Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap for a medical connector. More specifically, the present invention related to an antimicrobial cap for placement over a connector, wherein various features of the antimicrobial cap maintain the connector in an antiseptic state.

Abstract: Method and/or apparatus embodiments for 3-D cephalometric analysis of a patient, acquires reconstructed volume image data from a computed tomographic scan of a patient's head including one or more dentition elements within the mouth of the patient, and computes one or more cephalometric parameters for the patient according to the reconstructed volume image data and the one or more dentition elements. One or more results generated from cephalometric analysis of the one or more computed cephalometric parameters can be stored, transmitted or displayed. The reconstructed volume image data is updated with 3D surface model from a subsequent optical scan of the patient's dentition and the one or more cephalometric parameters for the patient are re-computed based on the updated reconstructed volume image data.

Abstract: Method and/or apparatus embodiments for 3-D cephalometric analysis of a patient, acquires reconstructed volume image data from a computed tomographic scan of a patient's head including one or more dentition elements within the mouth of the patient, and computes one or more cephalometric parameters for the patient according to the reconstructed volume image data and the one or more dentition elements. One or more results generated from cephalometric analysis of the one or more computed cephalometric parameters can be stored, transmitted or displayed. The reconstructed volume image data is updated with 3D surface model from a subsequent optical scan of the patient's dentition and the one or more cephalometric parameters for the patient are re¬ computed based on the updated reconstructed volume image data.

Abstract: An imaging method, accesses a set of low-energy projection images and performs a low-energy reconstruction using the low-energy projection images. A synthesized intermediate low-energy projection image is generated. A high-energy reconstruction is performed using a set of high-energy projection images. A synthesized intermediate high-energy projection image is generated. A dual-energy reconstruction is performed using at least one low-energy projection image, the synthesized intermediate low-energy projection image, at least one high-energy projection image, and the synthesized intermediate high-energy projection image.

Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a radiography apparatus disposes at least one radio-opaque marker in the field of view of the radiography apparatus. A series of tomosynthesis projection images of patient anatomy is acquired from the detector with the x-ray source at different positions along a scan path. For at least three projection images showing the position of the radio-opaque marker, the spatial and angular geometry of the x-ray source and detector are calculated according to the positions of the marker. A tomosynthesis image is reconstructed according to the calculated geometry. A rendering of the reconstructed image is displayed.

Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a radiography apparatus acquires tomosynthesis projection images of patient anatomy from a detector and an x-ray source translated along a scan path. An epipolar geometry is calculated according to the relative position of the detector to the scan path by estimating a direction for epipolar lines that extend along an image plane that includes the detector. A region of interest of the patient anatomy that is a portion of each projection image and is fully included within each projection image in the series is defined. A consistency metric is calculated for estimated epipolar lines extending within the ROI. The method iteratively adjusts the epipolar line estimation until the consistency metric indicates accuracy to within a predetermined threshold. A portion of a tomosynthesis volume is reconstructed and displayed.

Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a mobile radiography apparatus, executed at least in part by a computer, acquires a series of tomosynthesis projection images of a patient positioned between an x-ray source of the mobile radiography apparatus and a detector that is positionally uncoupled from the x-ray source. A vector field is generated having a first set of vectors indicative of feature movement between a first acquired projection image and a second acquired projection image. The generated vector field is associated with an epipolar geometry according to an optimization of an energy relationship between an epipolar model and the generated vector field values. The mobile radiography apparatus is calibrated according to the associated model epipolar geometry. At least a portion of the tomosynthesis image is reconstructed and displayed.

Abstract: A method accepts patient-specific data for imaging a patient extremity on a cone beam computed tomography apparatus and generates and displays a set of acquisition parameters and dose indication for 2-D projection image capture of the extremity. The generated set of acquisition parameters and dose indication are updated according to one or more operator entered instructions. A set of 2-D projection images of a 3-D volume is acquired according to the updated set of acquisition parameters. The volume is reconstructed according to the acquired set of 2-D projection images.

Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a radiography apparatus acquires tomosynthesis projection images of patient anatomy from a detector and an x-ray source translated along a scan path. An epipolar geometry is calculated according to the relative position of the detector to the scan path by estimating a direction for epipolar lines that extend along an image plane that includes the detector. A region of interest of the patient anatomy that is a portion of each projection image and is fully included within each projection image in the series is defined. A consistency metric is calculated for estimated epipolar lines extending within the ROI. The method iteratively adjusts the epipolar line estimation until the consistency metric indicates accuracy to within a predetermined threshold. A portion of a tomosynthesis volume is reconstructed and displayed.

Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a radiography apparatus disposes at least one radio-opaque marker in the field of view of the radiography apparatus. A series of tomosynthesis projection images of patient anatomy is acquired from the detector with the x-ray source at different positions along a scan path. For at least three projection images showing the position of the radio-opaque marker, the spatial and angular geometry of the x-ray source and detector are calculated according to the positions of the marker. A tomosynthesis image is reconstructed according to the calculated geometry. A rendering of the reconstructed image is displayed.

Abstract: A method for tomosynthesis volume reconstruction acquires at least a prior projection image of the subject at a first angle and a subsequent projection image of the subject at a second angle. A synthetic image corresponding to an intermediate angle between the first and second angle is generated by a repeated process of relating an area of the synthetic image to a prior patch on the prior projection image and to a subsequent patch on the subsequent projection image according to a bidirectional spatial similarity metric, wherein the prior patch and subsequent patch have n×m pixels; and combining image data from the prior patch and the subsequent patch to form a portion of the synthetic image. The generated synthetic image is displayed, stored, processed, or transmitted.

Abstract: A wearable calibration target having a band that is configured to wrap about a patient's limb and one or more calibration patches coupled to the band, wherein each of the one or more calibration patches is formed from a material having a known attenuation to X-ray radiation.

Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a mobile radiography apparatus, executed at least in part by a computer, acquires a series of tomosynthesis projection images of a patient positioned between an x-ray source of the mobile radiography apparatus and a detector that is positionally uncoupled from the x-ray source. A vector field is generated having a first set of vectors indicative of feature movement between a first acquired projection image and a second acquired projection image. The generated vector field is associated with an epipolar geometry according to an optimization of an energy relationship between an epipolar model and the generated vector field values. The mobile radiography apparatus is calibrated according to the associated model epipolar geometry. At least a portion of the tomosynthesis image is reconstructed and displayed.

Abstract: A method for imaging a subject obtains a first set of acquired projection images of a subject volume, wherein each projection image in the first set has a corresponding acquisition angle and forms an initial reconstructed volume image. A second set of synthetic projection images is generated according to processing of the acquired projection images and combined with the first set to form a combined set of projection images. The method augments the initial reconstructed image to form an improved reconstructed image by at least a first iteration of an iterative reconstruction process using the initial reconstructed image with the combined set of acquired and synthetic projection images and at least a subsequent iteration of the iterative reconstruction process using the first set of acquired projection images and fewer than, or none of, the second set of synthetic projection images. The improved reconstruction image is rendered on a display.

Abstract: An imaging method, accesses a set of low-energy projection images and performs a low-energy reconstruction using the low-energy projection images. A synthesized intermediate low-energy projection image is generated. A high-energy reconstruction is performed using a set of high-energy projection images. A synthesized intermediate high-energy projection image is generated. A dual-energy reconstruction is performed using at least one low-energy projection image, the synthesized intermediate low-energy projection image, at least one high-energy projection image, and the synthesized intermediate high-energy projection image.

Abstract: An apparatus captures radiographic images of an animal standing proximate the apparatus. A moveable x-ray source and a digital radiographic detector are hidden from view of the animal and are revolved about a portion of the animal's body to capture one or a sequence of radiographic images of the animal's body.

Abstract: A method for 3-D cephalometric analysis acquires reconstructed volume image data from a computed tomographic scan of a patient's head. The acquired volume image data simultaneously displays from at least a first 2-D view and a second 2-D view. For an anatomical feature of the head, an operator instruction positions a reference mark corresponding to the feature on either the first or the second displayed 2-D view and the reference mark displays on each of the at least first and second displayed 2-D views. In at least the first and second displayed 2-D views, one or more connecting lines display between two or more of the positioned reference marks. One or more cephalometric parameters are derived according to the positioned reference marks, the derived parameters are displayed.

Abstract: A method for forming an image reconstructs a volume image according to X-ray projection images acquired at acquisition angles. The full volume image is partitioned to form at least a first and a second non-overlapping sub-volume. Within each sub-volume, forward projection images for the sub-volume are calculated, with the corresponding forward projection images computed at the acquisition angles, and with intermediate forward projection images at angles between the acquisition angles. A weight factor relates the contribution of each pixel in the X-ray projection images to each sub-volume at each acquisition angle. Synthesized sub-volume projection images are formed according to the calculated weight factors and acquired projection images in each sub-volume. Synthesized sub-volume projection images form synthesized projection images for the full volume image. A second volume image is reconstructed according to the acquired X-ray projection images and the synthesized projection images.

Abstract: A method for forming an image reconstructs a volume image according to X-ray projection images acquired at acquisition angles. The full volume image is partitioned to form at least a first and a second non-overlapping sub-volume. Within each sub-volume, forward projection images for the sub-volume are calculated, with the corresponding forward projection images computed at the acquisition angles, and with intermediate forward projection images at angles between the acquisition angles. A weight factor relates the contribution of each pixel in the X-ray projection images to each sub-volume at each acquisition angle. Synthesized sub-volume projection images are formed according to the calculated weight factors and acquired projection images in each sub-volume. Synthesized sub-volume projection images form synthesized projection images for the full volume image. A second volume image is reconstructed according to the acquired X-ray projection images and the synthesized projection images.

Abstract: Method and/or apparatus embodiments can process volume image data of a subject. An exemplary method includes obtaining a first group of two-dimensional radiographic images of the subject, wherein each of the images is obtained with a detector and a radiation source at a different scan angle. The method arranges image data from the first group of images in an image stack so that corresponding pixel data from the detector is in register for each of the images in the image stack. Pixels that represent metal objects are segmented from the image stack and data replaced for at least some of the segmented pixels to generate a second group of modified two-dimensional radiographic images. The second group of images is combined with the first group to generate a three-dimensional volume image according to the combined images and an image slice from the three-dimensional volume image is displayed.