Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080260095 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REPEATABLY ALIGN A CT SCANNER - A CT scanner includes a gantry including a first arm and a second arm. The first arm houses an x-ray source that generate x-rays, and the second arm houses a complementary flat-panel detector. During a pre-operative CT scan, the CT scanner is positioned at a scanning position near the patient. An alignment feature ensures that the CT scanner is repeatably positionable in the scanning position. After the pre-operative scan is complete, the CT scanner is moved to a remote position. If an updated CT scan is needed during the surgical procedure, the CT scanner is moved from the remote position to the scanning position. The alignment feature ensures that the CT scanner is properly positioned in the scanning position. | 10-23-2008 |
20080285722 | COLLAPSIBLE INTRA-OPERATIVE CT SCANNER - A CT scanner includes a gantry including a first arm and a second arm. One of the first arm and the second arm houses an x-ray source that generates x-rays, and the other of the first arm and the second arm houses a complementary flat-panel x-ray detector. The first arm is rotatable about an axis relative to the second arm. During a CT scan, the first arm is in a CT scanning position. When the CT scanner is no longer needed, the first arm is rotated relative to the second arm about the axis, allowing the first arm to move to a collapsed position. If another CT scan is required during a surgical procedure, the first arm is rotated about the axis from the collapsed position to the CT scanning position. | 11-20-2008 |
20080312528 | GUIDANCE OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENT USING FLOUROSCOPY SCANNER WITH MULTPLE X-RAY SOURCES - A scanner takes an initial image of a patient, and a known structure in the initial image is identified. Based on the initial image, a location for injection of a chemical with a medical instrument can be determined. During a medical procedure, the scanner operates in a fluoroscopy mode, and real-time images of the patient are displayed. The medical instrument includes two markers having a fixed and known relationship and orientation relative to each other and a tip of the medical instrument Movement of the tip is monitored as it is inserted into the patient, and the location of the tip relative to the injection location is tracked based on the detected relationship of the markers of the medical instrument and the known structure. When the computer determines that the tip is at the injection location, the computer provides an alert to inject the chemical. | 12-18-2008 |
20100014632 | SELF-SHIELDED CT SCANNER - A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation. | 01-21-2010 |
20110040190 | Disposable Acoustic Coupling Medium Container - A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered. | 02-17-2011 |
20130190623 | Histotripsy Therapy Transducer - A Histotripsy therapy transducer is provided that can include any number of features. In some embodiments, the transducer is sized and configured to direct Histotripsy energy through the perineal window into the prostate. The Histotripsy therapy transducer can include a notch or opening near the periphery of the transducer to accommodate a transrectal imaging probe. The notch or opening in the therapy transducer allows for movement of the therapy with respect to the imaging probe without contact or interference from the imaging probe. In some embodiments, the transducer can be “heart-shaped” or round. Methods of use are also described. | 07-25-2013 |
20150290477 | DISPOSABLE ACOUSTIC COUPLING MEDIUM CONTAINER - A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered. | 10-15-2015 |