Method and apparatus for x-ray imaging with multiple source-detector pairs

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of x-ray imaging comprising:
 rotating a first X-ray source-detector pair through a first set of angles around an axis of rotation;   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 imaging 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  wherein said predetermined angle of separation is a minimum angle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 utilizing said computed imaging dataset for registration of said images. 
 
     
     
         7 . 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. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein source of said first X-ray source-detector pair is a point source. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein source of said second X-ray source-detector pair is configured to emit radiation from a plurality of discrete locations on its face. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 rotating said first X-ray source-detector pair and said second-source detector pair around a common axis of rotation through a shared isocenter. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 rotating said first X-ray source-detector pair and said second-source detector pair around a common axis of rotation through a shared isocenter. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 imaging with a computed tomography modality. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 imaging with an extended field of view fluoroscopy modality. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 imaging with a bi-planar modality. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method of x-ray imaging comprising:
 rotating two X-ray source-detector pairs around an imaging volume, wherein at least one source of said X-ray source-detector pairs are configured to emit radiation from pluralities of discrete locations;   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.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said predetermined angle is between 80 and 100 degrees, inclusive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 reconstructing said three-dimensional image using a maximum-likelihood expectation maximization in voxel space. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 reconstructing said three-dimensional image using an ordered-subset expectation maximization framework. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 reconstructing said three-dimensional image using a maximum likelihood algorithm for transmission tomography. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 correcting artifacts in said three-dimensional image using said computed tomography dataset.