Imaging device and method for optimising image acquisition

A method for acquiring a time series of in vivo images of at least part of a subject's lung, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an imaging device comprising:
• at least three energy sources;
• at least three detectors for detecting energy from the at least three energy sources passing through the part of the subject's lung located between the at least three energy sources and at least three detectors;
• and
• a controller configured to operate the at least three energy sources and the at least three detectors to acquire three time series of in vivo images of the part of the subject's lung;
• monitoring, using at least one sensor, a physiological parameter associated with the part of the subject's lung to be imaged;
• determining, using at least one processor, timing of the image acquisition based at least on the monitored physiological parameter;
• and
• operating the controller to acquire the time series of in vivo images of the part of the subject's lung
• monitoring, using at least one sensor, movement of the subject's body located between the at least three energy sources and the at least three detectors;
• and
• wherein the method further includes the step of the processor:
• determining timing of the image acquisition based also on the monitored movement of the subject's body;
• processing data from the at least one sensor for monitoring movement to detect movement of the subject's body located between the at least three energy sources and the at least three detectors;
• monitoring the detected movement to determine if the subject is in a stationary position;
• determining a trigger signal to commence image acquisition including at least a start time if the subject is in the stationary position;
• and
• reconstructing a three-dimensional lung motion field based on the three time series of images acquired.