Tool associated with compton scattered X-ray visualization, imaging, or information provider

• US 20080253522A1
• Filed: 04/11/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deep Science LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Smith, Michael A., Weaver, Thomas A., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Lord, Robert W., Boyden, Edward S., Jung, Edward K.Y., Whitmer, Charles, Rivet, Dennis J., Hyde, Roderick A., Wood, Victoria Y.H., Leuthardt, Eric C., Wood, Lowell L.
• Application Number:
  US11/786,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20080253522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/87
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/506 for diagnosis of nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/201 by measuring small-angle scattering

Abstract

One aspect relates to providing an at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual; and providing a tool-based operation to at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing an at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual; and

providing a tool-based operation to at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation is at least partially performed at a rate sufficient to substantially capture a physical motion that is consistent with an individual-based physiological process.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation is at least partially performed at a rate sufficient to substantially capture a physical motion that is consistent with a user-observable physiological process.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation is at least partially provided in a manner to limit contact or close proximity to at least one of a group of sensitive regions, the group of sensitive regions includes at least one of an at least one blood vessel, at least one nerve, at least one depth-hidden sensitive areas of the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual, or at least one organ.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the tool-based operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

providing a cutting-tool operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the tool-based operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

providing a separating-tool operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the tool-based operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

providing a cleaning-tool operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the tool-based operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

providing an electrocautery-tool operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the tool-based operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

providing an ablating-tool operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the tool-based operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

providing a securing-tool operation to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on energy loss during a scattering event by an at least one X-ray photon during the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on change of direction of at least one X-ray photon during a scattering event by an X-ray photon during the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on scintillation of at least one X-ray photon into a visible light photon.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on image combination or image subtraction.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on time of flight calculation.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is utilized by at least one of an individual group the individual grout includes at least one of a human user, a medical user, a dental user, a machine user or a machine-vision user.

31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is at least partially electronics-based.

32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is at least partially mechanically-based.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is at least partially optically-based.

34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is at least partially computer-based.

35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is at least partially controller-based.

36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion is at least partially hand-held.

37. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one cutting tool portion configured to perform at least one cutting task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

38. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one ablating tool portion configured to perform at least one ablating task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one electrocautery tool portion configured to perform at least one electrocautery task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

40. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one separating tool portion configured to perform at least one separating task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

41. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one deforming tool portion configured to perform at least one deforming task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

42. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one material addition portion configured to perform at least one material adding task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

43. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one material removing tool portion configured to perform at least one material removing task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

44. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one joining tool portion configured to perform at least one joining task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

45. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one guiding tool portion configured to perform at least one tool guiding task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

46. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one handling tool portion configured to perform at least one handling task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

47. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one platform tool portion configured to perform at least one platform task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

48. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one scope-based tool portion configured to perform at least one scope-based task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

49. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual comprises:

at least one gripping-type tool portion configured to perform at least one gripping-type task relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

50. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by determining an amount of energy lost by X-ray photons during a scattering event within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

51. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by using a scintillator-based device.

52. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by using a time of flight-based device.

53. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by using a direction change device.

54. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual at least partially by using an image combining device.

55. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

56. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion can be attached relative to the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider.

57. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool portion can be de-attached relative to the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider.

5-7. -7. (canceled)

19. A method, comprising:

providing an at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to a visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual; and

providing a tactile-feedback based operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual based at least partially on the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on energy loss during a scattering event by an at least one X-ray photon during the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on change of direction of at least one X-ray photon during a scattering event by an X-ray photon during the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on scintillation of at least one X-ray photon into a visible light photon.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on image combination or image subtraction.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the providing the at least one Compton scattered X-ray visualizing, imaging, or information providing operation relative to the at least the portion of the at least one visualizing, imaging, or information providing region within the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual is based at least partially on time of flight calculation.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual; and

at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider operably coupled to the at least one tool portion, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.

27-30. -30. (canceled)

58. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one remote tactile-feedback portion configured to provide at least some tactile sensation remotely to a user relating to an at least some matter of an at least an individual; and

at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider operably coupled to the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter within the at least the individual.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially utilized by a machine-based user.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially utilized by at least one of an individual group, the individual group includes at least one of a human user, a medical user a dental user, a machine user, or a machine-vision user.

64. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially electronics-based.

65. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially mechanically-based.

66. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially optically-based.

67. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially computer-based.

68. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion is at least partially controller-based.

69. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion can be attached relative to the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion.

70. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion can be de-attached relative to the at least one remote tactile-feedback portion.

61-63. -63. (canceled)

71. A method of manufacture, comprising:

integrally manufacturing at least one tool portion configured to perform some task relative to an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an individual with at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider portion operably coupled to the at least one tool portion, wherein the at least one Compton scattered X-ray depth visualizer, imager, or information provider is configured to visualize, image, or provide information relative to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the individual.