Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing a cytological specimen from a patient sample in a sample container include or employ mechanisms for quickly and accurately adjusting the pressure in a pressure unit during the specimen preparation. The systems include a specimen transfer device configured for being positioned within the sample container, a pressure tank coupled to the specimen transfer device and configured for applying at least one of positive pressure and vacuum pressure through the specimen transfer device, and a temperature adjusting unit coupled to the pressure tank, and configured for incrementally adjusting the pressure in the pressure tank by heating or cooling the tank. The method includes steps of performing a coarse pressure adjustment using a supply valve and/or a bleed valve coupled to the pressure tank, and, after the coarse adjustment, performing a fine pressure adjustment using a temperature adjusting element coupled to the pressure tank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for viewing and manipulating digital images. One example apparatus includes a controller configured to receive user input via a plurality of context-adaptive button controls, each of the plurality of context-adaptive button controls being associated with at least one function for viewing and manipulating digital images. The controller configured to determine at least one context of the digital medical images and change the at least one function for viewing and manipulating digital images based on the determined context.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis system has an x-ray source with an addressable array of electron emitting sections on the cathode. The x-ray source moves rotationally about an imaging target, such as a breast. During the rotation, x-rays are emitting from the x-ray source while the x-ray source continues to move. During the emission of x-rays, different subsets of electron-emitting sections of the addressable array are activated to compensate for movement of the x-ray source. By activating the different subsets of electron-emitting sections, an effective focal spot of the x-ray position appears to retain the same shape, size, and position from the perspective of the imaging target, despite movement of the x-ray source itself.

Abstract: A system and method for reviewing a tomosynthesis image data set comprising volumetric image data of a breast, the method comprising, in one embodiment, causing an image or a series of images from the data set to be displayed on a display monitor and selecting or indicating through a user interface an object or region of interest in a presently displayed image of the data set, thereby causing an image from the data set having a best focus measure of the user selected or indicated object or region of interest to be automatically displayed on the display monitor.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images

Abstract: Systems and methods for breast x-ray tomosynthesis that enhance spatial resolution in the direction in which the breast is flattened for examination. In addition to x-ray data acquisition of 2D projection tomosynthesis images ETp1 over a shorter source trajectory similar to known breast tomosynthesis, supplemental 2D images ETp2 are taken over a longer source trajectory and the two sets of projection images are processed into breast slice images ETr that exhibit enhanced spatial resolution, including in the thickness direction of the breast. Additional features include breast CT of an upright patient's flattened breast, multi-mode tomosynthesis, and shielding the patient from moving equipment.

Abstract: A real-time fluoroscopic imaging system includes a collimator and a detector which are rotationally movable independent of the support assembly, e.g., c-arm, to which they are mounted. Rotational movement of the collimator and the detector are coordinated such that the orientation of the detector with respect to the collimator does not change. The collimator may include a geared flange member to facilitate rotation, and may be a single molded piece formed of a plastic such as tungsten polymer material. The system may also include a plurality of interchangeable collimators characterized by different shapes. A display is provided to present an image to an operator, and image orientation logic displays a target anatomy in a selected orientation regardless of orientation of the target anatomy relative to the detector, and regardless of rotation of the detector.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluid management system includes automatically detecting an unstable condition in the system, which may include detecting a large change in the supply fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), detecting a large change in the waste fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), or detecting a large difference between the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the weight data and the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the flow data (indicative of a blockage in the supply tubing). The method further includes adjusting the operating mode of the system during the unstable condition, which may include switching to using flow data rather than weight data to track the fluid deficit during a supply bag exchange, halting operation of an outflow pump during a waste container exchange, and/or halting operation of the system during a blockage in the supply tubing.

Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.

Abstract: A mammographic imaging system is optimized for use with a single fixed size flat panel digital image receptor. It accommodates compression devices (paddles) of varying sizes, and positions them properly in a field of view of the image receptor. When a compression paddle with size smaller than the field of view of the image receptor is used, the compression paddle can be shifted laterally in the direction parallel to the chest wall, so as to facilitate different views of different size breasts, and permit the image receptor to image as much of the desired tissue as possible. An automatic X-ray collimator restricts the X-ray illumination of the breast in accordance with the compression paddle size and location in the field of view. An anti-scatter grid, mounted inside the image receptor enclosure, just below the top cover of the enclosure, can be retracted out of the field of view of the image receptor for use in magnification imaging.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products for processing and displaying computer-aided detection (CAD) information associated with medical breast x-ray images, such as breast x-ray tomosynthesis volumes, are described. An interactive graphical user interface for displaying a tomosynthesis data volume is described that includes a display of a two-dimensional composited image having slabbed sub-images spatially localized to marked CAD findings.

Abstract: An automated specimen preparation system for preparing a specimen from a sample in a sample container is provided. The automated specimen preparation system comprises a specimen transfer device configured for holding a specimen collector thereon and for being positioned within the sample container. The specimen transfer device comprises a central bore having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, a pressure monitoring port fluidly coupled to the central bore at the proximal end of the central bore, and a fluid waste evacuation port fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the central bore. The pressure monitoring port comprises a reduced diameter portion coupled directly to the central bore. The automated specimen preparation system further comprises a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the fluid waste evacuation port, and a pressure monitoring device fluidly coupled to the pressure monitoring port.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for detecting X-ray tube output roll off (e.g., reduction in X-ray tube radiation output). In aspects, one or more radiation doses may be delivered to an imaging phantom by an X-ray tube as part of a quality control process. The quality control data may be tracked over a period of time and used to update the tube output file corresponding to the X-ray tube. Based on the quality control data and the tube output file updates, the output roll off of the X-ray tube may be detected and tracked at frequent intervals. The frequent tracking of the output roll off may enable the early detection of X-ray tube failure and/or a prediction of an X-ray tube replacement date.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing X-ray scatter during breast imaging, and more specifically during tomosynthesis imaging. In one embodiment, an anti-scatter grid having a plurality of septa may be configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray imaging device such that each septum of the plurality of septa extends along a direction substantially parallel to a coronal plane of a subject during imaging of the subject using the X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device may be operable in a tomosynthesis mode for imaging of a breast of the subject and may include the anti-scatter grid disposed between a breast platform and the X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid may be configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the subject during tomosynthesis imaging.

Abstract: A system for processing breast tissue images includes an image processing computer and a user interface operatively coupled to the image processing computer, wherein the image processing computer is configured to obtain image data of breast tissue, processing the image data to generate a set of reconstructed image slices, the reconstructed image slices collectively depicting the breast tissue, process respective subsets of the reconstructed image slices to generate a set of image slabs, each image slab comprising a synthesized 2D image of a portion of the breast tissue obtained from a respective subset of the set of reconstructed image slices.

Abstract: The invention includes a method including the steps of obtaining a plurality of images, each of the images in the plurality having at least one corresponding region, generating a merged image, the merged image also having the corresponding region. The step of generating includes selecting an image source from the plurality of images to source image data for the corresponding region in the merged image by comparing attributes of the corresponding regions of the plurality of images to identify the image source having preferred attributes.

Abstract: A multi-modality cancer screening and diagnosis system is provided that allows cancer screening and diagnosis of a patient using at least two different and sequential three-dimensional imaging techniques without patient repositioning. The system includes a first three-dimensional image acquisition device, a second three-dimensional image acquisition device having a probe with a transmitter mounted thereon, and a positioning paddle for positioning and immobilizing an object to be imaged during the cancer screening and diagnosis procedure. The positioning paddle is designed to facilitate visualization of the breast in both three-dimensional modalities without movement of the patient, and preferably is designed to position the patient with comfort during a diagnosis procedure which uses both imaging modalities.