Imaging system and image-guided radiotherapy system

Abstract

The utility model provides an imaging system and an image-guided radiotherapy system, and relates to the technical field of medical treatment, in particular to the technical field of soft tissue imaging. The imaging system includes: a chassis; the multi-focus bulb tube is arranged on the rack and comprises a plurality of focus light sources, and the focus light sources are used for emitting rays to the target soft tissue from different directions; the detector is arranged opposite to the multi-focus bulb tube and is used for receiving projection images of the target soft tissue exposed by the plurality of focus light sources from a plurality of directions; and the imaging control processing equipment is respectively connected with the multi-focus bulb tube and the detector, and is used for acquiring a projection image after exposure of the target soft tissue and reconstructing the projection image to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue. According to the invention, the three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue can be accurately obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of medical technologies, particularly to the field of soft tissue imaging technologies, and specifically to an imaging system and an image-guided radiotherapy system. Background Art

[0002] In the field of medical technologies, radiotherapy is one of the important means for treating tumors. Whether it is to align the target area (soft tissue) during the image-guided positioning stage or to image and track the target area during the image-guided radiotherapy monitoring stage, it is expected that the imaging meets the requirements of "three-dimensionality".

[0003] Currently, existing image generation methods usually perform imaging based on kilovolt (KV) beam technology. However, during the projection imaging process using KV beam technology, the generated projection image is a two-dimensional image, where only the bones are relatively clear, and the three-dimensional structure of soft tissues cannot be clearly displayed, failing to meet the requirements of "three-dimensionality". Utility Model Content

[0004] The present disclosure provides an imaging system and an image-guided radiotherapy system that can accurately obtain three-dimensional images of target soft tissues.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an imaging system, including: a gantry; a multi-focus X-ray tube disposed on the gantry, the multi-focus X-ray tube including a plurality of focal light sources for emitting rays towards a target soft tissue from different directions; a detector disposed opposite to the multi-focus X-ray tube for receiving projection images after the target soft tissue is exposed by the plurality of focal light sources from multiple directions; and an imaging control and processing device respectively connected to the multi-focus X-ray tube and the detector for acquiring the projection images after the target soft tissue is exposed and reconstructing the projection images to obtain three-dimensional images of the target soft tissue.

[0006] In some embodiments, the plurality of focal light sources include at least one group of focal light source groups, and the focal light sources in one group of focal light source groups are used to simultaneously expose the target soft tissue.

[0007] In some embodiments, the plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the circumferential direction or the length direction of the treatment object to which the target soft tissue belongs, and the arrangement manner of the plurality of focal light sources is any one of the following: a linear arrangement manner, an arc arrangement manner, or an arrangement manner adapted to the gantry.

[0008] In some embodiments, the imaging system further includes: a collimator, the collimator includes a plurality of openings corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of focal light sources, the opening direction of the opening is a preset direction, so that the central ray direction of the focal light source corresponding to the opening is the direction of the target soft tissue; the opening size of the opening is a preset size, so that the range error between the soft tissue irradiation range of the focal light source corresponding to the opening and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue is less than a preset range.

[0009] In some embodiments, the imaging system further includes: a plurality of collimators corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of focal light sources, the opening direction of the collimator is a preset direction, so that the central ray direction of the focal light source corresponding to the collimator is the direction of the target soft tissue; the opening size of the collimator is a preset size, so that the range error between the soft tissue irradiation range of the focal light source corresponding to the collimator and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue is less than a preset range.

[0010] In some embodiments, the imaging system further includes: a motion monitoring device for acquiring a motion monitoring signal of a to-be-treated object to which the target soft tissue belongs, and a control device connected to the multi-focus tube, the control device is configured to acquire the motion monitoring signal of the to-be-treated object, and generate a movement instruction according to the motion monitoring signal to control the position of the multi-focus tube to move.

[0011] In some embodiments, the imaging system further includes: a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) tube, and the CBCT tube is arranged side by side with the multi-focus tube.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the circumferential direction of the to-be-treated object, the multi-focus tube and the CBCT tube are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the to-be-treated object; or, when the plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the length direction of the to-be-treated object, the multi-focus tube and the CBCT tube are arranged in sequence along the circumferential direction of the to-be-treated object.

[0013] In some embodiments, the gantry is any one of: a ring gantry, a C-arm gantry, a drum gantry, and a multi-layer bowl-shaped / cylindrical structure gantry.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present disclosure further provides an image-guided radiotherapy system, including: an imaging system and a radiotherapy device according to any one of the above first aspects; when the target soft tissue is a to-be-radiotherapy target area, the radiotherapy device is configured to perform radiotherapy on the to-be-radiotherapy target area, and the imaging system is configured to perform positioning on the to-be-radiotherapy target area before radiotherapy, and / or, during radiotherapy, monitor the to-be-radiotherapy target area.

[0015] The imaging system provided by the present disclosure can emit rays from different directions to the target soft tissue through a multi-focus X-ray tube including multiple focal light sources, so that the imaging control processing device can obtain projection images of the target soft tissue exposed from multiple directions through a detector. In this way, the imaging control processing device can reconstruct the projection images to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue, thereby meeting the "three-dimensional" requirement for imaging of the target soft tissue. Description of the Drawings

[0016] The drawings are used to better understand the solution and do not limit the present disclosure. Among them:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic principle diagram of an imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement direction of multiple focal light sources provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement mode of multiple focal light sources provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a collimator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of an image-guided radiotherapy system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0028] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0029] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as a limitation on the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present disclosure, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0030] In the description of the present disclosure, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, illustration, or description". Any embodiment described as "exemplary" in the present disclosure is not necessarily construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments. In order for any person skilled in the art to implement and use the present disclosure, the following description is given. In the following description, details are set forth for purposes of explanation. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary details from obscuring the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the broadest scope that conforms to the principles and features disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0031] In the field of medical technology, radiotherapy (abbreviated as RT) is one of the important means for treating tumors. Whether it is to align the target area (soft tissue) during the image-guided setup stage or to image and track the target area during the fluoroscopy-guided radiotherapy monitoring stage, it is expected that the imaging meets the requirements of "three-dimensional" nature.

[0032] Currently, existing image generation methods usually perform imaging based on kilovolt (KV) beam technology. However, during the projection imaging process using KV beam technology, the generated projection images are two-dimensional images, with only the bones being relatively clear, while the three-dimensional structure of soft tissues cannot be clearly displayed, failing to meet the requirement of "three-dimensionality".

[0033] Based on the above technical problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an imaging system that can emit rays from different directions to a target soft tissue through a multi-focus X-ray tube including multiple focal light sources, so that the imaging control processing device can obtain projection images of the target soft tissue exposed from multiple directions through a detector. In this way, the imaging control processing device can reconstruct the projection images to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue, thereby meeting the "three-dimensional" requirement for imaging of the target soft tissue.

[0034] Figure 1 FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The imaging system may include: a gantry 101, a multi-focus X-ray tube 102 disposed on the gantry 101, a detector 103 disposed opposite to the multi-focus X-ray tube 102, and an imaging control processing device 104.

[0035] Among them, the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 includes multiple focal light sources 105 ( Figure 1 taking 7 focal light sources as an example for illustration), and the multiple focal light sources 105 are used to emit rays to the target soft tissue from different directions.

[0036] The target soft tissue can be any soft tissue on the object to be treated 110, which can be a lesion tissue (i.e., the target area), or normal soft tissue.

[0037] The detector 103 is used to receive the projection images of the target soft tissue exposed by the multiple focal light sources 105 from multiple directions.

[0038] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detector 103 can be a flat panel detector or a curved detector, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not make specific limitations on the detector 103.

[0039] The imaging control processing device 104 is used to obtain the projection images of the target soft tissue after exposure, and reconstruct the projection images to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the gantry 101 can be any one of an annular gantry, a C-arm gantry, a drum-shaped gantry, and a multi-layer bowl-shaped / cylindrical structure gantry, as long as it can support the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 and the detector 103. The gantry 101 can be a rotating gantry, and the gantry 101 can drive the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 and the detector 103 disposed opposite to the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 to rotate together. The gantry 101 can also be a fixed gantry that does not move. It should be noted that Figure 1 The imaging system is introduced by taking the annular gantry as an example, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the type of the gantry 101.

[0041] Since the multiple focal light sources 105 in the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 can emit rays from different directions to the target soft tissue of the object to be treated 110. Correspondingly, the detector 103 can obtain the projection images after exposing the target soft tissue from different angles, so that the imaging control and processing device 104 can reconstruct the projection images obtained from different angles to obtain the three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0042] Optionally, the rays emitted by each of the above-mentioned focal light sources 105 may include imaging beams (such as X-rays), etc., and the imaging beams pass through the patient's target area and are received by the detector.

[0043] In one possible implementation, whether it is aligning the target area (soft tissue) during the image-guided positioning stage or imaging and tracking the target area during the graphic-guided radiotherapy monitoring stage, in addition to meeting the requirements of "three-dimensionality", the imaging is also expected to meet the requirements of "real-time".

[0044] During the process of three-dimensional imaging based on the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) technology, rotation imaging is usually required, and the imaging speed is slow, which cannot meet the "real-time" requirement. In the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 disclosed in the present application, the multiple focal light sources 105 may include at least one set of focal light source groups, and the focal light sources in one set of focal light source groups are used to expose the target soft tissue simultaneously or almost simultaneously. In this way, the imaging control and processing device 104 can obtain the projection sub-images of the multiple focal light sources in each set of focal light source groups at one time (i.e., at the same moment) through the detector 103, and can quickly reconstruct the projection sub-images of the multiple focal light sources to quickly obtain the three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue, improving the imaging efficiency and meeting the "real-time" requirement of imaging.

[0045] Exemplarily, such as Figure 2As shown, when the focal light sources in the multi-focal tube 102 include light source 1, light source 2, light source 3, light source 4, light source 5, light source 6, and light source 7, the above 7 focal light sources can be divided into 2 groups, namely: the first group of focal light source group composed of light source 1, light source 3, light source 5, and light source 7, and the second group of focal light source group composed of light source 2, light source 4, and light source 6.

[0046] It should be noted that, in order to clearly depict the rays of the light sources, Figure 2 only the light source rays of the first group of focal light source group are shown. The light source rays of the second group of focal light source group are not shown. It can be understood that the light source rays of the second group of focal light source group can refer to the light source rays of the first group of focal light source group.

[0047] Optionally, at least one group of focal light source groups among the multiple focal light sources 105 can be divided by the imaging control processing device 104 based on the geometric data in the imaging system, and the geometric data includes: the straight-line distance between each focal light source 105 in the multi-focal tube 102 and the center point of the target soft tissue, the vertical distance between the target soft tissue and the detector 103, the shape and size of the target soft tissue, and the distance between each focal light source 105.

[0048] Another option is that at least one group of focal light source groups among the multiple focal light sources 105 can also be grouped by manual experience, and the focal light sources 105 in the multi-focal tube 102 can also be grouped by other means, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0049] In a realizable manner, the multiple focal light sources 105 are arranged along the circumferential direction or the length direction of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs. It should be noted that, Figure 1 taking the arrangement of the multiple focal light sources 105 along the circumferential direction of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs as an example, the imaging system is introduced, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the arrangement direction of the multiple focal light sources 105. Figure 3 Shows the multiple focal light sources 105 in the multi-focal tube 102 ( Figure 3 illustrated by taking 7 focal light sources of light source 1, light source 2, light source 3, light source 4, light source 5, light source 6, and light source 7 as an example) along the length direction of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs. As Figure 3 shown, the arrangement direction of the multiple focal light sources 105 is parallel to the length direction of the treatment object 110 (i.e., the head-foot direction or the Y axis of the IEC coordinate system).

[0050] In a realizable manner, the arrangement mode of the multiple focal light sources 105 is any one of the following: linear arrangement mode, arc arrangement mode, or arrangement mode adapted to the gantry. It should be noted that, Figure 1Taking the case where multiple focal light sources 105 are arranged linearly as an example, the imaging system is introduced. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the arrangement manner of the multiple focal light sources 105 is not limited.

[0051] Exemplarily, in combination with Figure 3 , Figure 4 a schematic diagram of an arc arrangement of multiple focal light sources 105 is shown. As Figure 4 shown, when the multiple focal light sources 105 are arranged along the length direction of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs, the multiple focal light sources 105 can be arranged in an arc.

[0052] As Figure 5 shown, the multi-focal tube 102 itself can be arc-shaped. In the case where the multiple focal light sources 105 are arranged in an arc along the circumferential direction of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs, the distance from each focal light source to the imaging center of the imaging system is equal or approximately equal. In this way, the space inside the gantry can be made larger.

[0053] It should be understood that whether it is a linear arrangement manner, an arc arrangement manner, or an arrangement manner adapted to the gantry, in order to ensure the integrity of the projection images after the target soft tissue is exposed by each group of focal light source groups and the efficiency of subsequent three-dimensional imaging, each group of focal light source groups can meet the following conditions: the image content of the sub-projection images irradiated by each focal light source in the focal light source group on the target soft tissue does not overlap, the number of focal light sources in the focal light source group is greater than a preset number, the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source in the focal light source group covers the target soft tissue, and the range error between the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source in the focal light source group and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue is less than a preset range.

[0054] Among them, the fact that the image content of the sub-projection images irradiated by each focal light source in the focal light source group on the target soft tissue does not overlap means that: the image content of the sub-projection images irradiated by each focal light source in the focal light source group on the target soft tissue is the image content of different regions of the target soft tissue. In this way, when the imaging control processing device performs three-dimensional imaging subsequently, it can perform fast imaging according to the image content of different regions of the target soft tissue.

[0055] The fact that the number of focal light sources in the focal light source group is greater than a preset number means that: on the basis that the image content of the sub-projection images irradiated by each focal light source in the focal light source group on the target soft tissue does not overlap, the number of focal light sources in the focal light source group is as large as possible. In this way, by simultaneously exposing multiple focal light sources, the imaging control processing device can simultaneously obtain the projection sub-images of multiple focal light sources in each group of focal light source groups, improving the imaging efficiency.

[0056] That the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source in the focal light source group covers the target soft tissue means that the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source needs to cover the target soft tissue, so as to obtain a complete projection image of the target soft tissue and improve the accuracy of three-dimensional imaging.

[0057] That the range error between the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source in the focal light source group and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue is less than a preset range means that on the basis that the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source in the focal light source group covers the target soft tissue, the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source cannot exceed the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue too much, so as to avoid the imaging error caused by the soft tissue irradiation range of each focal light source irradiating the area outside the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue.

[0058] In a realizable manner, in combination with Figure 1 , such as Figure 6 shown, the imaging system may further include a plurality of beam limiters 106 corresponding to the plurality of focal light sources 105 one by one.

[0059] The beam limiter 106 is used to limit the rays emitted by the focal light source 105, and the opening direction and opening size of the beam limiter are adjustable.

[0060] Specifically, when the opening direction of the beam limiter 106 is the preset direction, the central ray direction of the focal light source 105 corresponding to the beam limiter 106 can be the direction of the target soft tissue. When the opening size of the beam limiter 106 is the preset size, the range error between the soft tissue irradiation range of the focal light source 105 corresponding to the beam limiter 106 and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue can be less than the preset range.

[0061] In this way, the beam limiter 106 can control the rays emitted by the focal light source 105 in the direction of the target soft tissue, and can control the rays emitted by the focal light source 105 to cover the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue.

[0062] In another realizable manner, the above-mentioned plurality of beam limiters 106 can also be replaced by a whole-piece beam limiter. The whole-piece beam limiter may include a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of focal light sources 105 one by one. In this way, the rays emitted by each focal light source 105 can also be limited through each opening.

[0063] Specifically, when the opening direction of any opening on the whole-piece beam limiter is the preset direction, the central ray direction of the focal light source corresponding to the opening can be the direction of the target soft tissue. When the opening size of any opening on the whole-piece beam limiter is the preset size, the range error between the soft tissue irradiation range of the focal light source corresponding to the opening and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue can be less than the preset range.

[0064] Exemplarily, Figure 7 a schematic structural diagram of a collimator in an imaging system is shown. As Figure 7 shown, it is assumed that the multi-focus X-ray tube includes 3 focal light sources: light source 1, light source 2, and light source 3. Then a monolithic collimator can include 3 openings corresponding one-to-one to the 3 focal light sources: opening 1, opening 2, and opening 3. Opening 1 is used to collimate the rays emitted by light source 1. Opening 2 is used to collimate the rays emitted by light source 2. Opening 3 is used to collimate the rays emitted by light source 3.

[0065] In an implementable manner, the imaging control processing device 104 can also be used to control the multi-focus X-ray tube 102 to sequentially expose each group of focal light source groups, and sequentially obtain projection images of each group of focal light source groups after exposing the target soft tissue from the detector 103, and reconstruct multiple sub-projection images in the projection images corresponding to each group of focal light source groups to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0066] In some embodiments, the imaging control processing device 104 is a computer device with a graphical user interface (GUI, Graphical User Interface), and the computer device includes: one or more processors, a memory, and one or more application programs. Exemplarily, the imaging control processing device 104 can include an imaging system application program, and the processor of the imaging control processing device executes the imaging system application program to implement: reconstructing multiple sub-projection images in the projection images corresponding to each group of focal light source groups to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the entity of the imaging control processing device 104 can be a terminal or a server, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0068] Optionally, the above terminal can be at least one of devices such as a smart phone, a smart watch, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a virtual reality terminal, an augmented reality terminal, a wireless terminal, and a laptop portable computer.

[0069] Optionally, the above server can be an independent physical server, or a server cluster or a distributed file system composed of multiple physical servers, or a cloud server that provides basic cloud computing services such as cloud services, cloud databases, cloud computing, cloud functions, cloud storage, network services, cloud communications, middleware services, domain name services, security services, content distribution networks, and big data or artificial intelligence platforms, etc., and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. In some embodiments, the number of the above servers can be more or less, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. Of course, the server can also include other functions to provide more comprehensive and diverse services.

[0070] In the embodiments of the present application, since the multiple focal light sources 105 in the multi-focal tube 102 are distributed at different positions, different focal light sources 105 can irradiate the target soft tissue from different directions (angles). Correspondingly, the multiple sub-projection images in the projection images corresponding to each group of focal light source groups are sub-projection images obtained from multiple different directions (angles). In this case, the imaging control processing device 104 reconstructs the multiple sub-projection images in the projection images corresponding to each group of focal light source groups, and a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue can be obtained (i.e., three-dimensional imaging through appropriate geometric design).

[0071] Furthermore, since the focal light sources 105 in the multi-focal tube 102 are arranged in an orderly manner, the multiple sub-projection images should also be arranged in an orderly manner. In order to quickly and accurately generate a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue from the orderly arranged multiple sub-projection images, the imaging control processing device 104 can obtain in advance the arrangement order of the focal light sources in the multi-focal tube, and sort the multiple sub-projection images in the projection images corresponding to each group of focal light source groups to obtain the sorted multiple sub-projection images.

[0072] Then, the imaging control processing device reconstructs the sorted multiple sub-projection images to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0073] Continuing to combine the above Figure 2 Provided example, assume that the arrangement order of 7 focal light sources is light source 1, light source 2, light source 3, light source 4, light source 5, light source 6, and light source 7 in sequence. After obtaining projection image A and projection image B, the imaging control processing device can sort the 7 sub-projection images in projection image A and projection image B according to the above arrangement order of 7 focal light sources to obtain the sorted multiple sub-projection images as follows: sub-projection image 1, sub-projection image 2, sub-projection image 3, sub-projection image 4, sub-projection image 5, sub-projection image 6, and sub-projection image 7.

[0074] Then, the imaging control processing device can reconstruct sub-projection image 1, sub-projection image 2, sub-projection image 3, sub-projection image 4, sub-projection image 5, sub-projection image 6, and sub-projection image 7 to obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0075] In this way, by controlling the exposure order of multiple groups of focal light source groups and sorting and reconstructing multiple sub-projection images, the imaging control processing device can quickly and accurately obtain a three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue.

[0076] Further, in some embodiments, the imaging control processing device 104 may run a computer system, which includes a processor for implementing the imaging method implemented by the above-mentioned imaging control processing device.

[0077] In a feasible implementation manner, as Figure 6 shown, the imaging system further includes: a motion monitoring device 601 and a control device 602 connected to the multi-focus tube 102.

[0078] Among them, the motion monitoring device 601 is used to obtain the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs. The control device 602 is used to obtain the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object 110 and generate a movement instruction according to the motion monitoring signal to control the position of the movable multi-focus tube 102.

[0079] Optionally, the above-mentioned motion monitoring signal may be the respiration signal or heartbeat signal of the treatment object, or the movement signal of the treatment object (such as the signal of the treatment object moving the body, the signal of waving the arm, etc., voluntary or involuntary movement of parts).

[0080] Specifically, since the target soft tissue of the treatment object 110 may change in position or size with the movement of the treatment object (such as respiration, heartbeat, voluntary or involuntary movement of parts, etc.), the motion monitoring device 601 can monitor the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object in real time.

[0081] Since it is difficult to move the treatment object 110 so that the target soft tissue falls within the irradiation range of the multi-focus tube 102, after the motion monitoring device 601 in the embodiment of the present application obtains the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object 110 to which the target soft tissue belongs, it can send the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object 110 to the control device 602.

[0082] After the control device 602 obtains the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object 110, it can generate a movement instruction according to the motion monitoring signal to control the position of the movable multi-focus tube 102. In this way, by moving the multi-focus tube 102 so that the target soft tissue falls within the irradiation range of the multi-focus tube 102, both the efficiency and accuracy are better than moving the treatment object 110.

[0083] Of course, during the process of obtaining the three-dimensional image of the target soft tissue, the physicist may also need to obtain the three-dimensional image around the target soft tissue. In this case, the physicist can also move the multi-focus tube 102 according to his own experience through the control device 602. For example, the control device 602 is used to control the multi-focus tube 102 to move in the same or opposite direction to the treatment object 110. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0084] In some embodiments, the control device 602 may also be configured to perform: controlling the rotational movement of the gantry 101, controlling the multi-focus tube 102 to move around a preset axis of the gantry 101, controlling the detector 103 to move around a preset axis of the gantry, and controlling one or more of the multi-focus tube 102 to approach or move away from the detector 103.

[0085] Wherein, the preset axis of the gantry may be the rotation axis of the gantry, and the multi-focus tube 102 and / or the detector 103 may move around the preset axis of the gantry along a track provided on the gantry 101.

[0086] It should be noted that if the multi-focus tube 102 is connected to the detector 103, when the multi-focus tube 102 moves around the preset axis of the gantry along the track on the gantry 101, the detector 103 can be driven to move together.

[0087] In one implementable manner, the imaging system further includes: a CBCT tube 701. Wherein, the CBCT tube 701 is arranged side by side with the multi-focus tube 102.

[0088] In one implementable manner, as Figure 8 shown, when a plurality of focal light sources 105 are arranged along the length direction of the object to be treated 110, the multi-focus tube 102 and the CBCT tube 701 are arranged in sequence along the circumferential direction of the object to be treated 110. It should be noted that since Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view with the circumferential direction of the object to be treated 110 as the cross-section, and a plurality of focal light sources 105 are arranged along the length direction of the object to be treated 110, therefore, only one focal light source 105 is shown in Figure 8 , and the other focal light sources 105 are deployed behind the displayed focal light source 105, that is, the displayed focal light source 105 obscures the other focal light sources 105, resulting in Figure 8 only one focal light source 105 being shown in.

[0089] In yet another implementable manner, as Figure 9 shown, when a plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the circumferential direction of the object to be treated, the multi-focus tube and the CBCT tube are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the object to be treated. It should be noted that since Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view with the length direction of the object to be treated 110 as the cross-section, and a plurality of focal light sources 105 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the object to be treated 110, therefore, only one focal light source 105 is shown in Figure 9 , and the other focal light sources 105 are deployed behind the displayed focal light source 105, that is, the displayed focal light source 105 obscures the other focal light sources 105, resulting in Figure 9 only one focal light source 105 being shown in.

[0090] In this way, before treatment based on CBCT, the CBCT tube 701 can be used to position or set up the radiotherapy target area of the object to be treated 110, so as to obtain the treatment plan image of the radiotherapy target area.

[0091] By compatibly using the multi-focus tube 102 and the traditional CBCT tube 701 in this application, the convenience and accuracy of treating the radiotherapy target area are improved.

[0092] In an implementable manner, the embodiment of this application also provides an image-guided radiotherapy system. Combined Figure 8 , as Figure 10 shown, the image-guided radiotherapy system includes: the imaging system and the radiotherapy device 801 shown above. Figure 8 Among them, when the target soft tissue is the radiotherapy target area, the radiotherapy device 801 is used to perform radiotherapy on the radiotherapy target area.

[0093] The imaging system is used to set up the radiotherapy target area before radiotherapy, and / or monitor the radiotherapy target area during the radiotherapy process. In this way, during the treatment process based on the radiotherapy device 801, the imaging system can provide a treatment basis for the radiotherapy device 801 through three-dimensional imaging of the radiotherapy target area.

[0094] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides an electronic device, including at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, and the instructions are executed by the at least one processor so that the at least one processor can execute various imaging methods executed by each device in the imaging system provided by the present disclosure.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, wherein the computer instructions are used to cause an electronic device to execute various imaging methods executed by each device in the imaging system provided by the present disclosure.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, and the computer program implements various imaging methods executed by each device in the imaging system provided by the present disclosure when executed by a processor.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, and the computer program implements various imaging methods executed by each device in the imaging system provided by the present disclosure when executed by a processor.

[0098] Figure 11FIG. shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary electronic device 1100 that can be used to implement embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as, for example, laptop computers, desktop computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframe computers, and other suitable computers. The electronic device can also represent various forms of mobile devices, such as, for example, personal digital processors, cellular telephones, smart phones, wearable devices, and other similar computing devices. The components shown herein, their connections and relationships, and their functions are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the implementations of the present disclosure described and / or claimed herein. In some embodiments, the electronic device may be the imaging control processing device shown in the above Figure 1 imaging control processing device shown in

[0099] As Figure 11 shown, the electronic device 900 includes a computing unit 901 that can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a computer program stored in the read-only memory 902 or a computer program loaded from the storage unit 908 into the random access memory (RAM) 903. In the RAM 903, various programs and data required for the operation of the electronic device 900 can also be stored. The computing unit 901, the read-only memory (ROM) 902, and the RAM 903 are connected to each other via a bus 904. The input / output (I / O) interface 905 is also connected to the bus 904.

[0100] A plurality of components in the electronic device 900 are connected to the input / output interface 905, including: an input unit 906, such as a keyboard, a mouse, etc.; an output unit 907, such as various types of displays, speakers, etc.; a storage unit 908, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.; and a communication unit 909, such as a network card, a modem, a wireless communication transceiver, etc. The communication unit 909 allows the electronic device 900 to exchange information / data with other devices via a computer network such as the Internet and / or various telecommunication networks.

[0101] The computing unit 901 can be various general-purpose and / or special-purpose processing components with processing and computing capabilities. Some examples of the computing unit 901 include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit (GPU), various dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) computing chips, various computing units running machine learning model algorithms, a digital signal processor, and any suitable processor, controller, microcontroller, etc. The computing unit 901 executes the various methods and processes described above. For example, in an imaging system, the various imaging methods executed by each device. For example, in one embodiment, in an imaging system, the various imaging methods executed by each device can be implemented as a computer software program, which is tangibly included in a machine-readable medium, such as the storage unit 908. In one embodiment, part or all of the computer program can be loaded and / or installed onto the electronic device 900 via the ROM 902 and / or the communication unit 909. When the computer program is loaded into the RAM 903 and executed by the computing unit 901, one or more steps of the various imaging methods executed by each device in the imaging system described above can be executed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the computing unit 901 can be configured to execute the various imaging methods executed by each device in the imaging system in any other suitable way (e.g., by means of firmware).

[0102] The various embodiments of the systems and techniques described above in this article can be implemented in digital electronic circuit systems, integrated circuit systems, field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integrated circuits, application-specific standard parts (ASSPs), system-on-chip (SOC) systems, complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various embodiments can include: implemented in one or more computer programs that can be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be a dedicated or general-purpose programmable processor, and can receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and transmit the data and instructions to the storage system, the at least one input device, and the at least one output device.

[0103] The program code for implementing the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that when executed by the processor or controller, the program codes cause the functions / operations specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program codes may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0104] In the context of the present disclosure, a machine-readable medium may be a tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a machine-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection based on one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory, a read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0105] In order to provide interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described herein may be implemented on a computer having: a display device for displaying information to the user, such as, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor; and a keyboard and a pointing device (such as, for example, a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback (such as, for example, visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may be received in any form (including acoustic input, speech input, or tactile input).

[0106] The systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in a computing system including backend components (e.g., as a data server), or a computing system including middleware components (e.g., an application server), or a computing system including frontend components (e.g., a user computer having a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described herein), or a computing system including any combination of such backend components, middleware components, or frontend components. The components of the system can be interconnected with each other by digital data communication in any form or medium (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include: Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and the Internet.

[0107] A computer system can include a client and a server. The client and the server are generally far from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The client-server relationship is created by computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other. The server can be a cloud server, or a server of a distributed system, or a server incorporating a blockchain.

[0108] It should be understood that various forms of the processes shown above can be used, with steps reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps recited in this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in a different order, as long as the desired results of the technical solution of this disclosure can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0109] The above specific embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure shall be included within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An imaging system, characterized in that, Comprising: A frame; A multi-focus X-ray tube disposed on the frame, the multi-focus X-ray tube including a plurality of focal light sources for emitting rays towards a target soft tissue from different directions; A detector disposed opposite to the multi-focus X-ray tube, the detector being configured to receive projection images after the target soft tissue is exposed by the plurality of focal light sources from multiple directions; An imaging control and processing device respectively connected to the multi-focus X-ray tube and the detector, the imaging control and processing device being configured to acquire the projection images after the target soft tissue is exposed, and reconstruct the projection images to obtain three-dimensional images of the target soft tissue.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of focal light sources include at least one set of focal light source groups, and the focal light sources in one set of focal light source groups are configured to simultaneously expose the target soft tissue.

3. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the circumferential direction or the length direction of a treatment object to which the target soft tissue belongs, and the arrangement mode of the plurality of focal light sources is any one of the following: a linear arrangement mode, an arc arrangement mode, or an arrangement mode adapted to the frame.

4. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The imaging system further includes: a collimator, the collimator including a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of focal light sources one by one, the opening direction of the opening being a preset direction so that the central ray direction of the focal light source corresponding to the opening is the direction of the target soft tissue; the opening size of the opening is a preset size so that the soft tissue irradiation range of the focal light source corresponding to the opening and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue have a range error less than a preset range.

5. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that The imaging system further includes: a plurality of collimators corresponding to the plurality of focal light sources one by one, the opening direction of the collimator being a preset direction so that the central ray direction of the focal light source corresponding to the collimator is the direction of the target soft tissue; the opening size of the collimator is a preset size so that the soft tissue irradiation range of the focal light source corresponding to the collimator and the soft tissue range of the target soft tissue have a range error less than a preset range.

6. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The imaging system further includes: a motion monitoring device configured to acquire a motion monitoring signal of a treatment object to which the target soft tissue belongs, and a control device connected to the multi-focus X-ray tube, the control device being configured to acquire the motion monitoring signal of the treatment object and generate a movement instruction according to the motion monitoring signal to control the position of the multi-focus X-ray tube to move.

7. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The imaging system further includes: a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) X-ray tube, the CBCT X-ray tube being arranged side by side with the multi-focus X-ray tube.

8. The imaging system according to claim 7, wherein When the plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the circumferential direction of the treatment object, the multi-focus X-ray tube and the CBCT X-ray tube are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the treatment object; Or, when the plurality of focal light sources are arranged along the length direction of the treatment object, the multi-focus X-ray tube and the CBCT X-ray tube are arranged in sequence along the circumferential direction of the treatment object.

9. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The frame is any one of the following: a ring frame, a C-arm frame, a drum frame, and a multi-layer bowl-shaped / cylindrical structure frame.

10. An image-guided radiotherapy system, comprising: An imaging system and a radiotherapy device according to any one of the above claims 1-9; In the case where the target soft tissue is the radiotherapy target area, the radiotherapy device is used to perform radiotherapy on the radiotherapy target area, and the imaging system is used to position the radiotherapy target area before radiotherapy and / or monitor the radiotherapy target area during radiotherapy.

Images