X-ray imaging system for performing automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy

A method used by an X-ray imaging system for performing automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy, comprising the activities of:

• storing data representing selected positions including,
• (a) a start position for X-ray imaging at a first location of a portion of patient anatomy and
• (b) an end position for X-ray imaging at a second location of a portion of patient anatomy;
• automatically determining a series of pre-programmed steps comprising a plurality of incremental distances to be moved by an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to said portion of patient anatomy in response to,
• (i) the selected start and end positions,
• (ii) the length of said portion of patient anatomy imaged in an individual step and
• (iii) overlap length desired between successive X-ray images;
• and
• automatically moving the X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in the series of pre-programmed steps, in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command.

An X-ray imaging system for performing automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy, comprising:

• at least one computer for automatically determining a series of pre-programmed steps comprising a plurality of incremental distances to be moved by an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to a portion of patient anatomy in response to predetermined data;
• an X-ray filter automatically adjustable to attenuate X-ray radiation in response to a control signal;
• an X-ray filter controller for,
• determining one or more areas of the X-ray detector exposed to X-ray radiation un-attenuated by patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of said series of pre-programmed steps and
• determining different X-ray filter positions for corresponding individual steps of said series of pre-programmed steps in response to the determined areas;
• and
• an X-ray imaging device for automatically moving the X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in the series of pre-programmed steps, in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command and adjusting the X-ray filter position via said control signal to the determined X-ray filter positions to attenuate X-ray radiation un-attenuated by patient anatomy for individual steps of said series of pre-programmed steps, in response to the determined filter positions.

An X-ray imaging system for performing automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy, comprising:

• an interface for storing data representing selected positions including,
• (a) a start position for X-ray imaging at a first location of a portion of patient anatomy and
• (b) an end position for X-ray imaging at a second location of a portion of patient anatomy;
• at least one computer for automatically determining a series of pre-programmed steps comprising a plurality of incremental distances to be moved by an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to said portion of patient anatomy in response to,
• (i) the selected start and end positions,
• (ii) the length of said portion of patient anatomy imaged in an individual step and
• (iii) overlap length desired between successive X-ray images;
• an X-ray filter automatically adjustable to attenuate X-ray radiation in response to a control signal;
• an X-ray filter controller for,
• determining one or more areas of the X-ray detector exposed to X-ray radiation un-attenuated by patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of said series of pre-programmed steps and
• determining different X-ray filter positions for corresponding individual steps of said series of pre-programmed steps in response to the determined areas;
• and
• an X-ray imaging device for automatically moving the X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in the series of pre-programmed steps, in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command and adjusting the X-ray filter position via said control signal to the determined X-ray filter positions to attenuate X-ray radiation un-attenuated by patient anatomy for individual steps of said series of pre-programmed steps, in response to the determined filter positions.