Methods and systems for multi-modality imaging

• US 20050207526A1
• Filed: 03/16/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Altman, Hernan
• Granted Patent: US 7,170,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/027 characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4464 the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/541 involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1615 using both transmission and emission sources simultaneously SPECT imaging G01T1/1642; PET imaging G01T1/2985; detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects G01V5/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2985 In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); using external radiation sources A61B6/02

Abstract

A method of examining a patient is provided. The method includes aligning a patient table in an opening of a gantry unit that includes a CZT photon detector and an x-ray source, imaging a patient utilizing a first imaging modality during a first portion of a scan using the CZT detector, and imaging a patient utilizing a second imaging modality during a second portion of the scan using the CZT detector wherein the second imaging modality is different than the first imaging modality.

Claims

1. A method of examining a patient, the method comprising:

aligning a patient table in an opening of a gantry that includes a CZT photon detector and an x-ray source;

imaging a patient utilizing a first imaging modality during a first portion of a scan using the CZT detector; and

imaging a patient utilizing a second imaging modality during a second portion of the scan using the CZT detector wherein the second imaging modality is different than the first imaging modality.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein aligning a patient table in an opening of a gantry comprises aligning a patient table in an opening of a C-arm unit.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising moving the patient table along at least one of a patient table orthogonal axis when imaging the patient utilizing at least one of the first imaging modality and the second imaging modality.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising rotating the gantry around a longitudinal axis of the patient table when imaging the patient utilizing at least one of the first imaging modality and the second imaging modality.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the x-ray source is configured to emit x-rays in a beam having a predetermined fan angle, said method further comprising rotating the gantry around a longitudinal axis of the patient table less than one hundred and eighty degrees of rotation when imaging the patient utilizing at least one of the first imaging modality and the second imaging modality.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the x-ray source is configured to emit x-rays in a beam having a predetermined fan angle, said method further comprising rotating the gantry around a longitudinal axis of the patient table approximately one hundred and eighty degrees plus the fan angle of rotation when imaging the patient utilizing at least one of the first imaging modality and the second imaging modality.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising moving at least one of the CZT photon detector and the patient table to follow a contour of the patient during at least a portion of a scan.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the patient includes a radiopharmecuetical and wherein imaging the patient utilizing a first imaging modality comprises imaging the patient using a nuclear medicine modality.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein imaging the patient using a nuclear medicine modality comprises imaging the patient using single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT).

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein imaging the patient using a nuclear medicine modality comprises imaging the patient using a pair of photon detectors using a SPECT modality.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein imaging a patient utilizing a first imaging modality comprises imaging the patient using a computer tomography (CT) modality.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein imaging the patient using a CT modality comprises imaging the patient using a cone-beam CT modality.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring a cyclic physiological function within the patient; and

triggering at least one of the first modality and the second modality during at least one preselected portion of the cyclical physiological function.

14. An imaging system comprising a gantry unit having an x-ray source for generating x-rays and a CZT detector configured to detect emission gamma photons and transmission x-ray photons, the C-arm moving the x-ray source and detector along an image acquisition path between at least first and second imaging positions.

15. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said gantry is at least one of rotatably coupled to a gantry holder and slidably coupled to the gantry holder.

16. An imaging system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said x-ray source is configured to emit x-rays in a beam having a predetermined fan angle and wherein said gantry is configured to slidably translate along said gantry holder an angular distance of approximately one hundred eighty degrees plus the fan angle of the x-ray source.

17. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said x-ray source comprises a cone-beam x-ray source.

19. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said detector comprises a pair of detectors inclined at an angle with respect to each other.

20. An imaging system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said detector comprises a pair of detectors inclined at an angle of approximately ninety degrees with respect to each other.

21. An imaging system in accordance with claim 19 wherein at least one of said pair of detectors comprises cadmium zinc telluride (CZT).

22. An imaging system in accordance with claim 19 wherein at least one of said pair of detectors is positioned substantially perpendicularly opposed to said x-ray source.

23. An imaging system in accordance with claim 22 wherein said at least one of said pair of detectors that is positioned substantially perpendicularly opposed to said x-ray source comprises CZT.

24. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a patient table configured to translate along at least one of three axes.

25. An imaging system in accordance with claim 24 wherein said system is configured to control at least one of the patient table and the gantry to cause the detector to follow a contour of an object to be scanned.

26. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 including an imaging isocentric area located between said x-ray source and said detector, said imaging isocentric area remaining substantially constant when said gantry moves along said image acquisition path.

27. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said imaging system comprises a gantry support base wherein said support base is coupled to a rail system, said rail system operable to move said gantry unit along at least one axes.

28. An imaging system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said rail system is coupled to at least one of a floor, a ceiling, and a wall of an examination room.

29. An imaging system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said imaging system comprises a gantry support base wherein said gantry support base is a mobile support base.

18. (canceled)