Distance Or Dimension Marker Patents (Class 378/163)
  • Patent number: 11927548
    Abstract: Interface surfaces of mechanical system components may comprise one or more radiographic markers. A radiographic marker may comprise a marker material having a radiopacity greater than a radiopacity of a parent material of a mechanical system component that comprises that radiographic marker. Mechanical systems comprising one or more radiographically-marked components may be radiographically imaged to determine wear, damage, and/or other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore W. Eastes
  • Patent number: 11717252
    Abstract: A method for correcting inaccuracies in a three-dimensional (3D) rendered volume of an object due to deviations between an actual scanner translation speed and an expected scanner translation speed, the method comprising: placing a pre-measured reference adjacent to the object which is being scanned so that the pre-measured reference and the object are in the same scan field; scanning the object and the pre-measured reference so that the object and the pre-measured reference are both incorporated in a 3D rendered volume produced through scanning; comparing the 3D rendered volume of the pre-measured reference against the 3D volume of the true pre-measured reference and generating a correction map indicative of how the rendered 3D volume of the pre-measured reference should be adjusted so as to produce a more accurate 3D rendering of the pre-measured reference; and using the correction map to adjust the rendered 3D volume of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NeuroLogica Corporation, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ibrahim Bechwati, Philip Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11583341
    Abstract: A system for sizing an implant for a patient pre-operatively comprises a processor unit. A non-transitory computer-readable memory may be communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for obtaining at least one radiographic patient image of at least one patient bone with a scale marker relative to the bone, the scale marker having a known geometry, setting a scale of the at least one radiographic patient image using the known geometry of the scale marker, generating a three-dimensional bone model representative of the at least one patient bone using the at least one radiographic patient image and the scale, identifying an implant size and/or an implant model using implant models and dimensions of the three-dimensional bone model based on said scale, and outputting the implant size and/or the implant model for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ORTHOSOFT ULC
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Merette, Ramnada Chav
  • Patent number: 11564649
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating identification and marking of a target in a displayed Fluoroscopic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction (F3DR) of a body region of a patient. The system includes a display and a storage device storing instructions for receiving an initial selection of the target in the F3DR, fining the F3DR based on the initial selection of the target, displaying the fined F3DR on the display, and receiving a final selection of the target in the fined F3DR via a user selection. The system further includes at least one hardware processor configured to execute said instructions. The method and instructions may also include receiving a selection of a medical device in two two-dimensional fluoroscopic images, where the medical device is located in an area of the target, and initially fining the F3DR based on the selection of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Efrat Kedmi-Shahar, Dafna Mardix, Evgeni Kopel, Oren P. Weingarten, Benjamin Greenburg, Eyal Klein, Ron Barak
  • Patent number: 11564769
    Abstract: A registration fixture or plate is configured for use with a medical imaging system. The registration fixture may be an optical magnetic registration plate including a plurality of fiducial markers in arranged in a predefined unique pattern. The pattern can be unambiguously detected on 2D image of the plate produced by the medical imaging system. Association of the 2D imaged pattern of fiducial markers with the actual 3D pattern on the optical magnetic registration plate allows for accurate calculation of projection matrices and co-registration of the 3D and 2D coordinate systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS SARL
    Inventors: Alon Izmirli, Shlomo Hoory, Shay Levi, Itai Winkler
  • Patent number: 11540897
    Abstract: A disposable x-ray side marker (100) comprises a non-metallic material (108) having a sufficiently high linear attenuation coefficient to be radiographically visible. The material (108) may be mouldable, and may be or comprise gypsum. The material (108) may have an average atomic number greater than or equal to 11, and may have a linear attenuation coefficient greater than that of mammalian soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS, AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH
    Inventors: Aisling Snow, Fiona Snow
  • Patent number: 11402524
    Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating an X-ray imaging system including: an X-ray source including a plurality of focal spots; a detector panel; and at least one planar structure including markers placed at pre-determined positions on the at least one planar structure, the at least one planar structure configured to estimate a position of the plurality of focal spots with respect to the detector panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Imatrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Song, Namho Kim
  • Patent number: 10893842
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating a pose of an imaging device for one or more images is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ron Barak, Ariel Birenbaum, Guy Alexandroni, Oren P. Weingarten
  • Patent number: 10869639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a trajectory of a motorized X-ray imaging system for acquiring images of a patient to whom a phantom comprising radiopaque fiducials having a known spatial arrangement has been attached so as to be visible on at least one 2D image of a body region of interest acquired by the X-ray imaging system by acquiring one first 2D image of the phantom by the X-ray imaging system in a given position; detecting the fiducials of the phantom in the acquired first image; based on the detected fiducials, determining the position of the phantom in a referential of the X-ray imaging system; determining a set of positions of the X-ray imaging system configured to acquire a set of 2D X-ray images of the region of interest such that the set of 2D X-ray images complies with at least one imposed requirement on the position of the phantom relative to a part of the set of images and combining the set of determined positions to determine a trajectory of the X-ray imaging system with re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SURGIVISIO
    Inventors: David Armand, Arnaud Pierre, Laurence Van Beek, Stephane Lavallee
  • Patent number: 10835353
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a positional relationship between a dental restoration and a dental substructure. The method has steps of scanning a reference area and determining the shape of the dental substructure in its positional relationship to the reference area, and thereby providing a virtual dental substructure model and scanning the reference area along with scanning at least a portion of the dental restoration in fit position with the dental substructure to provide a virtual assembly model. The method further has the step of providing fitting quality information between the dental restoration model and the dental substructure model. The method utilizes superposing of further virtual models to provide the fitting quality information. The method facilitates the assessment of the quality of the fit between a dental restoration and a dental substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Alberto Alvarez
  • Patent number: 10828110
    Abstract: A system for sizing an implant for a patient pre-operatively comprises a processor unit. A non-transitory computer-readable memory may be communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for obtaining at least one radiographic patient image of at least one patient bone with a scale marker relative to the bone, the scale marker having a known geometry, setting a scale of the at least one radiographic patient image using the known geometry of the scale marker, generating a three-dimensional bone model representative of the at least one patient bone using the at least one radiographic patient image and the scale, identifying an implant size and/or an implant model using implant models and dimensions of the three-dimensional bone model based on said scale, and outputting the implant size and/or the implant model for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ORTHOSOFT ULC
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Merette, Ramnada Chav
  • Patent number: 10499875
    Abstract: A method ascertains a time for a fresh calibration for ascertaining up-to-date calibration parameters of an x-ray device. The x-ray device has multiple degrees of freedom of movement for its recording arrangement. X-ray images of a calibration phantom are recorded for recording positions of the recording arrangement and are evaluated to ascertain the calibration parameters allowing ascertainment of geometry parameters. In multiple operating phases, situated between two calibrations, of a further x-ray device of identical design to the x-ray device, a piece of use information describing the accumulated use of the degrees of freedom of movement during the operating phase and a piece of difference information describing the difference in the calibration parameters between the calibrations delimiting the operating phase, is ascertained and used or determining the time for a fresh calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fieselmann, Anna Jerebko
  • Patent number: 10420614
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for facilitating efficient anatomical registration in surgical navigation are disclosed. Such systems and devices can have a data collection unit and a scaling device. The scaling device has a main body having an anatomical registration feature defined therein and at least one scaling marker pathway that is selectively oriented with respect to the anatomical registration feature to facilitate repeatable gross placement of a scaling marker relative to a selected anatomical feature. The scaling marker is selectively displaceable along a scaling marker pathway about and between a first end and a second end thereof to fine-tune scaling marker placement prior to image capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Bell, James Grimm, Greg Mangan
  • Patent number: 10327731
    Abstract: A medical phantom is an object that models at least a part of the human body by using unit blocks, wherein the unit blocks include: a first unit block having a hexahedral shape of which the inside is empty; and a second unit block. The second unit block has a shape, of which the inside is empty, different from the hexahedral shape The second unit block also has ridges formed at the upper end thereof for stud-and-tube coupling, and has furrows formed at the lower end thereof and enabled to be coupled to the ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND SCIENCE
    Inventors: Cheol Pyo Hong, Bong Young Ahn, Hyo-Min Cho
  • Patent number: 10182804
    Abstract: Disclosed are puncture sealing systems and methods of locating a puncture site within a vessel. The systems can include puncture locating dilators and access sheaths that are configured to locate the puncture site within a vessel so that the position of the puncture site relative to a distal end of the access sheath is known during a puncture sealing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Essential Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Walters, Joseph T. Grintz, Julie Lin
  • Patent number: 10028645
    Abstract: Computerized information acquisition and processing apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an ingestible (e.g., swallowable) computerized device that includes a video apparatus, digital processor apparatus, and a wireless interface. A non-ingestible portion of the system communicates with the ingestible device via the wireless interface and, using computer software and algorithms, processes video data generated by the ingestible device relating to the intestinal tract of a living subject, so as to enhance the speed and/or accuracy of review by a physician or other individual. In one variant, the algorithmic processing by the non-ingestible apparatus includes one or more of: (i) color intensity analysis; (ii) artifact shape analysis; and/or (iii) inter-frame similarity analysis. In another variant, the ingestible device is configured to compress the data using the processor apparatus prior to transmission over the interface to conserve wireless bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: WEST VIEW RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventor: Robert F. Gazdzinski
  • Patent number: 9867989
    Abstract: A tool for assisting in the planning or performing of electrical neuromodulation of a patient's spinal cord. The tool may have various functions and capabilities, including calculating a volume of activation, registering an electrode(s) shown in a radiologic image, constructing functional images of the patient's spinal anatomy, targeting of neuromodulation, finding a functional midline between multiple electrodes, determining the three-dimensional position of multiple electrodes, and/or accommodating for electrode migration. In certain embodiments, the tool can be embodied as computer software or a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: David Arthur Blum, Gregory T. Schulte, Scott Kokones, Keith Carlton
  • Patent number: 9848841
    Abstract: A medical imaging jig is provided with a foldable handle and an integral type foldable footstool, so that a patient having difficulty in movement can be easily and safely subject to medical imaging. In particular, the integral type foldable footstool is provided to be rotated on a hinge to be folded, a lead ruler provided on the rear surface of the medical imaging jig is slidably and detachably provided so that the lead ruler may be moved leftward or rightward or detached depending on the demand by a user, a handle provided on the medical imaging jig may be folded to allow positioning of an objected to be imaged, and omnidirectional wheels are provided on the lower end of the medical imaging jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Geun Choi, Suk Hee Won, Hyun Joong Chae
  • Patent number: 9636190
    Abstract: A bone pen includes a pen which is coupled to a user's handpiece and comprises a drill section provided at an end portion thereof to drill to an alveolar bone; a cup which has an accommodating space to hold therein bone particles harvested during the drilling operation, has an outer diameter corresponding to a mesiodistal diameter of a patient's tooth targeted for treatment, and coupled to the pen so that the accommodating space can surround the drill section; and a spring which is supported at one side of the pen and elastically supports the cup with regard to the pen, wherein the drill section of the pen is positioned at a central axis line of the cup, maintained as being positioned at a mesiodistal diameter center of the tooth targeted for treatment, and guided for drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ACRODENT CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jun Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9241682
    Abstract: An x-ray calibration apparatus includes a radiolucent knee alignment jig configured to receive a knee of a patient and a radiolucent cushion configured to hold a patient's knee at a fixed angle of flexion. The x-ray calibration apparatus also includes a number of radio-opaque fiducial markers positioned within the radiolucent knee alignment jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC, IMORPHICS, LTD.
    Inventors: Luke J. Aram, Michael D. Goatbe, Carrie A. Leman, Ian M. Scott, Graham R. Vincent, Kevin M. Augustine de Souza, Gwenael A. Guillard
  • Patent number: 9129427
    Abstract: A method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a region of interest on a target object in an x-ray imaging system. The method uses a fiducial marker of known geometry. The region of interest and the fiducial marker are imaged in a plurality of predetermined positions. Expected images of the fiducial marker for each predetermined position are calculated and compared to captured images of the fiducial marker at each predetermined position. The difference between expected and captured imaged is used to generate corrected images of the region of interest for each predetermined position and these corrected images are used to generate a three-dimensional model of the region of interest. The method allows for the generation of useful three-dimensional models of a region of interest in an x-ray imaging system without requiring an expensive mechanical positioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Dragos Golubovic, John Tingay
  • Patent number: 9119555
    Abstract: Method for correcting an acquired medical image of a patient showing a representation of an internal body structure, the acquired image having been acquired in a medical imager having a radiation source and a radiation detector spaced from one another along an image-taking direction, and between which the patient is disposed. One obtains, from the acquired image, a corrected image taking into account a position of the internal body structure along the image-taking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: EOS IMAGING
    Inventor: Anthony Le Bras
  • Patent number: 9055915
    Abstract: A novel device for marking location of organs on skin as per CAT scan comprising of a sheet having a plurality of vertical, horizontal and oblique lines wherein the sheet is provided in the form of a mesh. The device can be used for radiotherapy of head to localize point of radiotherapy, for other parts of body to localize/mark organs on skin after CAT scan and also for surgery of Brain to localize tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Ghansham D. Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9020094
    Abstract: A method for assisted positioning of an organ is provided. An acquisition system comprises a platform underneath which a detector is placed for the acquisition of radiographic medical images, during which a radiation source is moved over different successive positions with respect to the detector, wherein at least one medical image is acquired at each position of the radiation source. The method comprises illuminating the platform with a light source of the acquisition system to assist the positioning of the organ on the platform; and determining, with a drive unit of the acquisition system, a positioning limit on the platform based on the distance separating the platform and a compression paddle used to compress the organ and based on the position of the light source relative to the detector, wherein the positioning limit on the platform is a limit beyond which the organ must not lie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yana Popova, Henri Souchay
  • Patent number: 9002515
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a monitoring system for a medical device, wherein the medical device comprises a robot and an image recording part which can be moved by the robot. Provision is made for a radiation source which is attached to the medical device, and for a radiation receiver which is situated remotely from the medical device and is for receiving radiation that is emitted from the radiation source. A comparison entity compares the point of impact of radiation on the radiation receiver with one or more predetermined points of impact of radiation on the radiation receiver. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for monitoring a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Hornung, Donal Medlar
  • Patent number: 8971995
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for determining the size of blood vessels are disclosed. In an embodiment, a blood vessel sizing device includes a marker configured for placement on the skin of a patient. The marker defines a substantially circular shape and includes a plurality of radiopaque substantially concentric circles. In an embodiment, a blood vessel sizing method includes placing a marker having a plurality of substantially concentric circles on the skin of a patient, imaging a blood vessel of the patient and the marker, and comparing the imaged blood vessel to the imaged circles to determine the blood vessel size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sizer LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. Park
  • Patent number: 8923483
    Abstract: A method for controlling the angular orientation of an x-ray image on a display for a viewer displays at least one rotation mode selector on the display. A viewer instruction selects the rotation mode. An overlay displays with the x-ray image, wherein the overlay provides a center of rotation. A viewer instruction identifies a point lying outside the center of rotation. The image is rotated on the display about the center of rotation according to the identified point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140270065
    Abstract: An x-ray calibration apparatus includes a radiolucent knee alignment jig configured to receive a knee of a patient and a radiolucent cushion configured to hold a patient's knee at a fixed angle of flexion. The x-ray calibration apparatus also includes a number of radio-opaque fiducial markers positioned within the radiolucent knee alignment jig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Luke J. Aram, Michael D. Goatbe, Carrie A. Leman, Ian M. Scott, Graham R. Vincent, Kevin M. Auqustine de Souza, Gwenael A. Guillard
  • Publication number: 20140270067
    Abstract: A radiographic marker. The marker includes a first portion of radiolucent material comprising a first radiopaque pattern. The first portion is configured to be positioned on a first surface of an imaging subject during use. The marker also includes a second portion of radiolucent material comprising a second radiopaque pattern visually distinguishable from the first radiopaque pattern. The second portion is configured to be positioned on a second generally opposite surface of the subject during use. When radiant energy is emitted through the first portion, the subject, and the second portion to produce a radiograph, the first radiopaque pattern and the second radiopaque pattern produce corresponding first and second shadows on the radiograph. The first shadow and the second shadow are visually distinguishable from one another based on the first radiopaque pattern being visually distinguishable from the second radiopaque pattern, and are usable for identifying characteristics of the radiograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Knecht Clark
  • Patent number: 8804912
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes: a radiation source for applying radiation to a subject and at least one marker; a detecting unit for detecting the radiation transmitted through the subject; and an image obtaining unit for moving the radiation source relative to the detecting means, applying the radiation to the subject from a plurality of radiation source positions provided by the movement of the radiation source, and obtaining a plurality of images corresponding respectively to the radiation source positions. The apparatus further includes a radiation source position obtaining unit for obtaining positional information of each radiation source position of interest relative to a reference radiation source position among the radiation source positions based on at least one marker image contained in each of a reference image obtained with the reference radiation source position and an image of interest obtained with the radiation source position of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Sadato Akahori
  • Patent number: 8712715
    Abstract: Correction by moire elimination is carried out with high precision in an environment where relative misalignment among the focal point, the grid, and the X-ray flat panel detector may occur. A part of each of two signal regions of interest is masked by an X-ray plate, and an operation value Rf=(Sx?Sy)/(Sx+Sy) is defined for signal values Sx and Sy obtained from the masked portions. By associating the operation value Rf with the relative position relationship, the relative position relationship is obtained from the operation value Rf, and a correction parameter for the relationship is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami
  • Patent number: 8620405
    Abstract: A skin marker for providing a reference point for a plurality of different medical imaging procedures, said marker incorporating one or more substances having one or more of radiance and/or hydration and/or radiopaque and/or radio luminescent and/or radioactive properties for detection by X-ray and/or Computer Tomography (CT) and/or MRI and/or Ultrasonic scanning processes and/or Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and one or more markings recognizable by an optical imaging process such as 3D surface scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: University of Ulster
    Inventors: Brian McClelland, Robert John Winder, Justin Dominic Martin Magee, Paul McCarron
  • Patent number: 8576087
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a radiation imaging cassette and a console device. A communication mode between the cassette and the console device is switchable between a wired mode and a wireless mode. Due to shortage of a battery of the cassette, the communication mode is switched to the wired mode to start charging the battery and send image data from the cassette to the console device through a cable. The console device has first and second judging sections. The first judging section judges whether or not a charge level of the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The second judging section judges whether or not radiography is in progress. If it is judged that the charge level of the battery exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the radiography is not in progress, a window that indicates permission for switching to the wireless mode is displayed on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamiya, Yusuke Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20130266124
    Abstract: An apparatus for a securing a magnification marker to a subject such as a human patient includes an elongated strap that has a length sufficient for surrounding the subject around a region, such as a knee or pelvis, that is to be radiographed. A radiopaque magnification marker of a predetermined size is carried by the strap. Fasteners are included for fastening the strap to itself with the strap in a fastened configuration surrounding the subject, thereby to secure the strap to the subject with the magnification marker adjacent to the region to be radiographed. In one embodiment, the strap is stretchable and configured to allow the fastened strap to slide along the subject to adjust the position of the magnification marker relative to the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Nicholas B. Coursolle
  • Patent number: 8488862
    Abstract: Some embodiments include obtaining a projection image of a plurality of fiducials associated with a coordinate system irradiated by a radiotherapy radiation source at a plurality of discrete locations on a trajectory path model, determination of a projection matrix from projection images of the fiducials irradiated by the radiotherapy radiation source at each of the discrete locations, determination of the actual coordinate of the radiotherapy radiation source in the coordinate system associated with the fiducials at the plurality of discrete locations based on the determined projection matrices, and correlating the trajectory path model of the radiotherapy radiation source to the determined actual position of the radiotherapy radiation source at the discrete locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Supratik Bose, Himanshu P. Shukla
  • Patent number: 8449477
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for tissue handling, while maintaining the in-vivo tissue orientation. The device includes a structure, configured for receiving and holding a tissue specimen, wherein the tissue specimen includes tissue positional references; and device positional references, associated with the structure, for fixing the orientation of the tissue specimen, when held by the device, so as to reflect the tissue specimen positional references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Dune Medical Devices Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Hashimshony, Orit Yarden, Gal Aharonowitz, Gil Cohen, Iddo Geltner
  • Patent number: 8411927
    Abstract: A method for detecting markers within X-ray images includes applying directional filters to a sequence of X-ray image frames. Marker candidate pixels are determined based on the output of the directional filters. Candidate pixels are grouped into clusters and distances between each possible pair of clusters is determined and the most frequently occurring distance is considered an estimated distance between markers. A first marker is detected at the cluster that most closely resembles a marker based on certain criteria and a second marker is then detected at a cluster that is the estimated distance from the first marker. The pair of first and second marker detections is scored to determine detection quality. If the detected marker pair has an acceptable score then the detected marker pair is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ti-chiun Chang, Yunqiang Chen, Michelle xiaohong Yan, Tong Fang
  • Patent number: 8357145
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for implanting medical devices. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a flexible base member that can be flexed manually to conform to a contour of an anatomy, the base member including a radioscopic indicium that has a characteristic such that, under radioscopic imaging, passage of a skin-penetrating electromagnetic radiation is hindered to an extent that is distinguishable from a hindrance of the electromagnetic radiation by another portion of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Schleicher, Rafael Carbunaru, Kristen N. Jaax, Todd K. Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 8311365
    Abstract: An analysis method for a regional image is disclosed for an image datum from a C-arm device. The analysis method includes: providing an indication module, reading the image datum, selecting a plurality of ROIs (Regions of Interest), calculating an average brightness of each of the ROIs, searching every of the steel ball image data, comparing each of the steel ball image data and analyzing each of the steel ball image data. By individually analyzing the regional image datum, the brighter or darker image signal can be excluded so that it can improve precision during searching the steel ball image data. Moreover, it is also more effective for comparing an image profile of the steel ball image datum with a real profile of the steel ball of the indication module. Thus, the steel ball image can be readily defined by its correspondence with the steel ball of the indication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Accumis, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Chu Chen, Kuo-Tung Kao, Hong-Yu Zhu, Chi-Bin Wu
  • Patent number: 8235594
    Abstract: An alignment fixture for taking X-ray images of a patient, such as an image of the patient's hip region preparatory to hip arthroplasty. The alignment fixture comprises multiple support legs for resting on the patient at known positions, such as upon known bony prominences, in combination with aiming marks used for anatomically aligning the patent's pelvis under an X-ray beam. A ruled grid plate on the fixture is adjustably positioned between an image beam source and the patient, as a function of patient thickness in the pelvic region, so that a ruled grid overlays the anatomical region of interest and exhibits an apparent parallax image magnification corresponding with the parallax image magnification of a centerline of the anatomical region, such as the hip joint. X-ray images taken by use of the alignment fixture can be viewed and/or scaled to select a properly sized prosthesis for the specific patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald M. Carn
  • Patent number: 8195272
    Abstract: An MRI-compatible patch for identifying a location includes a flexible base layer, a flexible substrate and at least one of MRI-visible fiducial element. The flexible base layer is mountable on and substantially conformable to a patient's body surface. The base layer has opposed upper and lower primary surfaces. The flexible substrate is releasably attached to the upper primary surface of the base layer and substantially conformable to the patient's body surface. The at least one MRI-visible fiducial element is defined by or secured to the flexible substrate. The patch may include a plurality of the MRI-visible fiducial elements arranged in a defined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: MRI Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Piferi, Raffaele Mazzei, Alex Diener, Brady Steele
  • Patent number: 7978825
    Abstract: A radiopaque marker for more effectively orienting a fluoroscopy image to a patient's body position is disclosed. A method for orienting a radiological image with a patient's anatomical position comprises the step of forming a marker with a first side indicator and a second side indicator formed substantially opposite the first side indicator. A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a radiopaque marker comprising a first side indicator, a second side indicator, and a humanoid shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: MDX Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Peter D. Ngo
  • Patent number: 7967507
    Abstract: A dimensional reference system for tomography, including X-ray computed tomography and MRI tomography. The system includes a dimensional reference apparatus that comprises plurality of spheres composed of a material having an X-ray absorption property between approximately +500 Hounsfield units and +1200 Hounsfield units. The spheres are spaced apart at a known distance by support structure/spacer unit that has an X-ray absorption property between approximately ?100 Hounsfield units and +400 Hounsfield units. After an image that incorporates the dimensional reference apparatus and a measurement subject has been reconstructed, the dimensional reference apparatus provides for measurement of the resultant image voxels in three dimensions. Because solid structural elements such as plastic or glass spheres may not be visible in an MRI, an MRI implementation of the apparatus may be disposed in a fluid-tight enclosure along with water, a contrast-enhancing agent and ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, NIST
    Inventors: Zachary H. Levine, Steven Grantham
  • Patent number: 7951345
    Abstract: The present invention provides new and useful features and mechanisms for the localization and transport of biopsy specimens. The invention having a specimen board, an absorbent material in operative engagement and in coplanar alignment with the specimen board, a compression sheet, radio opaque indicia located within the specimen board, and a flexible connection between the compression sheet and the specimen board, and an attachment device which provides for removable engagement of the specimen board and compression sheet. The apparatus further provides for a clear visualization window and operating instructions. The absorbent material is capable of adjustable movement between a first and second position, providing orthogonal positioning relative to the specimen board. As a result, the apparatus may be used to create three dimensional radiographic images allowing tissue analysis resulting in orthogonal views while maintaining original positional reference points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Lary Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: Todd P. Lary, Banning Gray Lary
  • Publication number: 20100278311
    Abstract: A radiographic image scaling device comprises a mounting unit and a reference object attached to the mounting unit. The reference object has a known actual size and shape and a sufficient radio-opacity to be visibly measurable in a radiographic image. The mounting unit has a radio-opacity that is different than that of the reference object, and a rigid body with at least one curved portion engagable with a surface for receiving a subject. The reference object is attached to a location on the mounting unit body that incremental movement of the mounting unit relative to the surface along the curved portion causes the reference object to incrementally move relative to the surface. Particularly, the reference object can be radio-opaque and the mounting unit can be is radiolucent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Hammerstrom, John Edward Aldrich
  • Patent number: 7780349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quality assurance of beam geometry of robotic radiosurgery systems. The apparatus comprises two or more radio-opaque markers set at a fixed distance from each other and contained in a housing, which is assembled to a collimator fixture for attachment to the collimator interface of the LINAC of a robotic radiosurgery system. A treatment plan is generated to position the LINAC to a series of pre-defined radiation beam orientations, then a simulation of the treatment is carried out, and radiographic images are taken at each LINAC position. The coordinates of the radio-opaque markers obtained from the images are used to determine beam orientation by calculating their directional cosines, the beam off-axis error and the deviation of the radiation source to iso-center distance (SAD). The imaging system is independently calibrated and the quantitative beam geometric information is used to adjust beam geometry for quality assurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Xiaodong Wu
  • Publication number: 20100177948
    Abstract: Method for correcting an acquired medical image of a patient showing a representation of an internal body structure, the acquired image having been acquired in a medical imager having a radiation source and a radiation detector spaced from one another along an image-taking direction, and between which the patient is disposed. One obtains, from the acquired image, a corrected image taking into account a position of the internal body structure along the image-taking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: BIOSPACE MED
    Inventor: Anthony Le Bras
  • Publication number: 20100135467
    Abstract: A method of determining the magnification of an x-ray image of an object, or a portion of an object, comprising: (i) providing to the object to be x-rayed; (ii) providing a first posterior x-ray marker having pre-determined dimension; (iii) providing anteriorly to the object to be x-rayed, a second x-ray marker having predetermined dimensions; (iv) recording an x-ray image of the object and the first and second x-ray markers; and (v) comprising a dimension of the first x-ray marker recorded on the image, a dimension of the second x-ray marker recorded on the image to a pre-determined value for the object x-rayed, to estimate the magnification of the image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Richard King, Damain Griffin
  • Patent number: 7729475
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing apparatus that includes a radiation conversion panel comprises an input device for inputting a first distance from the position of the panel to a position serving as a reference position for a subject, a distance measuring unit for measuring a second distance from the radiation source to the panel, a first radiation field calculating unit for determining a radiation field at the position of the panel based on setting information of the radiation source and the second distance, a second radiation field calculating unit for determining a hypothetical radiation field at the reference position of the subject based on the setting information of the radiation source, the first distance, and the second distance, and a life-size correcting unit for correcting the radiation image information from the panel based on the information of the calculated radiation field and the information of the calculated hypothetical radiation field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Kito, Sadato Akahori, Kazuharu Ueta, Yasunori Ohta, Atsushi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20100091951
    Abstract: A radiopaque marker for more effectively orienting a fluoroscopy image to a patient's body position is disclosed. A method for orienting a radiological image with a patient's anatomical position comprises the step of forming a marker with a first side indicator and a second side indicator formed substantially opposite the first side indicator. A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a radiopaque marker comprising a first side indicator, a second side indicator, and a humanoid shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Peter D. Ngo