X-ray scanning system

• US 9,675,306 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morton, Edward James
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun, Jurie
• Application Number:
  US14/460,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20150043707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 378 4, 378 10, 378 12, 378 41, 378 42, 378114, 378115, 378116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/022 Stereoscopic imaging
• 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 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/06 Diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4028 resulting in acquisition of views from substantially different positions, e.g. EBCT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/487 involving fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/503 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography

Abstract

This specification discloses methods and systems for generating a stereo image of an object that is positioned within an imaging volume. The object is positioned within the imaging volume. Two stationary X-ray source points are selected and activated. X-rays from both stationary X-ray source points are transmitted through the object being scanned and detected using detector elements positioned across the imaging volume and opposite the stationary X-ray source points. Image data sets from the X-rays detected by the detector elements are generated and then combined to produce the stereo image.

Claims

1. A method of operating an X-ray imaging system in a first mode and in a second mode, said X-ray imaging system comprising a scanning volume within which an object being scanned is positioned, a detector array surrounding a portion of the scanning volume, and an X-ray source positioned around an exterior of the detector array, wherein the X-ray source comprises an anode with a plurality of source points, and wherein said object, said detector array and said X-ray source are stationary during operation, the method comprising:

in said first mode;

sequentially operating X-ray source points of said plurality of source points to scan the object;

using a detector element positioned across the scanning volume and opposite the operated X-ray source point for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object being scanned;

forming first images from each of said operated X-ray source points using transmission data from the detector element opposite said source point; and

processing the first images to form a three-dimensional tomographic X-ray image;

in said second mode;

operating an X-ray source point;

using a detector element positioned across the scanning volume and opposite the operated X-ray source point for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object being scanned; and

forming second images from each of said operated X-ray source points using transmission data from said detector element opposite said source points, wherein each of said second images represents a two-dimensional X-ray projection image of the scanned volume.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the X-ray imaging system further comprises a controller to separately activate each of the plurality of source points.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the controller is used to switch the X-ray imaging system from the first mode to the second mode and from the second mode to the first mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of source points is operated in the second mode to produce a single plane fluoroscopic image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein two of said plurality of source points are operated in the second mode to produce a bi-plane fluoroscopic image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein more than two source points of said plurality of source points are operated in the second mode to produce a multi-plane fluoroscopic image.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the more than two source points of said plurality of source points are operated in a cyclical manner.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein an angle between planes of the multi-plane fluoroscopic image is adjusted by changing the more than two source points of said plurality of source points.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said method in the second mode is repeated in successive imaging periods to produce a real time two-dimensional video image.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein one of said successive imaging periods is on the order of 5 ms.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said method in the first mode is repeated in successive scans.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein images generated from said successive scans are combined to form a real time three-dimensional video image.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the first images to a frame store memory for display.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the second images to a frame store memory for display.