Stationary computed tomography system and method

• US 7,295,651 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ren, Zhiyuan, Delgado, Eladio Clemente
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas; Courtney
• Assistant Examiner(s): MIDKIFF, ANASTASIA
• Application Number:
  US11/172,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20070003004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 378 9- 10, 378/19, 378/91, 378/92, 378/96, 378/101, 378114-116, 378/210, 378/901
• US Class Current: 378/92
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/068 Multi-cathode assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/10 Power supply arrangements for feeding the X-ray tube supply circuits with converters in general H02M; supply circuits for emitters and amplifiers H04B1/16 - H04B1/1623
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/70 Circuit arrangements for X-ray tubes with more than one anode; Circuit arrangements for apparatus comprising more than one X ray tube or more than one cathode H05G1/58 takes precedence

Abstract

A radiographic imaging system is presented. The system includes a system controller and a plurality of sub-system controllers. Each sub-system controller is configured to facilitate generation of a radiation beam through an imaging volume in a desired sequence. In addition, the system includes a first communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the sub-system controllers, where the first communication link is configured to communicate sequencing commands and imaging protocol data. The system also includes a second communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the sub-system controllers, where the second communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data. The X-ray source event data comprises a plurality of pulses of individually addressable radiation sources. Additionally, the system includes one or more detector sections configured to receive a transmitted radiation beam.

Claims

1. A radiographic imaging system comprising:

a system controller;

a plurality of sub-system controllers, wherein each of the plurality of sub-system controllers is configured to facilitate generation of a radiation beam through an imaging volume in a desired sequence;

a first communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the plurality of sub-system controllers, wherein the first communication link is configured to communicate sequencing commands and imaging protocol data;

a second communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the plurality of sub-system controllers, wherein the second communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data, and wherein the X-ray source event data comprises a plurality of pulses of a plurality of individually addressable radiation sources; and

one or more detector sections configured to receive a transmitted radiation beam, wherein each of the one or more detector sections comprises at least one detector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication link comprises a control-area-network bus and the second communication link comprises an RS485 bus.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second communication link communicates events in real-time.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a high voltage generator configured to provide a high voltage to the plurality of individually addressable radiation sources to facilitate generation of X-rays.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more data acquisition modules configured to acquire imaging data.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a third communication link configured to couple the system controller and the one or more data acquisition modules, wherein the third communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data to the one or more data acquisition modules and read out imaging data from the one or more data acquisition modules.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth communication link configured to couple each of the sub-system controllers to a respective data acquisition module, wherein the fourth communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data to synchronize X-ray sources and detectors, and wherein the fourth communication link communicates events in real-time.

8. The system claim 1, further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to set imaging parameters and acquisition parameters.

9. A radiographic imaging system comprising:

a system controller;

a plurality of sub-system controllers, wherein each of the plurality of sub-system controllers is configured to facilitate generation of a radiation beam through an imaging volume in a desired sequence;

a first communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the plurality of sub-system controllers, wherein the first communication link is configured to communicate sequencing commands and imaging protocol data;

a second communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the plurality of sub-system controllers, wherein the second communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data, and wherein the X-ray source event data comprises a plurality of pulses of individually addressable radiation sources;

one or more data acquisition modules;

a third communication link configured to couple the system controller and the one or more data acquisition modules, wherein the third communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data to the one or more data acquisition modules and read out imaging data from the one or more data acquisition modules;

a fourth communication link configured to couple each of the sub-system controllers to a respective data acquisition module, wherein the fourth communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data to synchronize X-ray sources and detectors; and

one or more detectors sections configured to receive a transmitted radiation beam, wherein each of the one or more detector sections comprises at least one detector.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a high voltage generator configured to provide a high voltage to a plurality of X-ray sources to facilitate generation of X-rays.

11. The system claim 9, further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to set imaging parameters and acquisition parameters.

12. A method for radiation imaging, the method comprising:

communicating predetermined imaging sequence information from a system controller to a plurality of sub-system controllers via a first communication link;

communicating a plurality of signals responsive to a ready state of the plurality of sub-system controllers to the system controller;

communicating an initiation command from the system controller to initiate each of the plurality of sub-system controllers; and

communicating radiation source event data between each of the plurality of sub-system controllers via a second communication link in accordance with the predetermined imaging sequence;

generating radiation via a plurality of individually addressable radiation sources in response to the plurality of sub-system controllers;

acquiring a transmitted radiation beam via one or more detector sections;

obtaining data representative of the transmitted radiation beam acquired in accordance with the imaging sequence; and

storing the data or an image generated from the data on a computer-readable medium, or displaying the data or the image on a display device, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined imaging sequence information comprises sequencing information and timing information required by the plurality of sub-system controllers to generate a desired view of an object to be imaged.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of communicating predetermined information comprises communicating sequencing information from the system controller to each of the plurality of sub-system controllers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sequencing information comprises sequencing information related to each of the plurality of sub-systems between each of the plurality of sub-systems.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of communicating radiation source event data comprises initiating a firing sequence of a plurality of distributed radiation sources.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising communicating radiation source event data to a data acquisition module and reading out imaging data from a data acquisition module via a third communication link.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating a respective detector to receive a transmitted beam responsive to an active state of a radiation source via a fourth communication link.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating radiation source event data between each of the plurality of sub-system controllers and the respective data acquisition systems via a fourth communication link.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of initiating comprises:

providing an initializing signal to a first sub-system;

communicating a feedback signal from the first sub-system, where the feedback signal is indicative of completion of a firing activity; and

providing the initializing signal to a subsequent sub-system.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising monitoring progress of the firing activity via the second communication link.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the one or more detector sections comprises at least one detector.

23. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a high voltage to a plurality of radiation sources to facilitate generation of radiation.

24. The method of claim 12, further comprising acquiring imaging parameters and acquisition parameters via a user interface.

25. The method of claim 12, further comprising communicating an error signal indicative of a faulty sub-system to the system controller via the first communication link.

26. The method of claim 12, comprising displaying the data to a user via the display device.

27. The method of claim 12, wherein the radiation source event data comprises a plurality of pulses of a plurality of individually addressable radiation sources.

28. A method for radiation imaging, the method comprising:

communicating predetermined imaging sequence information from a system controller to a plurality of sub-system controllers via a first communication link;

communicating a plurality of signals responsive to a ready state of the plurality of sub-system controllers to the system controller;

communicating an initiation command from the system controller to initiate each of the plurality of sub-system controllers; and

communicating radiation source event data between each of the plurality of sub-system controllers via a second communication link in accordance with the predetermined imaging sequence;

communicating radiation source event data to a data acquisition module and reading out imaging data from a data acquisition module via a third communication link;

activating a respective detector to receive a transmitted beam responsive to an active state of a radiation source via a fourth communication link

generating radiation via a plurality of individually addressable radiation sources in response to the plurality of sub-system controllers;

acquiring a transmitted radiation beam via one or more detector sections;

obtaining data representative of the transmitted radiation beam acquired in accordance with the imaging sequence.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the predetermined imaging sequence information comprises sequencing information and timing information required by the plurality of sub-system controllers to generate a desired view of an object to be imaged.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of communicating predetermined information comprises communicating sequencing information from the system controller to each of the plurality of sub-system controllers.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the sequencing information comprises sequencing information related to each of the plurality of sub-systems between each of the plurality of sub-systems.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of communicating radiation source event data comprises initiating a firing sequence of a plurality of distributed radiation sources.

33. A method for radiation imaging, the method comprising:

communicating predetermined imaging sequence information from a system controller to a plurality of sub-system controllers via a first communication link;

communicating a plurality of signals responsive to a ready state of the plurality of sub-system controllers to the system controller;

communicating an initiation command from the system controller to initiate each of the plurality of sub-system controllers; and

communicating radiation source event data between each of the plurality of sub-system controllers via a second communication link in accordance with the predetermined imaging sequence;

providing a high voltage to a plurality of individually addressable radiation sources to facilitate generation of radiation;

generating radiation via the plurality of individually addressable radiation sources in response to the plurality of sub-system controllers;

acquiring a transmitted radiation beam via one or more detector sections; and

obtaining data representative of the transmitted radiation beam acquired in accordance with the imaging sequence.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the radiation source event data comprises a plurality of pulses of a plurality of individually addressable radiation sources.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of initiating comprises:

providing an initializing signal to a first sub-system;

communicating a feedback signal from the first sub-system, where the feedback signal is indicative of completion of a firing activity; and

providing the initializing signal to a subsequent sub-system.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising monitoring progress of the firing activity via the second communication link.