Method and apparatus for multiple X-ray imaging applications
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for medical imaging comprising rotating two X-ray source-detector pairs around an axis of rotation simultaneously to quickly acquire image data and form a computed tomography (CT) dataset. The sources can be configured to emit radiation from a plurality of discrete locations. The CT dataset can be utilized as a prior to reconstruct a three-dimensional image from subsequent bi-planar imaging with these source-detector pairs.
1. A method of medical imaging comprising:
rotating a first X-ray source-detector pair through a first set of angles around an axis of rotation;
simultaneously rotating a second X-ray source-detector pair through a second set of angles around said axis of rotation, wherein said first set of angles and said second set of angles do not overlap;
acquiring image data from said first X-ray source-detector pair and said second X-ray source-detector pair during rotation; and
storing said image data to form a computed tomography dataset.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first set of angles and said second set of angles each comprise at least 90 degrees.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
completing rotation of the first X-ray source-detector pair through the first set of angles and the second X-ray source-detector pair through the second set of angles in less than 3 seconds.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
fixing positions of said first X-ray source-detector pair and said second X-ray source-detector pair at a predetermined angle of separation; and
acquiring images from said first X-ray source-detector pairs and said second X-ray source-detector pair while stationary.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
utilizing said computed tomography dataset for registration of said images.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein source of said first X-ray source-detector pair is configured to emit radiation from a plurality of discrete locations on its face.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein source of said first X-ray source detector-pair is a point source.
8. A method of medical imaging comprising:
rotating two X-ray source-detector pairs around an imaging volume, wherein sources of said X-ray source-detector pairs are configured to emit radiation from pluralities of discrete locations on their faces;
acquiring a computed tomography dataset during rotation of said two X-ray source-detector pairs;
fixing said two X-ray source-detector pairs at a predetermined angle relative to one another;
acquiring image data from said two X-ray source-detector pairs while stationary at said predetermined angle relative to one another;
reconstructing a three-dimensional image from said image data; and
utilizing said computed tomography dataset as a prior for reconstruction of said three-dimensional image.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said prior is a Bayesian prior.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined angle is between 80 and 100 degrees, inclusive.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
reconstructing said three-dimensional image using a maximum-likelihood expectation maximization in voxel space.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
reconstructing said three-dimensional image using an ordered-subset expectation maximization framework.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
reconstructing said three-dimensional image using a maximum likelihood algorithm for transmission tomography.
14. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
correcting artifacts in said three-dimensional image using said computed tomography dataset.