Methods and apparatus for graphical Rx in a multislice imaging system

• US 6,061,420 A
• Filed: 08/25/1998
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Zanoni, Steven M., Littlejohn, Kathryn M., Strong, Gary R., Beckett, Bob L., McDaniel, Holly A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bruce, David V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ho, Allen C.
• Application Number:
  US09/139,990
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 378/4, 378/8, 378/15, 378/20, 378/901
• US Class Current: 378/4
• 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 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/469 for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/488 involving pre-scan acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5258 involving detection or reduction of artifacts or noise
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/005 Specific pre-processing for tomographic reconstruction, e.g. calibration, source positioning, rebinning, scatter correction, retrospective gating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 378/901 Computer tomography program or processor

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a multislice graphic Rx display which, in one embodiment, determines a true image location in the Z axis, selects a the correct scan data for image generation, and if a scan is initiated via the GUI or via graphic Rx, determines the affect on the ISO center and DFOV, are described. More particularly, the system determines the offset from the scan plane for each image plane, so that the true image location in Z is displayed. The image offset from the scan plane is a function of the detector row thickness, the number of detector rows, the scan pitch (helical scanning only), the image thickness, and the gantry tilt angle. Further, the image thickness is selected by the user via the GUI, and constrains the image interval which is displayed on the graphic Rx display. Based on image thickness and image interval, the correct scan data is selected so that images are generated at locations exactly matching those shown on the graphic Rx display. Also, if a scan is prescribed either via the GUI or graphic Rx display, the affect on ISO center and DFOV is determined. This information is automatically updated on the graphic Rx display by modifying the cut-line position up/down to show ISO affect and by modifying the cut-line length to show DFOV.

Claims

1. A method for performing graphic Rx in a multislice imaging system including a display, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying cutlines on a scout display;

enabling an operator to graphically adjust at least one of the number slices, the field of view, and the gantry tilt via the display.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein displaying cutlines on a scout display comprises the step of displaying at least one of a scout image from a real time scout window, a scout identified in a search, and a last scout displayed for graphic Rx.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein handles are displayed on the cutlines.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein a start and an end handle are displayed, and wherein adjusting the number of slices comprises the step of moving the start or end handle.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein at least one DFOV is displayed, and wherein adjusting the field of view comprises the step of moving the DFOV handle.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein at least two handles for prescribing gantry tilt are displayed, and wherein adjusting the gantry tilt comprises the step of moving at least one of the gantry tilt handles.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of enabling an operator to select one or multiple groups for adjustment.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of enabling an operator to adjust at least one of the SFOV, image spacing and slice thickness.

9. Apparatus for performing graphic Rx in a multislice imaging system, said apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a monitor, said processor programmed to:

display cutlines on a scout display;

enable an operator to graphically adjust at least one of the number slices, the field of view, and the gantry tilt via the monitor.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein to display cutlines on a scout display, said processor is programmed to display it least one of a scout image from a real time scout window, a scout identified in a search, and a last scout displayed for graphic Rx.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is programmed to display handles on the cutlines.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said processor is programmed to display a start and an end handle, and wherein adjusting the number of slices comprises the step of moving the start or end handle.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said processor is programmed to display at least one DFOV, and wherein adjusting the field of view comprises the step of moving the DFOV handle.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said processor is programmed to display at least two handles for prescribing gantry tilt, and wherein adjusting the gantry tilt comprises the step of moving at least one of the gantry tilt handles.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further programmed to enable an operator to select one or multiple groups for adjustment.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said processor is further programmed to enable an operator to adjust at least one of the SFOV, image spacing and slice thickness.

17. A computed tomography imaging system, comprising:

an x-ray source;

a detector aligned with said x-ray source and comprising multiple detector cells extending along a z-axis, said detector configured to collect multiple slices of data;

a scalable data acquisition system coupled to said detector and configured to convert signals received from said detector to digital form;

a slip ring coupled to said data acquisition system;

a scan and reconstruction control unit coupled to said slip ring and configured to generate image data from data transmitted thereto from said data acquisition system via said slip ring; and

a host computer coupled to said scan and reconstruction control unit, said host computer comprising a user interface for enabling a user to perform graphic Rx, said host computer comprising a processor coupled to a monitor, said processor programmed to;

display cutlines on a scout display; and

enable an operator to graphically adjust at least one of the number slices, the field of view, and the gantry tilt via the monitor.

18. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein to display cutlines on a scout display, said processor is programmed to display at least one of a scout image from a real time scout window, a scout identified in is search, and a last scout displayed for graphic Rx, and wherein said processor is programmed to display handles on the cutlines.

19. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said processor is further programmed to:

display a start and an end handle, and adjusting the number of slices comprises the step of moving the start or end handle;

display at least one DFOV, and adjusting the field of view comprises the step of moving the DFOV handle;

display at least two handles for prescribing gantry tilt, and adjusting the gantry tilt comprises the step of moving at least one of the gantry tilt handles.

20. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said processor is further programmed to enable an operator to select one or multiple groups for adjustment.