Scanning method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a scanning method and device, and relates to the technical field of medical scanning. According to the method, at least two target exposure positions can be obtained from a plurality of exposure positions, and a plurality of ray sources are controlled to expose at the at least two target exposure positions. Each target exposure position is used for one ray source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of every two adjacent exposure are not overlapped. In other words, the plurality of ray sources can perform staggered exposure at the at least two target exposure positions, so that the problem of cross scattering can be effectively avoided. Since the plurality of ray sources perform staggered exposure at the at least two target exposure positions and do not need to perform exposure at all the exposure positions, the scanning speed can be improved, the scanning dose can be effectively saved, and the radiation dose to the scanned object can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of medical scanning technology, and in particular to a scanning method and device. Background Art

[0002] Dual-source computed tomography (CT) equipment is currently widely used in clinical examinations. Dual-source CT equipment includes two ray sources. The two rays can scan the scanned object at the same time to collect data from different angles at the same time, thereby effectively improving the scanning speed.

[0003] However, since the two radiation sources of the dual-source CT device work simultaneously, cross-scattering problems will occur, thereby affecting the quality of the final generated image. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a scanning method and device, which can solve the problem of cross scattering caused by current dual-source CT equipment. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] In one aspect, a scanning method is provided for a medical imaging system, wherein the medical imaging system comprises a rotating gantry and a plurality of radiation sources spaced apart on the rotating gantry; the method comprises:

[0006] Acquire at least two target exposure positions from a plurality of exposure positions;

[0007] Determining an exposure order of the plurality of radiation sources according to the at least two target exposure positions and the positions of the plurality of radiation sources;

[0008] Based on the exposure sequence, controlling the plurality of radiation sources to expose at the plurality of target exposure positions to scan the scanning object;

[0009] Each of the target exposure positions is used for one of the radiation sources to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of two adjacent exposures do not overlap.

[0010] Optionally, when the rotation speed of the rotating frame is higher than a rotation speed threshold, the exposure time of any one of the radiation sources at the target exposure position is negatively correlated with the rotation speed.

[0011] Optionally, the exposure duration is a reference value multiple of a standard exposure duration, and the reference value is a quotient of the rotation speed threshold and the rotation speed.

[0012] Optionally, the total number of the at least two target exposure positions is the target number; and obtaining at least two target exposure positions from the multiple exposure positions includes:

[0013] Acquire an exposure index of each of the plurality of exposure positions, where the exposure index is determined based at least on the attenuation degree of the X-rays emitted by the ray source at the exposure position after passing through the scanned object;

[0014] Based on the exposure index of each of the exposure positions, the target number of target exposure positions is obtained from the multiple exposure positions.

[0015] Optionally, based on the exposure index of each of the exposure positions, acquiring the target number of target exposure positions from the multiple exposure positions includes:

[0016] Grouping the multiple exposure positions to obtain the target number of exposure position groups, each exposure position group including at least two consecutive exposure positions;

[0017] Based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups, the target number of target exposure positions is obtained.

[0018] Optionally, based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups, obtaining the target number of target exposure positions includes:

[0019] The exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups is determined as a target exposure position, to obtain the target number of target exposure positions.

[0020] Optionally, based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups, obtaining the target number of target exposure positions includes:

[0021] Determine the exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group as an initial exposure position, and obtain the target number of initial exposure positions;

[0022] If, among the target number of initial exposure positions, the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position is equal to the angle between any two of the multiple ray sources, then the first initial exposure position is determined as one of the target number of target exposure positions, and another of the target number of target exposure positions is determined based on the second initial exposure position.

[0023] Optionally, determining another target exposure position among the target number of target exposure positions based on the second initial exposure position includes:

[0024] An exposure position before or after the second initial exposure position is determined as another target exposure position among the target number of target exposure positions.

[0025] Optionally, the first initial exposure position corresponds to a first ray source of the two ray sources, and the second initial exposure position corresponds to a second ray source of the two ray sources;

[0026] The exposure priority of the first ray source is higher than the exposure priority of the second ray source.

[0027] Optionally, the exposure index of the first initial exposure position is greater than the exposure index of the second initial exposure position.

[0028] On the other hand, a scanning device is provided for a medical imaging system, wherein the medical imaging system comprises a rotating gantry and a plurality of radiation sources arranged at intervals on the rotating gantry; the scanning device comprises:

[0029] An acquisition module, used for acquiring at least two target exposure positions from a plurality of exposure positions;

[0030] A determination module, configured to determine an exposure order of the plurality of radiation sources according to the at least two target exposure positions and the positions of the plurality of radiation sources;

[0031] A control module, configured to control the plurality of radiation sources to expose at the plurality of target exposure positions based on the exposure sequence, so as to scan the scanning object;

[0032] Each of the target exposure positions is used for one of the radiation sources to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of two adjacent exposures do not overlap.

[0033] On the other hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the scanning method described in the above aspects is implemented.

[0034] On the other hand, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program or computer instructions, and when the computer program or the computer instructions are executed by a processor, the scanning method as described in the above aspects is implemented.

[0035] The beneficial effects brought about by the technical solution provided by this application include at least:

[0036] The present application provides a scanning method and device, which can obtain at least two target exposure positions from multiple exposure positions, and control multiple radiation sources to staggeredly expose at at least two target exposure positions. Each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of each two adjacent exposures do not overlap. That is, multiple radiation sources can be staggered to expose at at least two target exposure positions, which can effectively avoid the problem of cross scattering. Since multiple radiation sources are staggered to expose at at least two target exposure positions without having to expose at all exposure positions, the scanning speed can be increased, and the scanning dose can be effectively saved, thereby reducing the radiation dose to the scanned object.

[0037] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become apparent from the description below, or will be learned through the practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a CT device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of another CT device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a scanning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 4 is a flow chart of another scanning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an exposure sequence of a CT device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a scanning device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of a medical imaging system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0046] The present application embodiment provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a CT device. Figure 1 and Figure 2It can be seen that the CT equipment includes: scanning bed ( Figure 1 ), a rack 01, and a plurality of radiation sources 02 and a plurality of detectors 03 (not shown) mounted on the rack 01 Figure 1 Two ray sources 02 are shown, Figure 2 Three radiation sources 02 are shown. The rack 01 can rotate and drive the radiation sources 02 and the detectors 03 to rotate to scan the scanned object.

[0047] Among them, multiple ray sources 02 correspond to multiple detectors 03 one by one. Each ray source 02 is an X-ray tube, which is used to emit X-rays. After passing through the scanned object, the X-rays reach the corresponding detector 03, and the detector 03 can convert the received X-rays into energy intensity signals for subsequent processing. The multiple ray sources 02 are driven by one or more high-voltage generators.

[0048] For example, see 1 and Figure 2 , multiple ray sources 02 and multiple detectors 03 can be evenly distributed on the rack 01. Each ray source 02 and the corresponding detector 03 are arranged opposite to each other. That is, each ray source 02 and the corresponding detector 03 are spaced 180 degrees (°).

[0049] The present application provides a scanning method, which is applied to a medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes a rotating gantry and a plurality of radiation sources arranged at intervals on the rotating gantry. Optionally, the medical imaging system may be a dual-source C-arm X-ray device, or a CT device. If the medical imaging system is the C-arm X-ray device, the rotating gantry is the C-arm. If the medical imaging system is a CT device, the rotating gantry may be a gantry of the CT device. For example, the medical imaging system may be Figure 1 or Figure 2 CT equipment shown. Figure 3 , the method comprising:

[0050] Step 101: Acquire at least two target exposure positions from a plurality of exposure positions.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present application, at least two target exposure positions are predetermined by the medical imaging system. Alternatively, the medical imaging system may obtain an exposure index of each exposure position among a plurality of exposure positions, and then obtain at least two target exposure positions from the plurality of exposure positions based on the exposure index of each exposure position. The exposure position refers to the position at which the radiation source emits X-rays. Of course, the at least two target exposure positions may also be positions set at preset intervals among a plurality of exposure positions. It is understandable that the at least two target exposure positions constitute a sparse scan in the scanning mode.

[0052] It should be understood that, in the case where the medical imaging system is a CT device, if an axial scan is used, the total number of multiple exposure positions is equal to the reference total number, which is the total number of all exposure positions of a radiation source when the gantry rotates once on the XY plane under the conventional scanning condition (hereinafter referred to as the conventional condition). If a complete scanning sequence includes P scanning positions arranged along the scanning direction, P is an integer greater than or equal to 1, then the total number of exposure positions of the complete scanning sequence is the product of the sampling position P and the reference total number. The XY plane is perpendicular to the scanning direction, and the scanning direction is the forward and backward direction of the scanning bed. The P scanning positions can be understood as P scanning bed positions. Taking the scanning of the heart as an example, the CT device is limited by the scanning field of view in the scanning direction, and the heart cannot be completely covered in a single axial scan. In this way, the scanning bed needs to be moved in the scanning direction. The number of times the scanning bed is moved is related to the scanning field of view in the scanning direction and the scanning length of the heart in the scanning direction, so that P scanning positions will be formed. This embodiment is defined by the scanning process of one scanning position. For each of the P scanning positions, the specific implementation method of this embodiment can be referred to. If spiral scanning is used, the total number of multiple exposure positions is equal to the number of all exposure positions during the spiral scanning process.

[0053] Step 102: Determine an exposure order of multiple radiation sources according to at least two target exposure positions and positions of multiple radiation sources.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present application, the CT device can traverse the target number of target exposure positions based on the order of the target number of target exposure positions. For each target exposure position traversed, the CT device can determine the ray source used to align with the target exposure position from multiple ray sources based on the positions of multiple ray sources, and record the identification of the ray source, and so on until the traversal is completed. Among them, the number of ray sources aligned with a target exposure position each time is one, so as to ensure that the exposure position and exposure time of each ray source have no conflict in the rotation angle. After the traversal is completed, the CT device can determine the arrangement order of the recorded multiple ray sources as the exposure order of the multiple ray sources.

[0055] Step 103: Based on the exposure sequence, control multiple radiation sources to expose at multiple target exposure positions to scan the scan object.

[0056] Each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position. The exposure time periods of two adjacent exposures do not overlap. The non-overlapping exposure time periods means that at any moment, only one of the multiple radiation sources is exposed at that moment. That is, the multiple radiation sources are not exposed at the same time.

[0057] The exposure time of any two radiation sources is equal. The exposure time between each two adjacent exposures is at least separated by the exposure time of each radiation source. The exposure time is greater than or equal to the quotient of the rotation speed of the CT device and the total number of multiple exposure positions. The rotation speed refers to: the time required for the frame of the CT device to rotate once on the XY plane. In other words, the exposure time of the radiation source of this exposure and the exposure time of the radiation source of the previous exposure are at least separated by the sampling time of one frame projection (view) of the CT device under normal circumstances. Each frame view is obtained based on the data collected at one exposure position.

[0058] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a scanning method, which can obtain at least two target exposure positions from multiple exposure positions, and control multiple radiation sources to expose at least two target exposure positions. Each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of each two adjacent exposures do not overlap. That is, multiple radiation sources can be staggered for exposure at at least two target exposure positions, which can effectively avoid the problem of cross scattering. Since multiple radiation sources are staggered for exposure at at least two target exposure positions without having to expose at all exposure positions, the scanning speed can be increased, and the scanning dose can be effectively saved, thereby reducing the radiation dose to the scanned object.

[0059] In addition, compared with sparse scanning with a single ray source, it can also reduce scanning time, improve scanning efficiency, and reduce motion artifacts caused by the movement of the scanned object.

[0060] The present application embodiment takes the medical imaging system as a CT device as an example to exemplarily illustrate the scanning method provided in the present application embodiment. Figure 4 , the method may include:

[0061] Step 201: Obtain an exposure index of each exposure position among a plurality of exposure positions.

[0062] Each exposure position is a position of the X-ray tube when emitting X-rays. The total number of exposure positions is equal to the reference total number. The reference total number is the total number of all exposure positions of a radiation source when the rack rotates one circle on the XY plane under normal circumstances.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, the exposure index of each exposure position is determined based on at least the attenuation degree of the X-ray emitted by the ray source at the exposure position after passing through the scanned object. For example, the CT device can directly determine the exposure index of the exposure position based on the attenuation degree of each exposure position. The exposure index is positively correlated with the attenuation degree.

[0064] Alternatively, the CT device may also obtain at least one of the distance from each exposure position to the scanning part of the scanned object and the sampling angle corresponding to the exposure position. Then, for each exposure position, the CT device may determine the exposure index of the exposure position based on the attenuation degree of the exposure position, and at least one of the distance from the exposure position to the scanning part and the sampling angle corresponding to the exposure position. For example, the CT device may determine the exposure index of the exposure position based on the attenuation degree of the exposure position, the distance from the exposure position to the scanning part and the sampling angle corresponding to the exposure position.

[0065] The sampling angle is greater than or equal to 0° and less than or equal to 360°. The exposure index is negatively correlated with the distance, and positively correlated with the importance of the sampling angle, which depends on the image reconstruction algorithm of the CT device.

[0066] It can be understood that the specific implementation process of the CT device determining the exposure index of the exposure position based on the attenuation degree of the exposure position, the distance from the exposure position to the scanning part and the sampling angle corresponding to the exposure position can refer to the relevant implementation process in patent CN115568872A, and the embodiments of the present application will not be repeated here.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present application, the CT device may perform a flat-film scan on the scanned object to obtain flat-film scan data. Then, the CT device may obtain attenuation degrees of multiple exposure positions based on the flat-film scan data. Specifically, the CT device may obtain an attenuation curve of the scanned object based on the flat-film scan data of the scanned object, and determine the attenuation degrees of multiple exposure positions at various acquisition positions of the scanned object along the Z direction of the CT device based on the attenuation curve.

[0068] Step 202: Obtain the target numbers of at least two target exposure positions.

[0069] The number of targets is less than the total number of exposure positions.

[0070] Optionally, a ratio of the number of targets of the at least two target exposure positions to the total number of the plurality of exposure positions may be greater than 9. For example, the ratio may be 20.

[0071] Step 203: Based on the exposure index of each exposure position, a target number of target exposure positions is obtained from the multiple exposure positions.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present application, the CT device can group multiple exposure positions to obtain a target number of exposure position groups. Each exposure position group includes at least two consecutive exposure positions. Then, the CT device can obtain a target number of target exposure positions based on the exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group.

[0073] It is understandable that, under normal circumstances, when scanning, the CT device can divide the angle (i.e., 360°) that the gantry rotates in one circle on the XY plane into multiple angle ranges, and each angle range corresponds to an exposure position. At least two exposure positions are continuous means that, under normal circumstances, the angle ranges corresponding to at least two exposure positions are continuous. For example, assuming that a certain exposure position group includes 3 exposure positions, the angle size of each angle range is 0.15°, and the smallest angle range in the exposure position group is 0-0.15°, then the three angle ranges of the exposure position group can be: 0°-0.15°, 0.15°-0.3°, and 0.3°-0.45°.

[0074] In an optional implementation manner, the CT device may directly determine the exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group as a target exposure position, thereby obtaining multiple target exposure positions.

[0075] In another optional implementation, the CT device may determine the exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group as an initial exposure position to obtain a target number of initial exposure positions. Then, if the CT device determines that the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position in the target number of initial exposure positions is equal to the angle between any two ray sources in the plurality of ray sources, the first initial exposure position may be determined as one of the target number of target exposure positions, and another target exposure position in the target number of target exposure positions may be determined based on the second initial exposure position.

[0076] When the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position is equal to the angle between any two of the multiple radiation sources, it is reasonable that after one of the two radiation sources is exposed, the other radiation source is exposed next. However, during the exposure of the one radiation source, the frame will rotate, so that after the exposure of the one radiation source is finished, the other radiation source will no longer be aligned with any of the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position, resulting in the inability to follow the exposure of the one radiation source. Instead, the one radiation source may need to rotate one circle before exposing the unexposed initial exposure position of the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position. As a result, it may not be possible to ensure that all of the multiple radiation sources participate in the exposure, and the scanning efficiency of the scanned object is low.

[0077] Based on this, the CT device can determine another target exposure position among the target number of target exposure positions based on the second initial exposure position to improve scanning efficiency and enable multiple radiation sources to participate in exposure as much as possible.

[0078] In an embodiment of the present application, the CT device may determine the previous or next exposure position of the second initial exposure position as another target exposure position in the target number of target exposure positions. Specifically, if the first initial exposure position is before the second initial exposure position, the CT device may determine the next exposure position of the second initial exposure position as another target exposure position in the target number of target exposure positions. If the first initial exposure position is after the second initial exposure position, the CT device may determine the previous exposure position of the second initial exposure position as another target exposure position in the target number of target exposure positions. In this way, the two radiation sources can be exposed successively.

[0079] Optionally, the first initial exposure position corresponds to the first ray source of the two ray sources mentioned above, and the second initial exposure position corresponds to the second ray source of the two ray sources. The exposure priority of the first ray source is higher than the exposure priority of the second ray source. That is to say, when the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position is equal to the angle between the first ray source and the second ray source, the CT device can adjust the exposure position corresponding to the ray source with a lower exposure priority.

[0080] Alternatively, the exposure index of the first initial exposure position is greater than the exposure index of the second initial exposure position, that is, when the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position is equal to the angle between the first ray source and the second ray source, the CT device can preferentially adjust the exposure position with the lower exposure index.

[0081] For example, assuming that under normal circumstances, the rack of the CT device rotates one circle on the XY plane to have 2320 exposure positions, assuming that the multiple exposure positions are the 2320 exposure positions, and the target number is 116, then for the 2320 exposure positions, the CT device can divide every 20 consecutive exposure positions into a group, and obtain 116 exposure position groups. Then, assuming that each target exposure position is the exposure position with the largest exposure index in the exposure position group, for each exposure position group, the CT device can select the exposure position with the highest exposure index from the exposure position group, and determine the exposure position as a target exposure position. In this way, 116 target exposure positions can be obtained.

[0082] It can be understood that when the sampling position P of the scanned object in the scanning direction is greater than 1, the total number of target exposure positions at each sampling position is equal. The target exposure positions at any two sampling positions may be the same or different. The same target exposure positions at any two sampling positions means that the angle ranges corresponding to the target exposure positions are the same.

[0083] Step 204: Determine the exposure order of the multiple ray sources according to the number of targets, the target exposure positions and the positions of the multiple ray sources.

[0084] The exposure order may be used to indicate the exposure sequence of multiple radiation sources.

[0085] In an embodiment of the present application, the CT device can traverse the target number of target exposure positions based on the order of the target number of target exposure positions. For each target exposure position traversed, the CT device can determine the ray source used to align with the target exposure position from multiple ray sources based on the positions of multiple ray sources, and record the identification of the ray source, and so on until the traversal is completed. Among them, the number of ray sources aligned with a target exposure position each time is one, so as to ensure that the exposure position and exposure time of each ray source have no conflict in the rotation angle. After the traversal is completed, the CT device can determine the arrangement order of the recorded multiple ray sources as the exposure order of the multiple ray sources.

[0086] It is understandable that the order of the target number of target exposure positions can be determined based on at least the angles corresponding to the target exposure positions on the rack. For example, it can be determined based on the angles corresponding to the target exposure positions and the order of the multiple sampling positions.

[0087] Step 205 : Based on the exposure order of the multiple ray sources, control the multiple ray sources to expose at a target number of target exposure positions to scan the scan object.

[0088] Among them, each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of each two adjacent exposures do not overlap. That is, multiple radiation sources are not exposed at the same time. In other words, multiple radiation sources are staggered in exposure order, thereby effectively reducing the problem of cross scattering caused by simultaneous exposure of multiple radiation sources.

[0089] The exposure duration of any two ray sources is equal, and the exposure time between each two adjacent exposures is at least the exposure time of each ray source. The exposure time is greater than or equal to the quotient of the rotation speed of the CT device and the total number of multiple exposure positions. The rotation speed refers to the time required for the gantry of the CT device to rotate once on the XY plane. In other words, the exposure time of the ray source of this exposure is at least separated from the exposure time of the ray source of the previous exposure by the sampling time of one frame of the projection view of the CT device under normal circumstances.

[0090] Each frame view is obtained based on the data collected at one exposure position. Each frame view is converted from the X-ray data collected by the CT device based on the scan within each angle range.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present application, when the rotation speed of the CT device is lower than or equal to the rotation speed threshold, the exposure time of any ray source at the target exposure position is equal to the quotient of the rotation speed of the CT device and the total number of multiple exposure positions. When the rotation speed of the CT device is higher than the rotation speed threshold, the exposure time of any ray source at the target exposure position is greater than the quotient and is negatively correlated with the rotation speed of the CT device. That is, the faster the rotation speed, the longer the exposure time of the ray source at the target exposure position.

[0092] The rotation speed of the CT device refers to the time required for the CT device to rotate once on the XY plane. The rotation speed threshold may be an empirical value pre-stored by the CT device, such as 0.5 seconds (s), 0.6s or 0.7s.

[0093] In this way, on the one hand, it can ensure that the exposure time of the radiation source at the target exposure position is sufficient, thereby ensuring the high quality of the reconstructed image; on the other hand, it can reduce the need for the high voltage generator to quickly switch the voltage and current applied between the anode and cathode of the tube. The unit of voltage is kilovolt (kV) and the unit of current is milliampere (mA).

[0094] Optionally, the exposure time may be proportional to the standard exposure time and a reference value. The reference value is the quotient of the rotation speed threshold and the rotation speed. The standard exposure time is the quotient of the rotation speed of the CT device and the total number of multiple exposure positions, or is a minimum value limited by the hardware performance of the high-voltage generator of the CT device. The minimum value may refer to: the minimum exposure time that the high-voltage generator can provide. The minimum exposure time is limited by the high-voltage build-up time. The shorter the minimum exposure time, the shorter the high-voltage build-up time. The high-voltage build-up time is limited by the hardware of the high-voltage generator.

[0095] For example, the exposure time can be equal to the reference value times of the standard exposure time. Assuming that the rotation speed threshold is 0.5s and the rotation speed of the CT device is 0.25s, the exposure time is twice the standard exposure time, that is, the sampling time of 2 views (abbreviated as 2 views).

[0096] For example, under normal circumstances, the CT device can obtain a total of 2320 views from view1 to view2320. Assume that the multiple ray sources of the CT device include a first ray source and a second ray source, that is, dual-source scanning, and the multiple ray sources and multiple detectors are as follows: Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, they are evenly distributed on rack 01, and the interval between the first ray source and the second ray source is 580 views.

[0097] Assuming that the exposure time at each target exposure position is 2 views, and assuming that any two adjacent target exposure positions are separated by 20 views, the CT device can determine the exposure order for the first ray source and the second ray source as follows: Figure 5 shown.

[0098] from Figure 5 It can be seen that the exposure sequence can be used to indicate that the first ray source and the second ray source are exposed alternately, that is, after the first ray source completes scanning, the second ray source can start scanning. Figure 5 As shown, in an alternating cycle, the interval between each two adjacent exposures is twice the exposure duration. The alternating cycle refers to the time interval between the first ray source and the second ray source performing an alternating exposure.

[0099] Assuming that the first target exposure position is the exposure position corresponding to view1, then from Figure 5 It can be seen that after the first ray source is exposed from the exposure position corresponding to view1, since the exposure time lasts for 2 views, the second ray source is already located at the position of view582, so the second ray source needs to start exposure from the exposure position corresponding to view583. Similarly, after the first ray source is exposed from the exposure position corresponding to view21, the second ray source is already located at the position of view602, so the second ray source needs to start exposure from the exposure position corresponding to view603. And so on, until the exposure is completed at at least two target exposure positions, thereby obtaining scan data.

[0100] It is understandable that the order of the steps of the scanning method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be appropriately adjusted, and the steps can also be increased or decreased accordingly according to the situation. For example, step 201 and step 202 can also be deleted according to the situation. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of a method of variation within the technical scope disclosed in this application, which should be included in the protection scope of this application, so it will not be repeated.

[0101] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a scanning method, which can obtain at least two target exposure positions from multiple exposure positions, and control multiple radiation sources to expose at least two target exposure positions. Each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of each two adjacent exposures do not overlap. That is, multiple radiation sources can be staggered for exposure at at least two target exposure positions, which can effectively avoid the problem of cross scattering. Since multiple radiation sources are staggered for exposure at at least two target exposure positions without having to expose at all exposure positions, the scanning speed can be increased, and the scanning dose can be effectively saved, thereby reducing the radiation dose to the scanned object.

[0102] The present application provides a scanning device, which is used in a medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes a rotating frame and a plurality of radiation sources arranged at intervals on the rotating frame. Figure 6 , the device 300 comprises:

[0103] The acquisition module 301 is used to acquire at least two target exposure positions from multiple exposure positions.

[0104] The determination module 302 is used to determine the exposure order of the multiple radiation sources according to at least two target exposure positions and the positions of the multiple radiation sources.

[0105] The control module is used to control multiple radiation sources to expose at multiple target exposure positions based on the exposure sequence to scan the scanning object, wherein each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of two adjacent exposures do not overlap.

[0106] Optionally, when the rotation speed of the rotating frame is higher than a rotation speed threshold, the exposure time of any ray source at the target exposure position is negatively correlated with the rotation speed.

[0107] Optionally, the exposure duration is a reference value multiple of a standard exposure duration, and the reference value is a quotient of a rotation speed threshold and a rotation speed.

[0108] Optionally, the total number of at least two target exposure positions is the target number. The acquisition module 301 can be used to:

[0109] Acquire an exposure index of each exposure position among a plurality of exposure positions, where the exposure index is determined based at least on the attenuation degree of the X-rays emitted by the ray source at the exposure position after passing through the scanned object;

[0110] Based on the exposure index of each exposure position, a target number of target exposure positions are obtained from the plurality of exposure positions.

[0111] Optionally, the acquisition module 301 may be used to:

[0112] Grouping the multiple exposure positions to obtain a target number of exposure position groups, each exposure position group including at least two consecutive exposure positions;

[0113] Based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group, a target number of target exposure positions is obtained.

[0114] Optionally, the acquisition module 301 may be used to:

[0115] The exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group is determined as a target exposure position, and a target number of target exposure positions is obtained.

[0116] Optionally, the acquisition module 301 may be used to:

[0117] The exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group is determined as an initial exposure position, and a target number of initial exposure positions is obtained;

[0118] If, among the target number of initial exposure positions, the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position is equal to the angle between any two of the multiple radiation sources, the first initial exposure position is determined as one of the target number of target exposure positions, and another target exposure position among the target number of target exposure positions is determined based on the second initial exposure position.

[0119] Optionally, the acquisition module 301 may be used to:

[0120] An exposure position before or after the second initial exposure position is determined as another target exposure position among the target number of target exposure positions.

[0121] Optionally, the first initial exposure position corresponds to a first ray source of the two ray sources, and the second initial exposure position corresponds to a second ray source of the two ray sources;

[0122] The exposure priority of the first ray source is higher than the exposure priority of the second ray source.

[0123] Optionally, the exposure index of the first initial exposure position is greater than the exposure index of the second initial exposure position.

[0124] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a scanning device, which can obtain at least two target exposure positions from a plurality of exposure positions, and control a plurality of radiation sources to expose at least two target exposure positions. Each target exposure position is used for a radiation source to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure periods of each two adjacent exposures do not overlap. That is, a plurality of radiation sources can be staggered for exposure at at least two target exposure positions, which can effectively avoid the problem of cross scattering. Since a plurality of radiation sources are staggered for exposure at at least two target exposure positions without having to expose at all exposure positions, the scanning speed can be increased, and the scanning dose can be effectively saved, thereby reducing the radiation dose to the scanned object.

[0125] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a medical imaging system provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 The medical imaging system 100 further includes: a processor 110 and a memory 120. The processor 110 and the memory 120 are connected, for example, via a bus 130.

[0126] The processor 110 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor 110 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0127] The bus 130 may include a path to transmit information between the above components. The bus 130 may be a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) bus. The bus 130 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 7 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0128] The memory 120 is used to store a computer program corresponding to the scanning method of the above embodiment of the present application, and the computer program is controlled and executed by the processor 110. The processor 110 is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory 120 to implement the contents shown in the above method embodiment.

[0129] The present application embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the scanning method provided in the above method embodiment is implemented. For example, Figure 3 or Figure 4 Scanning method shown.

[0130] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or a computer instruction. When the computer program or the computer instruction is executed by a processor, the scanning method provided by the above method embodiment is implemented. For example, Figure 3 or Figure 4 Scanning method shown.

[0131] It should be noted that the logic and / or steps represented in the flowchart or otherwise described herein, for example, can be considered as a sequenced list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, and can be specifically implemented in any computer-readable medium for use by an instruction execution system, device or apparatus (such as a computer-based system, a system including a processor, or other system that can fetch instructions from an instruction execution system, device or apparatus and execute instructions), or in combination with these instruction execution systems, devices or apparatuses. For the purposes of this specification, "computer-readable medium" can be any device that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transmit a program for use by an instruction execution system, device or apparatus, or in combination with these instruction execution systems, devices or apparatuses. More specific examples of computer-readable media (a non-exhaustive list) include the following: an electrical connection portion with one or more wirings (electronic device), a portable computer disk box (magnetic device), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable and programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber device, and a portable compact disk read-only memory (CDROM). In addition, the computer-readable medium may even be paper or other suitable medium on which the program is printed, since the program may be obtained electronically, for example, by optically scanning the paper or other medium and then editing, interpreting or processing in other suitable ways if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

[0132] It should be understood that the various parts of the present application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. In the above-mentioned embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented by software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented by hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented by any one of the following technologies known in the art or their combination: a discrete logic circuit having a logic gate circuit for implementing a logic function for a data signal, a dedicated integrated circuit having a suitable combination of logic gate circuits, a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

[0133] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0134] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0135] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0136] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A scanning method for a medical imaging system, wherein the medical imaging system comprises a rotating gantry and a plurality of radiation sources arranged at intervals on the rotating gantry; characterized in that: The method comprises: Acquire at least two target exposure positions from a plurality of exposure positions; Determining an exposure order of the plurality of radiation sources according to the at least two target exposure positions and the positions of the plurality of radiation sources; Based on the exposure sequence, controlling the plurality of radiation sources to expose at the plurality of target exposure positions to scan the scanning object; Each of the target exposure positions is used for one of the radiation sources to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of two adjacent exposures do not overlap.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the rotation speed of the rotating frame is higher than a rotation speed threshold, the exposure time of any one of the radiation sources at the target exposure position is negatively correlated with the rotation speed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The exposure duration is a reference value multiple of a standard exposure duration, and the reference value is a quotient of the rotation speed threshold and the rotation speed.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The total number of the at least two target exposure positions is the target number; Acquiring at least two target exposure positions from the plurality of exposure positions, including: Acquire an exposure index of each of the plurality of exposure positions, where the exposure index is determined based at least on the attenuation degree of the X-rays emitted by the ray source at the exposure position after passing through the scanned object; Based on the exposure index of each of the exposure positions, the target number of target exposure positions is obtained from the multiple exposure positions.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that Based on the exposure index of each of the exposure positions, obtaining the target number of target exposure positions from the multiple exposure positions, comprising: Grouping the multiple exposure positions to obtain the target number of exposure position groups, each exposure position group including at least two consecutive exposure positions; Based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups, the target number of target exposure positions is obtained.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups, obtaining the target number of target exposure positions comprises: The exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups is determined as a target exposure position, to obtain the target number of target exposure positions.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Based on the target exposure position with the largest exposure index in each of the exposure position groups, obtaining the target number of target exposure positions comprises: Determine the exposure position with the largest exposure index in each exposure position group as an initial exposure position, and obtain the target number of initial exposure positions; If, among the target number of initial exposure positions, the angle between the first initial exposure position and the second initial exposure position is equal to the angle between any two of the multiple ray sources, then the first initial exposure position is determined as one of the target number of target exposure positions, and another of the target number of target exposure positions is determined based on the second initial exposure position.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Determining another target exposure position of the target number of target exposure positions based on the second initial exposure position includes: An exposure position before or after the second initial exposure position is determined as another target exposure position among the target number of target exposure positions.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first initial exposure position corresponds to a first ray source of the two ray sources, and the second initial exposure position corresponds to a second ray source of the two ray sources; The exposure priority of the first ray source is higher than the exposure priority of the second ray source.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The exposure index of the first initial exposure position is greater than the exposure index of the second initial exposure position.

11. A scanning device, characterized in that: Used in a medical imaging system, the medical imaging system comprises a rotating frame and a plurality of radiation sources arranged at intervals on the rotating frame; the scanning device comprises: An acquisition module, used for acquiring at least two target exposure positions from a plurality of exposure positions; A determination module, configured to determine an exposure order of the plurality of radiation sources according to the at least two target exposure positions and the positions of the plurality of radiation sources; A control module, configured to control the plurality of radiation sources to expose at the plurality of target exposure positions based on the exposure sequence, so as to scan the scanning object; Each of the target exposure positions is used for one of the radiation sources to expose at the target exposure position, and the exposure time periods of two adjacent exposures do not overlap.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or a computer instruction, and when the computer program or the computer instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented.

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