System and method for displaying variable duration image scans
A system and method are provided for displaying information related to a medical imaging scan. Visual regions are shown on a display screen to indicate information of pending, current, and completed medical imaging scans. If additional correction time was utilized for particular table positions in a medical imaging scan, this information is shown on the display screen, in the form of icons, shading, or other visual representations. The medical imaging system may include positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
1. An imaging system, comprising;
a gantry comprising image detectors;
a movable table for positioning a subject of an imaging operation;
an operator console comprising an input device and a display apparatus; and
a computer processor for executing instructions to:
receive input from the input device to initiate an imaging scan, said scan includes multiple table positions; wherein, for each table position, the imaging scan includes an initial scan time, where the initial scan time is the minimum amount of time needed to acquire data at each table position, and for at least one of the multiple table positions, the imaging scan includes an additional scan time, where the additional scan time includes additional time required to compensate for data loss due to patient motion at the at least one table position; and
display a display view of an in-process imaging scan, the display view including a plurality of regions, one region per table position in said scan; wherein the displayed regions for table positions that include additional correction time are larger than those displayed regions for table positions that do not include additional correction time, wherein the additional correction time is displayed differently than the initial scan time in display view based on at least one of color, shading, outlined dashes or outlined lines.
2. The system of claim 1 , the computer processor further:
issuing commands to the gantry and table to begin the imaging scan;
receiving count rate information from the image detectors during the imaging scan, where the count rate information is based on emission data; and
displaying count rate information over time on the display within the region associated with a respective table position.
3. The system of claim 2 , the computer processor further:
issuing a command to the gantry to stop the imaging scan for the current table position if count rate information reaches a threshold;
displaying a first visual indicator in the displayed region related to the current table position if count rate information reaches a threshold;
displaying a second visual indicator in the displayed region related to the current table position if count rate information does not reach a threshold; and
wherein the first visual indicator is of a different shading, color, or shape from the second visual indicator.
4. The system of claim 1 , the computer processor further:
receiving count information and motion related information from the image detectors, where the count information is based on emission data;
displaying a count indicator in the region associated with the current table position;
comparing motion related information with a threshold, where the motion related information is based on patient motion;
if motion related information is higher than the threshold, instructing the image detectors to continue scanning into the additional scan time for the current table position;
if motion related information is lower than the threshold, instructing the image detectors to stop scanning for the current table position at the end of the initial scan time;
displaying an initial scan time section of the displayed region a different color or shading from the additional scan time section of the displayed region.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein:
motion related information is generated as a response to detection of respiratory or cardiac motion.