Hybrid imaging apparatus and methods for interactive procedures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016256128-A1
Application number	US-201615054493-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 26, 2016
Priority date	Feb 26, 2014
Publication date	Sep 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An imaging system includes an x-ray assembly having one or more x-ray sources configured to be energized at multiple positions. A control program energizes the one or more x-ray sources in a programmed sequence and controls the timing of the sequence.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An imaging system comprising:
an x-ray assembly aimed at an imaging region of a patient, the x-ray assembly configured to be energizable to emit ionizing radiation from one or multiple different spatial positions toward the imaging region; and control hardware to energize the x-ray assembly at predetermined times each at one or more of the spatial positions, wherein a first mode of operation comprises energizing the x-ray assembly one or more times from a first spatial position toward the imaging region of the patient, a second mode of operation comprises energizing the x-ray assembly multiple times each from a different one of the spatial positions, and wherein the control hardware is configured to switch an operating mode of the imaging system between the first and second modes during one medical image examination.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a digital x-ray detector in digital communication with the imaging system, the detector to capture and store a plurality of radiographic images of the imaging region of the patient in response to operating the imaging system in the second mode of operation, whereby the plurality of images are used to reconstruct a tomographic image of the imaging region of the patient.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the detector comprises one or more stored radiographic images of the imaging region of the patient captured in response to operating the imaging system in the first mode of operation, whereby the one or more stored radiographic images of the imaging region of the patient captured in response to operating the imaging system in the first mode of operation are used together with the plurality of images captured in the second mode to reconstruct a tomographic image of the imaging region of the patient.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control hardware comprises stored control program instructions operable to controllably energize the x-ray assembly in a programmed firing sequence, and wherein the firing sequence defines the predetermined times and the one or more of the spatial positions.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the control hardware further comprises:
stored control program instructions operable to controllably energize the x-ray assembly in a plurality of programmed firing sequences; and input means for receiving an input from an operator of the imaging system to activate a selected one of the plurality of programmed firing sequences.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control hardware comprises an input means for receiving an input from an operator of the imaging system to switch the imaging system from operating in one mode to another.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control hardware comprises an input means for receiving an input from an operator of the imaging system to select the predetermined times and the one or more of the spatial positions.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a third mode of operation comprises energizing the x-ray assembly one or more times from the first spatial position toward the imaging region of the patient, energizing the x-ray assembly one or more times from a second spatial position toward the imaging region of the patient, alternating between energizing the x-ray assembly one or more times from the first spatial position and from the second spatial position toward the imaging region of the patient, or a combination thereof.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the x-ray assembly comprises a plurality of x-ray sources in a fixed spatial arrangement in relation to one another, and wherein each of the plurality of fixed x-ray sources correspond to one of the different spatial positions.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a fixture to secure the plurality of x-ray sources in a fixed first position in relation to one another, wherein the fixture is repositionable to secure the plurality of x-ray sources in a fixed second position in relation to one another.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the x-ray sources comprise a plurality of cathodes arranged along an arc to each emit an electron beam radially outward from a center of the arc toward a common substantially circular anode, the anode comprising a rotating disc having a continuous anode surface receiving the electron beams and emitting x-rays in response thereto.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the x-ray assembly comprises a movable x-ray source, the movable x-ray source configured to be movable to each of the different spatial positions.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the x-ray assembly comprises two or more movable x-ray sources, the movable x-ray sources configured such that at least one is movable to the different spatial positions.

14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control hardware comprises stored control program instructions operable to switch the imaging system between the first and second modes in response to an event occurring in the imaging region of the patient.

15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a digital x-ray detector in digital communication with the imaging system, the detector to capture a radiographic image of the imaging region of the patient in response to energizing the x-ray assembly, wherein the event occurring in the imaging region of the patient is automatically detectable by the imaging system in the radiographic image of the imaging region.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the event occurring in the imaging region of the patient is automatically detected by the imaging system operating in the first mode.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the control program switches an operating mode of the imaging system from the first mode to the second mode in response to the imaging system automatically detecting the event occurring in the imaging region of the patient.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the event occurring in the imaging region of the patient occurs in a body cavity or fluid vessel of the patient.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the event occurring in the imaging region of the patient comprises a radio opaque object or a radiographically detectible fluid moving through the body cavity or fluid vessel of the patient.

20 . A method of operating an imaging system, the method comprising:
providing an x-ray assembly comprising one or more x-ray sources; energizing one of the x-ray sources multiple times at one predetermined position; capturing a first plurality of radiographic images of a subject in response to the step of energizing one of the x-ray sources; energizing the one or more x-ray sources multiple times at different predetermined positions; capturing a second plurality of radiographic images of the subject in response to the step of energizing the one or more x-ray sources, each captured radiographic image of the subject corresponding to the one or more predetermined positions; and reconstructing at least a portion of the captured images to form a tomosynthesis image.

21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising capturing a third plurality of radiographic images of the subject while simultaneously repeating the step of reconstructing.

22 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising fixing a plurality of x-ray sources in a circular or elliptical arrangement within the x-ray assembly.

23 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising forming a second tomosynthesis image from the third plurality of captured rad

Assignees

• Carestream Health Inc

Inventors

• Wang Xiaohui
• Foos David H
• Heath Michael D
• Simon Richard A
• Siegel Eliot L

Classifications

• A61B6/4452

  the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other · CPC title

• A61B6/027

  characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral · CPC title

• A61B6/12

  Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies · CPC title

• A61B6/504

  for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography · CPC title

• A61B6/5205

  involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data · CPC title