CAMERA-BASED VISUAL ADJUSTMENT OF A MOVABLE X-RAY IMAGING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A movable X-ray imaging system for aligning an object of interest and an X-ray imaging arrangement in relation to each other, the system comprising:
- an X-ray imaging arrangement with an X-ray source and an X-ray detector;
at least one camera;
a data processor; and
a display;
wherein the at least one camera i) is either attached to the X-ray imaging arrangement or ii) is attachable to the object of interest;
wherein the at least one camera is configured to provide a first image of at least one reference point;
wherein the data processor is configured to relate the first image to first projection parameters of a first X-ray image of the object of interest in relation to the object;
wherein the projection parameters relate to different degrees of freedom and comprise at least one of the group of spatial projection position, distance to the object, viewing direction or projection angle, and viewing field; and
wherein, for an acquisition of at least one further X-ray image in a projection coincident with the first projection parameters of the first X-ray image, the display is configured to display at least a graphical representation of the at least one reference point in the first image at least partly overlaid with an actual image provided by the at least one camera to guide an alignment movement of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and the object in relation to each other after an intermediate displacement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to the adjustment of movable X-ray imaging systems. In order to provide a facilitated alignment and positioning for a movable X-ray imaging system with reduced hardware requirements and allowing an intuitive operation, a movable X-ray imaging system (10) for aligning an object of interest and an X-ray imaging arrangement in relation to each other is provided. The system comprises an X-ray imaging arrangement (12) with an X-ray source (14) and an X-ray detector (16), at least one camera (18), a data processor (20), and a display (22). The at least one camera i) is either attached to the X-ray imaging arrangement or ii) is attachable to the object of interest. The at least one camera is configured to provide a first image of at least one reference point. The data processor is configured to relate the first image to first projection parameters of a first X-ray image of the object of interest in relation to the object. The projection parameters relate to different degrees of freedom and comprise at least one of the group of spatial projection position, distance to the object, viewing direction or projection angle, and viewing field. For an acquisition of at least one further X-ray image in a projection coincident with the first projection parameters of the first X-ray image, the display is configured to display at least a graphical representation of the at least one reference point in the first image at least partly overlaid with an actual image provided by the at least one camera to guide an alignment movement of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and the object in relation to each other after an intermediate displacement.
13 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A movable X-ray imaging system for aligning an object of interest and an X-ray imaging arrangement in relation to each other, the system comprising:
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an X-ray imaging arrangement with an X-ray source and an X-ray detector; at least one camera; a data processor; and a display; wherein the at least one camera i) is either attached to the X-ray imaging arrangement or ii) is attachable to the object of interest; wherein the at least one camera is configured to provide a first image of at least one reference point;
wherein the data processor is configured to relate the first image to first projection parameters of a first X-ray image of the object of interest in relation to the object;
wherein the projection parameters relate to different degrees of freedom and comprise at least one of the group of spatial projection position, distance to the object, viewing direction or projection angle, and viewing field; andwherein, for an acquisition of at least one further X-ray image in a projection coincident with the first projection parameters of the first X-ray image, the display is configured to display at least a graphical representation of the at least one reference point in the first image at least partly overlaid with an actual image provided by the at least one camera to guide an alignment movement of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and the object in relation to each other after an intermediate displacement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for alignment in X-ray imaging, comprising the following steps:
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a) acquiring a first image of at least one reference point with at least one camera; b) acquiring a first X-ray image of the object of interest with first projection parameters in relation to the object;
wherein the projection parameters relate to different degrees of freedom and comprise at least one of the group of spatial projection position, distance to the object, viewing direction or projection angle, and viewing field;c) relating the first image to the first projection parameters of the first X-ray image in relation to the object; d) acquiring an actual image with the at least one camera; e) displaying at least a graphical representation of the at least one reference point in the first image at least partly overlaid with the actual image for guiding an alignment movement of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and the object in relation to each other after an intermediate displacement; and f) aligning moving of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector and the object in relation to each other for an acquisition of at least one further X-ray image in a projection coincident with the first projection parameters of the first X-ray image after an intermediate displacement, based on the displayed overlaid images; wherein either; i) the at least one camera is fixedly mounted in relation to the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector; and
the at least one reference point remains in constant spatial relation to the object of interest at least during the relative movement;or wherein; ii) the at least one camera is temporarily fixedly mounted in relation to the object of interest; and
the at least one reference point remains in constant spatial relation to the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector during the relative movement. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification