Abstract: A system for imaging biopsy samples obtained from a patient includes: a radiation source; a radiation detector having a surface that defines a first imaging region, a second imaging region, and a third imaging region; and a collimator having a body defining an opening and selectively adjustable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position. The first imaging position allows radiation rays to pass from the radiation source, through the opening, and into the second imaging region while restricting the radiation rays from passing into the first imaging region when the radiation source is in a first scanning position. The second imaging position allows radiation rays to pass from the radiation source, through the opening, and into the third imaging region while restricting the radiation rays from passing into the first imaging region when the radiation source is in a second scanning position.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system is provided. The system includes an x-ray emitter and an x-ray detector. The system further includes a sensor operative to acquire one or more image acquisition factors, and a controller in electronic communication with the x-ray emitter, the x-ray detector, and the sensor. The controller is operative to: acquire an x-ray image of a patient via the x-ray emitter and the x-ray detector; receive the one or more image acquisition factors from the sensor; and generate a view name of the x-ray image based at least in part on the one or more image acquisition factors.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system is provided. The system includes an x-ray emitter and an x-ray detector. The system further includes a sensor operative to acquire one or more image acquisition factors, and a controller in electronic communication with the x-ray emitter, the x-ray detector, and the sensor. The controller is operative to: acquire an x-ray image of a patient via the x-ray emitter and the x-ray detector; receive the one or more image acquisition factors from the sensor; and generate a view name of the x-ray image based at least in part on the one or more image acquisition factors.

Abstract: A system for selecting a patient position and an equipment configuration for a medical procedure is provided. The system includes a controller, and a memory device operative to store an application. The application adapts the controller to retrieve, from the memory device, one or more possible patient positions for the medical procedure and one or more possible equipment configurations for the medical procedure. The application further adapts the controller to select, based at least in part on one or more parameters of the medical procedure, a patient position from the possible patient positions and an equipment configuration from the possible equipment configurations; and to generate an indicator that conveys the selected patient position and the equipment configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling medical equipment is provided. The apparatus includes patient positioning equipment, and a control system coupled to the patient positioning equipment. The control system is configured to control a function of the medical equipment.

Abstract: A system for management of a biopsy apparatus is provided. The system includes an imaging device and a controller. The imaging device is operative to obtain one or more images of an object to be biopsied by the biopsy apparatus. The controller is in electronic communication with the imaging device and operative to receive the one or more images; and to generate a contour of the object based at least in part on the one or more images. The controller is further operative to determine, based at least in part on the contour, if the biopsy apparatus will contact the object during biopsy of the object; and to generate an indicator upon determining that the biopsy apparatus will contact the object.

Abstract: A method of optimizing images of a patient utilizing a medical imaging device includes the steps of providing a medical imaging device having an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, a controller for adjusting the positions of the x-ray source and detector, an image reconstructor/generator connected to the x-ray detector to receive x-ray data and reconstruct an x-ray image, and a processor connected to the image reconstructor/generator and the controller to perform analyses on the x-ray image, acquiring a first data set S1 of images, processing the first data set S1 to reconstruct a first computerized data set D1, analyzing the first computerized data set D1, acquiring at least one additional data set Sn in response to the analysis of the first computerized data set D1 and processing the at least one additional data set Sn in combination with the first data set S1 to reconstruct an optimized computerized data set Dn.

Abstract: A device and a related mammography method employing the device are described. The device comprises an x-ray source, an x-ray detector placed under a support plate for supporting an object and arranged to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, and a positioning assembly with an arm having multiple degrees of freedom which is a collaborative robot for positioning the x-ray source with respect to the support plate. A method for performing an imaging procedure, which includes placing an object of interest on the support plate; moving the x-ray source relative to the object of interest along a non-planar trajectory to avoid collision with the object; and activating the x-ray source and the x-ray detector so as to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, thus obtaining a set of x-ray images.

Abstract: A system for imaging biopsy samples obtained from a patient includes: a radiation source; a radiation detector having a surface that defines a first imaging region, a second imaging region, and a third imaging region; and a collimator having a body defining an opening and selectively adjustable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position. The first imaging position allows radiation rays to pass from the radiation source, through the opening, and into the second imaging region while restricting the radiation rays from passing into the first imaging region when the radiation source is in a first scanning position. The second imaging position allows radiation rays to pass from the radiation source, through the opening, and into the third imaging region while restricting the radiation rays from passing into the first imaging region when the radiation source is in a second scanning position.

Abstract: A method of processing X-ray images of a breast (B), the method comprising the steps of —generating (GEN3DV) a 3D volume from a plurality of X-ray images, —processing (DETMC) the 3D volume and/or the plurality of X-ray images, —computing (DETMC-CTR), for each region of interest in the 3D volume, a 3D characteristic position of the region of interest, —computing (CALCTGT) at least one needle target 3D position from a plurality of said computed 3D characteristic positions, —associating (SELIMG-TGT) each needle target position with a target image, —displaying (DISP-IMG) a slice image on a graphical interface, and —if the current slice image is a target image, displaying (DISP-TGT) on the graphical interface a target marker indicating each needle target position associated with the displayed current slice image.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biopsy method comprising automated moving of at least part of a biopsy sampler within a biopsy volume, to perform a biopsy in a zone of interest in a body, wherein said automated moving is preceded by variable positioning of said biopsy volume.

Abstract: A method of imaging biopsy samples using an x-ray system, where one or more images of an object positioned on an object support using the x-ray apparatus are acquired and communicating the one or more images to the controller, including a display and user interface. Then, displaying the one or more images on the display, defining an area on the one or more images using the user interface, communicating the coordinates of the defined area to a collimator, placing the biopsy samples within the area defined by the user, and acquiring one or more images of the biopsy samples without removing the object from the object support. A system for imaging biopsy samples including an x-ray apparatus and a work station, which includes a controller, where a user can select an area using the controller to illuminate, which corresponds to the field of view of the x-ray source.

Abstract: In the present invention, a method of optimizing images of a patient utilizing a medical imaging device includes the steps of providing a medical imaging device having an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, a controller for adjusting the positions of the x-ray source and detector, an image reconstructor/generator connected to the x-ray detector to receive x-ray data and reconstruct an x-ray image, and a processor connected to the image reconstructor/generator and the controller and configured to perform analyses on the x-ray image, acquiring a first data set S1 of images, processing the first data set S1 to reconstruct a first computerized data set D1, analyzing the first computerized data set D1, acquiring at least one additional data set Sn in response to the analysis of the first computerized data set D1 and processing the at least one additional data set Sn in combination with the first data set S1 to reconstruct an optimized and updated computerized data set Dn.

Abstract: A method of processing X-ray images of a breast (B), the method comprising the steps of —generating (GEN3DV) a 3D volume from a plurality of X-ray images, —processing (DETMC) the 3D volume and/or the plurality of X-ray images, —computing (DETMC-CTR), for each region of interest in the 3D volume, a 3D characteristic position of the region of interest, —computing (CALCTGT) at least one needle target 3D position from a plurality of said computed 3D characteristic positions, —associating (SELIMG-TGT) each needle target position with a target image, —displaying (DISP-IMG) a slice image on a graphical interface, and —if the current slice image is a target image, displaying (DISP-TGT) on the graphical interface a target marker indicating each needle target position associated with the displayed current slice image.

Abstract: A device and a related mammography method employing the device are described. The device comprises an x-ray source, an x-ray detector placed under a support plate for supporting an object and arranged to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, and a positioning assembly with an arm having multiple degrees of freedom which is a collaborative robot for positioning the x-ray source with respect to the support plate. A method for performing an imaging procedure, which includes placing an object of interest on the support plate; moving the x-ray source relative to the object of interest along a non-planar trajectory to avoid collision with the object; and activating the x-ray source and the x-ray detector so as to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, thus obtaining a set of x-ray images.

Abstract: A method for determining an insertion trajectory of a tool for reaching a moving target object prior to its insertion into a tissular matrix. The method comprises acquiring images of the tissular matrix, constructing a three-dimensional representation of the tissular matrix, determining coordinates of the initial position of the target object and any obstacles, and determining at least one potential trajectory of the tool from the coordinates of any obstacles and the initial position of the target object. The method further comprises simulating insertion of the tool in the tissular matrix to determine displacement of the target object during insertion of the tool up to the initial position of the target object along a potential trajectory, determining a new position of the target object based on the determined displacement, and determining the insertion trajectory for the new position of the target object.

Abstract: A test phantom for tomographic imaging, the phantom comprising an assembly of elementary structures defining a 3D mesh, wherein each elementary structure comprises a chief constituent material corresponding to an X-ray attenuation simulating a glandularity, wherein the elementary structures are in at least two types of chief constituent materials corresponding to different X-ray attenuations.

Abstract: A method for the assisted manipulation of an instrument in an assistive assembly for instrument manipulation, comprising: a medical imaging system comprising a support to immobilize at least one part of a patient intended to be imaged or already imaged by said system, an assistive device for assisted manipulation of an instrument intended to be used in said patient, said device comprising: a mobile mechanical structure operable by an operator, on which at least one instrument can be fixed, said method being characterized in that it comprises the step to calibrate the position of the assistive device relative to the position of the imaging system, thereby allowing the position of the patient part to be known within a reference frame related to the assistive device, to assist the operator in manipulating the instrument in the patient.

Abstract: A test phantom for tomographic imaging, the phantom comprising an assembly of elementary structures defining a 3D mesh, wherein each elementary structure comprises a chief constituent material corresponding to an X-ray attenuation simulating a glandularity, wherein the elementary structures are in at least two types of chief constituent materials corresponding to different X-ray attenuations.

Abstract: A method for determining an insertion trajectory of a tool for reaching a moving target object prior to its insertion into a tissular matrix is provided, the method comprising: acquiring images of the tissular matrix; constructing a three-dimensional representation of the tissular matrix; determining coordinates of the initial position of the target object and of the obstacles; determining at least one potential trajectory of the tool from the coordinates of the obstacles of the tissular matrix and of the initial position of the target object; simulating insertion of the tool in the tissular matrix to determine displacement of the target object within the tissular matrix during insertion of the tool up to the initial position of the target object along the potential trajectory; determining a new position of the target object based on the determined displacement; and determining the insertion trajectory for the new position of the target object.