Method and system for X-ray imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A CT imaging system comprising:
- a solid-state or thermionic X-ray source comprising a plurality of discrete X-ray emission focal spots, wherein the solid-state or thermionic X-ray source is configured as a stationary ring or as a stationary or rotating array of the discrete X-ray emission focal spots;
one or more detectors configured to detect X-rays emitted by the plurality of X-ray emission focal spots;
an X-ray controller configured to independently operate the plurality of discrete X-ray emission focal spots;
a data acquisition system configured to readout signals from the one or more detectors; and
a sequence buffer which, when at least the X-ray controller is operated, physically encodes a list of commands controlling the operation of the X-ray controller, wherein the size of the sequence buffer is based at least in part on the length and number of commands physically encoded in the sequence buffer.
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Abstract
A technique is provided for imaging a field of view using an X-ray source comprising two or more emission points. The two or more emission points may be independently operated. Independent operation of the two or more emission points in performed in accordance with a list of commands that specifies the operation of the emission points. The list of commands, in one embodiment, is stored in a sequence buffer. In other embodiments, the list of commands is generated for a given usage, without being stored in a sequence buffer.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A CT imaging system comprising:
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a solid-state or thermionic X-ray source comprising a plurality of discrete X-ray emission focal spots, wherein the solid-state or thermionic X-ray source is configured as a stationary ring or as a stationary or rotating array of the discrete X-ray emission focal spots; one or more detectors configured to detect X-rays emitted by the plurality of X-ray emission focal spots; an X-ray controller configured to independently operate the plurality of discrete X-ray emission focal spots; a data acquisition system configured to readout signals from the one or more detectors; and a sequence buffer which, when at least the X-ray controller is operated, physically encodes a list of commands controlling the operation of the X-ray controller, wherein the size of the sequence buffer is based at least in part on the length and number of commands physically encoded in the sequence buffer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sequence buffer comprising:
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a data storage structure; a command sequence physically encoded on the data storage structure, wherein the command sequence comprises instructions for independently operating a plurality of X-ray emission focal spots of a distributed X-ray source. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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processing a list of commands related to the operation of an imaging system; individually operating a plurality of X-ray focal spots of a distributed X-ray source in accordance with the list of commands. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method comprising:
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providing a distributed X-ray source comprising a plurality of discrete and separately operable X-ray emission focal spots; providing one or more detectors configured to generate signals in response to X-rays emitted by the distributed X-ray source; providing a sequence buffer capable of storing a list of commands for operating the plurality of X-ray emission focal spots; electrically connecting an X-ray controller to the distributed X-ray source and the sequence buffer, wherein the X-ray controller is capable of independently operating the plurality X-ray emission focal spots in accordance with the list of commands; and electrically connecting a data acquisition system to the one or more detectors, wherein the data acquisition system is capable of reading out the signals generated by the one or more detectors. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification