Imaging systems and methods
Inventors
Ruff, Evan • KOLOVICH, Gregory • Mandavia, Dev • VISHWAKARMA, Dhruv • ZAMLINSKY, Igor • Dolan, Sean
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11684330-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for X-ray and fluoroscopic image capture and, in particular, to a versatile, multimode imaging system incorporating a handheld X-ray emitter operative to capture non-invasive images of a target; a stage operative to capture static X-ray and dynamic fluoroscopic images of the target; a system for the tracking and positioning of the X-ray emission to improve safety of obtaining X-ray images as well as improve the quality of X-ray images. Where the devices can automatically limit the field of the X-ray emission.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a non-invasive imaging system for confirming placement of an object positioned in an examination area. The system includes a non-invasive imaging sensor having a detecting perimeter configured to receive emission energy and generate a non-invasive image of the object when positioned on or adjacent to the non-invasive imaging sensor. The system further includes a plurality of position tracking implements fixedly positioned relative to the imaging sensor and an emitting apparatus having an aperture opening configured to emit emission energy in an emission profile.
A position tracking apparatus produces a positioning signal upon detecting one or more of the plurality of position tracking implements, and a camera system produces an image signal. The control system converts the positioning signal into positioning data of the emitting apparatus relative to the non-invasive imaging sensor. The control system uses the positioning data to generate a first virtual image of the detecting perimeter and a second virtual image of the emission profile.
The invention displays the first virtual image and the second virtual image with the real-time image having a point of view from the aperture opening on a display. A virtualized display supports operator confirmation by visually aligning the real-time view with representations of the sensor detecting perimeter and the emission profile.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines the core coverage for virtual-image overlay based on position tracking relative to an imaging sensor. The dependent claims refine the system with operational sequencing, specific emission energy, and additional safety and interactivity features.
Virtual overlay of detecting perimeter and emission profile
A non-invasive imaging system in which positioning data relative to the non-invasive imaging sensor is used to generate a first virtual image of the detecting perimeter and a second virtual image of the emission profile, and the first and second virtual images are displayed with a real-time image having a point of view from the aperture opening.
Position tracking based real-time point of view
An emitting apparatus produces a positioning signal upon detecting one or more fixed position tracking implements, and a camera system produces an image signal that is used to produce a real-time image from the aperture opening, while the control system converts the positioning signal into positioning data relative to the non-invasive imaging sensor.
Display sequencing relative to emission
A control system displays the first virtual image and the second virtual image with the real-time image on the display before the emitting apparatus emits emission energy.
Distance sensor emission interlock
The system includes a distance sensor that prevents the emitting apparatus from emitting emission energy until the distance sensor detects a minimum distance to the object.
Camera orientation adjustment based on positioning data
The camera system adjusts its orientation of the real-time image by moving in response to positioning data.
Across the inventive features, the claim set centers on generating positioning-data-driven virtual representations of the sensor detecting perimeter and the emission profile and displaying them with a real-time view from the emitting aperture, with refinements including pre-emission virtual display, minimum-distance safety interlock, and positioning-data-driven camera orientation adjustments.
Stated Advantages
Supports operator confirmation of object placement using a real-time image displayed together with virtual images of the detecting perimeter and the emission profile.
Documented Applications
Confirming placement of an object positioned in an examination area using a non-invasive imaging system.
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