Systems and related methods for stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) imaging
First Claim
1. A system for stationary x-ray digital tomosynthesis imaging, the system comprising:
- a stationary x-ray source array comprising an array of spatially distributed x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a stationary imaging subject;
a stationary area x-ray detector positioned parallel to a plane of the x-ray source array and configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles for tomosynthesis reconstruction;
one or more physiological gating sensor for monitoring at least one physiological signal of the subject, the one or more physiological gating sensor defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal during which the x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles are acquirable;
a computing platform comprising at least one hardware processor and a memory, the computing platform being configured to activate the x-ray pixels at approximately a same phase point in the time window for each viewing angle based on the physiological phase and the time window and upon receipt of the at least one physiological signal from the one or more physiological gating sensor in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject; and
a collimator attached to the stationary x-ray source array, the collimator comprising a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings is configured to collimate radiation generated from a corresponding focal spot on an anode of the stationary x-ray source array into a cone beam that illuminates the area x-ray detector.
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Abstract
Systems and related methods for stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, systems include a stationary x-ray source array with an array of x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a subject to be imaged that is stationary, a stationary area x-ray detector configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject, a physiological gating apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological signal of the subject and defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal, and a computing platform configured to activate the x-ray pixels based on the physiological phase and the time window and upon receipt of the at least one physiological signal from the physiological gating apparatus in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject.
159 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for stationary x-ray digital tomosynthesis imaging, the system comprising:
- a stationary x-ray source array comprising an array of spatially distributed x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a stationary imaging subject;
a stationary area x-ray detector positioned parallel to a plane of the x-ray source array and configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles for tomosynthesis reconstruction;
one or more physiological gating sensor for monitoring at least one physiological signal of the subject, the one or more physiological gating sensor defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal during which the x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles are acquirable;
a computing platform comprising at least one hardware processor and a memory, the computing platform being configured to activate the x-ray pixels at approximately a same phase point in the time window for each viewing angle based on the physiological phase and the time window and upon receipt of the at least one physiological signal from the one or more physiological gating sensor in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject; and
a collimator attached to the stationary x-ray source array, the collimator comprising a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings is configured to collimate radiation generated from a corresponding focal spot on an anode of the stationary x-ray source array into a cone beam that illuminates the area x-ray detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20)
- a stationary x-ray source array comprising an array of spatially distributed x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a stationary imaging subject;
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16. A method for stationary x-ray digital tomosynthesis imaging, the method comprising:
- providing a stationary x-ray source array comprising an array of spatially distributed x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a subject that is stationary, and providing a stationary area x-ray detector positioned substantially parallel to a plane of the x-ray source array and configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles for tomosynthesis reconstruction;
monitoring, by one or more physiological gating apparatus sensors, at least one physiological signal of the subject, the physiological gating sensor apparatus defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal during which the x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles are acquirable;
activating, by a computing platform, the x-ray pixels at approximately a same phase point in the time window for each viewing angle and upon receiving the at least one physiological signal in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject;
recording x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles; and
using a collimator to collimate radiation generated from a corresponding focal spot on an anode of the stationary x-ray source array into a cone beam that illuminates the area x-ray detector, wherein the collimator is attached to the stationary x-ray source array, and wherein the collimator comprises a plurality of openings, each opening being configured to collimate a corresponding focal spot on an anode of the stationary x-ray source array. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 21, 22)
- providing a stationary x-ray source array comprising an array of spatially distributed x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a subject that is stationary, and providing a stationary area x-ray detector positioned substantially parallel to a plane of the x-ray source array and configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject from the different viewing angles for tomosynthesis reconstruction;
Specification