Abstract: This invention relates to interconnection assemblies for use with spinal fixation systems to treat spinal defects. The interconnection assemblies can include various spinal rod connecting members and interconnecting elements to secure the spinal rod connecting members to each other in variable orientations and lengths. The interconnection assemblies can be adjusted to minimize interference with the spinal column, bony processes, and associated neural, muscular, and ligament components of the spine all the while exhibiting a low profile. The interconnecting elements and related components can be provided as a completely assembled unit that does not inadvertently become disassembled prior to or during implantation.

Abstract: This invention relates to interconnection assemblies for use with spinal fixation systems to treat spinal defects. The interconnection assemblies can include various spinal rod connecting members and interconnecting elements to secure the spinal rod connecting members to each other in variable orientations and lengths. The interconnection assemblies can be adjusted to minimize interference with the spinal column, bony processes, and associated neural, muscular, and ligament components of the spine all the while exhibiting a low profile. The interconnecting elements and related components can be provided as a completely assembled unit that does not inadvertently become disassembled prior to or during implantation.

Abstract: This invention relates to interconnection assemblies for use with spinal fixation systems to treat spinal defects. The interconnection assemblies can include various spinal rod connecting members and interconnecting elements to secure the spinal rod connecting members to each other in variable orientations and lengths. The interconnection assemblies can be adjusted to minimize interference with the spinal column, bony processes, and associated neural, muscular, and ligament components of the spine all the while exhibiting a low profile. The interconnecting elements and related components can be provided as a completely assembled unit that does not inadvertently become disassembled prior to or during implantation.

Abstract: A method of acquiring medical image data with at least one region of interest with a predefined freely shaped geometry comprising the following steps: acquiring a first set of medical image data, identifying at least one anatomical landmark in the first set of image data, determining the at least one region of interest with a trained pattern recognition module using the at least one anatomical landmark.

Abstract: In a diagnostic imaging system (10), a user interface (82) facilitates viewing of 4D kinematic data sets. A set of reference points is selected in a first 3D image to designate an anatomical component. An algorithm (104) calculates a propagation of the selected reference points from the first 3D image into other 3D images. Transforms which describe the propagation of the reference points between 3D images are defined. An aligning algorithm (112) applies inverse of the transforms to the 3D images to define a series of frames for the video processor (120) to display, in which frames the designated anatomical component defined by the reference points in each of the 3D images remains fixed while the other portions of the anatomical region of interest move relative to the fixed designated anatomical component.

Abstract: In a computer-assisted visualization of a three-dimensional anatomical object, two or more diagnostic image data records (1, 3, 4, 5) of the object are recorded. Thereafter, an imaging specification is defined for imaging the image data (1, 3, 4, 5) onto a two-dimensional display plane (8). In order to define the imaging specification, anatomical features (2) of the object are identified in at least one of the image data records (1). Finally, a combined two-dimensional representation is calculated by imaging the two or more image data records (1, 3, 4, 5) according to the previously defined imaging specification onto a common display plane (8).

Abstract: A therapy planner (16) is configured to construct a therapy plan based on a planning image segmented into segments delineating features of a subject. A predictive plan adaptation module (20) is configured to adjust the segments to represent a foreseeable change in the subject and to invoke the therapy planner to construct a therapy plan corresponding to the foreseeable change. A data storage (18) stores a plurality of therapy plans generated for a subject by the therapy planner and the predictive plan adaptation module based on at least one planning image of the subject. A therapy plan selector (30) is configured to select one of the plurality of therapy plans for use in a therapy session based on a preparatory image acquired preparatory to the therapy session.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A perfusion analysis system includes a perfusion modeller (120) and a user interface (122). The perfusion modeller (120) generates a patient specific perfusion model based on medical imaging perfusion data for the patient, a general perfusion model, and a quantification of one or more identified pathologies of the patient that affect perfusion in the patient. The user interface (122) accepts an input indicative of a modification to the quantification of the one or more identified pathologies. In response, the perfusion modeller (120) updates the patient specific perfusion model based on the medical imaging perfusion data for the patient, the general perfusion model, and the quantification of the one or more identified pathologies of the patient, including the modification thereto.

Abstract: Derotation instrument assemblies and systems are provided to facilitate positioning one or more vertebrae of a spinal column into a desired alignment. The instrument assemblies and systems include implant holders engageable to respective implants engaged to vertebrae of the spinal column, transverse bridges to connect implant holders associated with a particular vertebra, and inter-level linking assemblies to connect instrument assemblies associated with different vertebrae. Derotation handles can be provided to facilitate application of the alignment forces, while the assemblies distribute the corrective forces to the connected implants and vertebrae.

Abstract: A distributed Internet Protocol (IP) voting system and method for use in Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Systems having a central send-and-receive site and one or more receive-only sites. In the distributed voting system, receive-only sites are directly linked to the control point using a network and associated packet transmission protocol. This may be a high-speed asynchronous data link such as a standard IP network link. Each remote site receiving digital data, calculates a bit error for that data. This error calculation is incorporated into the data header information. The data header information and data are placed in an IP packet and transmitted as a User Data Protocol (UDP) message to the control point. The control point selects the lowest bit rate data message, or the first control message, and retransmits it using a standard radio air interface protocol, such as the APCO Project 25 air interface protocol.

Abstract: Derotation instrument assemblies and systems are provided to facilitate positioning one or more vertebrae of a spinal column into a desired alignment. The instrument assemblies and systems include implant holders engageable to respective implants engaged to vertebrae of the spinal column, transverse bridges to connect implant holders associated with a particular vertebra, and inter-level linking assemblies to connect instrument assemblies associated with different vertebrae. Derotation handles can be provided to facilitate application of the alignment forces, while the assemblies distribute the corrective forces to the connected implants and vertebrae.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) arranged to delineate the acute intracerebral haematoma in non-contrasted CT images in two stages. The first stage, performed by the extraction unit (110), employs an analysis of gray values of the image data in order to extract the candidate region. The candidate region may comprise both an acute haematoma and other regions having similar gray values, e.g., regions resulting from partial volume effects at the interface of the bony structures of the skull and the brain. The novel second stage, performed by the classification unit (120), analyzes spatial features of the candidate region such as, for example, the size, shape, and connectedness to the skull bone of the candidate region. Using spatial features of the candidate region improves the correctness of classification of the candidate region as a true or false acute haematoma.

Abstract: When detecting and classifying hypo-metabolic regions in the brain to facilitate dementia diagnosis, a patient's brain scan image, generated using an FDG-PET scan, is compared to a plurality of hypo-metabolic region patterns in brain scan images associated with a plurality of types of dementia. In a fully automated mode, the patient's scan is compared to all scans stored in a knowledge base, and a type of dementia associated with a most likely match is output to a user along with a highlighted image of the patient' s brain. In a semi-automated mode, a user specifies two or more types of dementia, and the patient's scan is compared to scans typical of the specified types. Diagnosis information including respective likelihoods for each type is then output to the user. Additionally, the user can adjust a threshold significance level to increase or decrease a number of voxels that are included in hypo-metabolic regions highlighted in the patient' brain scan image.

Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.

Abstract: A surgical installation tool to insert a vertebral implant into a patient includes an elongated handle and a head attached to one end. The vertebral implant may be attached to the head. The head may include an engagement member that is movable between engaged and released positions. The engagement member may be outwardly biased so that it naturally rests in the released position. The engagement member may be inwardly movable from the released position to the engaged position. A reactive force caused by the inward deflection may supply the attachment force between the installation tool and the vertebral implant. The attachment between the vertebral implant to the installation tool may be maintained while the engagement member is in the engaged position.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application includes a surgical instrument comprising a first member and a second member that are pivotally interconnected together. The first member and the second member each include a proximal end structured for manual manipulation by an operator and a distal end defining a gripping nose structured to engage a bone anchor. The instrument further includes a bearing surface to contact an implantable rod when the gripping nose is engaged with a bone anchor and to urge the rod toward the bone anchor when the gripping nose is pivoted thereabout. A thread guide is included that is engaged by threading of a rotatable member. The rotatable member can include a swivel-mounted head structured to bear against and further urge the rod toward a seat in the bone anchor when the rotatable member is turned through the guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a method for providing visualisation parameters controlling the display of a medical image (12). The data processing apparatus comprises a mapping component (16). The mapping component (16) is arranged to receive a current dataset (15) corresponding to the medical image and comprising a content description thereof, to compare the content description of the current dataset (15) with a content description of a plurality of stored datasets, to select at least one further dataset out of the plurality of stored datasets, to retrieve stored visualisation parameters corresponding to the at least one further dataset, and to prepare the retrieved visualisation parameters as the visualisation parameters controlling the display of the medical image (12).

Abstract: A spinal rod system includes a first rod and a second rod engaged to a connector with the first and second rods extending axially therefrom in opposite direction and in laterally offset relation. The connector includes first and second side-by-side receptacles for receiving respective ones of the rods. The connector includes a clamping arrangement to releasably secure the rods in the respective receptacles. The receptacles allow the relative axial position between the rods to be adjusted to accommodate anatomical conditions.