X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Specific application – Stereoscopy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-01-30
Bruce, David V. (Department: 2876)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Specific application
Stereoscopy
C600S429000, C128S916000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181768
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a radiological image acquisition manipulation system for multiple view stereoscopic imaging. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for acquiring radiological images of a patient, manipulating said images, and presenting said manipulated images in a manner which presents a viewer with multiple discrete stereoscopic views of a patient.
X-rays or Radiographs may be thought of as an image composed of superimposed and overlapping shadows, created on a detector or film, after the x-rays have passed through a portion of a patient. The interpretation of these overlapping shadows requires many years of training. Any process which helps to clarify an x-ray or present that image in a way that is more easily interpreted is a tremendous aid to the Radiologist and can help the Radiologist make a more accurate and reliable diagnosis for the patient.
The phenomenon of monocular human vision is complex enough without considering the neurophysiology of binocular vision. For normal monocular vision to take place the eye is presented with light from the real world. An image is then focused by the lens onto the retina, stimulating neural impulses via the optic nerve, which then stimulate the visual cortex in the occipital lobe of the brain. Thereby, the brain perceives a 2-dimensional image of the scene.
In binocular, stereoscopic vision, each eye contributes one of 2 views of the same scene, with just the right amount of angular misregistration, or parallax. The two slightly incongruous images presented to the right and left occipital lobes are then fused through a complex neurophysiological process into a single scene in which true, 3-dimensional depth information is perceived by the viewer.
Stereoscopic radiography, however, fell into disfavor due to recognition of the dangers of ionizing radiation (since 2 exposures are required for 1 stereoscopic image) and due to the cumbersome nature of the equipment required to view the stereo pairs.
More recent attempts at applying stereoscopic imaging to radiography centered around using either two x-ray tubes, a specialized dual focal-spot x-ray tube, or a single, rotating x-ray tube to acquire the stereoscopic pairs of images. These techniques have made use of image intensifiers, video technology, analog-to-digital conversion, and various visual display techniques to more effectively create stereoscopic fluoroscopy and angiography.
As sophisticated as these techniques are, however, they still duplicate the type of stereoscopic pairs that were created in the early part of the 20th century. There are no previous examples in the art, of a technique to manipulate and exploit the anatomic, spatial, and pathologic data inherent in the images themselves.
Further, none of these techniques provide the viewer with multiple stereoscopic views obtained from a single pair of acquired images.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an imaging process which presents a viewer with anatomical relationships and pathological processes in a way which cannot be seen using other techniques. Accordingly, multiple three-dimensional views are presented to the viewer, which provide the experienced radiological specialist with additional insight concerning the patient which could not otherwise be discerned from an ordinary two-dimensional X-ray image. By presenting the same stereographic images in different ways, the radiological specialist can derive meaning from the images which would not ordinarily be perceived from a single view angle.
It is another object of the invention to provide an imaging process which does not subject the patient to additional radiation exposure in order to provide the viewer with additional views. Accordingly, the present invention provides additional view angles without requiring the acquisition of additional X-ray images.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an imaging process which assist with a multitude of diverse medical procedures. Accordingly, the present imaging technique is useful not only for a variety of diagnostic studies, but also for a large variety of invasive and interventional procedures.
It is a still further object of the invention that the imaging process can be employed not only with static x-ray images, but with paired X-rays taken of a moving subject or with a moving camera. Accordingly, angiographic images can be presented in three dimensions from different perspectives to provide the viewer with previously unseen detail.
The invention is a radiological imaging system, for providing a viewer with multiple stereoscopic radiological views of a patient from a single pair of acquired images, comprising acquiring a first image and second image to achieve a properly matched stereoscopic pair. The stereoscopic pair is presented to the viewer by presenting the first image to the left eye and the second image to the right eye. The images are then manipulated by performing at least one of swapping the first image and second image, and flipping horizontally the first image and second image. The resulting manipulated images are presented to the viewer to provide at least one distinct stereoscopic view which provides the viewer with an additional perspective on the patient. Accordingly, at least stereoscopic anterior and posterior views can be achieved using a single matched pair of images.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
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Bruce David V.
Goldstein & Canino
Hobden Pamela R.
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