General Electric Company

Other

Hinnovation, Inc.

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Hui Hu

Armin H Pfoh

Hui David He

Jiang Hsieh

Guy M Besson

Norbert Joseph Pelc

Robert F Senzig

Stanley Haim Fox

Gary R Strong

Yi Sun

David Michael Hoffman

Thomas L Toth

Kishore Chandra Acharya

Holly A McDaniel

Yun Shen

Michael F Gard

Carl R Crawford

Sandeep Dutta

Jonathan Alan Murray

George E Seidenschnur

Willi W Hampel

Jun Zhang

Richard Estyn Kinsinger

Robert A Buchanan

Min Xie

Theophano Mitsa

Sholom M Ackelsberg

Thaddeus Raymond Ulijasz

Girish Saligram

Carlos F Guerra

H David He

Stephen W Metz

Robert D Nowak

An image data manipulation system is described in which users located remotely from an image data storage library may participate in a collaborative image data rendering and evaluation session. The system includes the exchange of state parameters between the client computer of a user controlling the image rendering, the session driver, and a server computer which relays updated state parameters to other client computers participating in a session. The state parameters are used to update the view on each users computer to keep all the displays of the participants in synch with that of the session driver. The server processes extensive image rendering task for which the remote clients are not equipped and transmits newly-processed image data to the clients as appropriate. One embodiment for educational applications utilizes pre-stored image data sets which eliminates the need to transmit large blocks of image data over a network during a collaborative session.

On-line image processing and communication system

A teleradiology system provides the capability of rendering and studying of a remotely located volume data without requiring transmission of the entire data to the user's local computer. The system comprises: receiving station ( ) under the control of a user ( ); transmitting station ( ); the connecting network ( ); the user interface ( ) with functionality of controlling volume data rendering, transmission, and display; and the interface with patient data source ( ). The teleradiology system of the invention provides an integrated functionality of data transmission of current teleradiology systems and volume data rendering/visualization of current volume data rendering/visualization systems. The system may be readily used with an intranet, the internet (including the internet ) or via a direct dial-up using a telephone line with a modem, and can serve as an enterprise-wide PACS and may be readily integrated with other PACS and image distribution systems. Software of this system can be centrally installed and managed and can be provided to the user's local computer on an as-needed basis. Furthermore, the software for the user's computer is developed to use with standard web browser. This system provides a secure, cost-effective, widely-accessible solution for data rendering and visualization. It provides a suitable image distribution method for medical image data, for medical data repository, and for the electronic medical record (or the computerized patient record). It allows healthcare providers (e.g., radiologists, other physicians, and supporting staffs) to render and study remotely located patient data at the locations of their choices.

Teleradiology systems for rendering and visualizing remotely-located volume data sets

The present invention, in one form, is a system for performing image reconstruction using data acquired from a single detector row in a helical scan. More specifically, a modified weighting factor W (&bgr;,&ggr;), which is a shifted and weighted average version of the single slice helical weighting factor, is generated. The modified weighting factor is then applied to data to reduce image noise and artifacts and/or increase image sharpness.

Methods and apparatus for single slice helical image reconstruction in a computed tomography system

A method for generating an image of an object using a computed tomography (CT) imaging system, which includes at least one x-ray detector array and at least one rotating x-ray source projecting an x-ray beam, includes the steps of identifying a physiological cycle of the object (the cycle comprising a plurality of phases); selecting at least one phase of the object; collecting at least one segment of projection data for each selected phase of the object during each rotation of each x-ray source; generating a projection data set by combining the projection data segments; generating a cross-sectional image of the entire object from the projection data set; and communicating the image or data associated with the image to a remote facility. The remote facility provides remote services over a network.

Volumetric computed tomography system for cardiac imaging including a system for communicating data over a network

The present invention, in one form is an imaging system for generating images of an entire object. In one embodiment, a physiological cycle unit is used to determine the cycle of the moving object. By altering the rotational speed of an x-ray source as a function of the object cycle, segments of projection data are collected for each selected phase of the object during each rotation. After completing a plurality of rotations, the segments of projection data are combined and a cross-sectional image of the selected phase of the object is generated. As a result, minimizing motion artifacts.

Volumetric computed tomography system for cardiac imaging

The present invention comprises a system and method for producing images of an object utilizing an x-ray computed tomography (CT) system. Detector elements within the CT system provide raw projection data representing the attenuated x-rays. A data corrector modifies the raw projection data to account for errors to produce corrected projection data. A high order interpolator operates on the corrected projection data to provide estimated projection data at the exact spatial position of the desired image. The high order interpolator utilizes a cubic spline function to determine the estimated projection data. The estimated projection data are used by an image reconstructor to perform high speed image reconstruction.

System and method for data interpolation in a multislice x-ray computed tomography system

The present invention, in one form, is a system which, in one embodiment, adjusts the x-ray source current to reduce image noise to better accommodate different scanning parameters. Specifically, in one embodiment, the x-ray source current is adjusted as a function of image slice thickness, scan rotation time, collimation mode, table speed, scan mode, and filtration mode. Particularly, a function is stored in a CT system computer to determine an x-ray source current adjustment factor so that the appropriate x-ray source current is supplied to the x-ray source for the determined parameters. After adjusting the x-ray source current, an object is scanned.

Methods and apparatus for automatic image noise reduction

The present invention, in one form, is an apparatus for performing image reconstruction using data obtained by a four beam helical scan. In reconstructing an image, projection data arrays are generated. Such projection data is then weighted by weighting factors to generate a weighted projection data array. The weighted projection data array is filtered and back projected to generate an image data array. The image data arrays for the beams are then summed to generate a slice image data array.

Systems, methods and apparatus for reconstructing images

A scalable multislice system which, in one embodiment, includes a scalable multi-slice detector, a scalable data acquisition system (SDAS), scalable scan management, control, and image reconstruction processes, and scalable image display and analysis, is described. In the axial multi-slice scan mode, multiple rows of scan data can be processed before image reconstruction, and the data can be used to produce either multiple thin slices or a reduced number of thicker slices with reduced image artifact. In addition, images with thicker slice thicknesses can be later reconstructed retrospectively into thinner slices of images based on clinical diagnosis needs. As a result, the number of unwanted images for viewing, filming, and archiving is reduced. In addition, high z-axis resolution images can be later reconstructed for patient diagnosis. In the helical multi-slice scan mode, multiple combinations of patient table speed and x-ray beam and detector collimations, enable generation of images having different z-axis resolution can be produced. For example, at the table speed of 30 mm/rotation, images of 5-10 mm slices can be generated. Thicker slice (such as 10 mm) images can be generated prospectively, which provides the benefit of a reduced number of images and reduced image reconstruction time. At a later time, thinner slice images can be generated retrospectively using the same data. Such thinner slice images may be necessary depending on the clinical application needs. Such thinner slice images can be generated without rescanning the patient.

Apparatus and methods for performing scalable multislice computed tomography scan

An imaging system which, in one embodiment, includes a timing algorithm which identifies the proper projection data to be used and a modified halfscan image reconstruction algorithm which provides improved image quality along with the benefits of an enhanced temporal response, is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the timing algorithm includes the steps of determining a diastolic period of a patient's heart and corresponding projection data during the diastolic period. The modified halfscan algorithm includes the steps of identifying redundant data and unequally weighting the data. The resulting images are used for coronary calcification detection.

Coronary calcification detection using retrospective cardiac gating of imaging system

The present invention, in one form, is a method for generating a calcification score in a CT image data using a scoring algorithm. In accordance with one embodiment of the algorithm, a calcium score is determined by identifying a scorable region in the image data, defining at least one region of interest in the scorable region, and determining a density score. After determining a calcium score for each region of interest, a total calcium score is determined. In addition, to correct for unequal and/or non-contiguous spacing of the slices of image data, a weighted total calcium score is determined.

Methods and apparatus for calcification scoring

The present invention allows for accurate reconstruction of images based on multislice CT system scans using a tilted gantry. The present invention comprises a system and method for shifting the center of rotation of a reconstructed image into alignment with a longitudinal patient axis based on the tilt angle value. The present invention provides an algorithm to determine an offset amount for aligning the image. The offset amount is determined from a plurality of raw projection data used to formulate the image. The offset amount is provided for both axial and helical scanning and allows the reconstruction of an accurate image. Additionally, the system and method of the present invention provide a table speed offset and an indexing offset to account for the discrepancy in thickness of the x-ray beam at the longitudinal patient axis between tilted and non-tilted scans.

Tilted gantry image correction for a multislice computed tomography system

A computed tomography x-ray imaging system acquires a three-dimensional array of x-ray attenuation values using a cone beam x-ray source and a curved two-dimensional array of detector elements. Two-dimensional image slices are reconstructed using a filtered back projection method, and corrections are made to the images to account for incomplete data due to the cone beam geometry.

Reconstruction of images from three-dimensional cone beam data

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.

Scalable multislice imaging system

The present invention, in one form, is a system for performing image reconstruction using data acquired from a single detector row in a helical scan. More specifically, a modified weighting factor W.sub.f (.beta.,.gamma.), which is a shifted and weighted average version of the single slice helical weighting factor, is generated. The modified weighting factor is then applied to data to reduce image noise and artifacts and/or increase image sharpness.

Growing community of inventors

Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Hui Hu