Method and apparatus of X-ray computerized tomography

• US 5,802,133 A
• Filed: 11/27/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kawai, Hiroyuki, Sekihara, Kensuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US08/757,996
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 378/4, 378/901
• US Class Current: 378/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 378/901 Computer tomography program or processor

Abstract

A method of X-ray computerized tomography whereby a scanner in which an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray in a cone-beam shape to an object and a two-dimensional detector for detecting the X-ray transmitted through the object are installed is rotated around the object and a projection angle is changed and a distribution of X-ray attenuation coefficients of the object is reconstructed from the transmitted X-ray images obtained at a plurality of projection angles. This method has the steps of: (1) measuring a first transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which a contrast medium is injected into the object, a second transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no contrast medium is injected into the object, and a third transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no object is positioned in the apparatus; (2) calculating a first projection image from a difference between logarithms of the first and second transmitted X-ray images obtained at the same projection angle, calculating a second projection image from a difference between logarithms of the second and third transmitted X-ray images obtained at the same projection angle, and simultaneously reconstructing a first reconstructed image from the first projection image and a second reconstructed image from the second projection image in parallel; and (3) composing the first and second reconstructed images, thereby forming a composed image.

Claims

1. A method of X-ray computerized tomography whereby a scanner in which an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray in a cone-beam shape to an object and a two-dimensional detector for detecting the X-ray transmitted through said object are installed is rotated around said object and a projection angle is changed and a distribution of X-ray attenuation coefficients of said object is reconstructed from transmitted X-ray images obtained at a plurality of said projection angles, comprising the steps of:

(1) measuring a first transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which a contrast medium is injected into said object, a second transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no contrast medium is injected into said object, and a third transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no object is positioned in the apparatus, all at the same projection angle;

(2) calculating a first projection image from a difference between logarithms of said first and second transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, calculating a second projection image from a difference between logarithms of said second and third transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, and simultaneously reconstructing a first reconstructed image from said first projection image and a second reconstructed image from said second projection image in parallel; and

(3) composing said first and second reconstructed images, thereby forming a composed image.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein on said transmitted X-ray images, when a u axis is set to a rotation tangential direction of said scanner and a v axis is set to a rotation center axial direction of said scanner, at a projection angle (a), now assuming that said first transmitted X-ray image is set to I1(a,u,v), said second transmitted X-ray image is set to I2(a,u,v), said third transmitted X-ray image is set to I3(a,u,v), said first projection image is set to P1(a,u,v), and said second projection image is set to P2(a,u,v), in said step (2), said first projection image P1(a,u,v) and said second projection image P2(a,u,v) are calculated in accordance with the following equations (a):

##EQU6##

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein in said step (2), a reconstruction calculation for simultaneously reconstructing in parallel said first and second reconstructed images includes a filtering process, and in said filtering process, said first and second projection images obtained at said same projection angle are packed to thereby form a packed projection image, said packed projection image is filtered to thereby obtain a packed filtered projection image, and a first filtered projection image and a second filtered projection image are unpacked from said packed filtered projection image.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the reconstruction calculation for simultaneously reconstructing in parallel said first and second reconstructed images further includes a backprojection process, and in said backprojection process, backprojection coordinates on the projection image to be backprojected to coordinates on the reconstructed image are calculated, and when said first reconstructed image is backprojected from said first filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle and said second reconstructed image is backprojected from said second filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle, a backprojection calculation is executed by using said same backprojection coordinates.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the calculation of said backprojection coordinates is a calculation such that when a rotation center axis of said scanner is set to a z axis and fixed xyz coordinates are determined on said object and the reconstructed image is set to f(x,y,z), a point (u'"'"',v'"'"') on the projection image at a projection angle (a) to be backprojected to a point (x,y,z) on said xyz coordinates is obtained, and assuming that SID denotes a distance between said X-ray source and said detector and SOD denotes a distance between said X-ray source and the rotation center, said backprojection coordinates (u'"'"',v'"'"') are calculated in accordance with the following equations (b):

##EQU7##

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein in the formation of said packed projection image, data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to a real part and said second projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to an imaginary part is set to said packed projection image or data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image is set to an imaginary part and said second projection image is set to a real part is set to said packed projection image.

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein

in the unpacking of said first and second filtered projection images from said packed filtered projection image,

a real part of said packed filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to said first filtered projection image and an imaginary part is set to said second filtered projection image, or the imaginary part of said packed filtered projection image is set to said first filtered projection image and the real part is set to said second filtered projection image.

8. A method of X-ray computerized tomography whereby a scanner in which an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray in a cone-beam shape to an object and a two-dimensional detector for detecting the X-ray transmitted through said object are installed is rotated around said object and a projection angle is changed and a distribution of X-ray attenuation coefficients of said object is reconstructed from transmitted X-ray images obtained at a plurality of said projection angles, comprising the steps of:

(1) measuring a first transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which a contrast medium is injected into said object, a second transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no contrast medium is injected into said object, and a third transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no object is positioned in the apparatus, all at the same projection angle;

(2) calculating a first projection image from a difference between logarithms of said first and second transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, calculating a second projection image from a difference between logarithms of said second and third transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, and simultaneously reconstructing a first reconstructed image from said first projection image and a second reconstructed image from said second projection image in parallel; and

(3) composing said first and second reconstructed images, thereby forming a composed image,

wherein in said step (2), a reconstruction calculation for simultaneously reconstructing in parallel said first and second reconstructed images includes a filtering process, and in said filtering process, said first and second projection images obtained at said same projection angle are packed to thereby form a packed projection image, said packed projection image is filtered to thereby obtain a packed filtered projection image, and a first filtered projection image and a second filtered projection image are unpacked from said packed filtered projection image,

in the formation of said packed projection image, data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to a real part and said second projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to an imaginary part is set to said packed projection image or data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image is set to an imaginary part and said second projection image is set to a real part is set to said packed projection image, and

in the unpacking of said first and second filtered projection images from said packed filtered projection image, a real part of said packed filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to said first filtered projection image and an imaginary part is set to said second filtered projection image, or the imaginary part of said packed filtered projection image is set to said first filtered projection image and the real part is set to said second filtered projection image.

9. An apparatus of X-ray computerized tomography comprising a scanner in which an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray in a cone-beam shape to an object and a two-dimensional detector for detecting the X-ray transmitted through said object are installed and means for rotating said scanner around said object, changing a projection angle, and reconstructing a distribution of X-ray attenuation coefficients of said object from the transmitted X-ray images obtained at a plurality of said projection angles, comprising:

memory means for storing a first transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which a contrast medium is injected into said object, a second transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no contrast medium is injected into said object, and a third transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no object is positioned in the apparatus, all at the same projection angle;

calculating means for respectively calculating a first projection image from a difference between logarithms of said first and second transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, calculating a second projection image from a difference between logarithms of said second and third transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, and simultaneously reconstructing a first reconstructed image from said first projection image and a second reconstructed image from said second projection image in parallel; and

imaging processing means for forming a composed image from said first and second reconstructed images.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein on said transmitted X-ray images, when a u axis is set to a rotation tangential direction of said scanner and a v axis is set to a rotation center axial direction of said scanner, at a projection angle (a), now assuming that said first transmitted X-ray image is set to I1(a,u,v), said second transmitted X-ray image is set to I2(a,u,v), said third transmitted X-ray image is set to I3(a,u,v), said first projection image is set to P1(a,u,v), and said second projection image is set to P2(a,u,v), said calculating means calculates said first projection image P1(a,u,v) and said second projection image P2(a,u,v) in accordance with the following equations (c):

##EQU8##

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said calculating means includes a filtering operating part, said filtering operating part has:

projection image packing means for forming a packed projection image by packing said first and second projection images obtained at said same projection angle;

filtering means for obtaining packed filtered projection image by filtering said packed projection image; and

filtered projection image unpacking means for unpacking said first and second filtered projection images from said packed filtered projection image.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said calculating means further includes a backprojection operating part, and said backprojection operating part has:

backprojection coordinate calculating means for calculating backprojection coordinates on a projection image to be backprojected to coordinates on the reconstructed image; and

backprojection operating means for performing a backprojection calculation by using said same backprojection coordinates when said first reconstructed image is backprojected from said first filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle and said second reconstructed image is backprojected from said second filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said backprojection coordinate calculating means executes a calculation such that when a rotation center axis of said scanner is set to a z axis and fixed xyz coordinates are determined on said object and the reconstructed image is set to f(x,y,z), a point (u'"'"',v'"'"') on the projection image at a projection angle (a) to be backprojected to a point (x,y,z) on said xyz coordinates is obtained, and assuming that SID is set to a distance between said X-ray source and said detector and SOD denotes a distance between said X-ray source and the rotation center, said backprojection coordinates (u'"'"',v'"'"') are calculated in accordance with the following equations (d):

##EQU9##

14. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in said projection image packing means, data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to a real part and said second projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to an imaginary part is set to said packed projection image or data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image is set to an imaginary part and said second projection image is set to a real part is set to said packed projection image.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in said filtered projection image unpacking means, a real part of said packed filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to said first filtered projection image and an imaginary part is set to said second filtered projection image, or the imaginary part of said packed filtered projection image is set to said first filtered projection image and the real part is set to said second filtered projection image.

16. A apparatus of X-ray computerized tomography comprising a scanner in which an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray in a cone-beam shape to an object and a two-dimensional detector for detecting the X-ray transmitted through said object are installed and means for rotating said scanner around said object, changing a projection angle, and reconstructing a distribution of X-ray attenuation-coefficients of said object from the transmitted X-ray images obtained at a plurality of said projection angles, comprising:

memory means for storing a first transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which a contrast medium is injected into said object, a second transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no contrast medium is injected into said object, and a third transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no object is positioned in the apparatus, all at the same projection angle;

calculating means for respectively calculating a first projection image from a difference between logarithms of said first and second transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, calculating a second projection image from a difference between logarithms of said second and third transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, and simultaneously reconstructing a first reconstructed image from said first projection image and a second reconstructed image from said second projection image in parallel; and

imaging processing means for forming a composed image from said first and second reconstructed images,

wherein said calculating means includes a filtering operating part, said filtering operating part has;

projection image packing means for forming a packed projection image by packing said first and second projection images obtained at said same projection angle;

filtering means for obtaining packed filtered projection image by filtering said packed projection image; and

filtered projection image unpacking means for unpacking said first and second filtered projection images from said packed filtered projection image,

in said projection image packing means, data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to a real part and said second projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to an imaginary part is set to said packed projection image or data constructed by a complex number in which said first projection image is set to an imaginary part and said second projection image is set to a real part is set to said packed projection image, and

in said filtered projection image unpacking means, a real part of said packed filtered projection image obtained at said same projection angle is set to said first filtered projection image and an imaginary part is set to said second filtered projection image, or the imaginary part of said packed filtered projection image is set to said first filtered projection image and the real part is set to said second filtered projection image.

17. An apparatus of X-ray computerized tomography comprising a scanner in which an X-ray source for irradiating an X-ray in a cone-beam shape to an object and a two-dimensional detector for detecting the X-ray transmitted through said object are installed and means for rotating said scanner around said object, changing a projection angle, and reconstructing a distribution of X-ray attenuation coefficients of said object from the transmitted X-ray images obtained at a plurality of said projection angles, comprising:

a memory medium for storing a first transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which a contrast medium is injected into said object, a second transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no contrast medium is injected into said object, and a third transmitted X-ray image measured in a state in which no object is positioned in the apparatus, all at the same projection angle; and

a computer for respectively calculating a first projection image from a difference between logarithms of said first and second transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, calculating a second projection image from a difference between logarithms of said second and third transmitted X-ray images obtained at said same projection angle, simultaneously reconstructing a first reconstructed image from said first projection image and a second reconstructed image from said second projection image in parallel, and forming a composed image from said first and second reconstructed images.