Systems and methods for quasi-simultaneous multi-planar x-ray imaging

• US 20040013239A1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Navigation Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Breakaway Imaging, LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gregerson, Eugene A., Grant, Richard K., Johnson, Norbert
• Granted Patent: US 7,188,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/197
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/02 Arrangements for diagnosis sequentially in different planes; Stereoscopic radiation diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/035 Mechanical aspects of CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4441 the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings

Abstract

Systems and methods for obtaining two-dimensional images of an object, such as a patient, in multiple projection planes. In one aspect, the invention advantageously permits quasi-simultaneous image acquisition from multiple projection planes using a single radiation source.

An imaging apparatus comprises a gantry having a central opening for positioning an object to be imaged, a source of radiation that is rotatable around the interior of the gantry ring and which is adapted to project radiation onto said object from a plurality of different projection angles; and a detector system adapted to detect the radiation at each projection angle to acquire object images from multiple projection planes in a quasi-simultaneous manner. The gantry can be a substantially “O-shaped” ring, with the source rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the ring. The source can be an x-ray source, and the imaging apparatus can be used for medical x-ray imaging. The detector array can be a two-dimensional detector, preferably a digital detector.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:

a gantry having a central opening for positioning around an object to be imaged;

a source of radiation that is rotatable around the interior of the gantry and which is adapted to project radiation onto said object from a plurality of different projection angles; and

a detector system adapted to detect the radiation at each projection angle to acquire object images from multiple projection planes in a quasi-simultaneous manner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gantry is substantially O-shaped.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the source is rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the gantry.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the detector system comprises a detector array rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the gantry in coordination with the rotation of the source.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the source and detector rotate on a motorized rotor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a motor for rotating the source around the interior of the gantry.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the motor is coupled to an external power source.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the motor is coupled to an external power source via a slip ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the motor is coupled to an external power source via a cable.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bearing system for guiding the rotation of the source around the interior of the gantry.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gantry is secured to a mobile support structure.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mobile support structure comprises a cart.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gantry is secured to a support structure in a cantilevered fashion.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gantry is secured to a support structure in a non-cantilevered fashion.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gantry can be translated along or rotated around at least one axis, and wherein the rotation of the source is independent of the movement of the gantry.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a positioning unit for translating and/or tilting the gantry.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a control system which directs the positioning unit to move the gantry to a user-defined position and orientation.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control system directs the positioning unit based upon stored positioning information.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display system for displaying quasi-simultaneous multi-planar object images.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source is an x-ray source.

21. The gantry apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object to be imaged comprises a human patient.

22. A method of obtaining quasi-simultaneous multi-planar object images using radiation, comprising:

positioning an object within a central opening of a gantry;

rotating a radiation source within the gantry to a plurality of projection angles;

at each projection angle, projecting radiation from the source onto the object;

detecting radiation from the object at each projection angle to acquire object images for multiple projection planes in a quasi-simultaneous manner.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the radiation comprises x-ray radiation.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the object being imaged comprises a human patient.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising moving the gantry along or around an axis, where the movement of the gantry is independent of the rotation of the source.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the source is rotated 360 degrees around the interior of the gantry.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the detector is rotated in coordination with the rotation of the source.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising acquiring object images while continuously rotating the source and detector array.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying acquired object images.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising displaying object images from multiple projection planes simultaneously.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising continuously rotating the source to pre-determined projection angles to acquire object images from pre-determined projection planes, and displaying the most recent object image from at least one projection plane.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising acquiring multiple object images in rapid succession, and displaying the images cinematically.

33. The method of claim 22, wherein the projection planes include at least one of anterior, posterior, and lateral projection planes.

34. An imaging apparatus, comprising:

gantry means for positioning around an object to be imaged;

radiation means rotatable around an interior of the gantry means for projecting radiation onto said object at a plurality of projection angles;

detector means for detecting radiation from the object at each projection angle to acquire object images for multiple projection planes in a quasisi-multaneous manner.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the gantry means is a substantially O-shaped gantry having a central opening for positioning an object to be imaged.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the radiation means is rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the gantry means.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein detector means comprises a detector array rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the gantry means in coordination with the rotation of the radiation means.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the radiation means comprises an x-ray source.