Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal management system, an X-ray detection device and a CT apparatus. The thermal management system comprises a heater, an air mixing portion and a fan. The heater is provided at an air inlet of the air mixing portion. The air mixing portion provides an air mixing space for mixing exterior air that enters the air mixing portion with interior air of the air mixing portion. The fan is provided at an air outlet of the air mixing portion, and supplies the mixed air in the air mixing portion to a target object to be thermally managed. Therefore, a response time of the thermal management system to operate for an external temperature change may be lengthened, thus occurrence of abrupt change in a temperature of the target object as the external temperature changes abruptly may be avoided, improving a reliability of the thermal management system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image display apparatus is provided. The ultrasonic image display apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe configured to move while in contact with a test object and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the test object to obtain echo signals from a three-dimensional region of the test object, a parameter calculation section configured to calculate a parameter related to a moving velocity of the ultrasonic probe, a data generation section configured to generate data based on the echo signals of a plurality of frames, by selecting the frames in accordance with the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation section so that the echo signals of the frames used for generating the data are acquired within a required range, and a display section configured to display an ultrasonic image generated based on the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing artifacts in CT image reconstruction. The method comprises obtaining an original reconstructed image and an original sinogram and determining a proportion of metal pixels in the original reconstructed image. If the proportion is greater than a first threshold value, then generating an expanded metal template based on the original reconstructed image, generating a metal-free, metal artifact reduced (MAR) image based on the expanded metal template and the original sinogram, and generating a final image based on the expanded metal template and the metal-free, MAR image. However, if the proportion of metal pixels is less than a second threshold value, then generating an expanded metal template based on the original reconstructed image, generating a metal-free, metal artifact reduced image based on a treatment, and generating a final image based on the expanded metal template and the metal-free, MAR image.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for synchronized viewing of a plurality of images of an object. Corresponding landmarks of an object are synchronized between a first image set and a second image set. In an embodiment, the landmarks are folds of a human colon and the first image set and second images sets are computerized tomography scans, at least one image set being a prone scan of a portion of anatomy and at least one image set being a supine scan of a portion of the anatomy. An indicator for at least a first location in a first image set is displayed. The location of a second location in a second image set of an object is determined, wherein the second location corresponds to the first location of the object. The second location in the second image set is displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a set of data with a virtually dissected anatomical structure. In an embodiment, the anatomical structure is a colon and various attributes of the colonic lumen are assigned a color. In an embodiment, a virtual dissection of the colon is created by mapping a three-dimensional data set to a two dimensional data set. A plurality of display index values are computed which correspond to the three-dimensional data set. Various colors are assigned to specific display index values. The three-dimensional display index values are mapped to a two-dimensional set of display index values. As directed by a user, various color cues may be displayed with the virtually dissected lumen to provide color highlights to various aspects of the colon, such as highlighting shape, fluid, or fecal presence.

Abstract: A method for managing outputs to peripheral devices in medical systems devices is described. The method includes providing an instruction to provide an output, creating a data object based on the instruction, and storing the data object in a first memory if a peripheral device that provides the output is not available to accept the data object, where the first memory stores the data object for a longer term than a second memory.

Abstract: A method for a medical examination is described. The method includes polar phase encoding to generate a plurality of signals forming datasets representative of an object, where the datasets form a grid in polar coordinates in a k-space.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiology imaging having an anti-scatter layer with a plurality of metallized partitions that enable X-rays emitted from a source located above the grid to pass and absorbing X-rays not derived directly from this source. The grid has at least one plate of expanded polymer material fixed on one surface of anti-scatter layer. The grid may be positioned with a frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and computer program product for improving quality of images. The pixels of the input image are used to generate two lists of pixels based on two different scale space values. Thereafter, the two pixels lists are processed to obtain an output image with improved quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing voice control of a device, an ultrasound device for example. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for providing voice control of the ultrasound device having a plurality of features. The apparatus comprises a memory device adapted to store a plurality of voice commands for controlling the ultrasound device, where the plurality of voice commands has at least two different voice commands that active a single feature of the ultrasound device; a selection module adapted to selecting at least one of the at least two different voice commands; and a translator module adapted to derive a signal from the selected voice command and transmit it to the ultrasound device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for generating a detector position map for an array of detectors. The detector position map comprises a map which converts measured position coordinates from a detection event to the detector in the array which detected the detection event. The method comprises the steps of illuminating an array of detectors with a source of radiation to generate a histogram, the histogram comprising an event count as a function of two dimensions, the two dimensions corresponding to a face of the array of detectors, wherein the histogram comprises a plurality of first peaks; modifying the histogram to comprise a plurality of second peaks, wherein the second peaks have a greater degree of isolation from each other than the first peaks; and for each detector, determining a region on the detector position map which corresponds to the detector, each region being based on a position of one of the second peaks.

Abstract: A cathode (38) for an imaging tube (33) is provided. The cathode (38) includes an emitter (74) that emits an electron beam (98) to a focal spot (46) on an anode (44). A backing member (76) is electrically disposed on a second side (78) of the emitter (74) and contributes in formation of the electron beam (98). A deflection electrode (82) is electrically disposed between the backing member (76) and the anode (44) and adjusts position of the focal spot (46) on the anode (44). A non-contact x-ray source component position measuring system (32) is also provided. The position measuring system (32) includes an electromagnetic source (18) having an electromagnetic radiation source component (42) and a probe (50) that directs an emission signal (52) at and receives a return signal from the electromagnetic radiation source component (42). A controller (28) generates the emission signal (52) and determines position of the electromagnetic radiation source component (42) in response to the return signal (54).

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus to correct for gradient field distortions. The invention is particularly applicable in moving table imaging where a single extended image is desirable. The invention includes acquiring MR data in motion in the presence of gradient non-linearities, transforming the MR data acquired into the image domain, and then applying a warping correction function to the transformed MR data. The warp-corrected MR data is then corrected for motion induced during the MR acquisition. The data may be acquired point-by-point, line-by-line, or another sub-portion of the entire MR data acquired, and processed to minimize the amount of motion correction needed. Based on table velocity or acquisition sequence applied, the data is partitioned based on a common motion correction factor, and after correcting for motion, the data is accumulated to build up a final image.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (10) includes a superconducting magnet (14) that generates a static magnetic field. A gradient coil assembly (50) with an associated patient bore enclosure (18) and a gradient coil (52) that generates a gradient magnetic field in the patient bore (18). A static field-shaping coil (11) resides between the superconducting magnet (14) and the patient bore (18) and supplements the static magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of excitation for use during an NMR examination includes the subjecting of a body (92) to an orienting magnetic field (B0). The body (92) is adiabatically conditioned with a first series of Rf pulses (IP1–IPn). The body (92) is excited with a second series of RF pulses (E1–Em) in a presence of gradient field pulses. A resonance signal is emitted from the body (92) in response to the second series of RF pulses (E1–Em).

Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 is provided. The assembly 16 includes a target disc element 18 having a target bore 22. A target shaft 20 transmits rotational drive to the target disc element 18. The target shaft 20 includes a plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 formed in an upper portion. The plurality of axial adjustment slots 30 are positioned around the target shaft 20 to form a plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36. The plurality of partial circumferential ribs 36 are brazed to the target bore 22.

Abstract: An imaging tube (52, 52?) includes a vacuum vessel (96) and an atmospheric-side supply line assembly (104, 104?). The vacuum vessel (96) has an internal vacuum (98). The supply line assembly (104, 104?) has an electromagnetic shield (94, 94?). An insulator (106, 106?) separates the internal vacuum (98) from an external atmosphere (126). A cathode post (92, 92?) resides within the vacuum vessel (96). The cathode post (92, 92?) is in conductive proximity with the electromagnetic shield (94, 94?) and prevents the bending of electrostatic field lines within the imaging tube (52, 52?).

Abstract: A system and method for multi-channel MR spectroscopy (MRS) includes simultaneously acquiring MR signals from multiple coils and processing the MR signals individually to generate multiple sets of MRS results. The multiple sets of MRS results are combined to form a single superset of MRS results that is displayed as a simple proton MRS absorption spectrum.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a cathode filament of an X-ray tube and an X-ray tube formed by the method wherein the filament has at least two legs and one body, the filament being a single-piece filament. Spraying at least one material on a support by plasma spraying or by another deposition technique to obtain the filament molded on the support and separating the filament obtained from the support. The filament obtained has a variable thickness and a variable composition. The thicknesses of the legs and of the body as well as the composition of the filament can be modified according to the user's needs.