Systems and methods for imaging large field-of-view objects
AssigneeMedtronic Navigation, Inc.
InventorsEugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
Claims31
An imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a detector located at a distance from a source and positioned to receive a radiation beam from the source in a trajectory;
- a detector positioner that translates the detector, relative to a stationary focal spot of the source, to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory of the radiation beam;
- and
- a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
An method for imaging, comprising:
- detecting a radiation beam, the radiation beam traveling in a trajectory from a source to a radiation detector;
- translating the detector, relative to a stationary focal spot of the radiation source, to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory of the radiation beam;
- and
- altering the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
A detector system for imaging objects, the detector system comprising:
- a gantry having an interior cavity;
- a detector for detecting radiation from an object;
- and
- a positioner frame movably mounted within the gantry that supports the detector and translates the detector within the interior cavity of the gantry.
A system for projecting radiation in multiple trajectories, the system comprising:
- a source that projects a radiation beam;
- a frame that houses the source, the frame connected to the source so as to permit the source to pivotally move relative to the frame;
- and
- a motorized system connected to the frame and to the source, the motorized system pivoting the source relative to the frame to alter trajectory of the radiation beam.
An apparatus for imaging an object subjected to radiation doses, the object being larger than the field of view of a detector, comprising:
- a radiation source;
- a detector positioner that translates the detector, relative to a stationary focal spot of the radiation source, to different positions, the detector obtaining images at each position;
- and
- a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of an imaging beam to follow a path to each position to produce safer dose utilization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.