Systems and methods for color visualization of CT images
A computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes a CT imaging unit, a display unit and at least one processor. The CT imaging unit includes an X-ray source and a CT detector. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the imaging unit and the display unit, and is configured to: acquire at least three phases of CT imaging information via the CT imaging unit; determine timing information for imaging intensity of blood vessels represented in the CT imaging information; assign corresponding colors to the blood vessels based on the timing information; reconstruct an image using the CT imaging information from the at least three phases, wherein the blood vessels depicted in the reconstructed image are represented using the corresponding colors based on the timing information; and display the image on the display unit.
1. A computed tomography (CT) imaging system comprising:
a CT imaging unit comprising an X-ray source and a CT detector;
a display unit; and
at least one processor operably coupled to the imaging unit and the display unit, the at least one processor configured to:
acquire at least three phases of CT imaging information via the CT imaging unit;
determine timing information for imaging intensity of blood vessels represented in the CT imaging information;
assign corresponding colors to the blood vessels based on the timing information;
reconstruct an image using the CT imaging information from the at least three phases, wherein the blood vessels depicted in the reconstructed image are represented using the corresponding colors based on the timing information; and
display the image on the display unit.
2. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the timing information based on a maximum intensity of the CT imaging information over time on a voxel-by-voxel basis.
3. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding colors include a first color corresponding to a an arterial phase of blood flow, a second color corresponding to a venous phase of blood flow, and a third color corresponding to a third phase corresponding to a post-venous phase of blood flow.
4. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least three phases comprise phases corresponding to flow of a contrast agent, and wherein the CT imaging information includes pre-contrast information acquired before introduction of the contrast agent, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a relative maximum intensity using a baseline from the pre-contrast information.
5. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to, for individual voxels of the CT imaging information, generate a plot of intensity over time, determine an area under a curve defined by the plot, and determine the timing information using the area under the curve.
6. The CT imaging system of claim 5 , wherein the timing information is determined for the individual voxels based on a time corresponding to achieving half of the corresponding area under the curve.
7. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to autonomously assign the corresponding colors based on ranges of time.
8. The CT imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to adjust the ranges of time responsive to a user input.
9. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to motion correct the CT imaging information from the at least three phases before determining the timing information.
10. A method comprising:
acquiring at least three phases of computed tomography (CT) imaging information via a CT imaging unit that comprises an X-ray source and a CT detector;
determining, using at least one processor, timing information for imaging intensity of blood vessels represented in the CT imaging information;
assigning corresponding colors to the blood vessels based on the timing information;
reconstructing an image using the CT imaging information from the at least three phases, wherein the blood vessels depicted in the reconstructed image are represented using the corresponding colors based on the timing information; and
displaying the image on a display unit.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the timing information is determined based on a maximum intensity of the CT imaging information over time on a voxel-by-voxel basis.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein acquiring the at least three phases comprises acquiring a first phase corresponding to an arterial phase of blood flow, a second phase corresponding to a venous phase of blood flow, and a third phase corresponding to a post-venous phase of blood flow, and wherein the corresponding colors include a first color corresponding to the arterial phase of blood flow, a second color corresponding to the venous phase of blood flow, and a third color corresponding to the post-venous phase of blood flow.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
acquiring pre-contrast information;
after acquiring the pre-contrast information, introducing a contrast agent into an object to be imaged, wherein the at least three phases comprise phases corresponding to flow of the contrast agent through the object; and
determining a relative maximum intensity using a baseline from the pre-contrast information.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
generating, for individual voxels of the CT imaging information, a plot of intensity over time;
determining an area under a curve defined by the plot; and
determining the timing information using the area under the curve.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the timing information is determined for each voxel based on a time corresponding to achieving half of the corresponding area under the curve.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising autonomously assigning the corresponding colors based on ranges of time.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the ranges of time responsive to a user input.
18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising motion correcting the CT imaging information from the at least three phases before determining the timing information.
19. A tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium comprising one or more computer software modules configured to direct one or more processors to:
acquire at least three phases of computed tomography (CT) imaging information via a CT imaging unit that comprises an X-ray source and a CT detector;
determine timing information for imaging intensity of blood vessels represented in the CT imaging information;
assign corresponding colors to the blood vessels based on the timing information;
reconstruct an image using the CT imaging information from the at least three phases, wherein the blood vessels depicted in the reconstructed image are represented using the corresponding colors based on the timing information; and
display the image on a display unit.
20. The tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the computer readable medium is further configured to:
generate, for individual voxels of the CT imaging information, a plot of intensity over time;
determine an area under a curve defined by the plot; and
determine the timing information using the area under the curve.
21. The CT imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to at least one of determine or identify a blockage in at least one of the blood vessels using the image.
22. The method of claim 10 , further comprising at least one of determining or identifying a blockage in at least one of the blood vessels using the image.
23. The tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the computer readable medium is further configured to at least one of determine or identify a blockage in at least one of the blood vessels using the image.