Imaging systems and methods

Inventors

Franklin, Jason • KOLOVICH, Gregory • Ruff, Evan • Shelton, Addison • ZAMLINSKY, Igor

Assignees

OXOS Medical Inc

Abstract

Versatile, multimode radiographic systems and methods utilize portable energy emitters and radiation-tracking detectors. The x-ray emitter may include a digital camera and, optionally, a thermal imaging camera to provide for fluoroscopic, digital, and infrared thermal imagery of a patient for the purpose of aiding diagnostic, surgical, and non-surgical interventions. The emitter may cooperative with an inventive x-ray capture stage that automatically pivots, orients and aligns itself with the emitter to maximize exposure quality and safety. The combined system uses less power, corrects for any skew or perspective in the emission, allows the subject to remain in place, and allows the surgeon's workflow to continue uninterrupted.

Core Innovation

A non-invasive imaging system includes an emitting apparatus configured to emit energy and an imaging sensor configured to generate an imaging signal upon receipt of the energy. The system includes a plurality of position tracking elements and a control system configured to determine coordinate measurements between at least one position tracking element and the imaging sensor, and between the emitting apparatus and the at least one position tracking element.

When the emitting apparatus and imaging sensor are in an aligned position, the control system uses the coordinate measurements to control actuation of the imaging sensor moving the imaging sensor into the aligned position during or after movement of the emitting apparatus. Additional position determination refinements include coordinate measurement techniques that determine a position of the emitting apparatus by combining the first and second coordinate measurements with distance measurements from the plurality of position tracking elements.

In embodiments that narrow the emitted energy type, the emitting apparatus is configured to emit x-ray energy, and positioning of an x-ray capture stage supports imaging workflows. Distance measurement can be used for safety lockout, where the control system inhibits emitting energy unless the distance to the object is greater than a predetermined value. The system also supports tracking element embodiments that include infrared emitters, and uses the coordinated measurements to validate or manage imaging alignment during acquisition modes.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim covers a non-invasive imaging system where coordinate measurements from position tracking elements are used to actuate the imaging sensor into an aligned position while the emitting apparatus is positioned or moving. The claim set also includes dependent refinements that add specific tracking configurations, motion/actuation configurations for the imaging sensor, optional x-ray energy narrowing, and distance-based emission inhibition.

Overall, the claims cover alignment of an imaging sensor to an emitting apparatus using coordinate measurements from position tracking elements, with refinements that include x-ray emitting embodiments, specific imaging-sensor motion actuation via a positioning mechanism, infrared-emitter-based tracking elements, and emission inhibition based on object distance relative to a predetermined threshold.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found