Interactive x-ray position and exposure control using image data as reference information
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorRobert Dana Milnes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An X-ray system and method for use in a medical application to supplement or replace fluoroscopy. The X-ray system includes a display device, a gantry having an X-ray generator, a table having an X-ray sensor, and an X-ray control system connected to the display device, the gantry and the table. The X-ray control system includes user input for indicating the position of the next X-ray exposure. The X-ray control system receives X-ray data from the sensor, processes the data to form an X-ray image, displays the X-ray image on the display device and shifts the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor. The amount and direction of shift is accurately determined using data from the previous X-ray image.
Claims24
In an X-ray system having an X-ray generator and an X-ray sensor, a method of positioning the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor, comprising:
- displaying a display image, wherein the display image includes data representing an X-ray image;
- selecting a position on the display image;
- and
- shifting the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor as a function of the position selected on the display image.
An X-ray system, comprising:
- a display device;
- a gantry having an X-ray generator;
- a table having an X-ray sensor;
- and
- an X-ray control system connected to the display device, the gantry and the table, wherein the X-ray control system receives X-ray data from the sensor, processes the data to form an X-ray image, displays the X-ray image on the display device and shifts the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor as a function of a position selected on the X-ray image.
In an X-ray system having an X-ray generator, an X-ray sensor and a display device, a method of positioning the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor, comprising:
- receiving X-ray data from the sensor;
- processing the X-ray data to form an X-ray image;
- displaying the X-ray image on the display device;
- selecting a position on the X-ray image;
- and
- shifting the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor as a function of the position selected on the X-ray image.
An X-ray system, comprising:
- a display device;
- a gantry having an X-ray generator;
- a table having an X-ray sensor;
- and
- an X-ray control system connected to the display device, the gantry and the table, wherein the X-ray control system operates to receive X-ray data from the sensor, process the data to form an X-ray image, display the X-ray image on the display device and, if a user selects a position outside the X-ray image displayed on the display device, shifts the X-ray generator relative to the table as a function of a position selected on the X-ray image.
In an X-ray system having an X-ray generator, an X-ray sensor and a display device, a method of positioning the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor, comprising:
- receiving X-ray data from the sensor;
- processing the X-ray data to form an X-ray image;
- displaying the X-ray image on the display device;
- selecting a position outside the X-ray image;
- and
- shifting the X-ray generator relative to the X-ray sensor as a function of the position selected.
In an X-ray system having an X-ray generator and an X-ray sensor, a method of tracking a first object within a second object, comprising:
- projecting X-rays through the second object in the vicinity of the first object;
- capturing X-rays passing through the second object;
- generating a display image as a function of the captured X-rays;
- displaying the display image;
- emphasizing the first object within the second object;
- changing relative position of the second object to the X-ray source as a function of movement of the first object;
- and
- capturing a new display image, wherein capturing a new display image includes reducing image size through collimating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.