measure the “signal” induced by FET photo-conductivity. In a preferred embodiment, the “real” rows may be actuated during odd lines, and even lines will be used to measure the signal induced by FET photo-conductivity. To correct for the offset induced by photo-conductive FETs, an even row signal may be subtracted from the preceding odd row signal. The correction for the offset induced by photo-conductive FETs may occur in addition to normal offset correction.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging machine (10) is calibrated by placing a phantom (30) between an x-ray tube (20) and an x-ray detector (310). The phantom causes a first dimension D1,d and a second dimension D2,d to be projected onto the detector. From the projected dimensions and a physical dimension of the phantom (t), a processor (302) calculates the focal distance (FD) of the machine, the source image distance (SID) of the machine, and the object-to-detector distance (ODD).

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system equipped with real-time imaging capability and methods of interactively prescribing geometry to excitation profiles of structure of interest, are disclosed herein. The MR imaging system includes a graphical user interface for displaying and receiving prescription commands, a display screen for displaying MR images and the graphical user interface, and an input device for inputting prescription commands. The MR imaging system allows an operator to prescribe the boundary geometry of a subsequent imaging volume and to rapidly view the prescribed boundary imaging sections prior to committing to the subsequent imaging volume acquisition. The MR imaging system also allows the operator to retrieve boundary geometry of a previously prescribed imaging volume and to rapidly view the imaging sections corresponding to the retrieved boundary geometry prior to initiating the image volume acquisition.

Abstract: A liquid and gas separator system is disclosed, the liquid and gas separator system includes an inlet that receives a first gas sample. The first gas sample at least partially includes liquid introduced from a patient in a gaseous or liquid form. The liquid and gas separator system also includes a first chamber coupled to the inlet and configured to receive the first gas sample. The first chamber includes a drain aperture. An outlet is coupled to the first chamber and is configured to receive a second gas sample from the first chamber. The second gas sample is derived from the first gas sample, that is the second gas sample includes less liquid than the first gas sample. The second chamber is substantially sealed around the first chamber. The first chamber receives a combined gas and liquid from the inlet and separates at least some of the liquid from the gas. The first chamber is configured to have liquid deposited at the bottom of the first chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are each disclosed that are capable of providing a simplified neuromuscular transmission score utilizing multiple conventional stimulus modes. After applying a neuromuscular stimuli to a patient and measuring a neuromuscular response from the patient, a universal value is assigned to the neuromuscular response signal. The universal value is applicable to a single progressive scale that encompasses the multiple conventional stimulus mode scales. A neuromuscular transmission monitor is disclosed having at least one electrode, a transducer, and a processing unit to process the data and determine a correct stimulus mode for the neuromuscular response signal and produce a non-mode specific value applicable to the single universal scale. The technique is implemented in a computer program which may reside in the memory of either the neuromuscular transmission monitor, or a host patient monitor.

Abstract: A solid state x-ray source (14) for a computed tomograph (CT) imaging system (10) is presented. X-ray source (14) has a cathode (58) which is preferably formed of a plurality of addressable elements. The cathode is positioned within a vacuum chamber (74) so that electrodes emitted thereby impinge upon anode (68) spaced apart from cathode (58). An electron beam (82) is formed and moved along the length of cathode (58). The anode (68) is disposed within a cooling block portion (58) and operatively adjacent to an x-ray transmissive window (66). The anode (68) and x-ray transmissive window (66) are disposed within an elongated channel (64) of the cooling block portion (56).

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system generating color flow signals in response to ultrasound signals backscattered from a subject under study includes an apparatus for displaying images in response to the color flow signals. The apparatus includes a memory connected to store first memory values in response to the color flow signals; a logic unit connected to determine a dynamic range compression scheme based on an analysis of the first memory values and to generate second memory values based on the dynamic range compression scheme; a display connected to display a color flow image in response to the second memory values; and a network connectivity module coupled to the system to provide communication with a remote facility over a network, the remote facility providing remote services.

Abstract: An x-ray system is provided that produces noise at or below ambient levels. The system includes a positioning arm, an x-ray tube, an x-ray detector, and an acoustic dampening interface mounting between the x-ray tube and a first end of the positioning arm. The acoustic dampening interface may be a rubber isolator that absorbs the vibrations produced by the x-ray tube. The rubber isolator may include a rubber isolation tube positioned within a hole formed in a mounting plate of the x-ray tube. Alternatively, the rubber isolator may include a rubber washer and a rubber isolation layer, or isolation ring.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system including a method and apparatus for reducing image artifacts caused by magnet vibration is disclosed herein. The system includes a magnetic field vibration quantification and compensation scheme including quantifying a vibration error component included in the magnetic field configured to acquire k-space data corresponding to an MR image, and correcting the k-space data using the vibration error component. The vibration-induced magnetic field perturbation includes a spatially invariant magnetic field, a spatially linear readout magnetic field gradient, a spatially linear phase-encoding magnetic field gradient, and a spatially linear slice-selection magnetic field gradient.