Integrated x-ray and ultrasound medical imaging system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for use in generating images of a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
- a radiation source for transmitting a radiation signal through a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body;
radiation detection means, positionable for scanning movement along a first path, for receiving a portion of said radiation signal passing through a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body during said scanning movement and providing a first image signal responsive thereto; and
an ultrasound transducer, positionable for scanning movement along a second path, for receiving an ultrasound signal from a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body during said second movement and providing a second image signal responsive thereto, wherein said second path is one of the same and substantially coincidental to said first path.
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Abstract
An integrated x-ray and ultrasound medical imaging system is provided, wherein a radiation detection means and ultrasound transducer may be disposed for scanning movement for image acquisition along either the same or substantially coincidental paths. The radiation detection means and ultrasound transducer may be advantageously located on the same side of the imaged body portion. The x-ray and ultrasound imaging operations may be sequential, partially overlapping, or synchronous. By virtue of the noted arrangement, increased accuracy and medical efficiencies can be realized.
53 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in generating images of a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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a radiation source for transmitting a radiation signal through a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body;
radiation detection means, positionable for scanning movement along a first path, for receiving a portion of said radiation signal passing through a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body during said scanning movement and providing a first image signal responsive thereto; and
an ultrasound transducer, positionable for scanning movement along a second path, for receiving an ultrasound signal from a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body during said second movement and providing a second image signal responsive thereto, wherein said second path is one of the same and substantially coincidental to said first path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for use in obtaining image data for a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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transmitting a radiation signal from a radiation source through a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body;
moving a radiation detection means along a first path during said transmitting step, wherein said radiation detection means receives a portion of said radiation signal passing through a selected region of a patient'"'"'s body and provides a first image signal responsive thereto; and
,displacing an ultrasound transducer along a second path that is one of the same and substantially coincidental to said first path, wherein said ultrasound transducer receives an ultrasound signal from said selected region of a patient'"'"'s body and provides a second image signal responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification