Abstract: An air warmer has a housing whereinto is positioned a noise reduction mechanism having a casing that encases a sound reducing structure having a maze like cavity. An axial fan is positioned within the sound reducing structure. In operation, air is drawn into the sound reducing structure by the fan along a first tortuous passage. The air is directed by the fan through another tortuous passage to an air outlet to inflate a convective blanket with an air hose connected to the air outlet. The configuration of the maze like cavity and the material from which the nosie reducing structure is formed reduce the noise generated by the fan. A heater is provided proximate to the air outlet to heat the output air. A filter is provided at the air inlet to filter the ambient air drawn into the warmer.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for gating the acquisition or selection of image data based upon the respiration of a patient. The technique provides for the acquisition of respiratory motion data from the image system or from one or more sensor-based motion determination systems. Various attributes of respiratory motion may be derived from the respiratory motion data and motion thresholds determined from the attributes. Based upon the respiratory motion of the patient and the determined thresholds, image data may be acquired or selected which corresponds to one or more breath-holds by the patient or low respiratory motion quiet periods within the breath-holds. The technique may be implemented in a fully automated or operator assisted or supervised manner.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for measuring the motion of an organ in three dimensions. As provided by the technique, the motion of the organ along each dimension may be determined by a suitable methodology. Where sensor-based motion measurements are suitable, one or more sensors may be placed on a patient to measure internal motion of the organ of interest along one or more perpendicular axes. Where image-based techniques are suitable, the motion of the internal organ along a perpendicular axis may determined using pre-acquisition image data or acquisition image data when suitable. Concurrent motion vectors for all three dimensions may be obtained from the motion data acquired for the perpendicular axes by the disparate methodologies. The concurrent motion vectors may be combined to describe the three-dimensional motion of the organ over time.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for identifying a period of minimal motion for an organ of interest, such as the heart or lungs. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to generate a set of multi-input motion data that may be processed to identify desired periods, such as periods of minimal motion, within the overall motion of the organ of interest.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for determining the overall motion of an organ of interest relative to a viewer or imager. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and/or for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image data-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image data-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to determine one or more quiescent periods corresponding to intervals of minimal motion for the organ of interest and the proximate organs. The one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more gating points that may be used prospectively, i.e., during image acquisition. In addition, the one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more motion compensation factors that may be used during processing and reconstruction of the acquired image data.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for determining the overall motion of an organ of interest relative to a viewer or imager. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and/or for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image data-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image data-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to determine one or more quiescent periods corresponding to intervals of minimal motion for the organ of interest and the proximate organs. The one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more gating points hat may be used retrospectively, i.e., after image acquisition. In addition, the one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more motion compensation factors that may be used during processing and reconstruction of the acquired image data.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for determining the overall motion of an organ of interest relative to a viewer or imager. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and/or for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image data-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image data-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to determine one or more quiescent periods corresponding to intervals of minimal motion for the organ of interest and the proximate organs. The one or more quiescent periods may be used to determine one or more gating points that may be used prospectively, i.e., during image acquisition, and retrospectively, i.e., after image acquisition.