System and method for accessing the three-dimensional geometry of large objects using X-ray based method subject to limitations on radiation doses
US5946370A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S378/901
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system and method solve the problem of getting a useful three dimensional representation of an object like the spine using a small amount of data. This is done by gathering and combining three dimensional data in the form of computer tomography (CT) scans of a patient's bones with two dimensional data consisting of CT scout images (or scouts), which are digital two dimensional X-ray images that can be produced by a CT scanner. The main features of spinal deformation are captured by combining the two dimensional data from CT scouts and the three-dimensional information from the CT scans using simple modeling of vertebrae. Scouts are usually used to monitor CT scan acquisition. Here, they are also used as an essential source of data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.