Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a multimode imaging system which, in one embodiment, includes a substantially C-shaped arm movably coupled to a movable base to reduce difficulty of scanning an object. A source assembly having a x-ray source and a detector assembly having a detector are movably coupled to the arm. The source assembly and the detector assembly are independently movable relative to each other and to the arm. In one embodiment, an operator selects one or more modes of operation of the imaging system so that various types of image data are displayed.

Abstract: A CT Fluoro system which, in one embodiment, includes an integrated controller, image reconstruction algorithms for increasing the speed of image display, and an enhanced image display, is described. The integrated controller enables the radiologist to maintain control of the system throughout the fluoro scan. The image reconstruction algorithms are generally directed to increasing the image frame rate or reducing image artifacts, or both, in the CT fluoro scan. The image display generally provides enhanced images and control to the radiologist during a scan procedure.

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 CT Fluoro system which, in one embodiment, includes an integrated controller, image reconstruction algorithms for increasing the speed of image display, and an enhanced image display, is described. The integrated controller enables the radiologist to maintain control of the system throughout the fluoro scan. The image reconstruction algorithms are generally directed to increasing the image frame rate or reducing image artifacts, or both, in the CT fluoro scan. The image display generally provides enhanced images and control to the radiologist during a scan procedure.

Abstract: A method includes augmenting partially sampled field of view data using fully sampled field of view data.

Abstract: A CT Fluoro system which, in one embodiment, includes an integrated controller, image reconstruction algorithms for increasing the speed of image display, and an enhanced image display, is described. The integrated controller enables the radiologist to maintain control of the system throughout the fluoro scan. The image reconstruction algorithms are generally directed to increasing the image frame rate or reducing image artifacts, or both, in the CT fluoro scan. The image display generally provides enhanced images and control to the radiologist during a scan procedure.

Abstract: A technique is provided for partitioning an imaged volume into two or more sub-volumes. The technique identifies partition lines which separate the sub-volumes by generating a profile, such as a bone profile, which is then analyzed to determine the placement of the partition lines. In one embodiment, placement of the partition lines is determined automatically by applying one or more sets of hierarchical rules to the profile. After separation of the imaged volume into sub-volumes, each sub-volume may be differentially segmented such that segmentation is customized for the sub-volume. Likewise, after separation of the imaged volume into sub-volumes, the acquisition parameters for each sub-volume may be customized for subsequent acquisitions.

Abstract: A method includes augmenting partially sampled field of view data using fully sampled field of view data.

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: The present invention, in one form, is an imaging system for generating images of an entire heart. In one embodiment, projection data is collected for a field of view containing only the heart so that the total detector size is reduced. The smaller detector allows the use of a plurality of source-detector pairs so that projection data for an angular coverage of (&pgr;+fan angle) is collected by rotating a gantry significantly less than one complete rotation. Therefore, projection data is collected in significantly less than one cardiac cycle, minimizing motion artifacts.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is a method for generating depth information images of an object using a computed tomography system by performing multiple scout scans of the object, generating a scout image for each scout scan, and displaying the scout images from each scout scan at least once. As a result, the multiple scout images contain depth information of anatomical objects and 3D images are rapidly generated without increasing the cost of the system.

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: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for collecting views for imaging an object utilizing a CT imaging system is provided. The method includes steps of: performing a first rotational scan of an object to acquire a first set of views of the object; performing a second rotational scan of the object to acquire a second set of views of the object; offsetting starting angular views of the second rotational scan relative to the first rotational scan so that the first set of views and the second set of views form a set of interlaced views; and reconstructing an image of the object utilizing the first set of views and the second set of views.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form, is an imaging system which synchronizes the emission of x-rays and the collection of data to a heart cycle to provide improved image quality. In one embodiment, the imaging system utilizes a synchronization unit to determine a selected heart period and to control generation of x-ray beams during the selected period. As the x-ray beams are emitted toward a detector, data is collected for a view angle. As the heart continues to cycle, data for a series of view angles is collected so that an image of the heart during the selected period is generated.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one aspect, an imaging system having a detector that has multiple detector cells extending along a z-axis, the detector being configured to collect multiple slices of data; and a scalable data acquisition system configured to convert signals from the detector to digital form, the scalable data acquisition system having a plurality of converter boards each with a plurality of channels, the channels and detector cells having an interweaved coupling to reduce susceptibility to band artifact.

Abstract: A CT Fluoro system having an architecture and algorithms which facilitate increasing the frame rate and providing acceptable image quality is described. Generally, and in one embodiment, the system includes apparatus and algorithms that speed-up image reconstruction and reduce image artifacts that may result from such fast reconstruction. The fast reconstruction is achieved by performing, for example, view compression, channel compression, backprojection with reduced delay, and parallel processing.

Abstract: A computed tomography imaging system has a source of radiation and a radiation detector that has an exponential impulse response characterized by a plurality of N components with different time constants. The source and the detector are revolved about an object to be imaged and the output of the detector is sampled periodically to acquire a set of radiation attenuation values, with the values for each revolution being designated as a scan. A recursive filter function is applied sequentially to the radiation attenuation values from a given scan to generate approximated values for variables of the filter function that define residual detector response from the previous scan. A set of filtered attenuation values then is produced by applying the filter function again to the radiation attenuation values from the given scan. The approximated values for variables are used when the filter function is applied to the first radiation attenuation value of the scan.