Systems and methods for reducing radiation dose in ct
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsDanny JJ Wang, Thomas Martin, John M. Hoffman
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Abstract
A low-dose CT imaging system and method that operates according to a pulsed X-ray emission scheme according to a predefined sequence of rotation angles of the X-ray source, along with image reconstruction algorithms to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution for CT scans. The systems and methods involve high speed switching (on the order of milliseconds) to generate pulsed exposure of X-ray radiation to the patient, reducing radiation dose by 4-8 fold, or more.
Claims30
A system for low-dose CT scanning of a subject, the system comprising:
- (a) a pulse generator configured to be coupled to an X-ray source of a CT scanner, the X-ray source being mounted on gantry so as to rotate within a cylindrical enclosure of the CT scanner;
- the pulse generator configured to periodically switch off emission of X-rays from the X-ray source into the cylindrical enclosure;
- and
- (b) application software coupled to the pulse generator;
- the application software comprising instructions to control timing of the pulse generator so as to intermittently expose a subject to X-rays from the X-ray source at pre-specified rotation angles of the gantry.
An apparatus for lowering X-ray dose to a subject in a CT scanner, the CT scanner comprising an X-ray source being mounted on gantry so as to rotate within a cylindrical enclosure of the CT scanner, and a pulse generator coupled to the X-ray source to periodically switch off emission of X-rays from the X-ray source into the cylindrical enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a computer processor coupled to the CT scanner;
- and
- (b) a non-transitory computer-readable memory storing instructions executable by the computer processor;
- (c) wherein said instructions, when executed by the computer processor, perform steps comprising:
- (i) controlling timing of the pulse generator so as to intermittently expose a subject to X-rays from the X-ray source at pre-specified rotation angles of the gantry;
- (ii) receiving pulsed images from the CT scanner, the pulsed images corresponding to exposures at said pre-specified rotation angles;
- and
- (iii) reconstructing each of said exposures to generate a reconstructed image.
A low dose CT scanner for generating CT images of a subject, the CT scanner comprising:
- (a) an X-ray source disposed within a cylindrical enclosure;
- the cylindrical enclosure comprising a plurality of detectors configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source;
- the X-ray source mounted on a gantry so as to rotate within the cylindrical enclosure of the CT scanner;
- (b) a pulse generator coupled to the X-ray source;
- the pulse generator configured to periodically switch off emission of X-rays from the X-ray source into the cylindrical enclosure;
- and
- (c) application software coupled to the pulse generator;
- the application software comprising instructions to control timing of the pulse generator so as to intermittently expose a subject to X-rays from the X-ray source at pre-specified rotation angles of the gantry.
A method for lowering X-ray dose to a subject in a CT scanner, the CT scanner comprising an X-ray source mounted on gantry so as to rotate within a cylindrical enclosure of the CT scanner and emit of X-rays into the cylindrical enclosure, the method comprising:
- (a) intermittently exposing a subject within the enclosure to X-rays from the X-ray source at pre-specified rotation angles of the gantry;
- (b) receiving pulsed images from the CT scanner, the pulsed images corresponding to exposures at said pre-specified rotation angles;
- and
- (c) reconstructing each of said exposures to generate a reconstructed image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.