# US 7,826,592 B2 · Cone-beam computed tomography with a flat-panel imager > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,826,592 B2 - Document ID: US7826592B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/313,646 - Filed: 2008-11-21 - Published: 2009-03-19 - Granted: 2010-11-02 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-18 - Assignees: William Beaumont Hospital - Inventors: David A. Jaffray; John W. Wong; Jeffrey H. Siewerdesen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7826592B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]} - A61B 6/4085: {Cone-beams} - A61B 6/466: {adapted to display 3D data} - A61B 6/508: {for non-human patients} - A61B 6/583: {using calibration phantoms} - A61N 5/1049: {for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam} - A61B 6/027: {characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral} - A61B 6/06: Diaphragms - A61B 6/4405: {the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley} - A61B 6/4458: {the source unit or the detector unit being attached to robotic arms} - A61B 6/482: {involving multiple energy imaging} - A61N 5/1038: {taking into account previously administered plans applied to the same patient, i.e. adaptive radiotherapy} - A61N 5/1065: {Beam adjustment} - A61N 5/1069: {Target adjustment, e.g. moving the patient support} - A61N 2005/1061: {using an x-ray imaging system having a separate imaging source} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A radiation therapy system that includes a radiation source that moves about a path and directs a beam of radiation towards an object and a cone-beam computer tomography system. The cone-beam computer tomography system includes an x-ray source that emits an x-ray beam in a cone-beam form towards an object to be imaged and an amorphous silicon flat-panel imager receiving x-rays after they pass through the object, the imager providing an image of the object. A computer is connected to the radiation source and the cone beam computerized tomography system, wherein the computer receives the image of the object and based on the image sends a signal to the radiation source that controls the path of the radiation source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging system comprising: a support structure; an x-ray source that emits x-rays towards an object; an imager that receives x-rays from said object based on said emitted x-rays and forms an image of said object; an imager support system that attaches said imager to said support structure, wherein said imager support system comprises: a first arm having one end attached to said imager and another end attached to said support structure; and a second arm having one end attached to said imager and another end attached to said support structure, wherein each of said one ends of said first and second arms are attached to a pivot which is attached to said imager. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a rotating drum of a gantry. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The imaging system of claim 2, wherein said x-ray source is attached to said rotating drum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The imaging system of claim 3, wherein said x-ray source translates in a direction that is parallel to an axis of rotation of said drum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The imaging system of claim 2, further comprising a radiation source attached to said rotating drum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said x-rays emitted from said x-ray source are emitted in a cone beam form. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said imager comprises an amorphous silicon flat-panel imager. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said imager support system comprises a third arm having one end attached to said pivot and another end attached to said support structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The imaging system of claim 8, wherein said third arm lies in a plane that bisects a line segment that joins said one ends of said first and second arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The imaging system of claim 9, wherein said imager is symmetrically positioned with respect to said plane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The imaging system of claim 9, wherein said imager is asymmetrically positioned with respect to said plane. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The imaging system of claim 9, further comprising a motorized system that moves said imager from a position where said imager is symmetrically positioned with respect to said plane to a position where said imager is asymmetrically positioned with respect to said plane. ### Claim 13 An imaging system comprising: a support structure; an x-ray source that emits x-rays towards an object; an imager that receives x-rays from said object based on said emitted x-rays and forms an image of said object; an imager support system that attaches said imager to said support structure, wherein said imager support system comprises: a first arm having one end attached to said imager and another end attached to said support structure; a second arm having one end attached to said imager and another end attached to said support structure; and a third arm having one end attached to said imager and another end attached to said support structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The imaging system of claim 13, wherein said third arm lies in a plane that bisects a line segment that joins said one ends of said first and second arms. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The imaging system of claim 14, wherein said imager is symmetrically positioned with respect to said plane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The imaging system of claim 14, wherein said imager is asymmetrically positioned with respect to said plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The imaging system of claim 14, further comprising a motorized system that moves said imager from a position where said imager is symmetrically positioned with respect to said plane to a position where said imager is asymmetrically positioned with respect to said plane. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The imaging system of claim 13, wherein each of said another ends of said first, second and third arms are attached to a pivot which is attached to said support structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The imaging system of claim 13, wherein said support structure comprises a rotating drum of a gantry. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The imaging system of claim 19, wherein said x-ray source is attached to said rotating drum. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The imaging system of claim 20, wherein said x-ray source translates in a direction that is parallel to an axis of rotation of said drum. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The imaging system of claim 19, further comprising a radiation source attached to said rotating drum. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The imaging system of claim 13, wherein said x-rays emitted from said x-ray source are emitted in a cone beam form. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The imaging system-of claim 13, wherein said imager comprises an amorphous silicon flat-panel imager. ### Claim 25 An imaging system comprising: a rotating drum; an x-ray source that emits x-rays towards an object, wherein said x-ray source is attached to said rotating drum; an imager that receives x-rays from said object based on said emitted x-rays and forms an image of said object; an imager support system that attaches said imager to said rotating drum, wherein said imager support system comprises: a pivoting arm that has one end pivotably attached to said rotating drum and another end pivotably attached to said imager. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The imaging system of claim 25, wherein said x-ray source translates in a direction that is parallel to an axis of rotation of said drum. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The imaging system of claim 25, further comprising a radiation source attached to said rotating drum. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The imaging system-of claim 25, wherein said x-rays emitted from said x-ray source are emitted in a cone beam form. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The imaging system of claim 25, wherein said imager comprises an amorphous silicon flat-panel imager. ### Claim 30 An imaging system comprising: a support structure comprising: a rotating drum of a gantry; and a radiation source attached to said rotating drum; and a computed tomography system attached to said support structure, wherein said computed tomography system comprises: an x-ray source that emits x-rays towards an object; an imager that receives x-rays from said object based on said emitted x-rays and forms an image of said object used for formation of a three-dimensional image; an imager support system that attaches said imager to said support structure, wherein said imager support system comprises: a C-arm attached to said support structure, wherein said imager is attached to one end of said C-arm. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The imaging system of claim 30, wherein said C-arm moves along an arc. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The imaging system of claim 30, wherein said x-ray source is attached to another end of said C-arm. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The imaging system of claim 30, wherein said x-rays emitted from said x-ray source are emitted in a cone beam form. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The imaging system of claim 30, wherein said imager comprises an amorphous silicon flat-panel imager. ### Claim 35 A method of adding an auxiliary imaging system to an existing radiation therapy system, said method comprising: providing an existing radiation therapy system that comprises a radiation source that is supported on a support structure; and attaching an imager that does not directly face said radiation source to said support structure. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein said attaching comprises: attaching said imager to an imager support system; forming an opening in said support structure; inserting a male member through an opening formed in said imager support system and said opening formed in said support structure; and attaching said inserted male member to said support structure and said imager support system. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein said attaching said inserted male member comprises tightening a nut onto said male member. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein said support structure comprises a rotating drum. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, further comprising attaching an x-ray source to said rotating drum. ### Claim 40 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein said support structure comprises a rotating drum. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The method of claim 40, further comprising attaching an x-ray source to said rotating drum. ### Claim 42 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, further comprising attaching an x-ray source to said support structure.