METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINING IMAGES

• US 20070140419A1
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Souchay, Henri
• Application Number:
  US11/530,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20070140419A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/02 Arrangements for diagnosis sequentially in different planes; Stereoscopic radiation diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/466 adapted to display 3D data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT

Abstract

An X-ray apparatus has a tube fitted out with an X-ray emitting focus that emits intensities of X-radiation crossing the object for a multiplicity of preliminarily determined main directions of emission, along a path. The apparatus shifts the X-ray tube along a path relative to the object. The apparatus has an X-ray detector that acquires a multiplicity of data of X-ray image data representing the multiplicity of main directions of emission. The apparatus distributes the preliminarily determined intensities of X-radiation non-uniformly on the multiplicity of main directions of emission. The apparatus also processes the multiplicity of data of X-ray image data in order to obtain both a 2D image and a 3D image of the object.

Claims

1. A radiological apparatus comprising:

means for emitting radiation having an emitting focus that emits a beam of radiation on an object, about a main direction of emission;

means for detection situated opposite the means for emission in the main direction of emission, detecting the beam emitted during an exposure of the object;

means for shifting the means for emitting radiation along a path relative to the object,

the means for emitting providing emitting intensities of radiation going through the means for emitting for a multiplicity of preliminarily determined main directions of emission along the path;

the means for detection acquiring a multiplicity of data of image data representing the multiplicity of main directions of emission;

means for the distribution of the preliminarily determined intensities of radiation non-uniformly on the multiplicity of main directions of emission; and

means for processing the multiplicity of data of image data in order to obtain both a 2D image and a 3D image of the object.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for processing the multiplicity of data of image data comprises means for a tomosynthesis reconstruction to obtain a 3D image.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means of distribution of the radiation intensities are designed to adjust the intensities as a function of the angle formed by each of the main directions of emission with a normal to the means for detection.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means of distribution of the radiation intensities are designed to adjust the intensities as a function of the angle formed by each of the main directions of emission with a normal to the means for detection.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means of distribution of the radiation intensities are designed to make the means for emission to emit in main directions of emission that are spread according to a non-uniform step value along the path.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means of distribution of the radiation intensities are designed to make the means for emission to emit in main directions of emission that are spread according to a non-uniform step value along the path.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means of distribution of the radiation intensities are designed to make the means for emission to emit in main directions of emission that are spread according to a non-uniform step value along the path.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the means for detection.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the means for detection.

10. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the means for detection.

11. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the means for detection.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission which divides the multiplicity of main directions of emission into two parts, equal in number of directions.

13. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission which divides the multiplicity of main directions of emission into two parts, equal in number of directions.

14. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission which divides the multiplicity of main directions of emission into two parts, equal in number of directions.

15. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission which divides the multiplicity of main directions of emission into two parts, equal in number of directions.

16. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means of distribution assign a greater intensity of radiation to the main direction of emission which divides the multiplicity of main directions of emission into two parts, equal in number of directions.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for standardization of the radiation intensities.

18. The apparatus according to claim 2 comprising means for standardization of the radiation intensities.

19. The apparatus according to claim 3 comprising means for standardization of the radiation intensities.

20. The apparatus according to claim 4 comprising means for standardization of the radiation intensities.

21. The apparatus according to claim 5 comprising means for standardization of the radiation intensities.

22. The apparatus according to claim 6 comprising means for standardization of the radiation intensities.

77. A computer program comprising program code means for implementing the method according to claim 1 when the program runs on a computer.

78. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means implementing the method according to claim 1.

79. An article of manufacture for use with a computer system, the article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the program code means implementing the method according to claim 1.

80. A program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the method according to claim 1.

23. A method of operation of a radiological apparatus comprising:

determining a first path of a means for emission of radiation relative to an object;

emitting radiation intensities through the object for a multiplicity of preliminarily determined main directions of emission, along the path of the means for emission;

detecting the radiation emitted during an exposure of the object by means for detection situated opposite the means for emission;

acquiring a multiplicity of data of image data representing the multiplicity of main directions of emission;

processing the multiplicity of pieces of image data;

distributing the intensities of radiation non-uniformly on the multiplicity of main directions of emission;

producing a first 2D image corresponding to one of the main directions of emission; and

producing a first 3D image, reconstructed from the multiplicity of main directions of emission.

24. The method according to claim 23 comprising producing the first 2D image from the image that has received the greatest dose of radiation.

25. The method according to claim 23 comprising:

determining a second path of the means for emission, relative to the object and opposite the first path;

emitting preliminarily determined intensities of radiation, through the object for a multiplicity of preliminarily determined main directions of emission, along the path of the means for emission;

distributing intensities of X-radiation non-uniformly on the multiplicity of main directions of emission;

producing a second 2D image, corresponding to one of the main directions of emission; and

producing a second 3D image corresponding to the multiplicity of main directions of emission.

26. The method according to claim 24 comprising:

determining a second path of the means for emission, relative to the object and opposite the first path;

emitting preliminarily determined intensities of radiation, through the object for a multiplicity of preliminarily determined main directions of emission, along the path of the means for emission;

distributing intensities of X-radiation non-uniformly on the multiplicity of main directions of emission;

producing a second 2D image, corresponding to one of the main directions of emission; and

producing a second 3D image corresponding to the multiplicity of main directions of emission.

27. The method according to claim 23 comprising achieving the representation of the 3D image by a tomosynthesis reconstruction.

28. The method according to claim 24 comprising achieving the representation of the 3D image by a tomosynthesis reconstruction.

29. The method according to claim 25 comprising achieving the representation of the 3D image by a tomosynthesis reconstruction.

30. The method according to claim 23 comprising:

giving preference to a main direction of emission relative to the multiplicity of main directions of emission, for each path;

distributing 40% of the intensities of radiation on the preferred main direction of emission, for each path; and

distributing the remaining 20% of the intensities of radiation on the remaining main directions of emission of the two paths.

31. The method according to claim 24 comprising:

giving preference to a main direction of emission relative to the multiplicity of main directions of emission, for each path;

distributing 40% of the intensities of radiation on the preferred main direction of emission, for each path; and

distributing the remaining 20% of the intensities of radiation on the remaining main directions of emission of the two paths.

32. The method according to claim 25 comprising:

giving preference to a main direction of emission relative to the multiplicity of main directions of emission, for each path;

distributing 40% of the intensities of radiation on the preferred main direction of emission, for each path; and

distributing the remaining 20% of the intensities of radiation on the remaining main directions of emission of the two paths.

33. The method according to claim 26 comprising:

giving preference to a main direction of emission relative to the multiplicity of main directions of emission, for each path;

distributing 40% of the intensities of radiation on the preferred main direction of emission, for each path; and

distributing the remaining 20% of the intensities of radiation on the remaining main directions of emission of the two paths.

34. The method according to claim 27 comprising:

giving preference to a main direction of emission relative to the multiplicity of main directions of emission, for each path;

distributing 40% of the intensities of radiation on the preferred main direction of emission, for each path; and

distributing the remaining 20% of the intensities of radiation on the remaining main directions of emission of the two paths.

35. The method according to claim 23 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

36. The method according to claim 24 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

37. The method according to claim 25 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

38. The method according to claim 26 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

39. The method according to claim 27 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

40. The method according to claim 28 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

41. The method according to claim 29 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

42. The method according to claim 30 comprising detecting first the intensity of radiation of the preferred main directions of emission, before detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

43. The method according to claim 23 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

44. The method according to claim 24 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

45. The method according to claim 25 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

46. The method according to claim 26 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

47. The method according to claim 27 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

48. The method according to claim 28 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

49. The method according to claim 29 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

50. The method according to claim 30 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

51. The method according to claim 31 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

52. The method according to claim 32 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

53. The method according to claim 33 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

54. The method according to claim 34 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

55. The method according to claim 35 comprising detecting the intensity of radiation of the preferred main direction of emission after detection of the intensities of radiation of the remaining main directions of emission, for each path.

56. The method according to claim 23 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

57. The method according to claim 24 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

58. The method according to claim 25 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

59. The method according to claim 26 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

60. The method according to claim 27 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

61. The method according to claim 28 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

62. The method according to claim 29 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

63. The method according to claim 30 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

64. The method according to claim 31 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

65. The method according to claim 32 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

66. The method according to claim 33 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

67. The method according to claim 34 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

68. The method according to claim 35 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

69. The method according to claim 36 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

70. The method according to claim 37 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

71. The method according to claim 38 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

72. The method according to claim 39 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

73. The method according to claim 40 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

74. The method according to claim 41 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

75. The method according to claim 42 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.

76. The method according to claim 43 comprising:

preceding the multiplicity of main directions of emission by an unspecified main direction of emission with a low intensity of radiation; and

determining by computation the mode of distribution of the intensities of radiation and the mode of spreading the multiplicity of main directions of emission of the two paths from the unspecified main direction of emission.