Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for analyzing at least one abnormality of an object is described. The method includes obtaining a first image containing an abnormality using a first modality, obtaining a second image containing the abnormality using a second modality, selecting a first region of interest located within the first image, determining an anatomical size of the abnormality based on the first region of interest in the first image, and determining a relative metabolic activity based on a second region of interest within the second image.

Abstract: A system and method of medical imaging is designed to reduce a patient's X-ray exposure during scanning. The system automatically generates a default noise index from a received set of scan parameter values that specifies a desired tube current of an X-ray source to use during the scanning of a patient. The default noise index can then be overridden to select a preferred noise index based upon a desired diagnostic quality for a particular volume of interest (VOI) and a diagnostic objective.

Abstract: A system and method of medical imaging is designed to reduce a patient's X-ray exposure during scanning. The system automatically generates a default noise index from a received set of scan parameter values that specifies a desired tube current of an X-ray source to use during the scanning of a patient. The default noise index can then be overridden to select a preferred noise index based upon a desired diagnostic quality for a particular volume of interest (VOI) and a diagnostic objective.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for imaging a volume of a patient with a computed tomographic (CT) imaging system. The method includes steps of: scanning a volume of a patient with a first, full field of view (FOV) scan to acquire first projection data; scanning a smaller volume of the patient with a second, restricted FOV scan to acquire second projection data; estimating an amount of shift between the first projection data and the second projection data resulting from patient movement; and blending first projection data with second projection data in accordance with the estimated amount of shift to estimate projections of the second scan.

Abstract: A method for generating an image of an object using a computed tomography (CT) imaging system, which includes at least one x-ray detector array and at least one rotating x-ray source projecting an x-ray beam, includes the steps of identifying a physiological cycle of the object (the cycle comprising a plurality of phases); selecting at least one phase of the object; collecting at least one segment of projection data for each selected phase of the object during each rotation of each x-ray source; generating a projection data set by combining the projection data segments; generating a cross-sectional image of the entire object from the projection data set; and communicating the image or data associated with the image to a remote facility. The remote facility provides remote services over a network.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a method for changing at least one of a number of image slices and in-plane resolutions available in an existing imaging system. The method includes steps of: replacing the existing detector array with a replacement detector array having either narrower detector cells in the x-direction than an existing detector array, a greater number of detector cells than that of the existing detector array, or both; and selecting an in-plane resolution of the replacement detector array in accordance with a maximum bandwidth limit of a communication path in the imaging system.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form is an imaging system for generating images of an entire object. In one embodiment, a physiological cycle unit is used to determine the cycle of the moving object. By altering the rotational speed of an x-ray source as a function of the object cycle, segments of projection data are collected for each selected phase of the object during each rotation. After completing a plurality of rotations, the segments of projection data are combined and a cross-sectional image of the selected phase of the object is generated. As a result, minimizing motion artifacts.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for reducing image artifacts when reconstructing an image with a multislice computed tomographic (CT) imaging scanner are provided. Scout images are generated by obtaining a plurality of projection views of an object, modifying the projection data utilizing a deconvolution kernel, generating a horizontal gradient and a vertical gradient based on the modified projection data, applying helical weights to the horizontal gradient and vertical gradient, and applying a desired level of enhancement to the weighted horizontal and vertical gradients.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is an imaging system for generating images of an entire object. In one embodiment, a physiological cycle unit is used to determine the cycle of the moving object. By altering the rotational speed of an x-ray source as a function of the object cycle, segments of projection data are collected for each selected phase of the object during each rotation. After completing a plurality of rotations, the segments of projection data are combined and a cross-sectional image of the selected phase of the object is generated. As a result, minimizing motion artifacts.

Abstract: A scalable multislice system configured to generate multiple streams of image data with different image quality characteristics prospectively and simultaneously is described. Such capability enables improving existing clinical diagnosis and also enables use of clinical application protocol driven method for image reconstruction and display as well as image analysis. More specifically, with the scalable multislice imaging system, multiple rows (>2) of x-ray scan data along the patient's long axis are simultaneously acquired. Multiple protocols are "pre-built" based on specific applications to determine image slice thickness, image reconstruction filter, display method, e.g., field of view, filming requirement and image archiving requirement, prospectively. Multiple image sets with different slice thickness, different reconstruction methods, different display model--axial, 3D or reformat which are pre-determined by the protocol used can then be displayed.

Abstract: A CT Fluoro System display which includes apparatus and methods for facilitating effective performance of an interventional procedure. The apparatus and methods are generally referred to herein as partial image display, dynamic image reformation, in-room control, flat panel display, in-room display, and magnification. More particularly, an important performance parameter for a CT Fluoro System is the time to first image. Accordingly, and to reduce the time to first image, a partially reconstructed image can be displayed. In addition to fast image reconstruction, it sometimes is necessary to examine a needle position from different orientations, i.e., views. Accordingly, the present display provides dynamic image reformation wherein axial images are displayed at a very high rate and the operator may reformat the axial images and display the reformatted images in real time.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a system for generating a high resolution image of an object from projection data acquired during a computed tomography scan. The system includes a gantry having an x-ray source which rotates around the object. The x-ray source emits an x-ray beam which is collimated with a collimator having a collimator aperture to define an x-ray beam width, or slice thickness. The projection data is reconstructed to generate image data for adjacent image slices. A deconvolution algorithm is applied to the image data to generate a deconvolved image having a finer, i.e., smaller, resolution than the collimator aperture.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a method for improving grey-white matter differentiation between regions of an image to be reconstructed from data obtained by a CT scan. More particularly, in accordance with one form of the present invention, a re-mapping function is utilized to generate CT numbers. In accordance with such function, CT numbers that are outside the grey-white matter region are not "stretched". The CT numbers within such region are "stretched" with the larger "stretch" centered on the grey-white matter region and tapering off at the boundary. Using such a function, grey-white matter differentiation is improved without adversely affecting quality and accuracy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scanning an object in a computed tomography system during an interventional procedure are described. The computed tomography system includes an x-ray source, a detector, and a display. The detector detects x-rays projected from the x-ray source and attenuated by an object. A processor is coupled to the detector and coupled to the display for generating images of the object on the display. A helical scan is executed to generate an image slice of the object corresponding to each gantry rotation. At least one image slice and one three-dimensional image are simultaneously displayed on the display.