Imaging systems and methods
Inventors
Franklin, Jason • KOLOVICH, Gregory • Ruff, Evan • Shelton, Addison • ZAMLINSKY, Igor
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12133758-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-05
Expiration Date
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
The invention relates to a non-invasive imaging system for examining an object that includes an emitting apparatus configured to emit energy toward an imaging sensor. An inertial measurement coupled to the emitting apparatus generates orientation data of the emitting apparatus, and the imaging sensor generates an imaging signal upon receipt of the energy when the emitting apparatus emits energy and the imaging sensor is in an aligned position with the emitting apparatus.
The system further includes a plurality of position tracking elements fixedly positioned relative to each other, where each portion of a perimeter defined by the plurality of position tracking elements is identifiable by a unique signal of each position tracking element. The emitting apparatus is moveable relative to the imaging sensor, and a control system determines a first coordinate measurement between at least one position tracking element and the imaging sensor, and a second coordinate measurement between the emitting apparatus and the at least one position tracking element.
The control system uses the first coordinate measurement and the second coordinate measurement together with the orientation data, and uses a distance from each position tracking element to determine a position of the emitting apparatus. The described system is implemented for a versatile multimode radiographic workflow, including fluoroscopic mode and concurrent digital and infrared thermal imaging, while controlling alignment to reduce skew or perspective errors and managing safety lockouts before energy emission.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers four core inventive features: inertial-measurement-based orientation input, fixed multi-element position tracking with uniquely identifiable perimeter portions, coordinate measurements between tracking elements and both the imaging sensor and the emitting apparatus, and a control system that combines orientation data with coordinate and distance measurements to determine the emitting apparatus position for alignment-based imaging signal generation.
Orientation data from an inertial measurement of the emitting apparatus
An inertial measurement coupled to the emitting apparatus generates orientation data of the emitting apparatus.
Fixed perimeter-uniquely identifiable position tracking elements
A plurality of position tracking elements fixedly positioned relative to each other, where each portion of a perimeter defined by the plurality of position tracking elements is identifiable by the unique signal of each position tracking element.
Combined coordinate measurements to link tracking elements, imaging sensor, and emitting apparatus
A control system configured to determine a first coordinate measurement between at least one position tracking element and the imaging sensor, and determine a second coordinate measurement between the emitting apparatus and the at least one position tracking element.
Position determination by combining orientation data with coordinate measurements and distance
The control system uses the first coordinate measurement and the second coordinate measurement to use the orientation data in combination with a distance from each of the plurality of position tracking elements to determine a position of the emitting apparatus.
The inventive coverage centers on determining the emitting apparatus position by combining inertial orientation data with coordinate measurements derived from uniquely identifiable fixed position tracking elements and distance information, enabling imaging signal generation when the imaging sensor is aligned with the emitting apparatus.
Stated Advantages
Uses reduced power and maintained subject position while enabling an uninterrupted surgeon workflow.
Controls alignment to minimize skew or perspective during imaging and manages safety lockouts before energy emission.
Documented Applications
Fluoroscopic mode imaging as part of a versatile multimode radiographic workflow.
Concurrent capture and review including x-ray and digital picture/video and infrared thermal imaging.
Interested in licensing this patent?