Abstract: A method of correcting for motion of a patient during a CT scan includes observing positions of radio-opaque markers in a series of two dimensional x-ray projections taken by a scanner. The markers are positioned on a patient in a fixed and rigid relationship, a CT scan is performed to obtain a three dimensional CT image, and an actual projected position of each of the markers in each two dimensional projection is determined. A motion data set is obtained based on the actual projected positions of the plurality of the markers. A final three dimensional CT image is reconstructed employing the motion data set.

Abstract: A head holder made of radiolucent material is attached near an end of a table to support a head of a patient during a CT scan. The head holder includes a base portion that supports the shoulders and upper back of the patient and a head rest that supports a patient's head. The head holder is moveable relative to the table in a direction that is generally parallel to a length of the table. A position of the head rest is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the base portion. The radiolucent material of the head holder does not affect the quality of a resulting CT scan.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.

Abstract: A first laser device and a second laser device direct a laser beam towards a patient before a CT scan to visually indicate an outer boundary of an area where x-rays will be directed during the CT scan. Each laser device includes a prism that deflects the laser beams to form lines on the patient that define an outer boundary of an area of the patient that will be exposed to the x-rays. If the area of the patient between the lines is not the desired area, the operator can move the patient until the desired area of the patient is located between the lines. A third laser device can direct a laser beam to define an outer boundary that is used to ensure proper orientation of the patient in the space.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a gantry that supports and houses components of the CT scanner. A camera is mounted to the gantry. As the gantry rotates about an axis of rotation, the camera captures a photographic external image of the patient at a plurality of rotational positions. A computer generates a three dimensional external image from the plurality of external images. The three dimensional external image is registered relative to a three dimensional CT image generated from a plurality of x-ray images.

Abstract: A method of correcting for motion of a patient during a CT scan includes observing positions of radio-opaque markers in a series of two dimensional x-ray projections taken by a scanner. The markers are positioned on a patient in a fixed and rigid relationship, a CT scan is performed to obtain a three dimensional CT image, and an actual projected position of each of the markers in each two dimensional projection is determined. A motion data set is obtained based on the actual projected positions of the plurality of the markers. A final three dimensional CT image is reconstructed employing the motion data set.

Abstract: A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a gantry including a first arm and a second arm. The first arm houses an x-ray source that generate x-rays, and the second arm houses a complementary flat-panel detector. During a pre-operative CT scan, the CT scanner is positioned at a scanning position near the patient. An alignment feature ensures that the CT scanner is repeatably positionable in the scanning position. After the pre-operative scan is complete, the CT scanner is moved to a remote position. If an updated CT scan is needed during the surgical procedure, the CT scanner is moved from the remote position to the scanning position. The alignment feature ensures that the CT scanner is properly positioned in the scanning position.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a base, two fixed portions extending transversely from the base, and a rocking beam pivotally attached to the base about an axis. The CT scanner includes four wheels that allow the CT scanner to move over a floor. A wheel is attached to each fixed portion, and a wheel is attached to each end of the rocking beam. If the CT scanner is positioned on a floor with an unlevel portion, the rocking beam rotates about the axis. One wheel attached to the rocking beam raises in a generally vertical direction, and the other beam attached to the rocking beam lowers in a generally vertical direction so all four wheels contact the floor, stabilizing the CT scanner and preventing rocking.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a gantry, a handle, and a sensor located on or connected to the handle. During operation of the CT scanner, a control provides a signal to a motor to rotate the gantry about an axis of rotation. When the CT scanner is not taking a CT scan, a locking mechanism locks the gantry to prevent rotation of the gantry. When the sensor detects an operator, the control provides a signal to disengage the locking mechanism, allowing the gantry to freely rotate about the axis of rotation. When the sensor no longer detects the operator, the control sends a signal to lock the locking mechanism and lock the gantry in the current position.

Abstract: A first laser device and a second laser device direct a laser beam towards a patient before a CT scan to visually indicate an outer boundary of an area where x-rays will be directed during the CT scan. Each laser device includes a prism that deflects the laser beams to form lines on the patient that define an outer boundary of an area of the patient that will be exposed to the x-rays. If the area of the patient between the lines is not the desired area, the operator can move the patient until the desired area of the patient is located between the lines. A third laser device can direct a laser beam to define an outer boundary that is used to ensure proper orientation of the patient in the space.

Abstract: A head holder made of radiolucent material is attached near an end of a table to support a head of a patient during a CT scan. The head holder includes a base portion that supports the shoulders and upper back of the patient and a head rest that supports a patient's head. The head holder is moveable relative to the table in a direction that is generally parallel to a length of the table. A position of the head rest is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the base portion. The radiolucent material of the head holder does not affect the quality of a resulting CT scan.

Abstract: A camera mounted to a CT scanner can be used to provide technical assistance relating to the CT scanner. The camera captures an image of an operator of the CT scanner, and the image is provided to a technician at an off-site technical support center. The camera can take external images of a patient while the CT scanner captures x-ray images of the patient, and a computer registers the images relative to each other. The camera can be used when the CT scanner is operating in a fluoroscopy mode, for motion tracking or motion correction of a three dimensional CT image, or for soft-tissue simulation of an area of the patient that is to undergo surgery.

Abstract: A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.

Abstract: A CT scanning system provides the ability to scan a patient's lower extremities while the patent is upright, i.e. either standing on the foot, or at least putting some load on the foot, or with the ankle at a given angle. The CT scanning system provides a generally horizontal upper support surface on which the patient's foot is supported. A gantry supporting an x-ray source and x-ray detector are rotated about a z-axis through the support surface. With the CT scanning system, the patient's lower extremities can be scanned while under load.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a base, two fixed portions extending transversely from the base, and a rocking beam pivotally attached to the base about an axis. The CT scanner includes four wheels that allow the CT scanner to move over a floor. A wheel is attached to each fixed portion, and a wheel is attached to each end of the rocking beam. If the CT scanner is positioned on a floor with an unlevel portion, the rocking beam rotates about the axis. One wheel attached to the rocking beam raises in a generally vertical direction, and the other beam attached to the rocking beam lowers in a generally vertical direction so all four wheels contact the floor, stabilizing the CT scanner and preventing rocking.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a gantry that supports and houses components of the CT scanner. A camera is mounted to the gantry. As the gantry rotates about an axis of rotation, the camera captures a photographic external image of the patient at a plurality of rotational positions. A computer generates a three dimensional external image from the plurality of external images. The three dimensional external image is registered relative to a three dimensional CT image generated from a plurality of x-ray images.

Abstract: A CT scanner takes a three-dimensional CT image, and a right sinus cavity and a left sinus cavity of a patient are identified in the CT image. The sinus cavities can be manually or automatically identified. When the sinus cavities are clear, the sinus cavities appear black in the CT image. When fluid or static polyps fill the sinus cavities, the sinus cavities appear gray in the CT image. A computer evaluates the CT image to quantify the amount of fluid or static polyps in the sinus cavities.