Method and apparatus for advanced X-ray imaging systems
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9014328-B2
Publication Date
2015-04-21
Expiration Date
2032-04-05
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for X-ray imaging a human patient. A vacuum bell bonded to an X-ray radiation-permeable window that can emit X-ray radiation from a plurality of spots located 1 cm from its edge, a collimator, and a detector are used. A ring of stationary X-ray sources can also be used with a stationary collimator and a rotating slot collimator and detector. An X-ray beam can be aligned in an X-ray system by establishing a position of the beam with respect to a moving collimator at a number of points in time, monitoring the velocity of the collimator, navigating the beam to a calculated position of a hole in the collimator, and correcting the alignment of the beam based on the location of the beam on the detector.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus and method for X-ray imaging a human patient using a system composed of a vacuum bell bonded to an X-ray radiation-permeable window capable of emitting X-ray radiation from a plurality of closely spaced spots, a collimator, and a detector. In certain embodiments, a second vacuum bell and radiation-permeable window can be used, forming arrangements such as rings of stationary X-ray sources with stationary or rotating collimators and a rotating detector/collimator assembly. The system enables emission of X-rays from spots as close as 1 cm from the window’s edge and various configurations for efficient and adaptive imaging.
The problem addressed by the invention is the high radiation dose associated with CT imaging, which has raised significant health concerns due to increased cancer risks, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pediatric patients and for applications like cancer screening, cardiac CT, and virtual colonoscopy. Current state-of-the-art systems have increased patient dose, scatter, and imaging artifacts, and manufacturers' incremental improvements do not provide the substantial dose reductions needed. Prototype inverse-geometry CT (IGCT) systems offer improvements but face challenges, such as mechanical complexity and cooling requirements.
The invention introduces an improved X-ray imaging system, specifically inverse geometry CT (IGCT), leveraging a large-area, multi-focal spot X-ray source and a small-area detector. This design includes adaptive exposure, photon-counting detectors, and a specialized collimator system (including stationary and rotating collimators) to achieve more efficient photon usage, scatter reduction, and significant radiation dose savings. The method also includes advanced beam alignment through positioning, velocity sensing, navigation, and correction based on detector feedback, ensuring accurate and safe imaging.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains several independent claims describing the main inventive features, focusing on advanced X-ray imaging system architectures, collimation methods, source and detector arrangements, and alignment techniques.
Vacuum bell with X-ray radiation-permeable window emitting from multiple spots
An X-ray imaging system that includes: - A vacuum bell for creating a vacuum envelope in an X-ray source. - An X-ray radiation-permeable window configured to emit X-ray radiation from a plurality of spots. - A collimator positioned between the X-ray source and the object. - An X-ray detector to measure radiation passing through the object. - A second vacuum bell and radiation-permeable window arranged for emission from a second plurality of spots. This feature enables emission of X-rays from multiple closely spaced spots for improved imaging efficiency.
Computed tomography system with stationary source ring, rotating detector, and dual collimators
A computed tomography X-ray imaging system comprising: - A plurality of stationary X-ray sources forming a ring. - A rotating X-ray detector located within the ring. - A stationary collimator placed between the sources and object. - A rotating collimator with a plurality of slots. This configuration allows for efficient projection of X-rays, improved sampling, and supports stationary source arrangements with moving detection.
Method for X-ray beam alignment using moving collimator and detector feedback
A method of aligning an X-ray beam in an X-ray imaging system which includes: 1. Establishing the position of an X-ray beam with respect to a moving collimator at multiple time points. 2. Navigating the X-ray beam to a calculated position of a hole in the collimator. 3. Correcting the alignment of the X-ray beam based on its location on a detector. Further embodiments include aborting the beam if not aligned, determining beam centroid on the detector, comparing to calculated centroid, monitoring collimator velocity, and calculating detector position from collimator velocity and position. This enables precision alignment for optimal and safe imaging.
The main inventive features of the patent involve specialized X-ray source and collimation systems enabling multi-spot emission, ring-based stationary source geometries with moving detectors and advanced dual collimators, and robust X-ray beam alignment methods using moving collimators and detector feedback.
Stated Advantages
The system provides lower patient radiation dose, with up to fourfold dose efficiency compared to conventional point source CT systems.
It reduces scatter and eliminates the need for anti-scatter grids, further improving dose efficiency and image quality.
The invention allows faster volume acquisitions with high image quality and supports whole-organ imaging without table translation or cone-beam artifacts.
The architecture increases system reliability by removing high-power, high-weight components from the rotating gantry and simplifies engineering challenges compared to rotating source arrays.
Adaptive exposure and photon-counting detectors provide additional dose savings and improve contrast resolution.
Flexible source geometry and advanced collimator configurations support high-speed, high-quality imaging while maintaining system cost-effectiveness.
Documented Applications
Imaging a human patient for computed tomography (CT) using reduced radiation dose.
Cancer imaging and screening, including lung cancer and virtual colonoscopy with lower exposure.
Pediatric cancer imaging where dose is a particular concern.
Cardiac CT, enabling rapid imaging covering a large patient volume in a single rotation.
Fluoroscopy applications using scanning-beam digital X-ray systems.
Image guidance, tomosynthesis, and radiation-therapy monitoring for medical imaging and interventions.
Interventional radiology and cardiology, including real-time 3-D image acquisition without moving components.
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