General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Ge Precision Healthcare LLC

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology, LLC

Jasbir S. Sra

Mark Edward Woodford

Darin Robert Okerlund

Jiang Hsieh

Kishore Chandra Acharya

Steven John Woloschek

John Irvin Jackson

Tin-Su Pan

Edward Henry Chao

Yun Shen

Rajendra Kurady

Jerome F Knoplioch

Jasbir Sra

Hui David He

Christopher C Slack

James Donald Markvicka

TinSu Pan

Steve Woloschek

Esmeraldo R Davantes

Methods and systems are provided for cardiac computed tomography imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises reconstructing an image from projection data acquired during a scan with a reconstruction time determined based on a model relating a timing of an event to be imaged to a heart rate measured during the scan. In this way, the timing of a reconstruction may be consistently applied for a series of reconstructions, thereby inherently registering the reconstructions.

Methods and systems for computed tomography

A multi-sector back-off logic algorithm for obtaining optimal slice-sensitive computed tomography ('CT') profiles. The systems and methods of the present invention improving the temporal resolution of a CT system by checking for Z location errors between sectors and automatically backing-off to an alternative multi-sector algorithm when necessary (i.e., selecting an optimized maximum number of sectors to reconstruct), providing less Z location error. Based upon this Z location error, the systems and methods of the present invention also calculating the maximum number of sectors that should be used for reconstruction 'on-the-fly' (i.e., on a per image basis across an entire series of images). These systems and methods utilizing the Recommended Protocol for Cardiac Reconstruction Algorithms.

Multi-sector back-off logic algorithm for obtaining optimal slice-sensitive computed tomography profiles

In one embodiment, a method is provided for performing computed tomography (CT) imaging. The method includes obtaining EKG gating information from an object and obtaining attenuation measurements from the object utilizing a detector that is rotated in a scan plane around the object. The method further includes performing a first reconstruction based on a first portion of the attenuation measurements that are collected by a first region of the detector, where the first reconstruction is performed independent of the EKG gating information to obtain a first reconstruction data set. A second reconstruction is performed based on a second port of the attenuation measurements that are collected by a second region of the detector, where the second reconstruction is performed based on the EKG gating information to obtain a second reconstruction data set.

Method and system for performing CT image reconstruction with motion artifact correction

A method for associating EKG waveform data with computed tomography image data using a data synchronization scheme including generating the EKG waveform data using an electrocardiogram device, operating a computed tomography imaging system so as to create the computed tomography image data, communicating an exposure marker-in signal to the electrocardiogram device such that the exposure marker-in signal is associated with the EKG waveform data and processing the computed tomography image data, the EKG waveform data and the exposure marker-in signal, so as to correlate the EKG waveform data with the computed tomography image data. Also claimed is a medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for associating EKG waveform data with image data generated by an imaging system using a data synchronization scheme, the medium including instructions for causing controller to implement the aforementioned method.

Method and system for associating an EKG waveform with a CT image

In one aspect, the present invention is a method for producing CT images of a patient's heart suitable for calcification scoring, in which the heart has a cardiac cycle. The method includes steps of acquiring data representative of a first scout-scanned CT image of physical locations of the patient's body including at least a portion of the patient's heart at phases &#x3c6;(L) of the cardiac cycle, acquiring data representative of a second scout-scanned CT image of the physical locations of the patient's body including at least a portion of the patient's heart at phases &#x3c6;(L) of the cardiac cycle different from &#x3c6;(L) at physical positions L of interest, and determining a difference image from the acquired data representative of the first scout-scanned CT image and the acquired data representative of the second scout-scanned CT image data. It is not necessary that &#x3c6;(L) and &#x3c6;(L) be constant as a function of position L.

Methods and apparatus for scout-based cardiac calcification scoring

A method of creating 3D models to be used for cardiac interventional procedure planning. Acquisition data is obtained from a medical imaging system and cardiac image data is created in response to the acquisition data. A 3D model is created in response to the cardiac image data and three anatomical landmarks are identified on the 3D model. The 3D model is sent to an interventional system where the 3D model is in a format that can be imported and registered with the interventional system.

Method, system and computer product for cardiac interventional procedure planning

A method and apparatus for use with a gated CT imaging system for correcting for Rpeak errors in a heart beat signal, the method including identifying heart rate corresponding to each specific heart beating cycle and comparing the heart rate for each specific cycle to moving averages to determine when a likely Rpeak error has occurred and, when a likely error has occurred, modifying the heart beat signal to generate a more accurate signal and thereby render more accurate gated images.

R-peak detection corrections for improved cardiac gated reconstruction

A method for rapid extraction and visualization of relevant data from a volume of image data includes rapidly producing reduced-fidelity images derived from an image volume, the reduced fidelity images having an adjustable visual parameter; adjusting the visual parameter of the reduced-fidelity images during the rapid production to select a desired adjustment; producing a full-fidelity image derived from the image volume; and applying the selected adjustment to the full-fidelity image.

Relevant image data extraction from a medical image data volume

A method and apparatus for imaging a heart with a scanning computed tomography (CT) imaging system. A cardiac cycle of a patient is measured. The patient's heart is then scanned with the scanning CT imaging system at an angular rate asynchronous to the measured cardiac cycle to obtain image data. An image of the patient's heart is then assembled from chronologically discontinuous segments of the image data. The image is representative of a selected portion of the cardiac cycle.

Methods and apparatus for cardiac imaging with conventional computed tomography

In one aspect, the present invention is a method for scanning an object with a multi-slice CT imaging system having multiple detector rows each having an isocenter. The method includes steps of helically scanning an object with the multi-slice CT imaging system to obtain data segments including peripheral data segments, combining data from a first peripheral data segment with an opposite, second peripheral segment to form a data set for reconstruction of an image slice; and reconstructing the combined data into image slices.

Hybrid reconstruction for high pitch multi-slice helical cardiac imaging

A method is described for controlling x-ray exposure during gated cardiac scanning, including the steps of detecting a first cardiac signal; starting scanning after a pre-selected wait time after detecting the first cardiac signal; and stopping the scanning after a first to occur of passage of a pre-selected data collection time and detection of a second cardiac signal.

Method and apparatus for controlling x-ray exposure during gated cardiac scanning

In one aspect, the present invention is a method for producing CT images of a patient's heart suitable for calcification scoring, in which the heart has a cardiac cycle. The method includes steps of acquiring data representative of a first scout-scanned CT image of physical locations of the patient's body including at least a portion of the patient's heart at phases &phgr;,(L) of the cardiac cycle, acquiring data representative of a second scout-scanned CT image of the physical locations of the patient's body including at least a portion of the patient's heart at phases &phgr;,(L) of the cardiac cycle different from &phgr;,(L) at physical positions L of interest, and determining a difference image from the acquired data representative of the first scout-scanned CT image and the acquired data representative of the second scout-scanned CT image data. It is not necessary that &phgr;,(L) and &phgr;,(L) be constant as a function of position L.

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Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Mark Edward Woodford