Method, processor and computed tomography (CT) machine for generating images utilizing high and low sensitivity data collected from a flat panel detector having an extended dynamic range
First Claim
1. A method for generating an image using a flat panel x-ray detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the method comprising:
- converting x-ray radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels;
obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extending the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of;
a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different;
a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/column of the array; and
a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and
using the obtained data to generate an image.
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Abstract
A method, processor and computed tomography (CT) machine for generating images utilizing high and low sensitivity data collected from a flat panel detector having an extended dynamic range. Hardware modifications for extending the dynamic range include grouping pixel rows and pixel columns into clusters of two. The sensitivity of the rows/columns is modified by positioning optical masks that have different transparencies for different rows/columns. Software modifications for extending the dynamic range include taking two correlated exposure scan measurements at each angle and combining the two data sets into one scan prior to image reconstruction. This method uses a spatially varying pixel exposure method where several adjacent pixels are clustered and each cluster has a different sensitivity. The signals of these clusters are combined to form one image effectively producing an increased dynamic range. The flat panel imager may be an a-Si:H based flat panel detector for use in X-ray imaging, including cone beam computer tomography (CBCT).
103 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for generating an image using a flat panel x-ray detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the method comprising:
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converting x-ray radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels;
obtaining high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extending the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of;
a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different;
a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/column of the array; and
a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and
using the obtained data to generate an image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A processor and a flat panel detector, the processor reconstructing an image using high and low sensitivity data collected from the flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter, the processor programmed to:
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obtain high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extend a dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique selected from the group of;
a predetermined triggering sequence in which predetermined integration times of adjacent pixels are different;
a plurality of optical masks between the detector pixels and the converter, the optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/columns of the array; and
a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and
generate an image using the obtained data. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computed tomography machine comprising:
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a flat panel detector having a converter, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row; and
a processor for reconstructing an image using data collected from the detector, the processor programmed to;
obtain high and low sensitivity data from the detector and extend the dynamic range of the detector using at least one technique from the group consisting of;
a predetermined triggering sequence in which integration times of adjacent pairs of pixels differ by a predetermined amount, a plurality of optical masks having different transparencies for different rows/columns of the array and a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for different columns of the array; and
generate an image using the obtained data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An imaging machine comprising:
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a radiation source;
a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels, the detector having a predetermined triggering sequence controlling integration time of the pixels so that integration times of adjacent pixels are different in a predetermined manner to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and
a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. An imaging machine comprising:
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a radiation source;
a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels;
at least one optical mask between the detector pixels and the converter, the at least one optical mask having different transparencies for adjacent pixels of the array to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and
a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. An imaging machine comprising:
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a radiation source;
a flat panel detector, the detector including an array of detector pixels and a control line provided for each pixel row to activate each pixel in each respective row, the detector further including a converter to convert radiation into light detectable by the detector pixels;
a plurality of charge amplifiers having different amplifications for adjacent pixels to obtain high and low sensitivity data from the adjacent pixels; and
a processor for reconstructing an image using the high and low sensitivity data from the detector to extend a dynamic range of the detector. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification