Method and apparatus for improving a virtual colonoscopy and A CT angiography
AssigneeAccuimage Diagnostics Corp.
InventorLeon Kaufman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for improving a virtual colonoscopy and a CT angiography. Embodiments of the present invention provide a contrast media into the patient's stool or blood stream so as to reduce an attenuation signal of the patient's stool or blood. Reducing the signal of the stool allows an examining physician to better differentiate the stool from polyps in the colon and allows an examining physician to better differentiate the blood from an arterial wall.
Claims45
A method of improving a virtual colonoscopy comprising reducing an attenuation signal of a patient's stool to an attenuation level below an attenuation level of a surrounding colon tissue.
The method of claim 13 wherein the contrast media reduces the patient's stool to an attenuation signal between approximately −100 HU and −200 HU.
A method of performing a virtual colonoscopy, the method comprising:
- administering a contrast media to the patient to reduce an attenuation signal of a patient's stool;
- and
- imaging the patient's colon.
A kit for improving a virtual colonoscopy, the kit comprising:
- a contrast media that reduces an attenuation signal of a patient's stool;
- instructions for use comprising orally ingesting the contrast media a predetermined time prior to performing a virtual colonoscopy, wherein the contrast media reduces an attenuation signal of the patient's stool;
- and
- a package to hold the contrast media and instructions.
A method of performing a virtual colonoscopy on a computer system, the method comprising:
- accessing an image scan of a patient's colon;
- and
- applying an attenuation threshold that has a lower threshold than an attenuation signal of the patient's colon so as to isolate a patient's stool from the patient's colon.
A method of improving a CT angiography comprising reducing an attenuation signal of a patient's blood to an attenuation level below an attenuation level of a surrounding arterial wall.
A method of performing a CT angiography, the method comprising:
- administering a contrast media to the patient to reduce an attenuation signal of a patient's blood;
- and
- imaging the patient's heart.
A kit for improving a CT angiography, the kit comprising:
- a contrast media that reduces an attenuation signal of a patient's blood;
- instructions for use comprising injecting the contrast media a predetermined time prior to performing a CT angiography, wherein the contrast media reduces an attenuation signal of the patient's blood;
- and
- a package to hold the contrast media and instructions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.