Method and apparatus for obtaining and displaying computed tomography images using a fluoroscopy imaging system

A method for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) volumetric data set from image exposures of a patient obtained by a C-arm fluoroscopic apparatus, the method comprising:

• moving a C-arm unit along an image acquisition path relative to a patient;
• continuously electronically monitoring a position of the C-arm unit and a position of the patient;
• obtaining a series of image exposures of the patient as the C-arm unit is moved along said image acquisition path when the C-arm unit is positioned at predetermined exposure positions with respect to the patient position, wherein said series of image exposures is obtained based on the position of the C-arm unit with respect to the patient;
• and
• constructing a 3D volumetric data set from aid series of image exposures, said 3D volumetric data set including data to generate a least one of a patient view slice, a patient view segment, and a patient view volume from at least one viewing angle.

A method for using a digital fluoroscopic system to form a patient data set and generate patient view slices from the patient data set, the method comprising:

• moving an x-ray detector through a range of motion between starting and ending positions relative to a patient;
• tracking a position of the detector relative to the patient;
• triggering a series of exposures by the detector based on the position of the detector relative the patient;
• storing each image exposure with position tracking data identifying the position of the detector within a reference coordinate system to form a patient data set;
• and
• generating at least one of a plurality of patient view slices, a patient view segment, and a patient view volume from the patient data set.