X-ray scanning system

• US 20070172024A1
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Edward Morton, Paul Antornis
• Inventors: Morton, Edward, Antornis, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,684,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/10
• 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 6/4028 resulting in acquisition of views from substantially different positions, e.g. EBCT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4085 Cone-beams
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• 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: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/612 biological material
• 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

For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the “Guidance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations” appearing at the beginning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging system comprising:

a multi-focus X-ray source extending around an imaging volume and defining a locus of source points from which X-rays can be directed through the imaging volume; and

detector array extending around the imaging volume to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the imaging volume, wherein the source points are arranged to follow a three-dimensional locus around the imaging volume such that data from the detector array can be used to produce a three dimensional tomographic image of a stationary object within the imaging volume.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the detector array is substantially cylindrical.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the locus of source points covers at least half of the circumference of the cylinder and substantially the entire length of the cylinder and wherein the locus is substantially helical.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the locus passes through substantially every plane of the imaging volume.

5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising control means scan the imaging volume by activating each of the X-ray source points and collecting respective image data sets and imaging means arranged to produce a three-dimensional image of the imaging volume from the data sets.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the control means scans the imaging volume repeatedly to produce consecutive images of the imaged volume.

7. A system according to claim 6 further comprising display means for displaying the consecutive images to produce a real-time video image of the imaged volume.

8. A system according to claim 5 wherein the control means activates one of the source points to produce a planar image of an object and to store the planar image for display.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the control means activates one of the source points repeatedly producing a series of planar images and displays the planar images in sequence to produce a planar video image.

10. A system according to claim 8 wherein the control means alternates between a first mode in which it produces a planar image data set and a second mode in which it produces a tomographic image data set, and subsequently processes the data sets to produce a combined image data set for producing a combined display.

11. An X-ray imaging system comprising:

an X-ray source defining plurality of source points around an imaging volume from which X-rays can be directed through;

detector array extending around the imaging volume and to detect X-rays from the source points which have passed through the imaging volume; and

control means for alternating between a first mode in which it produces a planar image data set and a second mode in which it produces a tomographic image data set, and subsequently processing the data sets to produce a combined image data set for producing a combined display.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the control means activates an additional one of the source points close to said one of the source points whereby a pair of data sets are produced and combines the data sets so that the planar image or each of the planar images is a stereo image.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein the control means processes the data sets by mapping features from one of the data sets onto the other of the data sets.

14. (canceled)