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US 8,804,901 B2Granted
Imaging methods for image-guided radiation treatment
AssigneeAccuray Incorporated
InventorsCalvin R. Maurer, Jr., Mu Young Lee, Gopinath Kuduvalli, Petr Jordan, Prashant Chopra
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and related computer program products for medical imaging and image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. In one embodiment, an IGRT system selectively integrates x-ray source arrays, dual-energy imaging, stereoscopic imaging, static and dynamic source collimation, and/or inverse geometry tomosynthesis imaging to acquire and/or track a target during radiation treatment. Advantages include reduced patient x-ray dose and/or reduced treatment delivery margins.
Claims16
A method for x-ray tomosynthesis imaging of a target volume, comprising:
- providing an x-ray tomosynthesis imaging source comprising a plurality of x-ray source array units disposed at a respective plurality of tomosynthesis projection angles relative to the target volume, each x-ray source array unit comprising a first plurality of x-ray sources spatially distinct from each other;
- providing an x-ray tomosynthesis imaging detector comprising a plurality of digital detector units respectively disposed opposite said plurality of x-ray source array units relative to the target volume, each said digital detector unit being thereby paired with a corresponding one of said x-ray source array units, each digital detector unit comprising an array of detector pixels extending over a predefined imaging area;
- providing in association with each said x-ray source array unit an x-ray collimating unit disposed between that x-ray source array unit and the target volume, the x-ray collimating unit being positioned closer to that x-ray source array unit than to the target volume, the x-ray collimating unit being configured and dimensioned to individually collimate x-ray radiation from each of the first plurality of x-ray sources of that x-ray source unit onto a corresponding subgroup of detector pixels of the paired digital detector unit that cover an area substantially smaller than the predefined imaging area of the paired digital detector unit;
- during a first tomosynthesis imaging interval, operating the plurality of x-ray source array units such that each of the first plurality of x-ray sources of each said x-ray source array unit are activated for at least a portion of the first tomosynthesis imaging interval;
- and
- during the first tomosynthesis imaging interval, selectively operating each said digital detector unit to measure x-ray radiation at detector pixels corresponding to currently active ones of the first plurality of x-ray sources of the paired x-ray source array unit.
3 more elements
A method for x-ray tomosynthesis imaging of a target structure contained within a target volume, comprising:
- providing a first inverse geometry x-ray tomosynthesis imaging system comprising:
- a first digital detector array;
- a first source array disposed substantially opposite the first digital detector array relative to the target volume, said first source array comprising a population of individually controllable x-ray sources distributed therealong between opposing ends thereof;
- and
- a first collimating device positioned between said first x-ray source array and the target volume and configured to collimate x-ray radiation from each said x-ray source to a beam substantially limited in angle to illuminate substantially only said first digital detector array;
- wherein said first digital detector array is substantially shorter than said first source array in a direction generally normal to a plane of a tomosynthesis imaging arc defined thereby, and wherein each of said collimated x-ray beams passes through less than an entirety of the target volume;
- receiving first information indicative of an expected location of the target structure within the target volume at a first point in time;
- processing said first information to identify a (i) a first subset of said x-ray sources whose collimated x-ray beams would pass through or near the target structure at said first point in time, and (ii) a second subset of said x-ray sources whose collimated x-ray beams would not pass through or near the target structure at said first point in time;
- and
- acquiring a first plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images of the target structure during a first tomosynthesis imaging interval that includes said first point in time, said acquiring comprising operating said first subset of x-ray sources and not operating said second subset of x-ray sources;
- and
- processing said first plurality of x-ray tomosynthesis projection images to compute a first tomosynthesis reconstructed image volume therefrom.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.