Method and system for obtaining improved computed tomographic reconstructions

A method for obtaining improved computed tomographic reconstructions, comprising:

• obtaining one or more patient images using a camera, wherein the one or more patient images are obtained while a computed tomographic scan is performed on a patient;
• obtaining one or more tomographic projections during the tomographic scan for the patient;
• determining a total number of the one or more tomographic projections obtained during the tomographic scan;
• and
• for each of the one or more patient images obtained,
• correlating each patient image with the one or more tomographic projections obtained during the tomographic scan;
• calculating a position of the patient;
• determining if the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants;
• and
• if it is determined that the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants and a total number of the one or more tomographic projections is greater than a predetermined number, aborting the tomographic scan or reconstructing the tomographic reconstruction on a reduced arc.

A method for obtaining improved computed tomographic reconstructions, comprising:

• obtaining one or more patient images using a camera, wherein the one or more patient images are obtained while a computed tomographic scan is performed on a patient;
• obtaining one or more tomographic projections during the tomographic scan for the patient;
• determining a total number of the one or more tomographic projections obtained during the tomographic scan;
• and
• for each of the one or more patient images obtained,
• correlating each patient image with the one or more tomographic projections obtained during the tomographic scan;
• calculating a position of the patient;
• determining if the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants;
• if it is determined that the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants and a total number of the one or more tomographic projections is less than a predetermined number, substituting a separate projection in place of the one or more tomographic projections that were correlated to the patient image obtained;
• and
• if it is determined that the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants and a total number of the one or more tomographic projections is greater than a predetermined number, aborting the tomographic scan or reconstructing the tomographic reconstruction on a reduced arc.

A computed tomography system, comprising:

• a CT scanner, comprising a support structure, an x-ray source, one or more x-ray detectors positioned opposite the x-ray source and a support for a patient;
• a camera for obtaining one or more patient images while a tomographic scan is performed on the patient and for determining movement by the patient during the tomographic scan;
• and
• a processor for
• determining a total number of the one or more tomographic projections obtained during the tomographic scan;
• and
• for each of the one or more patient images obtained,
• correlating each patient image with the one or more tomographic projections obtained during the tomographic scan for the patient;
• calculating a position of the patient;
• determining if the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants;
• if it is determined that the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants and a total number of the one or more tomographic projections is less than a predetermined number, substituting a separate projection in place of the one or more tomographic projections that were correlated to the patient image obtained;
• and
• if it is determined that the calculated position of the patient is greater than one or more predetermined constants and a total number of the one or more tomographic projections is greater than a predetermined number, aborting the tomographic scan or reconstructing the tomographic reconstruction on a reduced arc.