The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Xintek, Inc.

Pavel Chtcheprov

Otto Z Zhou

Jianping Lu

Andrew Tucker

Jing Shan

Yueh Zenas Lee

Christina Inscoe

Jabari Calliste

Enrique Platin

André Mol

Laurence Rossman Gaalaas

Gongting Wu

Systems and related methods for stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, systems include a stationary x-ray source array with an array of x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a subject to be imaged that is stationary, a stationary area x-ray detector configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject, a physiological gating apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological signal of the subject and defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal, and a computing platform configured to activate the x-ray pixels based on the physiological phase and the time window and upon receipt of the at least one physiological signal from the physiological gating apparatus in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject.

Systems and related methods for stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) imaging

Optical geometry calibration devices, systems, and related methods for x-ray imaging are disclosed. An optical-based geometry calibration device is configured to interface with a two-dimensional (2D) imaging device to perform three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The optical-based geometry calibration device includes one or more optical cameras fixed to either an x-ray source or an x-ray detector, one or more markers fixed to the x-ray detector or the x-ray source, with each of the one or more optical cameras being configured to capture at least one photographic image of one or more corresponding optical markers when each x-ray image of the object is captured, and an image processing system configured to compute positions of the x-ray source relative to the x-ray detector for each 2D projection image based on the at least one photographic image of the one or more markers.

Optical geometry calibration devices, systems, and related methods for three dimensional x-ray imaging

A three-dimensional (3D) x-ray tomographic imaging system includes an x-ray source fixedly attached to a first unmanned vehicle, which can be aerial or otherwise configured for locomotion, and an x-ray detector. A vehicle controller is configured to be operated by an operator, and an optical camera is mounted to the first unmanned vehicle at a fixed position relative to the x-ray source, and an optical pattern is fixed at a position relative to the x-ray detector. The x-ray source and x-ray detector are configured to be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the object, while the x-ray source is rotated radially around the object to one or more imaging positions.

Mobile and free-form x-ray imaging systems and methods

Digital tomosynthesis systems, methods, and computer readable media for intraoral dental tomosynthesis imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, an intraoral tomosynthesis imaging system includes an x-ray source array for positioning outside a mouth of a patient, wherein the x-ray source array contains multiple x-ray focal spots that are spatially distributed on an anode, an area digital x-ray detector for positioning inside the mouth of the patient, a geometry calibration mechanism for connecting the x-ray detector to the x-ray source array, an x-ray collimator for confining x-ray beams to a region of interest, a controller for regulating x-ray radiation and synchronization of the x-ray radiation with the x-ray detector, such that multiple 2D projection images of the ROI are acquired without mechanical motion of the x-ray source array, the x-ray detector, or the mouth of the patient, and a computer program and workstation for 3D tomosynthesis image reconstruction and display.

Digital tomosynthesis systems, methods, and computer readable media for intraoral dental tomosynthesis imaging

Intraoral tomosynthesis systems, methods, and computer readable media for dental imaging can include an x-ray source containing multiple focal spots spatially distributed on one or multiple anodes in an evacuated chamber, an x-ray detector for positioning inside a mouth of a patient, a device for determining imaging geometry of the intraoral tomosynthesis system; and control electronics configured to regulate the x-ray source, by sequentially activating each of the multiple focal spots, such that multiple two dimensional (2D) projection images of the mouth of the patient are acquired from multiple viewing angles. In some aspects, the device for determining the imaging geometry can comprise a plate connectedly attached to the x-ray detector, at least one light source connectedly attached to the x-ray source, and a camera configured to capture at least one light spot produced by a projection of at least one light beam onto the plate.

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Pavel Chtcheprov