Method and apparatus of modulating radiation filtering during radiographic imaging
OwnerThomas L. Toth, Tsur Bernstein +1inventors
InventorsThomas L. Toth, Tsur Bernstein, Bruce M. Dunham
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Abstract
The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus is designed such that its attenuation profile may be changed prior to or during an imaging session. The attenuation profile can be modulated to mirror an attenuation pattern of a subject thereby optimizing radiation dose exposure to the subject. Furthermore, by implementing two opposing filters that are orthogonally oriented with respect to one another, the x-ray attenuation may be controlled along the x as well as z axis to shape the x-ray intensity.
Claims55
A method of diagnostic imaging comprising the steps of:
- positioning a subject to be scanned into a scanning bay;
- projecting a radiation beam along a beam path toward the subject;
- positioning a filter having an attenuation profile in the beam path;
- modulating the attenuation profile to define a desired attenuation profile;
- acquiring diagnostic data of the subject;
- and
- reconstructing an image of the subject from the diagnostic data.
A method of acquiring diagnostic data of a subject comprising the steps of:
- determining an attenuation pattern for acquiring diagnostic data of a subject to be scanned;
- presetting a first filter to a desired attenuation profile;
- projecting HF electromagnetic energy toward the subject to acquire diagnostic data of the subject;
- during the projecting, translating a second filter having an attenuation profile such that the attenuation profiles of the first filter and the second filter is a function of the attenuation pattern of the subject.
A method of diagnostic imaging comprising the steps:
- positioning a subject to be scanned on a table in a scanning bay;
- projecting HF electromagnetic energy toward the subject and a detector assembly;
- dynamically filtering the HF electromagnetic energy with at least one filter;
- acquiring imaging data of the subject;
- reconstructing a set of images of the subject from the imaging data;
- removing the subject and table from the scanning bay;
- projecting HF electromagnetic energy toward the detector assembly and dynamically filtering HF electromagnetic energy with the at least one filter;
- acquiring data attributable to the at least one filter;
- generating a set of images attributable to the at least one filter;
- and
- recalibrating the at least one filter such that images absent artifacts attributable to the at least one filter are absent from reconstructed images of the subject.
A radiation emitting imaging system comprising:
- a scanning bay configured to position a subject to be scanned in a path of radiation;
- a radiation projection source configured to project radiation toward the subject;
- a radiation filter having a variable attenuation profile;
- and
- a computer programmed to:
- determine an attenuation pattern of the subject;
- and
- modulate the variable attenuation profile of the radiation filter as a function of the attenuation pattern of the subject.
A radiation emitting imaging system comprising:
- a scanning bay;
- a movable table configured to move a subject to be scanned fore and aft along a first direction within the scanning bay;
- an x-ray projection source configured to project x-rays toward the subject;
- a first attenuator configured to attenuate x-rays along a first axis and translatable in the first direction;
- a second attenuator configured to attenuate x-rays along a second axis and translatable in the first direction;
- a computer programmed to:
- calibrate the first attenuator to have a desired attenuation profile;
- calibrate the second attenuator to have a desired attenuation profile;
- move the subject along the first direction;
- simultaneously therewith, translate at least one of the first attenuator and the second attenuator in the first direction.
A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program and representing a set of instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to:
- move a subject to be scanned into a scan position;
- determine an attenuation pattern of the subject;
- manipulate an attenuation profile of a filter configured to filter x-rays projected toward the subject;
- and
- acquire imaging data of the subject and reconstruct at least one image therefrom.
A filtering apparatus to filter radiation projected toward a subject to be scanned, the filtering apparatus comprising a body having a plurality of hollow tubes parallelly arranged and configured to receive and discharge attenuating fluid to define an attenuation profile as a function of an attenuation pattern of the subject.
A filtering apparatus to filter radiation projected toward a subject to be scanned, the filtering apparatus comprising a body constructed so as to be capable of having a plurality of attenuating rods therein, wherein each of the plurality of attenuating rods is placeable in the body such that an attenuation profile is defined as a function of an attenuation pattern of the subject.
A filtering apparatus to filter radiation projected toward a subject to be scanned, the filtering apparatus comprising a flexible bladder containing attenuating fluid wherein the flexible bladder is manipulated to modulate the attenuating fluid such that an attenuation profile as a function of an attenuation pattern of the subject is defined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.